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Business & Finance

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  Checking Will Stay Free, Says PNC Bank

  PNC Financial Services Group, bucking a trend that is sweeping the banking industry, is vowing to keep its most-basic checking accounts free of fees.

  • Banks Brace for Debit-Card Rules

• States Eye Shift From Pensions to 401(k)-Style Plans

  Policy makers across the country are considering scrapping guaranteed retirement benefits for public workers in favor of 401(k)-like plans. But some are discovering that the change can carry hefty costs.

• Fannie, Freddie in Dividend Bind

  Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are borrowing from the Treasury to pay the Treasury: The two mortgage behemoths still ask the Treasury Department every quarter for billions of dollars in cash, most of it going right back out the door to pay dividends to the same U.S. agency.

  • Loan Mod Programs Struggle

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  Deep-Water Permit Is First Since BP Spill

  The Obama administration approved the first deep-water drilling permit since last year's Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill, amid rising political and legal pressure to reopen the Gulf of Mexico to oil exploration as crude prices spike.

• Asia Up on Oil, China Manufacturing Data

  Asian stock markets were higher, helped by stability in oil prices. Chinese shares rose as two surveys showed the country's manufacturing growth slowed in February, easing concerns about further tightening. The Nikkei was up 0.9%.

  • Australia Retail Sales Rise
  • China Manufacturing Slows
  • Dow's Rise Puts It Up 2.81% for February

• South Korea Trade Deal Bogs Down

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  Demand for Senior Care Spurs Deals

• Massey Worker Charged With Obstructing Probe

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  Berkshire Board Adds a Fourth Possible Buffett Successor

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  Some Banks Cut Currency-Trade Fees

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  Inflation Prompts Subsidy Spree

• Oscar's Big Night Comes Up Short