Bennett Goodman, head of high-yield at Donaldson Lufkin, plans to stay on top by doing what he says his firm has always done: something different. "It's very important to reinvent yourself," he says. Page 9
WASHINGTON
The megamerger deals of the last two weeks are breathing new life into proposals to reshape deposit insurance. Page 2
COMMUNITY
As dollars continue to flow into the stock market instead of deposit accounts, community banks are turning in record numbers to an alternative funding stream: the Home Loan Bank System. Page 5
REGIONAL
The 10 highest-paid bankers of 1997 received big boosts in compensation, helped by large grants of restricted stock and other reward packages. Page 6
INVESTMENT PRODUCTS
Banking companies emerged as the leading buyers of investment managers last year and are expected to continue as active acquirers this year. Page 10
MORTGAGES
Hocking the family home to pay down credit cards has become an American tradition. But a new twist-loans that exceed the home's value by up to 50%- has some in Congress worried. Page 12
TECHNOLOGY
Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft said they would create a common framework for the "middleware" that banks rely on to bridge the gap between old and new computer systems. Page 17
CARDS
As the federal antitrust investigation of the MasterCard and Visa associations drags on, several state attorneys general are beginning to bear down. Page 18
MARKET MONITOR
The premiums that acquiring banks are paying per household have reached eye-popping levels, an analyst at a Memphis brokerage says. Page 25
WEEKLY REPORT: SMALL BUSINESS
A growing number of entrepreneurs who are not satisfied with no-interest accounts are spreading their money around to increase returns. Page 14
