Americas

When Mike Mercer spearheaded a special outreach campaign in Georgia, the name of that project sums up what he, and the credit union movement, have always sought to do: "Helping People Afford Life."

Farmers Capital Bank in Versailles, Ky., has been freed from a regulatory order.

The trade group's leader touted progress in areas such as qualified mortgages and flood insurance, but he also encouraged members to keep speaking out against overzealous supervision.

HomeTrust Bancshares created a special call center and encouraged tellers to invite ATM customers inside the branches to answer questions and to differentiate the company from Bank of America in terms of fees.

The $691 million-asset Howard will pay $10.1 million, or $5.09 a share, in cash and stock for the $226 million-asset Patapsco.

The California company has poached lenders from larger rivals, while expanding into specialty finance lines. Those moves have positioned Opus for a growth spurt that should outpace organic growth at most other community banks.

MUSKEGO, Wis. — Jim Schrimpf has retired from his position on the board of directors at Corporate Central CU here, with Jay Magulski set to take his place on the corporate CU's board.

BETHALTO, Ill. — The final bell has rung for School District #9 Credit Union in Granite City, Ill., as it was officially merged into $585 million 1st MidAmerica Credit Union, here.

Sterling Bancorp in Montebello, N.Y., has acquired payroll funding firm Damian Services Corp.

WSFS Financial in Wilmington, Del., has agreed to buy Alliance Bancorp Inc. of Pennsylvania in Broomall.