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

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

Employees of Embrace Home Loans recently had a chance to get out of the office and get to work in their communities. In light of the company’s 29th year in business, employees spent a week volunteering at local organizations. 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

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

Jay Harding and his wife bought their three-bedroom, South Kingstown ranch in 2006, while he was doing environmental work on oil wells in Indonesia and the economy was humming. more

Renewable energy company HDS International Corp. has entered into a convertible drawdown facility providing funds and credit, the company announced Tuesday. more

Bristol County Savings Bank employees recently held a “Drive For Local Troops,” resulting in a collection of 321 pounds of food items and 260 pounds of hygiene products. more

BauerFinancial Inc., a credit union rating and research firm, has recognized People’s Credit Union as a 5-Star Superior credit union. A 5-Star rating indicates PCU is one of the strongest credit unions in the nation. more

The board of directors of Washington Trust Bancorp Inc., last month declared a quarterly dividend of 23 cents per share for the quarter ending June 30, 2012. more