NEW YORK – Several big banks are making bulk purchases of Apple iPads.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Deposits grew faster than loans at U.S. banks and thrifts during the third quarter of 2012.

HARBOR, Ore. – NCUA liquidated Chetco FCU Friday night and assigned the remnants of the one-time $375 million credit union, the year’s 21st failure, to two west coast credit unions in an unprecedented purchase and assumption agreement.

Belvoir FCU CEO Patricia Kimmel has sent a video message to its members urging them to contact their representatives in Congress and urge concessions and compromise to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff on Jan. 1.

PETERBOROUGH, N.H. – The $429-million GFA Federal Credit Union said it will complete today its acquisition of Monadnock Community Bank here.

ARCATA, Calif. – A man who robbed a branch of Northern Redwood FCU here now also is a suspect in another recent robbery of a branch of Coast Central Credit Union in Crescent City, Calif.

STILLWATER, Okla. – Tinker FCU has named Justin Gerry, a teacher at Jones High School, as its Financial Empowerment Teacher of the Year.

WASHINGTON – The average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped two basis points to 3.35% from the previous week in Freddie Mac’s survey for the period ending Dec. 27.

WASHINGTON – The new year should bring greater certainty to the management of financial institution regulatory agencies, including NCUA.

WASHINGTON – The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. is poised to fatten its docket of lawsuits against directors and officers of failed community banks next year.

SAN FRANCISCO – Wells Fargo has won a partial victory in its appeal of $203-million overdraft lawsuit, but both sides of the case are gearing up for another round of fighting over the bank’s consumer practices.

HOUSTON – JSC FCU here has disaffiliated from CUNA and the Texas Credit Union League.

WASHINGTON – Newly released housing data seem to justify builder optimism as new home sales rebounded to their highest level in two-and-a-half years.

WASHINGTON – Federal officials relayed information about the Occupy movement to the financial community as part of surveillance by authorities of a series of protests against banks that took place in 2011.

MADISON, Wis. – Just-retired CUES President Fred Johnson has been named an honorary lifetime member of Filene Research Institute.

WEST BRANCH, Mich. – A 50-year-old man alleged to have robbed a branch of Northland Area FCU is hospitalized after being injured when the car he was driving after the robbery rolled over on Maple Ridge Road here.

PHOENIX – Desert Schools FCU has awarded a $150,000 grant over three years to support the Balsz Promise Neighborhood Project, which focuses on education from cradle to college in the Phoenix area.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. – The $65-million Morristown FCU will be absorbed via merger by the $212-million Garden Savings FCU effective Jan. 1.

MADISON, Wis. – World Council of Credit Unions has inducted nine credit union professionals into its International Executive Volunteer Corps (IEVC), which recognizes industry leaders for their dedication to international credit union development and volunteer service with World Council.

WASHINGTON – In 2012 financial services companies strengthened their balance sheets, policymakers and the industry moved ahead on financial regulatory reform and, for the first time in years, there was broad recognition that the financial services industry is safer and stronger.