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With more than 1,300 U.S. branches and a Canadian parent company, TD Bank hardly qualifies as a community bank. But the institution is trying to underscore its local-bank bona fides with marketing campaigns touting its support of neighborhood causes.

A growing number of banks employ chief marketing officers who manage multimillion-dollar budgets and are involved in high-level corporate decision-making. The pressure's on to come up with creative ways to differentiate their brands and connect with customers.

Aside from shoestring budgets, the biggest problem for many community banks is that their marketing programs have gone stale, experts say. For too many, marketing remains bounded by three time-worn pillars: advertising, direct mail and public relations.

While the heated war or words between NCUA Board Chairman Debbie Matz and Board Member Mark McWatters is hardly the first time the agency has seen such a clash of philosophies—and personalities—credit unions would be wise to keep an eye on this one.

Sen. Shelby’s financial reform legislation is missing some key ingredients sought by credit unions, but sometimes half a loaf is better than no bread at all when it comes to political maneuvering.

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The Federal Reserve Board on Friday announced the appointment of a senior official at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago to lead the central bank’s efforts to improve the national payments system.

The Federal Reserve Board on Friday announced the appointment of a senior official at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago to lead the central bank’s efforts to improve the national payments system.