Banking & Finance

PrimeSource CU advances beyond its telecom roots

With two Spokane branches, organization reports rise in loans, income, members

November 7, 2013

Spokane-based PrimeSource Credit Union, with nearly 6,000 members and two branches here, is experiencing strong asset and loan growth this year, during a time when the financial institution also is increasing its marketing efforts, says CEO called

Deciphering 401(k) fee disclosures said difficult to do

Previously hidden fees still hard to find in new mandated explanations

November 7, 2013

Mike McLean

Fee disclosure requirements for employer-sponsored 401(k) and other defined contribution retirement plans are a good idea, some financial and plan advisers here say, but they add that the disclosure statements sent to millions of plan participants

Banks serving Inland Northwest post mixed earnings

INB, Columbia among those reporting increases in net income during Q3

November 7, 2013

Staff Report

A handful of publicly-traded banks serving the Inland Northwest reported mixed results for the third quarter, with most describing a challenging market.A couple of bank holding companies said acquisitions bolstered quarterly earnings, while some

Stock index rises during latest quarter

Bank shares significantly outperformed other stocks here in latest comparison

November 7, 2013

Treva Lind

Hart Capital Management Inc., a Spokane-based investment firm, says the stock value of 14 publicly traded Inland Northwest companies as measured in an overall index it prepares rose by nearly 4 percent in the third quarter.The Hart Capital Index

Northwest Farm Credit Services sees jump in earnings

Improved credit quality, reduced loan loss reserve contribute to sharp rise

November 7, 2013

Treva Lind

Northwest Farm Credit Services, the Spokane-based agricultural lending cooperative, has reported third-quarter earnings of $75.3 million, an increase of 73 percent compared with $43.6 million in the year-earlier quarter.The association the to in

Sterling's net income declines

Earnings report

October 24, 2013

Staff Report

Sterling Financial Corp., the Spokane-based parent of Sterling Bank, reported today third-quarter net income of $21 million, or 33 cents a diluted share, compared with $30.6 million, or 49 cents a share, in the year-earlier quarter.Greg Seibly, in

Panhandle State Bank parent posts jump in net

Earnings report

October 24, 2013

Staff Report

Intermountain Community Bancorp, the Sandpoint-based holding company for Intermountain Community Bank and Panhandle State Bank, reported this morning third-quarter net income of $1.5 million, or 23 cents per diluted share, up from income of or 5 a

Give generously, but understand tax implications first

Basic knowledge of rules can help donors develop clear philanthropic strategy

October 24, 2013

Val Perry

There are many options when it comes to charitable giving. With some advance planning, you can make a difference for a cause that's important to you. But before you dive in, make sure you have a clear strategy and understand the basic rules for

Tax experts plot strategies to soften blows of rate jump

Affordable Care Act said having sizable impact on taxpayers

October 24, 2013

Mike McLean

The largest year-over-year individual tax increases in at least a decade are in effect, and high-income earners who haven't planned for them might be in for a shock, tax preparers here say.Many middle-income taxpayers also might be surprised by

Private venture, nonprofit vision

Change for the Better provides jobs, training, several support services

October 24, 2013

Treva Lind

Central United Methodist Church, in downtown Spokane, is taking a business approach to help homeless people find work, recently providing $100,000 in seed money from an endowment fund to launch Change for the Better LLC.The company, which in May