Wachovia meeting sharply different a year later

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The atmosphere at Wachovia Corporation&#39;s annual shareholders meeting differed sharply from last year, when bank executives were working hard to close a deal to merge the old Wachovia and First Union Corp. <br> <br> Last year&#39;s shareholders meetings for the two banks drew large crowds and throngs of reporters, who were following latest chapter in the merger battle between First Union and rival suitor, SunTrust Banks Incorporated of Atlanta. <br> <br> First Union eventually won the merger battle and the two banks have been working together since last fall as the new Wachovia. With all the drama and suspense of the merger gone, this year&#39;s meeting yesterday was dull by comparison. <br> <br> There were more than a few empty chairs in the large downtown hotel ballroom where the meeting was held. Only two shareholders asked questions.