1.   Because of their strict underwriting standards and the intense competition among the largest bond insurers, the fees being charged are extremely low.

2.   Because the Bank of New York loan is government-insured, it carries rigorous underwriting standards and is document-intensive.

3.   Even consumer loan losses, which have been a drain on earnings in recent quarters, may show signs of improving as banks tighten underwriting standards.

4.   Fannie Mae executives said they realize that traditional underwriting standards do not work in places with extremely high housing costs.

5.   He saw, firsthand, the slippage in underwriting standards.

6.   In October, Ludwig also warned bankers that their underwriting standards were slipping.

7.   Meanwhile, banks have reduced the amount of bad loans and other nonperforming assets on their books, a result of a growing U.S. economy and stricter underwriting standards.

8.   Recent reports, though, indicate that credit card losses have tapered off, as banks cut back on attracting new customers and tightened underwriting standards.

9.   The central issue in the San Francisco plan was developing new underwriting standards, Finnegan said.

10.   The company said it has already started charging higher prices and tightening underwriting standards to stem losses.