Americas

LAS VEGAS — While nine hopefuls entered, five credit unions with innovative, forward-looking technology solutions were recognized with awards here during the 2014 CUNA Technology Council and Operations, Sales and Service Council Conference earlier this week.

First Connecticut Bancorp in Farmington is expanding into Massachusetts.

NewBridge Bancorp in Greensboro, N.C., has created three commercial banking groups.

Hawaii National Bancshares in Honolulu is planning to buy out the holdings of its minority shareholders.

WASHINGTON — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has agreed to ramp up its security policies on data collection in response to a recent Government Accountability Office report that raised nearly a dozen recommendations on the topic.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) reached a deal with prepaid-card firm Green Dot Corp. (GDOT) to offer checking accounts to the retailer's customers, building on an expansion into financial services that U.S. banks have sought to block.

A pair of banking companies announced plans to consolidate their community bank brands.

Sunflower Financial in Salina, Kan., is poised to strengthen its presence in Denver.

BBCN Bancorp in Los Angeles has signed a memorandum of understanding with the city of Seoul aimed at expanding the bank's business in South Korea.

The Circuit Court for Baltimore City has dismissed a class-action lawsuit brought against FedFirst Financial in Monessen, Pa., related to its agreement to sell.