Idaho Central Credit Union has opened its first branch in Washington state at the former Banner Bank building at 41 W. Riverside in downtown Spokane. ICCU purchased the building in November for $13.5 million from 41 W. Riverside LLC, which was owned

Since the start of the pandemic, the U.S. Small Business Administration has worked to save the nation's small businesses. In Washington state alone, the agency provided more than $11 billion worth of economic aid, and 178,000 loans and grants

As the effects of the coronavirus continue to reshape our world, several factors are accelerating the shift to a more digital, hybrid future in Spokane.

While student loan debt continues to rise and impact borrowers of all ages, the debt growth has been highest among older borrowers, says a report by AARP Public Policy Institute.

U.S. Small Business Administration-backed lending had a strong year in 2021 and is keeping up pace so far this year, some SBA lending officials here say.

Anticipated federal funds interest rate hikes are expected to foster an environment of growth and diversified investment among banks. One of the key ways in which banks make money is through interest rates on funds the banks loan.

Some lenders in Spokane County have experienced an increased volume of digitally initiated mortgage applications since the onset of the pandemic, though not all attribute the shift to COVID-era behavior changes.