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Doctoral programs at WSU garner national recognition

Research council report doesn't reflect, however, their recent record growth

November 4, 2010

A report released a few weeks ago by the National Research Council puts a number of Washington State University doctoral programs among the leading programs nationally. WSU administrators say, though, that graduate programs and research at the a

Americans rethinking role of work

More now questioning career-related sacrifices, Florida research finds

November 4, 2010

News Wise

Widespread layoffs and other job changes associated with the Great Recession have caused workers to question career-related sacrifices, including time away from family, less leisure time, and fewer self-improvement activities.Those are some of a

Colleges here see largest enrollment in years

Some schools report record student numbers; more growth expected

November 4, 2010

Chey Scott

Colleges and universities here mostly are seeing big enrollment gains for the fall term, and in some cases are reporting record enrollment. Junior colleges, especially, are reporting a surge in enrollment as the poor economy gives more people a to

Temp worker demand jumps

Many employers await confidence in recovery before making permanent hires

November 4, 2010

Mike McLean

Staffing agencies here say they're seeing strong growth in demand for temporary help, but not for permanent hires.Provisional Staffing Services Inc., of Spokane, which does business as Provisional Recruiting + Staffing and recruits applicants so

Banker here sees signs economy is improving modestly

Northwest Bancorporation leader says three quarters in the black signify trend

November 4, 2010

Richard Ripley

The Inland Northwest's economy is beginning to show signs of recovery, although those signs are both early and modest, says Randall L. Fewel, president and CEO of both Northwest Bancorporation Inc., of Spokane, and its principal subsidiary, Inland

Banner reports larger loss amid big, one-time charges

Walla Walla-based bank holding company finds loan demand still modest

November 4, 2010

Paul Read

Banner Corp., the Walla Walla, Wash.-based parent of Banner Bank, has reported a third-quarter net loss of about $44.7 million, or 40 cents a share, compared with a loss of $8.4 million, or 44 cents a share, in the year-earlier quarter. Banner a

AmericanWest pares loss as it readies to sell bank

Bank-holding company boosts liquidity, trims nonperforming assets

November 4, 2010

Kim Crompton

AmericanWest Bancorp., of Spokane, which announced last week a tentative agreement to sell and recapitalize its wholly owned subsidiary, AmericanWest Bank, says it posted a net loss of $5.9 million, or 35 cents a share, in the third quarter.That

Retiring banker's advice: Keep watch on your culture

Hippler led Mountain West since bank's inception, but says it's time for change

November 4, 2010

Richard Ripley

During the years in which Jon Hippler has guided Mountain West Bank, of Coeur d'Alene, one lesson he's learned has stood out to him above all others.As a CEO, he says, he has maintained a clear vision of the bank's culture—"first and to be

Balanced mutual funds provide options in volatile times

Typically, investment mix includes 60 percent stocks, with rest in fixed income

November 4, 2010

Andrew Leckey

For conservative investors seeking a little balance in their lives during volatile times, a balanced mutual fund makes sense this year.With a typical mix of around 60 percent stocks and 40 percent fixed income, balanced funds split the between a

Credit unions brace for more assessments

Steep fees will cover losses that have been incurred by corporate counterparts

November 4, 2010

Mike McLean

Credit union executives here say a plan announced in September by the agency that regulates their institutions will stabilize and strengthen credit unions while keeping member deposits safe, but they will have to carve large assessments out of over