In a recovering economy, equity underwriting, which is one of the most profitable things these banks do, is picking up.

They will be shut out of the more lucrative equity underwriting and brokerage operations, however.

Much of the decrease seemed to come from Salomon's loss of market share in equity underwriting at a time when that business is booming.

The strong stock market caused companies to offer more stock and the firm doubled its market share in equity underwriting.

Prudential Securities ranks 19th in equity underwriting this year and 32nd among merger advisers.

Worldwide debt and equity underwriting reached a record $5.69 trillion.

Trading profits are strong, and there's a buildup in equity underwriting.

Wheat First ranked 18th for equity underwriting in the first half of the year.

"We expect to be busy between now and the end of the year in equity underwriting," he said.

But for equity underwriting alone - a far more lucrative business than bond financing - Chase's standing barely budged.