Today's News

WASHINGTON

A bill was introduced that would make it substantially tougher for borrowers with high incomes to eliminate their debts in bankruptcy. Page 2

REGIONAL BANKING

Times have changed since 1983, when Old Kent Financial's M&A chief came aboard. Eighteen deals later, he's about to leave the Michigan company. Page 4

CORPORATE FINANCE

COMPETITION for commercial and industrial loans remains strong in most parts of the country, the Federal Reserve Board reported. Page 7

MORTGAGES

Countrywide, the second-largest originator and servicer of mortgage loans in the United States, has set its sights on the rest of the world. Page 10

COMMUNITY BANKING

Ending a six-month standoff between two Southern California institutions, San Diego-based Bank of Commerce withdrew its offer to buy Fallbrook National. Page 13

TECHNOLOGY

HOME FINANCIAL NETWORK hopes to improve the economics of home banking by helping banks push marketing messages through the Internet. Page 14

CREDIT/DEBIT/ATMs

AFTER SHOWING significant improvement in the first quarter, the credit card delinquency rate shot back up in the second quarter to near-record levels. Page 17

MARKET MONITOR

Since the wave of acquisitions began last spring, banks have shown a clear preference for privately held brokers. But however much bankers may want to buy brokerages, the pickings are getting slim. Page 28

WEEKLY REPORT: INTERNATIONAL

Outside of private banking, U.S. banks are most noticeable in Switzerland by their absence. Page 8

Seeking to expand in areas formerly behind the Iron Curtain, Citicorp's German consumer bank will open two more branches in the eastern part of the country. Page 9