Latest News

AmericanWest scraps acquirer role

Amid losses, bank seeks to shed costs, raise capital

November 20, 2008

AmericanWest Bancorp says it expects to reduce its overall work force by up to 10 percent and to secure private equity funding, regardless of any federal bailout money it might receive, as part of a broad effort to stem losses and get back on says

Blue chips entice, but don't count on them staying low risk

Reliable performers now tougher to pick as ranks become ever-changing

November 6, 2008

Andrew Leckey

Brutal market activity has ravaged the ranks of blue-chip stocks.As newcomers enter this fraternity of reliable national performers, some of the old guard has lost its membership altogether while others are capitalizing on the financial virtues

The 95/95 proposition: How to get on winning side of it

To hit more home runs, focus on receiving, not making, unsolicited calls

November 6, 2008

Sales & Marketing

When a prospective customer calls you on the phone and wants to buy—either they heard or read something about you, or read something that you wrote, or someone referred them to you—the odds are close to 95 percent that you can make a sale

In The News: November 6, 2008

November 6, 2008

Nov. 4 / Avista Corp.'s earnings improve Avista Corp., of Spokane, reported third-quarter net income of $7.4 million, or 13 cents a diluted share, compared to a net loss of $3.9 million, or 7 cents a diluted share, in the year-earlier

Calendar: November 6, 2008

November 6, 2008

November 6-20, 2008 The Journal of Business publishes information about meetings, events, and learning opportunities of interest to the general business community. Submit such items to Ben Rascoff, Journal of Business, 429 E. Third, WA

Small business Watch: November 6, 2008

November 6, 2008

Pete's Independent Honda changes hands Ken Peterson says he has purchased Pete's Independent Honda, an automotive repair shop at 4409 E. Sprague, from Peter Nguyen, for an undisclosed sum and plans to continue to operate the business

Expect sizable changes in investing landscape by 2020

Experts' views vary, but several say they foresee healthier environment

November 6, 2008

Andrew Leckey

"Time, time, time, see what's become of me," sang Simon and Garfunkel in 1966 (and the Bangles in 1987), "while I looked around for my possibilities."Time and possibilities are a jumble in the 2008 investment world, but looking ahead rather than

Fighting financial angst: Here are some ways to take control

Sharing concerns, focusing on wellness activities often can help, psychologists say

November 6, 2008

With the economy in crisis and foreclosures at an all-time high, financial anxiety among Americans appears to be soaring to new heights.In a poll distributed by the American Psychological Association (APA) to more than 1,700 U.S. adults, eight a

Monitoring Federal Home Loan Banks' risk effects

FHLB members show slightly higher exposure to risk than nonmembers

November 6, 2008

In what's touted as the first study to examine the impact of Federal Home Loan Bank membership and funding on commercial bank risk, a University of Arkansas researcher and colleagues at two Federal Reserve banks found evidence to suggest that FHLB

Demand said rising here for nontraditional financing

Factoring sector picks up as credit market tightens; microloan inquiries swell

November 6, 2008

David Cole

An increasing number of businesses here and nationally are turning to nontraditional sources of financing, such as factoring, to meet critical cash-flow needs as banks constrict credit in the current economic crisis, say industry factoring, such as