Banking & Finance

School Employees Credit Union buys Valley building for branch move

New space closer to big retailers, freeway access

December 4, 2014

School Employees Credit Union of Washington has bought a building in Spokane Valley and plans to move its lone Eastern Washington branch there from near downtown Spokane, says Sherry Lotze, a spokeswoman for the Seattle-based credit union. The new locati

Start charitable planning while you're still working

Try to maximize donations during peak earning years

December 4, 2014

Ryan Franklin

Whether you're enjoying your retirement now or you're working hard to inch closer to it, there are a variety of planning questions you're probably thinking about: How much money will I need to retire? Where will my cash flow come from in retirement?

In the stock market, current trend is our friend

Historic cycles jibe with favorable conditions now

December 4, 2014

Michael Maehl

It was a day on which very little else seemed to happen, but 20 years ago, Dec. 8, 1994, we had the start of the huge bull market run that lasted until 2001.

FSC Financial Group to rebrand at start of 2015

Firm added third partner at beginning of the year

December 4, 2014

Kim Crompton

FSC Financial Group, an independent financial advising and wealth management firm founded here by Fred S. Cox III and Steve Gray in 1991 and that added a third adviser early this year, says it plans to change its name on Jan. 1 to Premier Partners Wealth

A wealth of growth in Washington Trust unit

Bank's wealth management department handles trusts, investments for its clients

December 4, 2014

Katie Ross

The wealth management and advisory services department of Spokane-based Washington Trust Bank has been experiencing asset and revenue growth of close to 10 percent a year for the last ten years, says Rob Blume, managing director and senior vice president

Purcell Systems co-founder Pete Chase launches financing startup

Ousted city planning head Chesney hired by venture

December 4, 2014

Linn Parish

Veteran Spokane entrepreneur Pete Chase has started a new venture through which he plans to connect foreign investors with multimillion-dollar developments in the U.S., specifically in Washington state. As one of his first moves in starting Columbia Inte

Paying off burdensome debt before you retire

Number of retirees with financial obligations soars

December 4, 2014

Judith Spitzer

Spokane-area financial experts say a vast majority of retirees and pre-retirees are increasingly facing retirement with sizable amounts of debt-even student loan debt.

Northwest Farm Credit Services reports rise in earnings year to date

Net interest income, total capital also have increased

November 20, 2014

Katie Ross

Northwest Farm Credit Services, the Spokane-based agricultural lender, has posted earnings of $173 million for the nine months ended Sept. 30, a $2.2 million increase compared with the year-earlier period. In a press release, Northwest FCS President and

Trust management firm looks to expand regionally

Northwest Trustee reports strong revenue upswing

November 6, 2014

Katie Ross

Spokane professional trust and estate management firm Northwest Trustee & Management Services has seen its revenues climb 35 percent in the last two years, and it expects that strong growth rate to continue, says Greg Bowman, trust investment and develop

Secured Investment Corp. runs afoul of state regulations

Meantime, Cd'A company closes its Spokane office

November 6, 2014

Mike McLean

The Washington state Department of Financial Institutions has issued a notice of violation against Secured Investment Corp., the Coeur d'Alene-based parent company of a private-money lender that had been doing business here as Cogo Capital Spokane LLC.