Today's News

WASHINGTON

THE FDIC voted to exempt 27 financial institutions from a special $4.5 billion assessment to rebuild the Savings Association Insurance Fund. Page 2

SPECIAL REPORT: Political pundits and bank regulators shared the podium at the ABA convention in Honolulu. Page 4

REGIONAL BANKING

SUNTRUST, the first of the large regional banks to report third quarter results, said it earned $155.6 million in the period, up 8%. The Atlanta bank credited the results to strong loan growth and a firm control of expenses. Page 6

BANKERS in Washington State are offering the highest reward money in recent memory to assist authorities in putting a stop to a series of pipe bombings and bank robberies. Page 7

COMMUNITY BANKING

EYE ON THE STATES: More than three dozen privately insured Pennsylvania thrifts will have to merge, liquidate, or get federal insurance - if state regulators get their way. Page 8

CNB BANCSHARES' Kentucky bank has formed a leasing subsidiary and hired a Banc One executive to run it. It's the first leasing venture for any unit of the Evansville, Ind., banking company. Page 8

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS

THE ABA is working on an extensive survey to help it sketch a portrait of bank brokerage operations. Page 10

WILMINGTON TRUST is beefing up its mutual fund administration business with a revamped platform, new clients, and new hires. Page 10

MORTGAGES

BANKS HAD healthy profit margins in 1995, but analysis by the Mortgage Bankers Association indicates that lenders will be less lucky this year. Page 12

CREDIT/DEBIT/ATMs

CARD FRONTIERS: Global Telecommunication Solutions, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, and a Canadian telephone company will test market a long- distance calling card that would be activated at point of sale terminals. Page 14

OLD KENT FINANCIAL will end a popular enhancement of its credit cards that awarded frequent-flier discounts redeemable on any airline next month. Page 15

TECHNOLOGY

CORESTATES FINANCIAL will offer small and midsize business customers a cash management service using remote transaction software from Checkfree. Page 16

SWIFT, the international communications and payments network, is attempting to reinvent itself. The multibank cooperative is becoming a market-driven business enterprise in partnership with the banks. Yawar Shah, deputy chairman of Swift's board, said, "The payments business is going through the most rapid and profound change in its history, on almost every front." Page 17

FINANCE

SALOMON BROTHERS will syndicate a $275 million loan so that Sinter Metals can acquire two units of Maag Holding AG in its first lead lending assignment. Page 22

BANK STOCKS slipped with the rest of the market, as investors apparently fretted that a slower economy could ultimately hurt earnings. Back page

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