Today's News

WASHINGTON

Under pressure from Sen. Phil Gramm, the OCC has adopted an ethics rule to prohibit examiners from political communications with national banks. Page 3

NATIONAL/GLOBAL

Comerica of Detroit is looking to bulk up in California through acquisitions. Page 4

COMMUNITY/REGIONAL

A favorite of institutional investors just a year ago, thrift stocks are suddenly less fashionable than skinny ties. Page 7

TECHNOLOGY

The year-2000 problem claimed another casualty in the vendor community. HNC Software said first-quarter earnings would not meet expectations. Page 9

DIGITAL FRONTIERS

A new company, Internet Payment Exchange, is taking aim at Checkfree's billing empire with a system it wants to roll out next year. Page 10

MORTGAGES

U.S. mortgage insurers are looking to expand overseas, particularly into Hong Kong, where draconian down payment requirements have created a need for their product. Page 12

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS

Wachovia is hanging out a full-service brokerage shingle after buying Interstate/Johnson Lane. Page 15

Affiliated Financial Services, a wholesaler of insurance products, has teamed up with an Internet company to help banks start virtual agencies. Page 16

CARDS

Del Tonguette had an apocalyptic message as an ATM network chief; now, as an electronic commerce consultant, he is still at it. He says that banks without savvy Internet plans are cooked. Page 22

MARKET MONITOR

National Commerce is at the top of the list of a Morgan Stanley analyst who views Tennessee as one of the top banking markets in the nation. Back page