Mortgage Technology: Special report
The home loan business has produced some technological success stories in the past year, including Dynatek's buildup of market share in originationssoftware and successful consolidations by GMAC'scommercial mortgage unit. Supplement
WASHINGTON
The FDIC chairman proposed that regulators worldwide form a consortium to share ideas andexperiences. Page 3
COMMUNITY
A troublesome loan has cost the CEO of Six Rivers National his job and forced the Eureka, Calif., institution to charge off $1.1 million. Page 7
MORTGAGES
A robust housing market has helped Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac outperform the S&P 500 and other mortgage finance stocks since late spring. Page 8
INVESTMENT PRODUCTS
U.S. investment companies do not appear ready to pull up stakes abroad despite the recent seesawing of the global equity markets. Page 12
The Independent Bankers Association ofAmerica is beefing up its investment services program for members. Page 15
TECHNOLOGY
Affinity Technology Group, a pioneer ofself-service consumer lending, is hoping a patent approval it received will help boost its earnings outlook and revive its sagging stock price. Page 16
Anytime Access, a call center operator, hasbroadened its approach to customer support and has dubbed it Accession. Page 17
CARDS
The Smart Card Forum's latest consumer research revealed a bright outlook for the advancedplastic card technology-but not in the way financial industry executives might be expecting. Page 19
EYES ON CREDIT: Heightened concerns aboutprivacy may well have played a role in a recent court judgment against Trans Union, which was ordered to stop selling direct marketing lists, experts said. Page 20
CORPORATE FINANCE
A market rumor sent shares of LehmanBrothers Holdings tumbling, exposing the weakening ability of financial services companies to ward offill-timed news. Page 22
MARKET MONITOR
Shares of investment banks have been pounded first in the stock market nosedive. Page 33