The Federal Housing Finance Agency's Edward DeMarco is pushing a plan merge some Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac operations as Congress and the Obama administration continue to punt on housing reform.

Ray Grace, the acting banking commissioner of North Carolina, used humor to deflect some tough questions aimed at regulators about limits on bank startups.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development will offer two batches of residential loans with a total balance of almost $3 billion later this month.

HSBC agreed to sell a portfolio of U.S. consumer loans for $3.2 billion as it scales back its operations in the country.

Payments processor Elavon has formed a division to help merchants cut costs.

Atlantic Coast Financial trimmed its losses last quarter as it readies for possible challenges to its deal with Bond Street Holdings.

Citigroup (C) executives stand to collect $579 million under profit-sharing plans that include the one shareholders voted against last year.

MIAMI – South Florida Educational FCU celebrated the opening of its newest high school branch, Generals Credit Union inside Miami Jackson Senior High School, the credit union’s eighth in-school branch.

RICHMOND, Va. – Connects FCU has acquired a former BB&T branch, which will serve as the $72-million credit union’s third branch.

MARYSVILLE, Wash. – Alaska USA FCU has opened a new branch in the Haggen supermarket here, its 24th branch in Washington.

FHFA Acting Director Edward DeMarco said that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would merge some of their existing operations in order to build a new securitization platform.

Fannie Mae (FNMA) and Freddie Mac will create a common platform for issuing mortgage-backed securities as they wind down operations and plan for a future in which the two companies no longer exist, their regulator said today.

The chief financial officer of Hampton Roads Bancshares (HMPR) in Virginia Beach, Va., is leaving for a job in commercial real estate finance.

What will the next big legislation look like? We asked academics, analysts and former top regulators to weigh in.

The $972 million-asset parent of Panhandle State Bank said Monday that Ford Elsaesser is expected to assume the post on April 24 following the annual meeting of shareholders.

Pacific Premier (PPBI) in Irvine, Calif., has named new chief lending and operating officers among several executive moves.

Community & Southern Bank in Atlanta has hired its new president away from a larger Alabama lender.

New York Community Bancorp, a $44.6 billion-asset company, said Monday it has named Lawrence Savarese a director.

International Bancshares (IBOC) in Laredo, Texas, is declaring a dividend and buying back shares.

Large bank holding companies have positioned themselves aggressively for a rise in interest rates, based on levels of short-term assets and liabilities. Smaller holding companies have not.