REGIONAL BANKING
Minnesota's community bankers, seeking a way to derail the buyout strategies of Norwest and First Bank System, are scoring points by turning the big banks' ATM networks against them. Page 5
Banc One Corp. made a saucy play by hiring the former president of Taco Bell to spice up its retail banking operations. Page 6
COMMUNITY BANKING
Connecticut banks, thrifts, and credit unions are free to stay open and do business on state holidays as part of a move to make the state more business-friendly. Bankers, however, aren't cheering. Page 7
WASHINGTON
Joseph Neely was a drum-playing wild man who turned the Mississippi state banking department upside down with his efforts to modernize regulations . Then he got a federal job in Washington and toned his act down, at least temporarily . "I cannot come in here and demand credibility . I've got to earn that credibility over time." Page 4
An FDIC survey indicates that most banks are holding the line on loan underwriting standards, easing concerns about deteriorating credit quality and increasing risk. Page 2
MORTGAGES
A resurgence of investor demand for Remic mortgage securities is stimulating demand for the mortgage loans that are the backbone of these products. Page 10
INVESTMENT PRODUCTS
Banks launched numerous overseas funds last year, but so far retail customers are giving the cold shoulder to those offerings. Page 13
Swiss Bank, known in the U.S. for its high-end investment management, is entering the retail fray with its first proprietary fund family. Page 13
CREDIT/DEBIT/ATMs
Capital One Financial is easing back from its strategy of using teaser rates to snare card customers. The company's new products are meant to generate more fee income. Page 14
If you tuned into the Major League Soccer match on TV, you got a heavy dose of MasterCard's marketing strategy. And its logo. Page 14
TECHNOLOGY
Chase Manhattan and Wells Fargo, both fresh off big mergers, are touting revamped home pages on the World Wide Web. Page 16
The Federal Reserve is launching a service to streamline the process of clearing checks from numerous Fed districts. Page 19
FINANCE
Highlighting the pitfalls of subprime auto lending, Eagle Finance stands to lose half its book value after accounting for unexpectedly high loan losses in 1995. Back page
