Bad loans put Washington banks on ropes (Tri-City Herald)

WASHINGTON — They helped fuel a real estate and commercial development boom across Washington, but

Murray’s $30 billion bill could help state community banks (Tacoma News Tribune)

WASHINGTON – They helped fuel a real estate and commercial development boom across Washington state, but now community banks are saddled with bad loans that are dragging down their balance sheets, causing a credit squeeze and making it hard for small businesses and farmers to get loans in an already difficult economy.

Bank bill could bring relief to state (The Olympian)

WASHINGTON – They helped fuel a real estate and commercial development boom across Washington state, but now community banks are saddled with bad loans that are dragging down their balance sheets, causing a credit squeeze and making it hard for small businesses and farmers to get loans in an already difficult economy.