FCB Bancorp reported earnings of $3.2 million in 2005 compared with earnings of $2.4 million in 2004. The bank’s total assets at the end of 2005 were $467 million, an increase of 65 percent over the previous year. The Camarillo-based bank’s loan portfolio rose to $343 million, an 87 percent increase over last year and deposits rose to $372 million, a 64% increase over last year. Bank of Santa Clarita announced a fourth quarter net loss of $313,000 on revenues of $810,000, down from a net loss of $331,000 on revenues of $572,000 in the previous quarter. The company said in a news release that its operating losses were consistent with other start-up banks. The bank’s assets grew to $62.6 million in the fourth quarter, a 14 percent increase from the previous quarter and a 181 percent increase over the previous year.

Westlake Village city officials turned down a proposal to build a large retail center anchored by Lowe’s. The controversial project, which would have required an amendment to the city’s general plan, needed the votes of three of the city’s council members to pass. Only two council members voted in favor of the project, which was designed for a 169,000-square-foot Lowe’s store and an additional 60,000 square feet of retail space for restaurants and other shops. The final vote came down to two-two, with one councilman abstaining because of a previously declared conflict of interest. The proposal to build a retail center would have required a change to the city’s general plan which sets aside the project site, north of the Ventura (101) Freeway at Russell Ranch Road, for office development. Many residents were staunchly opposed to a retail project, concerned that it would bring excessive traffic congestion, air quality and other problems.

Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media announced they have started pre-production on “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian,” with Andrew Adamson, the Academy Award nominated director of the first film in the Narnia Series. The film is the next installment of the Narnia book adaptations, written by C.S. Lewis. “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” based on the first book by the same name, has grossed in excess of $637.8 million at the worldwide box office and has received three Academy Award nominations. Adamson, who directed Shrek and Shrek 2, will direct once again and serve producer and co-writer in collaboration with Christopher Markus and Steve McFeeley. Production is scheduled to begin later this year for a Christmas 2007 release. “Prince Caspian” brings the children of the Pevensie family back into the land of Narnia, 1,000 years after their last visit. The siblings join together in order to fight against a villain who stands in the way of the rule of the rightful Prince. First published in 1951, “Prince Caspian” is the second book in Lewis’ seven-book series. The series has sold over 100 million books worldwide, making it one of the most popular series of all time.

Amgen Inc. announced plans to spend $1 billion to expand its manufacturing operations in Puerto Rico. The biotech giant is building a new plant in the city of Juncos, where it maintains existing facilities. Over the next four years, the company will hire 500 additional employees to work on the island. The expanded facilities will be used to increase the production of Neupogen, Neulasta, Epogen and Aranesp drugs. The drugs are used to treat side effects of chemotherapy and problems related to kidney dialysis. Amgen has previously announced expansion plans in Ireland, England and throughout the United States. Shares fell $1.53, or 2 percent, closing on the Nasdaq at $74.66 with an aftermarket $0.14 cent increase.

LTC Properties Inc. has sold four assisted living properties, the company said today. Westlake Village-based LTC sold the portfolio of properties, which contain a combined 431 units, for $58.5 million to an entity formed by the principals of Sunwest Management Inc. The self-administered real estate investment trust originally acquired the properties in 1998 for $32.7 million. LTC said it would use the proceeds from the sale to pay down debt and fund renovations, expansions and additions to its remaining portfolio of properties. The company specializes in investing in long-term care and other health care related facilities.

IHOP Corp. expects earnings per share to range between $2.25 and $2.35 on a diluted basis for the company’s 2006 year. The Glendale-based operator of casual restaurants said its earnings guidance was based upon an expectation of same-store sales growth ranging between 2 percent and 4 percent this year, the addition of 64 to 69 new restaurants and other factors.

Auto parts manufacturer, Superior Industries International, Inc. said Wednesday it would lay off about 375 workers at its Van Nuys manufacturing facility as the company struggles to bring its costs in line with diminishing revenues. The cuts will affect about half of its Valley manufacturing workforce, which numbers 635. The company said that the cuts will not affect about 125 workers employed at the company’s corporate headquarters, also in Van Nuys. Superior said it plans to focus on its specialty operations, making the facility more profitable at lower sales levels. Superior has been stung by the downturn in business at some of its major customers, including Ford and General Motors. The company said it would take $1.5 million in charges related to the layoffs in 2006. Superior supplies aluminum wheels and other aluminum automotive components to customers which include Ford, General Motors, DaimlerChrysler, Audi, BMW, Isuzu, Jaguar, among others. It has eleven manufacturing facilities over the United States, Mexico and Europe employing over 6,000 people.

Health Net reported net income of $76.7 million, or $0.65 per share on revenues of $2.95 billion in the fourth quarter. For the same quarter in 2004, the company reported a net loss of $85.6 million, or $0.77 per share on revenues of $2.87 billion. Last year’s results included miscellaneous, one-time charges. Revenues rose 2.9 percent year over the year. David Olson, Health Net spokesman, said that commercial premiums for Health Net are up 9%. Government contracts also increased 14.9 percent to $560.5 million. Olson also commented that Health Net “want[s] to start building enrollment” as a top priority beginning in the second quarter and continuing throughout the rest of the year. Earlier this month, Health Net announced it would acquire the health plan assets of Universal Care, Inc., which will add about 75,000 commercial members, 5,000 Medicare Advantage members and 20,000 Healthy Family members.

Image Entertainment, Inc., a Chatsworth-based independent licensee, producer and distributor of home entertainment programming has announced plans to license and distribute the 2005 Austin City Limits Music Festival on DVD and CD with Capital Sports & Entertainment, an entertainment and sports management and marketing company. The DVD and CD releases are scheduled for this summer, and will both be special edition 2-disc sets with highlights from the festival. Capital Sport & Entertainment and KLRU-TV are co-producers of the Austin City Limits Music Festival which features over 130 bands on eight stages in a three-day period. Among the bands featured have been Coldplay, Widespread Panic and The Black Crows. The Festival premiered on PBS from Austin’s Zilker Park. Image has distributed other concert events under titles “Cher: The Farewell Tour”, “Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire: Live at the Greek”, and “Rockin’ the Corps”, a concert given in tribute to the U.S Marines returning from Iraq. Founded in 1981, Image Entertainment Inc. offers over 3,000 exclusive DVD titles and over 200 exclusive CD titles in domestic release. It has a domestic distribution facility in Las Vegas, Nevada. It distributes worldwide through its direct relationships with major North American retailers and foreign sublicensees such as Sony/BMG and Warner Music.

Countrywide Financial Corp. CEO Angelo Mozilo this morning told analysts that the company would consider possible acquisitions to take advantage of an expected consolidation in the mortgage industry. The announcement came as the Calabasas-based mortgage and financial services company reported earnings and revenues that fell short of analysts expectations. Countrywide said net earnings for the fourth quarter increased to $638.9 million or $1.03 per share on revenues of $2.59 billion. The fourth quarter performance compared with earnings of $369.8 million or $0.61 per share in the same period of 2004. Analysts were expecting profits of $1.05 per share and revenues of about $2.69 billion for the quarter.