Briefs: WaMu to cut 57 local jobs

ITASCA -- Washington Mutual is laying off 1,000 employees across the country, including about 57 in Illinois, as it copes with slumping housing demand, according to the Seattle-based company. Its Itasca-based loan processing operation may lose 13 jobs; Downers Grove offices may lose 10; and Vernon Hills offices may lose 11, according to the firm. Spokesman Shane Wyn said the Illinois jobs are "back-office" jobs and the firm nationally is hiring retail employees.

Gem Diamonds finds 18th largest

LONDON -- London-listed mining company Gem Diamonds said Thursday it had discovered the 18th biggest diamond ever found, a 494 carat gem, at its Letseng Mine in Lesotho. "The diamond is an excellent color and has high clarity," Gem Diamonds said in a statement. Letseng, 70 percent owned by Gem Diamonds and 30 percent by Lesotho, has produced three of the world's top 20 diamonds, including the 15th largest, the 603 carat Lesotho Promise recovered in August 2006 and sold for $12.4 million.

Bank of America raises ATM fee

NEW YORK -- Bank of America raised the fee it charges noncustomers to withdraw cash from most of its automated teller machines to $3 from $2, a move that may prompt rivals to follow. The fee remains $2 in the Chicago area, where the bank will soon grow when it completes its $21 billion purchase of LaSalle Bank from Dutch bank ABN Amro Holding NV.

United to add LA/Frankfort route

CHICAGO -- United Airlines Thursday said it will offer new daily passenger and cargo service between Los Angeles and Frankfurt beginning Dec. 15 and service from Frankfurt on Dec. 16. Flights are open for sale. This will be United's eighth daily flight to Frankfurt and the new service from Los Angeles means United now serves Frankfurt from all four of its international gateways, with service twice daily from its San Francisco and Chicago hubs and three times daily from its Washington, D.C., hub.