SECURITIES

California Settles With Prudential: The state, the last to hold out on settling with Prudential Securities Inc. over its limited-partnership fiasco, signed a final settlement. The terms were the same as those announced by the state Department of Corporations several weeks ago when it said an accord was imminent. Prudential will pay a $500,000 penalty to the state and reimburse it for its investigation costs. The brokerage will also have to report frequently to the state on compliance by its California branches. The Corporations Department urged Prudential partnership investors to call a toll-free hot line, (800) 589-4678, for information on reimbursement from a $330-million settlement fund Prudential has established.