Probe finds financial review of Solyndra loan was rushed

WASHINGTON — An internal investigation into a half-billion-dollar federal loan to a failed solar company has found that a last-minute review by financial experts was rushed and completed in about a day.

Those experts had concerns, such as the debt-to-equity ratio in the project, but there’s no evidence to show whether they were addressed by the Energy Department, which already had decided to approve the loan.

The report, released Wednesday by the Treasury Department’s inspector general, provides further evidence of serious concerns about a loan to California-based Solyndra Inc. pushed by the Obama administration.

Solyndra was the first renewable-energy company to receive backing from a loan program created by the federal stimulus bill. But last year it declared bankruptcy and laid off more than 1,000 people.

Burger King to re-list shares as it goes public once again

LOS ANGELES — The King wants his crown back: Fast-food chain Burger King is continuing its power grab by planning to go public again.

Within the next three months, the hamburger giant said it will re-list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange. The last time Burger King traded publicly was from 2006 to 2010, when investment firm 3G Capital took it over and turned it private.

In a bit of a convoluted deal, 3G said late Tuesday that it is selling a 29 percent stake in the Miami-based restaurant to London-based acquisition company Justice Holdings.

The $1.4 billion deal will cause Justice’s shares to switch from the London Stock Exchange to New York, where Justice will re-debut as Burger King Worldwide Inc. 3G will remain the combined company’s largest shareholder, with a 71 percent stake.

Maine credit unions report strong growth year in 2011

PORTLAND — The Maine Credit Union League says its members enjoyed significant and sustained growth across the board last year.

The 63 credit unions experienced strong growth in all categories including members, assets, savings and loans.

Their combined assets increased 4.1 percent to $5.61 billion, loans grew by nearly $100 million over the past year, savings rose 3.5 percent with $163 million in new deposits, and membership showed a net gain of 6,200 members, a full 1 percent increase, according to a news release.

Membership at Maine’s credit unions is at 616,969, the highest ever.

Breakfast attracts leaders of religion, business, politics

PORTLAND — Christian Leaders in Maine Business, along with leaders from more than 75 local churches, will gather Friday for the annual Good Friday Community Leadership Breakfast in Portland.

The keynote speaker will be Norm Miller, chairman of the board of directors for the Interstate Battery System of America, Inc. Miller is also partners with Joe Gibbs Racing, which won the Daytona 500 in 1993 and the prestigious Winston Cup Championship in 2000.

The event will include more than 14 political leaders and over 400 Maine business leaders.

The event is closed to the public. To attend next year’s breakfast or for more information, go to weclimb.org.