Minnesota

U.S. Bank in Minneapolis has named Gareth Gaston to the newly created position of executive vice president of virtual banking.

The $1.6 billion-asset KleinBank said it expects to buy the $207 million-asset Prior Lake by the end of this year. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Bill Cooper could step down as the Minnesota company's chief executive sometime next year, and two insiders appear to be the early favorites to replace him.

The Federal Reserve Board has terminated a written agreement with Remer Bancorp. in Minnesota.

Banks are experimenting with smartphone-driven shopping technology that provides faster and arguably more secure digital checkouts, mobile apps integrated with shopping catalogs, in-store marketing combined with location tech efforts and digital financial advice.

The Federal Reserve Board has lifted enforcement actions against four financial companies.

Wells Fargo (WFC), the nation's largest mortgage lender, plans to eliminate 700 more jobs as fewer borrowers are looking to refinance their mortgage loans.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce on Friday appointed the National Credit Union Administration as receiver of $51 million St. Francis Campus Credit Union of Little Falls, Minn.

Home Federal Savings Bank in Rochester, Minn., has been freed from a supervisory agreement with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

TCF Financial (TCB) in Wayzata, Minn., was buoyed by improved credit quality in the fourth quarter.

The $18.4 billion-asset company said in a regulatory filing Wednesday that it will shutter 37 branches inside Chicago-area Jewel-Osco stores and a branch in downtown Minneapolis.

Waterstone Financial (WSBF) in Wauwatosa, Wis., has opened its first branch outside its home state.

The Federal Reserve Board has announced the termination of regulatory orders with four lenders Thursday: FNB United (now named CommunityOne Bancorp), Highland Bancshares, National Consumer Cooperative Bank and NCB Financial.

Bank buyers should run potential deals by regulators early to avoid "landmines" and speed applications, officials from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency say. Proper due diligence, succession planning and risk management are among the things they look for.

The American Bankers Association has formed a group to lobby on behalf of rural lenders.

The Federal Reserve Board has terminated enforcement actions with Marquette Financial in Minneapolis and Bank of Virginia in Midlothian.

The Federal Reserve Board has taken action against ABCT Holdings in Waco, Tex. and terminated regulatory orders with two Minnesota lenders.

TCF Financial Corp. (NYSE: TCB) in Wayzata, Minn., has hired a PNC Financial Services Group (PNC) executive to be its chief risk officer.

Eastwood plans to acquire the Austin, Minn., branches of QCR's Community National Bank along with $30.8 million in loans and $36.8 million in deposits, the companies announced Monday.

The Treasury Department plans to sell its stake in eight more institutions as it seeks to continuing winding down the 5-year-old Troubled Asset Relief Program.