North Bay Business Journal

Strong 2011 puts Exchange Bank closer to ‘primary objective’ of dividend

Santa Rosa-based Exchange Bank earned $12.2 million in net income over the course of 2011, a 19 percent increase from the prior year that the bank attributed to developments such as strong core earnings and a reduction in problem assets.

Westamerica cites rate pressure in 2011 earnings decrease

SAN RAFAEL – Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ: WABC), the parent company of Westamerica Bank, said in a report today that a low interest rate environment pressuring the banking industry led to a decrease in income in 2011.

Banking and finance: Circle Bank to educate Keiretsu-funded startups; 30% solar grant to end

Novato-based Circle Bank has partnered with Keiretsu Forum, said to be the world’s largest angel investor network, to provide financing advice to startup and early-stage companies in the North Bay and San Francisco. … Adam Capital, a Sonoma-based lender specializing in financing small-scale solar projects, is urging solar companies to act before the window closes on a 30 percent federal grant on solar projects at the end of this year. … Westamerica bank is making preparations to move its branch in Ignacio near its current location in the Pacheco Plaza shopping center early next year, said Robert Thorson, the bank’s chief financial officer. … Community First Credit Union signed up the greater number of new members in November than in any month in its 50-year history, beating a record set in October. … The U.S. Small Business Administration is hosting a free web seminar on Dec. 15 to help small business owners prepare for the end of the 2011 tax year. … Images in Motion, a Sonoma-based studio specializing in puppets for television, is filming a series of commercials for Hawaiian Tel Federal Credit Union to “explain the benefits of credit union services to customers on the Big Island.”

Business news: Week of Dec. 19, 2011

Solano County’s chambers of commerce recently honored local businesses and community members, such as Meyer Corp. and Travis Credit Union, for their contributions to the community at the Spirit of Solano luncheon. … Fairfield-based MV Transportation, Inc. announced the opening of its new Dallas location in the well-known and centrally located Premier Place Building at 5910 North Central Expressway. … Napa Valley Vintners, a nonprofit trade association representing more than 420 wineries in the appellation, announced that the country of Thailand has recognized Napa Valley with Geographic Indication (GI) Status that will protect the American wine region from misuse of its name in wine labeling in that country.

International group increases capital requirements for banks

SANTA ROSA — The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, an international forum for standardization on bank rules, has approved increasing the risk-based ratio for financial institutions from the current 8 percent to about 10.5 percent over the next several years.

Lender takes back Pinnacle properties

SANTA ROSA – Pinnacle Homes, a longtime Santa Rosa homebuilder, has shuttered its doors after two properties totaling $3.865 million fell out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization and were taken back by San Rafael-based Westamerica Bank.

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)

Westamerica third-quarter income dips nearly 8 percent

SAN RAFAEL — Westamerica Bancorporation, parent company of Westamerica Bank, today reported a third quarter 2010 net interest income of $56.7 million, down nearly 8 percent from $61.6 million reported in the same quarter of 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 [...]

Westamerica earns $24 million

SANTA ROSA – Westamerica Bancorporation posted a net income for the first quarter of $24 million, up slightly from the last quarter of 2009, but down from the $53 million posted in the same quarter of last year.

Spotlight: Leaders in Commercial Banking

(Listed alphabetically by name)

Banking column: Officials say banks likely to take losses on $19.2 million in Carinalli loans

Banks will likely end up taking losses on a large portion or all of the $19.2 million in unsecured and under-secured loans made to long-time Sonoma County real estate investor Clem Carinalli.

Nine of the 14 financial institutions named in the recent U.S. Bankruptcy Court filings have unsecured loans and three are headquartered locally.