Washington

Sound Community Bank in Seattle has acquired three branches on the Olympic Peninsula from Columbia Bank in Tacoma, Wash.

WASHINGTON — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has chosen a dozen firms involved in the mortgage industry — including two credit unions — for a pilot program looking at whether electronic fillings can improve the mortgage closing process.

WASHINGTON — A group of retail trade associations and large retailers wants the Supreme Court to review the Federal Reserve Board's cap on debit card swipe fees that merchants say is higher than the fee limit envisioned in the Dodd-Frank Act.

WASHINGTON — CUNA paid former President and CEO Bill Cheney more than $1.3 million in total compensation in 2013, according to IRS form 990 released by the trade association.

WASHINGTON — Capitol Hill's interest in the risk-based capital rule — possibly reaching record levels for NCUA's proposed rulemaking — may lead to greater change to the final rule than what the agency has said is coming, according to several Capitol Hill observers.

WASHINGTON — Although a new Federal Reserve Board study shows that many Americans have recovered from the "Great Recession," a significant number of consumers are still struggling.

Banner Corp. in Walla Walla, Wash., has agreed to buy Siuslaw Financial Group in Florence, Ore.

WASHINGTON — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau named ten banks and credit unions on Wednesday that it claimed were not being transparent about their agreements with large universities to market financial products to students.

If finalized and then approved by regulators, the combination of the Des Moines and Seattle Home Loan banks would be the first voluntary merger in the system’s history.

WASHINGTON — CUNA and NAFCU are watching the House Financial Services Committee closely today, hoping the panel votes not only to provide regulatory relief for credit unions, but also approves a legislative amendment that could delay implementation of NCUA's risk-based capital rule.

U.S. Bancorp automated teller machines are now accepting donations to help the American Red Cross with its disaster relief efforts in Washington and Oregon.

OLYMPIA, Wash. — William Paulen has been named president and CEO of Generations Credit Union here.

WASHINGTON — Small credit unions that deploy a full suite of technology offerings — including remote deposit capture, mobile and online banking — stand a better chance at sustainable growth than those that do not.

Banner in Walla Walla, Wash., reported a big increase in second-quarter earnings thanks to its recent branch acquisitions in Oregon.

Columbia Banking System in Tacoma, Wash., has agreed to buy Intermountain Community Bancorp in Sandpoint, Idaho. The $7.2 billion-asset Columbia will pay $121.5 million, or $18.22 a share, in cash and stock for the $911 million-asset Intermountain.

HomeStreet in Seattle has added more banking experience to its board. The $3 billion-asset company recruited Timothy Chrisman, a former chairman of the Banc of California, to serve as a director.

WASHINGTON — Top lawmakers on the House Financial Services Committee debated the value of the Dodd-Frank Act in dueling reports on Monday, commemorating the financial reform law's fourth anniversary.

WASHINGTON — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said Monday that it is accepting consumer complaints on prepaid cards and other non-bank products such as credit repair services and pawnshop loans.

When it comes to improving credit union board diversity, performing a self-assessment is one of the best practices to consider, according to Jim This, president and co-founder of the Paragon Group, an Olympia, Wash.-based CUSO owned by $894 million TwinStar Credit Union that offers board effectiveness evaluations.

The House of Representatives gave a thumbs-up Wednesday to allowing the marijuana industry into the banking system.