Interstate banking, which has been the subject of increasingly heated debate, seems to be arriving at a faster pace than previously imagined. Recognizing the burgeoning interest in this controversial subject, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta invited a blue-ribbon panel of financial industry experts, regulatory authorities, and analysts to participate in a forum that addressed the potential economic impact of interstate banking on both the banking system and the public and also explored alternative strategies for large and small banks for dealing with these challenges. Participants close to the situation summarized recent developments, assessed their implications, and discussed strategies that smaller institutions can adopt to assure that they won't be trampled by huge competitors.
