What does the banking consolidation graphic represent or explain?

Its a graphical representation (over time) showing how the various banks were merged into one another (i.e. consolidated).

Consolidation can happen for many reasons

• forging a greater partnership
• buying competition out
• opting to be a single entity because of synergies
• deciding to unite to meet future Federal Reserve capital or other requirements
• bailing another bank out
• distress buy/sell
• expansion
• leveraged buyout / hostile take over
• etc.