
Bank earnings rebound signals better times
By Staff Report / Friday, April 29th, 2011 / Banking & Finance, Banking Industry, Earnings, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy, Tri-County Public Companies / Comments Off on 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
By Marlize van Romburgh / Friday, January 14th, 2011 / Banking & Finance, Banking Industry, Personal Finance, Top Stories / Comments Off on 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
By Marlize van Romburgh / Monday, January 3rd, 2011 / Banking & Finance, Banking Industry, Latest news, Top Stories / Comments Off on 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
By Marlize van Romburgh / Thursday, December 30th, 2010 / Banking & Finance, Banking Industry, Latest news, Personal Finance, Top Stories / Comments Off on 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.
Pacific Capital hires Cal Fed veterans
By Staff Report / Tuesday, December 28th, 2010 / Banking Industry, Latest news, Top Stories, Tri-County Public Companies / Comments Off on Pacific Capital hires Cal Fed veterans
Pacific Capital Bancorp, the parent of Santa Barbara Bank & Trust that was recapitalized and taken over by Texas banking heavyweights Gerald Ford and Carl Webb earlier this year, is bringing aboard a new group of executives that helped Webb and Ford build out their last big venture.
Cal Oaks merger nears close
By Staff Report / Friday, December 10th, 2010 / Banking & Finance, Banking Industry, Latest news / Comments Off on Cal Oaks merger nears close
Shareholders of both California United Bank and California Oaks State Bank gave the final go-ahead for the merger of the two institutions on Dec. 9
Pacific Capital wraps up $76.4M rights offering
By Staff Report / Monday, November 29th, 2010 / Banking Industry, Latest news, Tri-County Public Companies / Comments Off on Pacific Capital wraps up $76.4M rights offering
Santa Barbara-based Pacific Capital Bancorp said Nov. 29 that it has completed its shareholder rights offering, raising $76.4 million by selling shares of common stock at 20 cents per share.