The chair of the Federal Reserve said the backlash over the personal financial transactions of two Fed bank presidents — made when they were privy to discussions about the central bank’s coronavirus response — demonstrated that internal guidelines can be bolstered to avoid the appearance of conflicts.

The institution, which dates to the mid-1800s, helped fuel the state’s growth during the 19th and 20th centuries. Its charter will cease to exist when it's sold to U.S. Bancorp.

Shelly Brown, who was most recently the credit union’s senior vice president of operations, was tapped to lead the institution.

Its deal for the unaffiliated but similarly mission-focused Amalgamated Bank of Chicago would create a $7.6 billion-asset institution serving unions, nonprofits and organizations that support environmental sustainability and social enterprises.

The Dallas-based bank holding company said it would pay $62.5 million in cash to buy the privately held North Avenue Capital, the top lender in the USDA's Business & Industry program.

The $12.3 billion-asset Boston bank set an ambitious three-year target for mortgages and small-business loans in low-income areas. It's a major part of a $5 billion commitment to financial inclusion and clean energy.