A simple Ansatz for the quark mass matrices is considered, based on the ass
umption of a power structure for the matrix elements and the requirement of
maximal predictability. A good fit to the present experimental data is obt
ained and the position of the vertex of the unitarity triangle, i.e. (<(rho
)over bar><(eta)over bar>), is predicted. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. Al
l rights reserved.