The states with the largest percentage of unprofitable banks in the
Only four states-Alaska, Maine, Rhode Island, and Vermont-had no money-
Just 414 of 9,588 commercial and savings banks reported a loss in the
That's up 6% from the fourth quarter of 1997.
Of the money-losers, about 150 are new banks that have yet to turn a
The others, Veribanc said, are struggling with isolated problems rather
"Five percent of them just aren't joining in on the party," said Warren
"There's no underlying economic groundswell here."
Mr. Heller said he expects more banks in the Pacific Northwest and the
Bruce A. Koppe, executive vice president of the Washington Bankers
"The consensus would be that this certainly is a stressful time," he
Mr. Koppe said agricultural banks may feel the pinch later this year,
Prices for both commodities have been down because of the Asian economic
Many banks are preparing for an Asia-related downturn. Grundy National
Except for banks with indirect ties to the Asian economy, Mr. Heller
"Unless we have a general economic downturn, things should be fine," he
"I don't think we'll feel the excesses of the recent economy until