KVAL - News - Business

Les Schwab settles sex discrimination lawsuit for $2 million

Les Schwab Tire Centers, one of the largest automotive businesses in the West, has agreed to pay $2 million to settle claims it refused to hire qualified women who applied for jobs changing tires.

'Have you seen that house?'

Feds pledge tough review of Comcast-NBC deal

Federal regulators are pledging a rigorous review of the proposed combination of Comcast Corp. and NBC Universal to ensure the deal does not stifle competition or harm consumers.

Watchdog: GMAC bailout could cost taxpayers $6.3 billion

The Treasury Department sank billions into auto finance giant GMAC Inc. without an exit strategy or proof the company was viable - a decision that could cost taxpayers $6.3 billion, a new watchdog report says.

Credit card users: Not so responsible after all?

Federal Reserve data shows that the bulk of last year's drop in credit card debt probably came because banks had to write off loans consumers failed to pay for more than 180 days.

Foreclosure rates up by smallest amount in 4 years

RealtyTrac Inc. said Thursday that the number of U.S. households facing foreclosure in February grew 6 percent from the year-ago level, the smallest annual increase in four years.

First-time jobless claims drop slightly last week

The number of newly laid-off workers requesting unemployment benefits slipped last week, the latest sign the employment picture is slowly brightening.

Trade deficit shrinks as auto, oil imports drop

The U.S. trade deficit unexpectedly shrank in January, reflecting a big drop in imports of oil and foreign cars. American exports also fell, a potential blow to hopes that the economic recovery will be aided this year by U.S. sales abroad.

Bank of America ends overdraft fees on debit cards

Bank of America customers will soon be unable to spend more than they have in the accounts linked to their debit cards. It's a step that may become a common move ahead of new regulations limiting overdraft fees.

Google opens Web store for business applications

Google Inc. will sell the online services of other business software makers in an effort to fill its own product gaps and persuade more companies to rely on applications piped over the Internet.