Two-year-old TrustAtlantic Bank broke ground last week on a new branch at Cary Parkway and Towne Village Drive.

It will replace a temporary office on Preston Executive Drive, said John Anthony, chief administrative officer.

The news comes just as the Raleigh bank eked out its first quarterly profit.

The privately held bank posted a $38,000 profit in the second quarter.

That compares to a loss of $678,000 a year ago and a $932,000 loss in the first quarter, according to data filed with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

"Given where the world is today, we just count our blessings on how well-positioned we think we are," CEO Jim Beck said.

TrustAtlantic was formed in 2007 when it raised $40.3 million from investors.

The bank jump-started its operations by acquiring Millenia Community Bank, a Greenville bank with $35 million in assets. TrustAtlantic will move into a new Raleigh headquarters in February.

Time Warner opens in Cary

CARY Time Warner Cable opened a new type of customer-care center in the Maynard Crossing shopping center.

The company's retail outlets previously were places to pay bills or swap equipment such as cable boxes.

But the new stores include staff who can demonstrate various products and services.

The stores are part of a broader push by the telecommunications company to sell more services such as phone and Internet packages.

The strategy comes as Time Warner faces increasing competition for its core cable-TV service from new rivals such as AT&T and Verizon.

"You've got people out there who may not be technology savvy, who may need to see something in person," said spokeswoman Melissa Buscher. "It's also a way to showcase our new products."

The Cary store is at 1307 N. Maynard Road. Time Warner also has opened new retail centers in Clayton and Wilson.

An existing center on Atlantic Avenue in Raleigh is scheduled to be refurbished by early next year.

Salix can sell new drug

MORRISVILLE Salix Pharmaceuticals received regulatory approval for a new drug for stomach ailments that it projects will reach annual sales of $50 million.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted marketing approval for Metozolv ODT to treat diabetic gastroparesis, which afflicts about 5 million diabetics.

Metozolv also can treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, a more serious form of acid reflux.

Metozolv is the first fast-dissolving version of the drug metoclopramide -- it melts on the tongue -- providing a better option for patients who have trouble swallowing or don't have water available.

That's important given that patients with diabetic gastroparesis typically take the drug 30 minutes before every meal, said Salix chief financial officer Adam Derbyshire.

Salix, which is based in Morrisville, this summer added 64 salespeople to promote the drug, and other Salix products, to physicians.

The new hires boosted Salix's total sales force to 160, he said.