November 12, 2002

Immigrant workers in United States who sent about $30 billion a year to relatives back home face strict new controls on such transfers; Sept 11 cast such transfers in new light--as potential pipeline for terrorist financing; government now imposes strict new controls on companies that handle nearly all immigrant payments, transforming business that thrived on its lack of paperwork and caters to people who could not, or would not, do business with banks; anyone who sends money overseas now must be checked against government lists of suspected money launderers and terrorists, task that also requires money transmitters--many of them storefront operations--to undergo training to spot suspicious movements of money; photo (M)

Banks are aggressively promoting free checking accounts, but some customers often end up paying more in other charges, like those for bouncing checks or using automated teller machines; banks make money from free-checking customers because such accounts generally pay no interest, and banks also use accounts to attract new customers who will then buy their other products; photo (M)

Augusta National Golf Club chairman William Johnson reiterates that club has no intention of changing all-male membership policy, interview; says no woman will be invited to join Augusta before 2003 Masters in early April, and that it may be several years or more before any are welcome; remains steadfast in position that as private club Augusta National has no legal, moral or social obligation to accept women as members, even though it hosts one of golf's four major championships that is watched by millions worldwide; says he is not moved by public positions of some high-profile corporate executives who are members and who have endorsed their admission; says club holds dear its tradition and constitutional right to choose; Martha Burk, chairwoman of National Council of Women's Organizations, scores decision, but says she is not surprised; says it is bad for club and game of golf; photos (M)

Broadway theater producers plan to keep shows running with recorded music in event of strike by musicians when union contract runs out in spring; parties expect key issue of discussions will be union's mandated theater staffing minimums; executives of electronic music recording companies believe technological advances in digital recording can satisfy requirement for high quality sound; photo (M)

Clyde Haberman comments on New Yorkel