Resource centers for immigrants opening

Celebrations will take place over the coming weeks to mark the opening of four Immigrant Resource Centers on Oahu, Hawaii island and Kauai, the state Office of Community Services said.

The centers will serve as multicultural navigators, connecting immigrants to resources, services and economic, civic, social and cultural opportunities.

The opening celebrations:

» Hawaii island: 1 p.m. Oct. 24, Catholic Charities Hawaii, 62 Kinoole St., Hilo

» Oahu: 11 a.m. Nov. 7, Parents and Children Together (PACT), Kuhio Park Terrace Family Center, 1485 Linapuni St., Suite 103, Kalihi; and 11 a.m. Nov. 8, Child and Family Service Center, 91-1841 Fort Weaver Road, Ewa Beach

» Kauai: 1 p.m. Nov. 9, Child and Family Service Family Center, Hale Hoomalu, 4-1112 Kuhio Highway, Kapaa

Contact the Office of Community Services, 586-8675.

State pension plan hires BNY Mellon

The state Employees’ Retirement System has named BNY Mellon the global custodian for its more than $12.3 billion in pension fund assets. The Pittsburgh-based firm will serve as the pension plan’s books and records keeper and provide services related to securities lending, monitoring of cash movements in private equity investments, and performance analytics and reporting.

The retirement system provides retirement, disability, survivor and other benefits to more than 113,000 members who worked for the state of Hawaii or the counties.

Shutdown concerns affect retail spending

NEW YORK » Several retailers reported modest sales gains for September as shoppers who were worried about a partial government shutdown and the overall economy pulled back their spending from the prior month.

Revenue at stores opened at least a year rose 2.7 percent in September, according to a preliminary tally of nine retailers by the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Average 30-year mortgage rate little changed at 4.23%

Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages were little changed this week, staying near their lowest levels in three months.

Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that the average rate on the 30-year loan edged up to 4.23 percent from 4.22 percent last week. The average on the 15-year fixed loan rose to 3.31 percent from 3.29 percent.

Both are the lowest averages since July.

Mortgage rates began falling last month after the Federal Reserve held off slowing its $85 billion a month in bond purchases. The bond buys are intended to keep longer-term interest rates low, including mortgage rates.

Longer-term rates have also stayed low because of the partial government shutdown and a lack of government economic data.

ON THE MOVE

Mobi PCS has named Erica Villa­nueva as a senior marketing manager. She will be responsible for development and execution of Mobi PCS consumer, brand and digital marketing strategies as well as oversee the company’s media purchasing and social media. Villanueva was previously a director of marketing at Platinum Wireless in Los Angeles.

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