Executive Life Talks Put Off Until Monday

Negotiations to resolve the fate of two top French executives -- the only obstacle to settling a probe of failed California insurer Executive Life -- have been put off until Monday, sources said.

France and the United States then will resume meeting to settle U.S. charges that French bank Credit Lyonnais illegally bought assets from Executive Life in 1991. Banks were barred from owning insurers under U.S. law at the time.

The focus of talks will be the treatment of French retail magnate Francois Pinault and his Artemis holding company, as well as former Credit Lyonnais Chairman Jean Peyrelevade, sources said.