Paul Read

Banner records sharply higher third-quarter loss

Walla Walla bank says it's encouraged by slowdown in 'new problem' assets

November 12, 2009

Banner Corp., the Walla Walla-based parent of Banner Bank, has reported a sharply higher net loss for the third quarter, citing continued need for additional loan-loss provisions and write-offs because of the difficult economy.The company, which

INB's parent posts loss, but sees progress

Third-quarter charge-offs fell versus second quarter; deposits grew over year

November 12, 2009

Paul Read

Northwest Bancorporation Inc., the Spokane-based parent of Inland Northwest Bank, has reported a third-quarter net loss of $804,000, or 34 cents a share, compared with net income of $203,000, or 9 cents a share, in the year-earlier results show L.

Spokane's income growth beats regional peers, nation

Though still lagging, percentage increase topped Seattle's, U.S.'s

September 17, 2009

Paul Read and Paul Read

Personal income in the Spokane metropolitan area, though still lagging national benchmarks, grew at a faster rate last year than in the Seattle, Boise, and Portland markets, and also grew faster than the U.S. average, recently released data show. a

Minera Andes set to move headquarters to Toronto

September 3, 2009

Paul Read and Paul Read

Minera Andes Inc., a Canadian mining exploration company that has maintained its headquarters in Spokane since its inception about 15 years ago, says it plans to move its executive offices to Toronto by the end of September.The office here, at a

Maker of credit union software plans call center here

Enhanced Software wants to field telephone inquiries from customers' members

July 30, 2009

Paul Read

Enhanced Software Products Inc., a 13-year-old Spokane Valley developer of software for credit unions, says it plans to open a call center here that would handle, on behalf of the credit unions it serves, customer-service calls from their the also

Elder-care expert writes book on senior housing

July 16, 2009

Paul Read

Spokane elder-care veteran Pamela Pierson has written a book aimed at helping seniors and their families navigate the process of selecting senior housing.The book, "The Pocket Guide to Senior Housing: What They Don't Tell You and What You Need a

Economy puts brakes on exec pay

Overall compensation falls 3.6 percent; base pay drops sharply

July 2, 2009

Paul Read and Paul Read

Executive pay at publicly traded companies here fell last year for the first time since 2000, as the beleaguered economy caused corporate performance—now a bigger factor in how execs are paid—to swoon.Many public companies now base pay

EWU unit extends its reach with community indicators

Institute builds online data sites for Wenatchee area, Walla Walla, plans more

May 7, 2009

Paul Read

An Eastern Washington University institute that developed a Web-based data bank that tracks indicators about the Spokane area is using its expertise to compile similar trend information for other Inland Northwest communities. It launched two such a

Say hello to Clearwater

Newest publicly traded company here has expansive operations

April 23, 2009

Paul Read and Paul Read

On Dec. 16, Spokane quietly became home to a new billion-dollar company, as Spokane-based Potlatch Corp. completed a spin-off of its expansive pulp and paperboard operations.Although the new enterprise, Clearwater Paper Corp., employs just 25 at

A mining concern's fight for life

Gold Reserve executive gives rare glimpse inside hostile takeover attempt

April 9, 2009

Paul Read and Paul Read

The call came in at about 1:30 on a Friday afternoon, Dec. 12. It was an attorney for a Canadian mining concern and its financial adviser, and he was calling to deliver an ultimatum to Gold Reserve Inc. that would launch the Spokane-based company a