So far this year, regulators have shuttered 77 lenders. That's the most in 17 years, but the number will undoubtedly rise. Bloomberg reports that star bank analysts Meredith Whitney predicts more than 300 banks will fail in 2009. While the federal financial bailout efforts have generally inspired confidence--a huge cost--that no big bank will fail.

There are lots of regional and community banks that are on the brink. The exact number will be correlated with the economy. Those with lots of real estate, home equity and credit card debt are nervous. But toxic assets are still a problem for many smaller banks. Many still hold mortgage-backed securities and preferred trust securities. The well-heeled banks will have their pick. 

For more:
- here's the Bloomberg article on Whitney

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