While the U.S. grapples with a shaky economy, many people here increasingly are turning to one of the oldest professions to fill some of their more humble financial needs. Theyre putting up everyday items as collateral and obtaining short-term a

A continuation of soft market conditions is forecast for existing-home sales in the months ahead, with improvement expected by the second half of this year if loan limits are increased, says the latest forecast by the National Association of Yun, a

While credit woes now plague many parts of the U.S., commercial lenders here say theyre still keeping their doors wide open to borrowers, although theyre upholding long-time lending standards vigilantly.The lenders say Spokane has been to a

While automatic enrollment is sure to have a dramatic increase in benefit-plan participation, research shows that for plan sponsors who havent opted for that feature, simple early communication with employees about a plan is a major key to says a

The staff at Able Claims Service Inc., an independent insurance adjustment company here, has seen its share of minor disasters. On any given day, one of Able Claims Services adjusters might be found climbing onto a roof to assess storm damage, a

The general agency here for life insurance giant Northwestern Mutual Financial Network says it has been posting healthy growthincluding a 41 percent jump in new premiums last yearamid an industry that has been relatively flat for at least a 100

Graham Construction Inc., of Spokane, says it has won a nearly $13 million contract to upgrade Spokane International Airports rental-car facilities.Graham has started construction on the project, which is the second phase of a roughly $14 a

Ricks Custom Fencing & Decking Inc., a Hillsboro, Ore.-based company that claims to be one of the Northwests largest retailers of fencing and decking products, plans to develop a store on the West Plains that would be its seventh company most a

In her first address to the Spokane business community recently, Spokane Mayor Mary Verner announced she would be holding a series of three roundtable discussions to talk about topics of keen interest to businesses here.During her State of the

Spokane-based Northwest Farm Credit Services has posted net income of $114.1 million for 2007, up from $109.4 million in 2006. The federally chartered ag-lending cooperative also says that as of Dec. 31, its net loans had climbed to $6.5 billion, a