BUSINESS MEMO: BANKS PASS Y2K

Missouri banks reported no major problems from the Year 2000 date change.

"It's business as usual," said Max Cook, president of the Missouri Banker Association. "Banks were among the first group to recognize possible Y2K problems and spent billions of dollars on tests and system upgrades to make sure their customers would not be affected. That investment paid off."

One major concern was that Missouri customers would heed the advice of many doomsayers and withdraw all their money from banks, said Cook.

Although some money was withdrawn, most Missourians left their money in the bank.