Israeli bank subsidiary raises 'prime' to 19 3/4%

UMB Bank & Trust Company, the American subsidiary of the United Mizrahi Bank of Israel, raised its prime lending rate from 19 percent to 19 3/4 percent. Some major US Banks were expected to follow suit. US banks last week raised this rate from 18 1/2 to 19 percent. Some analysts say the prime and other rates may be nearing their peak, but others feel the prime may surpass last spring's 20 percent level.