Paul Read

U.S. crisis put Hecla on edge

Company sought to refinance large debt as credit markets froze

January 28, 2010

Earlier this month, Hecla Mining Co. announced that its silver production had jumped 26 percent in 2009 and that surging cash flows had left the Coeur d'Alene-based company with zero debt and $100 million in cash on hand. What a difference a year a

GSI launches strategic planning process

Group formed less than three years ago finds itself in different environment today

December 10, 2009

Paul Read and Paul Read

Greater Spokane Incorporated has launched a strategic planning process to help guide the nearly three-year-old organization through challenging economic times and what has become a shifting economic-development landscape."To paraphrase what (new

Shriners crisis sparks new vigor

Donations shot up after threat of closure; hospital will bill insurers in 2010

December 10, 2009

Paul Read and Paul Read

To say that 2009 has been a challenging year for the Shriners Hospitals for Children-Spokane would be quite an understatement, given that the 85-year-old hospital was on a possible closure list for months before being given a reprieve in July by a

Much-smaller Telect sees reason for optimism in telecom

Liberty Lake company says sales are edging up, to stay conservative on hiring

November 25, 2009

Paul Read and Paul Read

No longer the shining star of high-tech manufacturing here, Liberty Lake-based Telect Inc. has settled into a new role as a scrappy fighter in the rough-and-tumble telecommunications equipment industry, and that appears to suit CEO Wayne Williams a

Idaho Independent Bank reports quarterly loss, big drop in deposits

November 12, 2009

Paul Read

Coeur d'Alene-based Idaho Independent Bank, which operates primarily in Southern Idaho, has posted a third-quarter net loss of $1.99 million, or 31 cents a diluted share, compared with net income of $1.64 million, or 25 cents a share, in the the

Intermountain posts loss, cites better credit figures

Sandpoint concern put less aside for loan losses in quarter than in second

November 12, 2009

Paul Read and Paul Read

Intermountain Community Bancorp, the Sandpoint-based parent of Panhandle State Bank and other banking subsidiaries, has reported a net loss for the third quarter, but says loan losses and provisions for them are improving and deposits are growing.

Banner records sharply higher third-quarter loss

Walla Walla bank says it's encouraged by slowdown in 'new problem' assets

November 12, 2009

Paul Read

Banner Corp., the Walla Walla-based parent of Banner Bank, has reported a sharply higher net loss for the third quarter, citing continued need for additional loan-loss provisions and write-offs because of the difficult economy.The company, which

INB's parent posts loss, but sees progress

Third-quarter charge-offs fell versus second quarter; deposits grew over year

November 12, 2009

Paul Read

Northwest Bancorporation Inc., the Spokane-based parent of Inland Northwest Bank, has reported a third-quarter net loss of $804,000, or 34 cents a share, compared with net income of $203,000, or 9 cents a share, in the year-earlier results show L.

Spokane's income growth beats regional peers, nation

Though still lagging, percentage increase topped Seattle's, U.S.'s

September 17, 2009

Paul Read and Paul Read

Personal income in the Spokane metropolitan area, though still lagging national benchmarks, grew at a faster rate last year than in the Seattle, Boise, and Portland markets, and also grew faster than the U.S. average, recently released data show. a

Minera Andes set to move headquarters to Toronto

September 3, 2009

Paul Read and Paul Read

Minera Andes Inc., a Canadian mining exploration company that has maintained its headquarters in Spokane since its inception about 15 years ago, says it plans to move its executive offices to Toronto by the end of September.The office here, at a