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Columbia Banking reported increase in earnings in 2011

Company says growth occurred organically, through acquisitions

March 29, 2012

Columbia Banking System Inc., the Tacoma, Wash.-based parent of Columbia Bank, has reported an 86 percent increase in its net income in 2011, compared with 2010, attributing the surge to three acquisitions and organic growth.The bank company net

Most Americans save only half of inheritance, study says

One in five heirs given $100,000 or more spent, lost it all, survey shows

March 29, 2012

News Wise

A new national study suggests that adults who receive an inheritance save only about half of what they receive, while spending, donating, or losing the rest.The results are good news for retailers, restaurant owners, and people in the service it

Online exchange pairs local business, local banker

Spokane restaurant owner used alternative method to find compatible lender

March 29, 2012

Chey Scott

While some commercial lenders here remain more guarded toward prospective borrowers in this challenging economic climate, one Spokane-area business owner recently opted to use a less-traditional route to secure a loan from a lender here for a he in

Mountain West parent posts lower earnings, impairment

Glacier reports deposits, assets increased in 2011; total loan value dropped

March 29, 2012

Mike McLean

Glacier Bancorp Inc., the Kalispell, Mont.-based holding company with 11 bank subsidiaries, including Coeur d'Alene-based Mountain West Bank, has reported 2011 net income of $17.5 million, or 24 cents a diluted share, down from $42.3 million, or 61

Numerica Credit Union's earnings jump 35 percent

Loan, deposit growth led surge; hiring anticipated to cut into profits this year

March 29, 2012

Chey Scott

Spokane Valley-based Numerica Credit Union saw noticeable growth last year in several areas, including a nearly 35 percent jump in earnings.The credit union reported net income of $15.3 million in 2011, up from $11.4 million in 2010—and a a

Idaho Independent reports loss for 2011, strong capital

Bank's results also show improvement last year in nonperforming assets

March 29, 2012

Mike McLean

Coeur d'Alene-based Idaho Independent Bank reported a net loss of $6.4 million, or 94 cents a diluted share, for 2011, compared with a loss of $5.7 million, or 89 cents a share, in 2010.The latest annual loss includes a $1.5 million noncash to a

STCU's net income rises; deposits grow 10 percent

Loans climb 3 percent; membership total leaps more than 7,000 in year

March 29, 2012

Treva Lind

Spokane Teachers Credit Union says it posted net income of $19.1 million last year, up about 18 percent from $16.2 million in 2010, while it also saw a significant rise in membership."We had a great year," says Bill Before, its chief financial a

Study: Mobile banking used by one in five

Survey's findings suggest number may grow in year up to one in three people

March 29, 2012

One of five American consumers used their mobile phone to access their bank account, credit card, or other financial account in the 12 months ending last January, and an additional one in five indicated they likely would use mobile banking at some

Rate of all-cash homes sales in Spokane surge

Investors often request discounts in exchange for accelerated closings, industry experts say

March 29, 2012

Mike McLean

The percentage of Spokane-area homebuyers paying all cash has more than doubled since 2009, paralleling a national trend that's mostly attributed to investors taking advantage of low-priced and distressed properties.Some observers of the market

More Spokane banks keep mortgages close to home

Shifts in secondary market, mortgage industry change, liquidity are among factors

March 29, 2012

Treva Lind

Some Spokane-based banks are shifting or considering a shift this year toward keeping more home loans they originate on their books, versus the common practice of selling a vast majority in the secondary mortgage market, bank executives those in at