Minnesota Banking and Political Leader Has Died

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — TCF Financial Corp. says Bill Cooper, the chief executive credited with reviving and building the once failing savings and loan into Minnesota's third-largest banking company, has died at age 73.

Craig Dahl, TCF vice chairman and chief executive officer, said Wednesday Cooper pioneered "numerous innovations in the banking industry and establishing a rich tradition of philanthropy and community involvement within TCF."

Cooper, who died Tuesday, was TFC's chairman and former CEO for nearly 30 years. Cooper led the former Twin City Federal Savings and Loan out of the savings and loan crisis in the 1980s. He took it public and rechartered it as a bank that grew to several hundred branches in seven states

Cooper was a dominant leader in Minnesota politics as well, serving as state Republican Party chairman in the late 1990s.