The greater Tri-Cities enjoys a strong technology pulse, but the most readily accessible statistics are scant on the evidence. Brenton-Franklin Trends data, for instance, doesn’t carry one “technology” indicator out of the 175 available. This state of our knowledge is largely due to the difficulties in measuring the economic impact...

The pandemic has altered daily life in many ways, some of which may long outlive the current shutdowns.Technological innovations over the past several years have allowed employees to work from home — a shift that was already well underway before the pandemic, but one that has been kicked into hyperdrive...

Donor-advised funds have gained in popularity in recent years.They provide an easy way to facilitate charitable giving; they can increase tax savings; and they can be creatively employed in estate plans to encourage philanthropy for the family and act as a substitute for a private foundation.First, what is a donor-advised...

If you have ever visited Washington, D.C., or even looked into planning a trip to the nation’s capital, you know there are quite a few sights to see.Washington, D.C., is a hub for both American history and cultural exploration, from the U.S. Capitol building and the Library of Congress, the...

By Joel BoucheyNo one enjoys restrictions on their lives or businesses. Just like no one likes to get sick.The Covid-19 pandemic has challenged us as individuals and communities in terms of what we find acceptable. And problems arise when the restrictions drag on for months and months, seeming with little public input...

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...

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...

Hospitality is big business in the Tri-Cities. It just misses landing in the top five sectors, as ranked by employment levels in Benton-Franklin Trends data.The data behind this indicator show that in 2019, hospitality employment levels averaged slightly over 10,000 in the two counties. That placed hospitality sixth. As a...