STRATEGIC PARTNERS
December 12, 2001
EUREKA, Calif. -- Bank holding company Humboldt Bancorp (NasdaqNM:HBEK - news) said on Dec. 12 that the operator of its ATM system is missing, along with $5 million of its money, according to a Reuters report.
Humboldt, which said it is cooperating with authorities to determine the whereabouts of the unidentified principal of its ATM operator, said it will take an after-tax charge of about $3.1 million, or 29 cents a share. Excluding the charge, the company expects to earn between 27 cents to 28 cents a share.
"Last week, we noticed some irregularities with this particular' independent service provider, Humboldt Chief Executive Theodore Mason said in a statement. ``After numerous attempts to communicate with the principal, we contacted law enforcement authorities, and learned that he had been reported missing.'
