CINCINNATI — As banks cut back on branches, credit unions are stepping up their interest in bricks-and-mortar service delivery.

First Farmers Financial (FFMR) in Converse, Ind., has agreed to buy seven branches in Indiana from Bank of Montreal's BMO Harris Bank.

GLENDALE, Calif. — When it was time to remodel its branch here earlier this year, Los Angeles Federal Credit Union installed touch screen and other technology to up its cool quotient.

SAN ANTONIO — Credit union branches are less likely to be a "destination" for members, so the key is to be where the members already are. That's why progressive CUs are exploring and expanding in-store branch opportunities.

Branch transformation is a hot topic these days — it seems everyone has a different idea of what it means. When I ask credit unions what they think of it, I get a myriad of responses.

Hampton Roads Bankshares (HMPR) in Virginia Beach, Va., reported higher net income that largely reflected lower expenses and a spike in income from bank-owned life insurance.

Longtime friends and business partners Alex Charfen and Price Givens have formally launched BitcoinWallet.com, which they plan to market as a social, consumer-friendly and transparent digital currency wallet.

State courts around the country are starting to reform the ways they handle lawsuits over unpaid bills, widening the regulatory overhaul of banks' and third parties' debt-collection practices.

Six Democrats whose support is crucial to a U.S. Senate plan to replace government-owned mortgage firms Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have decided they won't support the proposal without major revisions, dimming its chances of becoming law this year.

Glacier Bancorp (GBCI) in Kalispell, Mont., has agreed to buy First National Bank of the Rockies in Grand Junction, Colo.

Kevin Cummings, CEO of Investors Bancorp, wants to reach $30 billion in assets in the next six years, but he admits that Investors must sharpen its focus on commercial clients to achieve that objective.

The Federal Reserve is seeking input on a measure that would bar U.S. banks from acquisitions that push their share of all financial-company liabilities above a 10% threshold.

U.S. Bancorp (USB) supported $202 million of tax-credit-based financing in the southeastern United States last year, more than doubling its community development financing from the previous yea

A pair of acquisitions announced this week is creating chatter about out-of-market interest in Florida's banks. Still, some caution that bankers must be mindful of past mistakes by other long-distance buyers.

That's the kind of question CEOs must ask themselves after days like Bank of America's Brian Moynihan had Wednesday: he conducted a nearly three-hour shareholder meeting that featured some quirky (not to mention vocal) guests.

After decades of neglecting its credit card operations, Wells Fargo this week officially unveiled the new cards that it hopes will boost its consumer lending business. Credit card executive Beverly Anderson discusses the features and fees of the new Propel cards, how Wells plans to get ahead in the ultra-competitive card market and how her business is coping with increased regulation.

SunTrust Banks (STI) is refusing to participate in a self-regulatory organization's inquiry into its online advertising practices, prompting the group to refer the Atlanta bank to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Top judges are jumping into the massive regulatory overhaul of the way that banks and third parties sue borrowers over unpaid bills. New York has proposed comprehensive reforms, while Maryland has modified its controversial "rocket dockets."

United Community Bank (UCBI) in Georgia is expanding its Small Business Administration funding by acquiring a portion of Business Carolina's (BCI) operations.