ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Friday, February 2, 1996               TAG: 9602020063
SECTION: BUSINESS                 PAGE: B-5  EDITION: METRO 

BANKS DROP PRIME TO 8.25 PERCENT

All major banks serving Western Virginia have dropped their prime lending rate by a quarter-point, to 8.25 percent.

The reduction means that some credit card holders and many people with home equity lines will see their rates fall in coming weeks. Other consumer interest rates should follow the downward trend in the longer term.

NBC Bank, which has branches inside Kroger stores, dropped its rate Wednesday. Banks that made the change Thursday were Central Fidelity, Crestar, First Union, First Virginia, NationsBank and Valley Bank.

The new rate is effective today at Signet Bank.

- Staff report

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