Today's News

WASHINGTON

THE TAB for recapitalizing the thrift insurance fund could have been steeper for most thrifts if Congress had heeded last minute pleas from some big institutions. Page 2

TREASURY Secretary Robert E. Rubin swore in Nicolas P. Retsinas as director of the Office of Thrift Supervision Oct. 10 in a low-key ceremony. Page 2

REGIONAL BANKING

AFTER THE FBI arrested three suspects last week, bankers in Washington State said they hoped law enforcement officials had finally found those responsible for a series of bank robberies and pipe bombings. Page 4

COMMUNITY BANKING

WORRIED ABOUT the effects of rampant mergers, Connecticut banking officials are drafting plans for a new community bank charter with lower capital requirements, to encourage more start-ups. Page 6

BAY POND PARTNERS, a unit of the big Boston fund company Wellington Management, has been buying thrift shares. It's looking nationwide for likely takeover targets trading below book value, a source says. Its latest announced investment: a stake in upstate New York thrift company. Page 7

MORTGAGES

AAMES FINANCIAL, the Los Angeles home equity lender, is reportedly planning to enter the United Kingdom market. Page 8

FANNIE MAE reported a gain of 17% in earnings per share, to 63 cents, for the third quarter. The number was about in line with Wall Street's expectations. Page 10

SMALL BUSINESS BANKING

DIME BANCORP hired a former National Westminster Bank executive to lead its small-business banking operation. Page 13

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS

LASALLE NATIONAL tapped a high-level executive from Stein Roe & Farnham to head its newly created wealth management unit. Page 14

BISYS GROUP, the leading administrator of bank-managed mutual funds, is losing a top executive in charge of enlisting new clients. Page 15

CREDIT/DEBIT/ATMs

THE REV. Charles R. Stith, president of the Organization for a New Equality, a national civil rights group, writes about bringing new banking payment technology to low- and moderate-income consumers. Page 18

TECHNOLOGY

BANK TECHNOLOGY stocks were mixed last week, despite the market's rebound amid a lack of immediate inflationary concerns. Page 20

CITIBANK enhanced its banking software for small businesses to include bill payments, international wire transfers, and escrow accounts. Page 21

MARKET MONITOR

MOST ECONOMISTS say the economy is on a steady course after the government last week reported that retail sales had increased by a more- than-expected 0.7% in September, led by higher vehicle sales. Page 31

FINANCE

CANADIAN IMPERIAL recently brought $250 million of junk bonds to market for Outdoor Systems. Back page

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