The Real Deal New York

From the April issue: Bank branches have cornered the market on Manhattan’s high-profile retail corners in recent years, at times displacing even well-known favorites like the Second Avenue Deli. But as the banking industry’s heady expansion binge ends, the Chases, Citibanks and Wachovias that seem to dot every city block could give way to fashion retailers, home stores and service chains — merchants that, until now, have been stymied by the stranglehold banks have held over much of the city’s prime retail real estate. At the height of the bank expansion 18 months ago, a corner spot could bring landlords twice the normal asking rent.