The Bank for International Settlements, which acts as a bank for the world’s central banks, should know fudged numbers when it sees them. What may come as a surprise is how openly it has been discussing the problem of bogus balance sheets at large financial companies. more

Lawyers drained Linda Brice’s bank account and seized a quarter of her take-home pay, or more than $900 a month. Brice, a first-grade teacher and Coast Guard veteran, begged for mercy, saying she couldn’t afford food, gas or utilities. more

The Washington Trust Co. reported that it has provided commercial mortgage financing to EP Apartments LLC to acquire 42 units at East Pointe Condominiums, a Waterbury, Conn., complex with 64 units. more

Tom Hanks has a knack for playing the roles that define American generations. In “Saving Private Ryan,” he embodied the courage of the men who landed on the Normandy beaches under heavy fire. In “Apollo 13,” he conveyed calm and ingenuity under intense pressure: “Houston, we have a problem.” And Forrest Gump revealed much about America before, during and after the Vietnam War. more

RBS Citizens Financial Group Inc., starting with a $50,000 grant to Providence-based Crossroads Rhode Island, is marking National Financial Literacy Month with $2 million worth of grants to financial education programs sponsored by nonprofits. more

As the result of some friendly competition, the Southcoast Blood Bank received more than 200 pints of blood, and the Fall River Fire Department received $2,500 to put toward new defibrillators. more

MIDDLETOWN – BauerFinancial Inc., a credit-union rating and research firm, has given People’s Credit Union a 5-Star Superior rating. A 5-Star ranking indicates PCU is one of the strongest credit unions in the nation. To earn this rating, PCU excelled in areas of capital quality, asset quality, profitability and more. People’s Credit Union has earned this 5-Star Superior rating for 82 consecutive quarters, which puts it in an elite group of “Sustained Superiority Credit Unions.” Only 7 percent of the nation’s credit unions can claim this distinction. more

NEW YORK – Fitch Ratings has affirmed the long-and short-term-issuer default rating of Independent Bank Corp. at “BBB/F2.” The bank’s rating outlook has been classified as “stable.” The bank is the sole holding company and the sole shareholder of Rockland Trust Co. more

Westport High School’s junior class is scheduled to take part in the Credit for Life Fair on April 11, supported by BayCoast Bank, Mechanics Cooperative Bank, Sovereign Bank and Westport Federal Credit Union. more

Local John Hancock Network firm Independence Financial Partners recently contributed more than $15,000 to Best Buddies Rhode Island, after participating in the Hyannis Port Best Buddies Challenge. more