Biz to biz

Credit Union of the Rockies announces its Community Change Project
Credit Union of the Rockies invites its members to submit their ideas for a deserving nonprofit charity or community project aimed at creating social or environmental change in your community. Four $1,000 grants will be awarded in total. Submissions will be due September 24th. The credit union will be looking for projects that promote social change regarding personal finance, serving community members who are less privileged, building stronger communities around environmental change and supporting education of today’s youth.

Grant applications can be found at www.curockies.orG. Winning grants will be posted on the credit union’s website celebrating the positive changes taking place.

The Breckenridge Resort Chamber July Mixer

BRECKENRIDGE — The Breckenridge Resort Chamber (BRC) Ambassadors and the member businesses of Town Square Mall are hosting the July Mixer at Town Square Mall, 100 North Main St. in Breckenridge. The mixer will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday. Admission is $5 for members and $10 for prospective members. Proceeds from admission go to the BRC Ambassador Scholarship Fund.
The BRC mixer is a great opportunity to network with other business people from the county in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. Appetizers and drinks will be offered. A selection of wines will be provided by D’Vine Wine of Silverthorne.

Friends Welcome, Breckenridge’s community-wide guest-service program, will present the June Friends Welcome awards to individuals and businesses who have demonstrated outstanding guest service in the community at 5:30 p.m. For more information on the mixer or Friends Welcome, contact the Breckenridge Resort Chamber at (970) 453-2913 or visit gobreck.com.

BRC member businesses of Town Square Mall hosting the July Mixer include Art on a Whim, A Heart’s Desire, Exclusive Mountain Retreats, Colorado Premier Real Estate, System Doctor, Jake’s Dive Bar, J&M Jewelry, Reverseage, Giampetro’s, Kokopelli Properties, Executive Resorts and The Chic Boutique.

FirstBank reports second-quarter results

LAKEWOOD — FirstBank Holding Company, the Lakewood-based holding company for the largest locally owned banking organization in Colorado, today reported net income of $67.3 million for the six months ending in June 2008. The company’s net income so far this year represents a 41-percent increase over the comparable period in 2007, according to John A. Ikard, president of the holding company.

FirstBank showed increases for all its key financial measures. Total assets held by FirstBank were $9.2 billion as of June 30, up 11 percent compared to a year ago. Total deposits increased to $7.8 billion, up 5 percent from a year ago. Earnings per share were $510.94, up 41 percent, and the year-to-date return on average shareholder equity was 22 percent. Total assets for FirstBank of Summit County were $367.6 million.

“Despite a relatively tough economic environment for the banking industry, we continue to strategically grow our operations and deliver outstanding value for our shareholders,” said Ikard. “FirstBank’s continued focus on credit quality, along with good growth in deposits, has enabled us to generate strong earnings for the first half of 2008.” FirstBank does not carry any subprime mortgage loans on its books, according to Ikard.