Banking & Finance

Itron opts to buy back more of its own shares

Repurchase authorization starts as older plan ends

February 26, 2015

Itron Inc., the Liberty Lake-based maker of utility meter reading technology, says it plans to buy back up to $50 million worth of its own stock during a 12-month period that began Feb. 19. The company's board of directors approved the repurchase plan

Exit-plan consultants use trade acumen to aid others

Duo helps business owners to transition, sell, or merge

January 29, 2015

Katie Ross

Two longtime Spokane businessmen, Ned Rumpeltes and Ray Lawton, are entering their fifth year as Rumpeltes & Lawton LLC, a business transition consulting firm. Lawton and Rumpeltes, who both have significant business backgrounds here with Spokane-based

Benefits of lower oil prices outweigh any negatives

GDP-driving consumers have the most to gain

January 29, 2015

Michael Maehl

Reasonable people can disagree. I've learned that this truism is what, ultimately, drives markets. Otherwise, why would we have sellers and buyers? If they all thought one price was good for everything, I'd say my job would be right up there with wat

New high tech trading room aids collegiate investors

Whitworth student analysts' investments net good profit

January 29, 2015

Judith Spitzer

Every Thursday morning at 6:15 a.m., Whitworth University senior Ashley Sievers can be found on campus in a high tech trading room, discussing stock pitches and portfolio allocations with other members of the Whitworth Student Investment Group. The H.H.

North Idaho community bank regains momentum

22-year-old Idaho Independent Bank outlasts several rivals

January 29, 2015

Mike McLean

Idaho Independent Bank has maintained solid footing in a constantly changing banking landscape since it opened its first branch in Hayden in 1993, says Jack Gustavel, IIB's chairman, CEO, and founding member. He also claims that while many of the bankï

Banner Bank parent posts increase in earnings

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January 21, 2015

Staff Report

Banner Corp., the Walla Walla, Wash.-based holding company for Banner Bank that agreed to acquire Spokane-based AmericanWest Bank late last year, today reported fourth-quarter 2014 net income of $12.2 million, or 63 cents a diluted share, up from $11.6 mi

Bankruptcy filings drop across Inland Northwest

Improved economy, fuel prices said to help some

January 15, 2015

Katie Ross

Bankruptcy filings in Eastern Washington and North Idaho have declined for the fourth year in a row, which could be due to the continued economic recovery, says Spokane bankruptcy attorney Kevin O'Rourke. O'Rourke, a Spokane-based bankruptcy attorne

Foreclosure numbers dip in Spokane, remain historically high

Housing recovery said to hinge on job growth

January 15, 2015

Mike McLean

Foreclosure actions completed in 2014 in Spokane County fell 19 percent compared with the record number of foreclosures in 2013, but they're still historically high, some housing-market observers here say. The Spokane County Auditor's Office recorded

Horizon to absorb smaller CU here

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January 13, 2015

Mike McLean

Spokane Valley-based Horizon Credit Union and Spokane-based United Health Services Credit Union, of Spokane, today announced they've agreed to merge, pending regulatory approval. The boards of both credit unions voted unanimously Tuesday to pursue th

Chicago brokerage acquires Spokane-based Fidelity Associates

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January 8, 2015

Staff Report

Fidelity Associates Financial Services Inc., a Spokane-based insurance and employee-benefits brokerage with roots dating back to 1906, has sold its assets to Chicago-based Hub International Ltd. Hub International didn't disclose the terms of the tran