The pace of work-force reductions is about 40 percent ahead of last year. However, a new report shows that, through September, employers already had announced plans to hire more workers than they did in all of 2008.The report released Oct. 12 by

In what will play a major role in Washington's economic recovery, nearly 470,000 "middle-skill" job openings—those that require more than a high school diploma, but less than a four-year college degree—are projected for the state by 2017,

Though the recession has had many negative effects, it's been a boon for online education, which is becoming increasingly mainstream, schools here say.Demand for online classes is rising, and schools are responding by adding more course's, and to

Even though the fees and expenses associated with a mutual fund can greatly affect a shareholder's return, consumers are more likely to focus on past performance and virtually ignore cost information, researchers at Furman and Radford universities

The ranks of the top lenders here that participate in the U.S. Small Business Administration's loan programs have shifted, a recent report from the federal agency shows. Walla Walla-based Banner Bank, for example, ranked fourth among SBA here a

Coeur d'Alene-based Idaho Independent Bank, which operates primarily in Southern Idaho, has posted a third-quarter net loss of $1.99 million, or 31 cents a diluted share, compared with net income of $1.64 million, or 25 cents a share, in the the

Bankers here say they're more interested in relationships.They aren't talking about their feelings, but the word "relationship" does have special meaning to them, especially during a financial sector crisis that has sent them scrambling to get a

Intermountain Community Bancorp, the Sandpoint-based parent of Panhandle State Bank and other banking subsidiaries, has reported a net loss for the third quarter, but says loan losses and provisions for them are improving and deposits are growing.

Banner Corp., the Walla Walla-based parent of Banner Bank, has reported a sharply higher net loss for the third quarter, citing continued need for additional loan-loss provisions and write-offs because of the difficult economy.The company, which