WASHINGTON
THE FDIC and other supervisory agencies are working to make their exams faster, more efficient - and generally more civilized. Page 2
THE BANKING industry is up in arms over what seems like a simple question: how to define the term "farmer." Page 3
COMMUNITY BANKING
TRUST COMPANY of New Jersey is boosting its bottom line the old- fashioned way: It's making more loans. Page 9
A WISCONSIN farmland tax law that has been a boon to rural bankers is being challenged by urban groups claiming it violates a tax uniformity provision in the state Constitution. Page 9
THE FIRST and largest federally chartered bank owned primarily by women has almost doubled its outstanding shares, while maintaining its women- owned status. Page 9
SMALL BUSINESS
GEORGE MILLER of Nashville's Sirrom Capital says banks don't know how to lend to service businesses. "Banks think the only thing you can lend against is equipment and inventory," he says. "Today those rules don't mean anything; nobody has inventory, nobody has equipment. Instead of saying no all the time, we see if we can price ... to make money." Page 11
TECHNOLOGY
BANK TECHNOLOGY stocks were mixed last week, despite a rise in the general market fueled by indications that the Fed would not raise the overnight federal funds rate Tuesday. Page 12
VISA INTERACTIVE, the card association's remote banking unit, has named Christopher F. Schellhorn president and chief operating officer. Page 13
INVESTMENT PRODUCTS
A COMBINATION of sales through the bank and, increasingly, through outside channels, is fueling vigorous growth in U.S. Trust's Excelsior family of mutual funds. Page 14
KICKING OFF a hiring spree in its private bank, Bankers Trust New York has named a new head of its Florida operation. Page 14
CREDIT/DEBIT/ATMs
FIRST USA has hired a sports enthusiast and card veteran to help them hatch more ideas for sports-related affinity cards. Page 16
NATIONAL PROCESSING, the nation's second-largest merchant processor, has gone public, and shares are trading above the asking price. Page 17
MARKET MONITOR
WALL STREET'S mood swings over interest rates this year have had a big impact on many bank stocks, and perhaps none more than Chase Manhattan. Page 21
INFLATION is starting to regain a foothold say some economists who say the Fed should take corrective action. Others find no clear-cut evidence of renewed pressure on prices and see no threat at home or abroad. Page 21
FINANCE
IN SHARP CONTRAST to the dealmaking frenzy last year, potential buyers this year are willing to wait for lower acquisition prices, a veteran Wall Street analyst says. Back page
