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Reports that Chicago, Illinois-based banking company Shorebank Corp. has chosen Baku, Azerbaijan as its headquarters from which to promote small business lending and economic development. Reason behind the banking company's decision to choose Baku as base for its small business lending and economic development operations; Comments of international aid experts about Shorebank's move.

Focuses on Chicago, Illinois-based BankAmerica Corp.'s plan to expand its middle-market lending operation and other businesses based in Chicago, Illinois. Proposal to acquire a retail network in 1999; Goal of challenging the Midwest market domination of Bank One Corp; Decision to lend to smaller companies.

Reports on Japan-based Fuji Bank Ltd.'s decision to close its branch bank in Chicago, Illinois. Fuji's plans in relocating the branch's operations; Fuji's stake in Heller Financial Inc.; Other Japanese banks closing their branches in the city.

A federal grand jury and state and federal regulators are investigating a west suburban commercial lender accused in a civil lawsuit of defrauding 15 local lenders that bought more than $75 million in loans originated by the firm. Oak Brook, Illinois-based Commercial Loan Corp., filed May 13 for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after federal bank regulators began an examination of the firm on April 19, 2004. Two thrifts, Harvard Savings Bank in Harvard and George Washington Savings Bank in Oak Lawn, filed suit in state court in DuPage County against Commercial Loan and its owner, Peter Hueser, accusing them of diverting more than $18 million in loan proceeds and payments, mostly to an Ohiobased steel-can manufacturer.

Discusses the market problems facing the First USA credit card division of Chicago, Illinois-based Bank One Corp. Loss of customers; Difficulties in attracting clients to the firm's credit card services; Projected market growth for the division.

Reports that Wells Fargo & Co. is looking to stake a claim in Chicago, Illinois' hotly competitive market for lending to mid-sized companies. Plan of the bank to leverage its name and resources to wrest customers from competitors; Difficulties faced by out-of-state banks in the Chicago market.

Reports on American National Bank & Trust Co.'s performance in Chicago, Illinois' banking sector since former parent First Chicago Corp. merged with NBD Bancorp Inc. American National's competition with LaSalle Bank NA in the corporate banking market; Results of the changes imposed on American National by Banc One Corp. after acquiring First National; Annual growth of American National's commercial and industrial loans.

Reports on the plan of Cincinnati, Ohio-based Fifth Third Bancorp to acquire banks from Chicago, Illinois. Fifth Third's plan to purchase First Midwest Bancorp Inc.; Other potential acquisitions for Fifth Third; Capacity of Fifth Third to fund its acquisitions.

Reports that Chicago, Illinois-based banking company Bank One Corp. is in the final stages of its search to replace John McCoy who was ousted as chief executive officer (CEO) in December 1999. Rumors that the company is unlikely to name acting CEO Verne Istock to the post; Slated date when the company will appoint a new chief executive officer; List of candidates contending for the position.

Cites Bank of Montreal's decision to take direct control of middle-market lending at its United States arm, Harris Bankcorp Inc. Underperformance of Harris Bankcorp; Canadian bank's melding of conventional lending with higher-margin investment banking; Disparate cultures at corporate and investment banks.

Reports the controversy regarding the payday loans provided by Banco Popular North America in Chicago, Illinois. Criticisms of consumer advocates on payday lending; Operational process of payday lending; Advantages and disadvantages of payday lending; Proposed bill of Representative Bobby Rush (D-Chicago) on payday loan.

Reports the emergence of online cash management services in the financial institutions of Chicago, Illinois. Introduction of cash management technologies; Automation of banking transactions; Promotion of electronic commerce in middle-market lending companies; Impact of electronic commerce on the promotion of the banking industry.

Informs that Old Kent Financial Corp. has slowed its pace of Chicago, Illinois-are acquisitions as its stock slumps and the bank realigns senior Illinois management. Distraction by the year 2000 preparations and abrupt resignation of Illinois banking chief James Hubbard; Bank's deal-making strategy.

Focuses on developments related to Chicago, Illinois-based Bank One Corp. as of October 25, 1999. Bank chief executive officer John McCoy's efforts to revive the bank's financial performance and improve relations with shareholders and consumers; Problems faced by the bank.

Reports on pressure on Bank One Corp. chief executive officer John McCoy to boost earnings from basic banking operations and to cut costs. Rebuilding of credibility with Wall Street analysts; Dismal performance of the bank's First USA Inc., its credit card unit; Lowering of the bank's estimated earnings for the second half of 1999.

Reports on Michigan-based Old Kent Financial Corp.'s aim of acquiring name recognition in the Chicago, Illinois area. Acquisition of Merchants Bancorp Inc. in July 1999; Number of branches; Amount held in area deposits; Market share; Perception of the company as a carpetbagger; James Hubbard as president of Old Kent Bank-Illinois; Purchase of First Evergreen Corp. and Pinnacle Banc Group Inc.

Focuses on One Bank Corp. chief executive officer John McCoy's marketing strategy of launching an Internet venture WingspanBank.com. Internet education; Brand leadership as Wingspan's goal; Impact of the campaign on the marketing of new media ventures.

Reports on Bank One Corp.'s possible appointment of Richard Lehman to replace David Vitale as head of the Chicago, Illinois-based bank's commercial lending business. Lehman's current position in the bank; Impact of Vitale's retirement on the bank; Vitale's reasons for departing from the bank.

Discloses the plans of New Century Bank Chief Executive Officer Faye Pantazelos to break ground on a three-story bank headquarters in Chicago, Illinois and to eventually launch an initial public offering (IPO). Factors behind Pantazelos' decision to open her own bank; Bank startups as a result of the consolidation trend in the financial services industry in the state.

Reports on Bank One Corp.'s shift of its retail banking operations to its First USA Inc. subsidiary, in a bid to become a major consumer lender in the United States. Impact of the move on First's banking business; Array of loans given by Bank One to the credit card subsidiary; Bank One's consumer loan portfolio as of the first quarter of 1999; Business assigned to First under the restructuring.

Cites the efforts of banks in Chicago, Illinois, to allay Year 2000 date conversion (Y2K) concerns of depositors. Launch of marketing offensives to improve consumer confidence through Web sites, direct-mail efforts; Projected consequences if depositors withdraw their deposits out of fear.

Features the expansion plans by Chicago, Illinois-based Firstar Corp. Total worth of assets handled by the bank; Changes initiated by Jerry Grundhofer, chief executive officer of the bank; Growth strategy by the bank.

Focuses on Northern Trust Co.'s plan to jump-start sales of its mutual funds across the United States. Branding campaign aimed at boosting Northern's assets in a field teeming with competitors; Brainchild of executive Steve Timbers; Appointment of Timbers as president of the bank's Northern Trust Global Investments.

Reports that the Bank of Montreal has turned to its Chicago, Illinois subsidiary, Harris Bankcorp Inc., to fuel further expansion in North America. Rejection of Montreal's merger plans with the Royal Bank of Canada; Harris' retail franchise set for broadening; Concerns over Harris' return on equity.

Reports on the expansion plans of Chicago, Illinois-based LaSalle National Bank in an effort to become a regional player in middle-market lending. Establishment of a network of loan offices spanning the Middle West region; Start-up capital of LaSalle's regional centers; Plans to attract companies disaffected by Bank One Corp.'s merger with First Chicago's NBD Corp.

Reports that small banks in Chicago, Illinois are offering commercial real estate loans. Overview on different real estate projects financed by various banks in the city; Concerns among federal bank examiners related to the growth in real estate loans being offered by banks; Advantages of real estate financing for small banking institutions.

Reports on the possible impact of the bank industry's charge into online lending on the access to housing and corporate loans in the United States' lower-income neighborhoods. Need to revamp the Community Reinvestment Act to reflect the realities of online banking; Options that the central bank is considering; Community reinvestment activity of Chicago, Illinois-area banks.

Focuses on Chicago, Illinois-based ABN Amro North America Inc.'s suspension of new hiring at every level of the company. Order from parent company, ABN AMRO Bank NV; Anticipated slower earnings growth in 1999 for area banks.

Reports that St. Paul Bancorp Inc., an independent $5.3 billion asset thrift of Chicago, Illinois is being pressured to shape up or sell Performance of St. Paul's stock in September 1998 as a result of speculation about a possible merger with LaSalle Bank FSB. Details on plans by the bank to reduce expenses by $9 million annually; Why St. Paul is considered to be an attractive merger target; Anti-takeover provision that St. Paul is protected by.

Reports that banks in Chicago, Illinois plan to fingerprint customers from September 1998, in an effort to prevent check fraud. Explanation that customers cashing checks at branches other than the bank where they have accounts, will be fingerprinted; Origin of the fingerprinting practice; Comments from Paul O'Toole, vice president at the Chicago Clearing House Association; Reference to the decline in bank fraud in California.

Reports that according to a memo released to First NBD company and Banc One Corp., corporate and middle-market banking for Bank One company will be dominated by First Chicago NBD executives. What was the original plan; Reference to Susan Moody, who will retain her position and First NBD and will gain control over Banc One; Responsibilities of Moody; Advantages of Moody's position.

Focuses on the difficulty of banks to recruit bankers, referencing to the plans of Jay Williams for his Firstar Bank Illinois' Chicago headquarters. Position held by Williams at the bank; Information on plans by Williams; Comments from Williams; Examination of the competition for top bankers.

Reports that banks in Chicago are curbing lending to customer who are not preparing for the year 2000 computer problem. Information on the year 2000 crisis; Views that banks are acting as computer policemen; Comments from Charles Davis,executive vice president and chief executive officer at Harris Bank.

Reports that the community activist group Chicago CRA Coalition have prodded federal bank examiners to probe into Corus Bankshares Inc.'s lending practices in disadvantaged areas in Chicago, Illinois. Arguments supporting the downgrade of the bank's rating under the 1977 Community Reinvestment Act; Other actions planned by the coalition to demand federal action against the bank.

Reports on the efforts of Chicago, Illinois-based South Shore Bank to attract investors that have historically avoided banks, also known as the `unbanked' group. Aim to eliminate inner-city communities' reluctance to use banks for their basic financial transactions; Programs launched to educate the unbanked of the benefits of banking; Negative experiences of lower-income people with financial institutions.

Reports on the efforts of Chicago, Illinois-based Bank One Corp. to remain an independent bank. Abrupt resignation of former chairman and chief executive officer John McCoy; Possible sale of credit card unit First USA Inc.; 4th quarter financial performance; Impact of rising interest rates.

Focuses on the financial performance of Chicago, Illinois-based Bank One Corp. in 1999. Blemish on the reputation of the bank's chief executive officer, John McCoy; Decline of share price; Problems at the bank's First USA Inc. credit card unit.

Reports on Asia-based financial institutions closure of offices in Chicago, Illinois. Companies' reduction of capital costs; Reduction of some banks' holdings; Decline in Asian banks' capital reserves.

Focuses on Chicago, Illinois-based LaSalle Bank's plan to appeal the payout awarded by a federal judge in the bank's lawsuit against the federal government. Efforts to reclaim liabilities incurred by the former Talman Home Federal Savings & Loan Association; Impact of the September 30, 1999 ruling on lawsuits brought against the bank by shareholder James Morrow.

Reports on efforts of banks in Chicago, Illinois to get lower-income people to use banks rather than currency exchanges for basic financial services. Individuals' preference for currency exchanges; Avoidance of banks because of inability to meet minimum deposit requirements; Efforts of LaSalle Banks and Old Kent Financial Corp. to market checking accounts to low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.

Profiles David Rudis, executive vice president at LaSalle Banks in Chicago, Illinois. Participation in the cycling competition called the Death Ride; Leadership of national specialized lending operations; Growth of LaSalle's leveraged lending to $2.7 billion in assets in five years; Anticipation of further growth as more venture capitalists seek to invest in mid-sized companies.

Discloses plans of Bank One Corp. to expand its cyberspace operations. Aim to attract additional users to online banking services; Creation of separate Web site from parent firms Banc One Corp. and First Chicago NBD Corp.; Opening of checking and savings account online; Launching of service that will allow vendors to bill customers online.

Focuses on the Bank at School program of Des Plaines, Illinois-based CoVest Banc NA. Business hours of the branch bank at Maine Township High School West; Goal of giving students hands-on experience as tellers, personal bankers and marketers; Importance as a human resources tool in a tight job market.

Reports that investment banker Merrill Lynch and Company of New York is giving competition to middle-market lenders in Chicago, Illinois by providing loans and lines of credit to companies in the state with revenues of $3 million to $125 million. Length of time that Merrill Lynch has provided funding to smaller businesses; Banks that dominate the state incouding Chicago banks American National Bank and Harris Bankcorp Inc.; Details on Merrill Lynch's loan program.