Special Report

Accounting standards can sway lawsuits

Rules-based approach more likely to deter disgruntled shareholders, study finds

January 31, 2013

Disgruntled shareholders are more likely to sue firms that use principles-based accounting standards instead of rules-based standards, according to a recent study by a University of Iowa accounting researcher.The study, by Richard Mergenthaler,

Gen X, gen Y retirement accounts swell, firm says

Baby boomers continue to possess the lion's share of assets at MassMutual

January 31, 2013

PR Newswire

Third-quarter 2012 data for defined-contribution plans administered by Springfield, Mass.-based MassMutual Financial Group show that, combined, generation X and generation Y participants now account for 55 percent of the company's participant with

Viren & Associates focuses on diverse financial advice

Longtime company helps clients with investments, estates, and benefit plans

January 31, 2013

Treva Lind

Viren & Associates Inc., a Spokane-based financial planning and employee benefits advisory company, has remained viable for almost 20 years by diversifying the services it offers clients, says Paul Viren, managing principal there. Viren, who in

FDIC-insured institutions' profits rise

Fewer than 700 banks appear on problem list, reaching three-year low

January 31, 2013

Commercial banks and savings institutions insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. reported aggregate net income of $37.6 billion in the third quarter of 2012, a $2.3 billion—or 6.6 percent—improvement from the $35.2 billion in the

C&I lending in Spokane begins to rebound

Business customers look to growth in inventory, billings to back financing

January 31, 2013

Mike McLean

As the economy tentatively improves and businesses begin to increase sales and rebuild inventory, commercial-and-industrial lending also is on the rise, some lenders here say.Spokane-based Sterling Bank and the Spokane operations of U.S. Bank, a

SNAP Financial Access makes big gains with micro loans to refugees

World Relief Spokane, SNAP team up to help refugees' small businesses start

January 31, 2013

Jessica Valencia

Greg Franson, of SNAP Financial Access, and World Relief Spokane's Ivan Yerebakan have worked in tandem for years on a program meant to kick-start small businesses operated by refugees that find themselves relocated to Spokane.The development or

Walker tackles two projects in Othello

Large classroom addition, alternative learning center jobs total about $2.7 million

January 17, 2013

Treva Lind

Walker Construction Inc., of Spokane, has started work on two jobs for the Othello School District that have a combined value of $2.7 million. Othello is located about 120 miles southwest of Spokane, between Moses Lake and the Tri-Cities. The a

Rendering courtesy of Russell Page Architects

Office-retail structure rises along Newport Highway

Developer plans to move physical therapy practice there; two bays available

January 17, 2013

Jessica Valencia

Genesis Construction & Development Inc., of Spokane, has started work on a 5,300-square-foot, $664,000 office and retail building in North Spokane.Bob Bennie, owner of Genesis Construction, says the single-story structure located at 11402 N. in

New streetlights planned on I-90 section downtown

Northeast Electric lands $2.4 million in contracts to install LED systems

January 17, 2013

Jessica Valencia

The Washington State Department of Transportation plans to replace streetlights along roughly three miles of Interstate 90 between Liberty Park and the Latah Creek bridges, says Al Gilson, spokesman for DOT's eastern region.Two federally funded

Cheney industrial center certified as shovel ready

City takes steps to recruit high-tech, aerospace units to business park parcels

January 17, 2013

Treva Lind

The 38-acre Cheney Industrial & Commerce Park has gained a third-party certification that it is development ready, with roads, utilities, and other infrastructure in place for businesses that want to locate facilities there. With the recent city