Special Report

Earnings fall at many banks with Spokane presence

Some institutions blame lack of PPP funds; others fault rising interest rates

August 11, 2022

More than half of the banks with a presence in the Spokane area report a decrease in earnings for the second quarter of this year. Of 13 institutions with readily available earnings reports that have at least one branch in Spokane County, eight saw second

Young Spokane fintech Haploos goes public (sector)

Virtual credit card maker receives approval from federal agencies

August 11, 2022

Karina Elias

Spokane-based fintech company Haploos Inc. has received clearances from three federal government departments that company CEO Josh Arritola hopes will open up new markets for its virtual credit card. This spring, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban

Misery Index regains relevance

Nearly forgotten index returns with climbing inflation, other challenges

August 11, 2022

Erica Bullock

Fifty years ago, the U.S. economy was facing a combination of high inflation and unemployment, which brought about the creation of the misery index. Used to help measure general economic distress felt by the average citizen, the misery index originally

Chronic optimism is rational opinion on stocks

Markets said efficient over time, inevitably rebound to new highs

July 28, 2022

Dave Gordon

As I write this, the U.S. stock market is off by the largest amount since the COVID bottom. The fear index watched by many on Wall Street is currently 'extremely high.â€ And it just seems the market's current momentum is down. I've been doing this

Learning the publishing business in retirement

Some Spokane seniors intend to supplement income through writing

July 28, 2022

Karina Elias

This year, Stephen Lalonde, a retired high school teacher, published his fifth book, 'Anissi,â€ the final in a trilogy for which he says had a waiting list of people ready to purchase it. He is 72 years old.

Most near retirement have time for market return

Quality investment mix can provide income tailored to savers' needs

July 28, 2022

Michael Maehl

You've worked diligently and saved and invested for retirement. You put in 40 to 60 hours per week for a whole lot of years. Now, at long last, you'll get to kick back and do whatever pastimes you enjoy.

Ecological options emerge for end of life

Natural burial, water cremation steadily are gaining traction

July 28, 2022

Virginia Thomas

Funeral industry workers here say alternative burial methods are slowly gaining acceptance among Spokanites, while cremation continues to be the most popular overall option.

Some small businesses sell to locals, continue legacies

INW experts advise sellers to consult financial planners

July 28, 2022

Erica Bullock

Selling a business is a major component of a retirement strategy recently for some Spokane-area business owners, who are also happy that the new ownership has remained local and retained their employees, in some cases.

Numerica Credit Union branch to be built at Five Mile

Four houses on project site will be relocated

July 14, 2022

Karina Elias

Spokane-Valley based Numerica Credit Union plans to build a new branch at 6281 N. Maple Street, south of W. Francis, near the Five Mile Shopping Center, says, Licia LeGrant, an architect with Bernardo|Wills Architects PC, of Spokane, which is designing

Supercuts to be razed, replaced by auto lube shop

Take 5 Oil Change enters Spokane market, plans additional locations

July 14, 2022

Virginia Thomas

The former Supercuts building in the Heritage Village Shopping Center, at 9205 N. Newport Highway, will be demolished this month to make way for an automotive oil change franchise shop expanding into the Spokane area, says Dave Black, co-owner of