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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Home Office hits 500 jobs milestone in Stoke-on-Trent

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Thursday, 24th October 2024

    More than 500 government jobs have been created in Stoke-on-Trent over the last two years.

    The huge employment boost comes as part of a long-term commitment by the Home Office to create hundreds of new roles in the city.

    The 500 new jobs include roles that are pivotal in operational activity across the country, as well as corporate functions.

    Councillor Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “We are so pleased to see that the Home Office has hit its target of bringing 500 new jobs to the city in such a short space of time. This is a huge milestone for Stoke-on-Trent.

    “We want to ensure our residents have access to good jobs with higher wages, so we are delighted that the Home Office has made this commitment to our city.”

    In 2023, the Home Office signed a lease for 38,000 sq ft of office space at the Two Smithfield building in the city centre – initially creating around 200 new jobs.

    Eighteen months on, that number has risen to more than 500 employees, most of which are local to Stoke-on-Trent.

    The government department had been in talks with the city council about building a brand-new base in the city which would house all of its Stoke-on-Trent workforce.

    Now the Home Office has confirmed that it is looking to sign a long-term lease for existing office space in the city instead, in line with its firm commitment to remain in the city.

    Cllr Ashworth added: “We will continue to work with the Home Office to ensure they can find a permanent home in the city and will look at how we can potentially use existing or repurposed sites while doing everything we can to ensure these new jobs remain in the city for the long-term.”

    Minister of State, Lord David Hanson said: “We are committed to having a strong presence in Stoke-on-Trent and by fulfilling our commitment to bring more than 500 jobs to the city, we will ensure the region has a huge part to play in tackling some of the biggest challenges facing the UK.

    “Since taking office I have held constructive discussions with local partners in the region and I look forward to building on these relationships to explore how the Home Office can provide further opportunities to Stoke-on-Trent.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sullivan, Senate Vote to Confirm Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan

    01.24.25

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Colonel, USMCR (ret.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and chair of the SASC Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, voted tonight to confirm Pete Hegseth as the secretary of defense. Senator Sullivan met with Hegseth and received commitments from him to continue the historic build-up of the military in Alaska, in recognition of the state’s critical importance to national defense, and restore the military’s core warfighting mission. Hegseth has a decorated career of service in the U.S. Army, completing deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and earning two Bronze Stars and two Army Commendation Medals.

    “After a number of substantive discussions with Pete Hegseth, including during his confirmation hearing, I am confident Mr. Hegseth will work to refocus our military on lethality, warfighting and peace through strength, as well as getting rid of the damaging woke policies of the Biden administration, some of which I witnessed firsthand as a Marine Corps Reserve Officer,” said Sen. Sullivan. “These have been my top priorities as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and they will be Mr. Hegseth’s. Mr. Hegseth also assured me that he understands the important role that women play in our military, including in combat, as well as the strategic importance of Alaska. Along with President Trump, he is also committed to continuing the military build-up in our great state. I want to congratulate the incoming secretary of defense on his confirmation and look forward to welcoming him up to Alaska soon to see firsthand the critical strategic asset our state is to our national security.”

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Carols in the Chamber 2024

    Source: City of Preston

    This December, the Council’s Chamber will come alive with the sound of Christmas as the Mayor of Preston hosts the annual ‘Carols in the Chamber’.

    On Wednesday, 4 December, members of the community are invited to join the Mayor, civic leaders and Preston Gilbert and Sullivan Society, at Preston Town Hall for a heartwarming evening of traditional carols.

    Preston Gilbert and Sullivan Society will lead the audience in singing Christmas classics such as O Little Town of Bethlehem, Away in a Manger, Joy to the World, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, and Silent Night.

    Councillor Phil Crowe, Mayor of Preston, said:

    “This is a tradition that dates back many years, and I’m privileged to host this event once again. I look forward to welcoming the community for an evening of festivities and joyful singing.

    The money raised from the event will be going to my chosen charities which I am proud to support and all do fantastic work in their communities.”

    The evening will begin with a festive reception at 6:30pm, featuring complimentary mince pies and drink. Carols will commence at 7pm.

    Tickets for the evening cost £10, with all proceeds from the event going to the Mayor’s chosen charities:

    • Let’s Grow Preston
    • Disability Equality Northwest
    • Furniture for Education Worldwide.

    For tickets, please email The Mayor on themayor@preston.gov.uk, by 15 November 2024.

    Join us for an evening of music, community, and festive spirit, all in support of these causes.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Light housing contract awarded

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Housing Bureau and the Architectural Services Department announced today that the last design and construction contract for Light Public Housing (LPH) has been awarded to Yau Lee Construction Company upon assessment.

    Apart from providing around 1,500 units, the contract comprises six projects, including Hang Kwong Street in Ma On Shan and the conversion of five vacant or to-be-vacant school premises.

    Additionally, the construction works are expected to commence in phases by November at the earliest.

    The bureau indicated that the construction works of LPH is proceeding at full speed, with a total of about 28,500 units in seven projects having commenced since December 2023.

    They are at Yau Pok Road in Yuen Long, Tuen Mun Area 3A, Choi Hing Road in Ngau Tau Kok, Olympic Avenue in Kai Tak, Lok On Pai in Siu Lam, Tuen Mun Area 54 and Sheung On Street/Sheung Ping Street in Chai Wan. The first LPH project at Yau Pok Road will be completed for intake in the first quarter next year.

    The bureau highlighted that the award of the last design and construction contract marks the new stage towards the progressive completion and intake of LPH, which could improve the living conditions and quality of life of the people living in inadequate housing.

    Together with the Architectural Services Department, it added that it will press ahead with relevant works at full speed to achieve the Government’s target of providing about 30,000 LPH units by 2027-28. 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Excessive cadmium found in imported frozen shrimp sample

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Excessive cadmium found in imported frozen shrimp sample
    Excessive cadmium found in imported frozen shrimp sample
    ********************************************************

         The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (October 24) announced that a sample of imported frozen shrimp from Spain was detected with cadmium, a metallic contaminant, at a level exceeding the legal limit. The CFS is following up on the incident.     “The CFS collected the above-mentioned frozen shrimp sample at the import level for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained cadmium at a level of 2.79 parts per million, exceeding the legal limit of 2 ppm,” a spokesman for the CFS said.     “Long-term excessive intake of cadmium may affect the kidney functions. The CFS has informed the importer concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to stop sales and remove from shelves the affected product. The CFS is also tracing the source and distribution of the product concerned,” the spokesman added.     According to the Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) Regulations (Cap. 132V), any person who sells food with metallic contamination above the legal limit is liable upon conviction to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.     The CFS will alert the Spanish authorities and the trade, continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. The investigation is ongoing.

     
    Ends/Thursday, October 24, 2024Issued at HKT 18:30

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN participates in the 6th AMCA + Japan Meeting

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Kao Kim Hourn today joined other ministers in the 6th AMCA + Japan Meeting held in Melaka, Malaysia. The meeting was apprised of the implementation of joint initiatives with Japan through the ASEAN-Japan Cooperation Work Plan in Culture and the Arts (2022-2025).

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN participates in the 6th AMCA + Japan Meeting appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Europe: 80th anniversary celebrations for ‘Il Tempo’ newspaper

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    23 Ottobre 2024

    The President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, was interviewed this evening by the editor-in-chief of ‘Il Tempo’, Tommaso Cerno, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary celebrations for the newspaper.

    [This video is available in Italian only]

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/BURKINA FASO – Violence spreads: hundreds killed in an armed attack in the village of Manni

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Thursday, 24 October 2024

    Ouagadougou (Agenzia Fides) – For some time now, Burkina Faso has been confronted with several violence attacks by armed groups. In recent months the situation seems to be out of control.According to what was reported to Fides last October 6, the village of Manni, in the province of Gnagna in the eastern region of the country, suffered a serious attack.“More than 150 people lost their lives in the attack in Manni, including many Christians – reports the local source who requests anonymity for security reasons. Before the attack, the village’s mobile networks was interrupted to prevent any communication. The terrorists first hit the local market where many inhabitants had gathered after mass. Then they went into the houses and shops to kill those who had taken refuge there, and set fire on them, burning the victims alive. The next day they returned, setting fire on cars, shooting at medical personnels and other individuals. Many of the victims came from surrounding villages, which had already been driven out by the terrorists and had come to seek refuge in Manni.”“Deep sorrow and sincere compassion to all the bereaved families”, was expressed by the bishop of the diocese of Fada N’Gourma, Pierre Claver Malgo, who described the attack as ‘barbaric’. “Unfortunately – the source points out – these attacks are increasing the number of internally displaced people in the country.”More recently, in the month of August, terrorist attacks were recorded in Burkina Faso in the province of Nayala, in the village of Nimina, Mogwentenga and Gnipiru, until the end of August when the country experienced the worst massacre in its history in Barsalogho which, according to reports, caused at least 400 deaths.Since 2015, Burkina Faso has been under siege by terrorist groups, resulting in a constant state of insecurity and fear. Since interim President Ibrahim Traoré came to power on September 30, 2022, there have been at least six failed coup attempts against him, the last one in chronological order dates back to the end of August 2024.(AP) (Agenzia Fides, 24/10/2024)
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    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/PHILIPPINES – Parishes welcome displaced people, hit by Typhoon Kristine

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Caritas Philippines

    Naga (Agenzia Fides) – More than 25 parishes and church facilities, such as the Basilica of Our Lady of Peñafrancia and the Ateneo de Naga University of the Archdiocese of Caceres, managed by the Jesuit Order, have opened their doors and are acting as temporary evacuation centers for displaced persons and families affected by the effects of Typhoon Kristine (international name: Trami), which is devastating the northeastern Philippines. The floods and landslides caused by the tropical storm, which began yesterday, October 23, have claimed at least 24 lives in the Bilcol region, while thousands are trapped in the villages. The government has closed schools and offices throughout the island of Luzon to protect the population. The “National Council for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management” reported that about 78,000 families in 14 provinces were affected by the devastating effects of the typhoon, after which initial relief efforts were immediately activated by institutions, non-governmental organizations and the church. As Caritas Philippines reports, the Catholic dioceses in the affected areas have activated teams of volunteers to assess the extent of the damage and take appropriate measures. “Our priority is to ensure the fastest possible aid for the most needy and weakest,” said Bishop Colin Bagaforo, President of Caritas Philippines. He points out that the structures of the local churches have agreed to welcome the refugees.The Archdiocese of Cáceres, meanwhile, made a public appeal to parishes, schools and institutions that can temporarily provide rooms for the displaced. In the diocese of Legazpi, several parish churches have been flooded but, despite the floods, have opened the doors of their parish centers, which are still accessible: the parish church of Polangui, for example, although affected, is hosting nearly 300 people, the most vulnerable displaced, such as pregnant and breastfeeding women with their children, the sick and the elderly. Some of them are housed in the parish priest’s home.Caritas Philippines has also launched a nationwide appeal for donations to provide essentials and humanitarian aid to the displaced. (PA (Agenzia Fides, 24/10/2024)

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    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council asked to approve £6.3m boost to Landbank Fund

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    Members will be asked to approve the repayment of £6.308m to the Landbank Fund from income from Council Tax on 2nd homes, at the Highland Council meeting on 31 October. The additional money will support the Council in finding solutions to the Highland Housing Challenge.

    Chair of the Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Ken Gowans said: “The Landbank Fund is a valuable mechanism which allows us to invest further in housing supply in the Highlands. The additional £6.308 million will boost our capacity to bring housing back into communities and help to address the housing challenge.” 

    The Highland Council has in recent years sought flexibility to the Council to utilise income from council tax on second homes to support the revenue budget. 

    Scottish Government granted flexibility to the Council to utilise income in 2022/23 and 2023/24 to support the revenue budget, rather than for affordable housing purposes, given the financial challenges being faced by the Council at that time. That flexibility was however conditional on repayment of income into the Landbank Fund within 3 years of the flexibility being exercised.  

    Through its budget plans, the Council has made provision for repayment back into the Landbank Fund, this through a combination of budget provision made in 2024/25 and reserves earmarked for this purpose.  In total, the sum due to be paid back is £6.308m covering the two financial years.

    24 Oct 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI USA: Deadline Approaching for the 2024 Congressional App Competition for Middle and High School Students in the District

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13)

    Rep. Espaillat Hosts Annual App Competition for Students in New York’s 13th Congressional District.
    October 24th (Thursday) Marks 2024 Deadline to Submit Entries

    NEW YORK, NY – Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) has launched the 2024 Congressional App Challenge, an annual competition designed to encourage student participation in computer science and coding. This year’s competition is open to middle and high school students from New York’s 13th congressional district, who may register via the online portal to have their app considered by the October 24th deadline.

    Officially launched by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2015, this nationwide effort allows students to compete against their peers by creating an application (also known as an “app”). The Challenge is designed to promote innovation and engagement in computer science and accepts any programming language, such as C, C++, Java, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, or “block code.” 

    The Congressional App Challenge is open to all middle and high school students in the 13th Congressional District of New York. 

    The winner from the New York’s 13th congressional district will be featured on CongressionalAppChallenge.us among winners from across the country.

    For more information, please visit the official Congressional App Challenge website at CongressionalAppChallenge.us or contact Maximo Diaz, (212) 497-5959 or by email at Maximo.Diaz@mail.house.gov for more information.

    # # #

    Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his fourth term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities and serves as Ranking Member of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee of the committee during the 118th Congress. He is also a member of the House Budget Committee and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), where he serves in a leadership role as the Deputy Chair as well as Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI). Rep. Espaillat is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) and serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.

    Media inquiries: Candace Person at Candace.Person@mail.house.gov

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi says China to take lead in establishing Global South think tank cooperation alliance

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Xi says China to take lead in establishing Global South think tank cooperation alliance

    KAZAN, Russia, Oct. 24 — Chinese President Xi Jinping said Thursday that China will take the lead to set up a Global South think tank cooperation alliance.

    Xi made the remarks when addressing the “BRICS Plus” leaders’ dialogue.

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi calls on ‘BRICS Plus’ countries to be a driving force for mutual learning among civilizations

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Xi calls on ‘BRICS Plus’ countries to be a driving force for mutual learning among civilizations

    KAZAN, Russia, Oct. 24 — Chinese President Xi Jinping said Thursday that “BRICS Plus” countries should be a driving force for mutual learning among civilizations.

    Xi made the remarks when addressing the “BRICS Plus” leaders’ dialogue.

    He also called on “BRICS Plus” countries to enhance communication and dialogue, and support each other in pursuing modernization paths suited to their own national conditions.

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi says ‘BRICS Plus’ countries should be a stabilizing force for peace

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    KAZAN, Russia, Oct. 24 — “BRICS Plus” countries should be a stabilizing force for peace, strengthen global security governance, and explore ways to address both the symptoms and root causes of hotspot issues, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday.

    Xi made the remarks when attending the BRICS Plus leaders’ dialogue on Thursday.

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi says ‘BRICS Plus’ countries should be central pillar of strength for common development

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Xi says ‘BRICS Plus’ countries should be central pillar of strength for common development

    KAZAN, Russia, Oct. 24 — Chinese President Xi Jinping said Thursday that BRICS Plus countries should be a central pillar of strength for common development.

    Xi made the remarks while addressing the “BRICS Plus” leaders’ dialogue.

    He said that development has contributed to the rise and thriving of the Global South. “BRICS Plus” countries should actively participate in and lead the reform of the global economic governance system and advocate for placing development at the core of the international trade and economic agenda.

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI: Amalgamated Financial Corp. Reports Record Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results; Margin Expands to 3.51%; Return on Average Assets of 1.32%

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Amalgamated Financial Corp. (the “Company” or “Amalgamated”) (Nasdaq: AMAL), the holding company for Amalgamated Bank (the “Bank”), today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024.

    Third Quarter 2024 Highlights (on a linked quarter basis)

    • Net income of $27.9 million, or $0.90 per diluted share, compared to $26.8 million, or $0.87 per diluted share.
    • Core net income1 of $28.0 million, or $0.91 per diluted share, compared to $26.2 million, or $0.85 per diluted share.

    Deposits and Liquidity

    • Total deposits increased $145.6 million, or 2.0%, to $7.6 billion including a $51.3 million decline in Brokered CDs.
    • Excluding Brokered CDs, on-balance sheet deposits increased $196.9 million, or 2.7%, to $7.5 billion.
    • Political deposits increased $231.9 million, or 13%, to $2.0 billion, which includes both on and off-balance sheet deposits.
    • Off-balance sheet deposits increased $114.1 million, or 11%, to $1.2 billion, comprised of both transactional political deposits and other segment deposits.
    • Average cost of deposits, excluding Brokered CDs, increased 3 basis points to 151 basis points, where non-interest-bearing deposits comprised 51% of total deposits excluding Brokered CDs.

    Assets and Margin

    • Net loans receivable increased $78.0 million, or 1.8%, to $4.5 billion.
    • Excluding a $40.9 million package of low yielding residential loans marked-to-market and moved to held-for-sale, net loans receivable increased $118.9 million or 2.7%.
    • Total PACE assessments grew $10.6 million, or 0.9%, to $1.2 billion.
    • Net interest income grew $2.9 million, or 4.2%, to $72.1 million.
    • Net interest margin increased 5 basis points to 3.51%.

    Capital and Returns

    • Tier 1 leverage ratio of 8.63%, increased by 21 basis points, and Common Equity Tier 1 ratio of 13.82%.
    • Tangible common equity1 ratio of 8.14%, representing an eighth consecutive quarter of improvement.
    • Tangible book value per share1 increased $1.69, or 8.2%, to $22.29, and has increased $4.87, or 27.9% since September 2023.
    • Strong core return on average tangible common equity1 of 17.04% and core return on average assets1 of 1.33%.

    ________________________
    1 Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP measure are set forth on the last page of the financial information accompanying this press release and may also be found on our website, www.amalgamatedbank.com.

    Priscilla Sims Brown, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Our third quarter financial results continue to demonstrate that Amalgamated remains positioned to achieve sustainable earnings and profitability.   During the quarter, we delivered outstanding deposit and loan growth, strong profitability and returns, and a growing capital base that positions us to invest in our strategic initiatives which will sustain our growth into the future.”

    Third Quarter Earnings

    Net income for the third quarter of 2024 was $27.9 million, or $0.90 per diluted share, compared to $26.8 million, or $0.87 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2024. The $1.1 million increase during the quarter was primarily driven by a $3.2 million increase in non-core ICS One-Way Sell fee income from our off-balance sheet deposits, a $2.9 million increase in net interest income, a $1.3 million decrease in provision for credit losses, and a $0.7 million increase in non-core income from solar tax equity investments, which was expected. This was offset by a $4.3 million reduction in fair value on a pool of lower yielding residential loans moved to held for sale, a $1.5 million increase in non-interest expense, and a $1.3 million increase in income tax expense, and a $0.5 million increase in losses on securities sales.

    Core net income1 for the third quarter of 2024 was $28.0 million, or $0.91 per diluted share, compared to $26.2 million, or $0.85 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2024. Excluded from core net income for the quarter, pre-tax, was $8.1 million of ICS One-Way Sell fee income, a $4.3 million reduction in fair value of held for sale residential loans, $3.2 million of losses on the sale of securities, $1.1 million of accelerated depreciation from solar tax equity investments, $0.7 million of gains on subordinated debt repurchases, and $0.2 million in severance costs. Excluded from core net income for the second quarter of 2024, pre-tax, was $4.9 million of ICS One-Way Sell fee income, $2.7 million of losses on the sale of securities, $1.8 million of accelerated depreciation from our solar tax equity investments, $0.4 million of gains on subordinated debt repurchases.

    Net interest income was $72.1 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $69.2 million for the second quarter of 2024. Loan interest income increased $2.8 million and loan yields increased 11 basis points mainly as a result of a $86.7 million increase in average loan balances. Adjusted for two discrete items; the effect of $2.1 million of accelerated amortization related to purchase premiums last quarter and the recognition in the current quarter of a $1.3 million acceleration of deferred costs on certain loans, loan interest income increased by $2.1 million in the quarter. Interest income on securities increased $1.7 million driven by an increase in the average balance of securities of $79.7 million. Interest expense on total interest-bearing deposits increased $1.2 million driven by a 26 basis point increase in cost despite a decrease in the average balance of total interest-bearing deposits of $235.6 million. The increase in deposit cost was primarily related to adjustments to rates on money market products and select non-time deposit accounts late in second quarter and early in the current quarter.   The decrease in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits was primarily driven by a mix shift as newly raised political deposits were mainly non-interest-bearing whereas related outflows were mainly interest-bearing. Additionally, the average balance on Brokered CD’s declined $25.0 million as certain long-term issuances were called. The average balance of borrowings also decreased $32.6 million, now substantially consisting of lower-cost subordinated debt.

    Net interest margin was 3.51% for the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 5 basis points from 3.46% in the second quarter of 2024. As noted above, there were two discrete items that affected the third quarter and second quarter margin. Excluding these discrete items, net interest margin improved 2 basis points from the prior quarter, all else equal. Prepayment penalties had no impact on our net interest margin in the third quarter of 2024, which is the same as in the prior quarter.

    Provision for credit losses totaled an expense of $1.8 million for the third quarter of 2024 compared to an expense of $3.2 million in the second quarter of 2024. The expense in the third quarter was primarily driven by charge-offs on our consumer solar and small business portfolios, and updates to CECL model assumptions, offset by decreases in reserves for unfunded loan commitments.

    Non-interest income was $8.9 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $9.3 million in the second quarter of 2024. Excluding all non-core income adjustments noted above, core non-interest income1 was $8.8 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $8.5 million in the second quarter of 2024. The increase was primarily related to higher commercial banking fees, increased fees from our treasury investment services, and modestly higher income from our trust business.

    Non-interest expense for the third quarter of 2024 was $41.0 million, an increase of $1.5 million from the second quarter of 2024. Core non-interest expense1 for the third quarter of 2024 was $40.7 million, an increase of $1.3 million from the second quarter of 2024. This was mainly driven by a $0.7 million increase in compensation and employee benefits expense due to strategic new hires and corporate performance accruals, as well as higher data processing expense related to the advance of digital initiatives scheduled for 2025.

    Our provision for income tax expense was $10.3 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $9.0 million for the second quarter of 2024. The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2024 was 26.9%. In the prior quarter, there were $0.5 million of discrete tax benefits resulting in an effective tax rate of 25.2%, or 26.6% excluding the discrete items.

    Balance Sheet Quarterly Summary

    Total assets were $8.4 billion at September 30, 2024, compared to $8.3 billion at June 30, 2024, which modestly grew the balance sheet above its target range but also carried $40.9 million in loans held for sale related to the residential loan sale that settled shortly after the quarter closed. Notable changes within individual balance sheet line items include a $91.2 million increase in cash and cash equivalents, a $24.1 million increase in securities, and a $78.0 million increase in net loans receivable. Additionally, deposits excluding Brokered CDs increased by $196.9 million while Brokered CDs decreased $51.3 million, and borrowings decreased by $8.8 million. Our off-balance sheet deposits increased by $114.1 million, or 11%, to $1.2 billion.

    Total net loans receivable, at September 30, 2024 were $4.5 billion, an increase of $78.0 million, or 1.8% for the quarter. The increase in loans is primarily driven by a $60.8 million increase in multifamily loans, a $46.0 million increase in commercial and industrial loans, and a $37.6 million increase in commercial real estate loans, offset by an $11.1 million decrease in consumer solar loans, and a $54.3 million decrease in residential loans, primarily due to the noted loan pool sale. During the quarter, criticized or classified loans decreased $5.9 million, largely related to a $6.9 million note sale (with a related fully reserved $4.5 million charge-off) on a legacy non-accrual leveraged loan. Additionally, payoffs of two delinquent commercial and industrial loans totaling $1.7 million and charge-offs of smaller commercial and industrial loans totaling $1.0 million were offset by the downgrade of one $3.2 million multifamily loan to substandard and accruing and downgrades of small business loans totaling $1.1 million.

    Total deposits at September 30, 2024 were $7.6 billion, an increase of $145.6 million, or 2.0%, during the quarter. Total deposits excluding Brokered CDs increased by $196.9 million to $7.5 billion, or a 2.7% increase. Including accounts currently held off-balance sheet, deposits held by politically active customers, such as campaigns, PACs, advocacy-based organizations, and state and national party committees were $2.0 billion as of September 30, 2024, an increase of $231.9 million during this quarter. Non-interest-bearing deposits represented 50% of average total deposits and 51% of ending total deposits for the quarter, excluding Brokered CDs, contributing to an average cost of total deposits of 158 basis points. Super-core deposits2 totaled approximately $4.5 billion, had a weighted average life of 16 years, and comprised 60% of total deposits, excluding Brokered CDs. Total uninsured deposits were $4.5 billion, comprising 59% of total deposits.

    Nonperforming assets totaled $28.6 million, or 0.34% of period-end total assets at September 30, 2024, a decrease of $7.1 million, compared with $35.7 million, or 0.43% on a linked quarter basis. The decrease in nonperforming assets was primarily driven by the note sale mentioned above, a $0.2 million decrease in residential real estate nonaccrual loans, a $0.2 million decrease in consumer and consumer solar nonaccrual loans, offset by a $0.3 million increase in commercial and industrial nonaccrual loans.

    During the quarter, the allowance for credit losses on loans decreased $1.9 million to $61.5 million. The ratio of allowance to total loans was 1.35%, a decrease of 7 basis points from 1.42% in the second quarter of 2024. The decrease was primarily the result of a release of reserves from the previously noted legacy leveraged commercial and industrial note sale, which carried a reserve of $4.5 million.

    ________________________
    2 Refer to Terminology on page 6 for definitions of certain terms used in this release.


    Capital Quarterly Summary

    As of September 30, 2024, the Common Equity Tier 1 Capital ratio was 13.82%, the Total Risk-Based Capital ratio was 16.25%, and the Tier 1 Leverage Capital ratio was 8.63%, compared to 13.48%, 16.04% and 8.42%, respectively, as of June 30, 2024. Stockholders’ equity at September 30, 2024 was $698.3 million, an increase of $52.2 million during the quarter. The increase in stockholders’ equity was primarily driven by $27.9 million of net income for the quarter and a $26.9 million improvement in accumulated other comprehensive loss due to the tax effected mark-to-market on our available for sale securities portfolio, offset by $3.7 million in dividends paid at $0.12 per outstanding share.

    Tangible book value per share was $22.29 as of September 30, 2024 compared to $20.61 as of June 30, 2024. Tangible common equity1 improved to 8.14% of tangible assets, compared to 7.66% as of June 30, 2024.

    Conference Call

    As previously announced, Amalgamated Financial Corp. will host a conference call to discuss its third quarter 2024 results today, October 24, 2024 at 11:00am (Eastern Time). The conference call can be accessed by dialing 1-877-407-9716 (domestic) or 1-201-493-6779 (international) and asking for the Amalgamated Financial Corp. Third Quarter 2024 Earnings Call. A telephonic replay will be available approximately two hours after the call and can be accessed by dialing 1-844-512-2921, or for international callers 1-412-317-6671 and providing the access code 13748697. The telephonic replay will be available until October 31, 2024.

    Interested investors and other parties may also listen to a simultaneous webcast of the conference call by logging onto the investor relations section of our website at https://ir.amalgamatedbank.com/. The online replay will remain available for a limited time beginning immediately following the call.

    The presentation materials for the call can be accessed on the investor relations section of our website at https://ir.amalgamatedbank.com/.

    About Amalgamated Financial Corp.

    Amalgamated Financial Corp. is a Delaware public benefit corporation and a bank holding company engaged in commercial banking and financial services through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Amalgamated Bank. Amalgamated Bank is a New York-based full-service commercial bank and a chartered trust company with a combined network of five branches across New York City, Washington D.C., and San Francisco, and a commercial office in Boston. Amalgamated Bank was formed in 1923 as Amalgamated Bank of New York by the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, one of the country’s oldest labor unions. Amalgamated Bank provides commercial banking and trust services nationally and offers a full range of products and services to both commercial and retail customers. Amalgamated Bank is a proud member of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values and is a certified B Corporation®. As of September 30, 2024, our total assets were $8.4 billion, total net loans were $4.5 billion, and total deposits were $7.6 billion. Additionally, as of September 30, 2024, our trust business held $35.4 billion in assets under custody and $14.6 billion in assets under management.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    This release (and the accompanying financial information and tables) refer to certain non-GAAP financial measures including, without limitation, “Core operating revenue,” “Core non-interest expense,” “Core non-interest income,” “Core net income,” “Tangible common equity,” “Average tangible common equity,” “Core return on average assets,” “Core return on average tangible common equity,” and “Core efficiency ratio.”

    Our management utilizes this information to compare our operating performance for September 30, 2024 versus certain periods in 2024 and 2023 and to prepare internal projections. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures facilitate making period-to-period comparisons and are meaningful indications of our operating performance. In addition, because intangible assets such as goodwill and other discrete items unrelated to our core business, which are excluded, vary extensively from company to company, we believe that the presentation of this information allows investors to more easily compare our results to those of other companies.

    The presentation of non-GAAP financial information, however, is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP financial measures. We strongly encourage readers to review the GAAP financial measures included in this release and not to place undue reliance upon any single financial measure. In addition, because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare the non-GAAP financial measures presented in this release with other companies’ non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial disclosures to comparable GAAP measures found in this release are set forth in the final pages of this release and also may be viewed on our website, amalgamatedbank.com.

    Terminology

    Certain terms used in this release are defined as follows:

    “Core efficiency ratio” is defined as “Core non-interest expense” divided by “Core operating revenue.” We believe the most directly comparable performance ratio derived from GAAP financial measures is an efficiency ratio calculated by dividing total non-interest expense by the sum of net interest income and total non-interest income.

    “Core net income” is defined as net income after tax excluding gains and losses on sales of securities, ICS One-Way Sell fee income, gains on the sale of owned property, costs related to branch closures, restructuring/severance costs, acquisition costs, tax credits and accelerated depreciation on solar equity investments, and taxes on notable pre-tax items. We believe the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is net income.

    “Core non-interest expense” is defined as total non-interest expense excluding costs related to branch closures, restructuring/severance, and acquisitions. We believe the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is total non-interest expense.

    “Core non-interest income” is defined as total non-interest income excluding gains and losses on sales of securities, ICS One-Way Sell fee income, gains on the sale of owned property, and tax credits and accelerated depreciation on solar equity investments. We believe the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is non-interest income.

    “Core operating revenue” is defined as total net interest income plus “core non-interest income”. We believe the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is the total of net interest income and non-interest income.

    “Core return on average assets” is defined as “Core net income” divided by average total assets. We believe the most directly comparable performance ratio derived from GAAP financial measures is return on average assets calculated by dividing net income by average total assets.

    “Core return on average tangible common equity” is defined as “Core net income” divided by average “tangible common equity.” We believe the most directly comparable performance ratio derived from GAAP financial measures is return on average equity calculated by dividing net income by average total stockholders’ equity.

    “Super-core deposits” are defined as total deposits from commercial and consumer customers, with a relationship length of greater than 5 years. We believe the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is total deposits.

    “Tangible assets” are defined as total assets excluding, as applicable, goodwill and core deposit intangibles. We believe the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is total assets.

    “Tangible common equity”, and “Tangible book value” are defined as stockholders’ equity excluding, as applicable, minority interests, preferred stock, goodwill and core deposit intangibles. We believe that the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is total stockholders’ equity.

    “Traditional securities portfolio” is defined as total investment securities excluding PACE assessments. We believe the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is total investment securities.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Statements included in this release that are not historical in nature are intended to be, and are hereby identified as, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical or current fact nor are they assurances of future performance and generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as “may,” “approximately,” “will,” “anticipate,” “should,” “would,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “continue,” “plan,” “possible,” and “intend,” or the negative thereof as well as other similar words and expressions of the future. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict as to timing, extent, likelihood and degree of occurrence, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in or by such statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) uncertain conditions in the banking industry and in national, regional and local economies in our core markets, which may have an adverse impact on our business, operations and financial performance; (ii) deterioration in the financial condition of borrowers resulting in significant increases in loan losses and provisions for those losses; (iii) deposit outflows and subsequent declines in liquidity caused by factors that could include lack of confidence in the banking system, a deterioration in market conditions or the financial condition of depositors; (iv) changes in our deposits, including an increase in uninsured deposits; (v) our ability to maintain sufficient liquidity to meet our deposit and debt obligations as they come due, which may require that we sell investment securities at a loss, negatively impacting our net income, earnings and capital; (vi) unfavorable conditions in the capital markets, which may cause declines in our stock price and the value of our investments; (vii) negative economic and political conditions that adversely affect the general economy, housing prices, the real estate market, the job market, consumer confidence, the financial condition of our borrowers and consumer spending habits, which may affect, among other things, the level of non-performing assets, charge-offs and provision expense; (viii) fluctuations or unanticipated changes in the interest rate environment including changes in net interest margin or changes in the yield curve that affect investments, loans or deposits; (ix) the general decline in the real estate and lending markets, particularly in commercial real estate in our market areas, and the effects of the enactment of or changes to rent-control and other similar regulations on multi-family housing; (x) changes in legislation, regulation, public policies, or administrative practices impacting the banking industry, including increased minimum capital requirements and other regulation in the aftermath of recent bank failures; (xi) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against us (xii) our inability to achieve organic loan and deposit growth and the composition of that growth; (xiii) the composition of our loan portfolio, including any concentration in industries or sectors that may experience unanticipated or anticipated adverse conditions greater than other industries or sectors in the national or local economies in which we operate; (xiv) inaccuracy of the assumptions and estimates we make and policies that we implement in establishing our allowance for credit losses; (xv) changes in loan underwriting, credit review or loss reserve policies associated with economic conditions, examination conclusions, or regulatory developments; (xvi) any matter that would cause us to conclude that there was impairment of any asset, including intangible assets; (xvii) limitations on our ability to declare and pay dividends; (xviii) the impact of competition with other financial institutions, including pricing pressures and the resulting impact on our results, including as a result of compression to net interest margin; (xix) increased competition for experienced members of the workforce including executives in the banking industry; (xx) a failure in or breach of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of third party vendors or other service providers, including as a result of unauthorized access, computer viruses, phishing schemes, spam attacks, human error, natural disasters, power loss and other security breaches; (xxi) increased regulatory scrutiny and exposure from the use of “big data” techniques, machine learning, and artificial intelligence; (xxii) downgrade in our credit rating; (xxiii) “greenwashing claims” against us and our Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) products and increased scrutiny and political opposition to ESG and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (“DEI”) practices; (xxiv) any unanticipated or greater than anticipated adverse conditions (including the possibility of earthquakes, wildfires, and other natural disasters)affecting the markets in which we operate; (xxv) physical and transitional risks related to climate change as they impact our business and the businesses that we finance; (xxvi) future repurchase of our shares through our common stock repurchase program; and (xxvii) descriptions of assumptions underlying or relating to any of the foregoing. Additional factors which could affect the forward-looking statements can be found in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC and available on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov/. We disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this release, which speak only as of the date hereof, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

    Investor Contact:
    Jamie Lillis
    Solebury Strategic Communications
    shareholderrelations@amalgamatedbank.com
    800-895-4172

    Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)

      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
      September 30,   June 30,   September 30,   September 30,
    ($ in thousands)   2024       2024       2023       2024       2023  
    INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME                  
    Loans $ 54,110     $ 51,293     $ 49,578     $ 157,355     $ 139,744  
    Securities   46,432       44,978       39,971       133,801       118,989  
    Interest-bearing deposits in banks   2,274       2,690       1,687       7,556       3,360  
    Total interest and dividend income   102,816       98,961       91,236       298,712       262,093  
    INTEREST EXPENSE                  
    Deposits   30,105       28,882       23,158       84,879       55,809  
    Borrowed funds   604       887       4,350       4,497       12,292  
    Total interest expense   30,709       29,769       27,508       89,376       68,101  
    NET INTEREST INCOME   72,107       69,192       63,728       209,336       193,992  
    Provision for credit losses   1,849       3,161       2,014       6,598       10,913  
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses   70,258       66,031       61,714       202,738       183,079  
    NON-INTEREST INCOME                  
    Trust Department fees   3,704       3,657       3,678       11,215       11,613  
    Service charges on deposit accounts   12,091       8,614       2,731       26,841       7,897  
    Bank-owned life insurance income   613       615       727       1,837       2,054  
    Losses on sale of securities   (3,230 )     (2,691 )     (1,699 )     (8,695 )     (5,052 )
    Gain (loss) on sale of loans and changes in fair value on loans held-for-sale, net   (4,223 )     69       26       (4,107 )     30  
    Equity method investments income (loss)   (823 )     (1,551 )     550       (301 )     1,261  
    Other income   807       545       767       1,636       2,127  
    Total non-interest income   8,939       9,258       6,780       28,426       19,930  
    NON-INTEREST EXPENSE                  
    Compensation and employee benefits   23,757       23,045       21,345       69,075       64,525  
    Occupancy and depreciation   3,423       3,379       3,349       9,705       10,184  
    Professional fees   2,575       2,332       2,222       7,284       7,211  
    Data processing   5,087       4,786       4,545       14,503       13,176  
    Office maintenance and depreciation   651       580       685       1,894       2,130  
    Amortization of intangible assets   183       182       222       548       666  
    Advertising and promotion   1,023       1,175       816       3,417       3,431  
    Federal deposit insurance premiums   900       1,050       1,200       3,000       3,018  
    Other expense   3,365       2,983       2,955       9,203       9,154  
    Total non-interest expense   40,964       39,512       37,339       118,629       113,495  
    Income before income taxes   38,233       35,777       31,155       112,535       89,514  
    Income tax expense   10,291       9,024       8,847       30,591       24,230  
    Net income $ 27,942     $ 26,753     $ 22,308     $ 81,944     $ 65,284  
    Earnings per common share – basic $ 0.91     $ 0.88     $ 0.73     $ 2.68     $ 2.13  
    Earnings per common share – diluted $ 0.90     $ 0.87     $ 0.73     $ 2.65     $ 2.12  

    Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

    ($ in thousands) September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    Assets (unaudited)   (unaudited)    
    Cash and due from banks $ 3,946     $ 4,081     $ 2,856  
    Interest-bearing deposits in banks   145,261       53,912       87,714  
    Total cash and cash equivalents   149,207       57,993       90,570  
    Securities:          
    Available for sale, at fair value          
    Traditional securities   1,617,045       1,581,338       1,429,739  
    Property Assessed Clean Energy (“PACE”) assessments   149,500       112,923       53,303  
        1,766,545       1,694,261       1,483,042  
    Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost:          
    Traditional securities, net of allowance for credit losses of $51, $53, and $54, respectively   583,788       606,013       620,232  
    PACE assessments, net of allowance for credit losses of $641, $655, and $667, respectively   1,028,588       1,054,569       1,076,602  
        1,612,376       1,660,582       1,696,834  
               
    Loans held for sale   38,623       1,926       1,817  
    Loans receivable, net of deferred loan origination costs   4,547,903       4,471,839       4,411,319  
    Allowance for credit losses   (61,466 )     (63,444 )     (65,691 )
    Loans receivable, net   4,486,437       4,408,395       4,345,628  
               
    Resell agreements   74,883       137,461       50,000  
    Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLBNY”) stock, at cost   4,625       4,823       4,389  
    Accrued interest receivable   54,268       52,575       55,484  
    Premises and equipment, net   6,413       6,599       7,807  
    Bank-owned life insurance   107,365       106,752       105,528  
    Right-of-use lease asset   16,125       17,971       21,074  
    Deferred tax asset, net   38,510       47,654       56,603  
    Goodwill   12,936       12,936       12,936  
    Intangible assets, net   1,669       1,852       2,217  
    Equity method investments   11,514       12,710       13,024  
    Other assets   32,144       26,214       25,371  
    Total assets $ 8,413,640     $ 8,250,704     $ 7,972,324  
    Liabilities          
    Deposits $ 7,594,564     $ 7,448,988     $ 7,011,988  
    Borrowings   68,436       77,252       304,927  
    Operating leases   22,292       24,784       30,646  
    Other liabilities   30,016       53,568       39,399  
    Total liabilities   7,715,308       7,604,592       7,386,960  
    Stockholders’ equity          
    Common stock, par value $.01 per share   308       307       307  
    Additional paid-in capital   287,167       286,021       288,232  
    Retained earnings   459,398       435,202       388,033  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes   (46,702 )     (73,579 )     (86,004 )
    Treasury stock, at cost   (1,972 )     (1,972 )     (5,337 )
    Total Amalgamated Financial Corp. stockholders’ equity   698,199       645,979       585,231  
    Noncontrolling interests   133       133       133  
    Total stockholders’ equity   698,332       646,112       585,364  
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 8,413,640     $ 8,250,704     $ 7,972,324  

    Select Financial Data

      As of and for the   As of and for the
      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
      September 30,   June 30,   September 30,   September 30,
    (Shares in thousands)   2024       2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Selected Financial Ratios and Other Data:                  
    Earnings per share                  
    Basic $ 0.91     $ 0.88     $ 0.73     $ 2.68     $ 2.13  
    Diluted   0.90       0.87       0.73       2.65       2.12  
    Core net income (non-GAAP)                  
    Basic $ 0.91     $ 0.86     $ 0.76     $ 2.61     $ 2.23  
    Diluted   0.91       0.85       0.76       2.59       2.22  
    Book value per common share (excluding minority interest) $ 22.77     $ 21.09     $ 17.93     $ 22.77     $ 17.93  
    Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP) $ 22.29     $ 20.61     $ 17.43     $ 22.29     $ 17.43  
    Common shares outstanding, par value $.01 per share(1)   30,663       30,630       30,459       30,663       30,459  
    Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic   30,646       30,551       30,481       30,558       30,601  
    Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted   30,911       30,832       30,590       30,868       30,738  
                       
    (1) 70,000,000 shares authorized; 30,776,163, 30,743,666, and 30,736,141 shares issued for the periods ended September 30, 2024, June 30, 2024, and September 30, 2023 respectively, and 30,662,883, 30,630,386, and 30,458,781 shares outstanding for the periods ended September 30, 2024, June 30, 2024, and September 30, 2023, respectively.

    Select Financial Data

      As of and for the   As of and for the
      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
      September 30,   June 30,   September 30,   September 30,
      2024   2024   2023   2024   2023
    Selected Performance Metrics:                  
    Return on average assets 1.32 %   1.30 %   1.12 %   1.33 %   1.11 %
    Core return on average assets (non-GAAP) 1.33 %   1.27 %   1.17 %   1.29 %   1.17 %
    Return on average equity 16.63 %   17.27 %   16.43 %   17.35 %   16.69 %
    Core return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP) 17.04 %   17.34 %   17.67 %   17.31 %   18.02 %
    Average equity to average assets 7.96 %   7.53 %   6.82 %   7.65 %   6.67 %
    Tangible common equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP) 8.14 %   7.66 %   6.72 %   8.14 %   6.72 %
    Loan yield 4.79 %   4.68 %   4.56 %   4.74 %   4.43 %
    Securities yield 5.25 %   5.22 %   4.94 %   5.23 %   4.84 %
    Deposit cost 1.58 %   1.55 %   1.33 %   1.53 %   1.08 %
    Net interest margin 3.51 %   3.46 %   3.29 %   3.48 %   3.40 %
    Efficiency ratio (1) 50.54 %   50.37 %   52.96 %   49.89 %   53.05 %
    Core efficiency ratio (non-GAAP) 50.35 %   50.80 %   51.71 %   50.52 %   51.88 %
                       
    Asset Quality Ratios:                  
    Nonaccrual loans to total loans 0.61 %   0.78 %   0.79 %   0.61 %   0.79 %
    Nonperforming assets to total assets 0.34 %   0.43 %   0.46 %   0.34 %   0.46 %
    Allowance for credit losses on loans to nonaccrual loans 222.30 %   182.83 %   197.58 %   222.30 %   197.58 %
    Allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans 1.35 %   1.42 %   1.56 %   1.35 %   1.56 %
    Annualized net charge-offs to average loans 0.61 %   0.25 %   0.27 %   0.35 %   0.27 %
                       
    Capital Ratios:                  
    Tier 1 leverage capital ratio 8.63 %   8.42 %   7.89 %   8.63 %   7.89 %
    Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio 13.82 %   13.48 %   12.63 %   13.82 %   12.63 %
    Total risk-based capital ratio 16.25 %   16.04 %   15.28 %   16.25 %   15.28 %
    Common equity tier 1 capital ratio 13.82 %   13.48 %   12.63 %   13.82 %   12.63 %
                       
    (1) Efficiency ratio is calculated by dividing total non-interest expense by the sum of net interest income and total non-interest income

    Loan and PACE Assessments Portfolio Composition

    (In thousands) At September 30, 2024   At June 30, 2024   At September 30, 2023
      Amount   % of total   Amount   % of total   Amount   % of total
    Commercial portfolio:                      
    Commercial and industrial $ 1,058,376     23.3 %   $ 1,012,400     22.6 %   $ 1,050,355     24.1 %
    Multifamily   1,291,380     28.4 %     1,230,545     27.5 %     1,094,955     25.1 %
    Commercial real estate   415,077     9.1 %     377,484     8.4 %     324,139     7.4 %
    Construction and land development   22,224     0.5 %     23,254     0.5 %     28,326     0.6 %
    Total commercial portfolio   2,787,057     61.3 %     2,643,683     59.0 %     2,497,775     57.2 %
                           
    Retail portfolio:                      
                           
    Residential real estate lending   1,350,347     29.7 %     1,404,624     31.4 %     1,409,530     32.3 %
    Consumer solar   374,499     8.2 %     385,567     8.6 %     415,324     9.5 %
    Consumer and other   36,000     0.8 %     37,965     1.0 %     42,116     1.0 %
    Total retail portfolio   1,760,846     38.7 %     1,828,156     41.0 %     1,866,970     42.8 %
    Total loans held for investment   4,547,903     100.0 %     4,471,839     100.0 %     4,364,745     100.0 %
                           
    Allowance for credit losses   (61,466 )         (63,444 )         (67,815 )    
    Loans receivable, net $ 4,486,437         $ 4,408,395         $ 4,296,930      
                           
    PACE assessments:                      
    Available for sale, at fair value                      
    Residential PACE assessments   149,500     12.7 %     112,923     9.7 %     38,526     3.5 %
                           
    Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost                      
    Commercial PACE assessments   256,128     21.7 %     256,663     22.0 %     270,020     24.3 %
    Residential PACE assessments   773,101     65.6 %     798,561     68.4 %     800,484     72.2 %
    Total Held-to-maturity PACE assessments   1,029,229     87.3 %     1,055,224     90.4 %     1,070,504     96.5 %
    Total PACE assessments   1,178,729     100.0 %     1,168,147     100.0 %     1,109,030     100.0 %
                           
    Allowance for credit losses   (641 )         (655 )         (670 )    
    Total PACE assessments, net $ 1,178,088         $ 1,167,492         $ 1,108,360      
                           
                           
    Loans receivable, net and total PACE assessments, net as a % of Deposits   74.6 %         74.9 %         77.3 %    
    Loans receivable, net and total PACE assessments, net as a % of Deposits excluding Brokered CDs   75.6 %         76.4 %         81.9 %    

    Net Interest Income Analysis

      Three Months Ended
      September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   September 30, 2023
    (In thousands) Average
    Balance
    Income /
    Expense
    Yield /
    Rate
      Average
    Balance
    Income /
    Expense
    Yield /
    Rate
      Average
    Balance
    Income /
    Expense
    Yield /
    Rate
                                       
    Interest-earning assets:                                  
    Interest-bearing deposits in banks $ 182,981   $ 2,274   4.94 %   $ 213,725   $ 2,690   5.06 %   $ 170,830   $ 1,687   3.92 %
    Securities(1)   3,388,580     44,678   5.25 %     3,308,881     42,937   5.22 %     3,208,334     39,971   4.94 %
    Resell agreements   104,933     1,754   6.65 %     122,618     2,041   6.69 %           0.00 %
    Loans receivable, net (2)   4,493,520     54,110   4.79 %     4,406,843     51,293   4.68 %     4,314,767     49,578   4.56 %
    Total interest-earning assets   8,170,014     102,816   5.01 %     8,052,067     98,961   4.94 %     7,693,931     91,236   4.70 %
    Non-interest-earning assets:                                  
    Cash and due from banks   6,144             6,371             6,129        
    Other assets   217,332             217,578             204,506        
    Total assets $ 8,393,490           $ 8,276,016           $ 7,904,566        
                                       
    Interest-bearing liabilities:                                  
    Savings, NOW and money market deposits $ 3,506,499   $ 26,168   2.97 %   $ 3,729,858   $ 24,992   2.69 %   $ 3,446,027   $ 17,157   1.98 %
    Time deposits   223,337     2,148   3.83 %     210,565     1,898   3.63 %     176,171     1,122   2.53 %
    Brokered CDs   131,103     1,789   5.43 %     156,086     1,992   5.13 %     371,329     4,879   5.21 %
    Total interest-bearing deposits   3,860,939     30,105   3.10 %     4,096,509     28,882   2.84 %     3,993,527     23,158   2.30 %
    Borrowings   71,948     604   3.34 %     104,560     887   3.41 %     376,585     4,350   4.58 %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   3,932,887     30,709   3.11 %     4,201,069     29,769   2.85 %     4,370,112     27,508   2.50 %
    Non-interest-bearing liabilities:                                  
    Demand and transaction deposits   3,721,398             3,390,941             2,920,737        
    Other liabilities   70,804             60,982             74,964        
    Total liabilities   7,725,089             7,652,992             7,365,813        
    Stockholders’ equity   668,401             623,024             538,753        
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 8,393,490           $ 8,276,016           $ 7,904,566        
                                       
    Net interest income / interest rate spread     $ 72,107   1.90 %       $ 69,192   2.09 %       $ 63,728   2.20 %
    Net interest-earning assets / net interest margin $ 4,237,127       3.51 %   $ 3,850,998       3.46 %   $ 3,323,819       3.29 %
                                       
    Total deposits excluding Brokered CDs / total cost of deposits excluding Brokered CDs $ 7,451,234       1.51 %   $ 7,331,364       1.48 %   $ 6,542,935       1.11 %
    Total deposits / total cost of deposits $ 7,582,337       1.58 %   $ 7,487,450       1.55 %   $ 6,914,264       1.33 %
    Total funding / total cost of funds $ 7,654,285       1.60 %   $ 7,592,010       1.58 %   $ 7,290,849       1.50 %
                                                   

    (1) Includes FHLBNY stock in the average balance, and dividend income on FHLBNY stock in interest income.
    (2) No material impact of prepayment penalty interest income in 3Q2024, 2Q2024, or 3Q2023

    Net Interest Income Analysis

      Nine Months Ended
      September 30, 2024   September 30, 2023
    (In thousands) Average
    Balance
    Income /
    Expense
    Yield /
    Rate
      Average
    Balance
    Income /
    Expense
    Yield /
    Rate
                           
    Interest-earning assets:                      
    Interest-bearing deposits in banks $ 200,627   $ 7,556   5.03 %   $ 125,560   $ 3,360   3.58 %
    Securities   3,289,635     128,679   5.23 %     3,276,065     118,557   4.84 %
    Resell agreements   102,197     5,122   6.69 %     8,003     432   7.22 %
    Total loans, net (1)(2)   4,431,801     157,355   4.74 %     4,216,391     139,744   4.43 %
    Total interest-earning assets   8,024,260     298,712   4.97 %     7,626,019     262,093   4.60 %
    Non-interest-earning assets:                      
    Cash and due from banks   5,862             5,067        
    Other assets   219,096             210,112        
    Total assets $ 8,249,218           $ 7,841,198        
                           
    Interest-bearing liabilities:                      
    Savings, NOW and money market deposits $ 3,608,927   $ 73,033   2.70 %   $ 3,248,278   $ 40,010   1.65 %
    Time deposits   207,374     5,622   3.62 %     161,756     2,030   1.68 %
    Brokered CDs   159,041     6,224   5.23 %     383,521     13,769   4.80 %
    Total interest-bearing deposits   3,975,342     84,879   2.85 %     3,793,555     55,809   1.97 %
    Borrowings   154,564     4,497   3.89 %     365,262     12,292   4.50 %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   4,129,906     89,376   2.89 %     4,158,817     68,101   2.19 %
    Non-interest-bearing liabilities:                      
    Demand and transaction deposits   3,417,970             3,086,482        
    Other liabilities   70,476             72,821        
    Total liabilities   7,618,352             7,318,120        
    Stockholders’ equity   630,866             523,078        
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 8,249,218           $ 7,841,198        
                           
    Net interest income / interest rate spread     $ 209,336   2.08 %       $ 193,992   2.41 %
    Net interest-earning assets / net interest margin $ 3,894,354       3.48 %   $ 3,467,202       3.40 %
                           
    Total deposits excluding Brokered CDs / total cost of deposits excluding Brokered CDs $ 7,234,271       1.45 %   $ 6,496,516       0.87 %
    Total deposits / total cost of deposits $ 7,393,312       1.53 %   $ 6,880,037       1.08 %
    Total funding / total cost of funds $ 7,547,876       1.58 %   $ 7,245,299       1.26 %
                                   

    (1) Includes Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) stock in the average balance, and dividend income on FHLB stock in interest income.
    (2) Includes prepayment penalty interest income in September YTD 2024 and September YTD 2023 of $18 thousand and $0, respectively.

    Deposit Portfolio Composition

      Three Months Ended
    (In thousands) September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   September 30, 2023
      Ending
    Balance
      Average
    Balance
      Ending
    Balance
      Average
    Balance
      Ending
    Balance
      Average
    Balance
    Non-interest-bearing demand deposit accounts $ 3,801,834   $ 3,721,398   $ 3,445,068   $ 3,390,941   $ 2,808,300   $ 2,920,737
    NOW accounts   186,557     188,250     192,452     191,253     192,654     192,883
    Money market deposit accounts   2,959,264     2,986,434     3,093,644     3,202,365     3,059,982     2,893,930
    Savings accounts   327,935     331,816     336,943     336,240     357,470     359,214
    Time deposits   216,901     223,337     227,437     210,565     180,529     176,171
    Brokered certificates of deposit (“CDs”)   102,073     131,103     153,444     156,086     391,919     371,329
    Total deposits $ 7,594,564   $ 7,582,338   $ 7,448,988   $ 7,487,450   $ 6,990,854   $ 6,914,264
                           
    Total deposits excluding Brokered CDs $ 7,492,491   $ 7,451,235   $ 7,295,544   $ 7,331,364   $ 6,598,935   $ 6,542,935
      Three Months Ended
      September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   September 30, 2023
    (In thousands) Average
    Rate Paid(1)
      Cost of
    Funds
      Average
    Rate Paid(1)
      Cost of
    Funds
      Average
    Rate Paid(1)
      Cost of
    Funds
                           
    Non-interest bearing demand deposit accounts 0.00 %   0.00 %   0.00 %   0.00 %   0.00 %   0.00 %
    NOW accounts 0.90 %   1.09 %   1.07 %   1.07 %   0.95 %   1.01 %
    Money market deposit accounts 3.00 %   3.24 %   3.08 %   2.93 %   2.31 %   2.14 %
    Savings accounts 1.42 %   1.64 %   1.67 %   1.37 %   1.16 %   1.14 %
    Time deposits 3.83 %   3.83 %   3.50 %   3.63 %   2.88 %   2.53 %
    Brokered CDs 4.89 %   5.43 %   4.98 %   5.13 %   5.14 %   5.21 %
    Total deposits 1.43 %   1.58 %   1.59 %   1.55 %   1.46 %   1.33 %
                           
    Interest-bearing deposits excluding Brokered CDs 2.80 %   3.02 %   2.88 %   2.74 %   2.16 %   2.00 %
                                       

    (1) Average rate paid is calculated as the weighted average of spot rates on deposit accounts. Off-balance sheet deposits are excluded from all calculations shown.

    Asset Quality

    (In thousands) September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      September 30,
    2023
    Loans 90 days past due and accruing $     $     $  
    Nonaccrual loans held for sale   989       989       2,189  
    Nonaccrual loans – Commercial   17,108       23,778       28,041  
    Nonaccrual loans – Retail   10,542       10,924       6,283  
    Nonaccrual securities   8       29       31  
    Total nonperforming assets $ 28,647     $ 35,720     $ 36,544  
               
    Nonaccrual loans:          
    Commercial and industrial $ 1,849     $ 8,428     $ 7,575  
    Multifamily                
    Commercial real estate   4,146       4,231       4,575  
    Construction and land development   11,113       11,119       15,891  
    Total commercial portfolio   17,108       23,778       28,041  
               
    Residential real estate lending   7,578       7,756       3,009  
    Consumer solar   2,848       2,794       2,817  
    Consumer and other   116       374       457  
    Total retail portfolio   10,542       10,924       6,283  
    Total nonaccrual loans $ 27,650     $ 34,702     $ 34,324  

    Credit Quality

      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      September 30,
    2023
    ($ in thousands)          
    Criticized and classified loans          
    Commercial and industrial $ 45,329     $ 53,940     $ 45,959  
    Multifamily   13,386       10,242       10,999  
    Commercial real estate   8,186       8,311       8,762  
    Construction and land development   11,113       11,119       15,891  
    Residential real estate lending   7,578       7,756       3,009  
    Consumer solar   2,848       2,794       2,817  
    Consumer and other   116       374       457  
    Total loans $ 88,556     $ 94,536     $ 87,894  
    Criticized and classified loans to total loans          
    Commercial and industrial 1.00 %   1.21 %   1.05 %
    Multifamily 0.29 %   0.23 %   0.25 %
    Commercial real estate 0.18 %   0.19 %   0.20 %
    Construction and land development 0.24 %   0.25 %   0.36 %
    Residential real estate lending 0.17 %   0.17 %   0.07 %
    Consumer solar 0.06 %   0.06 %   0.06 %
    Consumer and other %   0.01 %   0.01 %
    Total loans 1.94 %   2.12 %   2.00 %
      September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   September 30, 2023
      Annualized net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans   ACL to total portfolio balance   Annualized net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans   ACL to total portfolio balance   Annualized net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans   ACL to total portfolio balance
    Commercial and industrial 2.14 %   1.01 %   0.32 %   1.44 %   %   1.71 %
    Multifamily %   0.37 %   %   0.38 %   0.45 %   0.46 %
    Commercial real estate %   0.40 %   %   0.40 %   %   0.64 %
    Construction and land development %   3.73 %   %   3.60 %   %   3.68 %
    Residential real estate lending (0.03 )%   0.91 %   (0.18 )%   0.88 %   (0.07 )%   1.13 %
    Consumer solar 1.58 %   7.68 %   2.57 %   7.00 %   1.88 %   6.72 %
    Consumer and other 1.05 %   6.44 %   0.01 %   6.49 %   0.04 %   6.00 %
    Total loans 0.61 %   1.35 %   0.25 %   1.42 %   0.27 %   1.60 %

    Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
    The information provided below presents a reconciliation of each of our non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

      As of and for the   As of and for the
      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    (in thousands) September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      September 30,
    2023
      September 30,
    2024
      September 30,
    2023
    Core operating revenue                  
    Net Interest Income (GAAP) $ 72,107     $ 69,192     $ 63,728     $ 209,336     $ 193,992  
    Non-interest income (GAAP)   8,939       9,258       6,780       28,426       19,930  
    Add: Securities loss   3,230       2,691       1,699       8,695       5,052  
    Less: ICS One-Way Sell Fee Income(1)   (8,085 )     (4,859 )           (15,847 )      
    Less: Changes in fair value of loans held-for-sale   4,265                   4,265        
    Less: Subdebt repurchase gain(2)   (669 )     (406 )     (637 )     (1,076 )     (1,417 )
    Add: Tax (credits) depreciation on solar investments(3)   1,089       1,815             1,095        
    Core operating revenue (non-GAAP)   80,876       77,691       71,570       234,894       217,557  
                       
    Core non-interest expense                  
    Non-interest expense (GAAP) $ 40,964     $ 39,512     $ 37,339     $ 118,629     $ 113,495  
    Add: Gain on settlement of lease termination(4)                     499        
    Less: Severance costs(5)   (241 )     (44 )     (332 )     (471 )     (617 )
    Core non-interest expense (non-GAAP)   40,723       39,468       37,007       118,657       112,878  
                       
    Core net income                  
    Net Income (GAAP) $ 27,942     $ 26,753     $ 22,308     $ 81,944     $ 65,284  
    Add: Securities loss   3,230       2,691       1,699       8,695       5,052  
    Less: ICS One-Way Sell Fee Income(1)   (8,085 )     (4,859 )           (15,847 )      
    Less: Changes in fair value of loans held-for-sale   4,265                   4,265        
    Less: Gain on settlement of lease termination(4)                     (499 )      
    Less: Subdebt repurchase gain(2)   (669 )     (406 )     (637 )     (1,076 )     (1,417 )
    Add: Severance costs(5)   241       44       332       471       617  
    Add: Tax (credits) depreciation on solar investments(3)   1,089       1,815             1,095        
    Less: Tax on notable items   (19 )     180       (396 )     764       (1,151 )
    Core net income (non-GAAP)   27,994       26,218       23,306       79,812       68,385  
                       
    Tangible common equity                  
    Stockholders’ equity (GAAP) $ 698,332     $ 646,112     $ 546,291     $ 698,332     $ 546,291  
    Less: Minority interest   (133 )     (133 )     (133 )     (133 )     (133 )
    Less: Goodwill   (12,936 )     (12,936 )     (12,936 )     (12,936 )     (12,936 )
    Less: Core deposit intangible   (1,669 )     (1,852 )     (2,439 )     (1,669 )     (2,439 )
    Tangible common equity (non-GAAP)   683,594       631,191       530,783       683,594       530,783  
                       
    Average tangible common equity                  
    Average stockholders’ equity (GAAP) $ 668,401     $ 623,024     $ 538,753     $ 630,866     $ 523,078  
    Less: Minority interest   (133 )     (133 )     (133 )     (133 )     (133 )
    Less: Goodwill   (12,936 )     (12,936 )     (12,936 )     (12,936 )     (12,936 )
    Less: Core deposit intangible   (1,759 )     (1,941 )     (2,547 )     (1,940 )     (2,768 )
    Average tangible common equity (non-GAAP)   653,573       608,014       523,137       615,857       507,241  
                                           

    (1) Included in service charges on deposit accounts in the Consolidated Statements of Income
    (2) Included in other income in the Consolidated Statements of Income
    (3) Included in equity method investments income in the Consolidated Statements of Income
    (4) Included in occupancy and depreciation in the Consolidated Statements of Income
    (5) Included in compensation and employee benefits in the Consolidated Statements of Income

    Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
    The information provided below presents a reconciliation of each of our non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

      As of and for the   As of and for the
      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    (in thousands) September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      September 30,
    2023
      September 30,
    2024
      September 30,
    2023
                       
    Core return on average assets                  
    Numerator: Core net income (non-GAAP) $ 27,994     $ 26,218     $ 23,306     $ 79,812     $ 68,385  
    Denominator: Total average assets (GAAP) $ 8,393,490     $ 8,276,016     $ 7,904,566       8,249,218       7,841,198  
    Core return on average assets (non-GAAP)   1.33 %     1.27 %     1.17 %     1.29 %     1.17 %
                       
    Core return on average tangible common equity                  
    Numerator: Core net income (non-GAAP) $ 27,994     $ 26,218     $ 23,306     $ 79,812     $ 68,385  
    Denominator: Average tangible common equity (non-GAAP) $ 653,573     $ 608,014     $ 523,137       615,857       507,241  
    Core return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP)   17.04 %     17.34 %     17.67 %     17.31 %     18.02 %
                       
    Core efficiency ratio                  
    Numerator: Core non-interest expense (non-GAAP) $ 40,723     $ 39,468     $ 37,007     $ 118,657     $ 112,878  
    Denominator: Core operating revenue (non-GAAP)   80,876       77,691       71,570       234,894       217,557  
    Core efficiency ratio (non-GAAP)   50.35 %     50.80 %     51.71 %     50.52 %     51.88 %

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Donegal Group Inc. Announces Third Quarter and First Nine Months of 2024 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MARIETTA, Pa., Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Donegal Group Inc. (NASDAQ: DGICA) and (NASDAQ: DGICB) today reported its financial results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2024.

    Significant Items for third quarter of 2024 (all comparisons to third quarter of 2023):

    • Net income of $16.8 million, or 51 cents per diluted Class A share, compared to net loss of $0.8 million, or 2 cents per Class A share
    • Net premiums earned increased 6.0% to $238.0 million
    • Net premiums written1 increased 5.9% to $232.2 million
    • Combined ratio of 96.4%, compared to 104.5%
    • Net income included after-tax net investment gains of $1.5 million, or 5 cents per diluted Class A share, compared to after-tax net investment losses of $1.0 million, or 3 cents per Class A share
    • Book value per share of $15.22 at September 30, 2024, compared to $14.26

    Financial Summary

      Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30,
        2024       2023     % Change     2024       2023     % Change
      (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                           
    Income Statement Data                      
    Net premiums earned $ 237,957     $ 224,393     6.0 %   $ 700,017     $ 655,886     6.7 %
    Investment income, net   10,827       10,536     2.8       32,868       30,143     9.0  
    Net investment gains (losses)   1,876       (1,243 )   NM2     4,725       930     408.1  
    Total revenues   251,738       233,928     7.6       739,651       687,870     7.5  
    Net income (loss)   16,752       (805 )   NM      26,860       6,396     319.9  
    Non-GAAP operating income1   15,270       176     NM      23,127       5,661     308.5  
    Annualized return on average equity   13.4 %     -0.7 %   14.1 pts     7.2 %     1.8 %   5.4 pts
                           
    Per Share Data                      
    Net income (loss) – Class A (diluted) $ 0.51     $ (0.02 )   NM    $ 0.81     $ 0.20     305.0 %
    Net income (loss) – Class B   0.46       (0.02 )   NM      0.74       0.17     335.3  
    Non-GAAP operating income – Class A (diluted)   0.46       0.01     NM      0.70       0.17     311.8  
    Non-GAAP operating income – Class B   0.42           NM      0.63       0.15     320.0  
    Book value   15.22       14.26     6.7 %     15.22       14.26     6.7  
                           

    1The “Definitions of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this release defines and reconciles data that we prepare on an accounting basis other than U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).

    2Not meaningful.


    Management Commentary

    “We are pleased that many of the strategic initiatives we implemented in recent years contributed to significant improvement in our financial results for the third quarter of 2024,” said Kevin G. Burke, President and Chief Executive Officer of Donegal Group Inc.

    “With the exit from commercial lines markets in Georgia and Alabama essentially completed at the end of the second quarter of 2024, solid new business writings, rate achievement and retention levels led to a 6.4% increase in commercial lines net premiums written for the third quarter of 2024. Our personal lines net premiums written growth rate for the third quarter was 5.4%, primarily attributable to strong rate increases and policy retention that were partially offset by intentional strategic actions to slow growth and further improve profitability.

    “Despite higher-than-average weather-related losses during the quarter, primarily attributable to Hurricane Helene in late September, our combined ratio improved significantly to 96.4%, compared to 104.5% for the prior-year quarter. Our core loss ratios improved across all of our major lines of business. We attribute that improvement to the favorable impact of numerous ongoing underwriting initiatives and higher net premiums earned from renewal rate increases that we implemented over the past two years.”

    Mr, Burke concluded, “We have growing confidence that the continuing execution of our strategies will deliver sustained excellent financial performance.”

    Insurance Operations

    Donegal Group is an insurance holding company whose insurance subsidiaries and affiliates offer property and casualty lines of insurance in three Mid-Atlantic states (Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania), five Southern states (Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia), eight Midwestern states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin) and five Southwestern states (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Utah). Donegal Mutual Insurance Company and the insurance subsidiaries of Donegal Group conduct business together as the Donegal Insurance Group.

      Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30,
        2024     2023   % Change     2024     2023   % Change
      (dollars in thousands)
                           
    Net Premiums Earned                      
    Commercial lines $ 136,401   $ 135,432   0.7 %   $ 402,982   $ 399,427   0.9 %
    Personal lines   101,556     88,961   14.2       297,035     256,460   15.8  
    Total net premiums earned $ 237,957   $ 224,393   6.0 %   $ 700,017   $ 655,887   6.7 %
                           
    Net Premiums Written                      
    Commercial lines:                      
    Automobile $ 41,464   $ 37,535   10.5 %   $ 142,067   $ 134,853   5.3 %
    Workers’ compensation   23,934     24,371   -1.8       82,599     85,315   -3.2  
    Commercial multi-peril   50,155     44,949   11.6       163,528     147,622   10.8  
    Other   10,548     11,639   -9.4       35,649     39,913   -10.7  
    Total commercial lines   126,101     118,494   6.4       423,843     407,703   4.0  
    Personal lines:                      
    Automobile   65,150     58,038   12.3       188,958     161,348   17.1  
    Homeowners   38,288     39,633   -3.4       109,655     105,035   4.4  
    Other   2,669     3,021   -11.7       8,383     8,917   -6.0  
    Total personal lines   106,107     100,692   5.4       306,996     275,300   11.5  
    Total net premiums written $ 232,208   $ 219,186   5.9 %   $ 730,839   $ 683,003   7.0 %
                           
                           

    Net Premiums Written

    The 5.9% increase in net premiums written for the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023, as shown in the table above, represents the combination of 6.4% growth in commercial lines net premiums written and 5.4% growth in personal lines net premiums written. The $13.0 million increase in net premiums written for the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023 included:

    • Commercial Lines: $7.6 million increase that we attribute primarily to new business writings, strong premium retention, and a continuation of renewal premium increases in lines other than workers’ compensation, offset partially by planned attrition in states in which we are executing ongoing profit improvement initiatives as part of our state-specific strategies.
    • Personal Lines: $5.4 million increase that we attribute primarily to a continuation of renewal premium rate increases and strong policy retention, offset partially by planned attrition due to non-renewal actions.

    Underwriting Performance

    We evaluate the performance of our commercial lines and personal lines segments primarily based upon the underwriting results of our insurance subsidiaries as determined under statutory accounting practices. The following table presents comparative details with respect to the GAAP and statutory combined ratios1 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:

      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
      September 30,   September 30,
      2024     2023     2024     2023  
                   
    GAAP Combined Ratios (Total Lines)              
    Loss ratio – core losses 50.1 %   56.7 %   54.5 %   56.0 %
    Loss ratio – weather-related losses 10.3     11.5     8.6     9.1  
    Loss ratio – large fire losses 3.7     4.9     5.2     5.3  
    Loss ratio – net prior-year reserve development -2.6     -3.3     -2.2     -2.4  
    Loss ratio 61.5     69.8     66.1     68.0  
    Expense ratio 34.5     34.1     34.0     34.9  
    Dividend ratio 0.4     0.6     0.5     0.6  
    Combined ratio 96.4 %   104.5 %   100.6 %   103.5 %
                   
    Statutory Combined Ratios              
    Commercial lines:              
    Automobile 101.5 %   86.5 %   98.2 %   94.8 %
    Workers’ compensation 84.7     97.7     104.1     93.1  
    Commercial multi-peril 88.4     114.8     100.4     113.8  
    Other 59.4     76.2     78.4     82.7  
    Total commercial lines 89.8     97.5     98.6     100.2  
    Personal lines:              
    Automobile 97.8     109.8     97.8     106.1  
    Homeowners 116.8     128.9     107.5     111.2  
    Other 102.2     46.4     97.2     81.3  
    Total personal lines 104.7     119.4     101.2     107.2  
    Total lines 96.0 %   105.2 %   99.7 %   102.9 %
                   
                   

    Loss Ratio

    For the third quarter of 2024, the loss ratio decreased to 61.5%, compared to 69.8% for the third quarter of 2023. For the commercial lines segment, the core loss ratio of 48.5% for the third quarter of 2024 decreased from 53.7% for the third quarter of 2023, due largely to lower severity of large casualty losses. For the personal lines segment, the core loss ratio of 52.5% for the third quarter of 2024 decreased from 61.8% for the third quarter of 2023, due largely to the favorable impact of premium rate increases on net premiums earned for that segment. Core loss ratios in both segments improved compared to the respective ratios for the first half of 2024.

    Weather-related losses were $24.4 million, or 10.3 percentage points of the loss ratio, for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $25.7 million, or 11.5 percentage points of the loss ratio, for the third quarter of 2023. Weather-related loss activity for the third quarter of 2024 was higher than our previous five-year average of $18.8 million, or 9.4 percentage points of the loss ratio, for third-quarter weather-related losses. Our insurance subsidiaries incurred $6.0 million in net losses from Hurricane Helene in September 2024.

    Large fire losses, which we define as individual fire losses in excess of $50,000, for the third quarter of 2024 were $8.8 million, or 3.7 percentage points of the loss ratio. That amount was lower than large fire losses of $11.0 million, or 4.9 percentage points of the loss ratio, for the third quarter of 2023. We experienced a decrease in commercial property fire losses compared to the prior-year quarter.

    Net favorable development of reserves for losses incurred in prior accident years of $6.2 million decreased the loss ratio for the third quarter of 2024 by 2.6 percentage points, compared to $7.3 million that decreased the loss ratio for the third quarter of 2023 by 3.3 percentage points. Our insurance subsidiaries experienced favorable development primarily in the commercial multi-peril and other commercial lines of business.

    Expense Ratio

    The expense ratio was 34.5% for the third quarter of 2024, compared to 34.1% for the third quarter of 2023. The modest increase in the expense ratio primarily reflected an increase in underwriting-based incentive costs as well as higher technology systems-related expenses that were primarily due to increased costs related to our ongoing systems modernization project, a portion of which Donegal Mutual Insurance Company allocates to our insurance subsidiaries. This increase was offset partially by impacts of various expense reduction initiatives, including agency incentive program revisions, commission schedule adjustments, targeted staffing reductions, and hiring restrictions for open employment positions, among others. We expect the impact from allocated costs from Donegal Mutual Insurance Company to our insurance subsidiaries related to the ongoing systems modernization project will peak at approximately 1.3 percentage points of the expense ratio for the full year of 2024 before beginning to subside gradually in subsequent years.

    Investment Operations

    Donegal Group’s investment strategy is to generate an appropriate amount of after-tax income on its invested assets while minimizing credit risk through investment in high-quality securities. As a result, we had invested 96.2% of our consolidated investment portfolio in diversified, highly rated and marketable fixed-maturity securities at September 30, 2024.

      September 30, 2024   December 31, 2023
      Amount   %   Amount   %
      (dollars in thousands)
    Fixed maturities, at carrying value:              
    U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies $ 173,663     12.7 %   $ 176,991     13.3 %
    Obligations of states and political subdivisions   413,040     30.1       415,280     31.3  
    Corporate securities   427,372     31.2       399,640     30.1  
    Mortgage-backed securities   304,911     22.3       278,260     21.0  
    Allowance for expected credit losses   (1,483 )   -0.1       (1,326 )   -0.1  
    Total fixed maturities   1,317,503     96.2       1,268,845     95.6  
    Equity securities, at fair value   35,957     2.6       25,903     2.0  
    Short-term investments, at cost   15,805     1.2       32,306     2.4  
    Total investments $ 1,369,265     100.0 %   $ 1,327,054     100.0 %
                   
    Average investment yield   3.3 %         3.1 %    
    Average tax-equivalent investment yield   3.3 %         3.2 %    
    Average fixed-maturity duration (years)   5.1           4.3      
                   
                   

    Net investment income of $10.8 million for the third quarter of 2024 increased modestly compared to $10.5 million for the third quarter of 2023. The increase in net investment income primarily reflected an increase in average investment yield relative to the prior-year third quarter.

    Net investment gains of $1.9 million for the third quarter of 2024 were primarily related to unrealized gains in the fair value of equity securities held at September 30, 2024. Net investment losses of $1.2 million for the third quarter of 2023 were primarily related to unrealized losses in the fair value of equity securities held at September 30, 2023.

    Our book value per share was $15.22 at September 30, 2024, compared to $14.39 at December 31, 2023, with the increase related to net income as well as $11.9 million of after-tax unrealized gains within our available-for-sale fixed-maturity portfolio during 2024 that increased our book value by $0.37 per share, offset partially by cash dividends declared.

    Definitions of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    We prepare our consolidated financial statements on the basis of GAAP. Our insurance subsidiaries also prepare financial statements based on statutory accounting principles state insurance regulators prescribe or permit (“SAP”). In addition to using GAAP-based performance measurements, we also utilize certain non-GAAP financial measures that we believe provide value in managing our business and for comparison to the financial results of our peers. These non-GAAP measures are net premiums written, operating income or loss and statutory combined ratio.

    Net premiums written and operating income or loss are non-GAAP financial measures investors in insurance companies commonly use. We define net premiums written as the amount of full-term premiums our insurance subsidiaries record for policies effective within a given period less premiums our insurance subsidiaries cede to reinsurers. We define operating income or loss as net income or loss excluding after-tax net investment gains or losses, after-tax restructuring charges and other significant non-recurring items. Because our calculation of operating income or loss may differ from similar measures other companies use, investors should exercise caution when comparing our measure of operating income or loss to the measure of other companies.

    The following table provides a reconciliation of net premiums earned to net premiums written for the periods indicated:

                           
      Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30,
        2024       2023     % Change     2024     2023   % Change
      (dollars in thousands)
                           
    Reconciliation of Net Premiums                      
    Earned to Net Premiums Written                      
    Net premiums earned $ 237,957     $ 224,393     6.0 %   $ 700,017   $ 655,886   6.7 %
    Change in net unearned premiums   (5,749 )     (5,207 )   10.4       30,822     27,117   13.7  
    Net premiums written $ 232,208     $ 219,186     5.9 %   $ 730,839   $ 683,003   7.0 %
                           
                           

    The following table provides a reconciliation of net income (loss) to operating income for the periods indicated:

      Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30,
        2024       2023     % Change     2024       2023     % Change
      (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                           
    Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss)                      
    to Non-GAAP Operating Income                      
    Net income (loss) $ 16,752     $ (805 )   NM   $ 26,860     $ 6,396     319.9 %
    Investment (gains) losses (after tax)   (1,482 )     981     NM     (3,733 )     (735 )   407.9  
    Non-GAAP operating income $ 15,270     $ 176     NM   $ 23,127     $ 5,661     308.5 %
                           
    Per Share Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss)                      
    to Non-GAAP Operating Income                      
    Net income (loss) – Class A (diluted) $ 0.51     $ (0.02 )   NM   $ 0.81     $ 0.20     305.0 %
    Investment (gains) losses (after tax)   (0.05 )     0.03     NM     (0.11 )     (0.03 )   266.7  
    Non-GAAP operating income – Class A $ 0.46     $ 0.01     NM   $ 0.70     $ 0.17     311.8 %
                           
    Net income (loss) – Class B $ 0.46     $ (0.02 )   NM   $ 0.74     $ 0.17     335.3 %
    Investment (gains) losses (after tax)   (0.04 )     0.02     NM     (0.11 )     (0.02 )   450.0  
    Non-GAAP operating income – Class B $ 0.42     $     NM   $ 0.63     $ 0.15     320.0 %
                           
                           

    The statutory combined ratio is a non-GAAP standard measurement of underwriting profitability that is based upon amounts determined under SAP. The statutory combined ratio is the sum of:

    • the statutory loss ratio, which is the ratio of calendar-year incurred losses and loss expenses, excluding anticipated salvage and subrogation recoveries, to premiums earned;
    • the statutory expense ratio, which is the ratio of expenses incurred for net commissions, premium taxes and underwriting expenses to premiums written; and
    • the statutory dividend ratio, which is the ratio of dividends to holders of workers’ compensation policies to premiums earned.

    The statutory combined ratio does not reflect investment income, federal income taxes or other non-operating income or expense. A statutory combined ratio of less than 100% generally indicates underwriting profitability.

    Dividend Information

    On October 17, 2024, we declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.1725 per share for our Class A common stock and $0.155 per share for our Class B common stock, which are payable on November 15, 2024 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 1, 2024.

    Pre-Recorded Webcast

    At approximately 8:30 am ET on Thursday, October 24, 2024, we will make available in the Investors section of our website a pre-recorded audio webcast featuring management commentary on our quarterly results and general business updates. You may listen to the pre-recorded webcast by accessing the link on our website at http://investors.donegalgroup.com. A supplemental investor presentation is also available via our website.

    About the Company

    Donegal Group Inc. is an insurance holding company whose insurance subsidiaries and affiliates offer property and casualty lines of insurance in certain Mid-Atlantic, Midwestern, Southern and Southwestern states. Donegal Mutual Insurance Company and the insurance subsidiaries of Donegal Group Inc. conduct business together as the Donegal Insurance Group. The Donegal Insurance Group has an A.M. Best rating of A (Excellent).

    The Class A common stock and Class B common stock of Donegal Group Inc. trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbols DGICA and DGICB, respectively. We are focused on several primary strategies, including achieving sustained excellent financial performance, strategically modernizing our operations and processes to transform our business, capitalizing on opportunities to grow profitably and delivering a superior experience to our agents and customers.

    Safe Harbor

    We base all statements contained in this release that are not historic facts on our current expectations. Such statements are forward-looking in nature (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) and necessarily involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements we make may be identified by our use of words such as “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate” and similar expressions. Our actual results could vary materially from our forward-looking statements. The factors that could cause our actual results to vary materially from the forward-looking statements we have previously made include, but are not limited to, adverse litigation and other trends that could increase our loss costs (including social inflation, labor shortages and escalating medical, automobile and property repair costs), adverse and catastrophic weather events (including from changing climate conditions), our ability to maintain profitable operations (including our ability to underwrite risks effectively and charge adequate premium rates), the adequacy of the loss and loss expense reserves of our insurance subsidiaries, the availability and successful operation of the information technology systems our insurance subsidiaries utilize, the successful development of new information technology systems to allow our insurance subsidiaries to compete effectively, business and economic conditions in the areas in which we and our insurance subsidiaries operate, interest rates, competition from various insurance and other financial businesses, terrorism, the availability and cost of reinsurance, legal and judicial developments (including those related to COVID-19 business interruption coverage exclusions), changes in regulatory requirements, our ability to attract and retain independent insurance agents, changes in our A.M. Best rating and the other risks that we describe from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We disclaim any obligation to update such statements or to announce publicly the results of any revisions that we may make to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

    Investor Relations Contacts

    Karin Daly, Vice President, The Equity Group Inc.

    Phone: (212) 836-9623
    E-mail: kdaly@equityny.com

    Jeffrey D. Miller, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
    Phone: (717) 426-1931
    E-mail: investors@donegalgroup.com

    Financial Supplement

    Donegal Group Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss)
    (unaudited; in thousands, except share data)
               
          Quarter Ended September 30,
            2024     2023  
               
    Net premiums earned $ 237,957   $ 224,393  
    Investment income, net of expenses   10,827     10,536  
    Net investment gains (losses)   1,876     (1,243 )
    Lease income     77     86  
    Installment payment fees   1,001     156  
      Total revenues   251,738     233,928  
               
    Net losses and loss expenses   146,426     156,683  
    Amortization of deferred acquisition costs   40,200     39,332  
    Other underwriting expenses   41,827     37,155  
    Policyholder dividends   1,007     1,399  
    Interest     367     156  
    Other expenses, net     1,499     208  
      Total expenses   231,326     234,933  
               
    Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)   20,412     (1,005 )
    Income tax expense (benefit)   3,660     (200 )
               
    Net income (loss)   $ 16,752   $ (805 )
               
    Net income (loss) per common share:      
      Class A – basic and diluted $ 0.51   $ (0.02 )
      Class B – basic and diluted $ 0.46   $ (0.02 )
               
    Supplementary Financial Analysts’ Data      
               
    Weighted-average number of shares      
      outstanding:      
      Class A – basic   27,978,435     27,594,973  
      Class A – diluted   28,058,399     27,665,293  
      Class B – basic and diluted   5,576,775     5,576,775  
               
    Net premiums written $ 232,208   $ 219,186  
               
    Book value per common share      
      at end of period $ 15.22   $ 14.26  
               
    Donegal Group Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Income
    (unaudited; in thousands, except share data)
               
          Nine Months Ended September 30,
            2024     2023
               
    Net premiums earned $ 700,017   $ 655,886
    Investment income, net of expenses   32,868     30,143
    Net investment gains   4,725     930
    Lease income     237     262
    Installment payment fees   1,804     649
      Total revenues   739,651     687,870
               
    Net losses and loss expenses   462,683     446,024
    Amortization of deferred acquisition costs   120,458     115,065
    Other underwriting expenses   117,604     113,715
    Policyholder dividends   3,248     4,088
    Interest     677     464
    Other expenses, net     2,309     969
      Total expenses   706,979     680,325
               
    Income before income tax expense   32,672     7,545
    Income tax expense     5,812     1,149
               
    Net income   $ 26,860   $ 6,396
               
    Net income per common share:      
      Class A – basic $ 0.82   $ 0.20
      Class A – diluted $ 0.81   $ 0.20
      Class B – basic and diluted $ 0.74   $ 0.17
               
    Supplementary Financial Analysts’ Data      
               
    Weighted-average number of shares outstanding:      
      Class A – basic   27,878,552     27,390,883
      Class A – diluted   27,916,904     27,507,706
      Class B – basic and diluted   5,576,775     5,576,775
               
    Net premiums written $ 730,839   $ 683,003
               
    Book value per common share      
      at end of period $ 15.22   $ 14.26
     
    Donegal Group Inc.
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (in thousands)
               
          September 30,   December 31,
            2024       2023  
          (unaudited)    
               
    ASSETS
    Investments:      
      Fixed maturities:      
        Held to maturity, at amortized cost $ 694,663     $ 679,497  
        Available for sale, at fair value   622,840       589,348  
      Equity securities, at fair value   35,957       25,903  
      Short-term investments, at cost   15,805       32,306  
        Total investments   1,369,265       1,327,054  
    Cash   28,651       23,792  
    Premiums receivable   194,254       179,592  
    Reinsurance receivable   434,078       441,431  
    Deferred policy acquisition costs   78,484       75,043  
    Prepaid reinsurance premiums   185,364       168,724  
    Other assets   56,030       50,658  
        Total assets $ 2,346,126     $ 2,266,294  
               
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
    Liabilities:      
      Losses and loss expenses $ 1,134,853     $ 1,126,157  
      Unearned premiums   646,870       599,411  
      Accrued expenses   2,987       3,947  
      Borrowings under lines of credit   35,000       35,000  
      Other liabilities   13,046       22,034  
        Total liabilities   1,832,756       1,786,549  
    Stockholders’ equity:      
      Class A common stock   312       308  
      Class B common stock   56       56  
      Additional paid-in capital   342,186       335,694  
      Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (20,951 )     (32,882 )
      Retained earnings   232,993       217,795  
      Treasury stock   (41,226 )     (41,226 )
        Total stockholders’ equity   513,370       479,745  
        Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 2,346,126     $ 2,266,294  
               

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Legible Announces $2.1 Million Private Placement Unit Offering and Appointment of Chief Technology Officer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Legible Inc. (CSE: READ) (OTCQB: LEBGF) (FSE: D0T) (“Legible or “the Company”), a leading platform and innovator in digital literature, announces an offering of units (“Units”) for gross proceeds of $2,100,000 by way of a non-brokered private placement (the “Offering”) pursuant to exemptions from applicable securities laws. Each Unit consists of one common share (“Common Share(s)”) and one whole Common Share purchase warrant (“Warrant(s)”) with each Warrant entitling the holder to acquire 1 Common Share at a price of $0.14, at any time prior to 5:00 pm (PST) on the date that is two years from the closing date. If the volume weighted average trading price of the Common shares is at least $0.40 per Common Share for a period of 5 consecutive trading days, the expiry date of the Warrants may be accelerated by the Company to a date that is not less than 14 days after the date that notice of such acceleration is provided to the Warrant holders by way of a press release.

    The Company has received subscription agreements totaling $1.7 Million. Closing may occur in tranches, with the first tranche expected to close on or about October 31, 2024.

    Legible is also pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Andrew Nelson to the position of Chief Technology Officer. Mr. Nelson is a Senior Software Engineer who brings nearly 20 years of experience in a wide array of technological and business development roles spanning a wide array of industries, having held a number of senior positions. Prior to Mr. Nelson’s appointment as Legible’s CTO, Mr. Nelson held the position of Director of Technology at Legible as of January 2024. Mr. Nelson’s proficiencies in software development, web design, cybersecurity, data analytics, organizational planning, and product development have helped companies create and implement scalable, customer-focused solutions to drive business growth and brand recognition. Mr. Nelson also has extensive executive and board experience.

    Andrew Nelson stated, “I’m incredibly grateful to take on this leadership role at Legible, a company with such a positive mission to revolutionize how people read and interact with digital literature. Our technology roadmap is centered around creating personalized, accessible, and intuitive experiences that seamlessly integrate into everyday life. As CTO, I’m committed to ensuring that our product innovation and leadership align fully with Legible’s mission, enriching the way audiences engage with literature across the globe.”

    Kaleeg Hainsworth, CEO of Legible, commented, “We are deeply grateful for the support of our lead investor, a U.S.-based private financial services corporation, which has committed CDN$1.61 million to this Offering. This funding will strengthen our balance sheet and empower us to ramp up marketing and sales initiatives, fueling the growth of our Legible Unbound Subscription service. At just US$9.99 per month, Legible Unbound is gaining traction by offering unlimited access to a vast and growing catalogue of eBooks and audiobooks. We are thrilled also to welcome Andrew Nelson as our new Chief Technology Officer. Andrew’s sophisticated understanding of user experience, technological trends, and eCommerce will be invaluable as we scale globally across all our verticals. He is experienced, proven, genuinely understands what Legible is achieving, resilient, a fantastic people person, and is greatly respected in his community. Andrew enhances our executive team and supports Legible’s mission to innovate and lead in the digital literary space, now more than ever.”

    Further to Legible’s Press Release dated July 18, 2024 wherein Legible announced its warrant incentive program (the “WIP”), Legible is pleased to announce the WIP resulted in: (i) a total of 3,374,936 warrants being exercised at $0.07 for proceeds of $236,246, which included $180,233 in the settlement of outstanding indebtedness; and (ii) the issuance of new warrants exercisable on or before August 16, 2025 at $0.10 for an additional 3,374,936 common shares. In the event that the volume weighted average trading price of the common shares of Legible on the Canadian Securities Exchange is at least $0.30 for a minimum of 10 consecutive trading days (whether or not trading occurs on all such days), Legible may, in its sole discretion, issue a news release announcing that the exercise period has been reduced to twenty-one (21) days following the date of the issuance of such news release (the “Accelerated Expiry Date”). If such news release is issued, all such warrants that are not exercised prior to 5:00 p.m. Vancouver time on the Accelerated Expiry Date will expire immediately after such time on the Accelerated Expiry Date.

    In addition, further to the Company’s press release dated January 24, 2024, Legible announces the conclusion of its engagement with Investor Cubed Inc. (“Investor Cubed”), which provided investor relations and shareholder communication services, effective immediately. Legible extends its gratitude to Investor Cubed for their contributions and support during the engagement.

    About Legible Inc.

    Legible is a groundbreaking, mobile-centric global company specializing in eBook and audiobook entertainment. Its extensive partnerships encompass four of the Big 5 Publishers, the world’s largest eBook distributors, and outstanding publishers of all sizes, enabling Legible to deliver millions of eBooks and audiobooks, transforming any smart device into a source of cutting-edge infotainment.

    Legible recently released My Model Kitchen – Vol. 2: Vegetables – The Garden of Earthly Delights, the second of 15 video-enriched Living Cookbooks by former supermodel, bestselling author, TV host and celebrity chef Cristina Ferrare, with an AI Sous Chef for each recipe. The Living Cookbooks and Ms. Ferrare have been featured twice on the Drew Barrymore Show and in many other major US media outlets.

    A first mover in the rapidly expanding automotive infotainment market, Legible has partnered with media providers Faurecia Aptoide, Harman Ignite, LiveOne, and Visteon. Legible has the only Android Automotive app that delivers both audiobooks and eBooks to drivers and passengers in tens of millions of vehicles around the globe, positioning Legible at the forefront of the new world of in-car infotainment experiences.

    The 2024 EdTech Breakthrough Award winner for eLearning Innovation of the Year, Legible is reshaping the digital publishing landscape, committed to gaining significant market share through its innovative 21st-century publishing solutions and enriched reading experiences. Visit Legible.com, where eBooks come to life.

    Press Contacts:

    Legible Inc.

    Ms. Deborah Harford
    EVP, Global Strategic Partnerships
    invest@legible.com
    Website: https://invest.legible.com

    Legible Media Relations

    Krupp Kommunications, Inc.
    Ms. Kathy Giaconia
    VP Media Relations
    kgiaconia@kruppagency.com
    1-213-324-5665
    http://www.KruppAgency.com

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Information
    This Press Release contains certain statements which constitute forward-looking statements or information (“forward-looking statements”), including statements regarding Legible’s business. Such forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond Legible’s control, including the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, currency fluctuations, the lack of availability of qualified personnel or management, stock market volatility and the ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources. Although Legible believes that the expectations in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, they are based on factors and assumptions concerning future events which may prove to be inaccurate. Those factors and assumptions are based upon currently available information. Such statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could influence actual results or events and cause actual results or events to differ materially from those stated, anticipated or implied in the forward- looking information. As such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward- looking information, as no assurance can be provided as to future results, levels of activity or achievements. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are made as of the date of this document and, except as required by applicable law, Legible does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

    NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES
    OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/989cb8b1-ce9c-4e00-b6a0-53c60c30fc72

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Media Advisory: Hut 8 Announces Conference Call to Discuss Third Quarter 2024 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIAMI, Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hut 8 Corp. (Nasdaq | TSX: HUT) (“Hut 8” or the “Company”), a leading, vertically integrated operator of large-scale energy infrastructure and one of North America’s largest Bitcoin miners, will host a conference call and webinar on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 to review third quarter 2024 results.

    Who: Analysts, media, and investors are invited to attend.
    What: Hut 8 executives will review the Company’s financial results for the third quarter of 2024.
    When: Results will be shared via media release and on the Company’s website at https://hut8.com/investors/ on November 13, 2024. The conference call and webinar will begin at 8:30 a.m. ET.
    Where: The webcast can be viewed at: https://www.hut8.com/q3-2024/.

    Analysts can register here.


    About Hut 8

    Hut 8 Corp. is an energy infrastructure operator and Bitcoin miner with self-mining, hosting, managed services, and traditional data center operations across North America. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, Hut 8 Corp. has a portfolio comprising twenty sites: eleven Bitcoin mining, hosting, and Managed Services sites in Alberta, New York, and Texas, five high performance computing data centers in British Columbia and Ontario, and four power generation assets in Ontario. For more information, visit www.hut8.com and follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @Hut8Corp.

    Hut 8 Investor Relations

    Sue Ennis

    ir@hut8.com

    Hut 8 Media Relations

    media@hut8.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN attends the 6th AMCA + ROK Meeting

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Kao Kim Hourn today attended the 6th AMCA + Republic of Korea (ROK) Meeting held in Melaka, Malaysia. The meeting commended the substantive progress made in advancing cooperation with the ROK in culture and the arts. The meeting was also apprised of the wide array of joint initiatives with the ROK and the ongoing policy dialogues with the Korea Heritage Service.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN attends the 6th AMCA + ROK Meeting appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Urgent action needed to reduce food waste in the EU – P-001923/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. The Commission has adopted a legislative proposal[1] setting food waste reduction targets to be achieved by Member States by 2030. The Commission will continue to support Member States in reducing food waste and reaching the targets when adopted, through the sharing of best practices in the EU Platform on Food Losses and Food Waste[2], offering financial support via Single Market Programme action grants for Member States to monitor their food waste and to implement food waste prevention programmes, as well as developing tools and guidance to reduce consumer food waste[3].

    2. The Commission welcomes all effective solutions and innovative technologies that contribute to the global Sustainable Development Goal Target 12.3 ‘Halving food waste and raising climate ambition’[4] and help curb food waste in all sectors of the food supply chain, as long as they do not compromise food safety and animal health. Best practices, including those from the dairy and agricultural sector, are shared in the above-mentioned Platform or its dedicated subgroups. Through Horizon Europe, the Commission supports, for example, the development of sustainable and smart packaging solutions to extend shelf-life of packaged products, and circular solutions to empower and engage all actors in food systems.

    • [1] Proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2008/98/EC on waste (COM(2023) 420 final).
    • [2] EU Platform on Food Losses and Food Waste: https://food.ec.europa.eu/food-safety/food-waste/eu-actions-against-food-waste/eu-platform-food-losses-and-food-waste_en
    • [3] Toolkit to reduce consumer food waste: https://knowledge4policy.ec.europa.eu/bioeconomy/reduce-food-waste_en
    • [4] https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/halving-food-waste-and-raising-climate-ambition-sdg-123-and-paris-agreement
    Last updated: 24 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Sicily – suppressed report on illegal slaughtering of animals and organised crime – E-001573/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission has not been aware of such ‘regional authority’s suppressed report on the common agricultural policy fund fraud’ and cannot thus currently comment on any related misuse of funds.

    When the Commission becomes aware of any suspected cases of fraud, corruption or any other illegal activity affecting the EU budget, it informs the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).

    OLAF analyses information of potential investigative interest to determine whether there are sufficient grounds to open an investigation.

    OLAF can carry out administrative investigations when there are suspicions of fraud, corruption or other illegal activities against the financial interests of the EU.

    In addition, in case of criminal conduct in respect of which the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) could exercise its competence, the case is reported to the EPPO, who can initiate a criminal investigation.

    From a food safety perspective, the current EU legal framework is considered fit for purpose. Its implementation and enforcement remain under the responsibility of the Member States.

    Italian authorities have neither informed the Commission nor other Member States within the Alert and Cooperation Network (ACN)[1] about the illegal slaughter of animals or the sale of meat unfit for human consumption in relation with the situation described.

    This absence of communication would conform with the EU legislation if the issue remains strictly limited to the Italian territory.

    • [1] https://food.ec.europa.eu/safety/acn_en
    Last updated: 24 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – The ‘Rwanda plan’ as an innovative solution for tackling illegal migration – E-001440/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission welcomes constructive approaches to achieve a fair and stable legal framework on migration provided that they fully uphold the respect for fundamental rights and EU and international law, while achieving efficient asylum and return procedures in line with the adopted Pact on Migration and Asylum[1].

    The Commission will continue to support reflections on innovative strategies which contribute to acceptable and durable solutions for migrant and for partner countries as long as they are rooted in EU and international law.

    The EU pursues comprehensive, balanced and tailor-made partnerships with third countries where migration should be built in as one of the core issues, and works with reliable stakeholders with whom it shares interests.

    • [1] https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/migration-and-asylum/pact-migration-and-asylum/legislative-files-nutshell_en
    Last updated: 24 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – How to safeguard and strengthen the partnership with Morocco – E-002131/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    17.10.2024

    Question for written answer  E-002131/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Thierry Mariani (PfE)

    In response to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) decision on Friday, 4 October invalidating the agreements between the European Union and Morocco, Morocco has reiterated its constant position of not subscribing to any agreement or legal instrument that does not respect its territorial integrity and national unity, stressing the solidity and importance of the strategic relations between the European Union and Morocco.

    • 1.In this context, what action does the Commission intend to take to safeguard and strengthen this historic and essential partnership, particularly in respect of the economy, energy and migration, while respecting Morocco’s sovereignty?
    • 2.How does the Commission intend to support a pragmatic approach promoting stability and cooperation in the region, while ensuring that the CJEU’s legal decisions do not get in the way of Euro-Moroccan relations?
    • 3.Lastly, what initiatives does the Commission intend to take to strengthen dialogue with Morocco and ensure that the mutual interests of the two partners, particularly in terms of security and development, are safeguarded and furthered?

    Submitted: 17.10.2024

    Last updated: 24 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Transposition of Directive (EU) 2016/343 in Italy and freedom of the press – E-002129/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    17.10.2024

    Question for written answer  E-002129/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Valentina Palmisano (The Left), Carolina Morace (The Left), Dario Tamburrano (The Left), Mario Furore (The Left), Pasquale Tridico (The Left), Danilo Della Valle (The Left), Gaetano Pedulla’ (The Left), Giuseppe Antoci (The Left)

    The Italian Government has recently tabled a draft legislative decree transposing Directive (EU) 2016/343 on the strengthening of certain aspects of the presumption of innocence and of the right to be present at the trial in criminal proceedings, which bans the publication of pre-trial orders until such time as the preliminary investigation or preliminary hearing has concluded.

    Recital 16 of Directive (EU) 2016/343 prohibits authorities from presenting a suspect as guilty before a verdict, but does not ban the publication of court documents; Recital 18 thereof recognises the need to disclose information about criminal proceedings for the purposes of the public interest or safety; and Article 11 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights enshrines freedom of expression and information.

    This new piece of legislation places disproportionate restrictions on press freedom by limiting the ability of journalists to inform the public about proceedings in the public interest, in breach of Article 6 of Directive (EU) 2016/343, which states that any restrictions must be proportionate and justified, and it remains to be seen whether a journalist could be punished for publishing a pre-trial order or an except or summary of one.

    Can the Commission answer the following questions:

    • 1.Does the Commission consider the ban on the publication of pre-trial orders to be compatible with the principles of proportionality set out in Directive (EU) 2016/343 and with the right to press freedom enshrined in Article 11 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights?
    • 2.What does the Commission intend to do ensure that the transposition of the directive does not give rise to unjustified restrictions on freedom of information?

    Submitted: 17.10.2024

    Last updated: 24 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Implementation of the ICJ advisory opinion as regards EU trade with illegal Israeli settlements – E-002150/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    17.10.2024

    Question for written answer  E-002150/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Matjaž Nemec (S&D), Tineke Strik (Verts/ALE), Barry Andrews (Renew), Catarina Vieira (Verts/ALE), Daniel Attard (S&D), Irena Joveva (Renew), Lynn Boylan (The Left), Cecilia Strada (S&D), Abir Al-Sahlani (Renew), Billy Kelleher (Renew), Thomas Bajada (S&D), Brando Benifei (S&D), Raphaël Glucksmann (S&D), Pierre Jouvet (S&D), Marco Tarquinio (S&D), Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (S&D), Marc Botenga (The Left), Hana Jalloul Muro (S&D), Ana Miranda Paz (Verts/ALE), Murielle Laurent (S&D), Thijs Reuten (S&D), Chloé Ridel (S&D), Nora Mebarek (S&D), Eric Sargiacomo (S&D), Alessandra Moretti (S&D), Alex Agius Saliba (S&D), Evin Incir (S&D), Seán Kelly (PPE), Maria Walsh (PPE), Nina Carberry (PPE)

    All Member States agree that Israeli settlements are illegal under international law and are an obstacle to a two-state solution, as confirmed by the European Council conclusions of 22 March 2024[1].

    By trading with the illegal Israeli settlements, the EU is not only supporting their continuation and the abuses underpinning them, but also breaching its obligations under international law.

    On 19 July 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled[2] that states are under an obligation ‘to abstain from entering into economic or trade dealings with Israel concerning the Occupied Palestinian Territory or parts thereof which may entrench its unlawful presence in the territory; … and to take steps to prevent trade or investment relations that assist in the maintenance of the illegal situation created by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory’.

    The current EU policy of differentiation[3], whereby goods made in the Israeli settlements are not covered by the EU-Israel Association Agreement but traded through a ‘technical arrangement’, does not comply with the obligations laid out by the ICJ, which require a blanket ban on trade with the settlements.

    Will the Commission comply with its obligations under international law and urgently ban all trade with the illegal Israeli settlements?

    Submitted: 17.10.2024

    • [1] Paragraph 26, https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-7-2024-INIT/en/pdf.
    • [2] Paragraph 278, https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/186/186-20240719-adv-01-00-en.pdf.
    • [3] https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/israel_en.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Proposal for a revision of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 – E-002165/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    18.10.2024

    Question for written answer  E-002165/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Kathleen Funchion (The Left)

    The Commission had been expected to publish its proposal for a revision of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers[1] in the second quarter of 2022, following on from its 2020 communication entitled ‘A Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system’[2].

    • 1.Will the Commission publish this proposal and, if not, why not?
    • 2.Does the Commission agree that failure to publish undermines the European Green Deal and the EU’s biodiversity strategy for 2030, as the farm to fork strategy is a key element of both?

    Submitted: 18.10.2024

    • [1] http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2011/1169/oj.
    • [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52020DC0381.
    Last updated: 24 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Compliance with sanctions against the PFLP – E-002157/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    17.10.2024

    Question for written answer  E-002157/2024
    to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
    Rule 144
    Alice Teodorescu Måwe (PPE)

    In February this year, a representative of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) attended the annual meeting organised by the local branch of the Swedish Left Party in Angered in Gothenburg municipality. Under Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/332 of 16 January 2024, the PFLP is classified as a terrorist organisation by the EU. It has had that status since 2002. According to the Chair of the Angered local branch of the Left Party, Kristofer Lundberg, the PFLP expressed thanks at the meeting for ‘the Angarad Left Party’s role in showing solidarity with Palestine’.

    Accordingly:

    • 1.Is the fact that the Swedish Left Party invites representatives of the PFLP, which is classified as a terrorist organisation, to the annual meeting of its local section in Gothenburg municipality compatible with the EU’s rules on sanctions against organisations classified as terrorist organisations?
    • 2.To what extent has the EU’s objective of isolating the PFLP succeeded, in the judgement of the Vice-President / High Representative, given that the Swedish Left Party, which is represented in both the Swedish Parliament and the European Parliament, invites representatives of that terrorist organisation to its annual meetings?

    Submitted: 18.10.2024

    Last updated: 24 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EU paves the way for investments in Timor-Leste’s water, waste, and forestry sectors, boosting the country’s sustainable development

    Source: European Investment Bank

    EIB

    • The EU-funded programme has supported the Government of Timor-Leste in identifying and preparing potential investment projects.
    • These projects have been identified in the sectors of forestry, water supply, and waste management, and were presented today as ready for financing, with a total investment need of approximately €260 million.
    • EIB Global is ready to assess these projects for financing.

     The European Union Delegation to Timor-Leste and the European Investment Bank (EIB Global) have worked closely with the Government of Timor-Leste to prepare investment projects aimed at improving the country’s infrastructure and fostering sustainable development. The three proposals resulting from this collaboration focus on water supply, solid waste management, and forestry, and are now ready to be transformed into tangible investments.

    The three projects include a commercial forestry initiative in the municipalities of Covalima and Bobonaro, a national solid waste management project including a health waste management component, and a water supply project for selected municipalities. The forestry project aims to transform underutilised state lands, generating essential resources like firewood and timber, while creating thousands of jobs for local communities. The national waste management project introduces solutions for the safe and efficient management of waste thus reducing significantly the pollution discharged into the environment. The water supply project focuses on improving access to clean water in key municipalities, addressing both urban and rural needs for better sanitation and reliable water sources. Together these initiatives require a total investment of about €260 million.

    The preparation of the three investment projects was made possible through the Project Preparation and Implementation Programme (PPIP), which concluded today with the final Steering Committee meeting where these projects were presented. Managed by EIB Global, the PPIP was supported by a €5 million budget, including €4.75 million in technical assistance from the EU and €250,000 from the Cotonou Partnership Agreement.

    The final Steering Committee meeting was chaired by H.E. the Minister for Planning and Strategic Investments, Gastão Francisco de Sousa, and attended by representatives from the Government of Timor-Leste, EIB Global, the EU Delegation to Timor-Leste, and other stakeholders.

    The Ambassador to the European Union Delegation to Timor-Leste, Mr Marc Fiedrich said: “If converted into a loan, the Project Preparation and Implementation Programme opens a new era of cooperation. Until today, our support, although significant in terms of funds, consisted of limited instruments: grants, technical assistance, and budget support. With this programme, we add loans and guarantees, and maybe later private investments. This is the new trend of cooperation promoted by the EU, the innovative Global Gateway strategy that may become the norm in the near future.”

    The Vice-President of the European Investment Bank Ambroise Fayolle said: “Alongside our EU partners on the ground, we have been supporting the Government of Timor-Leste in identifying and preparing investment projects. By focusing on strategic sectors such as forestry, water supply, and waste management, these initiatives will not only address immediate community needs but also lay the groundwork for sustainable economic growth. We look forward to turning these project proposals into tangible investments. As the EU’s financial arm, the EIB stands ready to provide the necessary financial support to make these projects a reality, in line with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy.”

    His Excellency the Minister for Planning and Strategic Investments, Gastão Francisco de Sousa said: “All three projects have the potential to make significant and long-term contributions to Timor-Leste’s development, and to improved rural and urban environments. The projects comply with and support our national development objectives for their respective sectors.” He emphasised the role of the Ministry of Planning and Strategic Investments in facilitating and coordinating efforts across the sectors.

    His Excellency the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry, Marcos da Cruz said: “I would like to thank the EIB, the EU Delegation and COWI for the design of the Timor-Leste Commercial Forestry Project. We welcome this innovative approach to the development of commercial forestry in Timor-Leste, using currently unproductive land. In addition, the project is expected to provide jobs for people living in the target areas, re-green vulnerable areas, increase incomes from forest products, and increase Government’s income.”

    His Excellency the Minister of State Administration, Tomás do Rosário Cabral said: “We are grateful for the European Investment Bank’s support for waste management projects. Providing adequate and affordable waste services to the entire population is of great concern for the Government. It will improve public health and is much needed for protecting the terrestrial and marine environment. Specifically, better healthcare risk waste management is urgently needed. In this respect, the EIB project proposal provides a modern, efficient, and sustainable solution that should be implemented as soon as possible.”

    Background information:

    Project Preparation and Implementation Programme (PPIP) is an EU-funded and EIB-managed project designed to assist the Government of Timor-Leste in the identifying, preparing and implementing projects that are technically sound, financially viable, and environmentally and socially responsible, and are ready for investments. The programme has identified potential projects in the three sectors — water, solid waste management and forestry — by conducting prefeasibility studies for six projects and completing three feasibility studies. Investment projects in forestry and solid waste are now ready for the Government of Timor-Leste to request loan from the EIB and EU grant funding, should they choose to move forward with these initiatives.

    Steering Committee of the Project Preparation and Implementation Programme is chaired by the Ministry for Planning and Strategic Investments. The committee also includes representatives from several key government entities of Timor-Leste, such as by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of State Administration, the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry and Bee Timor-Leste public utility company.

    The European Union (EU) is a unique economic and political union between 27 European countries that cover much of the continent together. In Timor-Leste, the EU is the second largest donor of development aid (grant funding). The EU is committed to supporting Timor-Leste’s 2011-2030 Strategic Development plan, which aims to transform Timor-Leste into an upper-middle-income country by 2030 based on rapid, inclusive growth enabling it to improve infrastructure, worker skills, education, training and health systems, and combat poverty and malnutrition. The EU assistance focuses on green and sustainable economic recovery and development, rural development, good governance for sustainable development and gender equality.

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term financing institution of the European Union owned by its Member States. EIB Global is the EIB’s specialised arm devoted to increasing the impact of international partnerships and development finance outside the European Union. EIB Global is a key partner of the EU Global Gateway strategy, and is designed to foster strong, focused partnerships within Team Europe, alongside fellow development finance institutions and civil society. EIB Global brings the EIB closer to local people, companies and institutions through our offices across the world.

    Global Gateway is the European Union’s strategy to reduce the worldwide investment gap, boost smart, clean and secure connections in the digital, energy and transport sectors, and strengthen health, education and research systems. The Global Gateway strategy embodies a Team Europe approach that brings together the European Union, EU Member States and European development finance institutions. It aims to mobilise up to €300 billion in public and private investments between 2021 and 2027, creating essential links rather than dependencies, and closing the global investment gap.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Impact of Regulation (EU) 2024/573 (on fluorinated greenhouse gases) on European industry – E-002128/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    17.10.2024

    Question for written answer  E-002128/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Isabella Tovaglieri (PfE)

    Annex IV to Regulation (EU) 2024/573 on fluorinated greenhouse gases bans all gases (including HFOs).

    Owing to the sudden need to cut the use of fluorinated gases, many European companies are announcing delays to investments in new heat pump production lines[1] and experiencing slumps in sales of air-conditioning and refrigeration systems[2].

    The development of the new generation of heat pumps and air-conditioning systems is also crucial for the implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.

    Article 35(5) of the Regulation provides that the entry into force of those bans is conditional on a re-evaluation of the technologies available on the market and their effectiveness on the basis of a report to be published by 2030, which implies that there will be six years of deadlock and uncertainty for industry.

    In the light of the above:

    • 1.Given the six-year wait for the report, with a view to giving industry greater regulatory certainty and enabling it to plan, can the Commission provide it with reassurance?
    • 2.In the light of the objectives of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive with regard to the decarbonisation of buildings, should the phasing out of HFOs not be reconsidered?

    Submitted: 17.10.2024

    • [1] https://www.coolingpost.com/world-news/daikin-to-axe-500-jobs-as-heat-pump-demand-falls/#:~:text=BELGIUM%3A%20Daikin%20Europe%20has%20said,before%20the%20end%20of%20December.
    • [2] https://www.ehpa.org/market-data/#:~:text=Heat%20pump%20sales%20fell%20by,seen%20in%20the%20annual%20sales.
    Last updated: 24 October 2024

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