Fidelity Bank, a mutual in Fitchburg, Mass., that's merging with another mutual, has named Christopher McCarthy chief operating officer.

Studies are showing that companies predominantly led by women perform better than those led by men; worldwide trends are showing a continuing uptick in the number of women on boards, but they still account for less than 20% of directors.

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.

Merchants Bank of Bangor in Pennsylvania has tapped its chief operating officer, Tracey Smith, to become chief executive next year.

The Bank of New Mexico said that its chairman and chief executive will switch roles at the beginning of next year.

Codorus Valley Bancorp in York, Pa., has Brian Brunner to the board of its PeoplesBank. Brunner is the division president of account and item processing sales within Fiserv's global sales organization.

Interest rates are still at zero, and banks will still be OK — though they may have to do a little scrambling. That could mean a shift away from short-term, rate-sensitive assets, or yet another round of cost-cutting.

House lawmakers from both parties had tough words Thursday for the National Credit Union Administration about its revised risk-based capital proposal.

Activity at credit unions has been on the rise since the Bank Transfer Day movement in November 2011. It remains to be seen, however, if credit unions can succeed at keeping many of those relationships.

Prudential Bancorp in Philadelphia has named Anthony Migliorino to the newly created job of chief operating officer.

Fundera, which runs a website where small-business owners can shop for loans, has raised $11.5 million in new equity funding.

BankUnited in Miami Lakes, Fla., will book a $50 million income-tax benefit in the third quarter.

The $3.4 billion-asset company plans to use the proceeds for general corporate purposes, possible acquisitions and capital investments in Bridgehampton National Bank.

The $2 billion-asset company said in a press release Wednesday that Douglas Glenn resigned as president and chief executive. Glenn, who was 48 as of the company's April 27 proxy, also resigned as a director. He had been the chief executive since August 2011.

It remains unclear if a new platform from the Chicago Board Options Exchange will provide enough incentives and safeguards to prompt community banks to switch from using the existing federal funds system.

When people talk about the issues that now imperil community banks, they focus on things like low net interest margins and excessive regulations. But it's a dearth of young talent that could wind up dooming small banks.

Iberiabank in Lafayette, La., plans to close eight branches in Louisiana, Alabama and Florida.

Simmons First National in Pine Bluff, Ark., has agreed to an early termination of its federal loss-share agreements for its acquisition of four failed banks.

A small Internet-focused bank plans to offer Prosper Marketplace's personal loans directly to its own customers through the bank's website. Prosper could use it as a template for deals with other banks.

Peoples Community Bank in Greenville, Mo., has agreed to buy Cabool State Bank, also in Missouri.