WASHINGTON
National banks will find it easier to manage, invest, and distribute trust funds under a rule approved Monday by the OCC. Page 2
Hoping to sway the U.S. Supreme Court, banking and credit union trade groups filed briefs in the AT&T Family Federal Credit Union case. Page 3
MORTGAGES
The spate of mergers that took place between mortgage banks this year was just the start of what could turn into a wave of companies exiting the business in 1997. Page 6
As yearend construction figures trickle in, 1996 is shaping up as the best year in nearly a decade for home builders. Page 7
INVESTMENT PRODUCTS
INSURANCE: Regulators are beginning to take a closer look at annuities that link investment returns to stock indexes to determine if separate rules are needed to protect consumers. Page 8
While bank customers' enthusiasm for mutual funds may be leveling off, they are showing an increasing receptivity to life insurance, according to American Banker's annual consumer survey. Page 8
CREDIT/DEBIT/ATMs
Cybermark, the smart card joint venture of Huntington Bancshares, Battelle Institute, and Sallie Mae, hired a chief executive officer from outside the industry. Page 10
Providian announced plans to spin off its banking subsidiary to shareholders while selling its insurance businesses to the Dutch financial services company Aegon. Page 10
TECHNOLOGY
ABN Amro North America's chairman and chief executive epitomizes the new breed of CEO who takes an active role in technology initiatives, staying in tune with the latest developments and making decisions with a major impact on profitability. Page 12
Banctec expanded its relationship with IBM in the community banking marketplace, by providing service support for its check-processing systems that Big Blue sells. Page 13
COMMUNITY BANKING
European American is capitalizing on its two-year-old relationship with minority-owned New York National, establishing a presence in the Bronx and upper Manhattan. Page 14
Empire Corporate Federal Credit Union will absorb New Jersey's Garden State Corporate Central Credit Union on Jan. 31. Page 14
MARKET MONITOR
Gerard C. Keegan, president, chairman, and CEO of the Greater New York Savings Bank, has worked to create value at the $2.6 billion-asset thrift. His efforts have helped convert a once-moribund bank into a vibrant franchise that focuses on foreign-born customers. Though the thrift is small by New York standards, its strong presence in Brooklyn makes it an attractive takeover target. Page 18
A leading Wall Street analyst gave his New Year's blessings to NationsBank with a "buy" rating, increasing his one-year price target for the stock to $125 from $115. Back page
