WASHINGTON
KPMG Peat Marwick plans to announce that it has acquired Barefoot, Marrinan & Associates, a leading compliance consulting firm. Page 2
A Washington civil rights group filed a class action against NationsBank, alleging that it discriminated against black mortgage applicants. Page 4
REGIONAL BANKING
London-based Lazard Brothers is transferring administration of about $6 billion of assets under custody to Bankers Trust. Page 6
Signet Banking is considering a spinoff of its national direct-mail marketing program, analysts say. Page 6
MORTGAGES
Two companies in the booming mortgage insurance business reported strong first-quarter earnings growth - Amerin, 258%, and CMAC Investment, 28%. Page 8
Wall Street is taking a dim view of plans by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to create a new type of mortgage security out of the servicing fees that are tucked into mortgage payments. Page 8
TECHNOLOGY
Chase Manhattan is pouring more than $100 million into check imaging technology. "The industry has not used technology to change fundamental processes since the introduction" of the magnetic ink line in the early 1960s, says Denis O'Leary, the bank's chief information officer. "This is a major event." Page 18
COMMUNITY BANKING
Though interstate branching sparked political donnybrooks in many statehouses during the last year, observers say the outcomes have had less impact than advertised. Page 10
INVESTMENT PRODUCTS
Brokerage has supplied 10% of the profit at Bank Center First, a small bank in Bismarck, North Dakota's capital city. Page 12
Bankers were told their customer data bases make banks ideal for cross- selling insurance to consumers. Page 16
CREDIT/DEBIT/ATMs
The year's biggest card technology event, the Cardtech/Securtech conference in Atlanta, is expected to attract a record 6,000 visitors. Page 17
Smart cards are entering the stage of multiple-application capability, and the returns can be as promising as those on credit cards, writes consultant Jerome Svigals. Page 17
M&A REVIEW
Bank and thrift merger deals valued at more than $1.1 billion were unveiled in April - a snail's pace compared to the robust activity of last year. But early signs hint that deal prices may have peaked, which could foreshadow a pickup in dealmaking. Page 22
FINANCE
Banque Paribas, having built a U.S. derivatives and securities business, is among foreign banks now targeting some American institutions' corporate clients. Page 26
