American Riviera Bank Regional Pulse

Fighting Crimes Against the Elderly with Laurel Sykes, Vicki Johnson, and Heather Clark

Financial abuse of seniors is a devastating crime that banks are uniquely positioned to help identify. It can be as simple as taking money or as involved as coercing or manipulating a victim into turning over property to an abuser. Unfortunately, we are seeing an increasing trend in fraud against seniors, and much goes unreported. Baby Boomers, Americans born between 1946 and 1964, represent the largest portion of the population and continue to reach senior status in record numbers due, in part, to increased life expectancy. Laurel Sykes, our Chief Compliance and Risk Officer, sits down with Vicki Johnson, Senior Deputy District Attorney, and Heather Clark, from the Crimes Against Property Unit of the Santa Barbara Police Department, to discuss recent scams witnessed by local banks, and hear about recent cases from local law enforcement, along with tips for stopping the abuse!

Understanding the Restaurant Business on the Central Coast

Bobby Boyes, Vice President and Client Relationship Manager at American Riviera Bank speaks with John Bennett, Santa Barbara Restaurateur about the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to opening a restaurant on the Central Coast. John D Bennett arrived in SB from NY at age 12. He graduated from SB High and took over management duties at his family owned business, Brophy Brothers. After many years in the restaurant business, he helped open the Ventura Brophy Brothers, and now oversees other family owned places such as Benchmark Eatery and Farmer Boy Restaurant. Bobby and John discuss the ups and downs of running multiple restaurants in Santa Barbara, the ramifications of the minimum wage increase, rent and lease payments in town either from the city of private party, and the major obstacles that prevent success when new restaurants open.

Commercial Real Estate on the Central Coast with Joanne Funari and Steve Golis

Joanne Funari, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of American Riviera Bank sits down with Steve Golis, Principal and Founder, Radius Commercial Real Estate. Widely considered the market leader in his specialty, Steve is regularly called on to present at local professional events as an expert in the apartment sector. He is also a contributing author for the UCSB Economic Forecast Project, the Greater Central California Coast Forecast Project and the California State Economic Project. Joanne and Steve discuss the local commercial real estate market, economics, demographics, and what the future of commercial real estate might look like in Santa Barbara.