Trade lenders eye Ventura County Business Bank
A Chinese-American bank focused on trade finance is acquiring Ventura County Business Bank.
UCSB series digs at roots of banking crisis
During the next five months, UC Santa Barbara will host a series of talks in which Nobel Prize-winning economists, best-selling financial journalists and other experts will take a deep look at the financial crisis and its aftermath.
Area banks hiring
After posting mostly solid first-quarter earnings, banks in the region are scouting for resumes again. Three of the largest firms in the region are looking to fill more than 300 open positions among them.
Bank earnings rebound signals better times
Santa Barbara Bank & Trust and its smaller banking peers in the region are reporting improved earnings.
Dealing a new card at First California
First California Financial Group’s foray into the prepaid debit card market is a potentially lucrative moneymaker for the banking firm, but also a step into a riskier, increasingly regulated business.
Cal Oaks merger closes
Encino-based California United Bank completed its $17.2 million acquisition of Thousand Oaks-based California Oaks State Bank on Dec. 31. Cal Oaks shareholders will receive compensation of $11.35 per share, half in cash and half in shares of California United common stock, the banks announced Jan. 3.
First California to buy into debit card business
Westlake Village-based First California Financial Group said Dec. 30 that it will buy the electronic banking division of Palm Desert-based Palm Desert National Bank, allowing it to move into the prepaid debit card market. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
