1.   AsianBank, as a so-called universal bank, can underwrite securities, trade foreign exchange, and invest in other financial institutions.

2.   Bankers grinned and consumer advocates frowned at a major bill passed by the House Banking Committee giving commercial banks more freedom to underwrite securities on Wall Street.

3.   Both BPI and CityTrust have several duplicate units, such as their investment houses, which underwrite securities, that will be combined into one entity.

4.   Commercial banks are competing with brokers to underwrite securities and to offer investment advice.

5.   Federal Reserve Gov. Susan M. Phillips said U.S. regulators should grant healthy banks greater freedom to expand their operations, including underwriting securities.

6.   For example, a securities affiliate could underwrite a securities offering for a client, while the banking affiliate guarantees part or all of the offering.

7.   For example, a securities subsidiary could underwrite a securities offering for a client, while the banking subsidiary guarantees part or all of the offering.

8.   For example, a securities affiliate will be able to underwrite a securities offering for a client, while the banking affiliate guarantees part or all of the offering.

9.   For example, the Federal Reserve Board approved a proposal in December that more than doubles the revenue that affiliates of bank holding companies can obtain from underwriting securities.

10.   In December, the Fed voted to more than double the revenue bank holding companies can obtain from underwriting new securities.