Americas

WASHINGTON — Payment operators should prioritize consumer protection as bad actors access networks like the automated clearing house and the industry tries to increase transaction speeds, a key regulator said Thursday.

Citizens Financial Group in Providence, R.I., has expanded its student loan-refinancing program to include more options for shorter loan terms.

Fraternity Community Bancorp in Baltimore has agreed to add a director recommended by activist investor Joseph Stilwell.

Federal Reserve Board Gov. Daniel Tarullo said the agency wants to enforce its liquidity rules in such a way as to ensure that accumulated capital can be deployed in times of economic stress.

Hudson Valley Holding in Yonkers, N.Y., has agreed to sell A.R. Schmeidler & Co., an investment adviser unit, to Pine Street Asset Management.

Car loan delinquencies have risen significantly from the same time last year, a new report by Experian Automotive, an Irish market intelligence firm with U.S. headquarters in Costa Mesa, Calif.

Pacific Continental in Eugene, Ore., has agreed to buy Capital Pacific Bancorp in Portland, Ore.

Crazy Woman Creek Bancorp in Buffalo, Wyo., has exited the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

First Savings Bank of Perkasie in Perkasie, Pa., has agreed to merge with First Federal of Bucks County in Bristol, Pa.

First National Corp. in Strasburg, Va., has agreed to buy six branches in Virginia from Bank of America.