Banking & Finance

Northwest Farm Credit Services sees jump in earnings

Improved credit quality, reduced loan loss reserve contribute to sharp rise

November 7, 2013

Northwest Farm Credit Services, the Spokane-based agricultural lending cooperative, has reported third-quarter earnings of $75.3 million, an increase of 73 percent compared with $43.6 million in the year-earlier quarter.The association the to in

Sterling's net income declines

Earnings report

October 24, 2013

Staff Report

Sterling Financial Corp., the Spokane-based parent of Sterling Bank, reported today third-quarter net income of $21 million, or 33 cents a diluted share, compared with $30.6 million, or 49 cents a share, in the year-earlier quarter.Greg Seibly, in

Panhandle State Bank parent posts jump in net

Earnings report

October 24, 2013

Staff Report

Intermountain Community Bancorp, the Sandpoint-based holding company for Intermountain Community Bank and Panhandle State Bank, reported this morning third-quarter net income of $1.5 million, or 23 cents per diluted share, up from income of or 5 a

Give generously, but understand tax implications first

Basic knowledge of rules can help donors develop clear philanthropic strategy

October 24, 2013

Val Perry

There are many options when it comes to charitable giving. With some advance planning, you can make a difference for a cause that's important to you. But before you dive in, make sure you have a clear strategy and understand the basic rules for

Tax experts plot strategies to soften blows of rate jump

Affordable Care Act said having sizable impact on taxpayers

October 24, 2013

Mike McLean

The largest year-over-year individual tax increases in at least a decade are in effect, and high-income earners who haven't planned for them might be in for a shock, tax preparers here say.Many middle-income taxpayers also might be surprised by

Private venture, nonprofit vision

Change for the Better provides jobs, training, several support services

October 24, 2013

Treva Lind

Central United Methodist Church, in downtown Spokane, is taking a business approach to help homeless people find work, recently providing $100,000 in seed money from an endowment fund to launch Change for the Better LLC.The company, which in May

STCU readies new branch project at Cd'A retail center

Credit union here has two other projects under way, planned in Spokane area

October 10, 2013

Treva Lind

Spokane Teachers Credit Union, of Liberty Lake, says it will begin construction within the next 18 months on a branch at The CrossRoads Coeur d'Alene retail center, which will have a WinCo Foods outlet as the anchor store.In the retail complex,

Washington Trust maintains lead in Spokane County deposits

Wells Fargo Bank had the largest percentage increase, report states

October 10, 2013

Katie Ross

Spokane-based Washington Trust Bank once again has topped banks in deposits in Spokane County, says an annual market share report just released by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Washington Trust's deposits in the county totaled about $1.73

â€”Rendering courtesy of Bernardo|Wills Architects PC

Liberty Mutual to expand at Liberty Lake

Greenstone will develop $7.3 million structure on Meadowwood campus

September 12, 2013

Mike McLean

Liberty Mutual Insurance, the Boston-based insurance conglomerate, has signed a long-term lease for a 64,000-square-foot building that Greenstone Corp. will develop for it on the Meadowwood Technology Campus, in Liberty Lake, says Wayne Frost, for

Eyed Federal Reserve action needn't dissuade investors

Tapering of a practice used during recession isn't cause for alarm

June 20, 2013

Personal Investing

Stocks recently have started to pause after having run up so strongly since last Thanksgiving. So far, through June, we've made a nice full year's performance. I think it's unrealistic to assume the market would continue up at the rate it has so of