Today's News

WASHINGTON

Two major West Coast bank groups endorsed the merger of NationsBank and BankAmerica, but the California Independent Bankers Association said it opposed the $60 billion deal. Page 2

REGIONAL

Norwest's pending merger with Wells Fargo has slowed its negotiations to acquire a Texas bank. Page 4

Community First Bankshares of Fargo, N.D., said it would take a $3.1 million charge against second-quarter earnings. Page 5

COMMUNITY

Bremer Financial, St. Paul, is changing the names of each of its 14 subsidiary banks to Bremer Bank, after the Minnesota banker and philanthropist who founded the company. Page 7

TECHNOLOGY

Electronic commerce companies are not making much money, but that has not prevented some from investing in or acquiring others. For example, despite a slowdown in revenue growth, Cybercash said it will make an equity investment in UUcom, a Virginia Internet engineering company. Page 14

Royal Bank of Canada is one bank that has grown alarmed by the failure rates of large technology installations and discovered the importance of project management. Page 15

MORTGAGES

Real estate investment trusts continue to sell off adjustable-rate mortgages, which have been punished as low yields on government securities have brought worries that homeowners would rush to refinance. Page 8

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS

Comerica Securities added on-line trading to its menu of discount brokerage services. Page 11

CARDS

Fleet Financial's agreement to buy $600 million of credit card receivables from Crestar Financial underscores the Boston company's aspiration to be a strong, nationwide marketer. Page 12

MARKET MONITOR

Low interest rates, long viewed as rocket fuel for bank stocks, could ultimately hurt earnings and stock prices, one industry analyst cautions. Page 25

Deflation is heading our way and we ought to be preparing for it, says economist A. Gary Shilling, author of a new book on the phenomenon of falling prices. Page 25

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