Americas

PLYMOUTH, Minn. — Instead of simply counting Facebook likes, followers, fans and friends, TruStone Financial Federal Credit Union here has turned this social media platform into an auto loan profit center.

POTTSTOWN, Pa. — As a community-chartered credit union, one of Diamond Credit Union's growth strategies is expanding its branch network.

ARLINGTON, Va. — Faced with system inefficiencies with its maintenance, administration, vendor management and contract management segments, the Partnership Federal Credit Union developed a business technology unit that has saved hundreds of thousands of dollars.

MidWestOne Financial Group in Iowa City has agreed to buy Central Bancshares in Golden Valley, Minn.

MUFG Union Bank will close 20 branches of the former Frontier Bank in Washington state.

BUFFALO — Many credit unions here remain closed after a massive winter storm dumped several feet of snow on the city in a matter of days.

The acquisition of CapitalSource has pushed PacWest's capital from full to overflowing. With diminished interest in M&A, the Los Angeles company recently doubled its dividend, while analysts expect management to award a special payout in the future.

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.