Americas

National Penn Bancshares (NPBC) in Allentown, Pa., dropped out of the auction Tuesday afternoon after U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge David Rice agreed to reopen bidding for First Mariner.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. — CO-OP Financial Services has entered into an agreement with Visa to make the Visa EMV common debit solution available to its credit union clients.

Poage Bankshares (PBSK) in Ashland, Ky., and an activist investor have sent competing letters to shareholders ahead of next month's annual meeting.

Westamerica Bancorp. (WABC) in San Rafael, Calif., reported a dip in profits because of fewer customer transactions and a decline in loan revenue.

New Jersey Community Bank in Freehold (NJCB) has revised its fourth-quarter and annual results for 2013 to reflect a non-recurring $2 million litigation charge.

Bank of the Ozarks (OZRK) in Little Rock, Ark., said that its first-quarter earnings climbed 26% from the same period last year, to $25.3 million, thanks largely to strong loan growth and an accounting gain stemming from its March acquisition of Texas of Bancshares.

Washington Federal (WAFD) in Seattle reported higher quarterly profit because of an improved deposit mix, increased fee income and loan growth.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Federal Credit Unions is lobbying President Obama to consider a credit union representative for a seat on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.

Live Oak Bancshares is planning an initial public offering that could yield as much as $86 million for the Wilmington, N.C., company and its shareholders.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Virtual currencies such as Bitcoin are largely viewed skeptically by credit unions as a potential threat, but at least one person sees some opportunities for revenue.