The two candidates for president squared off in their first debate Friday night with a deal to address the nation's fiscal crisis still being hammered out.

The latest shoe to drop in the calamity unfolding on Wall Street was the failure Thursday of Seattle-based thrift Washington Mutual, which concerned many of the bank's customers in Westchester.

The FDIC seized WaMu, selling it to JPMorgan Chase for $1.9 billion. Chase also bailed out Bear Stearns only four months ago.

"They're gobbling up all the other banks. It doesn't make [anyone] feel comfortable," says Tony Campbell, of Yonkers. "All we can do is cross our fingers and hope the federal government looks out for the little guy."

At a Washington Mutual branch in Yonkers, many were seething.

"I think it's a tragedy ? it's a tragedy because they had lots of ads not long ago and people were swept in by their ads," says Doris Brooks, of Yonkers.

Should WaMu customers be concerned about their savings? The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation covers up to $100,000. However, stocks, bonds and mutual funds are not insured.