Banking

Union Federal Savings & Loan Association and First Federal Savings & Loan Association, two mutuals in Kewanee, Ill., have agreed to merge.

American Banker readers share their views on the most pressing banking topics of the week. Comments are excerpted from reader response sections of AmericanBanker.com articles and from our social media platforms.

In recent online focus groups, Federal Reserve researchers presented 44 small-business owners with basic information about a loan and asked them to estimate the interest rate. The business owners' responses were telling.

First NBC Bank Holding in New Orleans has agreed to raise its purchase price for State Investors Bancorp and has delayed the targeted completion date.

The 50 banks that earned a spot on our third annual ranking of the Best Banks to Work For take their fun seriously. Check out which banks made the list and take away some great ideas for creating a happier workplace of your own.

Premier Financial Bancorp in Huntington, W.Va., has received a $12 million loan from First Guaranty Bancshares in Hammond, La.

PayPal is increasing prices for thousands of small businesses as the company looks to maintain revenue growth and boost profit margins as a stand- alone business separate from EBay

Walter Investment Management has received approval from Freddie Mac to hold the mortgage servicing rights on $3.3 billion in residential mortgage loans.

Western Nebraska Bank in Curtis will buy a branch in Paxton, Neb., from Pony Express Community Bank.

The heavy costs of fixing broken trades and the need to become more efficient as trade settlement times shorten are driving Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase and Morgan Stanley to invest in a reference-data utility.

A look at where credit union branches are being closed faster than they're being opened.

First Financial Northwest is moving past its thrift roots three years after a proxy battle ousted its chief executive. Other banks in the same position are still trying to get back on track.

OceanFirst Financial in Toms River, N.J., has agreed to buy a branch office in its hometown from Provident Financial Services.

Ally Financial surpassed Wells Fargo during the second quarter to regain its perch as the nation's largest auto lender, according to Experian Automotive.

RCB Investimentos, a master servicing platform for non-performing loans in Brazil, has announced a partnership with Norfolk, Va.-based debt-buying giant PRA Group.

Companies miss the mark when they try to woo top talent with tantalizing perks rather than a meaningful workplace culture.

First Financial Bancorp. in Cincinnati has issued $120 million in subordinated debt and plans to use the proceeds for potential stock repurchases and to support growth.

Fidelity Investments is considering dropping American Express and Bank of America to find new partners and better terms for one of the top-rated cash-back credit cards in the U.S., according to people with knowledge of the matter.

The contradictory nature of data privacy and anti-money-laundering rules in the U.S. and E.U. pose a big challenge for multinational banks. But the financial sector can help fix the problem by establishing industry standards that balance national security with individual rights.

Fidelity Investments is considering dropping American Express and Bank of America to find new partners and better terms for one of the top-rated cash-back credit cards in the U.S., according to people with knowledge of the matter.