Credit unions

Leaders that have created virtual "branches" weighed in at American Banker's Digital Banking conference on how to approach implementation and what results have been like.

The Minneapolis-based Thrivent Financial for Lutherans received approval from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. on Friday for its industrial loan company application and planned merger between the institution and subsidiary Thrivent Federal Credit Union.

"We're in an era of instant gratification, where we're not compared to other financial institutions, but rather to companies like Amazon, Apple, Google and Facebook," says Chief Technology Officer Sandeep Uthra.

Statewide Federal Credit Union in Flowood used its partnerships with Bankjoy and Strum Platforms to identify untapped communities in its field of membership and aggressively market its inaugural high-yield savings account.

BNY, the country's oldest bank, drops "Mellon" from its branding; Apple FCU announces plans to merge with NextMark Credit Union; Moelis probes incident after a video circulated online shows one of its senior bankers appearing to punch a woman; and more in this week's banking news roundup.

The Kansas financial institution is using Copper Financial's Guided Investing product that matches members to predesigned portfolios that suit their risk profile.

ELGA Credit Union said it plans to acquire Marine Bank & Trust in an all-cash deal. The combination marks the 12th of the year involving a credit union buying a bank, keeping the industry on pace to establish a new record for such deals.

In this week's banking news roundup: NCUA grants Tribe Federal Credit Union a provisional charter; ICBA Payments names Jacob Eisen its new president and CEO; Mission Fed Credit Union announces new role for longtime leader Steve Hasbrooke; and more.

Atlanta Postal Credit Union's bid to acquire Affinity Bank marked the 11th deal overall this year involving a credit union buying a bank, matching the total for all of 2023. Separately, members voted against the merger of two credit unions in Indiana.

Gesa Credit Union in Washington agreed to acquire a 103-year-old community bank in Centralia, as it eyes opportunities for additional growth in the Pacific Northwest. In the District of Columbia, a bank group is calling for exit fees on banks selling to tax-exempt credit unions.