Today's News

WASHINGTON

The OCC is distributing guidelines explaining how a bank may share customer data among affiliates without violating privacy laws. Page 2

FIRST DATA reached an agreement with federal banking regulators to correct a year-2000 computer glitch that could affect some credit card processing. Page 2

in the wake of the Associates National Bank suit, industry officials are demanding that the government clarify how banks should comply with fair- lending laws. Page 3

COMMUNITY/REGIONAL

Imperial Bancorp of Los Angeles is again seeking a buyer for its stake in a high-risk consumer lending unit. Page 8

MORTGAGES

Fannie Mae is moving to bolster its access to lenders and brokers that serve people on-line. Page 9

NATIONAL/GLOBAL

When it comes to acquisitions, George Schaefer Jr. has little desire to venture far from home. The CEO of Cincinnati's Fifth Third Bancorp says he sees plenty of opportunity to expand in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky, the states where the bank operates. Page 5

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS

U.S. banks could double the profits they make on each customer if they integrate insurance sales with their core products, a study found. Page 13

The SEC could rule within two months on pay-to-play abuses among investment advisers to public pension funds. Page 13

TECHNOLOGY

Wachovia is joining the handful of banks striving to equip corporate customers with electronic bill presentment capabilities. Page 15

DIGITAL FRONTIERS

SMART CARDS: Together with the Treasury Department, First Union will distribute more than 22,000 Visa Cash cards to recruits at the Fort Benning Army base in Georgia over the next year. Page 16

Two major smart card organizations in Europe gave Sun Microsystems' Java language a boost. Page 16

MARKETS

Bank stocks drifted lower with the market as the Dow receded from the 10,000 mark and the Fed met expectations by not changing interest rates. Page 26

Bank bonds will probably take off once first quarter earnings come in, analysts say. Back page