Today's News

Rep. John J. LaFalce led a losing charge against the financial services reform bill. But the New York lawmaker remains a key ally of banks. Page 4

REGIONAL

John F. Grundhofer, U.S. Bancorp's chiefexecutive, says the integration with First Bank System is nearly complete. Page 6

COMMUNITY

School districts that lost $69 million they had entrusted to a Pennsylvania bank are filing suits. Page 7

CORPORATE FINANCE

Credit Suisse First Boston is syndicating $695 million in hybrid loans for two companies. Page 10

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS

BB&T is buying an employee benefits administration company. Page 11

CARDS

SETCo, the partnership of payment card companies governing the SET Internet security standard, has issued its first software certifications. Page 13

MORTGAGES

Household will close far fewer branches than planned after its merger with Beneficial. Page 14

DIGITAL FRONTIERS

ON-LINE BANKING: A new-old type of institution is arising on the Internet: the community bank. Page 15

TECHNOLOGY

William Zuendt, who has been joining high-tech boards since retiring from Wells Fargo, has become a director of Digicash. Page 17

MARKETS

Bank stocks fell as volatility continued to rattle the market. Back page

weekly report: INTERNATIONAL

Chase is issuing credit cards in Mexico to develop a consumer business outside the United States. Page 9