WASHINGTON
FDIC Chairman Ricki Helfer says regulators should start letting banks know how they fared on each component of the Camel rating. Page 2
A coalition of financial industry trade groups is promoting a Glass- Steagall reform plan that would usher in more comprehensive change than current Capitol Hill proposals. Page 3
REGIONAL BANKING
BankAmerica has consolidated the approval and administration of small business loans in California and five other western states at single processing center, in Pasadena. Page 4
Spain's Banco Santander is negotiating to buy the Puerto Rico banking unit of another Spanish bank, Banco Central Hispano Americano. Page 4 FINANCE
Keith Hughes, chairman and chief executive of Ford's consumer finance company, Associates Corporation of North America, said a planned initial public offering of up to 19.8% wouldn't affect the unit's relationship with the automaker. The offering could raise more than $1.7 billion. Back page
COMMUNITY BANKING
Partial relief from toxic liability could be in the works for California banks. A bill has passed the state Senate and is awaiting a hearing in the Assembly. Page 6
A THRIFT based in the Chicago suburbs is strengthening its foothold in the San Diego area with a deal to acquire the deposits of six California Federal Bank branches. Page 7
MORTGAGES
WITH THEIR BUSINESS in flux, it's becoming more important for mortgage servicers to keep pace with technology and manage their relationships with commercial bank parents, those attending a trade group conference were told. Page 8
Consumer jitters prevented the housing industry from racking up a banner year in 1995, despite low interest rates. Page 8
INVESTMENT PRODUCTS
Wells Fargo is looking to fill some cracks in its investment businesses with resources to be culled from First Interstate. Page 10
Insurers are looking past big banks in their search for business. RCSB Financial, which runs a midsize thrift in upstate New York, is approached every other week, an executive there says. One result: it sells nine annuity products, more than many bigger institutions. Page 10
DEBIT/DEBIT/ATMs
Increasingly, credit card companies are offering programs to help merchants deal with no-shows - customers who fail to cancel reservations they've decided not to use. Page 15
Unocal's 76 Products Co., a refiner that supplies 1,200 gas stations in the western states, has unveiled cobranded and proprietary credit cards aimed at the Latino market. Page 15
TECHNOLOGY
A New Jersey company has developed a system that lets people without checking accounts pay utility and other bills at stores and check-cashing establishments. Page 17
Recipients in and around New York City have been slow to sign up for direct deposit of Social Security checks. The government is asking banks to help. Page 17
