Americas

WASHINGTON — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is planning to eliminate its current employee performance management system after data showed minorities were rated lower than white employees.

Bank lending to small businesses reached post-recession record highs in February, according to the latest Biz2Credit Small Business Lending Index.

FBC Mortgage, a unit of the investment bank Sterne Agee Group, is seeking loan referral partnerships with community banks. In a recent deal it also hired HomeBanc's mortgage personnel.

Cardinal Financial (CFNL) in Tysons Corner, Va., has merged its two banks.

Berkshire Hills Bancorp (BHLB) in Pittsfield, Mass., has terminated all of its interest rate swaps associated with Federal Home Loan Bank advances through the end of last year.

WASHINGTON — Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Johnson and Sen. Mike Crapo, the panel's top Republican, laid out a preliminary bipartisan agreement Tuesday on housing finance reform after months of deliberation.

Ameris Bancorp (ABCB) in Moultrie, Ga., has agreed to buy Coastal Bankshares in Savannah, Ga.

Chemical Financial (CHFC) in Midland, Mich., has agreed to buy Northwest Bancorp in Traverse City, Mich.

PHILADELPHIA — Reloadable prepaid is becoming a popular alternative to checking accounts for a growing number of Americans, and more credit unions than banks are offering the product, according to separate studies from the Pew Charitable Trusts and Moebs Services.

Comerica Bank (CMA) is planning to expand its existing middle-market commercial banking operations at its Dallas headquarters.