Today's News

WASHINGTON

More than 1,200 banks and thrifts have heard from federal regulators who are displeased with their preparations for the year-2000 computer change. Page 3

REGIONAL

The CEO of T R Financial knew the companycould not compete in New York as a "midsize" thrift. That's why it agreed to sell to longtime rival RoslynBancorp. Page 4

COMMUNITY

Arkansas bankers say a state law that caps loan interest rates at 10% is driving them out of business. Page 7

MORTGAGES

Retaining customers has become a major preoccupation in the increasingly competitive mortgage servicing industry. Page 11

CARDS

Though ATM surcharges have increased revenues, a federal official writes, opposition has hardened and the threat of legislation looms. Page 17

DIGITAL FRONTIERS

SMART CARDS: Gemplus Group introduced a security system that could encourage the use of smart cards with personal computers and other remote access devices. Page 18

TECHNOLOGY

Japan's "big bang" financial deregulation is starting to have a ripple effect on U.S. technology companies. In a first, SunGard has sold a multimillion-dollar package of custody software to Yasuda Trust. Page 21

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS

First Merit Bank, Akron, Ohio, has gotten good results by letting an outside firm use a list of its customers who aren't clients of the bank's brokerage to sell investment products. Page 23

CORPORATE FINANCE

Bankers at J.P. Morgan are syndicating a $2.25 billion loan for Meditrust that Salomon Smith Barney failed to execute last week. Page 24

MARKETS

John J. Mason, a banking analyst for more than 30 years, died Tuesday at his home in Atlanta. Back page