RICHMOND, Va. – Connects FCU has acquired a former BB&T branch, which will serve as the $72-million credit union’s third branch.

MARYSVILLE, Wash. – Alaska USA FCU has opened a new branch in the Haggen supermarket here, its 24th branch in Washington.

FHFA Acting Director Edward DeMarco said that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would merge some of their existing operations in order to build a new securitization platform.

Fannie Mae (FNMA) and Freddie Mac will create a common platform for issuing mortgage-backed securities as they wind down operations and plan for a future in which the two companies no longer exist, their regulator said today.

The chief financial officer of Hampton Roads Bancshares (HMPR) in Virginia Beach, Va., is leaving for a job in commercial real estate finance.

What will the next big legislation look like? We asked academics, analysts and former top regulators to weigh in.

The $972 million-asset parent of Panhandle State Bank said Monday that Ford Elsaesser is expected to assume the post on April 24 following the annual meeting of shareholders.

Pacific Premier (PPBI) in Irvine, Calif., has named new chief lending and operating officers among several executive moves.

Community & Southern Bank in Atlanta has hired its new president away from a larger Alabama lender.

New York Community Bancorp, a $44.6 billion-asset company, said Monday it has named Lawrence Savarese a director.

International Bancshares (IBOC) in Laredo, Texas, is declaring a dividend and buying back shares.

Large bank holding companies have positioned themselves aggressively for a rise in interest rates, based on levels of short-term assets and liabilities. Smaller holding companies have not.

Members of HarborOne CU are mailing in their votes to determine whether the second largest credit union in Massachusetts will convert to a mutual savings bank.

The $443 million-asset company said Monday it has named Jennifer Bott, William McConnell Jr., and Michael Wells directors. The appointments expanded Ameriana's board to 10 members.

Tampa-based Gries Investment Funds has moved a step closer to completing its first bank acquisition.

A federal appeals court has reinstated a class-action lawsuit that charges a defunct subprime lender and several banks with misleading investors in the run-up to the financial crisis.

1st Capital Bank (FISB) in Monterey, Calif., has erased the "interim" from its chief executive's title.

Traditional lenders argue that state bans are merely driving consumers to Internet-based lenders that are largely unregulated and don't pay U.S. taxes.

A BusinessWeek cover sparked controversy recently because many saw it as racist. But it also stirred concerns because it reinforced a persistent myth about the financial crisis: that it was caused by predatory borrowers, not lenders.

The best way to meet the needs of consumers and communities is to once again have the private sector play the lead role in the housing market, led by responsible local lenders.