BUSINESS MEMO: SAVINGS ACCOUNTS OFFERED

Some stock brokerage firms are offering more of the services your bank does, such as savings accounts, home loans and estate planning.

In the latest announcement, Merrill Lynch said last week it will offer federally insured savings accounts to many of its brokerage customers, and will expand its online mortgage business.

This transformation of the brokerage industry is expected to accelerate thanks to a law passed late last year eliminating the Depression-inspired barriers that separated banks, brokerages and insurance companies.