Banking & Finance

Fear of the unknown dominates investment market

Concerns abound despite long-running bull market

June 16, 2016

n May of 2015, the S&P 500 made its most recent all-time high. At that time, it seemed as if there was nothing that could stop what CNN Money says has now become the second-longest bull market in history. And yet, nervous market participants today conti

Thrivent takes slow, steady approach to its growth

Nonprofit now manages $700M in assets in INW

June 16, 2016

Thrivent Financial, a national, Christian-based financial services organization with offices here, says its financial health-regionally and locally-is stronger than ever despite a methodical approach to attracting new clients. For more than a century

Umpqua Bank, partners bank on food as an academic energizer

Pilot program in second year at three schools here

June 16, 2016

Treva Lind

On a recent Friday afternoon, a handful of Spokane-based Umpqua Bank employees left the financial world to spend a few hours on a kids' playground. Trading desks and teller stations to stand behind lunch tables, they staffed a mobile food bank to serve

Judge sentences former Northwestern Mutual adviser convicted of wire fraud

John C. Hanson to serve 30 months in prison

June 16, 2016

A federal court judge here sentenced a former Northwestern Mutual Investment Services adviser to 30 months in prison for stealing almost $2.8 million from four different clients, two of whom are family members. John Charles Hanson, 42, pleaded guilty las

Northwest Trustee looks to grow

After securing state charter, company plans office in Boise, eyes other markets

June 16, 2016

LeAnn Bjerken

After 27 years of operation, Northwest Trustee & Management Services, a Spokane-based professional trust and estate management firm, has transitioned from a sole proprietorship to a limited-liability corporation. Founder and President Stephen Trefts sa

Banner Bank expands in Spokane following merger with AmericanWest Bank

Walla Walla corporation now has 320 Spokane-area employees

June 16, 2016

Mike McLean

Walla Walla-based Banner Bank has expanded its operations here significantly since completing a merger with former Spokane-based AmericanWest Bank, says Kirk Quillin, Banner Bank's east region senior vice president. Since the merger with AmericanWest w

Inland Northwest stock composite starts fast off the blocks in 2016

Market capitalization rose almost 15 percent in Q1

May 5, 2016

Hart Capital Management Inc. says the composite value of the 10 publicly traded companies in the Inland Northwest rose by $1 billion to $8.2 billion for the first quarter of 2016, compared with the previous quarter. It's the second straight quarter the

Seattle wealth management firm acquires Summit

Combined company now handles $2 billion in assets

April 21, 2016

Seattle-based Merriman Wealth Management LLC has acquired Summit Capital Management LLC, with offices in Spokane and Seattle. The acquisition, which took effect April 1, is part of Merriman's overall regional growth strategy. Summit Capital will assum

Financial services society expects to expand here

Modern Woodmen hopes to hire more advisers

April 7, 2016

LeAnn Bjerken

Modern Woodmen of America, a member-owned fraternal benefit society that sells life insurance, annuities, and other investment products, is looking to expand its team of financial representatives as well as its membership in the Spokane area. Modern Woo

Whitworth finance team off to national competition

Student team advances for second straight year

April 7, 2016

Whitworth University's four-student Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) team heads to Chicago next week to compete in an international competition against teams from more than 100 colleges and universities from around the world. The four-day event starts