Excluding the effects of Texas Commerce, Chemical's net interest income dropped 9.9 percent, to $457.9 million, the company said.

The company's provision for loan losses rose from the 1987 quarter because the 1988 results included Texas Commerce.

Texas Commerce is, in fact, alive and very much thriving, in keeping with its 100-year heritage of quality and strength.

He argues that Texas Commerce is not sitting on its hands - it plans to call on 97,000 potential loan customers this year.

And with the acquisition of Texas Commerce, it acquired a large amount of troubled loans.

The agreement increased Chemical's investment this year alone to more than $700 million in new ventures at Texas Commerce.

At just 29, he became chief financial officer of Texas Commerce.

Another bidder, Texas Commerce, has struggled to deal with nonperforming loans.

Texas Commerce has $18 billion in assets.

Texas Commerce added $18 billion to Chemical's assets.