Americas

First Niagara Financial Group has cleared the final hurdle in its bid to buy NewAlliance BancShares Inc. in New Haven, Conn.

Navy Federal Credit Union's move to eliminate balance transfer fees for new credit card accounts may demonstrate that the credit card industry has recovered sufficiently from economic and regulatory setbacks to return to more aggressive marketing.

Four banks based in the state have agreed to sell since December, when Hancock Holding of Gulfport, Miss., said it would buy Whitney, a New Orleans stalwart.

Empower Federal Credit Union of Syracuse, N.Y., is using a secure document signing technology from Integrated Media Management.

West Coast Bancorp in Lake Oswego, Ore., said Tuesday that it has hired a former Umpqua Holdings Corp. executive as its corporate compliance manager.

BankAtlantic Bancorp Inc. in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., said in its annual report that mounting legal problems could have an adverse effect on its financial results.

Superior Bancorp in Birmingham, Ala., said it must continue to delay filing its 2010 report with the Securities and Exchange Commission until it addresses issues with certain appraisals.

BCB Bancorp Inc. in Bayonne, N.J., said Tuesday that it has agreed to acquire Allegiance Community Bank in South Orange, N.J.

For thrifts that have long harbored ambitions of converting to commercial banks, an upcoming regulatory merger is forcing hard decisions.

First Niagara Financial Group Inc. in Buffalo, N.Y., has hired a former Wells Fargo & Co. executive to oversee its New England expansion.