Two years after developing its Small Business Administration lending department, RiverBank Holding Co., the parent company of Spokane-based RiverBank, has become the county’s top SBA lender. The increase in SBA lending comes as the community bank establishes a director of fintech position, reinforcing its founding principles of relationship banking and technology.

Rising small business loan demand is bolstering some Inland Northwest banks in the third quarter, but persistent inflation, high interest rates, and trade tariffs are depressing agricultural and commercial borrowing.

Fueled by a 20% revenue increase and workforce expansion plans, Spokane-based Fulcrum Financial Group LLC is launching its next growth phase under new leadership following the retirement of founder Sarah Carlson.

Part of planning and managing business risk is not putting all your eggs in one basket. Saving for retirement independent of the value of your business is one way you can begin diversifying and safeguarding yourself from business risk.

Many business owners spend decades building a company while setting aside too little for retirement. Their backup plan sounds reasonable: “Someday, I’ll sell the business and retire on the proceeds.” But as that “someday” approaches, the plan can collide with reality.

Driven by booming demand for weight loss medications, medical spas across the Inland Northwest are rapidly expanding beyond traditional cosmetic procedures into full-service wellness and metabolic health centers. For many operators, offering these treatments supports clinic growth and provides a financial boost amid rising operational costs.

Seattle-based biotechnology company Orlance Inc. is expanding its vaccine research and development operations into Spokane County through a $250,000 grant from the Health Sciences and Services Authority of Spokane County, bringing new jobs and plans for clinical trials to the region.

Spokane Falls Community College’s Orthotic and Prosthetic Technology program — one of only four certified training courses in the nation — has doubled its cohort size in three years to help address a nationwide technician shortage.

Construction is currently underway on The Frequency, a $32 million senior apartment complex at 4980 S. Regal, on Spokane's South Hill.