Regional unemployment rate hits new pandemic-era low
The tri-county region’s combined unemployment rate dropped to 4.7% in October, down from 5% in September and a new pandemic-era low, according to new data released by the California Employment Development Department on Nov. 19. The statewide unemployment rate in mid-October was 7.3%, down from 7.5% the month in September, as California added 96,800 non-farm Read More →
WEV wins $50K Bank of America grant for equity programs
Women’s Economic Ventures received $50,000 in grant funding from Bank of America’s philanthropic program to help underrepresented entrepreneurs on the Central Coast. The grant, announced by the Santa Barbara-based nonprofit on Nov. 17, will be used to advance a micro-grant and entrepreneurial training pilot program it launched recently in partnership with an Oxnard-based nonprofit supporting Read More →
Economist: Return of international travelers could strain hospitality industry
Reopening international travel to the United States might create some problems in Santa Barbara in wake of employment disruptions triggered by the pandemic, especially in the restaurant industry, economic Mark Schniepp said at a Nov. 11 economic forecast event. On Nov. 8, the U.S. lifted travel restrictions from specific countries and vaccinated international visitors entered Read More →
Economist in SLO: ‘odd recovery,’ but economy ‘on fire’
History shows that natural disasters have had “little” long-term economic impact, according Chris Thornberg, an economist who spoke at the annual Central Coast Economic Forecast on Nov. 5 in San Luis Obispo. In spring 2020, the United States economy abruptly came to a sudden halt as public health officials issued restrictions, such as stay-at-home orders Read More →
Income up 24% at Montecito Bank, assets top $2B
Montecito Bank & Trust, the biggest bank based in the tri-county region, reported asset growth of nearly 22% in the past year, while loan growth softened because of accelerated pandemic-related loan forgiveness and additional loan payoffs. The Santa Barbara-based bank said in an Oct. 18 earnings release that its total assets grew $404.53 million in Read More →
Central Coast coalition aims to launch aerospace economy from Ventura to Santa Cruz
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Earnings, loans, assets all up at American Riviera Bank
American Riviera Bank’s core loans rose 20% during the past year and the bank continues to experience “tremendous” deposit growth, the company said in its Oct. 25 earnings release. The Santa Barbara-based bank reported that its core loans, not counting federal Paycheck Protection Program loans, grew to $124 million by Sept. 30, the end of Read More →
