Heritage Oaks lost $5.8M in Q2
Paso Robles-based Heritage Oaks Bancorp, the holding company for Heritage Oaks Bank and Business First Bank, reported a second-quarter loss of $5.8 million on Aug. 4. That compares to a $507,000 loss in the second quarter of last year. The net loss applicable to common shareholders was $6.2 million, or 55 cents per diluted share, Read More →
ValueClick buys Investopedia
The Westlake Village-based Internet advertising company ValueClick announced Aug. 4 that it had acquired Investopedia, a financial and investing information website. ValueClick said it bought the company from Forbes for approximately $42 million in cash. In 2010, Investopedia is expected to generate $10 million in revenue and $5 million in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation Read More →
Limoneira to ditch Sunkist, market own lemons
Santa Paula-based lemon and avocado grower Limoneira Co. said Aug. 3 that it’s dumping citrus distributor and marketer Sunkist Growers in favor of marketing and selling its lemons directly. Limoneira said it will terminate the Sunkist agreement on Nov. 1, after which it will pack, prepare and ship its own lemons to to foodservice, wholesale Read More →
Again, Ford buys a bank at a bargain
To Carl Webb, California in 2010 looks a lot like California circa 1993. A devastating meltdown in the housing sector. Sky-high unemployment. Deep budget problems. And a crisis in confidence that the Texas banker describes as “a little less spring in the step” of the California consumer. In short, the perfect time to get back Read More →
One of nation
One of the largest greenhouses on the West Coast has been put up for sale with an asking price of $18.5 million. Carpinteria orchid grower Gallup & Stribling’s 45-acre property includes 1.5 million square feet of greenhouse and industrial space. The property, just off of Highway 101 at 3450 Via Real, has been used to grow Read More →
Banks report mixed results, some growth
Tri-county banks reported mixed second-quarter results, but banker optimism and improved balance sheets suggest a measured economic turnaround is under way. “The worst is behind us and the economy is gradually picking up,” Sung Won Sohn, a CSU Channel Islands professor and former Wells Fargo economist, told the Business Times. “Earnings have stabilized. However, when Read More →
Dreaming of a new Old Town: Goleta looks to spruce up its downtown core
Goleta’s Old Town may soon get a new look, courtesy of City Hall. Business owners in the colorful but mismatched and rundown area of town, best known for its grocery stores and taquerías, may be able to give their storefronts a facelift and have the city foot the bill. On July 20 the Goleta City Read More →









