Today's News

WASHINGTON Responding to industry concerns, the OCC clarified its definition of fiduciary activities. Page 2 A Fed proposal does not go far enough to protect the confidentiality of fair-lending self-tests, industry officials charged in comment letters. Page 4 REGIONAL BANKING ABN Amro North America, attempting to drum up more business among midsize companies, opened several commercial loan offices around the Midwest. Page 5 Southern National agreed to buy Phillips Factors, an account receivables manager with units specializing in home furnishings companies and temporary staffing businesses. Page 6 COMMUNITY BANKING A Dallas thrift is changing its corporate status to avoid paying income tax, a move likely to be followed by other closely held banks and thrifts. Page 7 A veteran lobbyist assumed the top job at the Community Bankers Association of New York State. Page 7 M&A REVIEW Banc One's Deal to buy First USA topped the list of bank mergers and acquisitions last month. In fact, two nontraditional deals were among the top-five transactions; the other was Barnett Banks' plan to acquire auto leasing activities from Oxford Resources. Tables and stories begin on Page 18. INVESTMENT PRODUCTS INSURANCE: Prudential, which many thought was poised to push its wares through banks, appears to be holding back. Page 8 Essex is training Great Western Financial brokers to boost the thrift's annuities sales in its California and Florida branches. Page 8 CREDIT/DEBIT/ATMs An Independent Bankers Association of America affiliate hired a former SouthTrust executive to become CEO for the card-issuing bank it plans to open this summer. Page 10 Provident Bancorp of Cincinnati is expanding its discount card program to Florida. Page 11 MORTGAGES Consolidation of mortgage servicing is likely to accelerate this year, one of the nation's leading mortgage investment bankers said. Page 14 MARKET MONITOR Regulators are taking a close look at the structure of charitable foundations that are being set up in connection with initial public offerings by thrifts. Back page A bank and three specialty finance companies were among 28 firms that won "strong buy" ratings from Gruntal. Back page

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