Account America Bank Merchant

Eds: ADDS background, Palestinian reaction, byline. By JOSEF FEDERMAN Associated Press Writer JERUSALEM (AP) -- Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday told his Cabinet that Israel would not build any new settlements in the West Bank, but stopped short of American demands to freeze construction in existing communities. Olmert also promised to remove unauthorized settlement outposts in the West Bank. But he gave no timeline for taking action, and has made similar pledges in the past. A settlement freeze and dismantling of outposts are key aspects of the "road map," a U.S.-backed peace plan that stalled shortly after its inception in 2003. "Let's be straight, we committed ourselves in the road map not to build new settlements and we will not build any," Olmert was quoted as saying by his spokeswoman, Miri Eisin.

(AFX UK Focus) 2007-11-19 10:35 GMT: ECB's Tumpel-Gugerell sees 80 pct of banks ready for Sepa implementation

FRANKFURT (Thomson Financial News) - The European Central Bank (ECB) sees some 80 pct of European banks, which account for over 90 pct of money transfers, ready for the introduction of the Single Euro Payments Area (Sepa) on Jan 1, ECB executive board member Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell said.

"The Sepa project is well on track," she said during a banking event in Frankfurt.

The implementation of Sepa starts on Jan 1 with the migration of banks' payments systems, while other steps that will be more visible to end-customers will follow later.

Tumpel-Gugerell said she does not yet see a clear long-term strategy for the implementation of Sepa for card payments.

Tumpel-Gugerell said a discussion on end-dates for the full implementation of Sepa should start next year. "We need a common understanding of when the last group of countries and banks will move onto the system," she said.

News Briefs

STUDYING WISE COUNTY - The Texas Water Development Board has approved funding for four types of studies by the Region C Water Planning Group, one of them specifically involving Wise and Parker counties. The study will include meetings with Wise and Parker county water user groups to discuss population and demand projections, planned water management strategies, other water issues and strategies and possible roles for the City of Weatherford and the Walnut Creek Special Utility District as regional providers of treated water. Walnut Creek provides treated water to several communities in south Wise and northern Parker counties. The Trinity Aquifer also serves as a primary water supply source for several cities in both counties. The study is expected to be completed in the fall of 2008.

ALVORD FIRE - Fire damaged the home of Chad and Karen Langham in the 1200 block of South Wickham Street in Alvord Wednesday morning.

Will Money Funds Finally "Break the Buck"?

When stock market jitters become too much for investors, they can always retreat to the safety of money funds. Yet even some of the safest places for your money are apparently at risk, as some money funds had invested in securities including subprime mortgages. .

Embattled Lawmaker's Loan Draws Scrutiny

In the latest criminal investigation involving an embattled state lawmaker, authorities last week seized bank records related to a 2001 loan that they said never wound up with a nonprofit organization.

An affidavit filed by SBI Special Agent Rufus Williams states that the records seized last week are being examined as part of an investigation into obtaining property by false pretense.

Abundance of holiday thanks, good wishes to pass on to helpers

Dear Readers: There's a framed black-and-white photo on The Fixer's desk of a young Pete Townshend pounding on his guitar as only the famous Who frontman could do.

As a rule, The Fixer doesn't accept gifts -- it's enough just to know that we helped. But that photo -- a thank-you gift from reader Rob Hirsh, who knew of The Fixer's special love for that band -- was an exception.

That Pete T. photo reminds The Fixer that while we joke that it's easy to fight when it's other people's money, we're grateful to have been able to make a difference in some readers' lives.

For Rob, we got the proper marker for his father's grave. For another reader, it was a clean credit report … or the end to a used car nightmare … or heat for a home in winter.

While this job can be exhausting, it's also exhilarating.

The Discipline Of the Dollar

See if you can identify the following country: Its currency is falling sharply in global markets; its speculative real estate bubble has burst; its financial sector is weakened by bad loans and lack of transparency. This economy is teetering on the edge of recession, and, thanks to borrowing so heavily abroad, its economic future is at the mercy of international creditors.

I'm talking about Thailand, of course, as it stood 10 years ago -- on the edge of the devastating Asian financial crisis. But if that description bears more than a little resemblance to the United States today, then I have made my point: We have reached a junction in international financial markets -- and whether this produces a smooth transition or a convulsive crisis will be shaped by decisions made in coming months.