Banks plan Series events
New England banks are racing to make the most of their World Series tickets and marketing opportunities during the games. Citizens Financial Group distributed Red Sox tickets to about two dozen employees through a random drawing, while Bank of America Corp. is encouraging its Boston employees to wear Red Sox hats or shirts to work. An internal note asked employees, ''Are you doing your part to help reverse the curse?" The bank also plans to donate $10,000 for every home run hit during the series to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, which assists the families of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. At Citizens, executives called the World Series a ''once in a lifetime opportunity" and said the games should be attended by ''some of the best employees in the world." (Sasha Talcott)
'Green power' projects
The Mass. agency that runs a fund supporting ''green power" electric projects has launched a $2.5 million annual effort to support solar, hydroelectric, and wind-powered generation. When Massachusetts Electric Co. customers pay for ''GreenUp" electricity generated from renewable energy sources, the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative said it will now provide up to a $1-for-$1 match to the customers' hometowns to pay for municipal renewable energy projects like solar panels on schools. The agency's matching grants also apply to people who support the Massachusetts Energy Consumer Alliance's ''clean energy choice" programs, which can also offer a federal tax deduction. The MTC's renewable energy trust fund is backed by a small tax on all Bay State electric bills. (Peter J. Howe)
College lab-dorm opens
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences officials cut the ribbon Thursday on a 93,000-square-foot, six-floor laboratory, library, and residence building on Longwood Avenue in Boston's medical area. An atrium at the center of the $30 million, postmodernist glass-and-steel academic and student center wraps around the facade and the college's former front door in the 87-year-old White Building. Steffian Bradley Associates Inc. of Boston designed the expansion. Four floors of apartments over pharmacy and chemistry lab space will accommodate 250 students. (Thomas C. Palmer Jr.)
CEO may step down
Outside directors of Marsh & McLennan Cos. have sought to negotiate with New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer in the insurance bid-rigging case, a source familiar with the overture said. The source spoke on the condition of anonymity and would not elaborate on the discussions. The Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times of London reported that chairman and chief executive Jeffrey Greenberg was expected to resign to clear the way for settlement negotiations. Spitzer has been critical of the company's management, and said when he disclosed charges against the insurance brokerage last week that he would not negotiate with current management. A spokesman for Marsh declined to comment on the reports, calling them rumors. (AP)
. . .Etc.
State Street Corp., the world's largest investment manager for institutional clients, said its board increased the base salary of chief executive Ronald Logue by 18 percent to $1 million. Logue, who succeeded David Spina in July, previously received $845,000, according to a filing the company made with the Securities and Exchange Commission . . . Gillette Co., the world's largest razor maker, said its board proposed that all directors be elected annually in an effort to strengthen corporate governance. Under the current structure, directors are elected to staggered three-year terms, the company said. Shareholders are expected to vote on the plan May 12 . . . Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates Inc. said its board approved the buyback of up to 3.5 million common shares. As of Oct. 1, the company had about 36.4 million shares of common stock outstanding. Gloucester-based Varian makes ion implantation equipment used to manufacture semiconductors. (Globe wire services)
