the ALL program has been run on this file
WASHINGTON
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Phil Gramm vowed that the Senate would take the lead on financial reform legislation. The Texas Republican said House Commerce Committee Chairman Thomas J. Bliley Jr. "is not going to move the House bill in Commerce until we have acted." Page 2
NATIONAL/GLOBAL
As the financing arms of large auto manufacturers look for new ways to serve car dealers, banks that compete with them are feeling the squeeze. Page 4
Banking markets in Latin America are split between countries where economic growth is holding up and those where it is declining, said senior bankers familiar with the region. Page 5
COMMUNITY/REGIONAL
Though applauding Bay View Capital's recent deal to buy Franchise Mortgage Acceptance, analysts expect more action from the San Mateo, Calif., banking company. Page 6
INVESTMENT PRODUCTS
Consumer Reports has raised hackles in the load mutual fund business with an edition recommending 110 mutual funds but excluding all funds that impose a sales charge, or load. Page 7
MORTGAGES
The long-awaited release of a proposed risk-based capital regulation for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is imminent, Washington sources said. Page 8
CARDS
The Electronic Transaction Association wants to find a way for small merchants to have a voice in the bank card associations' setting of interchange prices. Page 10
The proposed merger of Fleet and BankBoston would yield a market leader in credit cards - but one that would face obstacles in blending two portfolios. Page 11
DIGITAL FRONTIERS
Bogged down by branch costs, banks' prospects for profiting from on-line banking are getting dimmer, according to analysts and research studies. Page 12
TECHNOLOGY
IQ Financial Systems, a one-year-old spinoff of Bankers Trust, introduced Windows NT-based risk management software. Page 13
MARKETS
Mellon Bank would gain an asset management presence in several European nations if it pursues an alliance with France's Credit Lyonnais. Back page
The shares of Chase and other superregional banks rose strongly, buoyed by general merger speculation. Back page
