Today's News

National/Global Bank hiring for Web-related jobs is a big growth area, says Korn/Ferry, the giant headhunting firm. "Larger banks have figured out they will be left behind unless they get with the program quickly.'' Page 6 DAY-TRaDing firms would be subject to new restrictions under recommendations in a report from state securities regulators. Page 6 COMMUNITY/REGIONAL Ignoring three previous rejections, a small California bank is making another pitch for a hometown rival. Page 7 MORTGAGES Fixed-income investors from here and abroad snapped up debt offerings that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac brought to market last week. But investors have not been as hungry for mortgage-backed securities. Page 11 WASHINGTON Democrat John LaFalce has introduced a bill to get the ball rolling on the President's New Markets initiative. HUD would back debt issued by for-profit community development companies investing in businesses that make half their gross income where 20% of the population lives in poverty. Page 2 THE Senate Banking Committee will hold a hearing on a plan to impose CRA requirements on credit unions - but their regulators will not be invited to testify. Page 2 INVESTMENT PRODUCTS Insurance: A $3.4 billion deal to create the nation's largest title insurer is a sign of the times. Higher rates and the consequent expected slowdown in home purchases have created pressure for consolidation. Page 8 Savings Bank Life Insurance of Massachusetts is looking to improve its relationship with banks. It plans to add training and refurbished and repackaged products. Page 9 The line between bank brokerages and their nonbank counterparts seems to be blurring, and that may spell lower profits for banks, a study suggests. Page 9 MARKETS Thrift stocks have been so pummeled by the markets that a number are trading below their value if broken up and sold in pieces, according to a Lehman Brothers analyst. Page 22 Bank stocks outpaced the Dow Jones industrial average, picking up some ground lost in recent weeks. On a comparative basis, banks look "tremendously attractive," one analyst says. Back page