Banking & Finance

Student loan debt is substantial in Spokane, Coeur d'Alene

Nearly fifth of student loan borrowers in Spokane have debt in collections

April 11, 2019

Roughly 40% of student loan borrowers are expected to default on their loans by 2023, according to an analysis by The Brookings Institution, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit public policy organization. In Spokane County, 18% of the population has

PayTrace puts its focus on business merchants

Fintech company reports annual growth in activity

April 11, 2019

Alla Drokina

PayTrace Inc., a company specializing in payment processing software for businesses, processed 52 million transactions involving a total amount of over $31 billion in 2018. 'What our software does is help reduce those higher processing rates

Trust in Downtown: Washington Trust's vision for its headquarters

Big Spokane bank endeavors to establish close-knit campus

April 11, 2019

LeAnn Bjerken

While Washington Trust Bank has yet to release its first quarter financial results, the bank has made some big investments recently that will support its growth in 2019, says longtime President and Chief Operating Officer Jack Heath.

Vista Title acquires Prime Real Estate Closing

Operations to fall under one umbrella starting in April, employ 34 in all

March 28, 2019

Natasha Nellis

Spokane-based Vista Title & Escrow LLC has agreed to acquire the assets of Spokane-based Prime Real Estate Closing & Escrow LLC, says Vista CEO Anthony Carollo.

Washington Trust buys Wells Fargo Center

INHS to move to new quarters over next three years

March 27, 2019

Mike McLean

Spokane-based Washington Trust Bank has agreed to buy the 17-story Wells Fargo Center, at 601 W. First in downtown Spokane, from Inland Northwest Health Services. The terms of the transaction, which is expected to be completed April 19, weren't disclos

Tax season presents steeper learning curve

Spokane-area preparers challenged by changes

March 14, 2019

LeAnn Bjerken

This tax season, the first since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act went into effect, is raising the learning curve for both taxpayers and tax preparers, Spokane accountants say.

Tax change impact on Spokane nonprofits still unclear

Smaller nonprofits expected to be hit harder, though trends aren't as clear in Spokane area

March 14, 2019

Natasha Nellis

A panic spread through nonprofits in the Inland Northwest and elsewhere last year after federal tax changes were enacted. The concern: charitable giving would decrease and hamper the organizations' budgets.

Horizon Credit Union to construct new branch

Stand-alone building will replace office on lower South Hill

February 28, 2019

Alla Drokina

Spokane Valley-based Horizon Credit Union plans to construct a stand-alone branch in at 613 S. Washington, on the lower South Hill, with a smaller, but more efficient space than at its current branch in a 25,000-square-foot multitenant building

Banner Bank plans new retail plaza in Spokane Valley

Company is demolishing four buildings to make way for new project

February 28, 2019

Natasha Nellis

Walla Walla, Wash.-based Banner Bank plans to demolish four structures and build a new branch this year on 4.3 acres of land it owns at the northeast corner of Argonne Road and Sprague Avenue, in Spokane Valley.

Icons Dave Clack: An accidental but beneficial career in banking

Former Old National Bank exec played role in creation of U District

February 28, 2019

Kim Crompton

Looking back on the high points from a career spanning more than four decades that has earned him broad praise in business and civic leadership circles here, Spokane's David A. Clack seems uneasy dwelling on personal achievements.