Today's News

WASHINGTON

Ellen S. Seidman is expected to be sworn in by President Clinton as director of the Office of Thrift Supervision. Page 4

REGIONAL BANKING

Stephen A. Hansel, chief executive officer of New Orleans-based Hibernia, is happy to watch hometown rival First Commerce be swallowed by Banc One: The deal will position Hibernia as one of the last big home-state banks. Page 6

CORPORATE FINANCE

Distressed syndicated bank loans recovered an average of 82% of their value, compared with the 42% average recovery for bonds of the same companies, a study says. Page 9

Underwriters and investors in the burgeoning high-yield bond market are beginning to question how long the boom can last. Page 9

MORTGAGES

An analysis by Experian suggests mortgage lending is off by about 5% from last year - though others project 1997 as a strong year. Page 10

More private mortgage companies may follow the path of Headlands Mortgage, a California wholesale originator that filed to sell eight million shares last week. Page 11

TECHNOLOGY

Chase Manhattan has agreed to run its call centers using Broadway & Seymour's TouchPoint software. Page 14

COMMUNITY BANKING

After a failed bid last spring, Eastern Bancorp., Lynn, Mass., announced a deal to buy Emerald Isle Bancorp for $80 million in cash. Page 16

CREDIT/DEBIT/ATMs

A senior White House adviser said the federal government no longer intends to strong-arm the private sector into protecting consumers' privacy on-line. Page 22

Amendments to the Fair Credit Reporting Act place greater responsibilities on banks to monitor information they compile on consumers seeking credit, lending experts say. Page 23

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS

Amalgamated Bank of New York is in talks to buy 80% of Los Angeles-based First Trade Union Trust Co. Page 24

Just last year banker Roberto DeGuardiola billed himself as a lone wolf in the world of mutual fund mergers. Last week, however, he decided to help lead the pack at investment bank Putnam, Lovell & Thornton, taking a stake in and co-leadership of the boutique. Page 24

MARKET MONITOR

Don't blame the small new companies that in recent years have gone public, gotten hot for a while, and then flamed out for recent market volatility; large-cap stocks are to blame, analysts say. Page 33

WEEKLY REPORT: SMALL BUSINESS

Glendale Federal is using an unusual tactic to get entrepreneurs' attention - it's offering free use of a temporary worker to businesses that open credit lines. Page 19

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