Today's News

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS:

BILLIE JEAN KING was one of the tennis greats on hand as Chase Manhattan launched its $2.2 million sponsorship of the 1995 U.S. Open. The company uses the event to build on its upscale image. Page 20

JAMES R. WOOD can thank his friendly business rivals - and golfing buddies - who left SunBank Capital Management to start their own firm for clearing the way for him to join the SunTrust unit as its president. Page 21

WASHINGTON:

A DOZEN MORE banks have written to protest the government's plan to capitalize the Savings Association Insurance Fund through a one-time fee on thrift deposits. Page 2

STUNG BY a stampede to state charters, the Comptroller's office has been making itself more user-friendly. The agency, known for its tough examiners, now seems to have "sent them all to charm school," an ABA offical says. Page 3

REGIONAL BANKING:

AN ANALYST says Union Bank - mostly owned by Bank of Tokyo - is such an attractive acquisition target that merger prospects should be taken into account when looking at its publicly traded stock. Page 4

FIRST BANK System has agreed to buy BankAmerica's corporate trust business. The Minneapolis-based superregional said the deal would make it No. 1 domestically in the specialty. Page 4

COMMUNITY BANKING:

A MISSOURI technology firm is branching out into financial services through a tiny bank in the northwest corner of the Texas Panhandle. Page 9

CREDIT UNIONS:

CITIZENS EQUITY Federal Credit Union has become a less sympathetic place than it once was for striking workers of Caterpillar Inc. As the bitter battle has dragged on, the institution has decided to stop giving loan deferments to strikers. Page 10

EMPLOYEES OF CUNA Mutual are worried about their job security after learning that the Madison, Wis., mutual insurer plans to place increased emphasis on performance evaluations. Page 10

MORTGAGES:

A MERGER of bank and thrift charters could call into question the relevance of the popular cost-of-funds index for determining interest rates on adjustable-rate mortgages. Page 12

CREDIT/DEBIT/ATMs:

CAPITAL from a possible sale of its Universal Card unit would come in handy as AT&T prepares for a return to the local telephone business, analysts say. Page 19

FINANCE:

SHORT INTEREST in U.S. Bancorp has continued to soar, spurred by investors' concerns that a pending merger with West One Bancorp of Idaho may be dilutive. The Oregon company's short interest is currently more than twice that of any other bank on Nasdaq. Back page

TECHNOLOGY:

ELECTRONIC Data Systems Corp. has purchased the check processing operation of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati. Page 23

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
MORE FROM AMERICAN BANKER