The following news release was issued today.  NR 95-31 
     March 16, 1995

                                  
          APPEALS COURT DENIES INSURANCE INDUSTRY REQUEST
           FOR REHEARING IN OWENSBORO NATIONAL BANK CASE


     Comptroller of the Currency Eugene A. Ludwig issued the
     following statement today on the United States Court of
     Appeals for the Sixth Circuit's decision to deny the
     insurance industry's petition for a rehearing in
     Owensboro National Bank, et al v. Wright.  The Sixth
     Circuit has let stand its December 29, 1994 decision,
     which upheld the position of the OCC:

     "Today's decision is good news for national banks and
     their customers.  The decision affirms that state
     antiaffiliation laws do not bar national banks from
     activities that the National Bank Act authorizes for
     them.   This decision lets national banks continue to
     provide their customers with the financial services and
     products they want."

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