Libra Investments Inc

U.S. Bancorp of Minneapolis said Thursday it has agreed to buy Los Angeles-based Libra Investments Inc., a privately held investment bank, in a move that would significantly boost its presence in California and increase its investment banking and junk bond business. The deal comes just months after rumors that U.S. Bancorp was considering a purchase of Wells Fargo & Co., which later agreed to be bought by U.S. Bancorp's cross-town rival, Norwest Corp. Earlier this year, U.S.

USB Libra Investments, a firm created when a Minneapolis banking giant bought a Los Angeles investment boutique last year, recently raised $50 million from investors to provide $3 million to $7.5 million in funding to growing companies. Last year, U.S. Bancorp, one of the nation's larger banks, purchased Libra Investments Inc., one of Los Angeles' best-kept secrets in finance, for an undisclosed amount.

USB Libra Investments, a firm created when a Minneapolis banking giant bought a Los Angeles investment boutique last year, recently raised $50 million from investors to provide $3 million to $7.5 million in funding to growing companies. Last year, U.S. Bancorp, one of the nation's larger banks, purchased Libra Investments Inc., one of Los Angeles' best-kept secrets in finance, for an undisclosed amount.

U.S. Bancorp of Minneapolis said Thursday it has agreed to buy Los Angeles-based Libra Investments Inc., a privately held investment bank, in a move that would significantly boost its presence in California and increase its investment banking and junk bond business. The deal comes just months after rumors that U.S. Bancorp was considering a purchase of Wells Fargo & Co., which later agreed to be bought by U.S. Bancorp's cross-town rival, Norwest Corp. Earlier this year, U.S.

Cherokee Inc. said that it has reached a broader product licensing agreement with Dayton Hudson's Target retail stores that would last until 2004. Cherokee, with headquarters in Van Nuys, is a licenser of clothing, shoes, luggage and other items. The deal with Target allows the discount retailer to use the Cherokee brand name on a broad range of merchandise including men's, women's and children's clothing and shoes, and various cosmetics and home textiles.

In what industry insiders say is a show of faith in the Southland's recession-ravaged residential real estate market, investors have gobbled up $155 million in high-risk, 10-year notes in a private offering by an Orange County home builder. Officials of Baldwin Co., the Newport Beach developer that issued the bonds, were not available for comment Thursday.

Picture this: You own a business with a strong cash flow. You want to grow the business via an aggressive acquisition campaign. You need capital to bring your dream to reality. Above all, you want to keep control in your own hands. Does the profile fit you? If so, you may be a good candidate for an unusual kind of capital financing more often associated with high-tech start-ups than with established small businesses engaging in ordinary commerce.