Indiana

The Bedford, Ind.-based credit union distributed a $2.7 million dividend to members in recognition of a year that saw loan growth exceed 9%.

Gene Novello will take over at the Crown Point, Ind.-based institution when Mike Hussey retires later this year.

Bill Schirmer, president and CEO of Evansville Teachers FCU, will serve a three-year term on a panel for the Federal Reserve Board of St. Louis.

The Indiana company will pay $68 million for Citizens First.

The division of the Indiana Credit Union League, along with CUs and other industry organizations, has made a number of new hires and promotions.

The Indiana-based institution's distribution for 2018 was up more than 60 percent from the previous year.

Bob Jones will retire in early May. He will be succeeded by Jim Ryan, the Indiana company's chief financial officer.

The $128 million acquisition will provide First Financial with its first branches in Kentucky and Tennessee.

The Indiana-based institution has increased its starting pay for the last three years.

Bankers complain that the quasi-governmental system's new program designed to make more residential loans in four states goes well beyond its original mission.