11.   The company said it had toughened its standards for new loans and had increased its reserves to cover potential losses on defaults.

12.   The GOP bill also would toughen standards for appealing convictions and sentences in federal court, particularly death sentences.

13.   The Federal Reserve said today that consumers borrowed at a slower pace in February as banks toughened their standards for new loans.

14.   The professors concurred with teachers, students and the public on several other issues, such as the need to toughen academic standards.

15.   Then, unable to reach a consensus, Congress shelved drilling in Alaska and toughening mileage standards.

16.   They also blocked several attempts to toughen accounting standards.

17.   They would toughen safety standards for the smaller planes, making the rules similar to those for larger planes.

18.   They invited Clinton, who wholeheartedly embraced their idea of toughening school standards.

19.   This was among several factors that persuaded President Clinton to toughen food standards.

20.   U.S. banks continue to toughen standards for consumer loans including credit cards, while offering easier terms to businesses, the Federal Reserve said today.