TABLE OF CONTENTS

2A OVERVIEW: Annuities have taken their place beside mutual funds as hot offerings at banks. Can the momentum continue? 4A ONE BANK'S STRATEGY: Summit Bancorp.'s Jack D. Cussen is determined to wrest annuity business away from insurers and brokers. 5A MANAGING ANNUITIES: A dozen big banks have launched proprietary annuities, but only Great Western has amassed substantial assets. 6A BATTLEGROUND: Florida is opening its doors to what banks expect will be one of the country's richest markets for insurance products. 8A SOUNDOFF: How do annuities fit into the investment products business at banks? Five bankers weigh in. 10A UNDERWRITERS: Insurance companies like Aetna and ITT Hartford see banks as a key to future annuity sales. 11A BROKERS: Companies that help banks market investments attest that annuities are riding a wave of popularity. 12A ROUNDTABLE: A panel of industry experts discusses the most pressing issues confronting banks that sell annuities.