Today's News

WASHINGTON:

TREASURY SECRETARY Robert Rubin met with six big-bank executives last week, hoping to win their support for the Clinton administration's plan to rebuild the thrift insurance fund. It was a tough sell. Page 3

WITH LAWMAKERS on break for nearly a month, trade groups are encouraging members like Bud Wilson to put a human face on the issues. Wilson, a politically connected San Diego insurance agent, will try to convince his congressman to oppose legislation permitting affiliations between banks and insurance companies. Page 2

FINANCE:

THE PRINCIPLES and Practices of Wholesale Financial Market Transactions were presented in their final form at the New York Fed. Gay H. Evans, chairman of the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, said the voluntary code of conduct was put together to "reduce risk in the system." Back page

AN ANALYST with J.P. Morgan Securities initiated coverage of Banc One with a "market performer" rating and started off NationsBank with a "buy" recommendation. Back page

REGIONAL BANKING:

Wells Fargo & Co. is seriously considering hiring a company to run its check processing systems, according to sources. Page 4

COMMERCIAL FEDERAL Corp.'s agreement to acquire Omaha neighbor Conservative Savings Corp. for $41.5 million in cash and stock is being met with questions - and even some jeers. Page 4

COMMUNITY BANKING:

NEARLY 70 THRIFTS insured by the Savings Association Insurance Fund would drop to lower capital classifications if forced to pay a one-time assessment to recapitalize the struggling fund, an American Banker study indicates. Page 8

IT IS NO LONGER wholly independent, but University Bank and Trust is doing its best to retain that image. Retaining executives, however, is another matter. The Silicon Valley bank, being bought by giant Comerica Inc., said nine officers have left since the $73 million stock swap was announced last fall. Page 8

MORTGAGES:

FIRST FEDERAL Bank in Santa Monica, Calif., has begun to offer the mortgages of outside lenders in addition to underwriting its own home loans. Page 11

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS:

KEYSTONE Investments has revised the roles of two executives in its sales unit, a move designed to help the small mutual fund company reach more brokers at banks. Page 12

WESTERN NATIONAL Corp.'s annuity sales got off to a slow start this year but have since picked up steam, thanks in part to new bank sales. Page 13

CREDIT/DEBIT/ATMs:

BENEFICIAL National Bank USA, the nation's third-largest private-label credit card issuer, has launched its first cobranding program - with an eastern chain of wholesale clubs. Page 14

TECHNOLOGY:

CEO HOLLY MERRILL says she intends to push the Arizona Clearing House Association to search for the perfect blend of service offerings while looking for possible merger candidates. Page 16

TWO YEARS after making a false start in home banking, First Tennessee National Corp. announced plans for a screen phone program. Page 18

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