Today's News

WASHINGTON

The director of consumer affairs at the Federal Reserve Board, Griffith L. Garwood, is taking advantage of an early retirement program. The 29-year Fed veteran will step down the last day of the buyout program, May 31. Page 4

TECHNOLOGY

To build demand for their services, two high-profile Internet technology companies-E-Trade and Cybercash-are mounting mainstream advertising campaigns. Page 8

International Biometric Group has opened what it claims is the nation's first supermarket of biometric identification technology. Page 10

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS

The Hartford's family of mutual funds has passed its first birthday, and executives say they are delighted with the results. Page 16

KeyCorp plans to roll out an advertising campaign next month touting its recently expanded money management account. Page 17

FUTUREBANKER

CAN terrorists take out your bank's computer systems? You bet, and the digitally interconnected global economy is similarly vulnerable. The Internet and outsourcing have made wreaking havoc easier, but bombs and even ray guns could also do the job. Magazine

CORPORATE FINANCE

In their quest for capital, high-yield-bond issuers are increasingly embracing a newfangled security: "pay-in-kind" preferred stock. Page 12

MORTGAGES

After rising for years, home prices in South Bend, Ind., fell in the second quarter-perhaps signalling an end to the nationwide housing boom. Page 18

Insurers complained to the OCC about a Banc One reinsurance program. They said the company is trying to horn in on their business. Page 19

MARKET MONITOR

Stock repurchase programs at banks are drawing a more critical response from analysts. Page 25

Financial markets remain jittery at the prospect that a tight job market could push up labor costs and reignite inflation, but several economists say there is little cause for worry. Page 25

WEEKLY REPORT: SMALL BUSINESS

A small-ticket equipment leasing company and a vehicle leasing company in Baltimore have merged their operations. Page 15

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