Today's News

WASHINGTON

The government should drop, not just ease, the limits on using mortgage and credit card servicing assets to meet capital requirements, trade groups have told regulators. Page 2

Refining a repeated warning, Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan told bankers to be careful underwriting loans to low-income consumers. Page 2

INTERNATIONAL

A worldwide management shake-up at HSBC Holdings includes changes at the top of its North American organization. James H. Cleave will retire as chief executive officer of the North American holding company and president and CEO of its lead bank, Marine Midland of Buffalo. Page 4

REGIONAL BANKING

1,500 women attended Bankers Trust's third annual Women on Wall Street Symposium. Page 9

COMMUNITY BANKING

Shares of HFNC Financial, one of the few independent midsize thrifts in North Carolina, soared on rumors that Wachovia, BB&T, or First Citizens might buy it. Page 10

CORPORATE FINANCE

Real estate investment trusts are not just the darlings of the stock market anymore. The bond market is also going like gangbusters for them. Page 11

Societe Generale made its debut as the lead manager of a junk bond offering. Page 11

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS

Prompted by increased competition among insurers peddling variable annuities through banks, Nationwide Insurance plans a price cut next month. Page 12

CREDIT/DEBIT/ATMs

A new study argues that some cardholders are as hooked on credit as smokers are on cigarettes and that others are similarly compulsive about hoarding rewards. Page 15

Months after launching a service that lets consumers comparison-shop for credit cards on the Internet and by telephone, a company called GetSmart has begun an analogous mortgage service. Page 16

MORTGAGES

A big jump in Fannie Mae's mortgage portfolio fueled a 12.2% rise third- quarter earnings. Page 18

MARKET MONITOR

GE Capital Corp. is said to be looking at Advanta even though the Spring House, Pa., credit card issuer is in talks to be acquired by Fleet. Page 26