Banking & Finance

SNAP commercial loan volume on track for record year

Organization hasn't recorded any defaults in past two years,financial stability director says

November 3, 2022

Increased demand for financial assistance at SNAP Financial Access led to a record $1.1 million in loans last year. This year, another record volume is within reach, says Karen Campbell, the organization's director of financial stability.

Cash stuffing craze resurfaces

Placing money in envelopes, digital money buckets are among savings methods

November 3, 2022

Karina Elias

With inflation increasing the cost of everyday expenses, 'cash stuffingâ€ has become the latest trend on the social media platform TikTok, and other budgeting tactics also are on the rise, Spokane financial advisers say.

Embrace Adaptation for post-pandemic recovery

Automation, outsourcing, simplifying tasks can aid growth in tough times

November 3, 2022

Donald Morgan

Before COVID-19 turned the whole world upside, some in the financial industry were preparing for the future. At Independent Wealth Connections, we started adapting six years ago. I wish I could say I had a crystal ball that predicted the ramifications o

Mercer Global Advisors builds on Hart Capital's reputation

Former Spokane-based financial advisory firm expands service offerings under new ownership

November 3, 2022

Virginia Thomas

Since Hart Capital Advisors was acquired by Denver-based Mercer Global Advisors Inc. in the waning moments of 2020, the investment advising office has added an array of services.

Financial strategies can optimize charitable giving

Tactics range from cash to bunching contributions

October 20, 2022

Mary Lago

According to Giving USA, Americans contributed $466.23 billion to U.S. charities in 2021, and 67% of that-$326.87 billion-was given by individuals, not corporations.

Epic Trust Financial acquires Stewart-Longhurst CPA firm

Spokane company retains staff, office, but changes name

October 6, 2022

Karina Elias

Epic Trust Financial Group LLC, a Richland, Washington-based accounting company, has acquired Spokane-based Stewart-Longhurst PS Certified Public Accounting, says Greg Stewart-Longhurst, the Spokane firm's co-founder.

Pinkerton Investments acquires national research company

Investment company adds new business lines at Cd'A offices

October 6, 2022

Erica Bullock

Coeur d'Alene-based Pinkerton Investments Inc., the parent company of Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLC, has acquired W.E. Sherman & Co. LLC, a national investment research firm headquartered in St. Louis.

Inland Northwest title companies lean into headwinds

Industry leaders say downturn is inevitable, make moves to secure greater market share

October 6, 2022

Erica Bullock

Business for title insurance companies is down this year, caused by declining numbers of purchase and refinance transactions, representatives of title companies here say.

Vega Cloud completes $9M funding round

Liberty Lake company to scale up cloud-storage optimization efforts

September 28, 2022

Staff Report

Liberty Lake Cloud Inc., which does business as Vega Cloud, has completed a $9 million funding round, the company announced this afternoon.

Exchange-traded funds grow in popularity for some investors

Few 401(k) plans include pooled investment security

September 22, 2022

Virginia Thomas

Exchange-traded funds are growing in popularity as a part of some retirement strategies, despite a general lack of ETFs in 401(k) plans, some financial advisers here say. Dustin Allbery, vice president of operations at Northwest Planning Inc.