Banking & Finance

Spokane County saw median household income dip last year

Gain within Spokane fails to offset declines elsewhere

October 6, 2016

In contrast to state and national trends, household median income in Spokane County fell last year, says online data compiled by the Community Indicators of Spokane Initiative. Whether the decrease is statistically significant remains to be seen, says Pa

Figuring out a few things early in retirement planning

Determining total cost of post-work life is first step

September 22, 2016

Michael Maehl

Before getting too deeply into your retirement planning, you need to have a few things figured out. You should have some good idea as to how you want to live, where you want to live, and what activities will be part of your life. Knowing these, you may n

Umpqua Bank to move its downtown branch

Remodel is underway in nearby Crescent Building

September 22, 2016

Mike McLean

Portland-based Umpqua Bank plans to move its downtown Spokane branch to a main-floor storefront in the nearby Crescent Building, at 707 W. Main, according to building permit information on file with the city of Spokane. An Umpqua spokeswoman confirmed th

Washington Trust Bank parent posts increase in earnings

Company's workforce nears 900 employees

September 22, 2016

Washington Financial Corp., the Spokane-based parent of Washington Trust Bank, has reported net income of $26 million through the first half of 2016, up from $21.5 million through the year-earlier period. As of June 30 this year, Washington Trust had tot

Providence Health system seeks big bond refinancing

Five facilities here included in $222.4 million proposal

September 8, 2016

Kim Crompton

The parent organization for Spokane-based Providence Health Care, the Inland Northwest's largest health-care system, is seeking the issuance of up to $222.4 million in tax-exempt special-fund revenue bonds in a facilities refinancing request that includ

Inland Northwest Bank's executive offices move in Paulsen Center

Company plans to take space on the 11th floor

August 25, 2016

Construction Associates of Spokane Inc. has started remodeling the 12,000-square-foot 11th floor of the Paulsen Center at 421 W. Riverside, where Inland Northwest Bank plans to move its executive offices, says INB president and CEO Russell Lee. The bank

BECU set to open first two Spokane-area branches

Credit union is still looking for site for third new office

August 25, 2016

LeAnn Bjerken

Two of the three branches here that Boeing Employees Credit Union announced plans for earlier this year are scheduled to open next month. The organization still is looking for a location for a third branch. The new branches will be the credit union'

Expense-reporting software company starts its first test

Obloco to market product to banks, credit unions

August 25, 2016

Obloco Inc., a Spokane-based startup that has developed expense-reporting software, began initial beta tests last week with some customers of Washington Trust Bank. Obloco COO Jim Schlosser says the company has designed cloud-based software that it belie

National sentiment remains bearish despite positives

Stock market highs don't necessarily foretell doom

August 11, 2016

Michael Maehl

The S&P is close to all-time highs, and yet, the broad national sentiment remains very bearish.Â Over the past seven and some years, periodic surveys have shown the majority of people in this country have continued to feel that another recession was clo

STCU plans to open branch in Airway Heights in 2017

Building will sit on corner of U.S. 2, Hayford Road

August 11, 2016

Staff Report

STCU, the Spokane area's largest credit union, says it will develop a freestanding branch in the new Hayford Crossing retail plaza at the southwest corner of U.S. 2 and Hayford Road in Airway Heights, with construction to start this fall and the branch