REGIONAL
DURING THE worst year for the thrift industry since the early 1990s, no company is suffering more than Bank Plus Corp. Page 4
COMMUNITY
The Sacramento, Calif., area has emerged as a hotbed for start-up banks, thanks to consolidation and the eastward movement of high-tech companies. Page 7
MORTGAGES
After the sharp drop in interest rates since August, mortgage lending volume is expected to surge-and so is mortgage fraud. Page 11
INVESTMENT PRODUCTS
Investors have been cashing out of Franklin Templeton Group's mutual funds because 40% of its assets are in international funds-a market segment particularly hard-hit over the past year. Page 12
CARDS
ATM operators are optimistic that a government-sponsored information campaign will make consumers comfortable with the redesigned $20 bill. Page 14
WASHINGTON
John D. Hawke Jr. received bipartisan support at his confirmation hearing, but concerns over his support of the Community Reinvestment Act could delay a final vote on his nomination as comptroller of the currency. Mr. Hawke pledged to crack down on lending standards. Page 3
Citing increased demand from lenders, the government expanded a controversial mortgage program that is offered by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago. Page 2
DIGITAL FRONTIERS
ON-LINE BANKING: American Express is proving that an electronic billing system can generate traffic at a Web site. Page 16
TECHNOLOGY
Information systems at many large North American banks are outdated, putting pressure on technology budgets and staffs and raising risk- management questions, says Computer Sciences. Page 17
CORPORATE FINANCE
A CULTURE CLASH with NationsBank is being blamed for the departure of NationsBanc Montgomery Securities' CEO and a senior managing director. Page 29
To bolster its capital markets business, First Security of Salt Lake City said it would buy Van Kasper & Co., a San Francisco investment bank, for $100 million in cash and stock. Page 29
WEEKLY REPORT: INTERNATIONAL
Problems with overseas exposure are increasing at large U.S. banks, and Latin American exposure is a particular threat, a bank rating service said. Page 8
