Banking & Finance

Surge in ESG funds calls for closer scrutiny

'Greenwashing' prompts regulators to take further action against false claims

August 25, 2022

The exploding popularity of environmental, social, and governance funds is prompting the federal Securities and Exchange Commission to take stricter measures on how investment managers brand their funds.

Economic Pressures heighten organizational risk

Sustainable total rewards program isn't done solely by increasing salaries

August 25, 2022

Kevin Cipoletti

Global developments continue to compound supply chain vulnerabilities. But better insight into the risks associated with related economic pressures and inflation will help organizations approach total rewards more sustainably.

Gold loses luster as hedge against market dip, inflation

Precious metal prices haven't rallied as some had thought they would during a bear market

August 11, 2022

Michael Maehl

It's no fun paying up for essential goods and services, but what's mostly overlooked is the fact that many people will buy them regardless of price. So they may be suffering from inflation, but by paying much higher prices for discretionary purchases,

Earnings fall at many banks with Spokane presence

Some institutions blame lack of PPP funds; others fault rising interest rates

August 11, 2022

Virginia Thomas

More than half of the banks with a presence in the Spokane area report a decrease in earnings for the second quarter of this year. Of 13 institutions with readily available earnings reports that have at least one branch in Spokane County, eight saw second

Numerica to convert investment services to Cetera Financial

Credit union previously was affiliated with CUSO

August 11, 2022

Karina Elias

Spokane Valley-based Numerica Credit Union plans to convert its current investment program to Cetera Financial Institutions, a subsidiary of California-based Cetera Financial Group Inc., says Nancy Almond, Numerica's senior vice president of financial

Young Spokane fintech Haploos goes public (sector)

Virtual credit card maker receives approval from federal agencies

August 11, 2022

Karina Elias

Spokane-based fintech company Haploos Inc. has received clearances from three federal government departments that company CEO Josh Arritola hopes will open up new markets for its virtual credit card. This spring, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban

Misery Index regains relevance

Nearly forgotten index returns with climbing inflation, other challenges

August 11, 2022

Erica Bullock

Fifty years ago, the U.S. economy was facing a combination of high inflation and unemployment, which brought about the creation of the misery index. Used to help measure general economic distress felt by the average citizen, the misery index originally

Chronic optimism is rational opinion on stocks

Markets said efficient over time, inevitably rebound to new highs

July 28, 2022

Dave Gordon

As I write this, the U.S. stock market is off by the largest amount since the COVID bottom. The fear index watched by many on Wall Street is currently 'extremely high.â€ And it just seems the market's current momentum is down. I've been doing this

Learning the publishing business in retirement

Some Spokane seniors intend to supplement income through writing

July 28, 2022

Karina Elias

This year, Stephen Lalonde, a retired high school teacher, published his fifth book, 'Anissi,â€ the final in a trilogy for which he says had a waiting list of people ready to purchase it. He is 72 years old.

Most near retirement have time for market return

Quality investment mix can provide income tailored to savers' needs

July 28, 2022

Michael Maehl

You've worked diligently and saved and invested for retirement. You put in 40 to 60 hours per week for a whole lot of years. Now, at long last, you'll get to kick back and do whatever pastimes you enjoy.