Today's News

WASHINGTON

The OCC's first risk czar is moving to the regulator that oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Page 2

The Clinton administration has narrowed its search for a Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. chairman to three candidates. Page 2

REGIONAL BANKING

Louisiana lenders are enjoying a surge of commercial loan demand. Page 4

Summit Bancorp named an executive to lead the charge in southern New Jersey, where it has just spent $867 million on an acquisition. Page 6

COMMUNITY BANKING

A proposed merger between two Georgia banks illustrates a new push among minority banks to work together for survival. Page 8

MORTGAGES

Resales of single-family homes remain strong. Page 10

a real estate investment trust plans to securitize adjustable-rate mortgages. Page 11

MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

Data warehousing is just the beginning; all that valuable customer information has to be understood and acted on. Financial services marketer Don Taylor says the biggest challenge for retail banks is figuring out how to reward the core customers and penalize the cherry-pickers. Magazine supplement

CREDIT/DEBIT/ATMs

A card for customers of the Spiegel catalogue will offer contributions for breast cancer research as rebates. "Spiegel's customer base is women in their early 40s," a MasterCard executive explained. Page 12

Kmart shoppers can now buy stored value cards as gift certificates. Page 12

TECHNOLOGY

Electronic Data Systems is showing signs that its station could improve soon. The technology services giant has signed $19 billion in contracts. Page 18

MARKET MONITOR

Brokerage stocks are hot. Page 25

One reason inflation is so low is that Americans have become a nation of stingy shoppers bent on finding bargains. Page 25

WEEKLY REPORT: SMALL BUSINESS

Fleet wants a bigger cut of the garment industry financing business. It is aiming for No. 2 in New York and may open Atlanta and Los Angeles offices. Page 16

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