WASHINGTON
Rebutting calls to privatize the FDIC, Chairman Ricki Helfer insisted there can be no substitute for the government's backing. "To inspire confidence during a period of turmoil, deposit insurance must ... be comprehensive," she said. "The problem with private plans ... is the limited pool of resources on which they can draw, as compared to the unlimited pool of resources of the federal government." Page 2
Unless Congress makes it easier for state-chartered banks to branch across state lines, the dual banking system will not survive, two state regulators warned. Page 3
REGIONAL BANKING
The Fed gave a unit of Dutch ABN Amro permission to buy the parent of Chicago Corp., an investment banking and brokerage firm. Page 4
COMMUNITY BANKING
The Fed blocked the merger of a bank and a thrift in central Iowa, citing overconcentration. Page 6
A high-flying Oregon holding company is reassessing its plans after its two California thrift subsidiaries were slapped with regulatory restrictions because of their rapid growth. Page 13
MORTGAGES
HomeSide Lending Inc., the mortgage banking venture of Bank of Boston and Florida's Barnett, plans an initial public offering that could raise more than $100 million. Page 7
First Tennessee's HomeBanc Mortgage has a new unit that offers private banking services to big mortgage lenders. Page 7
CREDIT/DEBIT/ATMs
Two New England trade groups called off plans to work together to create a network of automated teller machines that don't charge fees. Page 9
Equifax plans to spin off its insurance information business to focus on the group that provides credit reporting, payment processing, and risk management. Page 9
TECHNOLOGY
People who surf the Internet are eager for on-line financial services but frustrated by the clunkiness of most bank Web sites, according to a survey to be released Monday. Page 10
INVESTMENT PRODUCTS
Security First Life is the latest underwriter to begin rolling out term and long-term-care policies for banks to sell. Page 12
Hoping to boost its brand identity, State Street Global Advisors is renaming its mutual funds. Page 12
CORPORATE FINANCE
Standard & Poor's says its bank loan rating system is beginning to flourish. Page 17
MARKET MONITOR
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has lured away four key members of Citicorp's structured securitization team to set up a junk shop of its own. Page 20
T. Rowe Price shares have soared lately on rumors that Citicorp was trying to buy it. Page 20
