Gary Base, the CEO of Dallas-based ViewPoint Bank(formerly Community Credit Union), has announced he will retire at theend of 2011.

“In the 25 years I have led this institution, it has grown froma $120 million-asset credit union to a publicly traded bank withover $3 billion in managed assets,” Base said in a statement.“Additionally, the company recently reported the highest annualearnings in the institution's 58-year history. We have achieved allthis due largely to the support of our employees, customers and theboard of directors, and I would like to take this opportunity tothank them.”

James McCarley, the bank's board chairman, said, “Under (Base's)leadership, the bank has successfully transitioned to a publiclytraded community bank since its conversion from a large communitycredit union charter. He has developed and been supported by aknowledgeable and professional team. As a result of this combinedleadership, ViewPoint Bank has experienced comprehensive growthwhile maintaining quality assets and lending.”

Community Credit Union and another Dallas credit union, OmniAmerican, both converted to banks in 2005 after a difficultlegal battle with NCUA over how the two CUs had conducted theircharter change vote.