FirstFed Financial Corp.'s $244.8 million fourth-quarter loss shaved its capital so much that observers say it needs a cash infusion to keep regulators at bay.

NEW ENGLAND

NEW ORLEANS – LA DOTD said it’s latest in-school credit union project, which will ne known as Hornet’s Nest CU, opened yesterday in Scotlandville Magnet High School.

APPLE VALLEY, Minn. – Wings Financial FCU, the $2 billion airline industry credit union, announced the opening of its 19th branch in the suburb of Edina will occur next month.

There are two new government programs in the queue that aim to revive the frozen secondary market for loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration.

Though its credit quality weakened, Wainwright Bank and Trust Co. in Boston said Tuesday that its fourth-quarter earnings improved 5% from a year earlier, to $1.2 million.

The $2.7 billion-asset Home Savings and Loan Co. in Youngstown, Ohio — deemed by regulators a troubled institution in August — has succeeded in boosting capital as required by cease-and-desist orders.

Midwest Banc Holdings Inc., which just a few months ago said it was on the prowl to buy ailing banks, is now concentrating on staying in the black.

Northwest Bancorp Inc. in Warren, Pa., announced a deal to buy a small mutual thrift.

WASHINGTON — The massive stimulus package moving through Congress aims to unclog the market for Small Business Administration loans by providing financing to the broker-dealers that buy and securitize them.

A single line in the stimulus package the House passed last week could put the Federal Reserve Board on the road to becoming a systemic risk regulator.

The story of Flagstar Bancorp Inc. just keeps getting curiouser.

Nara Bancorp Inc. in Los Angeles said Friday that it swung to a $9.9 million loss in the fourth quarter as it aggressively recognized loan losses.

LAKELAND, Fla.-The construction of the state's first "net zero energy building" is more than just an environmental accomplishment - it's also the rallying point for a total re-branding effort on the part of one credit union.

CLEARWATER, Fla.-The desire to expand branch networks in the shadow of a recession may only accelerate the trend toward modular construction of CU branches.

RACINE, Wis.-When constructing a new branch in markets where winter is a factor, credit unions can save more than 10% on the project by opting for a prefabricated building shell.

RALEIGH, N.C.-Coastal FCU is rolling out its new Express Teller system at two of its branches in the Triangle region. The St. Albans Drive and Wakefield Commons locations will be able to use the new interface that gives tellers the ability to provide traditional services to multiple branches.

ST. LOUIS-Credit unions looking to take advantage of the relative weakness of the big banks by expanding their geographical footprint need to take a deep breath before making commitments, according to several experts.

SAFCU Opens Branch In Schertz

AUSTIN, Texas-A+ FCU is planning to site a new branch location that will serve Kyle and North Hays County. The new branch will be located in Kyle's Plum Creek Uptown District, which is part of a 2,200-acre mixed-use, master-planned community located 20 minutes south of Downtown Austin. Plans call for the 3,800 square-foot branch to open during or after 2010. In addition to its prime location in the Plum Creek development, the site is also near the Hays Consolidated Independent School District offices, Performing Arts Center and schools. The Plum Creek development is designed to integrate retail, mixed-use and office space into a walkable, pedestrian-friendly town center, which was part of the attraction for A+ FCU, the credit union said.