Mr. Mattox and independent bankers in Texas are also expected to ask a Federal court to throw out the ruling by the Comptroller of the Currency, Robert L. Clark.

While the United States Federal Reserve has begun to cut rates, many of Europe's politically independent bankers have been reluctant to follow suit, and politicians are beginning to complain.

What redress is there to be for independent bankers who are to be immune from dismissal and are to have, as Pöhl so quaintly put it, 'adequate financial arrangements during and after their term in office'?

With a third of its assets in hedge funds, according to one independent banker, Mirabaud - which does not publish such figures - is believed to lead Swiss banks in that category.

Reached out to small, independent bankers from all 50 states.

I find it strange that people with whom I have been associated should now accept that independent bankers control so much of our destiny.

Yet consumer groups were unanimous in expressing skepticism about the supposed benefits, and they were joined by politically influential trade groups representing independent bankers and insurance agents.

The American Bankers Association, independent bankers and insurance companies that compete with the Farm Credit System in rural lending want a secondary market for such loans.

Mr. Kohl has steadfastly insisted that Germany will not part with its rock-solid currency until its leaders are assured that a new European currency would be controlled by strictly independent bankers.

"A lot of independent bankers are living in Palm Springs now," quipped Charles E. Riley, executive vice president of Peoples Bancorp, who is not related to Michael Riley.