Notice of Proposals To Engage in Permissible Nonbanking Activities or To Acquire Companies That Are Engaged in Permissible Nonbanking Activities

The companies listed in this notice have given notice under section 4 of the Bank Holding Company Act (12 U.S.C. 1843) (BHC Act) and Regulation Y, (12 CFR Part 225) to engage de novo, or to acquire or control voting securities or assets of a company, including the companies listed below, that engages either directly or through a subsidiary or other company, in a nonbanking activity that is listed in § 225.28 of Regulation Y (12 CFR 225.28) or that the Board has determined by Order to be closely related to banking and permissible for bank holding companies. Unless otherwise noted, these activities will be conducted throughout the United States.

Each notice is available for inspection at the Federal Reserve Bank indicated. The notice also will be available for inspection at the offices of the Board of Governors. Interested persons may express their views in writing on the question whether the proposal complies with the standards of section 4 of the BHC Act.

Unless otherwise noted, comments regarding the applications must be received at the Reserve Bank indicated or the offices of the Board of Governors not later than March 2, 2000.

A. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis (JoAnne F. Lewellen, Assistant Vice President) 90 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55480-0291:

1. Northern Star Financial, Inc., Mankato, Minnesota; to acquire First Federal Holding Company of Morris, Inc., Morris, Minnesota, and thereby indirectly acquire First Federal Savings Bank, Morris, Minnesota, and thereby engage in operating a savings association, pursuant to § 225.28(b)(4)(ii) of Regulation Y; providing securities brokerage, pursuant to § 225.28(b)(7)(i) of Regulation Y; providing insurance directly related to an extension of credit by the bank holding company or any of its subsidiaries, pursuant to § 225.28(b)(11)(i) of Regulation Y; and engaging in general insurance agency activity in a place with a population of less than 5,000, pursuant to § 225.28(b)(11)(iii)(A) of Regulation Y.

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, February 1, 2000.