Matrix Bancorp earnings rise

DENVER – The corporate parent of a fast-growing Front Range bank chain, with a new location in Fort Collins, reported rising earnings in a quarterly filing with securities regulators today.

Matrix Bancorp Inc. (NasdaqNM: MTXC) yielded profits of $5.5 million, or 64 cents per share, for the quarter ended March 31. For the comparable quarter of 2005, earnings were $2.9 million, or 44 cents per share.

The company earlier this month announced the hiring of Tom Ostic, former regional president of Centennial Bank of the West, to launch its Fort Collins branch, one of five regional branches strung along the Front Range…