THE TREASURY SECRETARY and key Democrats accused Republicans of playing partisan politics that could force a presidential veto of financial reform legislation. Page 3
AMALGAMATED BANK of New York is planning to court Latinos in Washington. Page 6
THE VIRGINIA Bankers Association has assembled a consortium of 50 banks that is poised to acquire an insurance agency. Page 8
HOME EQUITY and subprime mortgage specialists are taking aim at a new Fannie Mae program that they see as an incursion into their turf. Page 9
BANK OF AMERICA's credit standards for jumbo mortgages may have slipped as a result of the merger between the old BankAmerica and NationsBank, according to Moody's. Page 9
FIRST UNION's Internet banking customers are significantly more profitable and loyal than the average, executive vice president Jack Antonini said at an American Banker conference. The average wallet share is 25%, he said, and it rises to 50% to 60% among on-line customers who use electronic bill payment. Page 4
ALMOST HALF of banks' worldwide merger and acquisition business in the third quarter involved European companies. Page 4
THE COMMERCIAL release of two products from the fingerprint identification company Identix suggests a quickening in the availability of biometric and smart card security on a mass-market scale. Page 10
THE OWNERS of the bill-presentment venture Spectrum say they have begun testing their system and expect to be ready to roll it out before yearend. Page 11
THE MONDEX electronic cash system has made a major advance in Africa, adding 17 countries through an agreement with a regional development organization. Page 14
BANK OF IRELAND's Internet payment processing system, Clikpay, has elicited inquiries from about 400 merchants since its launch at the beginning of this month. Page 15
THE BEST VALUES in financial sector bonds will be banks and finance companies with heavy exposure to consumers, one Wall Street analyst says. Page 22
AMERICAN EXPRESS' shares soared after the charge card and financial services company announced plans to launch a revamped on-line brokerage. Page 22
