Banking & Finance

Preparing for CARES: Businesses line up for Paycheck Protection Program loans

Forgivable loans available to small companies that keep, rehire employees

April 9, 2020

Spokane-area small-business owners are looking into taking advantage of aid offered to them through the CARES Act, says Sheryl McGrath, Spokane-based associate state director of the Washington Small Business Development Center.

ICM Asset Management prevails in arbitration over investor's claims

Panel says 'sloppiness' wasn't fraud or neglect

April 9, 2020

Kevin Blocker

A three-person panel of arbitrators has ruled that a long-time Spokane investment company and its owner didn't breach its fiduciary duties, nor did it commit fraud, as claimed by a Spokane businessman who had invested in the company.

Market volatility presents opportunity for investors

Retirees should consider lower monthly distributions

April 9, 2020

Virginia Thomas

Retirees and those planning to retire soon may have been shaken by the volatile behavior of the U.S. stock market in recent weeks, but experts here say it's not time to panic.

State accuses Spokane adviser of bilking clients of $2.9M-plus

Findings follow ban of Hannes by federal regulatory group

April 8, 2020

Kevin Blocker

The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions has accused a former Spokane financial planner of swindling millions from at least 19 clients over a 16-year period, starting in 2003.

Stimulus loan program gets off to rocky start, is important lifeline nonetheless

Lenders work to connect customers with Paycheck Protection Program

April 7, 2020

Ezra Eckhardt

When the year began, business was booming, and the biggest challenge for many employers was finding qualified job applicants. Suddenly, we're in an economic environment no one anticipated.

Spokane-area small businesses look to benefit from CARES Act

Relief slated to be available starting April 3

March 31, 2020

Virginia Thomas

Spokane-area small-business owners are looking into taking advantage of aid offered to them through the CARES Act, says Sheryl McGrath, Spokane-based associate state director of the Washington Small Business Development Center.

Survey launched by chambers, others shows some businesses are tentative about finances

Regional impact survey is gauging sentiments in current conditions

March 26, 2020

Kevin Blocker

In a new, continuing survey of Spokane-area business owners and operators, 45% say they're 'tentativeâ€ about their ability to withstand the economic impact of the current coronavirus pandemic effectively.

State investigates former financial planner in Spokane

Probe comes on heels of ban issued by federal regulatory authority

March 26, 2020

Kevin Blocker

The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions has opened a formal investigation into a one-time financial planner in Spokane recently banned from working in that capacity.

2020 Icons: Phil Kuharski

Longtime economics expert still going by the numbers

March 26, 2020

Mike McLean

Phil Kuharski, the former Fidelity Mutual Savings Bank executive long known as the leading economic authority on the Spokane real estate market, says he's been working with numbers since he was 6 years old.

Prioritizing can make multiple savings goals attainable

Three-leg model targets emergency, midrange, retirement objectives

March 12, 2020

Guest Commentary

The sounds of coins clanking into a piggy bank are etched indelibly into our collective consciousness. Putting those pennies, nickels, and dimes into a ceramic sculpture felt good when we were 5 or 6 years old.