Today's News

WASHINGTON

HOUSE SPEAKER Newt Gingrich hosted a $1,000-per-person fund-raising luncheon in his suburban Atlanta district last week for Sen. Alfonse M. D'Amato. Page 2

Trying to salvage a disappointing legislative session, bank lobbyists plan a last-minute drive for tax relief. Page 3

REGIONAL

Retail fees are emerging as the latest target of class actions against banks, according to lawyers and other industry experts. Page 4

As NationsBank pursues its nationwide banking aspirations, it is building a million-square-foot technology center to handle its growing operations. Page 4

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS

First Data Investor Services Group climbeda rung on the ladder of top administrators of bank-managed mutual funds during the second quarter, reaching No. 5. Page 12

COMMUNITY

The urge to consolidate small banks in Southern California has prompted two bankers to turn to Wall Street for funding. One of them, Robert Keller, who sold his bank and organized an investment group that has bought four California banks, wants to raise up to $46 million in a public offering. Page 7

MORTGAGES

Cendant has entered into an alliance with a real estate information specialist to provide Internet services to the franchise offices of its real estate companies-Century 21, Coldwell Banker, and ERA. Page 8

When interest rates tumbled to a six-year low early this year, it set the stage for testing the use of the Internet and other high-tech systems in the mortgage business. Page 9

MARKET MONITOR

HEDGE FUND manager David Rochester sees opportunities in the thrift sector. Despite a flat first half for his thrift fund, he thinks it can post 25% growth for the year. Page 13

Bank bond traders have grown increasingly alarmed as losses in corporate bond portfolios appear to be setting off a wave of layoffs on Wall Street. Page 20

TECHNOLOGY

Peerless Group's nine-year run as an independent banking software company is about to end. Itsprimary rival, Jack Henry & Associates, announced a deal to buy Peerless for $36 million of stock. Page 30

W-Trade Technologies of New York said it has developed an Internet-based securities tradingsystem that uses cellular telephones and other wireless devices. Page 31

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