Growth strategies

A merger proposal at Partners Financial Federal Credit Union was rejected in a member vote. The failure has revealed tensions between management and the board.

The South Carolina-based credit union will buy two locations from Arkansas-based Bank OZK as it moves to exit the Palmetto State.

The Boulder-based institution can now serve consumers across 16 different counties, or more than 88% of the state's population.

A deal to merge Riverset CU into Allegant Community FCU will create the third-largest credit union in western Pennsylvania.

Center Parc Credit Union, which will operate as a unit of Atlanta Postal, is set to open a pair of Walmart branches this year and a free-standing facility in 2021.

Citizens Bancorp Investment has agreed to buy American Bancshares in a deal expected to close later this year.

Jay Hendricks, the company's chief operating officer, will succeed William Foster in August.

Several big bank mergers fell apart after the coronavirus hit. But Bryan Jordan, First Horizon's CEO, said the pandemic validated plans to cut costs and invest more in digital upgrades.

Jim Nussle, CEO of the Credit Union National Association, recently argued that Congress should do away entirely with FOM requirements. Such a move would further favor credit unions over banks.

Backers say a bill to limit asset growth instead of restricting brokered funds addresses concerns about expanding balance sheets at troubled banks. But skeptics worry it would open the door to greater risk.