WASHINGTON
The debate over bankruptcy reform erupted as the ranking Republican and Democratic members of a key House subcommittee introduced conflicting bills. Page 2
Key lawmakers urged Congress to establish a private-sector group that would set national standards and licensing requirements for organizations providing digital signature verification. Page 2
REGIONAL BANKING
If previous bank mergers are any guide, Philadelphians will probably soon be watching their favorite sports teams face off in the First Union Center instead of the CoreStates Center. Page 3
COMMUNITY BANKING
The chairman of a Georgia consulting firm is hoping his new Florida bank venture can capitalize on NationsBank's acquisition of Barnett Banks. Page 5
MORTGAGES
HOME EQUITY: Commercial banks and thrifts are offering more home equity loans at lower prices, according to ABA data for the year ended June 30. Page 6
International investors are developing a taste for the products of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and Salomon Smith Barney senior analyst Thomas O'Donnell says rightly so. "It's a way for them to get implied government backing on the debt," he says. "And it's higher-yielding than Treasury debt." Page 7
INVESTMENT PRODUCTS
U.S. banks have some wood to chop when it comes to their commitment to the investment product business, according to a study by Dalbar. Page 9
CORPORATE FINANCE
The president of the MBA has added his voice to the chorus warning commercial real estate lenders to be vigilant about credit quality. Page 10
TECHNOLOGY
The Treasury is proposing that the government follow most of the banking industry's rules for electronic payments via the ACH network. Page 11
CREDIT/DEBIT/ATMs
CARD FRONTIERS: Teaming up with the smart card manufacturer Gemplus, Verifone claimed it has taken a big step forward in cryptographic security for on-line transactions by encrypting PINs. Page 14
Entrust Technologies said its SET certificates for on-line credit card transactions are compatible with the products of two other vendors. Page 14
MARKET MONITOR
Sumitomo of California, the sixth-largest bank in the state, has been for sale for nearly two months but is having a hard time finding a buyer. Page 21
Two analysts urged investors to head west-to California and the stocks of Wells Fargo and City National. Back page
