Richard Ripley

Chores forged Spokane boy now at FERC

Commissioner Moeller, who once did lambing, oversees markets, dams

August 20, 2009

Expo '74 days When Philip Moeller pulled himself out of bed at 3 a.m. on sub-zero nights to check on lambing sheep or feeder cattle at the family ranch on Tower Mountain here, he couldn't have known that someday he would serve as the a

Wheatland starts work on remodel in Yakima

Spokane bank to make offer on Wenatchee site, still looks for spots here

July 30, 2009

Richard Ripley

Wheatland Bank, of Spokane, last week began limited demolition work for an extensive remodeling of the building in Yakima, Wash., where it has operated its18-month-old bank branch there. It also planned to make an offer last week for a site for a a

FDIC costs hammer banks here

Premium hikes, special assessment propel bills higher

July 30, 2009

Richard Ripley

Soaring Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. premiums have delivered a body slam to Spokane-area banks, which already were grappling with the costs of dealing with problem loans.The FDIC hiked its deposit-insurance premium rates in 2008 and again as

Itron, Idaho national lab to work on security issues

Cooperative agreement on information sharing seeks to help smart grid

July 16, 2009

Richard Ripley

Itron Inc., of Spokane, has reached a research-and-development agreement with the Idaho National Laboratory, an engineering lab in southeast Idaho that works on nuclear, energy research, science, and national defense projects for the U.S. of pact a

Avista touts incentives for business

Energy-conservation programs highlighted on new Web page

July 16, 2009

Richard Ripley

Avista Utilities is taking its Web-based promotion of energy conservation incentives from the home to Main Street—or in this case what it calls "Efficiency Avenue." For some time, users have been able to click on the attic, windows, walls,

Unicep Packaging will fill line for GlaxoSmithKline

Sandpoint company now employs 150, says it's set for sharp revenue growth

June 18, 2009

Richard Ripley

Unicep Packaging Inc., a Sandpoint-based, U.S. Food & Drug Administration-approved packager of gels, liquids, and creams, says that the pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline has awarded it a three-year contract to package a line of personal care the

Capital calls rise, pinch borrowers

Decreasing asset values force more lenders here to issue 'pay up' demands

June 18, 2009

Richard Ripley

Real estate developers and investors, already vexed by troubled markets and falling asset values, are receiving more bad news from their bankers.In some cases, bankers are telling such clients they'll need to come up with more money—and to

Sterling seeks $6 million from Vancouver company

Clark County bank owner borrowed funds in 2008, then institution failed

June 4, 2009

Richard Ripley

Sterling Savings Bank, of Spokane, has filed suit in Spokane County Superior Court to collect $6 million plus interest and costs from Clark County Bancorporation, of Vancouver, Wash., which was closed by regulators Jan. 16, and perhaps from of or

Intermountain offers headquarters for sale

Banking company says it always has intended to sell Sandpoint offices

May 21, 2009

Richard Ripley

Intermountain Community Bancorp, of Sandpoint, has put its headquarters building on the market, but says the region's troubled economy had nothing to do with that decision.Even though it has been in its 90,000-square-foot new Sandpoint Center a

Ag lender sets aside more for problem loans

Northwest Farm Credit earmarks $27.3 million for 'stressed' farm sectors

May 21, 2009

Richard Ripley

Northwest Farm Credit Services, of Spokane, has reported first-quarter net income of $17.1 million, down from $27.8 million in the year-earlier period, after setting aside much more to cover potential bad loans than it did in the year-earlier says