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

Mechanics Cooperative Bank and RDA Insurance recently teamed up to purchase another portable defibrillator for the Fall River Fire Department. more

Amid the unending and thoroughly confused debate out of Washington on imposing an austerity agenda on federal government spending, one crucial fact that is being consistently ignored is that small businesses throughout the country have been starved of credit since the onset of the 2007-09 financial crisis and Great Recession. That is, small businesses already have been on an austerity budget for more than four years. more

Bank of America has donated $175,000 to United Way of Rhode Island to help fund its Critical Needs program, according to a press release from the bank. more

PROVIDENCE – Protesters unhappy with the state’s ultimately doomed investment in 38 Studios LLC urged Rhode Island leaders last week to default on the money the state owes for the deal, The Associated Press reported. more

One-in-four teens believe they won’t achieve a positive cash flow, but will depend largely on financial assistance from their parents or guardians, until they’re at least 25 to 27 years old, teen advocacy group Junior Achievement of Rhode Island announced in an April 5 press release. more

The Westerly Community Credit Union donated $2,265 to each of four high school sports boosters from proceeds of its 29th annual holiday basketball tournament held, according to a press release. more

BETHESDA, Md. – The new ability-to-repay rule on mortgage financing that goes into effect in Jan. 10, 2014 is enormous in scope, so complex that it’s detailed in an 804-page volume, according to the website www.insidemortgagefinance.com more

Ann M. Kashmanian never thought about working in the health care industry when she was studying for a master’s degree in business administration at Northeastern University. Today, she helps keep several Ocean State hospitals on sound financial footing and works to make sure health care is available to everyone. 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