Banking & Finance

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the federal government and local organizations have all announced efforts to help businesses impacted by the effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

The Federal Reserve Board has announced a new program to support banks and other institutions while seeking to enhance the liquidity and functioning of crucial money markets.

Providing service for customers without getting too close — a growing necessity for restaurants, retailers and others — is now going to be tried by banks.

To inquire about a loan, contact Sandie Cataldo at scataldo@northcentralmass.com or Brendan Hannen at bhannen@northcentralmass.com.

Businesses with less than 50 full-time and part-time employees can apply for loans up to $75,000 through the quasi-public organization Massachusetts Growth Capital Corp. 

Brian Renstrom has spent his career helping his employers consult middle-market companies, and his company, blumshapiro, opened a Worcester office in November.

Reliant Medical Group, Leominster Credut Union, bankHometown, UMass Memorial Medical Group, Vision Advertising, and St. Mary's Credit Union have all added or promoted employees.

Many Central Massachusetts executives see golf as not only a way to make or keep connections in the business world, but also as a passion.

After paying all their back taxes and bills and calculating the cost and time spent running a restaurant and events space in the 144-year-old Bull Mansion for nearly three years, the partners simply broke even.

Coronavirus fears that have rocked the American stock market have not spared public companies based in Central Massachusetts. The area's 10 largest public companies lost an average of 14% in share price through Monday since the market peaked Feb. 19.