Today's News

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

ATMs, call centers, and other modes of alternative delivery are supposed to wean consumers off branch-based services. So why does the number of branches continue to rise? Our Future of the Branch supplement addresses the issues surrounding retail banking's most enduring - and expensive - fixtures. Pullout section

WASHINGTON

Two law firms teamed up to offer banks a defense against the epidemic of class actions against lenders that commit minor, technical violations of the law. Page 2

The Fed plans to make it more convenient for banks to process checks through clearing houses, Fed Governor Edward W. Kelley Jr. said. Page 4

REGIONAL BANKING

Cal Fed Bancorp stock owners are getting a wild ride on their goodwill litigation certificates. And it could get wilder in the coming weeks. Page 7

COMMUNITY BANKING

EYE ON THE STATES: A statewide branching law that sharply divided Georgia's community bankers is now being embraced by the state's smallest banks. Page 8

A federal judge in Michigan put a damper on an ex-banker's comeback bid after throwing out his bias suit against the FDIC. Page 9

MORTGAGES

A Michigan bank known for communicating with mortgage applicants through computer screens has concluded that some customers would rather shun its video conferences. Page 10

Dime Bancorp's recent decision to shift its mortgage headquarters to Tampa wasn't merely a move to a sunnier clime; it was part of a strategy to lure some of the best talent in the industry. Page 11

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS

A technology fund managed by Chicago's Northern Trust is among the top- ranking technology portfolios in the country. Page 12

TECHNOLOGY

A leading French bank has taken the plunge into Internet commerce and is reporting that the water's just fine. Page 14

Sun Microsystems' JavaSoft unit is coming out with a tool kit to promote electronic commerce using the increasingly popular Java computing language. Page 14

CREDIT/DEBIT/ATMs

Last weekend's shopping spree may portend healthier-than-expected retail sales through Christmas, but credit card lenders might have preferred a slowdown. Page 22

CORPORATE FINANCE

First Chicago NBD is shuffling the top ranks of its loan syndications team. Page 30

MARKET MONITOR

KeyCorp's latest moves to become a national bank have won a hearty endorsement on Wall Street. Back page

The rush to issue trust-preferred securities is continuing, with smaller banks starting to jump into the fray. Back page