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The article discusses doubts in the credit market about banking company Bank of America Corp. The cost of swaps used to insure against default on the bank's bonds has risen substantially. A ten-year bond issued by the company in 2011 has seen its yield rise to 6.5%. Credit strategist Edward Marrinan says markets seem to be concerned over the bank's capital levels.

The article reports that a top priority of incoming Bank of America Corp. (BOA) chief executive Brian Moynihan will be to restructure the firm's credit-card operations. Between the third quarters of 2008 and 2009 the charge-off rate for BOA's credit cards roughly doubled. Moynihan concedes the bank has issued too many cards, and says profits from credit cards will not be as large as they once were.

The article discusses significant volumes of debt held by U.S. banks that matures over the next few years. Before a global financial crisis emerged in 2007 many banks including Citigroup Inc. and Bank of America Corp. took advantage of low borrowing costs to increase their debt levels. Moody's Investors Service estimates $10 trillion in bank debt will come due before the start of 2016. Some of the debt may have to be refinanced at much higher rates of interest.

The article focuses on pressure that a rescue plan for investment funds called structured investment vehicles, which was initiated by Citigroup Inc., Bank of America Corp. and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., is under in November of 2007. The plan is under pressure because Moody's Investors said the funds were liquidating assets to meet their financial commitments

The article focuses on accounting concerns which have been raised for Citigroup Inc. as a result of its involvement in an $80 billion rescue fund for the U.S. credit market. Citigroup, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. and Bank of America Corp have created the fund which will use structured investment vehicles (SIVs), and several accounting firms have questioned whether Citigroup and the other banks need to account for the SIVs on their own balance sheets.

The article reports on a decision from Wachovia Corp. to become involved in an $80 billion investment fund being developed by Citigroup Inc., J. P. Morgan Chase & Co. and Bank of America Corp., The pool has been developed to acquire mortgage assets and help financially struggling credit markets in the U.S.

Reports on a class action lawsuit brought against eight of America's biggest credit card issuers for violations of the federal anti-trust law when the companies met secretly to plan arbitration agreements for its credit cards. How Bank of America Corp., Capital One Financial Corp., and others had more than 20 meetings; Involvement of prominent law firms such as Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr in the meetings; Description of the advertisement of one arbitrator, National Arbitration Forum; Details of the consumer complaint filed in a federal court in New York City.

Focuses on a lawsuit by Italian Banca Popolare di Intra against the Bank of America Corporation. Claim that the bank improperly sold and managed Intra's investment; Intra's alleged losses; How Intra's resolve to get its money back casts a new light on credit derivatives; Rise of the credit-derivatives market, including collateralized debt obligations; Highlights of the case; Why disputes between issuers and financial institutions that invest in the credit derivatives rarely become public; How credit derivatives have provided an important cushion to the global economy, and to the world's biggest banks that provide much of the corporate lending; Issue of public disclosure.

Focuses on the integration of FleetBoston Financial Corp. into Bank of America Corp.'s organizational structure. Role of Liam McGee, Bank of America's consumer-banking chief, in the integration process; Duties of McGee at Bank of America; Importance of consumer-banking and small-business banking to the total revenue of Bank of America and FleetBoston when they are combined; Comments from Robert Maneri, an analyst at Victory Capital Management Inc., regarding Bank of America's retail services; Percentage of future U.S. growth Bank of America expects to generate from the Hispanic, African-American, and Asian populations; Role of Barbara Desoer, Bank of America's president of consumer products, in the integration.

Focuses on the continued devaluation of Bank of America Corp.'s stock. Percentage decline in Bank of America's share price since its acquisition of FleetBoston Financial Corp. was announced; View of analysts that the swoon in stock price could linger; Speculation that the price paid by Bank of America for FleetBoston; Comment from Frank Barkocy, director of research at Keefe Managers Inc., regarding the bank's plan to cut costs while not cutting many jobs; Reaction of Bank of America to the criticism they are receiving for the price paid to acquire Fleet.

Assesses Bank of America Corp.'s all-stock acquisition of FleetBoston Financial Corp. Size of the combined company, indicating that it will be the second largest U.S. bank overall and a market share in every region of the country except for the upper Midwest; View of author that Bank of America feels the consumer will continue to drive the U.S. economy; Number of branches and automatic teller machines Bank of America will be acquiring in the New England market, which is considered a wealthy region; Plans of several U.S. banks to add more branches, indicating an industry focus on the consumer.

Focuses on the troubles incurred by Bank of America Corp. in light of recent allegations that the company gave special privileges to a hedge fund, Canary Capital Partners LLC. Strained relations between the banking and asset-management arms of the company; Percentage decline in the bank's shares since the allegations of New York (State) Attorney General Eliot Spitzer became public, suggesting that bank chairman Kenneth Lewis will take swift action against individuals responsible for tarnishing the bank's image; View of former and current Bank of America employees that the company's push into asset-management was too aggressive; Percentage of the bank's annual income attributed to asset-management, indicating that it has fallen short of the goals set by Lewis.

The article reports on the planned creation of a super-size investment fund in the U.S. Bankers and other financial institutions have expressed interest in committing more than $60 billion in credit lines to create a planned superfund that will be used to support the ailing mortgage-securities market. The three U.S. banks organizing the fund, Bank of America Corp., J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., and Citigroup Inc., would come close to their goal of raising a fund of $80 billion to $100 billion if the expressions of interest turn into firm commitments.

The article asserts that the negotiations between the Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC (RBS) and Bank of America Corp. over bidding of LaSalle Bank may be prolonged. It is reported that the decision of RBS to buy ABN Amro Holding NV, owner of LaSalle Bank, may be complicated. RBS, Fortis NV and Banco Santander Central Hispano SA will be confirming if they will make an offer for ABN Amro. The three banks have a proposed bid price of €72.27 billion.

The article reports on the efforts of Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC to reach a pact with Bank of America Corp. over the ownership of LaSalle Bank of Chicago, a unit of ABN Amro Holding NV. Several scenarios are possible concerning the bid of Royal Bank of Scotland Group for ABN Amro Holding. Initial attempts by Royal Bank of Scotland Group to reach a settlement with Bank of America was rebuffed.

Reports on the efforts of American and European banks to invest in Asian countries. Attempts to purchase stakes in local banks as a means of reducing risks; Interest shown by J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. in purchasing a 13% stake in Standard Chartered PLC; Banks which are pursuing partnerships in Asia, including Bank of America Corp., Deutsche Bank AG and ING Groep NV.

Discusses the crisis that Bank of America's chief executive officer, Kenneth Lewis, is facing in late summer 2003. Fact that up until September Bank of America was having a good financial year; Findings by New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer that Bank of America was involved in allowing hedge fund Canary Investment Management LLC special trading privileges; Total revenue for Bank of America's asset-management unit.

Reports on the increase in the net income of Bank of America for the second quarter in 2003. Increase in the prices of the bank's shares; Reasons for the income increase.

Reports that Bank of America has agreed to purchase a stake in Grupo Financiero Santander Serfin, a large Mexican bank. Its intention to match its competitors within the Hispanic banking market; Money transfers between the United States and Mexico; Details of the purchase agreement, including price.

Reports that the Bank of America Corp. has had problems with loans made to a number of corporate executives, including Bernard Ebbers and Everett Dobson. Loans to Dobson which were declared uncollectible; Position of Dobson at Dobson Communications Corp., a telecommunication company; Way that banks are not required to disclose the identities of corporate or individual borrowers.

Presents updates on the Bank of America Corp. and Bank of New York Co. as of July 17, 2001.

Discusses the problems with commercial bank loans in the United States. Risk exposure of banks; Uncertainty on which loans will turn bad; Cases of Bank of America Corp. and First Union Corp.; Debtor companies that are being closely watched.

Reveals that Bank of America Corp. is planning to makeover some of its branches to increase sales of stocks, bonds and mutual funds. Description of the pilot program that the bank is launching; What the branches will feature; How much the bank wants overall annual revenue to increase by.

Reports on efforts that Bank of America Corp. is making to position itself to become a major player in big Wall Street investment-banking deals. How it has reorganized its junk-bond unit; Efforts to strengthen its mergers-advisory business; Momentum that the bank is showing in its bond business.

Provides information on the revenues of several banks in the United States for the fourth quarter of 1999. Increase in the Bank of America's noninterest income; Increase in the net income of J.P. Morgan company for the quarter; Profit posted by the Bank of New York.

Speculates on the 2000 earnings of Bank of America Corporation of Charlotte, North Carolina. Pressure on James Hance Jr., chief financial officer of the company; Question on the quarterly estimate of the company; Expenses of the bank; Earnings; Shares.

The article reports on an insurance plan being devised by Great Britain to place a limit on bank losses. Authorities are deciding how to set a price and terms for the insurance which will attract banks and not burden taxpayers. According to the article, a successful insurance plan will assure investors about the size of loan losses and will prevent banks from asking for additional capital. British government authorities are studying an insurance plan U.S. officials established for Citigroup Inc. and Bank of America Corp.

The article focuses on the plan of Bank of America Corp., Citigroup Inc. and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. to ease the tight credit market situation and start soliciting other financial institutions for contribution to the Superfund in the U.S. The move is aimed at making funds available to structured investment vehicles who have been troubled by the credit crunch. Although some banks have signified informal interest to join, the real measure of their commitment will rest on the financial terms of the financial arrangement.

The article focuses on the U.S. $100 billion fund developed by bankers from Citigroup Inc., J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. and Bank of America, aimed at helping structured investment vehicles that have encountered problems due to lack of liquidity. The superfund was initiated by the U.S. Department of Treasury in September 2007. Some of the hurdles facing the launching of the superfund include the approval it is awaiting from the corporate management of the banks and the approval from the credit rating providers.

Reports on the deal made between Marsh & McLennan Cos. and its creditors to waive clauses that would have allowed them to cut off financing. Avoidance of a cash shortage; Charges made against the company by New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer alleging that they engaged in bid-rigging; Banks that fund the company, including J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., Citigroup Inc., and Bank of America Corp; Reasons why the company needs the waiver; Meetings between outside directors and Spitzer to discuss the charges.