The Rhode Island chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women is sponsoring a free financial literacy conference to encourage financial independence and self-sufficiency for women and girls, according to a press release from the organization. more

MIDDLETOWN – People’s Credit Union has recognized three employees for their dedication to member service and to the community, according to a press release. Maryann Medeiros, Portsmouth assistant branch manager, was named 2012 Employee of the Year. Courtney Hunter, member relationship manager, and Kristina Wendell, marketing assistant, were both honored with the 2012 Volunteers of the Year Awards. “Maryann has continued to exceed our expectations and continually goes above and beyond in everything she does,” said People’s Credit Union President and CEO Ellen Ford. Medeiros joined People’s Credit Union in 1995 as a teller, rose to member service representative and then to assistant branch manager of the Portsmouth branch. “Courtney and Kristina both are committed to sharing their time and talents in serving our communities,” said Ford. Hunter serves on the boards of the Domestic Violence Resource Center of South County and the Jamestown Arts Center. Wendell is a mentor with the Rhode Island Mentoring Program and a member of Newport Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professionals Group. more

A seminar on Retirement Plan Fiduciary Best Practices will be held June 12 as part of the Rhode Island Breakfast Series sponsored by the Smaller Business Association of New England. more

Customers Bancorp Inc., the holding company for Customers Bank, closed the underwritten public offering of voting common stock on May 22, according to a press release from the bank. more

Farrell Backlund Insurance Agency, a partner of Bristol County Savings Bank, has migrated its three agency brands - Farrell Backlund, RichardsonCuddy, and Anderson-Cushing Insurance - to one unified brand – FBinsure. more

Singapore’s central bank and a group of lenders are considering putting an end to the city-state’s U.S. dollar-linked interbank lending rate as regulators worldwide probe allegations of rigged benchmark borrowing costs, a person with knowledge of the matter said. more

Rockland Trust has expanded its Middlesex County presence with the conversion of nine Central Bank branches in Massachusetts, in Arlington, Burlington, Chestnut Hill, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Somerville and Woburn. The acquisition of Central Bank was finalized Nov. 10, 2012. more

Proposed regulations to streamline the Small Business Administration loan application process are intended to lessen paperwork and provide greater access to capital for borrowers and lenders. more

During the month of March, Washington Trust is collecting peanut butter for Rhode Island food banks to help fight hunger in the state, according to a press release from the bank. more

“We are honored to donate these funds to support our local community and local business owners who were affected by Hurricane Sandy,” said Steve White, president and CEO of Westerly Community Credit Union. more