Archive for the ‘Los Angeles Business News’ Category

CEO of Bank of America to step down

Thursday, October 1st, 2009

Kenneth D. Lewis will leave Dec. 31, by which time a successor will be in place, the company said.


Kenneth D. Lewis, who helped build Bank of America Corp. into a national powerhouse but presided over its deep problems during the financial crisis, announced this afternoon that he would step down as chief executive at the end of the year.



AIG million-dollar conference to be largely paid for by sponsors

Thursday, October 1st, 2009

The insurer condemned last year for holding a $400,000 executive retreat after taking billions of dollars in bailout funds says it will spend $30,000 on this weekend’s event at a luxury spa in Ojai.


American International Group Inc., the troubled insurer condemned last year for holding a $400,000 executive retreat after taking billions of dollars in government bailout money, is hosting a million-dollar conference at a luxury spa in Ojai this weekend.



Green-tech companies draw biggest share of venture capital in third quarter

Thursday, October 1st, 2009

Green-technology firms attracted the largest share of venture capital in the third quarter, with global investments rising to $1.59 billion, according to a survey released Wednesday by Cleantech Group and Deloitte & Touche.



Golden State Mutual Life seized by California regulators

Thursday, October 1st, 2009

The insurer, whose customers are mainly African American, is losing $200,000 a month and about to run out of funds completely, officials say. The state hopes to find a new firm to take over policies.


State insurance regulators have seized control of Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Co., a financially struggling company that has primarily served the African American community for the last 84 years.



Prosecutors win key ruling in case against Broadcom’s ex-finance chief

Thursday, October 1st, 2009

A court says William J. Ruehle’s statements to company lawyers about an alleged option-backdating scheme are not protected by attorney-client privilege and can be admitted as evidence at his trial.


Federal prosecutors won a key ruling Wednesday in their option-backdating case against Broadcom Corp.’s former finance chief.



Hotel Bel-Air closes for renovations, laying off 250 union workers

Thursday, October 1st, 2009

The hotel has refused to commit to rehiring the employees, many of whom are immigrants, when work is done in 2011. Many are worried about losing affordable health coverage.


The Hotel Bel-Air closed quietly Wednesday, shutting for two years of renovations without agreeing to a severance package with its unionized employees.



Tort reform is the healthcare debate’s frivolous sideshow

Thursday, October 1st, 2009

Any issue featuring so many interest groups cantering about on hobbyhorses is an issue where the truth goes to die. So let’s try a shot of reality.


Every circus needs a sideshow, which must be why every time the issue of rising medical costs gets debated, politicians start clamoring for “tort reform.”



Jay Leno has fewer guests to choose from thanks to rival networks’ boycott

Thursday, October 1st, 2009

ABC and CBS are discouraging their stars from appearing on the new prime-time talk show to keep it from undercutting their costly dramas. NBC says it’s not concerned.


Despite a new prime-time perch and a larger audience, NBC comedian Jay Leno is fishing for guests from a substantially smaller pool of talent.



Ruling in case against Broadcom’s ex-finance chief favors prosecution

Thursday, October 1st, 2009

A court says William J. Ruehle’s statements to company lawyers about an alleged option-backdating scheme are not protected by attorney-client privilege and can be admitted as evidence at his trial.


Federal prosecutors won a key ruling Wednesday in their option-backdating case against Broadcom Corp.’s former finance chief.



Stater Bros. starts free prescription-antibiotics program

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

Albertsons plans to match the offer. Free drugs include ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, penicillin and bactrim. The move is part of Southern California grocery chains’ battle for customers, analysts say.


Southern California’s supermarket price war found a new front Wednesday when Stater Bros. started filling a selection of antibiotic prescriptions for free.