The bank has also introduced 24-hour phone banking to lure younger customers, and has started to diversify into leasing, insurance and annuities.

ECONOMIST: Small banks in America

"Strong enforcement is necessary for investor confidence and is essential to the integrity of our financial markets, " White, 65, said during a two-hour confirmation hearing before the Senate Banking Committee.

WSJ: White promises "unrelenting" enforcement at SEC

Republicans, meanwhile, are banking on traditionally conservative groups like churches and gun clubs and are utilizing the "72-Hour Plan" that was widely credited with helping them gain seats in the 2002 congressional elections.

CNN: Ground war: Getting out the vote

This is partly the fault of a primitive banking system: there are no cheques, few credit cards, and paying by bank-transfer means an hour or so in a smelly queue.

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