Citizens corporate giving executive to step down

Citizens Financial Group Inc. of Providence said its director of corporate affairs, Heather Campion, is stepping down after nine years at the parent of Citizens Bank, the US retail operation of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC. Campion oversaw the bank's corporate giving, lobbying, marketing sponsorships, and media relations, making her one of its highest-profile local executives along with Lawrence K. Fish, who in March gave up day-to-day control of the bank to focus on other Royal Bank operations in the United States. Neither Campion, who did not return messages, nor the bank said what she plans to do next. "As the company continues to transition as one of the top 10 banks in America, it's a good time for me to make a change," Campion said in an e-mailed statement. (Ross Kerber)

Qwest Communications International Inc. said it has signed an agreement with BJ's Wholesale Club Inc. that will make it BJ's primary network provider for data services. Based in Natick, BJ's operates roughly 175 club stores. Qwest, based in Denver, provides telecommunications and other data services. According to Qwest, its nationwide IP network will eventually allow BJ's to combine its voice and data applications on a single private network. (Chris Reidy)

Apple Inc. has begun allowing people to apply for a $100 store credit if they bought iPhones before the higher-end model's price was abruptly slashed. The company said the credit would be available for people who bought either the $599 8-gigabyte iPhone or the $499 4-gigabyte model before Aug. 22. People who bought the phones more recently are eligible for refunds. Those early buyers must fill out a form on Apple's website to have the retail or online store credit delivered electronically. The credit can be redeemed only in the United States and cannot be used at the iTunes store or for Apple store gift cards, according to terms listed on the company's website. (AP)

The SCO Group Inc., licenser of the Unix operating system, filed for bankruptcy protection, drained after unsuccessfully filing lawsuits claiming its software code was misappropriated by developers of the open-source Linux operating system. The Lindon, Utah, company said it is seeking protection from creditors under Chapter 11 as it continues to license and improve Unix for corporate servers. President Darl McBride blamed competition from Linux for operating losses and the ongoing slide in company revenues. (AP)

Bank of America Corp. said it has received approval from the Federal Reserve to complete its $21 billion purchase of Chicago's LaSalle Bank Corp. The decision is the final regulatory approval needed for the transaction, which is expected to close in early October, Bank of America said. Bank of America shares rose 9 cents to $49.95. (AP)

Procter & Gamble Co. asked a judge to stop Kraft Foods Inc. from continuing to manufacture and distribute its Maxwell House coffee in a plastic container that infringes on a patent, P&G alleges. The motion in US District Court for the Northern District of California in San Francisco follows a lawsuit that P&G filed on Aug. 27 in the same court. In the new motion, P&G charges that its Folgers brand faces irreparable harm from Kraft's continued use of the Maxwell House container and wants the judge to quickly intervene. (AP)

Shareholders of Barclays PLC approved a bid for ABN Amro Holding NV by a 9-to-1 ratio, though success of the offer remained far from certain in the face of a higher rival bid. A consortium of three banks led by Royal Bank of Scotland PLC also is considering a bid for ABN. Barclays' hopes of success have faded as its shares fell 3.09 percent to $12.09, as a profit warning from British mortgage lender Northern Rock sent ripples across the financial sector. ABN shareholders will meet on Sept. 20 to review the two bids. (AP)