America's Road to Wealth

To be honest, Abel had already agreed to half of the conditions proposed by the Texas consortium.

Four banks plus three insurance companies.

Once they are merged into the internal system of Pacific Commercial Bank and Smith Capital.

Let’s talk about banks first. They will make Pacific Bank of Commerce become a famous bank in the United States in one fell swoop.

In terms of capital, Abel remembered these four banks. Each of them had approximately tens of billions of dollars in assets.

The combined capital of the four banks is much larger than that of Pacific Commercial Bank.

Not to mention they also have assets in custody, which add up.

In the future, it will only make Abel’s financing easier and simpler.

Then there are these banks in Texas, as well as in several nearby states radiating from Texas. These banks have a large number of branches.

Prior to this, Pacific Commercial Bank had grown to 180 branches.

But most of these branches are on the West Coast, mainly in large and medium-sized cities in California.

There are at least 130 of them, all in these places.

The remaining fifty or so are in major cities across the United States.

But in other vast areas of the United States, there is basically no presence of Pacific Bank of Commerce.

Pacific Bank of Commerce, just like its name, has influence in the area of ​​the United States near the Pacific Ocean.

If Pacific Commercial Bank can be allowed to annex these four banks.

The new Pacific Bank will suddenly become Pacific Financial Banking Group, and it will suddenly have more than 800 branches across the United States.

In the southwestern United States, mainly Texas, it will directly become the dominant player in commercial banks and retail banks.

At least in the southwestern United States.

The new Pacific Commercial Bank will have the influence of Wells Fargo in San Francisco, Bank of America in Los Angeles, and Citibank in New York State.

There are also three insurance companies, and their joining can also suddenly complete the insurance field that Abel has just started so far.

The insurance industry is a very important industry in the United States.

It is a very important component and supplement to the financial industry.

Since the birth of the first marine insurance organization in the United States in the 1820s.

The insurance industry in the United States has gradually developed and grown along with the development of its economy.

The U.S. insurance market is the largest in the world.

The U.S. insurance market occupies a very important position both in the global insurance industry and in the U.S. domestic financial industry.

In the U.S. insurance market, there are a large number of insurance companies, including large companies and many medium and small companies. They coexist in the same market and compete fiercely.

In this competition, a few large companies are in an advantageous and monopolistic position.

For example, there are about 2,000 property and liability insurance companies in the United States, with the top 10 accounting for nearly 50% of the market share; the same is generally true for life insurance companies.

Of course, Abel would not let go of such an important area.

In fact, American Pacific Commercial Bank has an insurance department within it.

To be precise, it is a subsidiary company called American Pacific Commercial Insurance.

A strong sense of sight, right? Who told everyone to be on the Pacific coast?

However, compared with commercial banks that are developing rapidly, Pacific Bank's performance in commercial insurance is very poor.

Abel's previous idea was to directly acquire a large insurance company.

For example, in 911, those families suffered heavy losses.

But Abel found out after careful observation.

In 911, the major insurance companies that really suffered heavy losses were those.

All are insurance giants outside the United States.

Several American insurance giants, such as AIG, MetLife, CNA Financial Insurance Group, etc., basically have compensation amounts in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

And those European insurance giants all lost more than a billion dollars, or even billions of dollars.

Companies such as Munich Re, Swiss Re, and Lloyd's of London have been severely damaged and are on the verge of bankruptcy.

What is even more exaggerated is that most of the insurance policies that caused these European insurance giants to pay so much were purchased a few months before the September 11th incident.

These policies were originally owned by American insurance giants.

It's such a coincidence.

You say it’s awesome or not.

Therefore, Abel’s final investigation found that the domestic insurance giants in the United States seemed to be severely damaged, but that was only what they looked like.

He couldn't buy any.

Even General Re, which has been complaining, is one of Buffett's insurance companies.

It also lost more than $500 million.

Compared with those international giants, it is just a drop in the bucket.

If Abel wants to buy, he can only buy those international insurance giants that have suffered miserably.

The problem is that they are too expensive, and they all bear huge amounts of debt. Buying them will not be beneficial to Abel's US strategy.

He had no choice but to give up.

And this time if we can get the three insurance companies of the Texas consortium at once.

Pacific Commercial Bank will be able to make up for its weakness in the insurance field immediately.

Just like the banking industry, Pacific Commercial Bank can suddenly become the dominant presence in the insurance industry in the southwest region of the United States.

This is why Abel heard that he could really control these banks and insurance companies.

In his heart he would almost agree with half of the reasons.

Because of Pacific Commercial Bank, if you can eat these at once.

It's almost like Linghu Chong in Swordsman, who learned the Dugu Nine Swords and also learned the Yi Jin Jing.

It’s not yet time to dominate the martial arts world, but he will definitely become a peerless master in the martial arts world!

Abel is already very excited, but he has not forgotten that the Texas Consortium has good things.

It is difficult to satisfy human greed, but the greed of capitalists is even easier to satisfy.

Abel is now a qualified capitalist.

After thinking about it, Abel looked at George and said softly:

"Is that all there is? Compared with the last time Davis Brown talked to me, it's a little better. But only a little better."

"Of course."

George shrugged and kicked a stone from the wooden deck of the small dock facing the lake into the lake.

"Hughes Aircraft 15%, Texas Instruments 20%, Tannic 10%, LTV 15%."

"In exchange for corresponding shares of companies such as Pacific Energy, Smith Media, Pacific Supermarket Group, or Smith Capital, it will also be based on the market price."

"This is the price they quoted after my father talked to them. Both my father and I felt that they were very sincere. My father asked me to call you over and let me talk to you."

Just like George said, after listening to these conditions.

Abel also felt that the Texas consortium was really sincere this time.

The shares they took out this time have almost doubled or even more than last time.

In terms of value, this time it is all based on market price.

Even if most of the companies on both sides are not listed companies, it is difficult to calculate them using market prices.

But since the market price is used, it means that they no longer want to compete with Abel.

But I really want to cooperate with Abel as an equal.

This change in attitude is a reflection of their sincerity.

Abel thought again, this time he didn't think for too long.

He raised three fingers to George.

"I have three ideas. Or requests."

George nodded, "Say."

"The first one. I want you or Herbert to continue talking to them. It's always good to ask for more benefits. If you ask for more, half of it will be given to the Bush family."

Can you still get this benefit from being a middleman?

George couldn't be happier.

He felt that Lao San, his son-in-law, was really good at doing things.

"No problem. I'll tell dad!"

It was obviously impossible for George to talk.

He really doesn't have that ability, and he thinks so himself.

Herbert is different, this is the true dragon of the Bush family. For Shrub to have its current status, he must have contributed at least five percent of his contribution.

Abel nodded and put down one of his three fingers.

With two fingers left, he continued:

"In terms of market value, Smith Capital was previously valued at US$400 billion. But it is no longer this valuation. Not long ago, when Soros took a stake, the valuation was already US$460 billion. This is recognized by everyone, even Soros. thought."

Soros and the capital behind him have officially invested in Smith Capital, joining this vested interest group headed by Abel.

At that time, Abel asked Soros to talk to Buffett himself.

I don’t know what benefits Soros has done to these people.

In the end, the shareholders meeting of Smith Capital agreed to let Soros join at a valuation of US$460 billion.

Not the $500 billion cap Abel said.

George asked uncertainly: "What do you mean?"

"Davis Brown and others can join, but the valuation of Smith Capital must also be US$460 billion."

George thought to himself that even those fussy Oilers like Soros recognized it.

The generous Texan had no reason to refuse.

He nodded: "No problem, I will let father tell me. I will remember it."

Abel lowered his second finger, leaving only one.

"I hope Mr. Alexander Smith can become a member of the Texas House of Representatives next year."

After hearing Abel's three requests, one finally became his own domain.

George suddenly brightened up and said with a smile:

"Even if you don't ask, we will work hard to support Alexander. I like Alexander very much, he is a true Texan!"

Abel shook his head, "We are us, they are them. George, my request is for the Texas consortium to support it. Just like supporting you to become the owner of the white house, do you understand what I mean?"

George is not really stupid, at most he just thinks a little slower.

He knew that what Abel meant was a little different from what he had just said.

George's original intention was that the Bush family would also support Alexander in running for House of Representatives next year.

But it was just the Bush family, plus Smith’s own support.

Abel's request was that the entire Texas consortium, except for Bush, should support it.

This is naturally different in terms of intensity.

A bush family, just in Texas, would definitely not be as good as the Texas consortium.

"I understand." George nodded, "I will tell my father this too."

George felt that Abel's last request might be the easiest to fulfill.

Just let Alexander become a member of the House of Representatives.

It's not like letting him become governor or senator.

The former is difficult for their group. As long as everyone is willing to work together, it won't be difficult at all.

Texas has a large population and can elect more than thirty members of the House of Representatives.

There won't be a shortage of places.

The governor and members of the House of Representatives are different.

There are only one governor and deputy governor, and both must be chosen.

The chief governor is the boss, and the deputy governor is also the speaker of the state assembly, with great power.

Not to mention the senator, to some extent this position is more important than the governor.

There are fifty states, and each state has only two senators.

This has become the core interest of each state, and the group itself will fight to death.

It's not something that can be traded.

Abel just asked for members of the House of Representatives, so George thought it should be possible.

Abel also laughed and said: "That's easy to handle. Ah, then I can also become a real Texan."

Instead of being excluded from the Texas consortium and forming an independent group, the Smith consortium.

In this way, the Smith Consortium has already taken shape.

It will be based on the existing media, energy and finance.

Suddenly there was an extra military industry, an extremely important field in the United States and even the world.

By then, as long as the Smith Consortium itself becomes stronger.

Relations between the Texas Consortium and the Smith Consortium.

It will be like the relationship between Morgan and the DuPont Consortium and the Cleveland Consortium.

After all, a consortium itself is not a company registered with the relevant departments.

Strictly speaking, it is actually a large group of capitalists and families united together.

Together, we control a large number of companies, and integrate various resources within these companies.

It's just an interest group that eventually formed.

Divide into consortiums and groups. That is also because of complex factors such as region, bloodline, industry, etc., which eventually formed behemoths.

Like Morgan and Rockefeller, they are often compared. But in fact the two are already half fused together.

This can be seen from the emergence of Morgan Chase.

Its predecessors were Manhattan Chase and Morgan Bank. Among them, Manhattan Chase Bank was one of the financial cores of the Rockefeller Group.

If the Texas consortium can really unite with Abel this time.

That is equivalent to the Texas Consortium, which can suddenly make up for their financial deficiencies.

At the same time, he gained the Smith Consortium and extensive connections outside Texas.

For example, in the future, people like Davis Brown can interact with Buffett and others as allies.

And people like Buffett are equivalent to suddenly having a group of allies in the military-industrial complex.

Adding the buffer of Abel in the middle will be beneficial to both parties, and both parties will be happy.

The Smith Consortium can also suddenly make up for the lack of regional influence.

Abel can be regarded as getting half of the ticket to enter the military industry!

To use martial arts as a metaphor again.

A martial arts master who was originally only good at internal strength and palm skills suddenly obtained half of the Dugu Nine Swords Manual.

After the serious talk, both Abel and George felt a lot more relaxed.

At this time, night falls and the sky is filled with stars.

The Texas sky without pollution, even without the moon, is still very beautiful.

It would be December tomorrow, and the two of them were still sitting on the dock next to the big lake at night.

When the air-conditioned wind blew on the lake, George, who was not wearing enough clothes, yawned repeatedly.

"Let's go back. Don't let me catch you cold."

Abel also felt a little cold.

But he was in good health, and this level just made him feel cold. Unlike George, who looked like he had a cold.

"Okay. Aqiu~Aqiu~" George sneezed twice more, and the two began to walk back.

"How long will you take this vacation?"

"Two weeks."

"I envy you. You got to take such a long break."

"No matter what vacation you take, you still have to work here. It's just a change of office location."

"Haha~ That's true."

You can still work while on vacation, so most owners of white houses in the United States will take more than 100 days of vacation during their term of office.

Back in the main building of the farm, it was already around nine o'clock in the evening.

George went into the warm room and kept sneezing.

It looked like he really had a cold, which made Ms. Wales complain for a while.

Abel was also shot.

But he didn't mind. Ms. Wales's complaints meant that he was considered a family member.

Abel even estimated that Ms. Wales might have complained about herself like this on purpose.

This can also be regarded as a small way to bring each other closer and make everyone more friendly.

In psychology, this method also has a certain reputation.

George looked like he had a real cold.

The personal doctor who was paid by the treasury and hired by the Bush family immediately appeared in the team accompanying the leader.

When Ms. Wales complained about George, Abel laughed and left.

He went to the room where he was assigned.

than Smith Manor, which is more like a rancher's complex.

George's Crawford Farm is a typical Texas luxury villa.

The interior doesn't look like a rancher's building at all, and it's no different from the suburban villas in Austin or Houston.

His one is for vacation, while the one of the Smith family is a real farm.

Back inside, Abel took out his cell phone, which he spent two hours using to make calls.

Within these two hours, he communicated with senior executives within the company, such as Alan Baker, Robert Iger, Michael Lyle and others.

I also communicated with members of the Smith Group, like Buffett, Soros, Bloomberg and others.

Abel revealed to them the possible alliance between the Smith Consortium and the Texas Consortium.

This is to give them a clear answer.

If this were replaced by serious large financial groups.

This level of collaboration is involved.

It is absolutely impossible without a large gathering of consortium members for at least half a month.

But now, the Smith Consortium is a new consortium.

Although the scale of assets is already huge, the number of members is not that large.

Other consortiums are composed of more than a dozen or even dozens of families.

In terms of the Smith Consortium, include Buffett and the others.

Now there are only five families including Smith, Shrub, Buffett, Soros, and Bloomberg.

PNC Financial Group doesn't count.

It can only be regarded as a member of the company, and there are countless controlling families behind it.

In fact, Buffett and others are the same, but they at least have a family that is on behalf of the shareholders.

No matter what you say, Sullivanston is just a super worker.

Because there are so few members in the consortium, the combined shares of the members are less than one-third of Abel's.

Naturally, the Smith Consortium is Abel's voice. Everyone can only listen to what he says.

What's more, the news he brought is good news for any member.

They will only be happy when they hear it, so naturally no one will object.

The dominant position in the consortium is something Abel has always insisted on.

Otherwise, why did he spend so much time building this consortium?

Isn't it for profit in the end? For his benefit?

Even the consortium itself, for him, its main role is to protect his own interests.

For him, or should be said for all the leading families of the consortium.

The consortium itself is actually just a group of allies created to maintain its own interests, compete for more interests, and gather together.

Whether it is a leading family or a franchised family.

They get together to form a consortium. To put it bluntly, they are all the same as Abel.

Everything is for profit.