Today's News

WASHINGTON

Five Federal Reserve banks are launching a study to identify why banks disproportionately reject minorities for loans and to pinpoint where bias is most likely to occur in the lending process. Page 2

Sen. Alfonse M. D'Amato, facing Democratic opposition to his efforts to reauthorize the panel investigating the Whitewater scandal, is threatening to reconvene the inquiry under the auspices the Senate Banking Committee. Page 2

TECHNOLOGY

On-line "chat rooms" are known as havens for Internet aficionados with interests in subjects like beer, sex, and heavy-metal singer Ozzy Osbourne. Now NationsBank has added cash management to the list. Page 4

A Florida-based provider of Internet services is launching a product that gives individual investors and small companies immediate on-line access to SEC filings. Page 5

FINANCE

mug of richard barrett

Director Richard Barrett says UBS Securities' M&A unit -which now ranks among the top 10 bank merger advisers -has become a big winner by staying on top of trends inside and outside of banking. "We have to understand these trends, and how they are affecting banks (and their) tactics and opportunities." Page22

REGIONAL BANKING

First Interstate workers wore black to work on the last day before the Wells Fargo takeover. A sense of mourning marked the company's final shareholders meeting, too. Page 6

COMMUNITY BANKING

Illinois' Glenview State Bank takes a backseat to none of its bigger competitors when it comes to banking technology. Page 8

COMPLIANCE

When NationsBank paid two mutual fund investors $30 million to settle a lawsuit over the investment, the term "suitability requirements" gained importance. Page 10

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network is proposing to eliminate some 500,000 currency transaction reports filed each year by banks. Page 10

MORTGAGES

Home equity lenders concluded their conference in Florida with a bash featuring silver-robed dancers, a conga line, and a 25-foot flying saucer. Page 12

Seeking a bigger presence in the Midwest, a mortgage unit of Michigan's Republic Bancorp has acquired First of America's residential lending business in eastern Missouri. Page 14

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS

A U.S. district court in Boston ruled that Signature Financial Group's patent on "hub-and-spoke" mutual fund marketing structures was invalid and unenforceable. Page 15

CREDIT/DEBIT/ATMs

Hypercom, the Phoenix-based point of sale and network systems firm, created an international subsidiary and promoted an executive to run it. Page 16

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