There is the obvious investment advice that certainly you’ve heard again and again:Set clear and realistic long-term goals.Keep investing regardless of market fluctuations.Diversify, don’t put all your eggs in one basket.Select quality low-cost globally diversified investments.Seek out a fiduciary professional to support the financial side of your life.All great advice,...
Will the massive fiscal and monetary stimulus packages designed to save the economy actually lead to high inflation?This is becoming a hotly debated topic. In this column, we’ll explore inflation, future expectations and how to protect your nest egg. Inflation can be broadly defined as the increase in prices of goods...
When businesses or professionals talk about engaging in mergers or acquisitions (M&A), what exactly might that entail?In a general sense, M&A is a broad term to describe the various transactions available to gain control of, or consolidate, companies.An acquisition is the scenario where a buyer seeks to purchase or acquire...
Rebekah DobbsSTCU Commercial and Business Services Commercial Banking ManagerNumber of employees youoversee: 2What is STCU’s footprint in the Tri-Cities? We have locations in the Southridge area of Kennewick, Queensgate area of Richland and will be opening our Pasco location on Road 68 soon. We also have a Home Loan division and...
We have all seen the news: card skimmers, check fraud and compromised accounts. With financial fraud on the rise, where does your financial institution stand in terms of losses, security and products to assist you in safeguarding your accounts and identity?The American Bankers Association does a survey each year to...
By Don C. Brunell Whenmy parents graduated from high school in 1936, a college education was tooexpensive for the son of a copper miner and the daughter of a plumber.Eighty years ago, ourcountry was in the middle of the Great Depression and teens took odd jobs tohelp put food on...
A $1.5 trillion debt.Owed by 45 millionpeople, or 15 percent of the U.S. population.Backed by the U.S.government, and by extension, taxpayers.Anyone who thinks thiscountry’s growing student debt crisis doesn’t affect them is sorely mistaken.That’s the messagefrom a certified student loan counselor, and he says it’s true for all folkswhether they...
President, Tri-CU Credit Union (formerly Tri-Cities Community Federal Credit Union)Number of employeesyou oversee:17Brief background ofyour business:Tri-CU (formerlyTri-Cities Community Federal Credit Union) is the only small local credit unionin the Tri-Cities, originally founded in 1969 by the IBEW #112 ElectriciansUnion, right here in Kennewick. We have grown rapidly the last decade,...
By Virginia Thomas / Spokane Journal of BusinessWashington financial institutions and regulators say they’re closely watching several pieces of federal legislation regarding cannabis that could impact how banks and credit unions handle banking for the cannabis industry.Some, however, aren’t optimistic that such legislation willmake it through the legislative process. Washington...
By D. Patrick JonesNearly every reader of this column has a relationship with a bank, credit union, mortgage lender or maybe a combination. The financial system of the U.S. is widely celebrated for contributing to our country’s economic success. What’s true nationally is true locally.D. Patrick Jones, Eastern Washington University’s...
