The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday, July 28, edition that as Laurentian Bank of Canada's month-end deadline for finding an acquirer nears, Bank of Nova Scotia and Toronto-Dominion Bank have bowed out, shrinking the list of takeover suitors. The Globe's Stefanie Marotta and Andrew Willis write that unnamed sources say Scotiabank and TD are giving Laurentian a pass. Analysts expect Laurentian to make a final decision on an acquirer before it reports its financial results on Aug. 30. Scotiabank was considered a potential buyer because its executives have identified Quebec and British Columbia as growth opportunities, particularly in commercial banking, a specialty of Laurentian's. Scotiabank, however, is in the midst of its own overhaul. A takeover of the lender would offer the purchaser expansion opportunities in retail and commercial banking in Quebec and Ontario. However, among the pool of potential bidders for Laurentian, few seem set to buy. Laurentian has relatively few wealthy retail clients and major corporate relationships -- the kinds of customers other banks covet. Scotiabank analyst Meny Grauman says, "We believe the strategic rationale for acquiring Laurentian is not very strong."