Security Business Bank (OTC: SBBC) hasn't eased up on lending, but demand has dipped as its clients look to conserve cash.   

Coronado First Bank's President and CEO Bruce Ives said his bank's strong foundation has given it the footing to "take advantage of what's happening in the current economic environment."   

President and CEO Hans Ganz appears to be in good spirits when he talks about his bank and its lending activity.   

Just because bigger banks like Washington Mutual found themselves filing for bankruptcy in the past year, do not assume that all banks are doing poorly, said Michael Perry, chairman of San Diego Trust Bank.   

Small business has always been a staple of the San Diego economy. And for Escondido-based California Community Bank, emerging businesses are the main focus too.   

Small business is in Joseph Benoit's blood.   

Despite tightening standards, Torrey Pines Bank has seen an increase in borrowing demand and loans.   

The lending team at community-focused Security Business Bank is often faced with making difficult decisions. The committee's approval of a loan usually is tied to a company's ability to expand, buy a building or take on a new project.   

Lending has slowed, but its not because banks do not have money to lend, said Ron Carlson, president and CEO of 1st Pacific Bank of California. Rather, the demand for loans across the board has slowed with the economy.   

After being battered by souring industries, Temecula Valley Bank is in the midst of changing its lending strategy, retrenching and carefully conserving capital.   

The best way for a small business owner to protect his or her business is to actively manage the risks they face on a day-to-day basis. Risk is one of the most overlooked areas in small businesses, even though most small business owners recognize that operating any business involves risk. While taking a risk and winning is fun, prudent business owners take care to minimize the risk, just as you would in any other type of risky venture you undertake. A good risk management system is a continuous process of analysis and communication.   

If a timeline of 2008 were made, it would outline the disastrous credit crunch that has unraveled over the past year, starting with the subprime market meltdown at the end of 2007. Since then has followed a tumultuous trail of the housing market collapse, credit crunch, recession and consumer spending slowdown, which have all led to a plunge in stocks this year. According to cnnmoney.com, 2008 has been the worst year for investors since the 1930s. As of the close of day on Dec. 30, the Dow was down 34.7 percent, the S&P 500 down by 39 percent and the Nasdaq by 41.5 percent.   

When entrepreneurs are looking for a bank, it is important to recognize that their relationship with a bank is one of the most important relationships a small business owner will develop. Therefore, this is one relationship for which an entrepreneur must give time and examination.   

They've been bailed out, but not kicked out.   

   

It's already been a lousy year for workers less than a month into 2009 and there's no relief in sight. Tens of thousands of fresh layoffs were announced Monday and more companies are expected to cut payrolls in the months ahead.   

   

   

Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD) plans to eliminate 7,000 jobs while closing four dozen stores under its smaller home improvement brands as the recession continues to batter the nation's housing market. Its shares climbed more than 5 percent in morning trading.   

When the best men's golfers in the world -- minus Tiger Woods -- gather at Torrey Pines for the Buick Open next week (Feb. 2), it will be a reminder of last year's glory, the dramatic U.S. Open.   

As market observers watch for early signs that better times are around the corner, they're paying close attention to small-company stocks, which tend to recover earlier than large-company stocks coming out of a recession.   

Believe it or not, there is money out there.   

As the recession forces small businesses across the country to cut expenses, some are making a dramatic shift -- they're laying off employees and using independent contractors instead.   

U.S. Bank has tapped Erik Daniels to lead its Small Business Administration division, headquartered in San Diego.   

Amid criticism that the first round of federal bailout funds was poorly managed, San Diego bank executives maintain that the capital they’ve received will help the consumer as well as their institutions.   

San Diego is missing out on collecting $144 million in unclaimed federal dollars each year due to an overwhelming number of poverty-stricken residents who are not receiving food stamps.