Today's News

WASHINGTON

STATE REGULATORS agreed to share supervision of banks branching within 10 Midwestern states. Southeastern state banking departments are expected to follow suit soon. Page 2

REGIONAL BANKING

A SURVEY of 67 of the largest U.S. banking companies found 84% reported having at least one woman director in 1995, up from 75% a year earlier. Page 6

CAREER TRACKS: Hugo Steensma had to decide whether to accept a post others had designated for him, or to strike out on his own. His situation parallels that of hundreds, if not thousands, of senior executives at banks that have merged, downsized, or shifted priorities. Page 7

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS

INSURANCE: Signet has introduced a proprietary variable annuity that lacks sales charges or penalties for early withdrawals. In offering the "no-load" product, Signet hopes to eliminate a barrier to sales, said James Eads, president of the bank's brokerage. It's targeting customers in their 50s who are trying to accumulate assets on a tax-deferred basis and want life insurance, too. Page 8

GENERAL ELECTRIC Capital's pending acquisition of First Colony will broaden the company's menu of choices in banks, posing a large threat to its competitors. Page 8

COMMUNITY BANKING

VILLAGE BANK, a state-chartered bank with headquarters in the southwestern Utah town of St. George, is the first commercial bank organized in that state in three years. Page 12

AS SUMMIT BANK is absorbed by United Jersey, columnist Paul Nadler laments the loss of a community bank he's known and relied on - and, at times, chided - for 27 years. Page 12

MORTGAGES

ECONOMISTS PREDICT only a minor and short-lived gain in mortgage volume and say rates should float back up for the balance of the year. Page 14

FLEET, CHASE, and other banks have contributed more than $85,000 toward the operation of a Neighborhood Housing Services office near Yankee Stadium that aims to increase homeownership in the South Bronx. Page 15

TECHNOLOGY

NONCASH TERMINALS are seen as a relatively inexpensive way to provide some banking services, but "the industry's in a holding pattern on this" - for the time being, at least. Page 18

CHECKFREE will license and sell Five Paces software that lets financial institutions offer home banking services through the World Wide Web. Page 18

FINANCE

BOATMEN'S is high on many lists of takeover candidates, but as months pass with no deal announced, some are starting to question whether the St. Louis bank is a viable target. Page 22

BANKERS TRUST New York paid former chief executive Charles Sanford $2 million after he retired in April, in exchange for an agreement not to criticize the company. Back page

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