dollars against well-known businessman Mr. John Kaufmann.

Mr. Kaufmann, who runs SKB Coatings -- a manufacturer of fabricated Bermuda roofs -- and is known for his artwork, is believed to have taken out a loan in 1987 with the bank.

The $4.3 million the bank is seeking is understood to be considerably more than the amount originally loaned.

The bank is represented by Conyers, Dill and Pearman.

Neither Mr. Kaufmann nor an attorney for the bank could be reached for comment yesterday.