CHICO’S FINANCIALS
>>Chico’s FAS Inc. (NYSE: CHS) today reported a fourth-quarter loss of $20.5 million compared with a profit of $18.2 million during the same period the year before. The company’s annual net income was $88.9 million for the fiscal year ended Feb. 3, compared with a profit of $166.6 million the year before. Meanwhile, February same-store sales—those open at least a year—fell 6.7 percent to $105.5 million from $113.1 million reported during the same period last year. “While we attribute much of our under-performance to last year’s merchandising issues, some of the corrective measures we have taken are being masked by the slowdown in retail overall and in the missy sector in particular,” stated company CEO, chairman and president Scott Edmonds in a news release. “We are currently forecasting negative comparable store sales for the first half of 2008, and expect to have lower earnings than the first half of 2007.”

WCI EXPECTS LOSS
>>WCI Communities Inc. (NYSE: WCI) (www.wcicommunities.com) said Tuesday it expects to post a pre-tax, fourth-quarter loss of up to $460 million, which includes markdowns made to sell inventory. “Our earnings for the quarter and full year will reflect the very poor operating conditions that persist in our markets and will also include significant write downs,” said president and CEO Jerry Starkey in a news release.

TRUST COMPANY
>>TIB Financial Corp. has formed TIB Trust Co., which will serve as a “continuation of TIB’s strategic initiative to deliver private banking, wealth management and trust services.” The proposed members of the TIB Trust Co. board of directors include Thomas E. Fahey, Robert W. Goldman, R. Walter Hale III, Thomas J. Longe, Edward V. Lett and Michael H. Morris. Trust powers are expected to be granted by the State of Florida Office of Financial Regulation by mid-summer.

WOMEN IN HISTORY
>>The Neapolitan Chapter of the American Business Women Association will hold its sixth annual Women in History luncheon at 11 a.m. on March 14 at the Hilton Naples at 5111 Tamiami Trial N. This year’s honorees are Lois Bolin, Doris Reynolds and Karen Rollins. The cost is $75 per person. To register, visit www.abwaneapolitan.org.

SURGICAL CENTER
>>Medical Surgical Specialists has moved to Diamond Ridge Center, 3291 Woods Edge Parkway, in Bonita Springs. The practice is affiliated with Physicians Regional Healthcare System.

BEST HIDDEN BEACH
>>Cayo Costa Island Preserve has been named among the world’s best “hidden beaches” on concierge.com, the online publication of Condé Nast Traveler magazine. “There was a time, before Florida and beachfront and development evolved almost into one word, when just about all of the Sunshine State’s beaches looked like Cayo Costa’s—soft white sand, chill-out serenity, and nary a high-rise at the tide line,” the Web site says. The barrier island was purchased by the state in 1985 and is reachable only by boat. The Florida Department of Natural Resources maintains 12 primitive cabins and 18 tent campsites on the northern portion of the island.

CEOS SPEAK
>>CEOs from Alico Inc., Bank of Florida Corp., Chico’s FAS Inc. and Health Management Associates will speak at an investment forum sponsored by Florida Gulf Coast University’s Lutgert College of Business and the CFA Society of Naples. The execs will cover topics relating to the economic outlook for their respective industries and firms. FGCU president Wilson G. Bradshaw will give a welcome address, and Vinny Catalano, a former president of the New York Society of Security Analysts and founder of Blue Marble Research, will moderate the panel. The event, which is free and open to the public, runs from 3 to 5 p.m. on March 11 at FGCU’s Student Union ballroom. To make a reservation, go to www.fgcu.edu/cob/events .

BRANCH MANAGER
>>Machelle Shirk has been named assistant vice president, branch manager of the Southwest Capital Bank’s (www.southwestcapitalbank.com) headquarters at 12670 Creekside Lane in Fort Myers. Shirk has 20 years of banking experience and is former president of the Fort Myers Kiwanis.

COMMERCIAL LENDER
>>Riverside Bank of the Gulf Coast has hired Tom Guess as vice president/commercial lender. Guess has more than 25 years of banking experience and most recently served as vice president/retail market manager for Southwest Capital Bank. His expertise includes lending, management, regional management and underwriting.

SENIOR VP
>>Partners Bank (www.partnersbank.net) has named Alan Carroll as senior vice president, commercial lending officer. He is responsible for the origination of commercial loans and new business development. Carroll has more than 25 years of banking industry experience, including 10 years in Naples, where he was most recently vice president and commercial lending officer for TIB Bank.

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
>>The Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for its 2008 Small Business of the Year Award. This recognition is being held in conjunction with Small Business Week and will be presented to the winner at the awards luncheon on May 9. The deadline for nominations is April 15. Applications, which include the criteria, are available at www.bonitaspringschamber.com. For more information, call Gabrielle O’Boyle at 992-2943.

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