Throughout modern financial history, numerous prominent banks have disappeared due to corporate mergers, bankruptcies, or regulatory failures. Examples include Wachovia Bank and First Union, which were absorbed into Wells Fargo; Washington Mutual, which collapsed and was acquired by JPMorgan Chase; FleetBoston Financial, which merged into Bank of America; and Continental Illinois, which failed during the 1980s savings and loan crisis. Additionally, historic institutions like Bear Stearns and Lehman Brothers ceased independent existence as traditional investment banks following the 2008 financial crisis.