Special Report

Protecting small businesses from online 'takeovers'

ABA offers suggestions for minimizing their risk

November 6, 2014

Cyber-attacks against small businesses are growing more sophisticated, says the American Bankers Association, which describes itself as 'the voiceâ€ for the nation's $15 trillion banking industry.

Investor optimism hits seven-year high, survey says

Positive outlook is more pervasive in nonretirees

November 6, 2014

Staff Report

The Wells Fargo/Gallup Investor and Retirement Optimism Index jumped to plus-46 in the third quarter, its highest level in seven years.

Trust management firm looks to expand regionally

Northwest Trustee reports strong revenue upswing

November 6, 2014

Katie Ross

Spokane professional trust and estate management firm Northwest Trustee & Management Services has seen its revenues climb 35 percent in the last two years, and it expects that strong growth rate to continue, says Greg Bowman, trust investment and develop

Number of unbanked households drops, study says

Volume of 'underbanked' consumers holds steady

November 6, 2014

Staff Report

The proportion of unbanked households declined to 7.7 percent last year, down from 8.2 percent in 2011, says the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. in its 2013 National Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households released last month.

Inland Northwest stock index declines 5.7 percent

Intermountain Community Bancorp was top performer

November 6, 2014

Judith Spitzer

Hart Capital Management Inc., a Spokane-based investment firm, says the combined stock value of 12 publicly traded Inland Northwest companies, as measured in an overall index it compiles, fell 5.7 percent in the third quarter, compared with the year-earli

Secured Investment Corp. runs afoul of state regulations

Meantime, Cd'A company closes its Spokane office

November 6, 2014

Mike McLean

The Washington state Department of Financial Institutions has issued a notice of violation against Secured Investment Corp., the Coeur d'Alene-based parent company of a private-money lender that had been doing business here as Cogo Capital Spokane LLC.

What a stronger U.S. dollar means to investors

Currency dynamic should be good for stock market

November 6, 2014

Michael Maehl

After a weak start to 2014, the U.S. dollar muscled its way higher this summer, and the gains look as if they may be continuing. Investors from all over have been eagerly jumping into the U.S. markets. The strengthening dollar has been remaking the inves

Young Ten Capital Investment Advisors grows

Separately, firm, INB develop strategic partnership

November 6, 2014

Linn Parish

Ten Capital Investment Advisors LLC, a young independent financial advisory company co-founded by a longtime veteran of the industry, has grown substantially this year in terms of assets under management.

Waiting for Apple Pay Day

Spokane credit unions to be among first 500 institutions to use platform

November 6, 2014

Judith Spitzer

Two credit unions here, Numerica Credit Union and Spokane Teachers Credit Union, will be among the first wave of financial institutions to partner with technology giant Apple Inc. and offer Apple Pay, a new payment platform launched Oct. 20.

Complex 'lost chance' lawsuit against Providence tossed

Case alleged negligence cut short ill woman's life

October 23, 2014

Kim Crompton

A Washington state appellate court panel here recently rejected a lawsuit against Spokane's Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children's Hospital and related parties that was predicated partly on what's called a 'lost chanceâ€ malpractice