Today's News

WASHINGTON

THE HEAD of America's Community Bankers says a bipartisan effort is needed to realize a bill to capitalize the Savings Association Insurance Fund. Page 3

THE BEST chances for enacting the thrift fund rescue lie in attaching it to omnibus budget legislation or to a commemorative-coin bill, insiders say. Page 3

REGIONAL BANKING

AUTO DEALERS have ranked Ford Credit, the largest automotive lender in the country, among the best. Chase, First Chicago NBD, and Huntington also ranked high, the J.D. Power survey said. Page 4

BANKAMERICA has signed a two-year contract to provide training and technical assistance to a Russian bank as part of a World Bank program to improve banking in emerging markets. Page 4

COMMUNITY BANKING

AN OHIO BANK donated the services of its top lending officer to economically depressed Morgan County for a year. After nine months as economic development coordinator, John Wilson has gotten praise from the county commissioners: "He's been a fantastic boost for us." Page 6

COMMITMENT is a key element of a successful technology survival strategy, write consultants Marilyn R. Seymann and Steven P. Williams. Page 7

MORTGAGES

DELINQUENCIES decreased in the second quarter, and observers said the drop - the second in a row - could signal continued improvement in the second half. Page 8

EAGER TO EXPAND its fledgling subprime lending unit, Resource Bancshares is originating B and C loans through some retail and wholesale offices. Page 8

CREDIT/DEBIT/ATMs

CENTRAL FIDELITY has put its card customers on notice: The penalty for paying late or spending beyond the credit limit just got tougher. Page 11

FIRST DATA's card services group has hired an outsider for a new post in its merchant processing division. Page 11

TECHNOLOGY

A VIRGINIA BANK, Crestar, has joined a growing group using self-service terminals to coax traditional banking customers toward automated banking. Page 13

FINANCE

DEAN WITTER, concerned that Banc One may buckle under pressure to keep pace with other regionals and make a costly acquisition, downgraded the bank's shares to "accumulate" from "buy." Back page

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