Playing the Changing World of Financial Services
STOCKS TO WATCH...
Travelers Group (15)*
Conglomerate that's into securities, insurance, and consumer finance.
Mercantile Bancorp (13)
Strong Midwestern lender often mentioned as a possible takeover target.
Union Planters (13)
Regional bank with $15 billion in assets and base in fast-growing Tennessee.
T. Rowe Price (23)
Prestigious fund manager. Could be just the ticket for an acquisitive bank.
Legg Mason (19)
Tech and health-care investment banking boutique. May be merger material.
American Express (16)
Big card issuer is rebounding. Talked merger with Citicorp. Who'll be next?
...FUNDS TO CONSIDER
Hancock Financial Industries
James Schmidt has a stellar record at Hancock's regional bank fund.
Davis Financial
Focuses on big-cap stocks and has returned 15.2% annually for the past five years.
FBR Financial Services
Former Fidelity standout David Ellison runs this newish fund. Heavy on banks.
*Price-earnings ratio, estimated 1998 earnings
DATA: BUSINESS WEEK
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