WASHINGTON
Interstate branching has thrown FDIC statistics for a loop, making some states seem worse off than they are, some better. Page 2
REGIONAL BANKING
First of America, rumored to be among the losing banks in the bidding for the Roney brokerage firm, is still looking for a wider underwriting role - whether by internal growth or acquisition. Page 4
Overcoming a long-standing reluctance to put cash on the table to buy companies in Latin America, U.S. banks are stepping up the pace of their deals there. Page 4
COMMUNITY BANKING
Shrinking interest margins, increased competition, and a slowing economy are likely to reduce earnings at community banks next year, a consultant says. Page 6
INVESTMENT PRODUCTS
U.S. Bancorp, now combining its two big mutual fund families, is aiming for top rank bank fund sales. Page 8
CORPORATE FINANCE
NationsBanc Montgomery hired Salomon Brothers' managing director of global equity derivatives and convertibles. Page 7
Goldman Sachs and Fleet launched a $167 million package backing Goldman's leveraged buyout of Amscan Holdings, a manufacturer of party supplies. Page 7
MORTGAGES
Investors have turned cold on the home equity sector. Many took last week's massive writedown last week by Green Tree Financial as evidence that the problems that devastated the subprime auto lending could bring down the entire subprime sector. Page 9
Countrywide is promising it will close a loan in 10 days or refund $250 of closing costs. Page 9
CREDIT/DEBIT/ATMs
The top four global card companies said they will form a joint venture to coordinate and promote the Secure Electronic Transactions program for Internet transactions. Page 11
TECHNOLOGY
In the last six months on-line trading on-line has grown 44%, to 137,978 transactions a day. Schwab still leads, but E-Trade outpointing Fidelity for second rank. And though the top five providers control three-quarters the market, "there is a big pot of honey and lots of bees," an analyst observes. Page 14
Citibank will use Affinity's software to speed loan approvals at car dealerships and other remote locations, the software firm says. Page 14
MARKET MONITOR
Less than two years after the megamerger that created the new Chase, company officials have subtly altered their pitch to investors, and the market likes what it's hearing. Page 22
