Pennsylvania

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — The death of Jim Payne, head of Wilkes-Barre City Employees FCU, has been ruled a suicide and the federal investigation surrounding the CU has heated up.

Third Federal Savings and Loan in Cleveland is planning to expand its residential lending into several additional states.

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — Jim Payne, head of Wilkes-Barre City Employees FCU, was found dead at his home Monday from a gunshot wound.

Royal Bancshares of Pennsylvania (RBPAA) in Narbeth has agreed to sell nearly $14 million in stock through private placements.

PHILADELPHIA — Reloadable prepaid is becoming a popular alternative to checking accounts for a growing number of Americans, and more credit unions than banks are offering the product, according to separate studies from the Pew Charitable Trusts and Moebs Services.

Jay Sidhu's Pennsylvania company is building a separately branded bank that, like Simple, will target a demographic that feels no particular affinity toward traditional banks.

S&T Bank (STBA) has opened a new branch in State College, Pa., and hired two local community bankers to expand its presence in the region.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency shuttered the $130 million-asset Millennium Bank in Sterling, Va., while Pennsylvania state regulators closed the $63 million-asset Vantage Bank in Horsham, Pa.

An unsolicited offer from an unnamed institution prompted Team Capital Bank in Bethlehem, Pa., to explore selling itself.

An investment firm in North Carolina has raised its stake in Republic First Bancorp (FRBK) in Philadelphia.

Peoples Financial Services in Scranton, Pa., reported a fourth-quarter loss tied to its merger with Penseco Financial Services. The $1.7 billion-asset company lost $2.8 million in the quarter, compared to Penseco's $2.7 million in profit a year earlier.

Beneficial Mutual Bancorp (BNCL) reported lower net income that still managed to meet Wall Street expectations.

National Penn Bancshares (NPBC) in Boyertown, Pa., has bought back about $75.4 million of shares from the private-equity firm Warburg Pincus.

National Penn Bancshares (NPBC) in Boyertown, Pa., will close nine branches as it looks to cut costs.

Fulton Financial (FULT) in Lancaster, Pa., has added its name to the growing list of banks closing branches to cut costs.

PNC Financial Services Group Inc. (PNC) posted fourth-quarter profit that beat analysts' estimates as the lender set aside less money for soured loans.

Malvern Bancorp (MLVF) in suburban Philadelphia announced Wednesday the resignation of president and chief executive Ronald Anderson.

Tompkins Financial (TMP) in Ithaca, N.Y., has promoted Scott Gruber to chief executive of its subsidiary VIST Bank in Wyomissing, Pa. He succeeded Robert Davis, who retired as chief executive on Dec. 31.

Susquehanna Bancshares (SUSQ) in Lititz, Pa., has hired Kevin Burns as chief risk officer and executive vice president.

Kevin Miller resigned on Friday, effective immediately, the $839 million-asset company said in a regulatory filing.