WASHINGTON
Jointly held accounts could gain insurance coverage under a plan put out for comment by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Page 2
A federal appeals court ruling has limited what conversations and documents involving bankers and their lawyers are protected from disclosure under attorney-client privilege. Page 3
COMMUNITY BANKING
The plane crash in Croatia that killed the chairman and CEO of Riggs International Banking underlined the need for succession planning. Page 6
An unusual, three-tiered structure is being sought by two thrifts to put their mutual holding companies on a par with stock companies. Page 6
MORTGAGES
The Congressional Budget Office has concluded in a report to be released soon that the American public is not getting its money's worth from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Page 9
HFS' plan to buy Coldwell Banker would build a loan-originating giant, and PNC Mortgage may have an in with this developing colossus. Page 8
REGIONAL BANKING
Magna Group has been on a growth spurt for more than a dozen years, but chairman and CEO G. Thomas Andes says it is shifting focus to profitability, in hope of averting a takeover. In addition to stepping up efforts to control costs, it's currently exploring subprime auto finance, consumer finance, and insurance. Page 5
Signet Banking was sued by Bank of Montreal, which had the largest exposure to a $324 million loan participation led by Signet that went bad. Page 5
INVESTMENT PRODUCTS
Investors, appearing to think the stock market has peaked, are cutting back their purchases of equity funds at some bank brokerages. Page 10
The pending purchase of deposits in a Miami-based bank with Venezuelan ties is the latest building block in SunTrust Banks' plan to boost its Latin American private banking. Page 11
CREDIT/DEBIT/ATMs
A BankAmerica unit's hiring of the former marketing director for General Motors' U.S. card operations, signals an attempt to regain market share in credit cards, industry experts say. Page 12
TECHNOLOGY
Demand from small businesses for financial electronic data interchange services is growing and will continue to do so, a study says. Page 14
A seminar for bankers profiled nonbank companies that have found ways to cut costs sharply using sites on the World Wide Web. Page 14
FINANCE
Wachovia has followed other big-name banks into the foreign capital markets, issuing $500 million of floating-rate Euronotes. Back page
