News Advisory
                                  
               4th Quarter Derivatives Trading Report 
     Will Be Released by Comptroller of the Currency on March 18

WHAT:    Press Briefing (Media credentials are required.)

WHEN:    10 a.m., Wednesday, March 18

WHERE: OCC Headquarters, 250 E Street, S.W., Washington, D.C.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) will release
its quarterly report of derivatives trading by U.S. commercial
banks on March 18.   The report will cover trading from October
1 through December 31, 1997.  Mike Brosnan, the OCC's director
of treasury and market risk, will discuss the highlights of the
report and will be available to answer questions.

During the 3rd quarter of 1997, the notional amount of
derivatives trading by commercial banks reached a record
$25 trillion, a rate of approximately $2 trillion per week.

                                 # # #

The OCC charters, regulates and examines approximately 2,800
national banks and 66 federal branches of foreign banks in the
U.S., accounting for more thank half the nation's banking
assets.  Its mission is to ensure a safe and sound and
competitive national banking system that supports the citizens,
communities and economy of the United States.