WASHINGTON
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The government's top fair-lending cop warned that the Justice Department plans to scrutinize credit-scoring systems. Page 2
REGIONAL
Banks up and down the West Coast are having a tough time finding new employees, according to federal regulators. Page 7
COMMUNITY
A New York law that grants tax breaks to banks opening branches in depressed neighborhoods is under attack by the state's thrifts. Page 13
After 72 Years in business, Bank of Louisville is investing $3 million in an ad campaign that promotes it as a contemporary, full-service bank. Page 13
CORPORATE FINANCE
One of Merrill Lynch's top financial industry strategists blasts the notion of commercial banks muscling their way into investment banking. Page 17
INVESTMENT PRODUCTS
Giving the Fed sweeping authority over financial services would stifle creativity in the securities market and fail to protect investors, says Matthew Fink, president of the Investment Company Institute. For example, banking regulators' emphasis on safety and soundness could limit the types of funds offered, he says. Page 15
MONTHLY REPORT: MORTGAGE TECHNOLOGY
Quality Risk Management, a Chicago company that helps mortgage lenders hedge, has signed some of the biggest as clients. Page 18
MORTGAGES
A deal by First American Financial to buy Contour Software is expected to help the Santa Ana, Calif., title insurer broaden its customer base. Page 19
DIGITAL FRONTIERS
ELECTRONIC COMMERCE: Tandem and its parent, Compaq, released Net commerce software that complies with the card associations' SET version 1.0. Page 23
TECHNOLOGY
financial services should be leading the charge to ensure that the Net is a trusted business mechanism, an open technology standards proponent writes. Page 24
CARDS
Nacha is beginning to declare victory in its campaign for uniform operating rules in electronic benefits transfer systems. Page 26
MARKETS
Bank stocks sustained little damage from news hinting inflation could make a comeback. Back page
