BANKING & FINANCE - Aug. 7, 1992

Sales of Savings Bonds Top $1 Billion in July: Sales of U.S. Savings Bonds topped the billion-dollar mark in July for the fifth time this year, the government said. The $1.13-billion total was 47% higher than sales in the same month a year ago, the Treasury Department said. Investors continue to be attracted to the relatively high interest rates that bonds are offering compared to other investments. Savings bonds held for five years or longer earn a minimum rate of 6% or the average of market-based rates for the period, whichever is higher.