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

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

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

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