Banking & Finance

WTB Financial's earnings rise in second quarter

Second-quarter loans were up 7 percent year over year

August 31, 2017

Fueled by continued strong loan growth, WTB Financial Corp., the Spokane-based parent of Washington Trust Bank, says its second quarter net income rose by just more than $1 million from the end of the 2016 second quarter. Larry Sorenson, Washington Trust

Suzanne Weathers: Consider tax implications early in business startups

Compliance analysis should occur before incorporation

August 17, 2017

Guest Writer

There are so many things to consider when starting a business that it can boggle the mind. Having started out in private practice myself just over a year ago-walking away from a position after 10 years-I understand the vacillation between both exci

Richards, Merrill & Peterson targets client diversity

Firm oversees $800 million in assets for 3,300 people

August 17, 2017

The operators of the Spokane-based private investment firm Richards, Merrill & Peterson say they take great pride and pleasure not in the amount of assets it oversees, but in the diversity and size of its client base. The firm oversees more than $800 mil

Kavadias Hall PLLC: Accounting for expansion

Small firm adds more staff this year

August 17, 2017

Mike McLean

While the namesakes at the Spokane accounting and business consulting firm Kavadias Hall PLLC prefer the small-firm environment, prolonged strong growth has forced them to double their accounting staff so they can manage the workload. Jeff Kavadias, the

Washington Trust Bank projects highlight concierge concept

Two remodels nearly finished; Manito branch to be replaced

August 17, 2017

Mike McLean

Spokane-based Washington Trust Bank is completing two major remodels and constructing a replacement bank branch here that will highlight the bank's ongoing financial-concierge initiative. Washington Trust is investing nearly $2 million on the projects,

Michael Maehl: Well-performing stock market met with reluctance

Many indicators suggest skittishness unwarranted

August 17, 2017

Michael Maehl

According to the Wall Street Journal, 'America's largest companies are on pace to post two consecutive quarters of double-digit profit growth for the first time since 2011, helped by years of cost-cutting, a weaker dollar, and stronger consumer spendi

INB parent posts dip in quarterly net

Others with offices here report gains during Q2

August 17, 2017

Linn Parish

Northwest Bancorporation Inc., the Spokane-based parent of Inland Northwest Bank, has reported second-quarter net income of $1.05 million, or 16 cents a diluted share, down from income of $1.27 million, or 20 cents a share, in the year-earlier quarter.

First Brightway Insurance agency in Washington state opens in Spokane Valley

Rogers, EWU grad is broker for multiple-lines franchise

August 17, 2017

Samantha Peone

Insurance broker Vays Sarwar has opened the first Brightway Insurance franchise agency in Washington state here. Called Brightway, The Sarwar Agency, the office is located in a 1,000-square-foot space at 2901 N. Argonne Road, Ste. 3, in Spokane Valley,

Set goals when mulling spending in retirement

Ask yourself some delving questions to begin process

August 3, 2017

Michael Maehl

Retirement, per se, is still a relatively new phenomenon. Not all that long ago, people pretty much worked until they died. Retirement, as a definite period of your lifetime, is something that only really came into being starting in the 1970s in the U.S.

World Financial Group relocates its Spokane office

Company employs two, plans to add more agents

August 3, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

Georgia-based financial services company World Financial Group Inc. is relocating its Spokane office this week from shared office space with Vorpahl Wing Securities, at 421 W. Riverside, to its own space. Dycelia Weiss, one of two financial agents curr