WASHINGTON
To resolve confusion about the Community Reinvestment Act, federal regulators are providing answers to the questions most frequently asked about CRA rules. Page 2
REGIONAL BANKING
The larger West Coast thrifts chalked up one of their strongest quarters in recent memory, analysts say. Page 4
First Chicago NBD, apparently sending a message to Wall Street that it is looking beyond last year's merger, has shuffled its management and reorganized into three major business lines. Page 4
COMMUNITY BANKING
A federal investigation dimmed an otherwise bright third quarter at Chicago's Corus Bankshares. Page 7
MORTGAGES
The 12 Federal Home Loan banks, founded to advance cheap money to thrifts for home loans, are casting about for a new role as thrifts become smaller mortgage players. With two new pilot projects centered on buying and holding multifamily housing loans, Bruce A. Morrison, chairman of the Federal Housing Finance Board, says the loans are the wave of the future. Page 8
Three insurers reported solid earnings gains for the third quarter, providing more evidence of the industry's resilience. Page 8
INVESTMENT PRODUCTS
NationsBank signed up two fund industry veterans from Charles Schwab and Fidelity for its investment products business. Page 10
Bankers cheered a new federal law that allows them to take advantage of tax-free conversions, but many remain undecided about using it. Page 11
SMALL BUSINESS
Medallion Financial, which funds New York City's taxicab licenses, is proving its ability to get through heavy traffic. Page 12
A Michigan finance and factoring company - weary of seeing customers seeking financing from banks - has formed its own bank. Page 13
TECHNOLOGY
Bank technology stocks were mixed for last week, as investors took profits following the sector's resurgence since September. Page 14
One of the five top managers at CoreStates Financial said he will step down by yearend to pursue other interests. Page 16
CREDIT/DEBIT/ATMs
Credit card specialists Advanta, Capital One Financial, First USA, and MBNA posted double-digit growth in third-quarter profits. Page 18
MARKET MONITOR
Has the consumer credit delinquency wave crested? It depends on who you ask, and what numbers are considered relevant. Page 21
Like bank analysts on Wall Street, economists seem divided about the health of consumer borrowing and, consequently, the outlook for the economy next year. Page 21
