Hancock Holding in Gulfport, Miss., has begun a $150 million common stock offering, just after reporting that its third-quarter earnings slipped 4.9% from the year earlier, but rose 10.7% from the second quarter, to $15.2 million.

In reporting third-quarter earnings of $6.9 million, Hudson Valley Holding in Yonkers, N.Y., said a $90 million common stock offering it has in the works was prompted partly by regulators.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Navy FCU plans to open a new branch here today to serve personnel at nearby Fort Belvoir.

This week's special report on facilities delves into a variety of branch management strategies aimed at helping credit unions cut costs while maintaining strong service levels. It also includes a look at how social networking can impact your branches.

If at first you don't succeed, go hostile? That's Porter Bancorp Inc.'s strategy as the $1.7 billion-asset company pursues the $339 million-asset Citizens First Corp. in Bowling Green, Ky.

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Regulators have strengthened an order against Second Federal Savings and Loan in Chicago, directing the $251 million-asset thrift to hold more capital than usually expected of institutions.

People's United Financial in Bridgeport, Conn., is close to making an acquisition, Philip Sherringham, its president and CEO, said on an earnings conference call Friday.

SPOKANE, Wash. — Numerica Credit Union here believes it has hit upon the right balance in managing and eve cutting facilities-related expenses and still delivering service that drives growth.

MADISON, Wis. — A physical branch would seem to be the antithesis of social networking applications, yet one new analysis suggests the two can actually go hand in hand.

SEATTLE — Paul Seibert said there are many rational ways to cut costs, but stresses the importance of looking at both the short- and long-term effects. Among his suggestions:

SEATTLE — The credit union grip squeezing more efficiencies out of branches could get even tighter as a new threat to income looms.

Just three months after saying its problems had begun to level off, Sterling Financial Corp. in Spokane, Wash., unexpectedly ousted its longtime leader and was ordered by regulators to boost capital levels.

WASHINGTON — Community banks would be exempt from enforcement by a new consumer financial protection agency under an amendment approved Thursday by the House Financial Services Committee. Still, industry lobbyists continued to press the panel to weaken a separate provision that would force national banks to comply with state consumer laws.

WICHITA – Fast-growing Credit Union of America, the state’s second largest credit union, said it plans to open three new branches by the end of next year, including a student-run branch.

NEW ENGLAND

With chargeoffs spiking, Umpqua Holdings Corp. in Portland, Ore., lost $10.4 million in the third quarter, disappointing analysts who expected a profit and causing its stock to slip Thursday.

Most struggling bank companies are clamoring for someone, anyone willing to help, but Patriot National Bancorp Inc. is sizing up its suitors.

Third-quarter earnings at Commerce Bancshares Inc. in Kansas City, Mo., surprised analysts — in a good way.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama Telco CU has expanded its footprint by opening its first branch in Madison.