Wisconsin

The Fed approved an application giving Natcom Bancshares indirect control over Republic Bank, declining to take into account claims the transaction imperils the target's S corporation status.

Credit union-backed legislation sailed through the state legislature and was signed into law earlier this week.

Jim Popp, formerly of JPMorgan Chase, will become CEO of Johnson Financial Group in Racine at yearend. He will succeed the retiring Jim Bolger.

The cash acquisition allows First American to expand its operations in Kenosha, Wis.

Associated's agreement to buy Whitnell & Co. comes just weeks after the company lined up its first bank deal since the financial crisis.

The Wisconsin company plans to shutter half of Bank Mutual's branches, including seven in Milwaukee.

Bank Mutual was still in talks to buy a bank roughly its own size when it began exploring a sale. The move allowed Bank Mutual to quickly find a buyer after its planned acquisition fell through.

The Madison, Wis.-based credit union's new base pay level will be more than double the state minimum, and is the final step in a phased increase to the CU's "foundation wage" that began last year.

Employee benefits initiative is offered by Corporate Central CU.

Wisconsin-based CU will acquire five Bank Mutual branches in three cities on August 25.