WASHINGTON
Owners of family-held banks had better read the fine print if they want to use the bigger estate tax exemptions that President Clinton will sign into law today. Page 4
CORPORATE FINANCE
Low pricing has stalled the syndication of two large loans, totaling more than $3 billion. Page 5
In a deal expected to open up the Canadian market for junk bonds, RBC Dominion Securities led a $240 million, Canadian-denominated issue for Clearnet Communications. Page 5
REGIONAL BANKING
A First USA veteran took the helm of First Union's consumer group, a likely staging ground for branchless-banking initiatives. Jack Antonini left card specialist First USA after Banc One bought it. Page 6
More banks are using personality tests, an old tool in executive recruiting, to help with lower-level hiring. Page 7
COMMUNITY BANKING
Commercial banks will keep losing market share in farm lending to the Farm Credit System, the USDA says. Bankers say they are finding it harder to compete against the government-aided lenders, but the Farm Credit Council says merged banks may just be losing interest in the sector. Page 8
CREDIT/DEBIT/ATMs
Facing the dreaded year-2000 computer problem, card issuers, merchant processors, and the bank card associations are playing Beat the Clock. Page 11
MORTGAGES
Resource Bancshares' $390 million deal to buy subprime lender Walsh Holding is being delayed while Resource looks into fraud allegations against Walsh. Page 14
INVESTMENT PRODUCTS
Bankers Trust launched a fund family targeted to the fast-growing variable annuity market. Page 17
BankAmerica says its leap into car insurance this year and its expansion in homeowners coverage are already paying off. Page 18
TECHNOLOGY
Citibank intends to create virtual communities where customers can interact with each other and Citi representatives over the Internet. Page 21
MARKET MONITOR
The new capital gains tax changes being hammered out in Washington may give investors a reason to think twice about investing in bank stocks. Page 30
