Credit unions

The combination of VyStar and 121 Financial Credit Union — both based in Jacksonville, Florida — would have more than $14 billion of assets.

The volume of bank acquisitions — either by credit unions or community banks — has dropped considerably so far in 2023. Experts, including prospective buyers, cite a combination of ongoing regulatory and economic pressures.

Executives and financial strategists are considering derivatives as a hedge against rising interest rates.

The Gardner-based institution hired Mark Hettinger, who worked the past 19 years at First Alliance Credit Union, as its new chief executive.

The head of the Council of Federal Home Loan Banks argues that the special lien status of Home Loan bank advances, created by legislation in the 1980s, is largely irrelevant in today's marketplace.

As more potential buyers began inquiring about the availability of QCash, WSECU decided the time was right to offload the credit union service organization it launched in 2015.

More credit unions are diversifying their investments and accessing federal funding from multiple sources to shore up against risk.

Nathan Cox, who was most recently chief lending officer at Travis Credit Union, will replace Brooke Van Vleet-Pearson as the credit union's chief executive.

Lofty fertilizer and equipment costs are forecast to cut into profits this year. Farmers are expected to seek loans to cover higher expenses, but bankers are likely to be cautious in granting credit given recessionary pressures.