Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 25, 1993                   TAG: 9308250349
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

IN BUSINESS

First Virginia Banks Inc. said Tuesday it will acquire United Southern Bank of Morristown, Tenn., after the close of business Friday. The merger has been approved by stockholders of the Tennessee bank and by state and federal regulators.

The holders of each share of United Southern stock will receive 1.7 shares of First Virginia Banks. There are 115,694 shares of United Southern outstanding.

United Southern has assets of $43 million. First Virginia, Falls Church-based parent of First Virginia Bank-Southwest in Roanoke, has assets of $6.9 billion. - Staff report

Charter to change stock-trading symbol

Charter Federal Savings Bank said Tuesday it will change the trading symbol of its common stock to CHFD today. The Bristol-based thrift's stock will continue to be listed on the Nasdaq market.

Charter's old symbol was CHFDC. On financial tables in The Roanoke Times & World-News, Charter Federal's stock will continue to be listed as ChrtFed among the stocks of regional interest. - Staff report

Labor Day gas costs lowest since 1986

The $1.10-per-gallon national average price for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline is the lowest for a Labor Day holiday since 1986, the American Automobile Association said Tuesday.

The motor club said the average price was 92.2 cents per gallon in 1986. The average is down 5.7 cents from a year ago and 2.3 cents from the July 4th holiday.

Full-serve regular unleaded dropped 5.9 cents in one year to $1.345 per gallon; mid-grade fell 4.3 cents to $1.446 and premium declined 4.8 cents to $1.504. - Staff report