Today's News

WASHINGTON

The Fed said the economy continued to grow this spring, fueling increased loan demand nationwide. Page 2

Legislation freeing bank holding companies from the overlap of state and federal securities laws passed the House and advanced in the Senate. Page 2

REGIONAL BANKING

Need is seen for a new global institution to deal with financial market crises and cross-border trade conflicts. Page 6

Boatmen's named John Morton 3d executive vice president, prompting analysts to speculate that he is a likely candidate for CEO. Page 6

COMMUNITY BANKING

The '90s haven't been kind to San Diego's independent banks, but the present has brightened considerably for the eight that remain. Page 8

Cole Taylor's plan to spin off its bank and focus on auto financing prompted analysts to raise ratings and earnings estimates. Page 8

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS

Gov. George Pataki's plan to let New York's state-chartered banks sell insurance may not be broad enough, some bankers say. Although it would allow life insurance sales, some say it is unclear whether it would grant banks permission to sell property and casualty insurance, which many want to offer in conjunction with mortgage, auto, and other loans. Page 12

Essex Corp. is marketing an insurance policy through banks that combines life and accidental death coverage for 20-somethings. Page 12

COMPLIANCE

A top compliance company is preparing to release automated loan- origination software that many banks' computers are not yet equipped to run. But it's betting that will soon change. Page 10.

The Senate is expected to confirm former New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly as Treasury under secretary for enforcement. Page 10

MORTGAGES

A coalition of lenders, builders, and Realtors bid to make housing policy a front-burner election-year issue. Page 14

In a world of $100 billion servicers, smaller players are examining their servicing operations to decide whether they can compete. Page 15

CREDIT/DEBIT/ATMs

Both optimism and frustration were evident at a recent conference on the commercial card market. Page 16

MasterCard and Netscape Communications are developing a secure payments system for business-to-business Internet transactions. Page 16

TECHNOLOGY

Meca Software is making it possible for banks to give customers free copies of its Managing Your Money personal finance software. Page 19

FINANCE

The judge's ruling in the Bankers Trust-Procter & Gamble lawsuits clearly benefits swaps dealers, writes Daniel Cunningham. Page 22

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