Today's News

WASHINGTON

Rep. Henry B. Gonzalez called for aggressive congressional action to protect consumers in the emerging world of electronic banking in a new report. Page 2

The Fed made it substantially easier for well-capitalized holding companies to offer brokerage, leasing, and other nonbank services with the approval of an interim rule. Page 2

The banking industry racked up another victory in its legal fight to prevent occupation-based credit unions from serving employees at more than one company. Page 2

REGIONAL BANKING

Midwestern banks showed little growth in the third quarter. Revenue generation was slow, and payments for the thrift fund obliterated income at the two of the biggest regional thrifts. Page 4

Wells Fargo says it has nearly replaced the First Interstate customers who have taken flight since the two banks merged last spring. Page 5

COMMUNITY BANKING

Satisfied that the cost of community bank acquisitions has declined, Illinois' Amcore Financial is invading Wisconsin with the goal of becoming a regional player. Page 6

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS

KeyCorp tapped the head of a money management firm it acquired last year to oversee the blending of its private banking, wealth management, and corporate banking departments. Page 8

Tired of watching their market share decline, trust bankers met at an Arizona conference to resolve how to stay in the game, brushing up on areas like sales techniques and marketing on the Internet. Page 8

MORTGAGES

Norwest is already the largest securitizer of conforming loans. Now the mortgage colossus has its sights set on topping the jumbo securitization market as well. Page 10

Financial service institutions are still struggling to understand the implications of the government's action against Southern California's Long Beach Mortgage. Page 10

CREDIT/DEBIT/ATMs

The president of Advanta, who led the Horsham, Pa.-based company from obscurity to leadership in the credit card industry, is retiring. Page 13

TECHNOLOGY

ON-LINE BANKING: KeyCorp will offer its first home banking program as a pilot test next month. The Cleveland superregional has deliberately held back on banking by computer and the Internet to hone its first product. "I've been very reluctant just to throw a home banking capability out there that emulates what other people were doing," said Allen J. Gula Jr., KeyCorp's technology chief. Page 14

FINANCE

The Fed approved a hybrid preferred security that could give banks a cheaper way to raise regulatory capital. Back page

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
MORE FROM AMERICAN BANKER