Banking & Finance

Last Metropolitan Mortgage payments could come this year

Court ruling strikes blow to remaining asset value

January 18, 2018

Investors who lost tens of millions of dollars when Spokane-based Metropolitan Mortgage & Securities Co. and affiliate Summit Securities Inc. shut down about 14 years ago could receive a final distribution late this year from trusts set up to recoup some

Finance industry executives are bullish despite rate hikes

-

December 21, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

Bank, credit union, and investment market executives here remain mostly bullish about the coming year, despite possibly growth-dampening effects of anticipated Federal Reserve rate hikes and potential impacts of tax reform. Earlier this month, the Fede

Inland Northwest economy to build upon gains of 2017

-

December 21, 2017

Linn Parish

Employers in Spokane County are projected to add jobs in 2018 at about the same pace they did this year. Meantime, business leaders in some sectors expect to build on this year's momentum, while others are planning for activity to level off or slow.

Cogo Capital to re-enter Spokane with new office

CEO says company will hire 30 employees here

December 21, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

Coeur d'Alene-based real estate investment lending company Cogo Capital LLC says it plans to re-enter the Spokane market and open an office on downtown's periphery in February. Cogo Capital CEO Lee Arnold says the company purchased a building at 217

odd Radwick, president of Radwick Financial Group LLC, of Winthrop, Wash., is an insurance and financial adviser. He can be reached at 509.996.3425 and at todd@radwickfinancial.com

Rider provides hedge for disability insurance

Premiums will be refunded if policy is claim free

December 7, 2017

Todd Radwick

Disability insurance with a return-of-premium rider is a type of insurance made to protect your income if you get sick or hurt and can't work, but where you can get a 100 percent refund of all your premiums paid, typically at age 67, if you don't have

Idaho Trust Bank builds on strength

Ten percent growth in total assets managed is projected

December 7, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

Now in its 23rd year of operations, Idaho Trust Bank, which bills itself as one of few banks in the Gem State to offer both commercial banking and wealth management services, says it looks to continue to grow, while maintaining its focus on client success

Retirement savings catch-up said possible, not ideal

Focus on goals when penciling out strategy

December 7, 2017

Children. Divorce. Medical expenses. Unemployment. Grandchildren. There's a long list of reasons American's in their later working years cite as to why they aren't more aggressively saving-if even saving at all- for retirement. And it's on

On The JoB podcast: Holiday shopping trends in Spokane

Journal of Business Editor Linn Parish sits down with Finance Reporter LeAnn Bjerken to talk about retail sales and consumer habits.

November 22, 2017

Staff Report

Junior Achievement gears up for JA Finance Park

School program to include over 2,000 area students

November 22, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

Nonprofit youth organization Junior Achievement Eastern Washington/North Idaho will partner with Spokane Public Schools in presenting middle school students with a day of hands-on experience with financial challenges they'll likely face as adults. This

Tax bills rise for Spokane County's top taxpayers

Two percent hike lower than previous two years

November 22, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

Tax bills levied on the top 50 property owners in Spokane County for 2017 totaled $52 million, up nearly 2 percent from last year, county records show. The rate of increase was lower than last year's 3 percent hike and the 6.4 percent jump in 2015. Ov