Bankers in Spokane haven't noticed a sharp change in behavior from prospective borrowers, panicked by the looming threat of rising interest rates set to occur in 2022, but say they are keeping a constant eye on rising rates and anticipating the needs

Some real estate professionals here say anticipated increases in mortgage interest rates this year could price median-income homebuyers out of the market, while others say they don't anticipate immediate widespread disruption in the current market.

To serve minority-owned businesses seeking commercial loans more equitably, financial institutions should update lending guidelines, increase awareness of available loans, and serve in a mentorship capacity, some business owners and community observers

Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. plans to shed more than 100,000 square feet of office space in Liberty Lake this year as a portion of the company's 1,150-person workforce here shifts to working from home permanently.

The Coeur d'Alene Fire Department is building a boathouse for its fire boat at the foot of Tubbs Hill. Fire Chief Kenny Gabriel says the project will cost about $450,000.

Oscar Escamilla, who co-owns Tacos el Sol restaurant with his wife, Irma Zuniga, says he considered closing the restaurant at 3422 N. Division, in Spokane, during the first month of the pandemic in 2020, as he put his staff of three on leave.

Financial industry experts here say 2021 has been stronger than many institutions had expected, and that momentum could carry into 2022, especially if the Federal Reserve raises interest rates. Steve Scranton, chief investment officer and economist at