Illinois

PrivateBancorp in Chicago reported higher quarterly profit as strong loan growth offset lower yields.

Wintrust Financial in Rosemont, Ill., reported higher quarterly earnings on increased revenue, with fourth-quarter profit rose 8% from a year earlier, to $38.13 million.

Wintrust Financial in Chicago has formed a division to focus on the city's start-up community.

Nationwide the number of bank branches fell by about 1.7% last year. But some cities and states were hit harder than others, according to data from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and research firm BankRegData.

Old Second Bancorp in Aurora, Ill., will soon start redeeming shares it issued as part of the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

A federal bankruptcy court has approved the sale of PNA Bank in Chicago.

First Midwest Bancorp in Itasca, Ill., will restructure its commercial banking group after a key executive retires.

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — Scott CU returned $1.8 million to its members just in time for the holidays.

PEORIA, Ill. — Citizens Equity First Credit Union (CEFCU) said it will distribute a record $40 million extraordinary dividend to the credit union's members.

MOLINE, Ill. — Service Plus Credit Union, a $21-million asset credit union here, has chosen Sharetec System, a developer of credit union software, for its core system.

Centrue Financial in Ottawa, Ill., has sold $35.2 million in classified loans and other assets.

DECATUR, Ill. — Land of Lincoln CU has absorbed the former Sangamo Chapter CU and now offers products and services to all those who live or work in Sangamon County, Ill.

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — The Illinois CU League and ICUL Service Corporation (LSC) have announced a new alignment that they believe will help both organizations grow and innovate.

The American Bankers Association has added 12 banks to community banks indexed and listed with the Nasdaq stock exchange.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — NCUA has banned five former credit union employees from participating in the affairs of any federally insured financial institution.

Royal Financial in Chicago has agreed to buy PNA Bank in Chicago.

CHICAGO — Despite much interest in ApplePay and other emerging opportunities, credit unions still see auto loans as the growth area heading into 2015, according to a recent TransUnion survey.

Harvard Illinois Bancorp in Harvard, Ill., which recently disclosed that it had been exposed to a fraud scheme involving certain investments, has hired an investment bank to help it "evaluate strategic alternatives."

Bank of America and U.S. Bank are nearing a settlement agreement with a Chicago pension fund over charges that the banks failed to protect investors from losses during the financial crisis.

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — Scott CU here announced it has surpassed the $1 billion mark in assets.