Americas

Wells Financial in Wells, Minn., has agreed to buy St. James Federal Savings and Loan Association in St. James, Minn.

BNC Bancorp in High Point, N.C., has agreed to buy Valley Financial in Roanoke, Va.

ARLINGTON, Va. — A number of credit union and bank executives have been ignoring the National Institute of Standards and Technology's Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cyber Security, waiting for the federal government to issue more definitive guidance.

WASHINGTON — Sen. Elizabeth Warren's new spot on the Democratic leadership team has supporters cheering, but it remains to be seen how the role will impact her work on financial services issues.

John Hairston will stay in the newly combined role, while Carl Chaney plans to retire on Dec. 31. Hancock has been pressed by Wall Street in recent years to get more aggressive cutting costs after buying Whitney Bank.

PURCHASE, N.Y. — A total revamp of Quorum FCU's website has resulted in an average of 750 new users each month and three design awards from leading media and marketing associations.

Royal Financial in Chicago has agreed to buy PNA Bank in Chicago.

WASHINGTON — Credit unions as a whole — yes, even small CUs — experienced significant success in the third quarter, according to analysis by Callahan & Associates that found increases in key areas including loans and membership.

MADISON, Wis. — In an effort to make members' virtual banking easier, UW Credit Union here built an in-house, one-size-fits-all web solution for all operating devices — from PC to smartphones.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas said President Richard Fisher will step down on March 19, making him the second district chief and voting policymaker this year to announce his retirement from the central bank.