April 21, 2025

		

Guest Commentary


| Friday, April 24th, 2020

Damooei: Poverty is a lethal human-made disease

Higher Education, Latest news, Op/Eds

By Jamshid Damooei What makes us human is an important question, and the answer is not always clear. If life is a microcosm of our natural world, what place does our way of life hold and where does economics appear on the scene? I have been wrestling with this question for a big part of Read More →

| Friday, April 17th, 2020

Garufis: Bankers want to fund small business loans

Banking & Finance, Banking Industry, Latest news, Small Business, South Coast, Tri-County Economy, Tri-County Public Companies

By Janet Garufis Last week, Henry Dubroff stepped out of his usual pundit role to share his impression of the Paycheck Protection Program rollout. I echo his sentiments and agree that it has been “a nightmare for many small business owners.” It has also been a challenging experience for many of your local bankers. I Read More →

| Friday, April 10th, 2020

Lisi: COVID-19 impacts values and acquisitions

Latest news, Op/Eds, Opinion, Small Business, South Coast

By James Lisi From Feb. 20 to March 20, the bond risk premium jumped two points. This jump was larger than any previous move over a one-year period. Well-regarded economists are forecasting 20 percent to 35 percent fall in Gross Domestic Product for the next few months. We have just exited the best market for Read More →

| Friday, April 10th, 2020

Steinfeld and Werth: Cannabis businesses are essential

Agribusiness, Central Coast, Health Care & Life Science, Latest news, Op/Eds, Opinion, Small Business, South Coast, Tri-County Economy

By Amy Steinfeld and Alina Werth As a result of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home executive order, all but “essential” businesses have closed to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. Cannabis dispensaries are one of a few retail operations deemed essential, along with pharmacies and grocery stores. And it’s not just dispensaries that have been Read More →

| Friday, April 10th, 2020

Chien: Now might be time for a small business loan

Banking & Finance, Banking Industry, Higher Education, Latest news, Law & Goverment, Small Business

By Chia-Li Chien Many states, including California, identified a list of critical sectors to remain operational during the COVID-19 crisis. The rest of us need to work from home or close our businesses until further notice. The stock market reacts to the uncertainty in this public health crisis volatilely. The ripple effect causes the federal Read More →

| Friday, April 3rd, 2020

Decas: Port keeps goods flowing during pandemic

Health Care & Life Science, Latest news, Op/Eds, West Ventura County

By Kristin Decas There is no doubt, we are in uncharted waters. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many of our families and friends in the United States and globally. The Port of Hueneme appreciates the leadership of local agencies and government partners’ leadership who are tirelessly working to reduce the health impacts of the coronavirus Read More →

| Friday, April 3rd, 2020

Garufis: Loans available to help businesses survive

Banking & Finance, Banking Industry, Latest news, Op/Eds, Small Business

By Janet Garufis We have all witnessed first-hand the serious and immediate impacts of the pandemic on local small businesses, our friends, neighbors and ourselves. Many workers have been furloughed or are now unemployed as non-essential businesses close and others learn to operate under restrictions that provide safe social distancing. At Montecito Bank & Trust, Read More →