Herald staff
EVERETT — EverTrust Financial Group Inc. plans to merge two of its subsidiaries, Commercial Bank of Everett and Everett Mutual Bank.
"The merger will streamline our internal operations and increase our lending capacity," said Dale Lyski, group president.
Pending regulatory approval, Commercial will be folded into Everett Mutual, which will continue to be headquartered in the Everett Mutual Tower in downtown Everett.
Newspaper talks: A bargaining session has been scheduled Friday in the strike against Seattle’s two daily newspapers, the first since the strike began more than two weeks ago. Art Thiel, spokesman for the striking Pacific Northwest Newspaper Guild, which represents 1,000 news and business employees at The Seattle Times and Seattle Post-Intelligencer, said he is pleased there will be a meeting. Times spokeswoman Kerry Coughlin cautioned that The Times would not change its offer.
Wednesday prices: Gold sold for $261.60 a troy ounce, silver sold for $4.75 and platinum sold for $605.40.
Bike brake problem: Two companies based in Washington state are recalling about 5,000 bicycles because of faulty disc brakes. DiaTech USA of Kenmore, the manufacturer, and Derby USA of Kent, the distributor, received a report of a man who suffered broken ribs after losing control of his bicycle when the brake stuck, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Wednesday. The brands and models: Raleigh’s M600, M800 and M8000; Diamondback’s Zetec Comp and X-2; and Univega’s DS950 and Alpina 700. The commission advises consumers to stop riding the bicycles and return them to their dealers for free replacement of the brake calipers. For more information, call 800-638-2772.