Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, October 21, 1993                   TAG: 9310210046
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

IN BUSINESS

WASHINGTON - One out of every five complaints to the Federal Trade Commission in the past four years concerned credit bureaus, a consumer group reported Wednesday as it called for tougher regulation of credit reporting.

The U.S. Public Interest Research Group analyzed nearly 150,000 complaints in a study released to coincide with a hearing Wednesday before the House Banking subcommittee on consumer credit and insurance. The subcommittee is considering amendments to the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

They would require credit bureaus to investigate complaints within 30 days or drop the disputed items from credit reports, among other things.

The consumer group's analysis found that the situation has gotten worse since it did a similar study in 1991. - Associated Press

\ Lloyd's throws out centuries of tradition

LONDON - Members of Lloyd's of London voted Wednesday to radically change the way business is done at the troubled insurance market that is famous for covering everything from movie stars to jumbo jets.

For more than three centuries, Lloyd's has backed its policies with the entire personal fortunes of its investors. But following Wednesday's vote, Lloyd's plans to raise money from corporations, which can get into the market with limited liability.

This means companies will know in advance how much money they can lose when disaster strikes.

- Associated Press