Valley Briefs

Valley Briefs Bank Gains First California Bank recorded a 42 percent increase in net income to $623,000 or $0.31 per share for the third quarter of 2003, compared with earnings of $438,000 for the third quarter last year. First California, based in Camarillo, said net interest income in the period increased 15 percent to $2.8 million and non-interest income increased to $418,000 from $301,000 in the year ago quarter. Loans increased 10 percent to $150.2 million and deposits rose to $196.6 million from $185.6 million a year ago. First California’s assets reached $242.6 million, up from $202.6 million in the like period last year. Last month, the bank, with locations in Oxnard, Ventura and Westlake Village, opened its fourth full service office in Thousand Oaks. Centers Recognized Glendale Galleria was one of four Los Angeles area shopping centers to be recognized for marketing excellence by the International Council of Shopping Centers in its 32nd annual MAXI Awards. The Galleria won a merit award from a field of 413 entries for its promotion, “Ultimate Summer Jam.” Those receiving the award included: Annette Bethers, former senior marketing manager; Jeannie Lonnquist, who had been marketing manager for the Galleria at the time of the promotion, and JoAnne Brosi, general manager for the shopping center. The marketing department staff has changed at the mall since the Galleria, formerly managed by Donahue Schriber, was acquired by General Growth Properties Inc., which now manages the Galleria as well. Bethers is currently senior manager of strategic partnerships for Macerich Co. Lonnquist is now an independent consultant. Gold’s Gym Opens Gold’s Gym held its grand opening in Thousand Oaks earlier this month. The fitness club is the second in the greater San Fernando Valley and the fourth in the Los Angeles owned by Angel and Willy Banos. Other locations for Banos’ owned Gold’s clubs are Hollywood, North Hollywood and downtown Los Angeles. It is located at the Janss Marketplace at 197 North Moorpark Rd. PerfectData Improves PerfectData Corp. shored up its losses in the company’s fiscal second quarter ended Sept. 30, 2003. The Simi Valley-based marketer of computer, office care and maintenance products lost $166,000 or $0.03 per share in the period, compared to a net loss of $367,000 or $0.06 in the comparable period last year. PerfectData sales soared 44 percent to $708,000 in the fiscal second quarter, from $490,000 in the second quarter of last year. PerfectData has reached an agreement to acquire the assets of Spray Products Corp., and earlier the company reported it has reached an agreement to acquire SuperCom Ltd., an Israeli company. Both deals are subject to certain approvals. THQ Ranked 2nd Calabasas-based video-game maker THQ Inc. has been named the No. 2 independent video game publisher of the year by NPD Group Inc., a consultant to the videogame industry. It was ranked No. 3 overall, with a 7.7 percent share of the market during October, behind Santa Monica-based Electronic Arts and Japan-based Nintendo.