BANKING

Washington Reportedly Weighs Demise of S&L; Industry: The Clinton Administration and congressional Republicans are discussing plans that would in effect end much of the distinction between banking and savings institutions, the New York Times reported. The plan under consideration calls for the consolidation of the two deposit insurance funds that separately support banks and savings and loans. In advance of any consolidation, the proposal would require savings institutions to pay a one-time, $6.1-billion assessment to restore the financial health of their industry’s insurance fund.