Today's News

WASHINGTON

The House Judiciary Committee adopted a bankruptcy reform bill but was forced to accept several pro-consumer provisions to ensure passage. Page 2

REGIONAL

CONTRARY to what Banc One and First Chicago said in their merger announcement, they would not be No. 1 in some loan markets. BankAmerica and NationsBank would be bigger. Page 4

COMMUNITY

For the first time in its 75-year history, Amalgamated Bank of New York is branching out of its home territory. Page 5

An Illinois bank is threatening to trigger a poison pill to punish a shareholder from its founding family who is unhappy with its lackluster performance. Page 5

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS

The explosion in the number of mutual funds has companies scrambling to find and retain talented research analysts and managers. But winning a coveted position takes a certain personality. Jimmy Kourkoulakos, a research analyst with OppenheimerFunds, said the responsibility of investing millions for clients "makes things more exciting." Page 7

MORTGAGES

Beneficial National Bank will probably be put on the block after Household International buys its parent, according to an internal memo. Page 6

CORPORATE FINANCE

Chase has hired senior telecommunications banker Julie Richardson from Merrill Lynch. Page 8

CARDS

Wells Fargo and Mr. Payroll Corp. hope to hit the jackpot by giving gamblers more convenient access to cash. Page 9

TECHNOLOGY

The automated clearing house has proved itself when it comes to handling payroll disbursements and is making solid though slower gains in automatic bill payments, a Fed survey found. Page 10

MARKETS

U.S. bank bond investors headed back into the market Thursday, steeling themselves against increasing turmoil in Asia. Page 22

Washington Mutual's purchase of H.F. Ahmanson will heighten the competition for Wells Fargo, but right now Wells' trust clients are profiting handsomely from the deal. Back page

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