Pentagon Federal Credit Union has agreed to become the first credit union to issue American Express cards to its members.

VERNON HILLS, Ill. — Branch-related expenses are under scrutiny at Baxter Credit Union, but in the process it keeps its eye on something else: member service and satisfaction.

SUITLAND, Md. – Andrews FCU said it has opened a new branch located in nearby Mt. Laurel, N.J.

ALAMAGORDO, N.M. – Otero FCU is planning to build new offices, a two-story building that will provide the $210 million credit union with 22,000 square-feet of space.

Two failures in Florida, including the collapse of Naples-based Orion Bank, and another in California late Friday brought the year's total to 123.

In a move that should help stressed banks avoid public relations fiascoes, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. has toned down the harsh wording of orders it issues to such institutions.

Sun National Bank's wealth management business is off to a slow start thanks to the recession, but executives at the Vineland, N.J., bank say they remain committed to the business.

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. – Fast-growing Members 1st FCU said it plans to build two more branches, making a total of 40 outlets for the $1.7 billion credit union.

Harrington West Financial Group Inc. is courting potential investors as the next step in recapitalizing itself, Craig J. Cerny, its chairman and chief executive officer, said in an interview Thursday.

John Kanas is remaking BankUnited in the image of the last company he ran, starting with a bold campaign to recruit bankers from rivals across Florida.

Properly structured financial education programs can and do help people make wise decisions about their personal finances. These six components are key.

Another round of writedowns on pooled trust-preferred securities has left Rainier Pacific Financial Group Inc. and its bank unit significantly undercapitalized.

FirstMerit Corp. in Akron said Wednesday that it has agreed to buy about $1.2 billion of deposits and 24 Chicago-area branches from First Bank of St. Louis.

SEATTLE – BECU said it is opening a new branch in the community of Lower Queen Anne in a site formerly hosting a Taco Del Mar fast-food shop.

SOUTHWEST

Selling its Kansas branches helped Harrington West Financial Group Inc. hit a capital deadline this month. But the Solvang, Calif., company is far from mended.

The significantly undercapitalized Amcore Financial Inc. is warning that its bank might fail if it cannot come up with an acceptable capital plan within a few weeks.

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Because of accounting errors, VIST Financial Corp. in Wyomissing, Pa., is revising its results for the past four quarters.

Its investments in bank stocks prompted StellarOne Corp. in Charlottesville, Va., to widen its third-quarter loss by 16%, to $9.4 million, or 41 cents a share.