After losing $600 million in three years, the retail operation faces major surgery.

"It's a way to bring a little of our retail operation to their backyard."

"There's nothing that says there won't be a retail operation again in the future," he said.

In the late 1990's, he bought a software company and helped it develop a program for running retail operations.

It also has the potential for stronger retail operations, he said.

That should give the company time to figure out just how to run a retail operation.

Like computer memory, retail operations have grown so huge that a new term was needed.

"He was part of our retail operation," the guy said.

About 25 years ago, the company closed most of its retail operations and began concentrating on a more limited line.

The unit has become a major part of the bank's strategy as its retail operations have struggled.