Today's News

WASHINGTON FDIC Chairman Ricki Helfer and Rep. Maxine Waters were among 11 women honored by a community group for fostering economic opportunity for women and minorities. Page 2 REGIONAL BANKING Most of the large western banks and thrifts that reported earnings generally impressed analysts with their solid loan growth, wider margins, and lower expenses. Page 6 COMMUNITY BANKING For the president and CEO of Citizens Security, one of just three locally based community banks on the western Pacific island territory of Guam, American banking is taking on new meaning. Page 10 Kansas bankers are reaching out to rural customers dealing with the emotional stress that accompanies hard times on the farm. Page 10 SMALL BUSINESS Advanta hopes the appeal of its nascent small-business credit lines will help promote its equipment leasing services. Page 15 Bankers have long complained about the Small Business Administration. But stiff competition has forced them to reconsider their views about SBA loans. "Small businesses that will grow and create jobs need capital," said Alan Lipsky, a senior vice president at New Jersey's Valley National, "and the best alternative to capital is a long-term SBA loan." Page 14 INVESTMENT PRODUCTS Securities clearing firms like Pershing, a unit of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, are moving beyond their traditional roles. Page 12 The national sales manager at First Bank System's brokerage has left the company amid restructuring at his unit. Page 13 TECHNOLOGY Providers of bank technology weighed in with generally good earnings reports for the most recent quarter. Page 18 No more than 8% of the 109 million total U.S. households will manage brokerage and mutual fund accounts on-line in the next three to five years, a recent survey found. Page 20 CORPORATE FINANCE J.P. Morgan and Union Bank of Switzerland hope the winds are in their favor as they syndicate a $1.5 billion refinancing for the Florida Residential Joint Underwriting Association. Page 24 MARKET MONITOR A study found that worker productivity is understated, and therefore the risk of inflation may be overstated. Page 25