Business Times to honor 2021 Spirit of Small Business winners
Latest news, Small Business, Special SectionsThe Pacific Coast Business Times will hold a virtual reception on Aug. 19 to honor the recipients of its 19th annual Spirit of Small Business Awards. The 2021 Spirit of Small Business special section published July 23 and is available here at the Business Times website. To register for the event, which begins at 1 Read More →
Community West Bank reports increase in quarterly earnings
Banking & Finance, Banking Industry, Earnings, Latest news, South Coast, Tri-County Economy, Tri-County Public CompaniesIn another sign of strength for the regional banking industry, Goleta-based Community West Bancshares reported a 17.5% increase in net income for the second quarter, to 41 cents per share. The parent of Community West Bank said on Aug. 2 that earnings for the most recent quarter were $3.6 million, versus $3 million for the Read More →
Vital Signs: Central Coast business owners see light at end of tunnel
Latest newsFor the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, a majority of businesses in San Luis Obispo and northern Santa Barbara counties were open without restrictions in June, according to the latest survey by the Central Coast Coalition of Chambers. The coalition has been surveying business owners every other month since shortly after the pandemic Read More →
Founders Community Bank changes its name
Banking & Finance, Banking Industry, Latest newsFounders Community Bank, which has two branches in San Luis Obispo County, has rebranded as Premier Valley Bank. In a July 29 news release, the bank announced the name change but said that ownership and leadership will remain unchanged. The Fresno-based bank attributed its decision to rebrand as a way to unite its banking centers Read More →
Westlake Village robotics firm closes $30M funding round
East Ventura County, Latest news, Startups, Technology, Tri-County EconomyInVia Robotics, a Westlake Village-based warehouse automation solution company, secured $30 million in a Series C funding round announced July 28, led by M12, Microsoft’s venture fund, and Qualcomm Ventures. To date, inVia has raised $59 million in funding. With this investment, inVia said it plans to extend its products’ reach and operational support in Read More →
Pacific Premier Bank back in black in Q2
Banking & Finance, Banking Industry, Earnings, Latest news, Tri-County Public CompaniesPacific Premier Bancorp, the holding company of Pacific Premier Bank, recorded almost $100 million in net income in the second quarter, a year after losing a similar amount, according to a quarterly report released July 27. The Irvine-based bank has seven branches in San Luis Obispo County and two in Santa Barbara County. Its net Read More →
Amgen to buy biotech startup TeneoBio
Banking & Finance, East Ventura County, Health Care & Life Science, Latest news, left, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy, Tri-County Public CompaniesAmgen announced July 27 that it plans to buy a privately held Bay Area biotech company called TeneoBio in an all-cash deal worth as much as $2.5 billion. The deal is expected to close in the second half of this year and calls for Amgen to pay $900 million up front for all outstanding shares Read More →
