North Bay Business Journal

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. …

Circle Bank announces per-share price of public offering

NOVATO – Circle Bancorp, parent company of Circle Bank, which is trying to go public, announced the anticipated offering price of shares to be $10.50 and that between 3.05 million and 4.01 million shares would be available.

Business Journal Q&A: Top lenders give their outlook, tips for getting financing

NORTH BAY — The economy is still challenged, and businesses are still struggling. But there are some positive things happening, according to leading SBA lenders in the North Bay.

Circle Bank looks to raise funds in IPO

NOVATO — Circle Bancorp, the parent of Circle Bank, may hear as early as this week if the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission will approve a filing requesting to raise between $20 million and $30 million in capital through an initial stock offering.

Circle Bank reports year-to-date income growth

NOVATO — Circle Bank, the wholly owned subsidiary of Circle Bancorp, today reported year-to-date net income of $1.52 million, a 14 percent increase over $1.34 million for the same period 2009.

Circle Bancorp files intent for stock offering; could raise $30 million

NOVATO — Circle Bancorp, the parent of Circle Bank, has made the initial steps to becoming a publicly traded company, intending to raise between $20 million and $30 million in capital through an initial public offering of stock, according to a recent regulatory filing.

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.

House passes SBA lending bill

NORTH BAY – The House passed HR 5297 today, the small business lending bill that once made into law will greatly increase the reach of Small Business Administration loans.

Banks one step closer to an uptick in lending

NORTH BAY — This morning, the Senate passed HR 5297, the small business lending bill that once made into law will greatly increase the reach of Small Business Administration loans.

Circle Bancorp shows asset, earnings growth

NOVATO — Circle Bancorp, the privately-held parent company of Circle Bank, reported second quarter 2010 consolidated net income of $279,000, up from the $263,000 for the same period last year.

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 [...]

Circle Bank earnings rise nearly 27%

SANTA ROSA – Circle Bancorp, parent company of Circle Bank, reported first quarter net income of $461,000 million, up 26.7 percent from the same quarter last year.

Banking & Finance: Union Bank opening Sonoma branch; Circle sets new headquarters

Union Bank is opening its first full-service branch in Sonoma in May. It will be the San Francisco-headquartered bank’s fourth North Bay location.

SBA fee waiver, increased guarantee extended again

NORTH BAY – The fee waiver and higher guarantee percentage that rolled out last February for Small Business Administration loans was extended for the second time through the end of this month, and it is expected to be extended again through the end of the year.

Spotlight: Leaders in Commercial Banking

(Listed alphabetically by name)

Circle Bank completes purchase of future site for headquarters

NOVATO — Circle Bank today announced it completed the acquisition of property to house its headquarters at 999 Grant Ave. in Novato.

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.

Circle Bank’s fourth quarter up

NOVATO – Circle Bancorp, parent company of Circle Bank, reported a net income of $590,000, up 41 percent compared to the same quarter a year earlier.

The bank reported net income of $1.6 million for the year, down slightly from the $1.7 million in 2008.

In 2009 the bank focused on its SBA lending program and plans to continue to expand the program in 2010.

SBA program attracts borrowers

NORTH BAY – In February, the Small Business Administration and Congress rolled out a program to make SBA loans more attractive to both lenders and borrowers by increasing the guarantee percentage and waiving fees. It worked: $730 million was allotted and the guarantee went from 75 percent to 90 percent. But the money that was [...]

Circle Bank reports third quarter profit

NOVATO — Circle Bancorp, parent company of Circle Bank, today reported net income of $382,000 for the third quarter of 2009.

“Despite an extremely difficult economic environment, we continue to provide services and programs that help our customers, business and consumer, to meet their financial goals,” said Kim Kaselionis, president and chief executive officer of the Bank.