"There is a lot of consolidation in that industry right now," Mr. Higgins said. "The highest value banks can add is less in the traditional point-spread loan business, but more in larger facilities, loan syndication, and helping (clients) navigate the capital markets." Mr. Conway joined Fleet in 1996 after eight years in Citicorp's corporate finance division, where his duties included bank loan syndications, private placements, and sponsor finance. Fleet Capital, a nationwide asset-based lender with mostly middle-market customers, will also come under Mr. Conway's investment banking division, although Peter Bland will continue to manage it. Mr. Conway will still head the bank's corporate finance department. Since joining Fleet, he has beefed up Fleet's corporate finance staff from 15 to about 100.