Friday, June 5, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
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Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
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Monday, May 11, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Rabobank expands in Central Valley
• Opens branches in Merced, Atwater and Turlock
• Steps in where County Bank failed California community bank Rabobank N.A., a unit of the Rabobank Group of The Netherlands, one of the world’s largest banks, is expanding in the Central Valley.
The company says it has opened branches in Merced, Atwater and Turlock as of Tuesday after getting the okay from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
“We’re excited to begin serving the communities of Merced County,” says Jim Lokey, president of community banking. “We have been planning to come to this area for a long time and we are hopeful that Rabobank’s community banking and agricultural heritage will be warmly received.”
Rabobank is expanding into the footprint, if not the same locations, of the former County Bank of Merced, which was folded by the government earlier this year. Westamerica Bank of San Rafael took over most of County Bank’s offices.
Rabobank has two offices in Merced as well as offices in Atwater and Turlock. It says it expects to add an office in Los Banos.
The downtown Merced and Turlock branches will each have a community room that will allow authorized non-profit groups the opportunity to hold meetings at the branch.
In addition to Community Banking Manager Ed Rocha and Retail Regional Manager Ron Stapp, the branches will be led by bankers familiar to local residents and business owners.
“We have assembled a group of experienced bankers who are leaders and volunteers in their communities,” says Mr. Lokey.
Joe Ramirez is vice president and manager of the bank’s Merced Branch downtown on M Street. A banker for 30 years, he served as vice president and regional manager for County Bank for eight years.
Liz Johnston is vice president and branch manager of the bank’s Merced Branch on Yosemite Avenue. She served as a senior manager for JC Penney Company for 15 years before serving as a banking center manager for Bank of America and a branch manager for County Bank
Linda Morris is vice president and manager of the bank’s Atwater Branch. A banker for 35 years, she served as vice president and bank manager for CalFed Bank for 10 years and County Bank for 10 years.
Laura Reis is vice president and manager of the bank’s Turlock Branch. A banker for 30 years, she served as a customer service manager for Pacific Valley National Bank for five years before joining County Bank.
With the new offices, Rabobank has 87 branches serving the non-metropolitan areas in the state -- in the Central Valley, along the Central Coast, and in the Coachella and Imperial Valleys. The bank employs more than 1,600 California residents throughout its network.
• Steps in where County Bank failed California community bank Rabobank N.A., a unit of the Rabobank Group of The Netherlands, one of the world’s largest banks, is expanding in the Central Valley.
The company says it has opened branches in Merced, Atwater and Turlock as of Tuesday after getting the okay from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
“We’re excited to begin serving the communities of Merced County,” says Jim Lokey, president of community banking. “We have been planning to come to this area for a long time and we are hopeful that Rabobank’s community banking and agricultural heritage will be warmly received.”
Rabobank is expanding into the footprint, if not the same locations, of the former County Bank of Merced, which was folded by the government earlier this year. Westamerica Bank of San Rafael took over most of County Bank’s offices.
Rabobank has two offices in Merced as well as offices in Atwater and Turlock. It says it expects to add an office in Los Banos.
The downtown Merced and Turlock branches will each have a community room that will allow authorized non-profit groups the opportunity to hold meetings at the branch.
In addition to Community Banking Manager Ed Rocha and Retail Regional Manager Ron Stapp, the branches will be led by bankers familiar to local residents and business owners.
“We have assembled a group of experienced bankers who are leaders and volunteers in their communities,” says Mr. Lokey.
Joe Ramirez is vice president and manager of the bank’s Merced Branch downtown on M Street. A banker for 30 years, he served as vice president and regional manager for County Bank for eight years.
Liz Johnston is vice president and branch manager of the bank’s Merced Branch on Yosemite Avenue. She served as a senior manager for JC Penney Company for 15 years before serving as a banking center manager for Bank of America and a branch manager for County Bank
Linda Morris is vice president and manager of the bank’s Atwater Branch. A banker for 35 years, she served as vice president and bank manager for CalFed Bank for 10 years and County Bank for 10 years.
Laura Reis is vice president and manager of the bank’s Turlock Branch. A banker for 30 years, she served as a customer service manager for Pacific Valley National Bank for five years before joining County Bank.
With the new offices, Rabobank has 87 branches serving the non-metropolitan areas in the state -- in the Central Valley, along the Central Coast, and in the Coachella and Imperial Valleys. The bank employs more than 1,600 California residents throughout its network.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Downtown wedding bells woo bridal businesses
Despite economic woes and a high rate of vacancies, the plan to turn downtown Turlock into a one-stop bridal shopping destination is moving forward."We do have movement going on in downtown Turlock," said Turlock Downtown Property Owners' Association President Stephen Backus.The TDPOA held an open house Tuesday in their continual efforts to entice new bridal-themed businesses to the downtown shopping area and convince established companies in and out of the area to relocate.The association has recruited two new stores that fit into the bridal plan - Angela's Sweets and Two Guy's Gourmet and Gift Shoppe - and both will be opening stores in the downtown sometime in the near future. So far, no major bridal shop has been recruited as an anchor store for the area, said Trina Walley, the executive director of the TDPOA."We're looking more for those unique shops than the anchor stores right now," Walley said.To help create a foundation for the bridal plan, the TDPOA is in the process of putting together a bridal business incubator. Essentially, the incubator plan would lease out one site and parcel it out to several businesses at a lesser rate. The goal is that the businesses would not only attract brides to the area, but also hopefully within time, the businesses would have enough of a customer base that they could expand into their own stores. Walley said they have six businesses interested in the incubator plan.One big goal the TDPOA is hoping to achieve soon is additional parking for the downtown. Walley said all the interested businesses have expressed the need for more parking in downtown and the association plans on bringing a proposal to the City Council for a lot on First Street."That would be a big plus for us," Backus said.To contact Sabra Stafford, e-mail sstafford@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2002.
Conference Board: Consumer confidence jumps
Consumer confidence, which twitched up slightly in March, improved considerably in April, says the Conference Board.
Its index now stands at 39.2 (1985=100), up from 26.9 in March.
"Consumer confidence rose in April to its highest reading in 2009, driven primarily by a significant improvement in the short-term outlook,” says Lynn Franco, director of the Conference Board Consumer Research Center.
“The ‘Present Situation Index’ posted a moderate gain, a sign that conditions have not deteriorated further, and may even moderately improve, in the second quarter. The sharp increase in the ‘Expectations Index’ suggests that consumers believe the economy is nearing a bottom, however, this index still remains well below levels associated with strong economic growth," she says.
Consumers' appraisal of present-day conditions improved moderately in April, the survey says. Those claiming business conditions are "bad" declined to 45.7 percent from 51.0 percent, while those claiming business conditions are "good" increased to 7.6 percent from 6.9 percent. Consumers' assessment of the job market was somewhat mixed. The percentage of consumers stating jobs are "hard to get" decreased to 47.9 percent from 48.8 percent in March, however, those saying jobs are "plentiful" edged down to 4.5 percent from 4.7 percent.
Consumers' short-term outlook improved significantly in April, the Conference Board says. Those anticipating business conditions will worsen over the next six months declined to 25.3 percent from 37.8 percent, while those expecting conditions to improve increased to 15.6 percent from 9.6 percent in March.
The employment outlook was also considerably less pessimistic. The percentage of consumers anticipating fewer jobs in the months ahead decreased to 33.6 percent from 41.6 percent, while those expecting more jobs increased to 13.9 percent from 7.3 percent. The proportion of consumers anticipating an increase in their incomes edged up to 8.0 percent from 7.8 percent.
The monthly survey is based on a representative sample of 5,000 U.S. households conducted for the Conference Board by TNS, a custom research company. The cutoff date for April's preliminary results was April 21.
The Conference Board says it “operates as a global independent membership organization working in the public interest. It publishes information and analysis, makes economics-based forecasts and assesses trends, and facilitates learning by creating dynamic communities of interest that bring together senior executives from around the world.”
Its index now stands at 39.2 (1985=100), up from 26.9 in March.
"Consumer confidence rose in April to its highest reading in 2009, driven primarily by a significant improvement in the short-term outlook,” says Lynn Franco, director of the Conference Board Consumer Research Center.
“The ‘Present Situation Index’ posted a moderate gain, a sign that conditions have not deteriorated further, and may even moderately improve, in the second quarter. The sharp increase in the ‘Expectations Index’ suggests that consumers believe the economy is nearing a bottom, however, this index still remains well below levels associated with strong economic growth," she says.
Consumers' appraisal of present-day conditions improved moderately in April, the survey says. Those claiming business conditions are "bad" declined to 45.7 percent from 51.0 percent, while those claiming business conditions are "good" increased to 7.6 percent from 6.9 percent. Consumers' assessment of the job market was somewhat mixed. The percentage of consumers stating jobs are "hard to get" decreased to 47.9 percent from 48.8 percent in March, however, those saying jobs are "plentiful" edged down to 4.5 percent from 4.7 percent.
Consumers' short-term outlook improved significantly in April, the Conference Board says. Those anticipating business conditions will worsen over the next six months declined to 25.3 percent from 37.8 percent, while those expecting conditions to improve increased to 15.6 percent from 9.6 percent in March.
The employment outlook was also considerably less pessimistic. The percentage of consumers anticipating fewer jobs in the months ahead decreased to 33.6 percent from 41.6 percent, while those expecting more jobs increased to 13.9 percent from 7.3 percent. The proportion of consumers anticipating an increase in their incomes edged up to 8.0 percent from 7.8 percent.
The monthly survey is based on a representative sample of 5,000 U.S. households conducted for the Conference Board by TNS, a custom research company. The cutoff date for April's preliminary results was April 21.
The Conference Board says it “operates as a global independent membership organization working in the public interest. It publishes information and analysis, makes economics-based forecasts and assesses trends, and facilitates learning by creating dynamic communities of interest that bring together senior executives from around the world.”
Monday, April 6, 2009
Read what Forbes Magazine has to say about Modesto
I really wish someone would base their facts on personal experience rather than information they pull from a variety of sources. I invite you Forbes to visit our community and decide for yourself.
http://www.forbes.com/2009/04/01/cities-city-ten-lifestyle-real-estate-livable-cities.html
I really wish someone would base their facts on personal experience rather than information they pull from a variety of sources. I invite you Forbes to visit our community and decide for yourself.
http://www.forbes.com/2009/04/01/cities-city-ten-lifestyle-real-estate-livable-cities.html
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Growth to take middle ground
County reps vote against extremes of high-density, sprawl
Read an interesting article in today's Modesto Bee about "a compromise between status quo sprawl and a scenario that would double housing densities".
Take a look and read for yourself: http://www.modbee.com/local/story/650965.html
County reps vote against extremes of high-density, sprawl
Read an interesting article in today's Modesto Bee about "a compromise between status quo sprawl and a scenario that would double housing densities".
Take a look and read for yourself: http://www.modbee.com/local/story/650965.html
Thursday, March 26, 2009
NFIB Releases March Survey Outlining Small Business Trends
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) released its March Report. Small Business owners were surveyed as recently as February. The report is quite extensive and shows charts outlining the trends effecting sales, profits, credit availability and more.
For information visit: www.nfib.com/page/researchFoundation (Scroll down page and click onto the "Small Business Economic Trends - March 2009" link)
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) released its March Report. Small Business owners were surveyed as recently as February. The report is quite extensive and shows charts outlining the trends effecting sales, profits, credit availability and more.
For information visit: www.nfib.com/page/researchFoundation (Scroll down page and click onto the "Small Business Economic Trends - March 2009" link)
What Every Business Owner Needs to Know Before Asking for a Loan:
Next Economic Survivor Business Series Seminar
April 1st - 7:30am-9:30am - Alliance Free Enterprise Center
Guest Speaker: Jeff Burda, Modesto Commerce Bank
The seminar is designed to give attendees key information on how to best prepare and be successful in securing Small Business Funding. This includes: knowing what's important to a banker, how "fundable" are you?, preparing financial statements, 5 "C's" of credit, preparing
a good proposal, and much more.
Register online at http://www.alliancesbdc.com/ or call 209-567-4910 to find out more information.
Next Economic Survivor Business Series Seminar
April 1st - 7:30am-9:30am - Alliance Free Enterprise Center
Guest Speaker: Jeff Burda, Modesto Commerce Bank
The seminar is designed to give attendees key information on how to best prepare and be successful in securing Small Business Funding. This includes: knowing what's important to a banker, how "fundable" are you?, preparing financial statements, 5 "C's" of credit, preparing
a good proposal, and much more.
Register online at http://www.alliancesbdc.com/ or call 209-567-4910 to find out more information.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Farmer's Market returning to Ceres
A new Ceres Farmer Market will be offered in downtown Ceres on Wednesdays beginning on April 1.
The push for a regular Farmers Market was made by the Ceres Partnership for Healthy Children and the Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program. The agency heard concerns from parents that they couldn't find fresh fruits and vegetables and with childhood obesity being a concern in Ceres, decided to initiate the farm-to-market outlet. The local farmers will be accepting WIC and EBT coupons.
For the rest of the story: http://www.cerescourier.com/main.asp?FromHome=1&TypeID=1&ArticleID=55768&SectionID=1&SubSectionID=2
The push for a regular Farmers Market was made by the Ceres Partnership for Healthy Children and the Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program. The agency heard concerns from parents that they couldn't find fresh fruits and vegetables and with childhood obesity being a concern in Ceres, decided to initiate the farm-to-market outlet. The local farmers will be accepting WIC and EBT coupons.
For the rest of the story: http://www.cerescourier.com/main.asp?FromHome=1&TypeID=1&ArticleID=55768&SectionID=1&SubSectionID=2
Turlock to net $4.9 million minimum in stimulus funds
The federal government may just be starting to dole out the dollars allocated in the Feb. 17 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, but Turlock has already penciled in this year's stimulus checks. The city is guaranteed at least $4.9 million in formula-driven AARA grants to benefit such areas as street improvements, public safety, and economic development, while as much as $328 million more in competitive grants could find its way into Turlock's coffers.
To read the rest of the story: http://www.cerescourier.com/main.asp?FromHome=1&TypeID=1&ArticleID=55768&SectionID=1&SubSectionID=2
To read the rest of the story: http://www.cerescourier.com/main.asp?FromHome=1&TypeID=1&ArticleID=55768&SectionID=1&SubSectionID=2
Friday, March 20, 2009
Area home prices a mixed bag...Stanislaus & Merced, Down...San Joaquin & Tuolumne, Up
Home prices continued to slip in Stanislaus and Merced counties last month, a real estate research firm reported Thursday, but they perked up a little in San Joaquin and Tuolumne.
The median price in Stanislaus County was $136,250, the report from MDA DataQuick said. That was down 2.7 percent from the $140,000 median in January and 66 percent off the market's $396,000 peak in late 2005.
For the rest of the story: http://www.modbee.com/business/story/637105.html
The median price in Stanislaus County was $136,250, the report from MDA DataQuick said. That was down 2.7 percent from the $140,000 median in January and 66 percent off the market's $396,000 peak in late 2005.
For the rest of the story: http://www.modbee.com/business/story/637105.html
ALLIANCE ECONOMIC SURVIVOR SERIES GAINING IN POPULARITY: MARKETING SEMINAR A HIT
Modesto, CA-
“The popularity of the Economic Survivor Business Seminars is growing quickly,” said Kurtis Clark, Director of the Alliance Small Business Development Center. “Yesterday we hosted the second in a series of nine. The event was very well attended. Doubling our last event.” David Boring, Julie Orona, and Courtney Considine, from Never Boring (www.neverboring.com) provided the audience with information on "Marketing Ideas That Bring In Customers". The surveys collected at the end of the session gave the seminar and its presenter’s high marks.
Boring opened the session by describing the difference between advertising and marketing. “Advertising is how you spend your money,” he explained. “Marketing is your basic plan and branding is a big part of marketing.”
"Why continue marketing in an economy like this?" Considine asked the audience. "If you stop telling your existing and new customers you are there, then they will stop coming in the door." She stressed the importance of keeping your name and brand in front of your customers.
"Your brand is not what you say it is, it is what your customer says it is,” said Orona. “First impressions are key.” Customer service, word of mouth, tone of message and consistency all form a brand. According to Orona, bad experiences have a larger effect on a brand than good ones and anything a business hands out forms their brand.
Signage is another form of branding. “Keep signage looking fresh,” states Boring. “If you are “The Discount Barn, but your sign reads The Discount Bar, you may get a whole other clientele.”
Boring also told attendees how critical a strategic plan is for a business. “It is how you go forward”, he said.
Social marketing, website design and advertising were all covered. In fact, when time ran out, the majority of participants stayed to hear more and speak to the presenters one-on-one.
"People ask me all the time, what is the magic bullet and where is the best place to spend my advertising money?" According to Boring, there is not just one magic bullet. And, how much money should you devote to marketing? “Budget is a tough one,” said Considine. “It is what you can realistically devote, and then maximize.”
It has been estimated that the return on investment is $46 for every $1 spent on advertising. I guess the big question for any business is, is it worth it?
The next Economic Survivor seminar is set for April 1st from 7:30-9:30 am at the Alliance Free Enterprise Center. “What Every Business Owner Needs to Know Before Asking for a Loan” will be the topic. This seminar is designed to give attendees key information on how to best prepare and be successful in securing Small Business Funding. This includes: knowing what’s important to a banker, how “fundable” are you, preparing financial statements, 5 “C’s” of credit, preparing a good proposal, and much more. Register online at www.alliancesbdc.com or call
209-567-4910. Seating is limited, so advanced registration is recommended.
The “Economic Survivor Business Seminars” is sponsored by the Alliance Small Business Development Center and Citibank.
Boring opened the session by describing the difference between advertising and marketing. “Advertising is how you spend your money,” he explained. “Marketing is your basic plan and branding is a big part of marketing.”
"Why continue marketing in an economy like this?" Considine asked the audience. "If you stop telling your existing and new customers you are there, then they will stop coming in the door." She stressed the importance of keeping your name and brand in front of your customers.
"Your brand is not what you say it is, it is what your customer says it is,” said Orona. “First impressions are key.” Customer service, word of mouth, tone of message and consistency all form a brand. According to Orona, bad experiences have a larger effect on a brand than good ones and anything a business hands out forms their brand.
Signage is another form of branding. “Keep signage looking fresh,” states Boring. “If you are “The Discount Barn, but your sign reads The Discount Bar, you may get a whole other clientele.”
Boring also told attendees how critical a strategic plan is for a business. “It is how you go forward”, he said.
Social marketing, website design and advertising were all covered. In fact, when time ran out, the majority of participants stayed to hear more and speak to the presenters one-on-one.
"People ask me all the time, what is the magic bullet and where is the best place to spend my advertising money?" According to Boring, there is not just one magic bullet. And, how much money should you devote to marketing? “Budget is a tough one,” said Considine. “It is what you can realistically devote, and then maximize.”
It has been estimated that the return on investment is $46 for every $1 spent on advertising. I guess the big question for any business is, is it worth it?
The next Economic Survivor seminar is set for April 1st from 7:30-9:30 am at the Alliance Free Enterprise Center. “What Every Business Owner Needs to Know Before Asking for a Loan” will be the topic. This seminar is designed to give attendees key information on how to best prepare and be successful in securing Small Business Funding. This includes: knowing what’s important to a banker, how “fundable” are you, preparing financial statements, 5 “C’s” of credit, preparing a good proposal, and much more. Register online at www.alliancesbdc.com or call
209-567-4910. Seating is limited, so advanced registration is recommended.
The “Economic Survivor Business Seminars” is sponsored by the Alliance Small Business Development Center and Citibank.
The Stanislaus Economic Development and Workforce Alliance www.stanalliance.com oversees both economic development and workforce training activities countywide. The Alliance is committed to creating a blueprint for success, which can make the Stanislaus River Valley (Stanislaus County) the strategic business choice for existing and expanding businesses by focusing on job creation, business assistance and workforce preparation activities.
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