Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. — Credit union lending continues to improve, with loan portfolios rising by 1.2% in May, the biggest monthly increase in nine years, according to CUNA's monthly sample of CUs.

Associated Banc-Corp (ASBC) has acquired $100 million in credit card receivables tied to the Green Bay, Wis., company's customers.

MADISON, Wis. — After 37 years with CUNA Mutual Group, Chief Economist Dave Colby is retiring.

Struggling North Milwaukee Bancshares is asking its home city for a cash infusion, but the city has so far been reluctant to make a commitment.

BROOKFIELD, Wis. — Despite the slow adoption of point-of-sale mobile payments in the U.S., credit unions should begin preparing today for when the payments method takes off.

MADISON, Wis. — Credit unions can expect reasonably good lending conditions as the financial crisis gets a little further in the rear-view mirror during the second half of this year, but they will continue to be challenged by regulatory pressure.

MADISON, Wis. — Millennials are struggling with debt, monthly payments and understanding financial offerings, according to a new study from the Filene Research Institute.

Niche banks face a challenge when they consider acquisitions: they want to grow without undermining their specialized business models. First Business in Madison, Wis., worked around the problem by searching far and wide till it found a very similar bank in Kansas that wanted to sell.

First Business Financial Services (FBIZ) of Madison, Wis., said Friday that it is acquiring the parent company of Alterra Bank in Leawood, Kan., for roughly $30.1 million in cash and stock.

FORT ATKINSON, Wis. — If waiting is the hardest part, why not do away with the wait?

FITCHBURG, Wis. — Summit CU remodeled its branch here in early 2013 as part of a move to "inspire" members to dream more, and the project appears to have paid off.

Westbury Bancorp (WBB) in West Bend, Wis., intends to repurchase up to 250,000 of its issued and outstanding shares, or roughly 4.9% of its stock.

OSHKOSH, Wis. — Two employees of Oshkosh Central CU have been suspended following an investigation by the state's credit union regulator that has uncovered serious financial irregularities at the $28 million credit union.

Many mutuals feel pressure to sell or switch charters. But there's another option.

The Chicago-area company has shown a willingness to pursue small branch deals and expand in nearby Wisconsin as it looks for liquidity and lending opportunities.

The lessons that elementary school students learn about saving can have a lasting effect, according to a new study supported by the Treasury Department.

Wintrust Financial (WTFC) in Rosemont, Ill., has agreed to buy 11 branches in Wisconsin from Talmer Bancorp (TLMR) in Troy, Mich.

ANTIGO, Wis. — The "mobile-only" consumer, those conducting all of their remote banking activity via a tablet or smartphone, are growing in number — quickly becoming a group that industry insiders and analysts say credit unions must cater to and support.

AnchorBank in Madison, Wis., has been released from two enforcement actions from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

OSHKOSH, Wis. — A trio of Wisconsin credit unions have decided to merge — a rare event in itself, made all the more unusual in that none of the three are struggling.