Today's News

WASHINGTON

Nine-tenths of the money bankers gave to presidential candidates last year went to GOP contenders. But only $750 went to Pat Buchanan; Lyndon Larouche got twice as much. Page 3

Technological advances, industry consolidation, and interstate branching will destroy community banks, Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan declared at the IBAA's annual convention, in Las Vegas. They'll survive because they provide specialized and flexible financial products and services to small businesses and households, Mr. Greenspan said. Page 2

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS

First Union has begun selling proprietary fixed and variable annuities in branches from New York to Florida. Page 5

REGIONAL BANKING

Washington Mutual is buying five-branch Utah Federal Savings, continuing a push into the state. The all-stock deal for the privately held thrift was estimated to be worth $11 million to $12 million. Page 7

COMMUNITY BANKING

The conjunction this week of the IBAA's annual convention and the ABA's community banking conference is just a coincidence, the ABA says. The small-bank group doesn't buy it. Page 8

An Indiana community bank has installed automated loan machines at a health club, a corporate headquarters, and an automated branch. "We look at the ALMs as being where ATMs were when they first started," says MetroBank's chief executive. Page 9

CREDIT/DEBIT/ATMs

First Hawaiian is targeting frequent visitors to the Aloha State with the innovative Hawaii Advantage Visa card. Cardholders will be eligible for discounts on vacation packages, restaurants, golf courses, and merchants. Page 11

The California-based Gottschalks chain of department stores says promotions guided by Paysys International software led to a big jump in sales. Gottschalks was the first retail client to use the software's new tracking and analysis subsystem. Page 13

MORTGAGES

Freddie Mac's plan to issue up to $500 million of preferred stock would provide capital for another surge in its portfolio holdings, analysts say. Retained earnings would permit only $30 billion of growth this year, one calculated, but Freddie has recently been tooling along at a $50 billion annual rate. Page 14

Fraud cases are surfacing again in the mortgage industry - but now it's lenders who are uncovering them. Recently, more mortgage lenders have been victims of schemes by brokers and homebuyers, in which falsified employment records and credit reports often are used to secure loans. Page 15

FINANCE

Regions Financial Corp. stock surged in heavy volume as rumors continue to surface that the Birmingham, Ala.-based bank is looking for a buyer. Back page

NationsBank surprised analysts by coming to market with $300 million of 10-year notes on a day when interest rates rose. "You would have thought the sentiment would be to wait," one observer said. Back page

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