FUTUREBANKING
The nation's biggest bank is beginning to put its considerable weight into high technology. Chase Manhattan has the luxury of a $1.8 billion systems budget and ambitions centering on the notion of "mass customization." Pullout section.
WASHINGTON
Banks that have gotten drunk on the servicing boom in recent years may have a bit of a hangover New Year's Day, courtesy of a new regulatory accounting rule. Page 2
REGIONAL BANKING
The financial services industry lost ground this year in its drive for customer satisfaction, the American Banker/Gallup consumer survey indicates. Page 5
COMMUNITY BANKING
Fair, Isaac, which brought credit scoring to small-business lending, is trying to do the same thing on the agricultural front. Page 6
SMALL BUSINESS
New Jersey's Valley National is expanding its Small Business Administration lending program into Delaware and Maryland. Page 11
CREDIT/DEBIT/ATMs
Providian, of Louisville, Ky., is reportedly seeking a buyer for its disappointing insurance unit so that it can focus on its fast-growing banking business. Page 12
Four states are banding together to test a smart card program for storing health information. Page 12
MORTGAGES
Banc One's mortgage origination system has proved so promising that other lenders, including mortgage giant First Union, are adopting it for their own programs. Page 14
Countrywide Credit Industries reported record earnings for the fourth consecutive quarter, despite interest rate fluctuations in the last few months. Page 15
INVESTMENT PRODUCTS
Though mergers are believed to benefit banking companies on the whole, they can cause identity crises for trust subsidiaries. Page 16
TECHNOLOGY
The nominal volume of electronic bill payments could soon get a boost from several developing bill presentment services. Page 20
CORPORATE FINANCE
Real estate has bounced back as a big business for banks, and the head of NationsBank's newly formed real estate finance unit is leading the pack. Page 6
MARKET MONITOR
After hitting historic highs in November to cap a great 1996 run, brokerage firm stocks may face a different climate next year, analysts say. Page 25
A sharp rise in unemployment has some on Wall Street wondering how far the slowdown in the economy will go. Page 25
In a surprise announcement, Daniel R. Nelson, the anointed heir to the chairmanship at U.S. Bancorp, said he'll retire next week and give up the top job he was supposed to get on Jan. 1, 1999. Mr. Nelson, 59, now president and chief operating officer, had concerns about the span of his expected tenure. Back page
