BUSINESS MEMO: AEGON STAKES CLAIM

Dutch insurer Aegon NV is buying Providian Corp.'s insurance business for $3.5 billion, becoming the latest big European player to stake a claim in the lucrative U.S. market. The takeover, announced recently, comes as life insurers are merging to fend off competition for consumers' savings from banks and mutual fund companies. As part of the transaction, Providian, headquartered in Louisville, Ky., will spin off its Providian Bancorp unit to its own shareholders...