Rhode Island

Citizens Financial Group in Providence, R.I., is expanding its banking unit that focuses on the technology sector.

Citizens Financial Group in Providence, R.I., has hired Russell Herakovich to lead the national expansion of its health care banking group.

Citizens Financial Group in Providence, R.I., is expanding its commercial banking operations to lend to more midsize companies in more parts of the country.

Washington Trust in Westerly, R.I., rode gains in its lending portfolio and lower operating expenses to a higher second-quarter profit.

Citizens Financial Group has hired Stephen T. Gannon, a former attorney for the Securities and Exchange Commission, to be its general counsel and chief legal officer.

The city of Providence, R.I., has sued Santander Bank, alleging that bank violated the Fair Housing Act by refusing to make prime mortgage loans available in minority communities.

Royal Bank of Scotland's mission to sell its U.S. banking arm Citizens Financial Group to outside investors just got a major boost.

Washington Trust Bancorp (WASH) in Westerly, R.I., reported a rise in quarterly profit after it sold its merchant-processing business.

There is a lot of work to be done behind the scenes before Citizens can become independent of Royal Bank of Scotland, including the establishment of new technological, administrative and financial reporting systems, CEO Bruce Van Saun says.

Mortgage Network in Danvers, Mass., has opened its first office in neighboring Rhode Island.

The Providence, R.I., bank is introducing the loans at a time when regulators have been lamenting the lack of options for college graduates who are locked into high interest rates.

Coastway Bancorp in Cranston, R.I., expects to complete its conversion to a public holding company by the close of business on Tuesday.

Washington Trust Bancorp (WASH) in Westerly, R.I., has hired a veteran banker as its president and chief operating officer.

SMITHFIELD, R.I. — Navigant CU announced this afternoon it merging troubled Columbus CU, a $68 million in nearby Warren, R.I., with two branches.

Fueled by record revenues from mortgage banking, Washington Trust Bancorp (WASH) in Westerly, R.I., reported a record $8.4 million profit in the first quarter, an increase of 24% over the same period in 2011.

The Federal Reserve Board said Thursday that it had approved Brookline Bancorp Inc.'s acquisition of Bancorp Rhode Island Inc. in Providence, R.I.

A pair of healthy banks destined to be partners are nearing deadline as investors anxiously wait.

Washington Trust Bancorp Inc. in Westerly, R.I., said Tuesday that the chancellor of Johnson & Wales University has joined its board.

Brookline Bancorp in Massachusetts will pay $234 million in cash and stock for Bancorp Rhode Island in a transaction that will create a company with nearly $5 billion in assets.