03-30951. 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. Additional information on all bank holding companies may be obtained from the National Information Center website at www.ffiec.gov/​nic/​.

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 December 30, 2003.

A. Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond (A. Linwood Gill, III, Vice President) 701 East Byrd Street, Richmond, Virginia 23261-4528:

1. Southern Financial Bancorp., Inc., Warrenton, Virginia; to acquire 100 percent of the voting shares of Essex Bancorp, Inc., Norfolk, Virginia, and thereby indirectly acquire Essex Savings Bank, F.S.B., Norfolk, Virginia, and thereby engage in operating a savings association, pursuant to section 225.28(b)(4)(ii) of Regulation Y. Comments on this application must be received by January 9, 2004.

B. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (Randall C. Sumner, Vice President) 411 Locust Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63166-2034:

1. City Bancorp, Springfield, Missouri; to engage de novo in extending credit and servicing activities pursuant to section 225.28(b)(1) of Regulation Y.

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, December 10, 2003.

Robert deV. Frierson,

Deputy Secretary of the Board.