WASHINGTON
House Banking Committee Chairman Jim Leach is preparing legislation that would let banks circumvent the ban on interest-bearing corporate checking accounts. Page 2
A former Federal Reserve Board governor says anti-money-laundering laws are ineffective. Page 2
COMMUNITY BANKING
Bankers Bank of Wisconsin is considering a new strategy in the push for customers in states that lack such correspondent institutions. The Wisconsin outfit is considering applying for a bank charter in Iowa. Page 7
REGIONAL BANKING
SunTrust Banks is running an aggressive ad campaign warning Barnett and NationsBank customers in Florida of the post-merger pitfalls that may lie ahead. Page 9
CORPORATE FINANCE
PaineWebber and Chase are expected to help finance Patriot American Hospitality's planned $2.1 billion acquisition of Interstate Hotels. Page 10
MORTGAGES
A Utah thrift to be chartered by former Great Western officers and a lobbyist expects to raise $5 million of capital in a private placement with 10 to 15 investors before opening its doors next April. Page 15
INVESTMENT PRODUCTS
Recent volatility in the emerging markets hasn't made all bank mutual fund executives skittish about their investment potential. Page 19
CREDIT/DEBIT/ATMs
To the horror of anti-smoking groups, First USA has introduced a Platinum Visa card for cigar lovers. Available in three designs, the cobranded card offers cigar lovers discounts on accessories. But opponents shoot back that bank is capitalizing on a "fad." Page 24
TECHNOLOGY
A consulting firm that helped wake bankers up to the fact that most retail customers are unprofitable is still sounding the alarm. Page 26
MARKET MONITOR
Despite the historically high prices of bank stock, some determined bulls insist they are still bargains in comparison with other stocks. Page 33
The bailout devised for South Korea by the International Monetary Fund has allayed some worries about the Asian financial crisis, but economists caution that the ripples will reach worldwide. Page 33
WEEKLY REPORT: SMALL BUSINESS
A host of big-name banks and financial companies are jostling to provide retirement savings plans to small businesses, once the province of regional banks. Page 16
Marshall & Ilsley introduced a small-business credit line that - over the telephone - can be turned into as many as four term loans. Page 17
