Latest News

Study looks at bridge vulnerability

Findings could be included in industry design software to boost structural integrity

June 7, 2012

It took only 13 seconds for the bridge to collapse into the Mississippi River in a thunderous rain of concrete and steel. When the Minneapolis Interstate 35 bridge—an eight-lane, steel-truss arch bridge—cracked and plummeted in 2007, one

Belsby Engineering diversifies, thrives in slower market

Belsby focuses on helping towns secure funding for projects

June 7, 2012

Chey Scott

To offset an overall slowdown in privately funded construction projects here that came as a result of the recession, one Spokane-based engineering firm has diversified its approach to securing work and remaining profitable.Belsby Engineering LLC

Riding out turbulent times, Bernardo Wills Architects expands services

Bernardo Wills buoyed by returning customers, relationships in industry

June 7, 2012

Mike McLean

Prominent Spokane design firm Bernardo Wills Architects PC has remained strong in difficult times by expanding its services, growing relationships within the construction industry, and cultivating its collaborative spirit in-house, its principals a

Bankers push for extension of special FDIC insurance

Coverage is scheduled to lapse on Dec. 31 for transaction accounts

June 7, 2012

Deposits in excess of $250,000 in noninterest-bearing transaction accounts, or "TAG" deposits, totaled $1.3 trillion in the first quarter, up from $893 billion in the same quarter a year ago, according to the FDIC Quarterly Banking Profile released

Wells Fargo Bank launches new funds-transfer system

Product allows customers to send funds using email, phone number of recipient

June 7, 2012

San Francisco-based Wells Fargo & Co. says it has launched a new service named Send & Receive Money that simplifies Wells Fargo customers' payments to other Wells Fargo and Bank of America customers through online and mobile banking using an email

Economy concerns more rich investors, survey says

Four of five millionaires worry about sluggishness more than other factors

June 7, 2012

The prolonged economic downturn has become the top worry for most wealthy investors, according to new research from Spectrem Group LLC.Four out of five millionaire investors participating in the study cited the sluggish economy as a concern in a

M&A activity, financing availability improve

Business valuations are rising, but sales depend on performance indicators

June 7, 2012

News Wise

The market for mergers and acquisitions is clearly improving in terms of valuations, financing availability, and deal volume—and that market will continue to do so throughout 2012, a new survey indicates.The survey was conducted by MBA and

NCUA reports record quarterly highs in assets, net worth

Deposit growth outpaces lending activity, though, and bankruptcies grow

June 7, 2012

Key financial indicators for federally insured credit unions largely improved in the first quarter of 2012, according to Call Report data submitted to and compiled by the National Credit Union Administration."The credit union industry reached in

Community banks added to index; one institution outgrows inclusion

June 7, 2012

The American Bankers Association has added three banks to the ABA NASDAQ Community Bank Index (ABAQ), effective June 1. The new additions are HomeStreet Inc. (HMST), of Seattle; Wellesley Bancorp Inc. (WEBK), of Wellesley, Mass.; and Bank of the

Investors paid less in mutual-fund fees in '11, study says

Expense ratio dropped because of competition in industry, more factors

June 7, 2012

Investors paid on average lower expense ratios in 2011 than in 2010 for long-term mutual funds, including equity, bond, and hybrid funds, says an annual report on fund fees and expenses that Investment Company Institute released in late April. is a