A Framingham couple that owns a local student loan and debt assistance company will acquire Virginia-based Imperial Savings & Loan Association.

Daniel J. Thibeault and Shawnet M. Thibeault have filed an application with the Office of Thrift Supervision to make a sizeable investment in Imperial. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Imperial will remain a minority-owned bank headquartered in Martinsville, Va., according to a statement.

"The board and staff are excited about the future of Imperial," said Robert A. Williams, chairman of Imperial Savings & Loan Association. "Imperial will emerge from the current recession well positioned to grow and prosper. The investment endows Imperial with the necessary capital to continue providing Martinsville’s citizens and businesses with valuable and much-needed banking services."

The Thibeaults own Graduate Leverage, a Waltham-based higher education advisory business. Founded in 2003, Graduate Leverage has assisted more than 65,000 students with its programs and services focused on debt management and financial planning.

"After extensive research, we are pleased to invest in Imperial and be a part of the economic revival in Martinsville and its neighboring communities. Our initial focus will be supplementing the bank’s outstanding customer service with an improved technology platform. This will also allow for expanded services over time. We anticipate regulatory approval this summer and look forward to being part of Imperial as well as the city of Martinsville," the Thibeaults said in a statement.