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Even domain names for speculative bank mergers are being snapped up in anticipation. In the event that Lehman Brothers merges with another bank, barclayslehman.com, hsbclehman.com and boflehman.com have all been registered by members of the public.

The cybersquatters are banking on attracting advertisers on a pay-per-click basis as a way of generating revenue, while waiting for potential buyers to stump up cash for the domain names.

Some have even used software that automatically creates content for the site to make it relevant to the topic. Hsbclehman.com contains the latest news on Lehman's activity, whereas bankofamericamerrillynch.com contains a link to the eBay auction where the domain name is being sold.

The auction for the domain name starts at £824 and has yet to attract a bid, and bankofmerrill.com has attracted three bids, and currently costs £1,127.

However, potential buyers of the domain names should be aware that obtaining a domain name in bad faith is unlawful and would result in the domain name being revoked for no compensation.