Special Report

Bouten Construction adopts lean construction practices

Company adopts new methods for creating more efficient job sites

November 21, 2012

Spokane-based Bouten Construction Co. has changed the way it approaches projects by looking at how to cut waste from the building process, while increasing productivity and efficiency, through the business practice known as lean construction.One

Four community banks report increased earnings in Q3

Despite low interest rate environment, some find ways to boost total assets

November 8, 2012

Linn Parish

Four community bank companies that have a presence in the Spokane-Coeur d'Alene area have reported increases in third-quarter net income.Two of those banks had posted a loss during the third quarter of 2011.While all are reporting challenges in

Investment returns linked more to policy than party

Some conventional thought on election results' effects on securities said 'spurious'

November 8, 2012

News Wise

In a recently completed study, the authors of several widely-recognized articles on politics and investment returns challenge conventional wisdom regarding the association between such returns and political election results. Robert R. Johnson, a

'Low-income' credit unions rise in number, NCUA says

Two in Spokane among nearly 1,900 nationwide now holding designation

November 8, 2012

A National Credit Union Administration initiative has resulted in a jump in the number of credit unions to obtain the federal agency's low-income designation, which is based on the income levels of a majority of those credit unions' members. Two

Angel investment market continues recovery, study says

Amount put into startups rose by just over 3 percent during first half of this year

November 8, 2012

News Wise

The angel investor market in the first two quarters of this year showed signs of steady recovery since a downturn in the second half of 2008 and the first half of 2009, with total investments at $9.2 billion, an increase of 3.1 percent over the in

Sustainable investment effort gains traction, some say

Groups work to connect investors with entrepreneurs involved in green companies

November 8, 2012

Linn Parish

For two years, Dan Grady funded Winfiniti Inc. himself and with the help of friends and family.For the next phase of development for the startup that makes building-efficiency management software, Winfiniti sought and got help from a new friend,

Global plans rebranding, operational changes next year

Credit union financials show growing stability, room for growth, it says

November 8, 2012

Jessica Valencia

Global Credit Union, the Spokane-based financial institution, is preparing to undergo a sizable rebranding effort starting next year, says President and CEO Jack Fallis. "I think we've come up with a recipe for success," says Fallis, who has top

'Beer Money' brews finance basics

Cd'A-based D.A. Davidson consultant pens guide that endeavors to put investing concepts on tap

November 8, 2012

Treva Lind

Darin Hayes, a Coeur d'Alene-based D.A. Davidson & Co. financial consultant, has had more than a few informal conversations over beers with friends about basic concepts of personal finance and investing.A fan of specialty brews, Hayes says he to

Banking on the move

Banks optimize websites, develop dedicated apps to deliver mobile services

November 8, 2012

Mike McLean

Seeing growing demand for mobile banking services, several financial institutions here are enhancing their online services and developing mobile-dedicated web applications so customers can more easily conduct their banking via their Bank, Spokane a

Psoriasis antibody shown to ease Crohn's Disease effects

Researcher says finding could be first step toward a new treatment option

October 25, 2012

News Wise

Ustekinumab, an antibody proven to treat the skin condition psoriasis, has now shown positive results in decreasing the debilitating effects of Crohn's Disease, say researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine.The in