Today's News

WASHINGTON

Bankers are protesting a plan to overhaul risk-based capital rules that they say would raise securitization costs by forcing them to hold more capital than necessary. Page 2

Congress should exempt banks from a bill that would impose tough auditing requirements on administrators of retirement plans, a banker testified before a House subcommittee. Page 2

COMMUNITY

A Michigan savings bank has agreed to pay $12 million in cash and warrants to shareholders who claimed directors and officers had cashed in on inside information. Page 5

Atlanta-based Buckhead Community Bank, which was opened last Friday, is offering businesses and community groups free use of its boardroom. Page 5

TECHNOLOGY

Fleet opened a call center in Rhode Island that will serve as a command center for facilities in Scranton, Pa., Utica, N.Y., and Framingham, Mass. Page 12

REGIONAL

Chase is revamping its consumer banking business with an eye to boosting revenues and adding customers. Donald L. Boudreau says the new structure will improve overall efficiency, allowing Chase to package consumer banking services more "holistically." Page 4

MORTGAGES

At an elite conference in Utah, top mortgage and thrift executives were told that consolidation may be in the offing for the Federal Home Loan banks. Page 6

The refinancing boom makes this a perfect time for private mortgage companies - especially those with strong origination networks - to go public, right? Well, think again. Page 7

CORPORATE FINANCE

Now that BB&T has the securities firm Craigie under its wing, one of the biggest challenges is making sure not to overwhelm the new unit with sales leads, executives of the banking company say. Page 8

MARKETS

In a striking change of heart, a veteran analyst has named PNC as a strong investment favorite in place of Banc One. Back page

Hibernia, the biggest bank in Louisiana, is being picked by some on the Street as the next southern bank to sell. Back page

LETTERS Page 15

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