Winter 1998 News and Views for Eighth District Bankers Fed Lowers Electronic Payment Fees Again For the fifth straight year, the Federal Reserve is lowering prices for all electronic payment services. Little Rock Receives Visit from Fed Governor Federal Reserve Board Governor Roger W. Ferguson Jr. toured revitalized sections of Little Rock during a visit to the city Sept. 10. On the Shoe-Leather Costs of Inflation Michael R. Pakko, a senior economist in the St. Louis Fed's Research Division, discusses the consequences of consumers' eroding purchasing power due to inflation. CDC Bulletins Available on Internet Highlights of past issues of the Fed's Century Date Change Bulletins. Treasury Issues Final Rule on EFT 99 In September, the Department of the Treasury and its Financial Management Service (FMS) published its final rule on EFT 99, one element of which concerns the loosening of waivers for individuals who receive federal payments elecronically. Out for Comment: Attributes for ETAs On Nov. 23, the Treasury published for comment a notice proposing features for ETAs that financial institutions would be required to include. The 45-day comment period closes Jan. 7, 1999. Mortgage Partnership Initiates New Efforts A listing of some of the recommendations from the Mortgage Credit Partnership programs underway in six Federal Reserve districts. Feditorial: Stability of Banks Cushions Shocks from Afar St. Louis Fed President William Poole summarizes his view on how the Russian default in mid-August changed the global financial landscape. Regional Roundup FFIEC Guidance: Consumer Compliance in Electronic Banking Key Web Sites for Bankers Fed Facts National Financial Services Web Site Coming in January FCA National Report Now Available Please send comments or questions regarding Central Banker to Stephen.P.Greene@stls.frb.org