Today's News

NATIONAL/GLOBAL

Commercial banks held on to their share of the initial public offering market in the second quarter by leading 48 deals that raised $3.68 billion. Page 4

Analysts are predicting that most major banks in the Southeast will report solid second-quarter gains, largely as a result of the region's strong economic performance. Page 4

The chief of Deutsche Bank's U.S. loan syndications team said his new employer wants to preserve the credit culture of the former Bankers Trust. Page 5

COMMUNITY/REGIONAL

Republic Bancshares of Florida has decided to remain independent after six months of working with an investment banker to help it find a buyer. Page 7

CARDS

Mexico is the next stop for providers of low-cost automated teller machines, even though surcharging is not allowed there. Page 14

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS

INSURANCE: Bankers have a wealth of opportunities in insurance-as long as they pay close attention to the differences between banking and insurance, John P. Young 3d says. "I can see the day when a bank is issuing a policy and it will be an automobile policy that will say First National Bank of whatever," says the director of special projects for the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina. Page 10

Deutsche Bank has reorganized its asset management business in the Americas and named a Bankers Trust executive to lead the unit. Page 11

National City of Cleveland has hired an executive from the largest privately held insurance broker in the country to lead its insurance efforts. Page 11

MORTGAGES

Prepayments have been declining, but it took a rate hike by the Federal Reserve to trigger a wave of buying of mortgage-backed securities. Page 16

MARKET MONITOR

Thrift stocks struck out with investors during the first half of the year, but commercial banks posted solid increases. Page 24

June job GAINS reported last week are the sort of thing that could lead to a further Fed interest hike, observers said. Page 24

The Agriculture Department is freeing up $333 million to meet unprecedented demand for government-backed farm loans. Page 29

Financial services companies are expected to return to the capital markets with a vengeance this month to shore up liquidity against potential year-2000 problems. Page 30

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