The US has 9,000 banks today. The CEO of Banc of America responded to a question of how many banks will there be in 5 years.

He said "about half".

The liquidity infusions of cash and bail outs by the Fed effectivly makes each dollar printed worth exactly less by the number of lost dollars in failed banks and mortgage companies.

http://usera.imagecave.com/donuel/bloodmoney.jpg