Glendale Federal

Re “Locals Offer Their 2 Cents on Glendale Bank Merger,” Feb. 7.

It came as a shock to many--especially along Brand Boulevard--that Glendale Federal Savings announced its imminent merger and move to San Francisco. But it came as no surprise to me. In fact, I’ve had it figured for over a year. The moment GlenFed started wooing disenfranchised customers of the last set of mergers with a clever ad campaign touting its independence, I knew its days as an indie were numbered. I’ve seen it happen before in other industries: “Very independent” KCOP-TV fell into place as UPN 13. I’ve watched it happen with supermarkets, delis, bagel chains. Bottom line: Don’t declare your independence, act it!

CARY BAKER

Sherman Oaks