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Recent and archived news stories on: Banks, Credit Unions, Mortgage Lending, SBA, Stocks/Bonds, Venture Capital, Wealth Management...

Algae Shoes Seen as Step Up From Petroleum Products

Entrepreneur Stephen Mayfield, that UC San Diego professor who’s always making products from algae foam, is developing an eco-friendly flip-flop to add to his product portfolio.

Evofem Biosciences, Neothetics Announce Merger Agreement

Following its failure in the clinic, San Diego’s fat-busting biotech Neothetics is folding into a growing local company called Evofem Biosciences.

Ernesto M. Arredondo Jr. Named Chief Banking Officer for Seacoast Commerce

Seacoast Commerce Bank has hired its first chief banking officer, longtime banker Ernesto M. Arredondo Jr.

Illumina Ventures Raises $230M Fund to Support Genomics Startups

The venture capital firm founded by San Diego’s DNA instrument giant Illumina Inc. has raised a $230 million fund to fuel genomics startups.

San Diego Startups Raise More Than $300M in Q3

Investments in emerging companies in San Diego were bigger but fewer in number during the third quarter compared to the same time last year.

University of California San Diego Professor Receives 'Genius Grant'

Cybersecurity expert Stefan Savage received a “genius grant” from the John D. and Catherine C. MacArthur Foundation.

Innovative Industrial Properties Inc. Announces Preferred Stock Offering

Innovative Industrial Properties Inc., an investment company that aims to buy buildings and lease them to growers of medical marijuana, announced Oct. 12 that it is looking raise $15 million by selling 600,000 shares of preferred stock in the company at $25 per share.

Nonprofit, Southwest’s Partnership Helps Kids’ Dreams Soar

Promises2Kids announced its continuing partnership with Southwest Airlines as its official airline. Since 2014, Southwest Airlines has been Promises2Kids airline and a community partner that has supported the entire agency, including sponsorships for Promises2Kids’ Junior Guardian Scholars program, and the Dream On Concert Gala.

Cruzan Obtains $41.2M in Refinancing for Carlsbad Office Campus

Solana Beach-based development and investment firm Cruzan has obtained $41.2 million in refinancing for its Make office campus in Carlsbad, according to CBRE Group Inc., which arranged the financing.

Qualcomm Inc. to Pay 57 Cents Per Share Cash Dividend

Qualcomm Inc. said Oct. 10 that it will pay a cash dividend of 57 cents per share.

New S.D. Private Equity Firm Aims to Fund Startups Serving Cannabis Industry

A new private equity firm has set up shop in San Diego to fund startups that are serving the cannabis industry.

U.S. Treasury Awards Microlender Accion a Grant of Nearly $1M

Locally based microlender Accion has been awarded a grant of nearly $1 million from the U.S. Treasury Department.

Mission Valley Office Building Sells for $25.1 Million

Santa Monica-based Vista Investment Group LLC has acquired the Plaza 2020 office building in Mission Valley for approximately $25.1 million.

WILL Puts Spotlight on Deserving East County Leaders

The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce honored eight women during the 2017 Women in Leadership Luncheon, or WILL, awards at the Town and Country San Diego in Mission Valley recently. The keynote speaker was Jenny Amaraneni, co-founder and CEO of SOLO Eyewear. The event emcee was Lee Ann Kim, founder of the Pacific Arts Movement.

S.D. Maps Out Sites That Might Suit Amazon’s HQ2 Needs

PROPERTY: No Clear Winner as Locations Have Variety of Pluses, Minuses

Local real estate experts generally agree that San Diego County has plenty to offer Amazon Inc., based on the multiple places where the e-commerce giant already does business throughout the region. Less clear is whether San Diego can deliver potential sites — at the right size in the right locations — that can accommodate Amazon’s mega-sized ambitions for its HQ2.