Today's News

WASHINGTON

Merger-related expenses trimmed the thrift industry's third-quarter earnings by 25%, the Office of Thrift Supervision said. Page 2

REGIONAL BANKING

Banks are giving their youngest customers more responsibility for managing their own money. Page 6

Fed up with what it calls overly restrictive state laws, BB&T is moving its bank card, debit card, and merchant services businesses from North Carolina, its home state, to Georgia. Page 6

COMMUNITY BANKING

To reduce interest expense and boost liquidity, a growing number of community banks are cutting the rates they pay on standard certificates of deposit while offering one dazzling high-rate CD. Page 7

MORTGAGES

Several big servicing packages are said to be on the market as companies move to dress up their yearend earnings reports. Page 10

CORPORATE FINANCE

Though investment and commercial banks keep trying to make themselves over as full-service financial institutions, one difference is proving hard to overcome: culture. Page 12

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS

First Union, venturing into one of the loneliest corners of the investment world, has launched a fund that emphasizes "socially responsible" investing. Page 13

CREDIT/DEBIT/ATMs

A new benchmark to measure ATM coverage and convenience is explained by the consultant who devised it. Page 14

TECHNOLOGY

The Financial Services Technology Consortium is working to simplify the way banks and corporations interact electronically. Page 22

MARKET MONITOR

Deposit Guaranty of Jackson, Miss., is reportedly fielding bids to sell out, and merger advisers think Regions Financial and Union Planters are the most likely buyers. Back page

WEEKLY REPORT: INTERNATIONAL

Though Japan's financial services industry is in the grip of an economic crisis, U.S. banks doing business with troubled Japanese firms need not worry, bankers and analysts say. Page 11