Today's News

The ABA is accusing federal regulators of breaking the law by requiring banks with more than $250 million of assets to collect small-business loan data. Page 2 Securities processing helped propel Bank of New York's first-quarter profits up 7%, to $284 million, and earnings per share of 73 cents beat Wall Street's expectations by a penny. Page 6 Times were different in 1992, when the first edition of of "Career Alternatives for Bankers" came out, but the second offers largely same advice: look outside of banking. Page 7 COMMUNITY Pacific Bank in San Francisco rejected a buyout offer last week, but more could be on the way. Keefe Bruyette has been hired to help explore "strategic alternatives for increasing shareholder value."Page 2 Page 5 MORTGAGES Wall Street is making more headway in the securitization of loans made to low-income borrowers. Bear Stearns marketed one package late last year and another last week. Page 11 INVESTMENT PRODUCTS INSURANCE: The House reform bill would be "toxic" to cross-marketing of bank and insurance products, a trade group warns, and could "effectively destroy" the advantages sought in bank-insurer mergers. Page 12 Investment counselors often steer clients to seasoned mutual funds, but one adviser has found that fledgling funds can provide higher returns. Page 13 CORPORATE FINANCE Three thrift industry veterans, including a former president of H.F. Ahmanson, have banded together to form a multifamily and commercial mortgage banking firm. Page 15 CARDS Issuers are getting serious about card fees. Some are searching for a formula consumers would not rebel agains; others are just upping the ante, despite popular sentiment Page 16 Visa U.S.A. has entered into a marketing partnership with the leading supermarket chain in Southern California. Page 17 DIGITAL FRONTIERS ELECTRONIC COMMERCE: Two famous names - Verifone and Verisign - are teaming up. They will bundle their products to offer a "best of breed" package for secure Internet payments. Page 18