Today's News

WASHINGTON The Republican leadership last week blew a chance for a much-needed image boost by canceling a vote on private mortgage insurance legislation. Page 4 CORPORATE FINANCE syndicated lending set a first-quarter record--$189 billion--despite early expectations that business would be slow. Page 5 IBJ Schroder's new commercial finance unit named a chief executive to help it stand out in the equipment leasing crowd. Page 5 REGIONAL BANKING Despite the similar size and strategies of New Orleans rivals Hibernia and First Commerce, their CEOs received vastly different compensation last year. Page 6 A company that used to build barges has sued Harris Trust and Savings, claiming it was put out of business by the Chicago lender. Page 6 COMMUNITY BANKING The Texas Banking Department is preparing for a new crop of challenges now that federal farm supports are withering away. Page 8 MORTGAGES Sales of mortgage servicing rights are on pace to break last year's total, and observers say more big deals are brewing. Page 12 Stocks of subprime mortgage lenders big and small have been disproportionately battered by the slumping stock market. Page 13 INVESTMENT PRODUCTS Community bankers are making a big push into trust management, rushing to pick up clientele who might feel left out after bank mergers. Page 14 CREDIT/DEBIT/ATMs Though growth slowed a bit, credit card companies are still expected to report solid profits for the first quarter. Page 18 TECHNOLOGY As electronic commerce takes hold in wholesale banking, Harbinger is one of the bank technology providers benefiting most. Page 20 MARKET MONITOR investors may regret stampeding into brockerage stocks following Alex. Brown's decision to sell out Banker's Trust New York Corp. Page 25 Economists are divided on whether the Fed can pilot the economy to another soft landing. Page 25 WEEKLY REPORT: SMALL BUSINESS banks are discovering that loans to businesses owned by women can boost the bottom line. Page 10 Wells Fargo is phasing out a small-business checking account, and Glendale Federal has seized the opportunity to promote its competing product. Page 10

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