Deposits at the nation’s thrifts increased for...

Deposits at the nation’s thrifts increased for the third consecutive month in December, continuing a trend that began after the October stock market crash. Net deposits increased by $2.4 billion in December, following gains of $3.2 billion in November and $6.2 billion in October, the Federal Home Loan Bank Board said. Withdrawals exceeded deposits in seven of the first nine months of the year. But after the Oct. 19 market plunge, investors pulled their money out of the stock market and sought safe investments such as federally insured S&L; accounts.