Banking & Finance

Many boomers expect to carry debt into retirement, observers say

Some advisers here urge debt-relief strategies for security, peace of mind

December 2, 2021

A large share-46%-of American consumers say they expect to retire in debt, according to a recent survey by MoneyMagnify, a subsidiary of Charlotte, North Carolina-based Lending Tree, and some financial advisers here say that expectation isn't

Concerns about inflation are, well, inflated, advisers say

INW observers downplay effects on retirement investments

December 2, 2021

Virginia Thomas

As inflation becomes a growing concern for the U.S. economy, some wealth management advisers here say it shouldn't be a threat for most investors. In October, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said the consumer price index for all consumers increased

Dallas company acquires Northwest Farmer-Stockman

Longtime insurance company expected to keep name, employees

November 29, 2021

Staff Report

Cowles Co. has sold its longtime insurance subsidiary, Northwest Farmer-Stockman Inc., to Dallas-based Integrity Marketing Group.

Employers can take steps to rebuild workforce

Many sidelined people expected to reemerge in growing job market

November 18, 2021

Kurt Walsdorf

As U.S. economic growth continues, industries from transportation, dining, housing, and manufacturing are adapting quickly to scale their operations up to pre-pandemic levels. But labor shortages driven by the pandemic are a fast-growing challenge

Horizon, Great Falls-based credit unions to combine

Transaction to be completed next year

November 17, 2021

Virginia Thomas

Spokane Valley-based Horizon Credit Union is combining with Great Falls, Montana-based Embark Credit Union, the financial institutions announced this afternoon.

CUs present investment services via third party

Advisers work to raise awareness of offerings

November 4, 2021

Erica Bullock

Credit unions usually aren't known for offering investment services to their members, however, separate partnerships between two local credit unions and a third-party broker-dealer intend to illuminate investment strategies and offerings available to

Required minimum distribution must be factor in planning

Holders of tax-deferred retirement accounts should know 'ins, outs'

November 4, 2021

Ben KlÃ¼ndt

When the Individual Retirement Account was established in 1974, it was set up to be funded solely by pre-tax dollars, giving you the benefit of reducing your taxable income and letting your capital grow tax deferred, but with it came the required minimum

Proposed IRS reporting threshold increased; Bankers still don't like it

Supporters in Congress raise amount required to trigger IRS notification after industry blowback

November 4, 2021

Karina Elias

Weeks after proposing a plan to require banks to report on accounts with inflows and outflows of $600 a year over reported income to the Internal Revenue Service, Congress has raised the proposed reporting threshold to $10,000 and added several exceptions

Merging interests at Inland Northwest banks and credit unions

Increase in transactions reflect industry trend

November 4, 2021

Virginia Thomas

Last month, a handful of credit unions and banks with a presence here announced two mergers and completed another. It's part of a pattern of increasing consolidation in both the credit union and banking industries, some industry leaders here say.

Vista Title expands into Stevens County with acquisition

Spokane company purchases longtime Colville office's assets, market coverage

October 21, 2021

Erica Bullock

Spokane-based Vista Title & Escrow LLC has bought Stevens County Title Co., in Colville, Washington, in an acquisition that will expand Vista's services and service area. Vista Title CEO Anthony Carollo says the company will own 100% of the assets of S