BANKING & FINANCE - Feb. 10, 1994

Lender Agrees to Help Lower-Income Borrowers: Fleet Financial Group Inc., attempting to resolve an extended controversy about its lending practices, plans to announce an $8.5-billion lending program for low-income and moderate-income borrowers, sources familiar with the agreement said. Fleet said the impetus for the agreement is a desire to resolve persistent questions about its mortgage lending practices. The bank is attempting to minimize opposition to its merger plans, according to attorneys who have followed the company.