The parent company of Citizens Bank, which operates about 30 branches in Central Massachusetts, saw a 4-percent jump in profits in the fourth quarter of 2014, finishing the year with an 18-percent surge in profits, at about $790 million, according to a statement Monday from Citizens Financial, based in Providence, R.I.
A new report has found that a quarter of middle-market companies are currently involved in acquiring other companies, according to Citizens Commercial Banking, a division of Citizens Bank.
Massachusetts small business owners received 2,397 loans worth more than $595 million from the U.S. Small Business Administration in fiscal year 2014, which ended September 30.
In a sign of increased business optimism, more companies are depositing cash in short-term investment accounts in banks, with an overwhelming majority of depositors citing better cash flows as a reason, according to a survey from a finance professionals group and the parent of Citizens Bank.