Forte's Café in Smithfield has expanded its days and hours. For lunch, the restaurant is now open from 11 a.m. till 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Dinner hours are 5 till 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday. On Sunday, the restaurant is open from 1 till 6 p.m.for a gospel brunch. Forte's offers appetizers, sandwiches, entrees, daily specials, desserts and a children's menu. The restaurant is at 1321 E. Market St. For more information, call 209-0005.

Bank reports loss

KS Bancorp, parent company of KS Bank, has reported a third-quarter loss of $114,000, or nine cents per share. After adjustments, the loss was $142,000, or 11 cents a share.

A year ago, earnings were $304,000, or 23 cents per share.

The bank attributed the loss to an increase in the provision which loan losses, which increased by $539,000 in the third quarter.

An award for sales

Woody Wilkinson of Smithfield has earned the AXA Advisors Centurion Award for outstanding sales.

"Earning the Centurion Award shows Woody's personal commitment to his clients, symbolizes excellence in the profession and outstanding sales performance," said John Erwin, manager of AXA Advisors in Raleigh.

Wilkinson has 25 years of experience in the industry. He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Appalachian State University. Also, he earned a certificate in retirement planning from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business.

Wilkinson is a member of the Central Johnston County Rotary Club and Centenary United Methodist Church in Smithfield.

Business After Hours

The Clayton Chamber of Commerce will hold its next Business After Hours on Thursday, Nov. 19. The social is scheduled from 5 till 7 p.m. at the Pineville Club in Flowers Plantation on N.C. 42 East. The Cleveland and Knightdale chambers will join in the social, which will feature free chair massages, wine tastings and tours of the Pineville Club's spa and fitness center.

A network for women

The Chamber Women's Business Network will hold its inaugural luncheon at 11:45 a.m. Feb. 24, 2010, at the A.G. Glenn Building on South Third Street in Smithfield. Denise Ryan of Firestar Speaking will speak on "The Challenges of Women Working With Women." For more information, call the Smithfield-Selma Chamber of Commerce at 919-934-9166.

Barbee on board

The Local Government Federal Credit Union has named Lee Barbee to its Triangle East Advisory Council. Barbee is chief of the Clayton Fire Department.

Banker promoted

The Triangle East Advisory Council is the credit union's liaison to consumers on Johnston, Harnett and Wayne counties.

BB&T has promoted Arnie Ogburn to vice president. Ogburn, who joined the bank in 2001, is an information technology business consultant in BB&T's IT Risk Management Services department. He is based at 2101 Tarboro St. in Wilson.

The Garner native lives in Four Oaks with his wife, Gloria, and their children.

Magazine cover

Portofino, an equestrian community in Clayton, has been featured on the cover of Equine Journal, a national equestrian magazine serving the horse industry. The cover and a feature story on Portofino appeared in the October issue of the magazine.

"To be featured so prominently in such a well-known publication gives Portofino some valuable exposure," said Norwood Thompson of the Walthom Group.

Portofino already has riding trails, and an equestrian center is under construction. The center will feature 22 large stalls, two tack rooms, private lockers, showers, four wash/grooming stalls, 30 acres of fenced pastures and two riding arenas (covered and outdoor with rubber composite footing). The center will be independently owned and operated by a staff of trainers, managers and a concierge.

For more information, call 919-553-3785 or visit www.PortofinoNC.com.

Banks earnings up

First Citizens BancShares has reported third-quarter earnings of $82.5 million, up from $19.6 million a year ago. Results include $63.9 million from the acquisitions of Temecula Valley Bank in Temecula, Calif., and Venture Bank in Lacey, Wash.

First Citizens acquired those banks with help from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

Tops in sales

Lia Sophia, a direct seller of fashion jewelry, recently honored Miken Miller of Clayton for outstanding sales.

"This immediate success is a result for Miken's hard work and dedication," said Bonni Davis, vice president of Lia Sophia.