Richard Ripley

Plunging loan rates ignite activity

Mortgage requests, refinancings soar after Fed's action

December 18, 2008

Plunging home mortagage rates have sparked a flood of refinancings, a rise in mortgage applications from people who are seeking to buy homes, and hopes that the whirlwind of activity might provide a boost for the Spokane-area for mortgages jumped

Above: Photo by David Brown, courtesy of Gaelectric. Below: Diagram courtesy of Gaelectric.

Joint venture looks to wind

Irish, Clarkston concerns join forces to develop projects around region

December 4, 2008

Richard Ripley

A joint venture formed by a Clarkston, Wash., company and an Irish renewable-energy concern is working on several efforts to generate green power, including a proposed 200-megawatt wind-turbine farm and a 10-megawatt wind-powered project it would a

Intermountain gets initial OK for U.S. funding

Sandpoint company could issue $27 million in stock, warrants to government

December 4, 2008

Richard Ripley

Intermountain Community Bancorp, of Sandpoint, says it has received preliminary approval from the U.S. government to participate in the federal capital purchase program and will seek approval from its shareholders to pursue the says its will meet a

WSU project said health-center 'destination'

Arthritis Northwest patients would see other practitioners at proposed new building

December 4, 2008

Richard Ripley

The approach that Washington State University and NexCore Group LP, of Denver, are taking to develop 3.5 acres of land at the Riverpoint Campus is different from past efforts employed there.This time, WSU and its developer plan to develop a as a

Four-day Snoqualmie Pass closure cost $27.9 million

Economic impact study totes up losses from storm; major project to start soon

November 20, 2008

Richard Ripley

The four-day closure of Interstate 90 at Snoqualmie Pass last winter cost the state 170 jobs and the loss of $27.9 million in economic output, $1.42 million in state revenue, and $8.6 million in personal income, a Washington state Department of at

Farm Credit Services posts sizable gain in net income

Lender earns $39 million in quarter; loans soar 21.4 percent year to date

November 20, 2008

Richard Ripley

Northwest Farm Credit Services, of Spokane, has reported third-quarter net income of $39 million, up from $28.4 million in the year-earlier quarter.The federally chartered ag-lending cooperative says its earnings through the first nine months up

Avista sees eventual IPO at subsidiary

Advantage IQ's board undergoes revamping to prepare for future

November 20, 2008

Richard Ripley

Executives at Avista Corp. and its Advantage IQ subsidiary long have talked about taking Advantage IQ public or exploring other ways for Avista to capitalize on its investment in the subsidiary. Now, they're getting more serious about it."We to

Davidson cuts estimates of Sterling's 2008, 2009 profits

Analyst's report points out nonperforming assets grew by $133 million in quarter

November 6, 2008

Richard Ripley

A regional securities brokerage has slashed its estimates for Sterling Financial Corp.'s earnings in 2008 and 2009.The Great Falls, Mont.-based brokerage, D.A. Davidson & Co., says that "subdued" loan growth, pressure on net interest margin, and

Spokane bankers approach U.S. capital program warily

Competitive aspect seen as they mull peers' participation

November 6, 2008

Richard Ripley

Spokane bankers are eyeing with some skepticism the federal government's offer to provide capital to some U.S. banks by becoming investors in them.As the first deadline approaches on Nov. 14 to apply for the government's so- called Capital Plan,

Bank reports give insights into economy

Nonperforming assets rise sharply at institutions here as quarterly profits plummet

November 6, 2008

Richard Ripley

Third-quarter earnings reports from Inland Northwest banks are providing insights into the region's economy.One of the most-watched numbers in bank earnings reports for the third quarter, which ended Sept. 30, will be nonperforming how they've a