Banking & Finance

Retirees can take many avenues to charitable giving

Baby boomers are largest contributors, report finds

July 31, 2014

Warren Buffett has persuaded more than 100 billionaires to give away large portions of their wealth to philanthropy over the past few years. People in Spokane may not have billions to donate to charity but they are generous when it comes to giving money t

RiverBank nets $2.9 million from private offering

Capital infusion could help once-struggling bank grow

July 17, 2014

Judith Spitzer

Spokane-based RiverBank Holding Co. has accepted $2.9 million from a fully subscribed private-placement offering, which it says will strengthen the bank's capital position while supporting its growth strategy. Daniel Byrne, RiverBank CEO, says he appr

Inland Northwest stock index rises faster than the S&P 500

Itron, Hecla stocks up; Red Lion lags others

July 17, 2014

Judith Spitzer

Hart Capital Management Inc., a Spokane-based investment firm, says the combined stock value of 12 publicly traded Inland Northwest companies, as measured in an overall index it compiles, rose 6.3 percent in the second quarter of 2014, beating out the S&P

Accurate financials key when selling a business

Inconsistencies can raise red flags, jeopardize deal

June 19, 2014

Ed Kirk

The market for buying and selling privately held companies has changed substantially during the last few years. The economic downturn significantly reduced sales and profitability of many companies, decreasing the number of companies for sale as would-be

Banks face some challenges in moving to the cloud

However, they potentially could reap major savings

June 19, 2014

Francis Tam

Cloud computing is changing the game for both large and small businesses. For many, cloud computing has received a lot of buzz because of its ability to decrease the costs associated with administering an on-site system, meaning less investment in informa

Bond investors should be preparing for volatility

Long-term rally could be coming to an end soon

June 19, 2014

Michael Maehl

For the last 30-plus years, it hasn't particularly mattered whether you owned bond funds or individual bonds. Helped by falling interest rates, they both delivered consistent income and a counterbalance to stock market volatility. But, with higher rate

Bank of America looks to build on loan growth in Spokane

Institution now employs about 350 people locally

June 19, 2014

Katie Ross

Bank of America Corp., the Charlotte, N.C.-based financial institution, increased its small business loans in Washington state by 22 percent last year and hopes to keep that momentum rolling, says Kurt Walsdorf, Spokane-based senior vice president and mar

Minimize risk of outliving your investment income

Planning is paramount as retirement dynamics shift

June 19, 2014

Hedley W. Greene and Bruce Pedey

It's 1950 and you are at the 'retirement ageâ€ of 65. It's expected that you will retire, and there's more than a gentle hand on your back as you clear out your desk. Social Security has been in place since 1935 thanks to FDR and the New Deale

Spokane's economy is on consistent growth track

Jobs continue to increase; wage growth is a concern

June 19, 2014

Steve Scranton

Spokane has seen 2014 start with a more consistent pattern of economic growth than the nation as a whole. Unlike much of the Midwest and East Coast, Spokane didn't suffer through the severe winter weather that hampered economic activity. The picture t

Gifting can help with estate taxes

Washington's rate affects more residents than feds' rules

June 19, 2014

Mike McLean

With historically high exemptions, fewer people are paying federal estate and gift taxes now than decades ago, but more Washington state residents should be aware of their potential state estate tax liabilities, some accountants here say. Washington has