North Bay Business Journal

Bank of Marin acquires Charter Oak

NOVATO, NAPA — Bank of Marin Bancorp (NASDAQ: BMRC) announced today that through its subsidiary, Bank of Marin, it has acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Napa-based Charter Oak Bank.

Banking & Finance: Charter Oak shareholders OK merger; Daulton moves to Exchange

Also: Bank of Marin reports 6.2% rise in earnings for 2010

Spotlight: Leaders in Commercial Banking in 2011

Following are many of the leading professionals in commercial lending across the North Bay. (Listed alphabetically by institution name)

Bank of Marin earnings increase 6.2 percent in 2010

NOVATO — Bank of Marin Bancorp today announced 2010 earnings increased 6.2 percent from the year before.

Banking & Finance: Circle CEO named to web domain panel; RCU chief on national board

Kim Kaselionis, president and chief executive officer of Circle Bank in Novato, has been named one of eight members of an American Bankers Association. … AmericanAg Credit is going through due diligence regarding a proposed merger with Mountain Plains Farm Credit in Greeley, Colo. … American AgCredit has also announced the promotion of three long‐time employees: Bill Rodda, Jim Rizza and Clay Popko. … Bank of Marin Bancorp has signed a lease for a new branch office in downtown Sonoma. The new office at 136 W. Napa St. will open in late spring. With the new location, Bank of Marin will have five branch offices in Sonoma County with a total of 16 offices. … Brett Martinez, president and chief executive officer of Redwood Credit Union, has been elected to the board of directors of the Credit Union National Association, the national trade association for United States credit unions. … U.S. Trust has announced the addition of Jason Foster as senior vice president and private client consultant, based in Santa Rosa, in the west division, as part of a talent acquisition campaign designed to enhance the depth and breadth of its service capabilities for ultra-high-net-worth clientele throughout the nation. … Exchange Bank has announced that Lori Zaret was promoted to senior vice president, chief human resources officer. …

Bank of Marin announces an increase in earnings

MARIN COUNTY — Bank of Marin Bancorp announced 2010 third quarter earnings of $3.4 million, up slightly from $3.3 million in the second quarter of the year.

Earnings for the nine-month period ending Sept. 30 totaled $9.6 million, compared with$10.0 million for the same period a year ago.

Bank of Marin: ‘This is an opportune time’

SONOMA COUNTY – Bank of Marin has become the latest financial institution to expand in the Sonoma County market hoping to extend its footprint of business and retail services.

Bankers, accountants see pluses, minuses in small business act

NORTH BAY – The passage of HR 5297, the Small Business Jobs Act, established in the Treasury the Small Business Lending Fund of $30 billion and $12 billion in tax incentives intended to spur lending and get small businesses back on their feet.

Bank of Marin to open Santa Rosa office

NORTH BAY — Bank of Marin is extending its reach into Sonoma County with a new loan production office opening today in downtown Santa Rosa, bringing the total number of branches to 15.

Banking & Finance: Are regulators stifling local bank lending?

‘David suffering for Goliath’s sins;’ also, 2 in top Bauer rank There are two fewer locally based banks in the North Bay than there were at this time last year. Tamalpais Bank was shut down by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and purchased by Union Bank. Napa Community Bank, previously under the parent company of Capitol Bancorp [...]

Startup offers an antidote to online account theft

ROHNERT PARK – Entrepreneur Eric Burns has come up with a solution for a problem a lot of businesses don’t know they have. And finding out the hard way can be very, very expensive.

Bank of Marin earns $2.9 million

SANTA ROSA – Bank of Marin reported first quarter earnings of $2.9 million, down slightly from $3.2 million reported in the same quarter last year.

Banking & Accounting: Experts tell businesses to adjust to new reality

Don’t look for things to return to old ways; talking to the customer.

Spotlight: Leaders in Commercial Banking

(Listed alphabetically by name)

Impact Marin speakers’ presentations posted

To view the presentations given by speakers at the Business Journal’s 2010 Impact Marin Conference on March 11, go to the Resources page. The first panel addressed “The economy, your business and government fiscal crises,” and the second panel presented both sides of the issue “Is Marin Clean Energy right for Marin County?”

Banking, business strategy, fiscal crisis, energy plan at March 11 event

MARIN COUNTY – The North Bay Business Journal’s 2010 Impact Marin conference from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 11 at the Embassy Suites is packed with information designed to help businesses navigate the economy and come to a decision on what is arguably the most important issue facing the area, Marin Clean Energy.

To attend, contact Linda Perkins at 707-521-5264 or events@busjrnl.com. Tickets are $39 per person or $390 for a table of 10 and include continental breakfast.

Marin event registration closes next week

MARIN COUNTY – The hotly debated issue of Community Choice Aggregation will be closely studied from two different perspectives at the Business Journal’s 2010 Impact Marin Conference on Thursday, March 11 from 8 to 10:30 a.m. at the Embassy Suites Hotel in San Rafael. This will be a unique opportunity for the public to ask questions of both sides in a neutral forum. In addition, a panel discussion will look at the state of the local budget and its impact on businesses and examine practical strategies that can be effective in the current economic environment.

Registration closes next Friday, March 5. To register, contact Linda Perkins at 707-521-5264 or events@busjrnl.com, or go to www.NorthBayBusinessJournal.com. Tickets are $39 per person or $390 for a table of 10 and include continental breakfast.

Speakers to face off on Marin Clean Energy plan

MARIN COUNTY — Supporters and opponents of the controversial Marin Energy Authority Community Choice Aggregation, or CCA, proposal will face off at the fourth-annual Impact Marin conference sponsored by the Business Journal March 11.

Banking & Finance: North Coast banks report improved earnings

Westamerica Bancorporation’s fourth-quarter earnings were $58.9 million, up from $49.9 million for the same quarter the year before. Net income for the year was $121 million, a jump from $59.8 million in 2008.

Business Journal conference March 11 to focus on Marin issues

Impact Marin 2010 topics: * Navigating your company through 2010. * The ongoing state and local fiscal crisis. * And, the big issue: Marin Clean Energy: Right direction, wrong direction?