SEATTLE — The credit union grip squeezing more efficiencies out of branches could get even tighter as a new threat to income looms.

Just three months after saying its problems had begun to level off, Sterling Financial Corp. in Spokane, Wash., unexpectedly ousted its longtime leader and was ordered by regulators to boost capital levels.

WASHINGTON — Community banks would be exempt from enforcement by a new consumer financial protection agency under an amendment approved Thursday by the House Financial Services Committee. Still, industry lobbyists continued to press the panel to weaken a separate provision that would force national banks to comply with state consumer laws.

WICHITA – Fast-growing Credit Union of America, the state’s second largest credit union, said it plans to open three new branches by the end of next year, including a student-run branch.

NEW ENGLAND

With chargeoffs spiking, Umpqua Holdings Corp. in Portland, Ore., lost $10.4 million in the third quarter, disappointing analysts who expected a profit and causing its stock to slip Thursday.

Most struggling bank companies are clamoring for someone, anyone willing to help, but Patriot National Bancorp Inc. is sizing up its suitors.

Third-quarter earnings at Commerce Bancshares Inc. in Kansas City, Mo., surprised analysts — in a good way.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama Telco CU has expanded its footprint by opening its first branch in Madison.

The House Financial Services Committee is expected to pass an amendment this week that would exempt community banks from enforcement by a proposed new consumer ...

Third-quarter earnings at Commerce Bancshares Inc. in Kansas City, Mo., surprised analysts — in a good way.

Texas Dow Employees CU, one of the largest locally-owned financial institutions, is calling on Texans to shun the out-of-state and international banks that are buying up increasing parts of the local market.

Citing the possibility of regulatory orders that might impose higher capital requirements, three West Coast banking companies are moving forward with stock offerings.

Credit unions are widely expected to be subjected to the proposed consumer financial protection agency's jurisdiction, despite lobbying to be exempted.

Instead of reporting third-quarter results as expected Tuesday, Enterprise Financial Services Corp. in Clayton, Mo., announced a delay.

Ordered by regulators to improve capital ratios at its bank unit, First Mariner Bancorp of Baltimore is unloading a consumer finance arm for about half of what it thinks the business is worth.

Sun Bancorp Inc. in Vineland, N.J., warned Friday that it expects to report a third-quarter provision for loan losses of $16.2 million, a 133% increase from the second quarter.

The FDIC's decision to keep secret the losing bids for failed banks – after two decades of disclosing them – is proving controversial, with reactions ranging from outrage to just plain puzzlement.

William Isaac, a former chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., says he understands why the agency might want to keep secret the losing bids for failed banks.