In brief: Spokane County jobless rate lowest since 2008

The unemployment rate for Spokane County fell to 6 percent in April. It was 6.6 percent in April 2014.

The number reflects the steady job gains this year after months of tepid job growth.

The Washington unemployment rate stood at 5.5 percent. The job market is especially hot in the Seattle area: King County’s unemployment rate for April is 3.3 percent.

The Spokane jobless rate is the lowest since the economic collapse of late 2008, said regional labor economist Doug Tweedy.

There are more jobs in professional and business services, health care, retail and hospitality, and government and education.

The manufacturing sector is up a bit, but there’s a mix of some companies hiring and others reducing payroll, Tweedy said.

First-time unemployment claims have fallen by half since the peak in 2009.

“The opportunities are growing for people looking for work,” he said.

Nordstrom credit card operation sold to TD

SEATTLE – Nordstrom sold its credit card operation to Toronto-based TD Bank Group, handing off to the Canadian bank some $2.2 billion in receivables while inking a deal that will allow the Seattle retailer to manage customer service for the cards and get a cut of future revenue.

TD’s purchase of Nordstrom’s receivables boosts the retailer’s cash even as it retains control of the customer-facing part of the operation. TD will become the sole issuer of U.S. Nordstrom-branded Visa and private label credit cards.

For customers, little should change. Nordstrom will continue to fund and manage its Nordstrom Rewards loyalty program, as well as its debit cards. Terms for the rewards program will remain unchanged, the company said.

Can-Am Spyder maker agrees to safety recall

DETROIT – U.S. safety regulators have closed an investigation of fires in Can-Am Spyder three-wheeled motorcycles after the manufacturer agreed to a recall.

Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. of Canada agreed to recall nearly 7,100 Spyder RT motorcycles globally from the 2013 model year. It also agreed to re-notify owners of motorcycles from 2008 through 2012 that were recalled in 2012 for problems that could cause fires, according to documents posted Tuesday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Investigators found 103 complaints and two fires during the investigation of more than 52,000 motorcycles.

The company said Tuesday in a statement that parts are available now to fix the problem and that it would mail notices to owners starting Tuesday urging them to make an appointment to get repairs made.

U.S. new-home sales rebounded in April

WASHINGTON – More Americans bought new homes in April – evidence that the stronger job market is powering the housing sector.

The Commerce Department said Tuesday that new-home sales climbed 6.8 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 517,000. Sales recovered from a 10 percent dip in March to an annual pace of 484,000.

Sales during the first four months of the year are 23.7 percent higher than the same period in 2014, although the monthly figures tend to be volatile.

Sales increased in the Midwest and South last month, while slumping in the Northeast and West where housing costs are generally higher.