31.   Merrill Lynch analyst Miguel Palomino said the bank could rise further this year on an improved loan portfolio.

32.   Now the banks are shrinking their loan portfolios, and companies are finding that they cannot get financing.

33.   One bit of good news for Chase came in its loan portfolio.

34.   PCI Leasing has expanded its loan portfolio and increased its margins, while keeping its overdue accounts below the industry average, analysts said.

35.   Providian would not disclose the delinquency rate of the two loan portfolios that it bought from First Union.

36.   Pitman said the bank would change the name of its problem country loan portfolio to its emerging market portfolio, reflecting how profitable these loans now are.

37.   Revenue from the expanded loan portfolio was partly offset by rising credit card losses.

38.   Securitization allows a bond issuer to use all or part of a loan portfolio or other source of income, as security for an asset-backed bond.

39.   Shares of Ahmanson and other thrifts have plunged this week amid investor concerns that lower long-term interest rates could squeeze profit margins and shrink loan portfolios, reducing earnings.

40.   South Korean banks are closing their American branches and selling loan portfolios.