CITY OF EOSTON l MASSACHWSE’IITS 

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR 

THOMAS M. MENINO 

Mayor Thomas M. Menino 

Testimony on the proposed merger of Fleet Financial 

Prepared for delivery at the Federal Reserve 

July 7,1999 

Good morning, and thank you for the opportunity to testify. In my remarks, I want to 

focus on the impact that the proposed merger would have on my city and ask you to 

consider that impact in your deliberations. 

Group and Bar&Boston 

Bank-of Boston 

This merger comes at a time when the local and national economies are on a roll. The 

consolidation of firms into larger institutions is happening in many industries. This 

evolution is not only fueling the stock market. It is also changing the way we do business 

and the way companies can grow within a region and even across international borders. 

Boston banks can’t hide from this trend. They must go out and compete in these 

expanding markets like any others. 

But the consolidation of capital in this merger will take Fleet to a position where the 

banking needs of ordinary citizens will seem insignificant compared to the attraction of 

foreign markets and bigger deals, including additional mergers. ’ d 

As fewer banks survive and then grow into bigger players on the national and 

international stage, the fundamental question we face is this: who will care whether a 

community grows or dies? 

The number of banks whose fates are tied to the fate of Boston is shrinking. The Bank of 

New England is gone. Shawmut Bank is gone. BayBank is gone. And with this merger, 

BankBoston will also be gone. Gone, too, will be more local jobs and Bar&Boston’s 

spirit of dedication to every segment of our community. 

In banking, the idea of fair service to all is a result of the Community Reinvestment Act. 

It was written into law because Americans saw what happens when banks ignore some of 

our neighborhoods and write off creditworthy neighbors. 

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The Community Reinvestment Act has brought people on the margins into the 

mainstream of American life. Without it, Boston would not be a city of comeback 

neighborhoods. We would see fewer first-time home buyers, more abandoned houses, 

and whole neighborhoods rotting from disinvestment. 

Take Blue Hill Avenue, for example. For years, it was little more than a defiressing 

collection of vacant lots and boarded up buildings. Since I became Mayor, we’ve 

invested over 65 million dollars up and down the avenue. By building new homes and 

businesses, we’re rebuilding a community. And soon we’ll start construction on the 

Grove Hall Mall, a new shopping center with a supermarket, a CVS, a Dunkin’ Donuts, 

and other shops. 

Our partner on this deal is BankBoston. We ended up with Bank Boston because they 

could handle the financing. The Bank wanted to do this deal. Chad Gifford knew this 

was important to the city. So, he put a good teani on it. And today we have a deal. 

Some banks are better than others. In spite of generous ratings from the regulators, Fleet 

has a troubled lending history in our community. And Fleet’s approach to this merger 

leads me to believe it will adopt a “take it or leave it” approach to lending in our 

neighborhoods. 

That troubles me. And it should trouble every business leader in greater Boston, because 

the health of a city sets the tone for investment throughout the wider region. 

Some big banks believe the Community Reinvestment Act gets in the way of their growth 

strategy. They see it as a nuisance. And they have enlisted the help of their friends in 

Congress to do away with it, people like Senator Phil Gramm of Texas, who is no friend 

of the people in America’s cities. 

For years, Phil Gramm has been telling government to get out of the business of 

rebuilding communities. Now, he’s telling business to get out of that business, too. 

Here in Boston, the two banks have told us this merger would mean a 20 percent 

reduction in their combined lending to our communities. 

If you want to know what happens to a community when lending disappears, try to 

remember the condition of our neighborhoods in the early 1970s. Or follow President 

Clinton’s trip across the country with business leaders this week. 

Whether in Boston or East St. Louis or Los Angeles one stubborn fact remains the same: 

capitalism cannot work in a community when that community is denied access to capital. 

As the Mayor of Boston, I am concerned by any merger that would deny my city capital 

in favor of expanding markets someplace else. 
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I am concerned about a reduction in home mortgage loans, and a reduction in community 

development loans and small business loans. And I am concerned that the new bank will 

not act as if its life depended on the health of our neighborhoods. 

And I ask you: how can any bank call itself a local bank with pride, if the bank is less 

than fully committed to the local economy? 

I am sorry to say that I have yet to hear why this merger is a forward step for my 

community. 

So, until the Federal Reserve Board can convince me otherwise, I cannot offer the City of 

Boston’s support for this merger. 

You, as regulators, hold great power over the future of banking in America. You hold 

great power over the economy of our communities. And you have a responsibility to 

protect the public interest. So, I respectfully request that you remember the interests of 

my constituents whose banking needs rest upon your shoulders while you deliberate and 

decide the merits of this merger. 

In closing, let me say that my office would be happy to supply you with any additional 

information you desire. Thank you for your attention. 
STATEMENT OF CONGRESSMAN MICHAEL E. CAPUANO 

ON THE MERGER OF 

FLEET FINANCIAL GROUP AND BANKBOSTON 

Federal Reserve Bank of Boston 

Public Meeting 

July 71h, 1999 

I’d like to thank the Federal Reserve for the opportunity to testify this morning on 

the merger of Fleet Financial Group and Bar&Boston. The merger of these two 

institutions will have a direct impact on my constituents in the 8* District, and I 

appreciate the Federal Reserve scheduling this hearing to address the merger. 

The combination of the two largest banks in Massachusetts, Fleet and 

Bar&Boston, raises several important issues. As you know, the members of the 

Massachusetts Congressional Delegation have commented on some aspects of the merger 

in two letters that have now been made part of the record. 

Let me stress that throughout this process, I have tried to work with the banks, the 

regulators, and the community to help formulate a merger that will benefit the 

communities I represent as well as the two banks involved. I have outlined the concerns I 

share with my constituents, both in writing and in person, on several occasions with the 

banks. I have also met with representatives from the Justice Department and the Federal 

Reserve to share these views. 

I do believe that maintaining a strong regional bank is in the best interest of the 

citizens of Massachusetts. Out-state-banks do not have the same ties to the community 

that hometown institutions have, and their commitment to local needs is not as strong. 

The combined bank will help maintain Boston’s prominence as a world leader in 

financial services. 

Unfortunately, many questions remain. Many of the issues I have raised have not 

been clarified, and at this time, I am no longer confident that Fleet is committed to 

addressing these concerns. In my testimony today, I will discuss several issues important 

to me and the communities I serve in Congress. 

As many of you know, I have been a strong supporter of allowing smaller, 

community banks to purchase a portion of the divested branches. While I agree we must 

preserve a competitive marketplace for mid-sized business lending, I also believe that our 

consumers and our communities will be better served if smaller, community banks 

purchase a fair portion of these divested assets. 
Again, the banks have offered no formal explanation of why these disparities 

seem to exist even after I have requested that information. Even more troubling are the 

recent statements from the banks that have been appearing in the press. According to a 

recent article in the Boston Htmld, Mr. Murray has said that the he’d consider setting 

aside more money for specific programs, but the $14.6 billion will not be increased. 

It seems the banks are not interested in an open, constructive dialogue with 

community leaders and public officials about the investment needs of communities across 

Massachusetts. Each time questions were raised about the agreement, I have urged Fleet 

and BankBoston to respond. so that we have both sides of the story. They have 

consistently told me that responses are forthcoming, but I have not yet received any 

information to dispute these claims. 

This is not sufficient for the communities I represent. Promises do not help 

people buy homes, they don’t encourage new small businesses, and they don’t revitalize 

our neighborhoods. 

Because the banks ha\-e not provided the public with detailed information to 

dispute the claims made by Professor Campen. Inner City Press, and others. I must 

formally ask the Federal Reseme to extend the comment period for 30 days AFTER 

THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED. All interested parties must have a reasonable 

opportunity to review all the facts before making a final decision on whether this merger 

will be positive for Massachusetts. 

If the comment period is not extended, I cannot support the merger at this time. 

Up to this date, Fleet has demonstrated its disregard for the communities it intends to 

serve throughout this process. I have asked repeatedly for simple information since the 

beginning of this process in 3Iarch, and was only provided with this information 

yesterday afternoon. If the banks will not respond to a reasonable request from a U.S. 

Congressman for information. there is no reason to believe that they will be responsive 

and committed to communities in my District and throughout New England. For these 

reasons, I must strongly oppose the merger AT THIS TIME. 

Thank you for the opportunity to testify. 
July 7, 1999 

Mr. Robert Brady 

Vice President 

Federal Reserve Bank of Boston 

600 Atlantic Avenue 

Boston, MA 02106 

Dear Mr. Brady: 

We are writing to provide you with our final comments on the merger between 

Fleet Financial Group and Bar&Boston Corporation. As you know, we have provided 

several comment letters, jointly and individually, however we believe that it is important 

to summarize our concerns now that the public comment period is coming to a close. 

First, we want to again stress our position that the divestiture package should be 

structured to best meet the banking needs of communities throughout Massachusetts. 

While we understand that preserving competition in middle-market business lending is an 

important concern, we also believe that smaller institutions play an important role in our 

communities, and offer personalized services that large banks simply cannot match. For 

this reason, we urge the regulators to work with the banks to create divestiture packages 

suitable for bids by community banks. We are encouraged by recent statements on this 

matter from the U.S. Department of Justice, and we hope that this process can now move 

ahead. 

Second, it is vitally important that the combined bank and the successful bidders 

for the divested branches continue to make a significant investment in our 

neighborhoods. We are particularly concerned with a record of poor credit lending in 

older, lower-income neighborhoods throughout the Commonwealth. In cities like 

Brockton, Springfield, Fall River, Worcester, Lawrence, and in many parts of Boston, an 

overwhelming concentration of loans has been made only in higher-income 

neighborhoods. 

For this reason, we strongly urge that the new, merged institution make a strong 

commitment to increased lending in underserved areas. This commitment must include 

flexible underwriting of loans, increased partnerships with community lending programs, 

and increased credit for housing, small business start-ups and other conventional loans to 

minority and low-income neighborhoods. We believe that this new institution must play 

a significant role in revitalizing our neighborhoods and rebuilding our communities. 

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Third, we urge the banks to work closely with the employees whose jobs are in 

jeopardy after the merger is finalized. It is clearly not in the interest of our constituents 

that working people, with years of loyal service, are not afforded the highest concern 

throughout this process. Every effort must be made to ensure that the loss of jobs is 

minimal, that it occur to the greatest possible extent through retirement and attrition, and 

that a comprehensive benefits package is offered to those employees who must be laid 

off. 

Finally, we also believe that the combined bank must take an active role in 

supporting local charitable organizations, including community based charities. The 

public perception is that as financial institutions merge, they no longer take an active role 

in local communities. The banks must maintain and expand their commitment to charity 

and prove that bank mergers can have a positive impact on local communities. 

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this merger. 

Sincerely,