Today's News

WASHINGTON

Legislation designed to limit federal scrutiny of derivatives trading may wind up doing just the opposite. Page 4

CORPORATE FINANCE

Leveraged lending soared to a record $46 billion in the second quarter, up 52% from the first. Page 5

REGIONAL BANKING

MARSHALL & ILSLEY would close 28 Wisconsin branches in October as part of its deal to buy Milwaukee rival Security Capital. Page 6

Barnett Banks is launching a major redesign of its retail product line to gain a greater share of the customer's wallet. Page 7

MORTGAGES

CIT Group Holdings recently securitized its first pool of home equity loans, a $500 million deal using a structure that may eventually differentiate players in the industry. Page 8

TECHNOLOGY

Four months is ample time for First Union to absorb the operations of Signet, according to analysts and bankers. And First Union chairman Edward E. Crutchfield says the integration may end a search for space for 1,000 employees: Sig-net has a new tech center with room for expansion. Page 20

COMMUNITY BANKING

First Republic Bancorp has financed California's glitterati. Now, the upscale lender is transforming itself into a commercial bank to offer full private banking services to its posh clientele. Page 10

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS

KeyCorp's former mutual fund czar is hitting the acquisition trail. Page 14

CREDIT/DEBIT/ATMs

The average fees charged by credit card issuers have increased by as much as 26% since 1995, a recent survey found. Page 23

MARKET MONITOR

BankAmerica, Norwest, and a unit of Westcorp bank last week issued $650 million worth of securities at notably cheap prices. Back page

WEEKLY REPORT: SMALL BUSINESS

Southwestern Business Financing is a Phoenix nonprofit that offers small but growing businesses funds for capital projects under an SBA program. Page 12

ALLIANCES are increasingly common tactics for financial companies that serve small businesses. Page 13

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