* U.S. commercial banks earned a record...

* U.S. commercial banks earned a record $19.9 billion in the first quarter this year, a performance boosted by $1.2 billion in sales of securities that masked some nagging concerns over the industry’s health, banking regulators said. Without the securities sales, the first-quarter performance would have been almost 3% off the previous record of $19.5 billion a year earlier but still above the $17.7 billion earned in the fourth quarter of last year.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. said troubled commercial and industrial loans continued to grow, particularly at larger institutions.

Banks charged off $7 billion in bad loans during the first quarter, a 38% increase from a year earlier.

* Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc., under pressure to boost sluggish sales in its vital North American market, said it is merging its operations in the region into one single unit.

Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Enterprises also said G. David Van Houten had been named executive vice president and president of the newly formed unit.

* Consulting firm Accenture Ltd. said it will cut 1,400 jobs at its offices around the world because of the economic slowdown.

The company said it will eliminate 600 jobs directly, with 800 more positions to be trimmed through voluntary sabbaticals lasting between six months and a year.

* Lake Forest, Ill.-based Brunswick Corp., the biggest maker of recreational boats and marine engines, agreed to buy British luxury boat maker Sealine International Ltd. for about $68 million to boost sales in Europe.

Brunswick will pay $31 million in cash, assume an undisclosed amount of debt and issue notes to certain Sealine shareholders.

* SBC Communications Inc. temporarily withdrew its application to sell long-distance service in Missouri after U.S. antitrust officials raised questions.

* Rockwell International Corp. reduced its fiscal third-quarter earnings forecast to 45 cents a share and said it will eliminate 1,000 jobs because of slowing sales.

* Danbury, Conn.-based furniture maker Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. will close three plants employing 350 workers and will take a charge of 10 cents a share in its fiscal fourth quarter related to the action.