The federal Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission is meeting in Bakersfield for a Sept. 7 hearing that will focus on community banks and credit unions and the impact of the financial meltdown on California communities.

A live feed of the hearing is available at www.fcic.gov.

The FCIC’s vice chairman is Bill Thomas, a former congressman from Bakersfield, whose 22nd District included much of San Luis Obispo County.

Editor Henry Dubroff’s exclusive interview with Thomas will appear in the Sept. 10 edition of the Business Times. In that interview, Thomas said he has "very great concern" about the future of community banks.

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