WASHINGTON
Thrift earnings soared 36% last year, hitting a record $6.45 billion, the OTS said. Fourth-quarter net income jumped $400 million, to $1.7 billion. Page 2
REGIONAL
Wachovia, which prides itself on having invented "relationship banking" 25 years ago, is taking the strategy a step further, a senior executive said. Page 5
MORTGAGES
Countrywide Credit Industries is considering a joint venture with an Irish mortgage lender, sources close to the company said. Page 9
INVESTMENT PRODUCTS
Mutual fund investors shunned stock funds for money market and bond funds in January, but such a conservative shift does not favor banks the way it did a few years ago, experts said. Page 14
COMMUNITY
Pennsylvania community bankers say they will do fine against First Union after it takes over Philadelphia giant CoreStates, whether the government "levels the playing field" or not. "If First Union wants to come to Philadelphia, bring them on and let them come," says Kenneth Tepper of USA Bancshares. Page 7
CARDS
PNC joined the handful of large banking companies that put customers' photos on credit cards. Page 16
DIGITAL FRONTIERS
ON-LINE BANKING: Insurers are going on-line with financial services packages, challenging banks seeking to solidify relationships with those customers. Page 18
TECHNOLOGY
A French electronic commerce company that did not quite catch on in the United States has found a new life. Page 19
Intelidata Technologies introduced Interpose OFX, a home banking system based on the Open Financial Exchange standard. Page 19
MARKETS
Bank stocks took a breather after a long healthy run as some investors took profits and others resumed worrying about troubles in Asia. Back page
WEEKLY REPORT: INTERNATIONAL
BankAmerica has obtained a mandate from Pakistan to privatize a government-owned industrial finance corporation. Page 11
