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  • MIL-OSI: NVE Corporation Reports Second-Quarter Results and Announces Quarterly Dividend

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn., Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NVE Corporation (Nasdaq: NVEC) announced today financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2024.

    Total revenue for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 decreased 5% to $6.76 million from $7.13 million for the prior-year quarter. The decrease was due to a 14% decrease in product sales partially offset by a 3,950% increase in contract research and development revenue. Net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 decreased 15% to $4.03 million, or $0.83 per diluted share, compared to $4.72 million, or $0.98 per share, for the prior-year quarter.

    For the first six months of fiscal 2025, total revenue decreased 15% to $13.5 million from $16.0 million for the first six months of the prior year. The decrease was due to a 20% decrease in product sales partially offset by a 457% increase in contract research and development revenue. Net income decreased 11% to $8.12 million, or $1.68 per diluted share, from $9.13 million, or $1.89 per share, for the first half of fiscal 2024.

    The company also announced a quarterly cash dividend to shareholders of $1.00 per share of common stock, payable November 29, 2024, to shareholders of record as of November 4, 2024.

    “We are pleased to report solid earnings for the quarter despite a slow industry recovery,” said NVE President and Chief Executive Officer Daniel A. Baker, Ph.D.

    NVE is a leader in the practical commercialization of spintronics, a nanotechnology that relies on electron spin rather than electron charge to acquire, store, and transmit information. The company manufactures high-performance spintronic products including sensors and couplers that are used to acquire and transmit data.

    Statements used in this press release that relate to future plans, events, financial results, or performance are forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties including, among others, such factors as our reliance on several large customers for a significant percentage of revenue, uncertainties related to the economic environments in the industries we serve, uncertainties related to future sales and revenues, risks and uncertainties related to future dividend payments, as well as the risk factors listed from time to time in our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024.

    ###

    NVE CORPORATION
    STATEMENTS OF INCOME
    QUARTERS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 AND 2023
    (unaudited) 
      Quarter Ended Sept. 30,
      2024   2023
    Revenue
    Product sales $    6,104,433       $   7,117,122  
    Contract research and development   654,257       16,154  
    Total revenue   6,758,690       7,133,276  
    Cost of sales   947,254       1,599,866  
    Gross profit   5,811,436       5,533,410  
    Expenses              
    Research and development   847,603       683,208  
    Selling, general, and administrative   568,241       433,785  
    Recovery of credit losses         (202,926 )
    Total expenses   1,415,844       914,067  
    Income from operations   4,395,592       4,619,343  
    Interest income   464,429       512,092  
    Income before taxes   4,860,021       5,131,435  
    Provision for income taxes   833,876       407,869  
    Net income $ 4,026,145     $ 4,723,566  
    Net income per share – basic $ 0.83     $ 0.98  
    Net income per share – diluted $ 0.83     $ 0.98  
    Cash dividends declared per common share $ 1.00     $ 1.00  
    Weighted average shares outstanding              
    Basic   4,833,855       4,833,401  
    Diluted   4,839,291       4,840,770  
    NVE CORPORATION
    STATEMENTS OF INCOME
    SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 AND 2023
     (unaudited)
      Six Months Ended Sept. 30,
      2024   2023
    Revenue
    Product sales $ 12,720,292       $ 15,817,214  
    Contract research and development   821,642       147,476  
    Total revenue   13,541,934       15,964,690  
    Cost of sales   1,922,748       3,679,489  
    Gross profit   11,619,186       12,285,201  
    Expenses              
    Research and development   1,726,131       1,379,200  
    Selling, general, and administrative   1,108,645       908,900  
    Provision for credit losses         9,514  
    Total expenses   2,834,776       2,297,614  
    Income from operations   8,784,410       9,987,587  
    Interest income   958,388       948,618  
    Income before taxes   4,882,777       10,936,205  
    Provision for income taxes   1,619,066       1,808,909  
    Net income $ 8,123,732     $ 9,127,296  
    Net income per share – basic $ 1.68     $ 1.89  
    Net income per share – diluted $ 1.68     $ 1.89  
    Cash dividends declared per common share $ 2.00     $ 2.00  
    Weighted average shares outstanding              
    Basic   4,833,766       4,832,786  
    Diluted   4,839,145       4,840,688  
    NVE CORPORATION
    BALANCE SHEETS
    SEPTEMBER 30 AND MARCH 31, 2024
     
      Sept. 30, 2024   March 31, 2024
    ASSETS
    Current assets
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,096,179       $ 10,283,550  
    Marketable securities, short-term
    (amortized cost of $20,002,199 as of September 30, 2024, and $12,283,630 as of March 31, 2024)
      19,836,293       11,917,779  
    Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $15,000   2,952,431       3,144,833  
    Inventories   7,417,611       7,158,585  
    Prepaid expenses and other assets   533,233       689,349  
    Total current assets   33,835,747       33,194,096  
    Fixed assets              
    Machinery and equipment    11,626,533       10,501,096  
    Leasehold improvements   1,956,309       1,956,309  
        13,582,842       12,457,405  
    Less accumulated depreciation and amortization    11,560,984       11,403,383  
    Net fixed assets   2,021,858       1,054,022  
    Deferred tax assets   1,518,646       1,453,704  
    Marketable securities, long-term
    (amortized cost of $28,203,595 as of September 30, 2024, and $31,417,890 as of March 31, 2024)
      28,281,803       30,788,301  
    Right-of-use asset – operating lease   219,747       289,910  
    Total assets $  65,877,801     $  66,780,033  
     
    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
    Current liabilities
    Accounts payable $ 170,077     $ 127,154  
    Accrued payroll and other   580,274       729,215  
    Operating lease   181,159       179,372  
    Total current liabilities   931,510       1,035,741  
    Operating lease   88,651       175,775  
    Total liabilities   1,020,161       1,211,516  
                   
    Shareholders’ equity              
    Common stock   48,340       48,337  
    Additional paid-in capital   19,678,425       19,554,812  
    Accumulated other comprehensive income   (68,510 )     (777,637 )
    Retained earnings   45,199,385       46,743,005  
    Total shareholders’ equity   64,857,640       65,568,517  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 65,877,801     $ 66,780,033  

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: American Coastal Insurance Corporation Provides Hurricane Loss Updates and Schedules Release of Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Conference Call

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — American Coastal Insurance Corporation (Nasdaq Ticker: ACIC) (“the Company”, “American Coastal” or “ACIC”) the insurance holding company of American Coastal Insurance Company (“AmCoastal”), announced estimated hurricane losses for the 2024 third and fourth quarters. The Company also expects to release its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024, on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, after the close of the market, and will conduct its quarterly conference call at 5:00 p.m. ET.

    2024 Third Quarter Update:

    The Company estimates net current accident quarter catastrophe losses incurred stemming from Hurricanes Debby and Helene in the third quarter of 2024 to be approximately $3.8 million, net of tax impacts. $2.4 million of this impact from Helene is retained by AmCoastal, with $1.4 million being retained by the Company’s captive reinsurance entity. The Company does not expect losses from Debby or Helene to reach the excess of loss layers of AmCoastal’s reinsurance program and expects to deliver positive net income for the third quarter of 2024.

    2024 Fourth Quarter Update:

    The Company estimates net current accident quarter catastrophe losses incurred stemming from Hurricane Milton in the fourth quarter of 2024 to be approximately $16.2 million, net of tax impacts. $7.9 million of this impact from Milton is retained by AmCoastal, with $8.3 million being retained by the Company’s captive reinsurance entity. The Company also expects to incur approximately $13 million of reinstatement premiums that will be amortized as ceded premiums earned over the remaining eight month coverage period, from October 2024 through May 2025.

    “Hurricanes Helene and Milton were severe storms with devastating impact, and our primary focus is on servicing our policyholders. ACIC’s underwriting discipline and robust reinsurance program serve to protect AmCoastal’s balance sheet and reduce volatility from the active Atlantic hurricane season. We estimate a gross loss between $150 and $200 million from Milton, leaving 100 percent of AmCoastal’s $1.26 billion occurrence based reinsurance tower available for subsequent catastrophe events. With AmCoastal’s reinsurance tower fully intact and a lower $10.3 million retention on potential second and third events, net of tax impacts, the Company remains strongly positioned for the remainder of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, and is expected to remain profitable in the fourth quarter, despite Milton’s impact,” said Brad Martz, President of American Coastal.

    Third Quarter 2024 Conference Call Details:

    The conference call will include live remarks followed by a question and answer (Q&A) session. Interested parties are invited to participate in the conference call and should dial-in 10 minutes before the conference call is scheduled to begin.

    Wednesday, November 6, 2024 – 5:00 p.m. ET

    Participant Dial-In Numbers:

    United States: 877-445-9755
    International: 201-493-6744

    To listen to the conference call via webcast, please visit the Company website and click on the webcast link at the top of the page or click here. The webcast will be archived and accessible for approximately 30 days following the call.

    About American Coastal Insurance Corporation:
    American Coastal Insurance Corporation (amcoastal.com) is the holding company of the insurance carrier, American Coastal Insurance Company, which was founded in 2007 for the purpose of insuring Condominium and Homeowner Association properties, and apartments in the state of Florida. American Coastal Insurance Company has an exclusive partnership for distribution of Condominium Association properties in the state of Florida with AmRisc Group (amriscgroup.com), one of the largest Managing General Agents in the country specializing in hurricane-exposed properties. American Coastal Insurance Company has earned a Financial Stability Rating of “A”, Exceptional’ from Demotech, and maintains an “A-” insurance financial strength rating with a Stable outlook by Kroll. ACIC maintains a ‘BB+’ issuer rating with a Stable outlook by Kroll.

    Contact Information:
    Alexander Baty
    Vice President, Finance & Investor Relations, American Coastal Insurance Corporation
    investorrelations@amcoastal.com
    (727) 425-8076        

    Karin Daly
    Investor Relations, Vice President, The Equity Group
    kdaly@equityny.com
    (212) 836-9623

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: StepStone Group to Announce Second Quarter Fiscal 2025 Results on November 7, 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — StepStone Group Inc. (Nasdaq: STEP) today announced that the Company will release its results for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, after the market closes on Thursday, November 7, 2024. This represents results for the second quarter of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025.

    Webcast and Earnings Conference Call

    Management will host a webcast and conference call on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at 5:00 pm ET to discuss the Company’s results for the second quarter of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025. The webcast will be made available on the Shareholders section of the Company’s website at https://shareholders.stepstonegroup.com. To listen to a live broadcast, go to the site at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time to register. A replay will also be available on the shareholders website approximately two hours after the conclusion of the event.

    To join as a live participant in the question and answer portion of the call, participants must register at https://register.vevent.com/register/BI6beb1f9d540a4ca3965ff36afb3a4ae0. Upon registering you will receive the dial-in number and a PIN to join the call as well as an email confirmation with the details.

    About StepStone

    StepStone Group Inc. (Nasdaq: STEP) is a global private markets investment firm focused on providing customized investment solutions and advisory and data services to its clients. As of June 30, 2024, StepStone was responsible for approximately $701 billion of total capital, including $169 billion of assets under management. StepStone’s clients include some of the world’s largest public and private defined benefit and defined contribution pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and insurance companies, as well as prominent endowments, foundations, family offices and private wealth clients, which include high-net-worth and mass affluent individuals. StepStone partners with its clients to develop and build private markets portfolios designed to meet their specific objectives across the private equity, infrastructure, private debt and real estate asset classes.

    Contacts

    Shareholder Relations:
    Seth Weiss
    shareholders@stepstonegroup.com
    1-212-351-6106

    Media:
    Brian Ruby / Chris Gillick / Matt Lettiero, ICR
    StepStonePR@icrinc.com
    1-203-682-8268

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Amplify Energy Schedules Third Quarter 2024 Earnings Release and Conference Call

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON, Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Amplify Energy Corp. (“Amplify” or the “Company”) (NYSE: AMPY) announced today that it will report third quarter 2024 financial and operating results after the U.S. financial markets close on November 6, 2024. Management will host a conference call at 10:00 a.m. CT on November 7, 2024 to discuss the Company’s results. Interested parties are invited to participate in the conference call by dialing (877) 550-1707 (Conference ID: AEC3Q24) at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call. A replay of the call will be available by phone at (800) 654-1563 (Access Code: 10171254) for a fourteen-day period following the call.

    About Amplify Energy

    Amplify Energy Corp. is an independent oil and natural gas company engaged in the acquisition, development, exploitation and production of oil and natural gas properties. Amplify’s operations are focused in Oklahoma, the Rockies (Bairoil), federal waters offshore Southern California (Beta), East Texas / North Louisiana, and the Eagle Ford (Non-op). For more information, visit www.amplifyenergy.com.

    Investor Relations Contacts

    Jim Frew — SVP & Chief Financial Officer
    (832) 219-9044
    jim.frew@amplifyenergy.com

    Michael Jordan — Director, Finance and Treasurer
    (832) 219-9051
    michael.jordan@amplifyenergy.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Delisting of Securities of Minim, Inc. from The Nasdaq Stock Market

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Nasdaq Stock Market announced today that it will delist the common stock of Minim, Inc. Minim, Inc.’s securities were suspended on July 24, 2024, and have not traded on Nasdaq since that time.

    Nasdaq will file a Form 25 with the Securities and Exchange Commission to complete the delisting. The delisting becomes effective ten days after the Form 25 is filed. For news and additional information about the company, including the basis for the delisting and whether the company’s securities are trading on another venue, please review the company’s public filings or contact the company directly.

    For more information about The Nasdaq Stock Market, visit the Nasdaq Web site at http://www.nasdaq.com. Nasdaq’s rules governing the delisting of securities can be found in the Nasdaq Rule 5800 Series, available on the Nasdaq Web site: https://listingcenter.nasdaq.com/rulebook/nasdaq/rules/nasdaq-5800-series.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: LiveRamp to Discuss Second Quarter Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LiveRamp® (NYSE: RAMP), the leading global data collaboration platform, today announced that its fiscal 2025 second quarter financial results will be released on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 after the financial markets close. A conference call to discuss the results will be held on the same day at 1:30 p.m. PT.

    A live webcast of the conference call can be accessed on the LiveRamp Investor Relations website.

    Additionally, the conference call can be accessed via the telephone by dialing (800) 715-9871 or (646) 307-1963. The conference call ID is 9668872.

    To automatically receive LiveRamp financial news by email, please visit the company’s Investor Relations website and subscribe to email alerts.

    About LiveRamp

    LiveRamp is the data collaboration platform of choice for the world’s most innovative companies. A groundbreaking leader in enterprise identity, LiveRamp offers a connected customer view with clarity and context while protecting brand and consumer trust. We offer flexibility to collaborate wherever data lives to support a wide range of data collaboration use cases—within organizations, between brands, and across our global network of premier partners. Global innovators, from iconic consumer brands and tech platforms to retailers, financial services, and healthcare leaders, turn to LiveRamp to deepen customer engagement and loyalty, activate new partnerships, and maximize the value of their first-party data while staying on the forefront of rapidly evolving compliance and privacy requirements. LiveRamp is based in San Francisco, California with offices worldwide. Learn more at LiveRamp.com.

    For more information, contact:
    Drew Borst
    LiveRamp Investor Relations
    Investor.Relations@LiveRamp.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Logan Ridge Finance Corporation Schedules Third Quarter 2024 Earnings Release and Conference Call

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Logan Ridge Finance Corporation (Nasdaq: LRFC) (“LRFC,” “Logan Ridge” or the “Company”) to release its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024, on Thursday, November 7, 2024, after market close. The Company will host a conference call on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. ET to discuss these results.

    By Phone: To access the call, please dial (646) 307-1963 approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the conference call and use the conference ID 1567736.

    A replay of this conference call will be available shortly after the live call through November 19, 2024.

    By Webcast: A live audio webcast of the conference call can be accessed via the Internet, on a listen-only basis at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/qktrwywh. The online archive of the webcast will be available on the Company’s website shortly after the call at www.loganridgefinance.com in the Investor Resources section under Events and Presentations.

    About Logan Ridge Finance Corporation

    Logan Ridge Finance Corporation (Nasdaq: LRFC) is a publicly traded, externally managed investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Logan Ridge invests primarily in first lien loans and, to a lesser extent, second lien loans and equity securities issued by lower middle market companies. Logan Ridge Finance Corporation is externally managed by Mount Logan Management, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mount Logan Capital Inc. Both Mount Logan Management, LLC and Mount Logan Capital Inc. are affiliates of BC Partners Advisors L.P.

    Logan Ridge’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), earnings releases, press releases and other financial, operational and governance information are available on the Company’s website at loganridgefinance.com.

    Contacts:
    Logan Ridge Finance Corporation
    650 Madison Avenue, 3rd floor
    New York, NY 10022

    Brandon Satoren
    Chief Financial Officer
    Brandon.Satoren@bcpartners.com
    (212) 891-2880

    The Equity Group Inc.
    Lena Cati
    lcati@equityny.com
    (212) 836-9611

    The Equity Group Inc.
    Val Ferraro
    vferraro@equityny.com
    (212) 836-9633

    This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified individual.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Portman Ridge Finance Corporation Schedules Third Quarter 2024 Earnings Release and Conference Call

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Portman Ridge Finance Corporation (Nasdaq: PTMN) (“Portman Ridge” or the “Company”) to release its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024, on Thursday, November 7, 2024, after market close. The Company will host a conference call on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. ET to discuss these results.

    By Phone: To access the call, please dial (646) 307-1963 approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the conference call and use the conference ID 6715408.
       

    A replay of this conference call will be available shortly after the live call through November 19th.

    By Webcast: A live audio webcast of the conference call can be accessed via the Internet, on a listen-only basis at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/ma5zjqpa. The online archive of the webcast will be available on the Company’s website shortly after the call at www.portmanridge.com in the Investor Relations section under Events and Presentations.
       

    About Portman Ridge Finance Corporation

    Portman Ridge Finance Corporation (Nasdaq: PTMN) is a publicly traded, externally managed investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Portman Ridge’s middle market investment business originates, structures, finances and manages a portfolio of term loans, mezzanine investments and selected equity securities in middle market companies. Portman Ridge’s investment activities are managed by its investment adviser, Sierra Crest Investment Management LLC, an affiliate of BC Partners Advisors, LP.

    Portman Ridge’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), earnings releases, press releases and other financial, operational and governance information are available on the Company’s website at www.portmanridge.com

    Contacts:
    Portman Ridge Finance Corporation
    650 Madison Avenue, 3rd floor
    New York, NY 10022
    info@portmanridge.com 

    Brandon Satoren
    Chief Financial Officer
    Brandon.Satoren@bcpartners.com
    (212) 891-2880

    The Equity Group Inc.
    Lena Cati
    lcati@equityny.com
    (212) 836-9611

    The Equity Group Inc.
    Val Ferraro
    vferraro@equityny.com
    (212) 836-9633

    This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified individual.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: QCR Holdings, Inc. Announces Net Income of $27.8 Million for the Third Quarter of 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Third Quarter 2024 Highlights

    • Net income of $27.8 million, or $1.64 per diluted share
    • Adjusted net income of $30.3 million or $1.78 per diluted share (non-GAAP) resulting in an adjusted ROAA (non-GAAP) of 1.35%
    • Significant increase in net interest income of $3.6 million from the prior quarter, or 6%
    • Net interest margin expanded by 8 basis points to 3.34% adjusted NIM (TEY) (non-GAAP)
    • Continued strong capital markets revenue of $16.3 million
    • Tangible book value (non-GAAP) per share grew $2.35, or 20% annualized
    • TCE/TA ratio (non-GAAP) improved 24 basis points to 9.24%

    MOLINE, Ill., Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — QCR Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: QCRH) (the “Company”) today announced quarterly net income of $27.8 million and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) of $1.64 for the third quarter of 2024, compared to net income of $29.1 million and diluted EPS of $1.72 for the second quarter of 2024.

    Adjusted net income (non-GAAP) and adjusted diluted EPS (non-GAAP) for the third quarter of 2024 were $30.3 million and $1.78, respectively. For the second quarter of 2024, adjusted net income (non-GAAP) was $29.3 million and adjusted diluted EPS (non-GAAP) was $1.73. For the third quarter of 2023, adjusted net income (non-GAAP) was $25.4 million, and adjusted diluted EPS (non-GAAP) was $1.51.

      For the Quarter Ended  
      September 30, June 30, September 30,  
    $ in millions (except per share data) 2024 2024 2023  
    Net Income $ 27.8 $ 29.1 $ 25.1  
    Diluted EPS $ 1.64 $ 1.72 $ 1.49  
    Adjusted Net Income (non-GAAP)* $ 30.3 $ 29.3 $ 25.4  
    Adjusted Diluted EPS (non-GAAP)* $ 1.78 $ 1.73 $ 1.51  
     

    *Adjusted non-GAAP measurements of financial performance exclude non-core and/or nonrecurring income and expense items that management believes are not reflective of the anticipated future operation of the Company’s business. The Company believes these adjusted measurements provide a better comparison for analysis and may provide a better indicator of future performance. See GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliations.

    “We produced exceptional third quarter results, highlighted by our significant growth in net interest income and margin expansion. We also had another quarter of strong capital markets and wealth management revenue,” said Larry J. Helling, Chief Executive Officer. “In addition, we grew core deposits, maintained our excellent asset quality, and significantly increased our tangible book value per share.”

    Net Interest Income Grew 6% and Net Interest Margin Expanded 8 Basis Points

    Net interest income for the third quarter of 2024 totaled $59.7 million, an increase of $3.6 million from the second quarter of 2024, driven by strong growth in loans and investments combined with margin expansion. Loan yields increased and funding costs were stable. Loan discount accretion was $463 thousand during the third quarter of 2024, an increase of $195 thousand from the prior quarter.

    Net interest margin (“NIM”) was 2.90% and NIM on a tax-equivalent yield (“TEY”) basis (non-GAAP) was 3.37% for the third quarter, as compared to 2.82% and 3.27% for the prior quarter, respectively. Adjusted NIM TEY (non-GAAP) of 3.34% for the third quarter of 2024, represented an increase of 8 basis points from 3.26% for the second quarter of 2024.  

    “Our adjusted NIM, on a tax equivalent yield basis (non-GAAP), expanded by 8 basis points from the second quarter to 3.34% and exceeded the upper end of our guidance range,” said Todd A. Gipple, President and Chief Financial Officer. “We are very pleased with another quarter of NIM expansion. Looking ahead, we anticipate continued growth in net interest income and are guiding to further fourth quarter adjusted NIM TEY (non-GAAP) expansion in a range of between 2 to 7 basis points.”

    Strong Noninterest Income Including $16.3 Million of Capital Markets Revenue

    Noninterest income for the third quarter of 2024 totaled $27.2 million, a decrease from $30.9 million in the second quarter of 2024. The Company delivered $16.3 million of capital markets revenue in the quarter compared to $17.8 million in the prior quarter. Capital markets revenue was impacted by a $473 thousand loss from the execution of our third securitization during the quarter, a more modest loss than our prior guidance. Wealth management revenue was $4.5 million for the quarter, a 17% annualized increase from the second quarter. Additionally, the Company recorded $2.2 million of income from bank-owned life insurance policy proceeds in the second quarter of 2024 which did not recur during the third quarter of 2024.

    “Our capital markets business delivered strong results driven by the swap fees from our low-income housing tax credit (“LIHTC”) lending program. The demand for affordable housing remains strong, which supports the sustainability of our LIHTC lending program,” added Mr. Gipple. “Our LIHTC lending pipelines, and the associated capital markets revenue remain robust. Additionally, our wealth management business continues to grow from new client additions and increased assets under management as we expand our market share.”

    During the third quarter, the Company executed a derivative strategy with a notional value of $410 million. These derivatives are designed to safeguard the Company’s regulatory capital ratios against the adverse effects of a significant decline in long-term interest rates. These derivatives are unhedged and are marked-to-market, with gains or losses recorded in noninterest income and reflected as a non-core item. For the quarter, the Company recorded a $414 thousand loss on these derivatives.

    Well Controlled Noninterest Expenses of $53.6 Million Impacted by m2 Equipment Finance Decision

    Noninterest expense for the third quarter of 2024 totaled $53.6 million, compared to $49.9 million for the second quarter and $51.1 million for the third quarter of 2023. The linked-quarter increase was primarily due to the previously announced one-time restructuring and goodwill impairment charges related to the decision to discontinue offering new loans and leases at m2 Equipment Finance, LLC (“m2”).  

    “Our core expenses, excluding m2 one-time charges, were $51.2 million, an increase of $1.3 million, and within our guidance range of $49 to $52 million,” said Mr. Gipple. The linked quarter increase in core expenses for the quarter was primarily driven by higher incentive compensation and advertising expenses. Year-to-date core noninterest expenses remain well controlled, having increased only 2% annually. Excluding the one-time charges and other non-core items, the Company’s adjusted efficiency ratio (non-GAAP) was 58.5% in the third quarter.

    Strong Core Deposit Growth

    During the third quarter of 2024, the Company generated strong deposit growth with core deposits increasing by $166.3 million, or 10.3% annualized, to $6.6 billion. “Year-to-date, core deposits have increased by $398.3 million, which is an annualized growth rate of 8.5%. This is a result of our dedication to expanding market share and building new relationships in our markets,” added Mr. Helling.

    Continued Loan Growth

    During the third quarter of 2024, the Company’s total loans and leases held for investment increased by $53.5 million to $6.7 billion. At quarter end, the Company held $165.9 million of LIHTC loans held for sale in anticipation of the Company’s next loan securitization.

    “Our year-to-date total loan growth excluding the impact of the loans securitized during the third quarter, is 10.5% annualized which was just above our guidance range. Year-to-date loan growth, net of loans securitized, was 5.8% annualized”, added Mr. Helling. “With the continued strength of our markets and healthy pipeline, we are maintaining our loan growth target for the full year 2024 of 8% to 10%, prior to the loan securitizations closed in the third quarter and planned for in the fourth quarter.”  

    Asset Quality Remains Excellent

    The Company’s nonperforming assets (“NPAs”) to total assets ratio was 0.39% on September 30, 2024, unchanged from the prior quarter. NPAs totaled $35.7 million at the end of the third quarter of 2024, a $1.2 million increase from the prior quarter.

    The Company’s total criticized loans, a leading indicator of asset quality, declined by $15.3 million on a linked-quarter basis, and the ratio of criticized loans to total loans and leases as of September 30, 2024, improved to 2.20%, as compared to 2.41% as of June 30, 2024. This marks the fourth consecutive quarter of improvement, resulting in a $50 million reduction in total criticized balances.

    The Company recorded a total provision for credit losses of $3.5 million during the quarter, representing a decline of $2.0 million from the prior quarter. The reduction in the provision for credit losses during the quarter was primarily due to overall credit quality improvements. Net charge-offs were $3.4 million during the third quarter of 2024, an increase of $1.8 million from the prior quarter. The increase in net charge offs primarily resulted from loans and leases at m2. The allowance for credit losses to total loans held for investment decreased to 1.30% from 1.33% as of the prior quarter.

    Continued Strong Capital Levels and Outstanding Tangible Book Value Expansion

    As of September 30, 2024, the Company’s tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio (“TCE”) (non-GAAP) increased to 9.24%. The improvement in TCE was driven by strong earnings and an increase in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”). The total risk-based capital ratio decreased to 13.87% and the common equity tier 1 ratio decreased to 9.79% due to sizable loan and investment growth partially offset by strong earnings. By comparison, these ratios were 9.00%, 14.21%, and 9.92%, respectively, as of June 30, 2024. The Company remains focused on growing its regulatory capital and targeting TCE (non-GAAP) in the top quartile of its peer group.

    The Company’s tangible book value per share (non-GAAP) increased significantly by $2.35, or 20% annualized, during the third quarter of 2024. AOCI increased $12.1 million during the third quarter primarily due to declining interest rates. Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP) has grown by $5.19 year-to-date, for an annualized growth rate of nearly 16%. The combination of strong earnings, a modest dividend, and improved AOCI contributed to the improvement in tangible book value per share (non-GAAP).

    Conference Call Details
    The Company will host an earnings call/webcast tomorrow, October 24, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Central Time. Dial-in information for the call is toll-free: 888-346-9286 (international 412-317-5253). Participants should request to join the QCR Holdings, Inc. call. The event will be available for replay through October 31, 2024. The replay access information is 877-344-7529 (international 412-317-0088); access code 4892655. A webcast of the teleconference can be accessed on the Company’s News and Events page at www.qcrh.com. An archived version of the webcast will be available at the same location shortly after the live event has ended.

    About Us
    QCR Holdings, Inc., headquartered in Moline, Illinois, is a relationship-driven, multi-bank holding company serving the Quad Cities, Cedar Rapids, Cedar Valley, Des Moines/Ankeny and Springfield communities through its wholly owned subsidiary banks. The banks provide full-service commercial and consumer banking and trust and wealth management services. Quad City Bank & Trust Company, based in Bettendorf, Iowa, commenced operations in 1994, Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust Company, based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, commenced operations in 2001, Community State Bank, based in Ankeny, Iowa, was acquired by the Company in 2016, Springfield First Community Bank, based in Springfield, Missouri, was acquired by the Company in 2018, and Guaranty Bank, also based in Springfield, Missouri, was acquired by the Company and merged with Springfield First Community Bank in 2022, with the combined entity operating under the Guaranty Bank name. Additionally, the Company serves the Waterloo/Cedar Falls, Iowa community through Community Bank & Trust, a division of Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust Company. The Company has 36 locations in Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin and Illinois. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had $9.1 billion in assets, $6.8 billion in loans and $7.0 billion in deposits. For additional information, please visit the Company’s website at www.qcrh.com.

    Special Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements. This document contains, and future oral and written statements of the Company and its management may contain, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business of the Company. Forward-looking statements, which may be based upon beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the Company’s management and on information currently available to management, are generally identifiable by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “bode”, “predict,” “suggest,” “project”, “appear,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” ”annualize,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “likely,” “might,” “potential,” “continue,” “annualized,” “target,” “outlook,” as well as the negative forms of those words, or other similar expressions. Additionally, all statements in this document, including forward-looking statements, speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any statement in light of new information or future events.  

    A number of factors, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict, could cause actual results to differ materially from those in its forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others, the following: (i) the strength of the local, state, national and international economies (including effects of inflationary pressures and supply chain constraints); (ii) the economic impact of any future terrorist threats and attacks, widespread disease or pandemics, acts of war or other threats thereof (including the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the Russian invasion of Ukraine), or other adverse external events that could cause economic deterioration or instability in credit markets, and the response of the local, state and national governments to any such adverse external events; (iii) changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by state and federal regulatory agencies, the Financial Accounting Standards Board or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board; (iv) changes in local, state and federal laws, regulations and governmental policies concerning the Company’s general business, including as a result of the upcoming 2024 presidential election or any changes in response to failures of other banks; (vi) increased competition in the financial services sector, including from non-bank competitors such as credit unions and “fintech” companies, and the inability to attract new customers; (vii) changes in technology and the ability to develop and maintain secure and reliable electronic systems; (viii) unexpected results of acquisitions, which may include failure to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions and the possibility that transaction costs may be greater than anticipated; (ix) the loss of key executives or employees; (x) changes in consumer spending; (xi) unexpected outcomes of existing or new litigation involving the Company; (xii) the economic impact of exceptional weather occurrences such as tornadoes, floods and blizzards; (xiii) fluctuations in the value of securities held in our securities portfolio; (xiv) concentrations within our loan portfolio, large loans to certain borrowers, and large deposits from certain clients; (xv) the concentration of large deposits from certain clients who have balances above current Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits and may withdraw deposits to diversity their exposure; (xvi) the level of non-performing assets on our balance sheets; (xvii) interruptions involving our information technology and communications systems or third-party servicers; (xviii) breaches or failures of our information security controls or cybersecurity-related incidents, (xix) changes in the interest rates and prepayment rates of the Company’s assets, and (xx) the ability of the Company to manage the risks associated with the foregoing as well as anticipated. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Additional information concerning the Company and its business, including additional factors that could materially affect the Company’s financial results, is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    Contact:
    Todd A. Gipple                                
    President                                
    Chief Financial Officer                        
    (309) 743-7745                                
    tgipple@qcrh.com

       
    QCR Holding, Inc.
    Consolidated Financial Highlights
    (Unaudited) 
     
       
                 
      As of  
      September 30, June 30, March 31, December 31, September 30,
      2024 2024 2024 2023 2023  
                 
      (dollars in thousands)  
                 
    CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET            
                 
    Cash and due from banks $ 103,840   $ 92,173   $ 80,988   $ 97,123   $ 104,265    
    Federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits   159,159     102,262     77,020     140,369     80,650    
    Securities, net of allowance for credit losses   1,146,046     1,033,199     1,031,861     1,005,528     896,394    
    Loans receivable held for sale (1)   167,047     246,124     275,344     2,594     278,893    
    Loans/leases receivable held for investment   6,661,755     6,608,262     6,372,992     6,540,822     6,327,414    
    Allowance for credit losses   (86,321 )   (87,706 )   (84,470 )   (87,200 )   (87,669 )  
    Intangibles   11,751     12,441     13,131     13,821     14,537    
    Goodwill   138,596     139,027     139,027     139,027     139,027    
    Derivatives   261,913     194,354     183,888     188,978     291,295    
    Other assets   524,779     531,855     509,768     497,832     495,251    
    Total assets $ 9,088,565   $ 8,871,991   $ 8,599,549   $ 8,538,894   $ 8,540,057    
                 
    Total deposits $ 6,984,633   $ 6,764,667   $ 6,806,775   $ 6,514,005   $ 6,494,852    
    Total borrowings   660,344     768,671     489,633     718,295     712,126    
    Derivatives   285,769     221,798     211,677     214,098     320,220    
    Other liabilities   181,199     180,536     184,122     205,900     184,476    
    Total stockholders’ equity   976,620     936,319     907,342     886,596     828,383    
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 9,088,565   $ 8,871,991   $ 8,599,549   $ 8,538,894   $ 8,540,057    
                 
    ANALYSIS OF LOAN PORTFOLIO            
    Loan/lease mix: (2)            
    Commercial and industrial – revolving $ 387,409   $ 362,115   $ 326,129   $ 325,243   $ 299,588    
    Commercial and industrial – other   1,321,053     1,370,561     1,374,333     1,390,068     1,381,967    
    Commercial and industrial – other – LIHTC   89,028     92,637     96,276     91,710     105,601    
    Total commercial and industrial   1,797,490     1,825,313     1,796,738     1,807,021     1,787,156    
    Commercial real estate, owner occupied   622,072     633,596     621,069     607,365     610,618    
    Commercial real estate, non-owner occupied   1,103,694     1,082,457     1,055,089     1,008,892     955,552    
    Construction and land development   342,335     331,454     410,918     477,424     472,695    
    Construction and land development – LIHTC   913,841     750,894     738,609     943,101     921,359    
    Multi-family   324,090     329,239     296,245     284,721     282,541    
    Multi-family – LIHTC   973,682     1,148,244     1,007,321     711,422     874,439    
    Direct financing leases   19,241     25,808     28,089     31,164     34,401    
    1-4 family real estate   587,512     583,542     563,358     544,971     539,931    
    Consumer   144,845     143,839     130,900     127,335     127,615    
    Total loans/leases $ 6,828,802   $ 6,854,386   $ 6,648,336   $ 6,543,416   $ 6,606,307    
    Less allowance for credit losses   86,321     87,706     84,470     87,200     87,669    
    Net loans/leases $ 6,742,481   $ 6,766,680   $ 6,563,866   $ 6,456,216   $ 6,518,638    
                 
    ANALYSIS OF SECURITIES PORTFOLIO            
    Securities mix:            
    U.S. government sponsored agency securities $ 18,621   $ 20,101   $ 14,442   $ 14,973   $ 16,002    
    Municipal securities   965,810     885,046     884,469     853,645     764,017    
    Residential mortgage-backed and related securities   53,488     54,708     56,071     59,196     57,946    
    Asset backed securities   10,455     12,721     14,285     15,423     16,326    
    Other securities   39,190     38,464     40,539     41,115     43,272    
    Trading securities (3)   58,685     22,362     22,258     22,368        
    Total securities $ 1,146,249   $ 1,033,402   $ 1,032,064   $ 1,006,720   $ 897,563    
    Less allowance for credit losses   203     203     203     1,192     1,169    
    Net securities $ 1,146,046   $ 1,033,199   $ 1,031,861   $ 1,005,528   $ 896,394    
                 
    ANALYSIS OF DEPOSITS            
    Deposit mix:            
    Noninterest-bearing demand deposits $ 969,348   $ 956,445   $ 955,167   $ 1,038,689   $ 1,027,791    
    Interest-bearing demand deposits   4,715,087     4,644,918     4,714,555     4,338,390     4,416,725    
    Time deposits   942,847     859,593     875,491     851,950     788,692    
    Brokered deposits   357,351     303,711     261,562     284,976     261,644    
    Total deposits $ 6,984,633   $ 6,764,667   $ 6,806,775   $ 6,514,005   $ 6,494,852    
                 
    ANALYSIS OF BORROWINGS            
    Borrowings mix:            
    Term FHLB advances $ 145,383   $ 135,000   $ 135,000   $ 135,000   $ 135,000    
    Overnight FHLB advances   230,000     350,000     70,000     300,000     295,000    
    Other short-term borrowings   2,750     1,600     2,700     1,500     470    
    Subordinated notes   233,383     233,276     233,170     233,064     232,958    
    Junior subordinated debentures   48,828     48,795     48,763     48,731     48,698    
    Total borrowings $ 660,344   $ 768,671   $ 489,633   $ 718,295   $ 712,126    
                 
    (1) Loans with a fair value of $165.9 million, $243.2 million, $274.8 million and $278.0 million have been identified for securitization and are included in LHFS at September 30, 2024, June 30, 2024, March 31, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively.
    (2) Loan categories with significant LIHTC loan balances have been broken out separately. Total LIHTC balances within the loan/lease portfolio were $2.0 billion at September 30, 2024.   
    (3) Trading securities consisted of retained beneficial interests acquired in conjunction with Freddie Mac securitizations completed by the Company.  
                 
       
    QCR Holding, Inc.
    Consolidated Financial Highlights
    (Unaudited) 
     
       
                     
          For the Quarter Ended  
          September 30, June 30, March 31, December 31, September 30,  
          2024 2024 2024 2023 2023  
                     
          (dollars in thousands, except per share data)  
                     
    INCOME STATEMENT              
    Interest income   $ 125,420   $ 119,746 $ 115,049   $ 112,248   $ 108,568    
    Interest expense     65,698     63,583   60,350     56,512     53,313    
    Net interest income     59,722     56,163   54,699     55,736     55,255    
    Provision for credit losses     3,484     5,496   2,969     5,199     3,806    
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses   $ 56,238   $ 50,667 $ 51,730   $ 50,537   $ 51,449    
                     
                     
    Trust fees     $ 3,270   $ 3,103 $ 3,199   $ 3,084   $ 2,863    
    Investment advisory and management fees     1,229     1,214   1,101     1,052     947    
    Deposit service fees     2,294     1,986   2,022     2,008     2,107    
    Gains on sales of residential real estate loans, net     385     540   382     323     476    
    Gains on sales of government guaranteed portions of loans, net         12   24     24        
    Capital markets revenue     16,290     17,758   16,457     36,956     15,596    
    Earnings on bank-owned life insurance     814     2,964   868     832     1,807    
    Debit card fees     1,575     1,571   1,466     1,561     1,584    
    Correspondent banking fees     507     510   512     465     450    
    Loan related fee income     949     962   836     845     800    
    Fair value gain (loss) on derivatives and trading securities     (886 )   51   (163 )   (582 )   (336 )  
    Other       730     218   154     1,161     299    
    Total noninterest income   $ 27,157   $ 30,889 $ 26,858   $ 47,729   $ 26,593    
                     
                     
    Salaries and employee benefits   $ 31,637   $ 31,079 $ 31,860   $ 41,059   $ 32,098    
    Occupancy and equipment expense     6,168     6,377   6,514     6,789     6,228    
    Professional and data processing fees     4,457     4,823   4,613     4,223     4,456    
    Restructuring expense     1,954                  
    FDIC insurance, other insurance and regulatory fees     1,711     1,854   1,945     2,115     1,721    
    Loan/lease expense     587     151   378     834     826    
    Net cost of (income from) and gains/losses on operations of other real estate     (42 )   28   (30 )   38     3    
    Advertising and marketing     2,124     1,565   1,483     1,641     1,429    
    Communication and data connectivity     333     318   401     449     478    
    Supplies       278     259   275     333     335    
    Bank service charges     603     622   568     761     605    
    Correspondent banking expense     325     363   305     300     232    
    Intangibles amortization     690     690   690     716     691    
    Goodwill impairment     432                  
    Payment card processing     785     706   646     836     733    
    Trust expense     395     379   425     413     432    
    Other       1,128     674   617     431     814    
    Total noninterest expense   $ 53,565   $ 49,888 $ 50,690   $ 60,938   $ 51,081    
                     
    Net income before income taxes   $ 29,830   $ 31,668 $ 27,898   $ 37,328   $ 26,961    
    Federal and state income tax expense     2,045     2,554   1,172     4,473     1,840    
    Net income     $ 27,785   $ 29,114 $ 26,726   $ 32,855   $ 25,121    
                     
    Basic EPS   $ 1.65   $ 1.73 $ 1.59   $ 1.96   $ 1.50    
    Diluted EPS   $ 1.64   $ 1.72 $ 1.58   $ 1.95   $ 1.49    
                     
                     
    Weighted average common shares outstanding     16,846,200     16,814,814   16,783,348     16,734,080     16,717,303    
    Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding     16,982,400     16,921,854   16,910,675     16,875,952     16,847,951    
                     
       
    QCR Holding, Inc.
    Consolidated Financial Highlights
    (Unaudited) 
     
       
                 
          For the Nine Months Ended  
          September 30,   September 30,  
          2024   2023  
                 
          (dollars in thousands, except per share data)  
                 
    INCOME STATEMENT          
    Interest income   $ 360,215     $ 301,162    
    Interest expense     189,631       135,892    
    Net interest income     170,584       165,270    
    Provision for credit losses     11,949       11,340    
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses   $ 158,635     $ 153,930    
                 
                 
    Trust fees     $ 9,572     $ 8,613    
    Investment advisory and management fees     3,544       2,812    
    Deposit service fees     6,302       6,169    
    Gains on sales of residential real estate loans, net     1,307       1,288    
    Gains on sales of government guaranteed portions of loans, net     36       30    
    Capital markets revenue     50,505       55,109    
    Securities losses, net           (451 )  
    Earnings on bank-owned life insurance     4,646       3,352    
    Debit card fees     4,612       4,639    
    Correspondent banking fees     1,529       1,197    
    Loan related fee income     2,747       2,221    
    Fair value loss on derivatives and trading securities     (998 )     (680 )  
    Other       1,102       656    
    Total noninterest income   $ 84,904     $ 84,955    
                 
                 
    Salaries and employee benefits   $ 94,576     $ 95,560    
    Occupancy and equipment expense     19,059       18,242    
    Professional and data processing fees     13,893       12,048    
    Post-acquisition compensation, transition and integration costs           207    
    Restructuring expense     1,954          
    FDIC insurance, other insurance and regulatory fees     5,510       5,022    
    Loan/lease expense     1,116       2,034    
    Net cost of (income from) and gains/losses on operations of other real estate       (44 )     (64 )  
    Advertising and marketing     5,172       4,401    
    Communication and data connectivity     1,052       1,614    
    Supplies       812       921    
    Bank service charges     1,793       1,831    
    Correspondent banking expense     993       663    
    Intangibles amortization     2,070       2,222    
    Goodwill impairment     432          
    Payment card processing     2,137       1,820    
    Trust expense     1,199       983    
    Other       2,419       2,089    
    Total noninterest expense   $ 154,143     $ 149,593    
                 
    Net income before income taxes   $ 89,396     $ 89,292    
    Federal and state income tax expense     5,771       8,589    
    Net income     $ 83,625     $ 80,703    
                 
    Basic EPS   $ 4.97     $ 4.82    
    Diluted EPS   $ 4.94     $ 4.79    
                 
                 
    Weighted average common shares outstanding     16,814,787       16,731,847    
    Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding   16,938,309       16,863,203    
                 
       
    QCR Holding, Inc.
    Consolidated Financial Highlights
    (Unaudited) 
     
       
                       
      As of and for the Quarter Ended   For the Nine Months Ended  
      September 30, June 30, March 31, December 31, September 30,
      September 30, September 30,  
      2024 2024 2024 2023 2023   2024 2023  
                       
      (dollars in thousands, except per share data)  
                       
    COMMON SHARE DATA                  
    Common shares outstanding   16,861,108     16,824,985     16,807,056     16,749,254     16,731,646          
    Book value per common share (1) $ 57.92   $ 55.65   $ 53.99   $ 52.93   $ 49.51          
    Tangible book value per common share (Non-GAAP) (2) $ 49.00   $ 46.65   $ 44.93   $ 43.81   $ 40.33          
    Closing stock price $ 74.03   $ 60.00   $ 60.74   $ 58.39   $ 48.52          
    Market capitalization $ 1,248,228   $ 1,009,499   $ 1,020,861   $ 977,989   $ 811,819          
    Market price / book value   127.81 %   107.82 %   112.51 %   100.31 %   98.00 %        
    Market price / tangible book value   151.07 %   128.62 %   135.18 %   133.29 %   120.30 %        
    Earnings per common share (basic) LTM (3) $ 6.93   $ 6.78   $ 6.75   $ 6.78   $ 6.65          
    Price earnings ratio LTM (3) 10.68 x 8.85 x 9.00 x 8.61 x 7.30 x        
    TCE / TA (Non-GAAP) (4)   9.24 %   9.00 %   8.94 %   8.75 %   8.05 %        
                       
                       
    CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
    Beginning balance $ 936,319   $ 907,342   $ 886,596   $ 828,383   $ 822,689          
    Net income   27,785     29,114     26,726     32,855     25,121          
    Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax   12,057     (368 )   (5,373 )   25,363     (19,415 )        
    Common stock cash dividends declared   (1,012 )   (1,008 )   (1,008 )   (1,004 )   (1,003 )        
    Other (5)   1,471     1,239     401     999     991          
    Ending balance $ 976,620   $ 936,319   $ 907,342   $ 886,596   $ 828,383          
                       
                       
    REGULATORY CAPITAL RATIOS (6):                  
    Total risk-based capital ratio   13.87 %   14.21 %   14.30 %   14.29 %   14.48 %        
    Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio   10.33 %   10.49 %   10.50 %   10.27 %   10.30 %        
    Tier 1 leverage capital ratio   10.50 %   10.40 %   10.33 %   10.03 %   9.92 %        
    Common equity tier 1 ratio   9.79 %   9.92 %   9.91 %   9.67 %   9.68 %        
                       
                       
    KEY PERFORMANCE RATIOS AND OTHER METRICS                  
    Return on average assets (annualized)   1.24 %   1.33 %   1.25 %   1.54 %   1.21 %     1.27 %   1.34 %  
    Return on average total equity (annualized)   11.55 %   12.63 %   11.83 %   15.42 %   11.99 %     12.00 %   13.18 %  
    Net interest margin   2.90 %   2.82 %   2.82 %   2.90 %   2.89 %     2.85 %   3.00 %  
    Net interest margin (TEY) (Non-GAAP)(7)   3.37 %   3.27 %   3.25 %   3.32 %   3.31 %     3.30 %   3.37 %  
    Efficiency ratio (Non-GAAP) (8)   61.65 %   57.31 %   62.15 %   58.90 %   62.41 %     60.33 %   59.78 %  
    Gross loans/leases held for investment / total assets   73.30 %   74.48 %   74.11 %   76.60 %   74.09 %     73.30 %   77.36 %  
    Gross loans/leases held for investment / total deposits   95.38 %   97.69 %   93.63 %   100.41 %   97.42 %     95.38 %   101.72 %  
    Effective tax rate   6.86 %   8.06 %   4.20 %   11.98 %   6.82 %     6.46 %   9.62 %  
    Full-time equivalent employees   976     988     986     996     987       976     987    
                       
                       
    AVERAGE BALANCES                  
    Assets $ 8,968,653   $ 8,776,002   $ 8,550,855   $ 8,535,732   $ 8,287,813     $ 8,765,913   $ 8,041,141    
    Loans/leases   6,840,527     6,779,075     6,598,614     6,483,572     6,476,512       6,739,773     6,288,343    
    Deposits   6,858,196     6,687,188     6,595,453     6,485,154     6,342,339       6,714,251     6,272,083    
    Total stockholders’ equity   962,302     921,986     903,371     852,163     837,734       929,341     816,591    
                       
                       
                       
    (1) Includes accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).            
    (2) Includes accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and excludes intangible assets. See GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliations.    
    (3) LTM : Last twelve months.             
    (4) TCE / TCA : tangible common equity / total tangible assets. See GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliations.         
    (5) Includes mostly common stock issued for options exercised and the employee stock purchase plan, as well as stock-based compensation.    
    (6) Ratios for the current quarter are subject to change upon final calculation for regulatory filings due after earnings release.        
    (7) TEY : Tax equivalent yield. See GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliations.           
    (8) See GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliations.              
                       
       
    QCR Holding, Inc.
    Consolidated Financial Highlights
    (Unaudited) 
     
       
                               
                               
    ANALYSIS OF NET INTEREST INCOME AND MARGIN                        
                               
        For the Quarter Ended  
        September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   September 30, 2023  
        Average
    Balance
    Interest
    Earned or
    Paid
    Average
    Yield or Cost
      Average
    Balance
    Interest
    Earned or
    Paid
    Average
    Yield or Cost
      Average
    Balance
    Interest
    Earned or
    Paid
    Average
    Yield or Cost
     
                               
        (dollars in thousands)  
                               
    Fed funds sold   $ 12,596 $ 173 5.37 %   $ 13,065 $ 183 5.54 %   $ 21,526 $ 284 5.23 %  
    Interest-bearing deposits at financial institutions   145,597   1,915 5.23 %     80,998   1,139 5.66 %     86,807   1,205 5.51 %  
    Investment securities – taxable   381,285   4,439 4.64 %     377,747   4,286 4.53 %     344,657   3,788 4.38 %  
    Investment securities – nontaxable (1)   760,645   10,744 5.65 %     704,761   9,462 5.37 %     600,693   6,974 4.64 %  
    Restricted investment securities   42,546   840 7.73 %     43,398   869 7.92 %     43,590   659 5.91 %  
    Loans (1)     6,840,527   116,854 6.80 %     6,779,075   112,719 6.69 %     6,476,512   103,428 6.34 %  
    Total earning assets (1) $ 8,183,196 $ 134,965 6.56 %   $ 7,999,044 $ 128,658 6.46 %   $ 7,573,785 $ 116,338 6.10 %  
                               
    Interest-bearing deposits $ 4,739,757 $ 42,180 3.54 %   $ 4,649,625 $ 40,924 3.54 %   $ 4,264,208 $ 33,563 3.12 %  
    Time deposits     1,164,560   13,206 4.51 %     1,091,870   12,128 4.47 %     999,488   10,003 3.97 %  
    Short-term borrowings   2,485   32 5.07 %     1,622   21 5.18 %     1,514   20 5.28 %  
    Federal Home Loan Bank advances   445,632   5,972 5.24 %     464,231   6,238 5.32 %     425,870   5,724 5.26 %  
    Subordinated debentures   233,313   3,616 6.20 %     233,207   3,582 6.14 %     232,890   3,307 5.68 %  
    Junior subordinated debentures   48,806   693 5.56 %     48,774   688 5.58 %     48,678   695 5.59 %  
    Total interest-bearing liabilities $ 6,634,553 $ 65,699 3.93 %   $ 6,489,329 $ 63,581 3.93 %   $ 5,972,648 $ 53,312 3.54 %  
                               
    Net interest income (1)   $ 69,266       $ 65,077       $ 63,026    
    Net interest margin (2)     2.90 %       2.82 %       2.89 %  
    Net interest margin (TEY) (Non-GAAP) (1) (2) (3)     3.37 %       3.27 %       3.31 %  
    Adjusted net interest margin (TEY) (Non-GAAP) (1) (2) (3)     3.34 %       3.26 %       3.28 %  
                               
                               
        For the Nine Months Ended          
        September 30, 2024   September 30, 2023      
        Average Balance Interest Earned or Paid Average Yield or Cost   Average Balance Interest Earned or Paid Average Yield or Cost          
                               
        (dollars in thousands)          
                               
    Fed funds sold   $ 15,196 $ 625 5.40 %   $ 19,267 $ 741 5.14 %          
    Interest-bearing deposits at financial institutions   106,195   4,254 5.35 %     83,783   3,151 5.03 %          
    Investment securities – taxable   377,538   12,986 4.57 %     340,140   10,847 4.24 %          
    Investment securities – nontaxable (1)   717,284   29,557 5.50 %     599,070   19,892 4.43 %          
    Restricted investment securities   41,348   2,383 7.57 %     38,817   1,677 5.70 %          
    Loans (1)     6,739,773   337,244 6.68 %     6,288,343   285,136 6.06 %          
    Total earning assets (1) $ 7,997,334 $ 387,049 6.46 %   $ 7,369,420 $ 321,444 5.83 %          
                               
    Interest-bearing deposits $ 4,639,937 $ 122,207 3.52 %   $ 4,099,789 $ 84,565 2.76 %          
    Time deposits     1,121,508   37,679 4.49 %     1,020,421   27,225 3.57 %          
    Short-term borrowings   1,846   76 5.47 %     3,588   152 5.66 %          
    Federal Home Loan Bank advances   421,782   16,948 5.28 %     311,740   11,898 5.03 %          
    Subordinated debentures   233,207   10,678 6.10 %     232,784   9,922 5.68 %          
    Junior subordinated debentures   48,774   2,074 5.59 %     48,646   2,129 5.77 %          
    Total interest-bearing liabilities $ 6,467,054 $ 189,662 3.91 %   $ 5,716,968 $ 135,891 3.17 %          
                               
    Net interest income (1)   $ 197,387       $ 185,553            
    Net interest margin (2)     2.85 %       3.00 %          
    Net interest margin (TEY) (Non-GAAP) (1) (2) (3)     3.30 %       3.37 %          
    Adjusted net interest margin (TEY) (Non-GAAP) (1) (2) (3)     3.28 %       3.34 %          
                               
                               
    (1) Includes nontaxable securities and loans. Interest earned and yields on nontaxable securities and loans are determined on a tax equivalent basis using a 21% effective federal tax rate.  
    (2) See “Select Financial Data – Subsidiaries” for a breakdown of amortization/accretion included in net interest margin for each period presented.     
    (3) TEY : Tax equivalent yield. See GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliations.            
                               
       
    QCR Holding, Inc.
    Consolidated Financial Highlights
    (Unaudited) 
     
       
                 
                 
      As of  
      September 30, June 30, March 31, December 31, September 30,
      2024 2024 2024 2023 2023  
                 
      (dollars in thousands, except per share data)  
                 
    ROLLFORWARD OF ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES ON LOANS/LEASES            
    Beginning balance $ 87,706   $ 84,470   $ 87,200   $ 87,669   $ 85,797    
    Change in ACL for transfer of loans to LHFS   (1,812 )   498     (3,377 )   266     175    
    Credit loss expense   3,828     4,343     3,736     2,519     3,260    
    Loans/leases charged off   (3,871 )   (1,751 )   (3,560 )   (3,354 )   (1,816 )  
    Recoveries on loans/leases previously charged off   470     146     471     100     253    
    Ending balance $ 86,321   $ 87,706   $ 84,470   $ 87,200   $ 87,669    
                 
                 
    NONPERFORMING ASSETS            
    Nonaccrual loans/leases $ 33,480   $ 33,546   $ 29,439   $ 32,753   $ 34,568    
    Accruing loans/leases past due 90 days or more   1,298     87     142     86        
    Total nonperforming loans/leases   34,778     33,633     29,581     32,839     34,568    
    Other real estate owned   369     369     784     1,347     120    
    Other repossessed assets   542     512     962            
    Total nonperforming assets $ 35,689   $ 34,514   $ 31,327   $ 34,186   $ 34,688    
                 
                 
    ASSET QUALITY RATIOS            
    Nonperforming assets / total assets   0.39 %   0.39 %   0.36 %   0.40 %   0.41 %  
    ACL for loans and leases / total loans/leases held for investment   1.30 %   1.33 %   1.33 %   1.33 %   1.39 %  
    ACL for loans and leases / nonperforming loans/leases   248.21 %   260.77 %   285.55 %   265.54 %   253.61 %  
    Net charge-offs as a % of average loans/leases   0.05 %   0.02 %   0.05 %   0.05 %   0.02 %  
                 
                 
                 
    INTERNALLY ASSIGNED RISK RATING (1) (2)            
    Special mention $ 80,121   $ 85,096   $ 111,729   $ 125,308   $ 128,052    
    Substandard (3)   70,022     80,345     70,841     70,425     72,550    
    Doubtful (3)                      
        Total Criticized loans (4) $ 150,143   $ 165,441   $ 182,570   $ 195,733   $ 200,602    
                 
    Classified loans as a % of total loans/leases (3)   1.03 %   1.17 %   1.07 %   1.08 %   1.10 %  
    Total Criticized loans as a % of total loans/leases (4)   2.20 %   2.41 %   2.75 %   2.99 %   3.04 %  
                 
                 
                 
                 
    (1) During the first quarter of 2024, the Company revised the risk rating scale used for credit quality monitoring.  
    (2) Amounts exclude the government guaranteed portion, if any. The Company assigns internal risk ratings of Pass for the government guaranteed portion.  
    (3) Classified loans are defined as loans with internally assigned risk ratings of 10 or 11 (7 or 8 prior to January 1, 2024), regardless of performance, and include loans identified as Substandard or Doubtful.  
    (4) Total Criticized loans are defined as loans with internally assigned risk ratings of 9, 10, or 11 (6, 7, or 8 prior to January 1, 2024), regardless of performance, and include loans identified as Special Mention, Substandard, or Doubtful.  
                 
       
    QCR Holding, Inc.
    Consolidated Financial Highlights
    (Unaudited)
     
       
                             
                             
          For the Quarter Ended For the Nine Months Ended  
          September 30,   June 30,   September 30,   September 30,   September 30,  
      SELECT FINANCIAL DATA – SUBSIDIARIES   2024   2024   2023   2024   2023  
          (dollars in thousands)  
                             
      TOTAL ASSETS                      
      Quad City Bank and Trust (1)   $ 2,552,962     $ 2,559,049     $ 2,433,084            
      m2 Equipment Finance, LLC     349,166       359,012       336,180            
      Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust     2,625,943       2,428,267       2,442,263            
      Community State Bank     1,519,585       1,531,109       1,417,250            
      Guaranty Bank     2,360,301       2,369,754       2,242,638            
                             
      TOTAL DEPOSITS                      
      Quad City Bank and Trust (1)   $ 2,205,465     $ 2,100,520     $ 1,973,989            
      Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust     1,765,964       1,721,564       1,722,905            
      Community State Bank     1,269,147       1,188,551       1,132,724            
      Guaranty Bank     1,778,453       1,791,448       1,722,861            
                             
      TOTAL LOANS & LEASES                      
      Quad City Bank and Trust (1)   $ 2,090,856     $ 2,107,605     $ 2,005,770            
      m2 Equipment Finance, LLC     353,259       363,897       341,041            
      Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust     1,743,809       1,736,438       1,750,986            
      Community State Bank     1,161,805       1,162,686       1,098,479            
      Guaranty Bank     1,832,331       1,847,658       1,751,072            
                             
      TOTAL LOANS & LEASES / TOTAL DEPOSITS                      
      Quad City Bank and Trust (1)     95 %     100 %     102 %          
      Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust     99 %     101 %     102 %          
      Community State Bank     92 %     98 %     97 %          
      Guaranty Bank     103 %     103 %     102 %          
                             
                             
      TOTAL LOANS & LEASES / TOTAL ASSETS                      
      Quad City Bank and Trust (1)     82 %     82 %     82 %          
      Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust     66 %     72 %     72 %          
      Community State Bank     76 %     76 %     78 %          
      Guaranty Bank     78 %     78 %     78 %          
                             
      ACL ON LOANS/LEASES HELD FOR INVESTMENT AS A PERCENTAGE OF LOANS/LEASES HELD FOR INVESTMENT                      
      Quad City Bank and Trust (1)     1.49 %     1.49 %     1.50 %          
      m2 Equipment Finance, LLC     4.11 %     3.86 %     3.52 %          
      Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust     1.38 %     1.44 %     1.47 %          
      Community State Bank     1.06 %     1.14 %     1.28 %          
      Guaranty Bank     1.14 %     1.16 %     1.24 %          
                             
      RETURN ON AVERAGE ASSETS                      
      Quad City Bank and Trust (1)     0.76 %     0.88 %     0.97 %     0.81 %     1.00 %  
      Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust     2.52 %     2.94 %     2.28 %     2.84 %     2.95 %  
      Community State Bank     1.46 %     1.26 %     1.38 %     1.33 %     1.43 %  
      Guaranty Bank     1.28 %     1.42 %     1.23 %     1.20 %     1.07 %  
                             
      NET INTEREST MARGIN PERCENTAGE (2)                      
      Quad City Bank and Trust (1)     3.50 %     3.39 %     3.37 %     3.40 %     3.36 %  
      Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust     3.88 %     3.75 %     3.78 %     3.80 %     3.83 %  
      Community State Bank     3.76 %     3.72 %     3.88 %     3.74 %     3.92 %  
      Guaranty Bank (3)     3.12 %     2.99 %     3.06 %     3.03 %     3.22 %  
                             
      ACQUISITION-RELATED AMORTIZATION/ACCRETION INCLUDED IN NET                  
      INTEREST MARGIN, NET                      
      Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust   $     $     $     $     $ (8 )  
      Community State Bank     (1 )     (1 )     (1 )     (3 )     69    
      Guaranty Bank     496       301       572       1,194       1,537    
      QCR Holdings, Inc. (4)     (32 )     (32 )     (32 )     (97 )     (97 )  
                             
    (1 ) Quad City Bank and Trust amounts include m2 Equipment Finance, LLC, as this entity is wholly-owned and consolidated with the Bank. m2 Equipment Finance, LLC is also presented separately for certain (applicable) measurements.  
    (2 ) Includes nontaxable securities and loans. Interest earned and yields on nontaxable securities and loans are determined on a tax equivalent basis using a 21% effective federal tax rate.      
    (3 ) Guaranty Bank’s net interest margin percentage includes various purchase accounting adjustments. Excluding those adjustments, net interest margin (Non-GAAP) would have been 2.94% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, 2.86% for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 and 2.97% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023.        
    (4 ) Relates to the trust preferred securities acquired as part of the Guaranty Bank acquisition in 2017 and the Community National Bank acquisition in 2013.      
                             
     
    QCR Holding, Inc.
    Consolidated Financial Highlights
    (Unaudited) 
     
                           
        As of
        September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,   September 30,  
    GAAP TO NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS   2024   2024   2024   2023   2023  
        (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
    TANGIBLE COMMON EQUITY TO TANGIBLE ASSETS RATIO (1)                      
                           
    Stockholders’ equity (GAAP)   $ 976,620     $ 936,319     $ 907,342     $ 886,596     $ 828,383    
    Less: Intangible assets     150,347       151,468       152,158       152,848       153,564    
    Tangible common equity (non-GAAP)   $ 826,273     $ 784,851     $ 755,184     $ 733,748     $ 674,819    
                           
    Total assets (GAAP)   $ 9,088,565     $ 8,871,991     $ 8,599,549     $ 8,538,894     $ 8,540,057    
    Less: Intangible assets     150,347       151,468       152,158       152,848       153,564    
    Tangible assets (non-GAAP)   $ 8,938,218     $ 8,720,523     $ 8,447,391     $ 8,386,046     $ 8,386,493    
                           
    Tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio (non-GAAP)   9.24 %     9.00 %     8.94 %     8.75 %     8.05 %  
                           
                           
                           
    (1) This ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure. The Company’s management believes that this measurement is important to many investors in the marketplace who are interested in changes period-to-period in common equity. In compliance with applicable rules of the SEC, this non-GAAP measure is reconciled to stockholders’ equity and total assets, which are the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.  
                           
       
    QCR Holding, Inc.
    Consolidated Financial Highlights
    (Unaudited)
     
       
                                   
    GAAP TO NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS   For the Quarter Ended   For the Nine Months Ended  
        September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,   September 30,   September 30,   September 30,  
    ADJUSTED NET INCOME (1)   2024   2024   2024   2023   2023   2024   2023  
        (dollars in thousands, except per share data)  
                                   
    Net income (GAAP)   $ 27,785     $ 29,114     $ 26,726     $ 32,855     $ 25,121     $ 83,625     $ 80,703    
                                   
    Less non-core items (post-tax) (2):                              
    Income:                              
    Securities gains (losses), net                                         (356 )  
    Fair value gain (loss) on derivatives, net     (542 )     (145 )     (144 )     (460 )     (265 )     (830 )     (537 )  
    Total non-core income (non-GAAP)   $ (542 )   $ (145 )   $ (144 )   $ (460 )   $ (265 )   $ (830 )   $ (893 )  
                                   
    Expense:                              
    Goodwill impairment     432                               432          
    Post-acquisition compensation, transition and integration costs                                         164    
    Restructuring expense     1,544                               1,544        
    Total non-core expense (non-GAAP)   $ 1,976     $     $     $     $     $ 1,976     $ 164    
                                   
    Adjusted net income (non-GAAP) (1)   $ 30,303     $ 29,259     $ 26,870     $ 33,315     $ 25,386     $ 86,431     $ 81,760    
                                   
    ADJUSTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (1)                              
                                   
    Adjusted net income (non-GAAP) (from above)   $ 30,303     $ 29,259     $ 26,870     $ 33,315     $ 25,386     $ 86,431     $ 81,760    
                                   
    Weighted average common shares outstanding     16,846,200       16,814,814       16,783,348       16,734,080       16,717,303       16,814,787       16,731,847    
    Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding     16,982,400       16,921,854       16,910,675       16,875,952       16,847,951       16,938,309       16,863,203    
                                   
    Adjusted earnings per common share (non-GAAP):                              
    Basic   $ 1.80     $ 1.74     $ 1.60     $ 1.99     $ 1.52     $ 5.14     $ 4.89    
    Diluted   $ 1.78     $ 1.73     $ 1.59     $ 1.97     $ 1.51     $ 5.10     $ 4.85    
                                   
    ADJUSTED RETURN ON AVERAGE ASSETS AND AVERAGE EQUITY (1)                              
                                   
    Adjusted net income (non-GAAP) (from above)   $ 30,303     $ 29,259     $ 26,870     $ 33,315     $ 25,386     $ 86,431     $ 81,760    
                                   
    Average Assets   $ 8,968,653     $ 8,776,002     $ 8,550,855     $ 8,535,732     $ 8,287,813     $ 8,765,913     $ 8,041,141    
                                   
    Adjusted return on average assets (annualized) (non-GAAP)     1.35 %     1.33 %     1.26 %     1.56 %     1.23 %     1.31 %     1.36 %  
    Adjusted return on average equity (annualized) (non-GAAP)     12.60 %     12.69 %     11.90 %     15.64 %     12.12 %     12.40 %     13.35 %  
                                   
    NET INTEREST MARGIN (TEY) (3)                              
                                   
    Net interest income (GAAP)   $ 59,722     $ 56,163     $ 54,699     $ 55,736     $ 55,255     $ 170,584     $ 165,270    
    Plus: Tax equivalent adjustment (4)     9,544       8,914       8,377       7,954       7,771       26,803       20,283    
    Net interest income – tax equivalent (Non-GAAP)   $ 69,266     $ 65,077     $ 63,076     $ 63,690     $ 63,026     $ 197,387     $ 185,553    
    Less: Acquisition accounting net accretion     463       268       363       673       539       1,094       1,501    
    Adjusted net interest income   $ 68,803     $ 64,809     $ 62,713     $ 63,017     $ 62,487     $ 196,293     $ 184,052    
                                   
    Average earning assets   $ 8,183,196     $ 7,999,044     $ 7,807,720     $ 7,631,035     $ 7,573,785     $ 7,997,334     $ 7,369,420    
                                   
    Net interest margin (GAAP)     2.90 %     2.82 %     2.82 %     2.90 %     2.89 %     2.85 %     3.00 %  
    Net interest margin (TEY) (Non-GAAP)     3.37 %     3.27 %     3.25 %     3.32 %     3.31 %     3.30 %     3.37 %  
    Adjusted net interest margin (TEY) (Non-GAAP)     3.34 %     3.26 %     3.24 %     3.29 %     3.28 %     3.28 %     3.34 %  
                                   
    EFFICIENCY RATIO (5)                              
                                   
    Noninterest expense (GAAP)   $ 53,565     $ 49,888     $ 50,690     $ 60,938     $ 51,081     $ 154,143     $ 149,593    
                                   
    Net interest income (GAAP)   $ 59,722     $ 56,163     $ 54,699     $ 55,736     $ 55,255     $ 170,584     $ 165,270    
    Noninterest income (GAAP)     27,157       30,889       26,858       47,729       26,593       84,904       84,955    
    Total income   $ 86,879     $ 87,052     $ 81,557     $ 103,465     $ 81,848     $ 255,488     $ 250,225    
                                   
    Efficiency ratio (noninterest expense/total income) (Non-GAAP)     61.65 %     57.31 %     62.15 %     58.90 %     62.41 %     60.33 %     59.78 %  
    Adjusted efficiency ratio (core noninterest expense/core total income) (Non-GAAP)     58.45 %     57.19 %     62.01 %     58.57 %     62.15 %     59.16 %     59.43 %  
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                   
    (1) Adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per common share, adjusted return on average assets and average equity are non-GAAP financial measures. The Company’s management believes that these measurements are important to investors as they exclude non-core or non-recurring income and expense items, therefore, they provide a more realistic run-rate for future periods. 
    In compliance with applicable rules of the SEC, these non-GAAP measures are reconciled to net income, which is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.
     
    (2) Non-core or non-recurring items (post-tax) are calculated using an estimated effective federal tax rate of 21% with the exception of goodwill impairment which is not deductible for tax.    
    (3) Interest earned and yields on nontaxable securities and loans are determined on a tax equivalent basis using a 21% effective federal tax rate.        
    (4) Net interest margin (TEY) is a non-GAAP financial measure. The Company’s management utilizes this measurement to take into account the tax benefit associated with certain loans and securities. It is also standard industry practice to measure net interest margin using tax-equivalent measures. In compliance with applicable rules of the SEC, this non-GAAP measure is reconciled to net interest income, which is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. In addition, the Company calculates net interest margin without the impact of acquisition accounting net accretion as this can fluctuate and it’s difficult to provide a more realistic run-rate for future periods.          
    (5) Efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP measure. The Company’s management utilizes this ratio to compare to industry peers. The ratio is used to calculate overhead as a percentage of revenue.  
    In compliance with the applicable rules of the SEC, this non-GAAP measure is reconciled to noninterest expense, net interest income and noninterest income, which are the most  directly comparable GAAP financial measures.
     
       
       
                    

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Western New England Bancorp, Inc. Reports Results for Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WESTFIELD, Mass., Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Western New England Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company” or “WNEB”) (NasdaqGS: WNEB), the holding company for Westfield Bank (the “Bank”), announced today the unaudited results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024. For the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company reported net income of $1.9 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, compared to net income of $4.5 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2023. On a linked quarter basis, net income was $1.9 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $3.5 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2024. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, net income was $8.4 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, compared to net income of $12.6 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

    The Company also announced that the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.07 per share on the Company’s common stock. The dividend will be payable on or about November 21, 2024 to shareholders of record on November 7, 2024.

    James C. Hagan, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We believe our Company continues to be well positioned with strong capital and access to various liquidity sources. Our financial performance has been largely impacted by the unprecedented interest rate cycle and higher funding costs in response to the sustained increase in interest rates over the last 18-24 months. While it remains unclear whether the recent decrease in interest rates represents an end to this trend, the balance sheet is positioned to benefit from this decrease and the challenge will begin to subside as our liabilities begin to reprice lower. As we continue to manage the balance sheet in this uncertain interest rate environment, we remain focused on expense management initiatives to mitigate top line pressures and improve efficiencies over the Company’s long-term. The Company also continues to focus on our core business to grow loans and deposits as well as retention of our customers. Total deposits increased $80.5 million, or 3.8%, and total loans increased $21.7 million, or 1.1%, from year-end. Our asset quality remains strong, with nonperforming loans to total loans of 0.24% at September 30, 2024.”

    Hagan concluded, “The Company is considered to be well-capitalized as defined by the regulators and we remain disciplined in our capital management strategies. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we repurchased 714,282 shares of the Company’s common stock at an average price per share of $7.61. We continue to believe that buying back shares represents a prudent use of the Company’s capital and we are pleased to be able to continue to return value to shareholders through share repurchases. Although the banking environment has been challenged, our capital management strategies have been critical to sustaining growth in book value per share, which increased $0.44, or 4.0%, while tangible book value per share increased $0.43, or 4.2%, to $10.73. The management team remains focused and well positioned to serve our community and to enhance shareholder value over the long term.”

    Key Highlights:

    Loans and Deposits

    At September 30, 2024, total loans were $2.0 billion and increased $21.7 million, or 1.1%, from December 31, 2023. The increase in total loans was due to an increase in commercial real estate loans of $3.0 million, or 0.3%, an increase in residential real estate loans, including home equity loans, of $26.4 million, or 3.7%, partially offset by a decrease in commercial and industrial loans of $7.0 million, or 3.2%.

    At September 30, 2024, total deposits were $2.2 billion and increased $80.5 million, or 3.8%, from December 31, 2023. Core deposits, which the Company defines as all deposits except time deposits, decreased $8.3 million, or 0.5%, from $1.5 billion, or 71.5% of total deposits, at December 31, 2023, to $1.5 billion, or 68.5% of total deposits at September 30, 2024. Time deposits increased $88.8 million, or 14.5%, from $611.4 million at December 31, 2023 to $700.2 million at September 30, 2024. Brokered time deposits, which are included in time deposits, totaled $1.7 million at September 30, 2024 and at December 31, 2023. The loan-to-deposit ratio decreased from 94.6% at December 31, 2023 to 92.1% at September 30, 2024.

    Liquidity

    The Company’s liquidity position remains strong with solid core deposit relationships, cash, unencumbered securities, a diversified deposit base and access to diversified borrowing sources. At September 30, 2024, the Company had $1.1 billion in immediately available liquidity, compared to $615.0 million in uninsured deposits, or 27.7% of total deposits, representing a coverage ratio of 183%. Uninsured deposits of the Bank’s customers are eligible for FDIC pass-through insurance if the customer opens an IntraFi Insured Cash Sweep (“ICS”) account or a reciprocal time deposit through the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry System (“CDARS”). IntraFi allows for up to $250.0 million per customer of pass-through FDIC insurance, which would more than cover each of the Bank’s deposit customers if such customer desired to have such pass-through insurance.

    Allowance for Loan Losses and Credit Quality

    At September 30, 2024, the allowance for credit losses was $20.0 million, or 0.97% of total loans and 409.5% of nonperforming loans, compared to $20.3 million, or 1.00% of total loans and 315.6% of nonperforming loans at December 31, 2023. At September 30, 2024, nonperforming loans totaled $4.9 million, or 0.24% of total loans, compared to $6.4 million, or 0.32% of total loans, at December 31, 2023. Total delinquent loans decreased $1.7 million, or 28.3%, from $6.0 million, or 0.30% of total loans, at December 31, 2023 to $4.3 million, or 0.21% of total loans, at September 30, 2024. At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company did not have any other real estate owned.

    Net Interest Margin

    The net interest margin was 2.40% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 2.42% for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The net interest margin, on a tax-equivalent basis, was 2.42% for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 2.44% for the three months ended June 30, 2024.

    Stock Repurchase Program

    On June 10, 2024, the Company announced the completion of its previously authorized stock repurchase plan (the “2022 Plan”) pursuant to which the Company was authorized to repurchase up to 1.1 million shares, or approximately 5% of its outstanding common stock, as of the date the 2022 Plan was adopted. On May 22, 2024, the Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase plan (the “2024 Plan”) under which the Company may repurchase up to 1.0 million shares, or approximately 4.6%, of the Company’s then-outstanding shares of common stock.

    During the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company repurchased 244,441 shares of common stock under the 2024 Plan, with an average price per share of $8.18. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company repurchased 714,282 shares of common stock with an average price per share of $7.61. As of September 30, 2024, there were 692,318 shares of common stock available for repurchase under the 2024 Plan.

    The repurchase of shares under the stock repurchase program is administered through an independent broker. The shares of common stock repurchased under the 2024 Plan have been and will continue to be purchased from time to time at prevailing market prices, through open market or privately negotiated transactions, or otherwise, depending upon market conditions. There is no guarantee as to the exact number, or value, of shares that will be repurchased by the Company, and the Company may discontinue repurchases at any time that the Company’s management (“Management”) determines additional repurchases are not warranted. The timing and amount of additional share repurchases under the 2024 Plan will depend on a number of factors, including the Company’s stock price performance, ongoing capital planning considerations, general market conditions, and applicable legal requirements.

    Book Value and Tangible Book Value

    The Company’s book value per share was $11.40 at September 30, 2024 compared to $10.96 at December 31, 2023, while tangible book value per share, a non-GAAP financial measure, increased $0.43, or 4.2%, from $10.30 at December 31, 2023 to $10.73 at September 30, 2024. See pages 19-21 for the related tangible book value calculation and a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures.

    Net Income for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared to the Three Months Ended June 30, 2024

    The Company reported net income of $1.9 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to net income of $3.5 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2024. Net interest income increased $258,000, or 1.8%, the provision for credit losses increased $1.2 million, non-interest income decreased $693,000, or 18.1%, and non-interest expense increased $92,000, or 0.6%. Return on average assets and return on average equity were 0.29% and 3.19%, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 0.55% and 6.03%, respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2024.

    Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

    On a sequential quarter basis, net interest income, our primary driver of revenues, increased $258,000, or 1.8%, to $14.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from $14.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The increase in net interest income was primarily due to an increase in interest income of $1.0 million, or 3.9%, partially offset by an increase in interest expense of $780,000, or 6.3%.

    The net interest margin was 2.40% for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 2.42% for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The net interest margin, on a tax-equivalent basis, was 2.42% for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 2.44% for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The decrease in the net interest margin was primarily due to an increase in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities, which was partially offset by an increase in the average yield on interest-earning assets. During the three months ended September 30, 2024 and the three months ended June 30, 2024, the Company had a fair value hedge which contributed to an increase in the net interest margin of seven basis points. Excluding the interest income attributed to the fair value hedge, the net interest margin was 2.33% and 2.35%, for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and the three months ended June 30, 2024, respectively. The fair value hedge is scheduled to mature in October of 2024.

    The average yield on interest-earning assets, without the impact of tax-equivalent adjustments, was 4.54% for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 4.49% for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The average loan yield, without the impact of tax-equivalent adjustments, was 4.90% for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 4.85% for the three months ended June 30, 2024. During the three months ended September 30, 2024, average interest-earning assets increased $40.6 million, or 1.7% to $2.4 billion, primarily due to an increase in average loans of $21.5 million, or 1.1%, an increase in average short-term investments, consisting of cash and cash equivalents, $17.7 million, or 123.6%, and an increase in average other investments of $1.6 million, or 11.0%.

    The average cost of total funds, including non-interest bearing accounts and borrowings, increased eight basis points from 2.16% for the three months ended June 30, 2024 to 2.24% for the three months ended September 30, 2024. The average cost of core deposits, which the Company defines as all deposits except time deposits, increased six basis points to 0.93% for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from 0.87% for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The average cost of time deposits increased five basis points from 4.39% for the three months ended June 30, 2024 to 4.44% for the three months ended September 30, 2024. The average cost of borrowings, including subordinated debt, increased five basis points from 5.00% for the three months ended June 30, 2024 to 5.05% for the three months ended September 30, 2024. Average demand deposits, an interest-free source of funds, increased $10.4 million, or 1.9%, from $548.8 million, or 25.7% of total average deposits, for the three months ended June 30, 2024, to $559.2 million, or 25.7% of total average deposits, for the three months ended September 30, 2024.

    Provision for (Reversal of) Credit Losses

    During the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $941,000, compared to a reversal for credit losses of $294,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2024. The provision for credit losses includes a provision for credit losses on loans of $609,000 and a reserve on unfunded loan commitments of $332,000. The increase in the provision for credit losses on loans was due to changes in the economic environment and related adjustments to the quantitative components of the CECL methodology as well as growth in the loan portfolio. The provision for credit losses was determined by a number of factors: the continued strong credit performance of the Company’s loan portfolio, changes in the loan portfolio mix and Management’s consideration of existing economic conditions and the economic outlook from the Federal Reserve’s actions to control inflation. The increase in reserves on unfunded loan commitments was due to an increase in commercial real estate unfunded loan commitments of $33.5 million, or 20.7%, from $161.8 million at June 30, 2024 to $195.3 million at September 30, 2024. Management continues to monitor macroeconomic variables related to increasing interest rates, inflation and the concerns of an economic downturn, and believes it is appropriately reserved for the current economic environment.

    During the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recorded net charge-offs of $98,000, compared to net charge-offs of $10,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2024.

    Non-Interest Income

    On a sequential quarter basis, non-interest income decreased $693,000, or 18.1%, to $3.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from $3.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024. Service charges and fees on deposits were $2.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and the three months ended June 30, 2024. Income from bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”) decreased $32,000, or 6.4%, from the three months ended June 30, 2024 to $470,000, for the three months ended September 30, 2024. During the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company reported $74,000 in other income from loan-level swap fees on commercial loans and did not have comparable income during the three months ended June 30, 2024. During the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company sold $20.1 million in fixed rate residential loans to the secondary market and reported income from mortgage banking activities of $246,000 and did not have comparable income during the three months ended June 30, 2024. During the three months ended September 30, 2024 and the three months ended June 30, 2024, the Company reported unrealized gains on marketable equity securities of $10,000 and $4,000, respectively. During the three months ended June 30, 2024, the Company reported a gain on non-marketable equity investments of $987,000 and did not have comparable gains or losses from non-marketable equity investments during the three months ended September 30, 2024.

    Non-Interest Expense

    For the three months ended September 30, 2024, non-interest expense increased $92,000, or 0.6%, to $14.4 million from $14.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024. Salaries and employee benefits increased $211,000, or 2.7%, to $8.1 million, software expenses increased $46,000, or 8.1%, data processing expense increased $23,000, or 2.7%, FDIC insurance expense increased $15,000, or 4.6%, and debit card and ATM processing fees increased $6,000, or 0.9%. During the same period, these increases were partially offset by a decrease in professional fees of $41,000, or 7.1%, a decrease in advertising expense of $68,000, or 20.1%, a decrease in occupancy expense of $1,000, or 0.1%, and a decrease in other non-interest expense of $99,000, or 7.0%.

    For the three months ended September 30, 2024, the efficiency ratio was 80.6%, compared to 78.2% for the three months ended June 30, 2024. For the three months ended September 30, 2024, the adjusted efficiency ratio, a non-GAAP financial measure, was 80.7% compared to 82.7% for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The increases in the efficiency ratio and the adjusted efficiency ratio were driven by lower revenues, defined as the sum of net interest income and non-interest income, during the three months ended September 30, 2024. See pages 19-21 for the related adjusted efficiency ratio calculation and a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures.

    Income Tax Provision

    Income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was $618,000, or an effective tax rate of 24.5%, compared to $771,000, or an effective tax rate of 18.0%, for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The increase in the effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was driven by the Company’s projections of pre-tax income for the year ending December 31, 2024.

    Net Income for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023.

    The Company reported net income of $1.9 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to net income of $4.5 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Net interest income decreased $1.7 million, or 10.1%, provision for credit losses increased $587,000, non-interest income decreased $471,000, or 13.0%, and non-interest expense increased $288,000, or 2.0%, during the same period. Return on average assets and return on average equity were 0.29% and 3.19%, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 0.70% and 7.60%, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2023.

    Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

    Net interest income decreased $1.7 million, or 10.1%, to $14.7 million, for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from $16.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in net interest income was due to an increase in interest expense of $3.6 million, or 37.8%, partially offset by an increase in interest and dividend income of $1.9 million, or 7.5%. Interest expense on deposits increased $3.5 million, or 44.9%, and interest expense on borrowings increased $133,000, or 7.3%. The increase in interest expense was a result of competitive pricing on deposits due to the continued higher interest rate environment and the unfavorable shift in the deposit mix from low cost core deposits to high cost time deposits.

    The net interest margin was 2.40% for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 2.70% for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The net interest margin, on a tax-equivalent basis, was 2.42% for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 2.72% for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in the net interest margin was primarily due to an increase in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities and the unfavorable shift in the deposit mix from low cost core deposits to high cost time deposits, which was partially offset by an increase in the average yield on interest-earning assets. During the three months ended September 30, 2024 and the three months ended September 30, 2023, the Company had a fair value hedge which contributed to an increase in the net interest margin of seven basis points. Excluding the interest income from the fair value hedge, the net interest margin was 2.33% and 2.64%, for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and three months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. The fair value hedge is scheduled to mature in October of 2024.

    The average yield on interest-earning assets, without the impact of tax-equivalent adjustments, was 4.54% for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 4.28% for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The average loan yield, without the impact of tax-equivalent adjustments, was 4.90% for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 4.64% for the three months ended September 30, 2023. During the three months ended September 30, 2024, average interest-earning assets increased $38.2 million, or 1.6% to $2.4 billion, primarily due to an increase in average loans of $31.3 million, or 1.6%, an increase in average short-term investments, consisting of cash and cash equivalents, of $9.7 million, or 43.4%, an increase in average other investments of $3.7 million, or 30.8%, partially offset by a decrease in average securities of $6.5 million, or 1.8%.

    The average cost of total funds, including non-interest bearing accounts and borrowings, increased 60 basis points from 1.64% for the three months ended September 30, 2023 to 2.24% for the three months ended September 30, 2024. The average cost of core deposits, which the Company defines as all deposits except time deposits, increased 23 basis points to 0.93% for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from 0.70% for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The average cost of time deposits increased 98 basis points from 3.46% for the three months ended September 30, 2023 to 4.44% for the three months ended September 30, 2024. The average cost of borrowings, including subordinated debt, increased 24 basis points from 4.81% for the three months ended September 30, 2023 to 5.05% for the three months ended September 30, 2024. Average demand deposits, an interest-free source of funds, decreased $32.7 million, or 5.5%, from $591.9 million, or 27.5% of total average deposits, for the three months ended September 30, 2023, to $559.2 million, or 25.7% of total average deposits, for the three months ended September 30, 2024.

    Provision for Credit Losses

    During the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $941,000, compared to a provision for credit losses of $354,000, during the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the loan portfolio, specifically unfunded commercial real estate loan commitments, as well as changes in the economic environment and related adjustments to the quantitative components of the CECL methodology. The provision for credit losses was determined by a number of factors: the continued strong credit performance of the Company’s loan portfolio, changes in the loan portfolio mix and Management’s consideration of existing economic conditions and the economic outlook from the Federal Reserve’s actions to control inflation. Management continues to monitor macroeconomic variables related to increasing interest rates, inflation and the concerns of an economic downturn, and believes it is appropriately reserved for the current economic environment.

    The Company recorded net charge-offs of $98,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2024, as compared to net charge-offs of $78,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2023.

    Non-Interest Income

    Non-interest income decreased $471,000, or 13.0%, from $3.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 to $3.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024. Service charges and fees on deposits increased $196,000, or 9.1%, and income from BOLI increased $16,000, or 3.5%, from the three months ended September 30, 2023 to the three months ended September 30, 2024. During the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company reported $74,000 in other income from loan-level swap fees on commercial loans and did not have comparable income during the three months ended September 30, 2023. During the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company reported income of $246,000 in mortgage banking activities due to the sale of fixed rate residential loans and did not have comparable income during the three months ended September 30, 2023. During the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company reported $10,000 in unrealized gains of marketable equity securities and did not have comparable income during the three months ended September 30, 2023. During the three months ended September 30, 2023, the Company reported a gain on non-marketable equity investments of $238,000 and did not have comparable non-interest income during the three months ended September 30, 2024. During the three months ended September 30, 2023, non-interest income included a non-taxable gain of $778,000 on BOLI death benefits. The Company did not have comparable income during the three months ended September 30, 2024. During the three months ended September 30, 2023, the Company reported a loss on the sales of premises and equipment of $3,000 and did not have comparable expense during the three months ended September 30, 2024.

    Non-Interest Expense

    For the three months ended September 30, 2024, non-interest expense increased $288,000, or 2.0%, to $14.4 million from $14.1 million, for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Salaries and employee benefits increased $157,000, or 2.0%, to $8.1 million, debit card and ATM processing fees increased $87,000, or 15.5%, software expenses increased $83,000, or 15.7%, occupancy expense increased $58,000, or 5.0%, data processing expense increased $45,000, or 5.5%, other non-interest income increased $54,000, or 4.3%, and furniture and equipment related expenses increased $1,000, or 0.2%. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in professional fees of $103,000, or 16.0%, a decrease in advertising expense of $91,000, or 25.1%, and a decrease in FDIC insurance expense of $3,000, or 0.9%.

    For the three months ended September 30, 2024, the efficiency ratio was 80.6%, compared to 70.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2023. For the three months ended September 30, 2024, the adjusted efficiency ratio, a non-GAAP financial measure, was 80.7% compared to 74.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increases in the efficiency ratio and the non-GAAP adjusted efficiency ratio were driven by lower revenues during the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023. See pages 19-21 for the related adjusted efficiency ratio calculation and a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures.

    Income Tax Provision

    Income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was $618,000, or an effective tax rate of 24.5%, compared to $1.0 million, or an effective tax rate of 18.7%, for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2023 included $778,000 in non-taxable BOLI death benefits.

    Net Income for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023

    For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company reported net income of $8.4 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, compared to $12.6 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Return on average assets and return on average equity were 0.44% and 4.74% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, compared to 0.66% and 7.19% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively.

    Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

    During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, net interest income decreased $7.2 million, or 13.9%, to $44.5 million, compared to $51.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in net interest income was due to an increase in interest expense of $14.1 million, or 62.3%, partially offset by an increase in interest and dividend income of $6.9 million, or 9.3%. The $14.1 million increase in interest expense was primarily due to an increase of $12.9 million, or 72.3%, in interest expense on deposits as a result of competitive pricing and an unfavorable shift in the deposit mix from low cost core deposits to high cost time deposits.

    The net interest margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was 2.46%, compared to 2.88% during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The net interest margin, on a tax-equivalent basis, was 2.48% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 2.90% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in the net interest margin was primarily due to an increase in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities and the unfavorable shift in the deposit mix from low cost core to high cost time deposits, which was partially offset by an increase in the average yield on interest-earning assets. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company had a fair value hedge which contributed to an increase in the net interest margin of seven and three basis points, respectively. Excluding the interest income from the fair value hedge, the net interest margin was 2.39% and 2.85%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and the nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. The fair value hedge is scheduled to mature in October of 2024.

    The average yield on interest-earning assets, without the impact of tax-equivalent adjustments, was 4.49% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 4.14% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The average loan yield, without the impact of tax-equivalent adjustments, was 4.86% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 4.49% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, average interest-earning assets increased $14.5 million, or 0.6%, to $2.4 billion, from the same period in 2023. The increase was primarily due to an increase in average loans of $23.4 million, or 1.2%, an increase in average short-term investments, consisting of cash and cash equivalents, of $5.7 million, or 44.2%, and an increase in other interest-earning assets of $1.7 million, or 13.7%, partially offset by a decrease in average securities of $16.3 million, or 4.4%.

    The average cost of total funds, including non-interest bearing accounts and borrowings, increased 80 basis points from 1.32% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 to 2.12% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. The average cost of core deposits, which the Company defines as all deposits except time deposits, increased 24 basis points to 0.86% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from 0.62% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The average cost of time deposits increased 160 basis points from 2.72% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 to 4.32% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. The average cost of borrowings, including subordinated debt, increased 15 basis points from 4.84% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 to 4.99% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. Average demand deposits, an interest-free source of funds, decreased $52.1 million, or 8.6%, from $607.3 million, or 28.0% of total average deposits, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, to $555.3 million, or 25.8% of total average deposits, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

    Provision for Credit Losses

    During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $97,000, compared to a provision for credit losses of $386,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease was primarily due to changes in the loan mix as well as economic environment and related adjustments to the quantitative components of the CECL methodology. The provision for credit losses was determined by a number of factors: the continued strong credit performance of the Company’s loan portfolio, changes in the loan portfolio mix and Management’s consideration of existing economic conditions and the economic outlook from the Federal Reserve’s actions to control inflation. Management continues to monitor macroeconomic variables related to increasing interest rates, inflation and the concerns of an economic downturn, and believes it is appropriately reserved for the current economic environment.

    During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recorded net charge-offs of $41,000 compared to net charge-offs of $1.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The charge-offs during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 were related to one commercial relationship acquired in October 2016 from Chicopee Bancorp, Inc. The Company recorded a $1.9 million charge-off on the relationship, which represented the non-accretable credit mark that was required to be grossed-up to the loan’s amortized cost basis with a corresponding increase to the allowance for credit losses under the CECL implementation.

    Non-Interest Income

    For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, non-interest income increased $1.5 million, or 17.9%, from $8.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 to $9.6 million. Service charges and fees on deposits increased $328,000, or 5.0%, and income from BOLI increased $37,000, or 2.7%.

    During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company reported a gain of $987,000 on non-marketable equity investments, compared to a gain of $590,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company reported income of $246,000 from mortgage banking activities due to the sale of fixed rate residential real estate loans and did not have comparable income during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company reported $74,000 in other income from loan-level swap fees on commercial loans and did not have comparable income during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company reported $22,000 in unrealized gains of marketable equity securities and did not have comparable income during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Gains and losses from the investment portfolio vary from quarter to quarter based on market conditions, as well as the related yield curve and valuation changes. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company reported a loss on the sales of premises and equipment of $6,000 compared to $3,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recorded a $1.1 million final termination expense related to the defined benefit pension plan (the “DB Plan”) termination. The Company did not have comparable income or expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2024. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, non-interest income included a non-taxable gain of $778,000 on BOLI death benefits. The Company did not have comparable income during the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

    Non-Interest Expense

    For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, non-interest expense decreased $63,000, or 0.1%, to $43.5 million, compared to $43.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in non-interest expense was primarily due to a decrease in professional fees of $513,000, or 23.3%, a decrease in salaries and employee benefits of $218,000, or 0.9%, a decrease in advertising expense of $159,000, or 14.2%, a decrease in other non-interest expense of $120,000, or 2.9%, and a decrease in furniture and equipment related expense of $10,000, or 0.7%. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in software related expenses of $309,000, or 19.7%, an increase in debit card and ATM processing fees of $264,000, or 16.7%, an increase in data processing of $208,000, or 8.8%, an increase in FDIC insurance expense of $88,000, or 9.0%, and an increase in occupancy expense of $88,000, or 2.4%.

    For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the efficiency ratio was 80.3%, compared to 72.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the adjusted efficiency ratio, a non-GAAP financial measure, was 81.8% compared to 73.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increases in the efficiency ratio and the non-GAAP adjusted efficiency ratio were driven by lower revenues during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023. See pages 19-21 for the related adjusted efficiency ratio calculation and a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures.

    Income Tax Provision

    Income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $2.2 million, representing an effective tax rate of 20.9%, compared to $3.4 million, representing an effective tax rate of 21.3%, for nine months ended September 30, 2023.

    Balance Sheet

    At September 30, 2024, total assets were $2.6 billion, an increase of $75.9 million, or 3.0%, from December 31, 2023. The increase in total assets was primarily due to an increase in cash and cash equivalents of $44.0 million, or 152.4%, an increase in total loans of $21.7 million, or 1.1%, and an increase in investment securities of $8.7 million, or 2.4%.

    Investments

    At September 30, 2024, the investment securities portfolio totaled $369.4 million, or 14.0% of total assets, compared to $360.7 million, or 14.1%, of total assets, at December 31, 2023. At September 30, 2024, the Company’s available-for-sale (“AFS”) securities portfolio, recorded at fair market value, increased $18.8 million, or 13.7%, from $137.1 million at December 31, 2023 to $155.9 million. The held-to-maturity (“HTM”) securities portfolio, recorded at amortized cost, decreased $10.1 million, or 4.5%, from $223.4 million at December 31, 2023 to $213.3 million at September 30, 2024.

    At September 30, 2024, the Company reported unrealized losses on the AFS securities portfolio of $24.6 million, or 13.6% of the amortized cost basis of the AFS securities portfolio, compared to unrealized losses of $29.2 million, or 17.5% of the amortized cost basis of the AFS securities at December 31, 2023. At September 30, 2024, the Company reported unrealized losses on the HTM securities portfolio of $30.7 million, or 14.4%, of the amortized cost basis of the HTM securities portfolio, compared to $35.7 million, or 16.0% of the amortized cost basis of the HTM securities portfolio at December 31, 2023.

    The securities in which the Company may invest are limited by regulation. Federally chartered savings banks have authority to invest in various types of assets, including U.S. Treasury obligations, securities of various government-sponsored enterprises, mortgage-backed securities, certain certificates of deposit of insured financial institutions, repurchase agreements, overnight and short-term loans to other banks, corporate debt instruments and marketable equity securities. The securities, with the exception of $4.6 million in corporate bonds, are issued by the United States government or government-sponsored enterprises and are therefore either explicitly or implicitly guaranteed as to the timely payment of contractual principal and interest. These positions are deemed to have no credit impairment, therefore, the disclosed unrealized losses with the securities portfolio relate primarily to changes in prevailing interest rates. In all cases, price improvement in future periods will be realized as the issuances approach maturity.

    Management regularly reviews the portfolio for securities in an unrealized loss position. At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company did not record any credit impairment charges on its securities portfolio and attributed the unrealized losses primarily due to fluctuations in general interest rates or changes in expected prepayments and not due to credit quality. The primary objective of the Company’s investment portfolio is to provide liquidity and to secure municipal deposit accounts while preserving the safety of principal. The Company expects to strategically redeploy available cash flows from the securities portfolio to fund loan growth and deposit outflows.

    Total Loans

    Total loans increased $21.7 million, or 1.1%, from December 31, 2023, to $2.0 billion at September 30, 2024. The increase in total loans was due to an increase in commercial real estate loans of $3.0 million, or 0.3%, an increase in residential real estate loans, including home equity loans, of $26.4 million, or 3.7%, partially offset by a decrease in commercial and industrial loans of $7.0 million, or 3.2%. During the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company sold $20.1 million in fixed rate residential loans to the secondary market with servicing retained.

    The following table presents the summary of the loan portfolio by the major classification of the loan at the periods indicated:

      September 30, 2024   December 31, 2023
      (Dollars in thousands)
       
    Commercial real estate loans:      
    Non-owner occupied $ 878,265     $ 881,643  
    Owner-occupied   204,524       198,108  
    Total commercial real estate loans   1,082,789       1,079,751  
           
    Residential real estate loans:      
    Residential   631,649       612,315  
    Home equity   116,923       109,839  
    Total residential real estate loans   748,572       722,154  
           
    Commercial and industrial loans   210,390       217,447  
           
    Consumer loans   4,631       5,472  
    Total gross loans   2,046,382       2,024,824  
    Unamortized premiums and net deferred loans fees and costs   2,620       2,493  
    Total loans $ 2,049,002     $ 2,027,317  
                   

    Credit Quality

    Management continues to closely monitor the loan portfolio for any signs of deterioration in borrowers’ financial condition and also in light of speculation that commercial real estate values may deteriorate as the market continues to adjust to higher vacancies and interest rates. We continue to proactively take steps to mitigate risk in our loan portfolio.

    Total delinquency was $4.3 million, or 0.21% of total loans, at September 30, 2024, compared to $6.0 million, or 0.30% of total loans at December 31, 2023. At September 30, 2024, nonperforming loans totaled $4.9 million, or 0.24% of total loans, compared to $6.4 million, or 0.32% of total loans, at December 31, 2023. Total nonperforming assets totaled $4.9 million, or 0.18% of total assets, at September 30, 2024, compared to $6.4 million, or 0.25% of total assets, at December 31, 2023. At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were no loans 90 or more days past due and still accruing interest. At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company did not have any other real estate owned.

    At September 30, 2024, the allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans was 0.97% as compared to 1.00% at December 31, 2023. At September 30, 2024, the allowance for credit losses as a percentage of nonperforming loans was 409.5% as compared to 315.6% at December 31, 2023.

    Total classified loans, defined as special mention and substandard loans, increased $3.7 million, or 9.4%, from $39.5 million, or 1.9% of total loans, at December 31, 2023 to $43.2 million, or 2.1%, of total loans at September 30, 2024. We continue to maintain diversity among property types and within our geographic footprint. More details on the diversification of the loan portfolio are available in the supplementary earnings presentation.

    Deposits

    Total deposits increased $80.5 million, or 3.8%, from $2.1 billion at December 31, 2023 to $2.2 billion at September 30, 2024. Core deposits, which the Company defines as all deposits except time deposits, decreased $8.3 million, or 0.5%, from $1.5 billion, or 71.5% of total deposits, at December 31, 2023, to $1.5 billion, or 68.5% of total deposits, at September 30, 2024. Non-interest-bearing deposits decreased $10.9 million, or 1.9%, to $568.7 million, money market accounts increased $1.5 million, or 0.2%, to $635.8 million, savings accounts decreased $8.2 million, or 4.4%, to $179.2 million and interest-bearing checking accounts increased $9.3 million, or 7.1%, to $140.3 million. Time deposits increased $88.8 million, or 14.5%, from $611.4 million at December 31, 2023 to $700.2 million at September 30, 2024. Brokered time deposits, which are included in time deposits, totaled $1.7 million at September 30, 2024 and at December 31, 2023.

    The table below is a summary of our deposit balances for the periods noted:

      September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   December 31, 2023
      (Dollars in thousands)
    Core Deposits:          
    Demand accounts $ 568,685     $ 553,329     $ 579,595  
    Interest-bearing accounts   140,332       149,100       131,031  
    Savings accounts   179,214       186,171       187,405  
    Money market accounts   635,824       611,501       634,361  
    Total Core Deposits $ 1,524,055     $ 1,500,101     $ 1,532,392  
                           
    Time Deposits:   700,151       671,708       611,352  
    Total Deposits: $ 2,224,206     $ 2,171,809     $ 2,143,744  
                           

    During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company continued to experience an unfavorable shift in deposit mix from low cost core deposits to high cost time deposits as customers continue to migrate to higher deposit rates. The Company continues to focus on the maintenance, development, and expansion of its core deposit base to meet funding requirements and liquidity needs, with an emphasis on retaining a long-term customer relationship base by competing for and retaining deposits in our local market. At September 30, 2024, the Bank’s uninsured deposits represented 27.7% of total deposits, compared to 26.8% at December 31, 2023.

    FHLB and Subordinated Debt

    At September 30, 2024, total borrowings decreased $4.1 million, or 2.6%, from $156.5 million at December 31, 2023 to $152.4 million. Short-term borrowings decreased $11.7 million, or 72.7%, to $4.4 million, compared to $16.1 million at December 31, 2023. Long-term borrowings increased $7.6 million, or 6.3%, from $120.6 million at December 31, 2023 to $128.3 million at September 30, 2024. At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, borrowings also consisted of $19.7 million in fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes.

    The Company utilized the Bank Term Funding Program (“BTFP”), which was created in March 2023 to enhance banking system liquidity by allowing institutions to pledge certain securities at par value and borrow at a rate of ten basis points over the one-year overnight index swap rate. The BTFP was available to federally insured depository institutions in the U.S., with advances having a term of up to one year with no prepayment penalties. The BTFP ceased extending new advances in March 2024. At December 31, 2023, the Company’s outstanding balance under the BTFP was $90.0 million. There were no outstanding balance under the BTFP at September 30, 2024.

    As of September 30, 2024, the Company had $452.0 million of additional borrowing capacity at the Federal Home Loan Bank, $404.9 million of additional borrowing capacity under the Federal Reserve Bank Discount Window and $25.0 million of other unsecured lines of credit with correspondent banks.

    Capital

    At September 30, 2024, shareholders’ equity was $240.7 million, or 9.1% of total assets, compared to $237.4 million, or 9.3% of total assets, at December 31, 2023. The change was primarily attributable to a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $3.4 million, cash dividends paid of $4.5 million, repurchase of shares at a cost of $5.6 million, partially offset by net income of $8.4 million. At September 30, 2024, total shares outstanding were 21,113,408.

    The Company’s regulatory capital ratios continue to be strong and in excess of regulatory minimum requirements to be considered well-capitalized as defined by regulators and internal Company targets. Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio was 14.4% at September 30, 2024 and 14.7% at December 31, 2023.  The Bank’s Tier 1 Leverage Ratio to adjusted average assets was 9.61% at September 30, 2024 and 9.62% at December 31, 2023.

    Dividends

    Although the Company has historically paid quarterly dividends on its common stock and currently intends to continue to pay such dividends, the Company’s ability to pay such dividends depends on a number of factors, including restrictions under federal laws and regulations on the Company’s ability to pay dividends, and as a result, there can be no assurance that dividends will continue to be paid in the future.

    About Western New England Bancorp, Inc.

    Western New England Bancorp, Inc. is a Massachusetts-chartered stock holding company and the parent company of Westfield Bank, CSB Colts, Inc., Elm Street Securities Corporation, WFD Securities, Inc. and WB Real Estate Holdings, LLC. Western New England Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiaries are headquartered in Westfield, Massachusetts and operate 25 banking offices throughout western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut. To learn more, visit our website at www.westfieldbank.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, with respect to the Company’s financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, future performance, and business. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of such words as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “planned,” “estimated,” and “potential.”  Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, estimates with respect to our financial condition, results of operations and business that are subject to various factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from these estimates.  These factors include, but are not limited to:

    • unpredictable changes in general economic conditions, financial markets, fiscal, monetary and regulatory policies, including actual or potential stress in the banking industry;
    • the duration and scope of potential pandemics, including the emergence of new variants and the response thereto;
    • unstable political and economic conditions which could materially impact credit quality trends and the ability to generate loans and gather deposits;
    • inflation and governmental responses to inflation, including recent sustained increases and potential future increases in interest rates that reduce margins;
    • the effect on our operations of governmental legislation and regulation, including changes in accounting regulation or standards, the nature and timing of the adoption and effectiveness of new requirements under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, Basel guidelines, capital requirements and other applicable laws and regulations;
    • significant changes in accounting, tax or regulatory practices or requirements;
    • new legal obligations or liabilities or unfavorable resolutions of litigation;
    • disruptive technologies in payment systems and other services traditionally provided by banks;
    • the highly competitive industry and market area in which we operate;
    • changes in business conditions and inflation;
    • operational risks or risk management failures by us or critical third parties, including without limitation with respect to data processing, information systems, cybersecurity, technological changes, vendor issues, business interruption, and fraud risks;
    • failure or circumvention of our internal controls or procedures;
    • changes in the securities markets which affect investment management revenues;
    • increases in Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation deposit insurance premiums and assessments;
    • the soundness of other financial services institutions which may adversely affect our credit risk;
    • certain of our intangible assets may become impaired in the future;
    • new lines of business or new products and services, which may subject us to additional risks;
    • changes in key management personnel which may adversely impact our operations;
    • severe weather, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism and other external events which could significantly impact our business; and
    • other risk factors detailed from time to time in our SEC filings.

    Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in these forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We do not undertake any obligation to republish revised forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except to the extent required by law.

    WESTERN NEW ENGLAND BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Consolidated Statements of Net Income and Other Data
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
    Unaudited)
     
      Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
      September 30, June 30, March 31, December 31, September 30, September 30,
        2024     2024     2024     2023     2023     2024     2023  
    INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME:              
    Loans $ 25,134   $ 24,340   $ 24,241   $ 23,939   $ 23,451   $ 73,715   $ 67,230  
    Securities   2,121     2,141     2,114     2,094     2,033     6,376     6,276  
    Other investments   189     148     136     140     166     473     418  
    Short-term investments   396     173     113     597     251     682     424  
    Total interest and dividend income   27,840     26,802     26,604     26,770     25,901     81,246     74,348  
                   
    INTEREST EXPENSE:              
    Deposits   11,165     10,335     9,293     8,773     7,704     30,793     17,876  
    Short-term borrowings   71     186     283     123     117     540     1,466  
    Long-term debt   1,622     1,557     1,428     1,444     1,444     4,607     2,513  
    Subordinated debt   254     254     254     254     253     762     760  
    Total interest expense   13,112     12,332     11,258     10,594     9,518     36,702     22,615  
                   
    Net interest and dividend income   14,728     14,470     15,346     16,176     16,383     44,544     51,733  
                   
    PROVISION FOR (REVERSAL OF) CREDIT LOSSES   941     (294 )   (550 )   486     354     97     386  
                   
    Net interest and dividend income after provision for (reversal of) credit losses   13,787     14,764     15,896     15,690     16,029     44,447     51,347  
                   
    NON-INTEREST INCOME:              
    Service charges and fees on deposits   2,341     2,341     2,219     2,283     2,145     6,901     6,573  
    Income from bank-owned life insurance   470     502     453     432     454     1,425     1,388  
    Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable equity securities   10     4     8     (1 )       22      
    Gain on sale of mortgages   246                     246      
    Gain on non-marketable equity investments       987             238     987     590  
    Loss on disposal of premises and equipment           (6 )       (3 )   (6 )   (3 )
    Loss on defined benefit plan termination                           (1,143 )
    Gain on bank-owned life insurance death benefit                   778         778  
    Other income   74                     74      
    Total non-interest income   3,141     3,834     2,674     2,714     3,612     9,649     8,183  
                   
    NON-INTEREST EXPENSE:              
    Salaries and employees benefits   8,112     7,901     8,244     7,739     7,955     24,257     24,475  
    Occupancy   1,217     1,218     1,363     1,198     1,159     3,798     3,710  
    Furniture and equipment   483     483     484     494     482     1,450     1,460  
    Data processing   869     846     862     788     824     2,577     2,369  
    Software   612     566     699     598     529     1,877     1,568  
    Debit/ATM card processing expense   649     643     552     559     562     1,844     1,580  
    Professional fees   540     581     569     674     643     1,690     2,203  
    FDIC insurance   338     323     410     338     341     1,071     983  
    Advertising   271     339     349     377     362     959     1,118  
    Other   1,315     1,414     1,250     2,020     1,261     3,979     4,099  
    Total non-interest expense   14,406     14,314     14,782     14,785     14,118     43,502     43,565  
                   
    INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES   2,522     4,284     3,788     3,619     5,523     10,594     15,965  
                   
    INCOME TAX PROVISION   618     771     827     1,108     1,033     2,216     3,408  
    NET INCOME $ 1,904   $ 3,513   $ 2,961   $ 2,511   $ 4,490   $ 8,378   $ 12,557  
                   
    Basic earnings per share $ 0.09   $ 0.17   $ 0.14   $ 0.12   $ 0.21   $ 0.40   $ 0.58  
    Weighted average shares outstanding   20,804,162     21,056,173     21,180,968     21,253,452     21,560,940     21,013,003     21,631,067  
    Diluted earnings per share $ 0.09   $ 0.17   $ 0.14   $ 0.12   $ 0.21   $ 0.40   $ 0.58  
    Weighted average diluted shares outstanding   20,933,833     21,163,762     21,271,323     21,400,664     21,680,113     21,122,208     21,681,251  
                   
    Other Data:              
    Return on average assets (1)   0.29 %   0.55 %   0.47 %   0.39 %   0.70 %   0.44 %   0.66 %
    Return on average equity (1)   3.19 %   6.03 %   5.04 %   4.31 %   7.60 %   4.74 %   7.19 %
    Efficiency ratio   80.62 %   78.20 %   82.03 %   78.27 %   70.61 %   80.27 %   72.71 %
    Adjusted efficiency ratio (2)   80.67 %   82.68 %   82.04 %   78.26 %   74.38 %   81.79 %   72.98 %
    Net interest margin   2.40 %   2.42 %   2.57 %   2.64 %   2.70 %   2.46 %   2.88 %
    Net interest margin, on a fully tax-equivalent basis   2.42 %   2.44 %   2.59 %   2.66 %   2.72 %   2.48 %   2.90 %
    (1) Annualized.          
    (2) The adjusted efficiency ratio (non-GAAP) represents the ratio of operating expenses divided by the sum of net interest and dividend income and non-interest income, excluding realized and unrealized gains and losses on securities, gain on non-marketable equity investments, loss on disposal of premises and equipment, loss on defined benefit plan termination and gain on bank-owned life insurance death benefit.
     
    WESTERN NEW ENGLAND BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (Dollars in thousands)
    (Unaudited)
     
      September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,   September 30,
        2024       2024       2024       2023       2023  
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 72,802     $ 53,458     $ 22,613     $ 28,840     $ 62,267  
    Securities available-for-sale, at fair value   155,889       135,089       138,362       137,115       130,709  
    Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost   213,266       217,632       221,242       223,370       225,020  
    Marketable equity securities, at fair value   252       233       222       196        
    Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston and other restricted stock – at cost   7,143       7,143       3,105       3,707       3,063  
                       
    Loans   2,049,002       2,026,226       2,025,566       2,027,317       2,014,820  
    Allowance for credit losses   (19,955 )     (19,444 )     (19,884 )     (20,267 )     (19,978 )
    Net loans   2,029,047       2,006,782       2,005,682       2,007,050       1,994,842  
                       
    Bank-owned life insurance   76,570       76,100       75,598       75,145       74,713  
    Goodwill   12,487       12,487       12,487       12,487       12,487  
    Core deposit intangible   1,531       1,625       1,719       1,813       1,906  
    Other assets   71,492       75,521       76,206       74,848       79,998  
    TOTAL ASSETS $ 2,640,479     $ 2,586,070     $ 2,557,236     $ 2,564,571     $ 2,585,005  
                       
    Total deposits $ 2,224,206     $ 2,171,809     $ 2,143,747     $ 2,143,744     $ 2,176,303  
    Short-term borrowings   4,390       6,570       11,470       16,100       8,890  
    Long-term debt   128,277       128,277       120,646       120,646       121,178  
    Subordinated debt   19,741       19,731       19,722       19,712       19,702  
    Securities pending settlement   2,513       102                   2,253  
    Other liabilities   20,697       23,104       25,855       26,960       25,765  
    TOTAL LIABILITIES   2,399,824       2,349,593       2,321,440       2,327,162       2,354,091  
                       
    TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY   240,655       236,477       235,796       237,409       230,914  
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY $ 2,640,479     $ 2,586,070     $ 2,557,236     $ 2,564,571     $ 2,585,005  
                       
    WESTERN NEW ENGLAND BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Other Data
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)
                                           
      Three Months Ended
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
      September 30,
    2023
    Shares outstanding at end of period   21,113,408       21,357,849       21,627,690       21,666,807       21,927,242  
                       
    Operating results:                  
    Net interest income $ 14,728     $ 14,470     $ 15,346     $ 16,176     $ 16,383  
    Provision for (reversal of) credit losses   941       (294 )     (550 )     486       354  
    Non-interest income   3,141       3,834       2,674       2,714       3,612  
    Non-interest expense   14,406       14,314       14,782       14,785       14,118  
    Income before income provision for income taxes   2,522       4,284       3,788       3,619       5,523  
    Income tax provision   618       771       827       1,108       1,033  
    Net income   1,904       3,513       2,961       2,511       4,490  
                       
    Performance Ratios:                  
    Net interest margin   2.40 %     2.42 %     2.57 %     2.64 %     2.70 %
    Net interest margin, on a fully tax-equivalent basis   2.42 %     2.44 %     2.59 %     2.66 %     2.72 %
    Interest rate spread   1.60 %     1.66 %     1.85 %     1.96 %     2.07 %
    Interest rate spread, on a fully tax-equivalent basis   1.62 %     1.67 %     1.86 %     1.98 %     2.09 %
    Return on average assets   0.29 %     0.55 %     0.47 %     0.39 %     0.70 %
    Return on average equity   3.19 %     6.03 %     5.04 %     4.31 %     7.60 %
    Efficiency ratio (GAAP)   80.62 %     78.20 %     82.03 %     78.27 %     70.61 %
    Adjusted efficiency ratio (non-GAAP) (1)   80.67 %     82.68 %     82.04 %     78.26 %     74.38 %
                       
    Per Common Share Data:                  
    Basic earnings per share $ 0.09     $ 0.17     $ 0.14     $ 0.12     $ 0.21  
    Earnings per diluted share   0.09       0.17       0.14       0.12       0.21  
    Cash dividend declared   0.07       0.07       0.07       0.07       0.07  
    Book value per share   11.40       11.07       10.90       10.96       10.53  
    Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP) (2)   10.73       10.41       10.25       10.30       9.87  
                       
    Asset Quality:                  
    30-89 day delinquent loans $ 3,059     $ 3,270     $ 3,000     $ 4,605     $ 4,097  
    90 days or more delinquent loans   1,253       2,280       1,716       1,394       1,527  
    Total delinquent loans   4,312       5,550       4,716       5,999       5,624  
    Total delinquent loans as a percentage of total loans   0.21 %     0.27 %     0.23 %     0.30 %     0.28 %
    Nonperforming loans $ 4,873     $ 5,845     $ 5,837     $ 6,421     $ 6,290  
    Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans   0.24 %     0.29 %     0.29 %     0.32 %     0.31 %
    Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets   0.18 %     0.23 %     0.23 %     0.25 %     0.24 %
    Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of nonperforming loans   409.50 %     332.66 %     340.65 %     315.64 %     317.62 %
    Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans   0.97 %     0.96 %     0.98 %     1.00 %     0.99 %
    Net loan charge-offs (recoveries) $ 98     $ 10     $ (67 )   $ 136     $ 78  
    Net loan charge-offs (recoveries) as a percentage of average loans   0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.01 %     0.00 %

    ____________________________
    (1) The adjusted efficiency ratio (non-GAAP) represents the ratio of operating expenses divided by the sum of net interest and dividend income and non-interest income, excluding realized and unrealized gains and losses on securities, gain on non-marketable equity investments, loss on disposal of premises and equipment, loss on defined benefit plan termination and gain on bank-owned life insurance death benefit.
    (2) Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP) represents the value of the Company’s tangible assets divided by its current outstanding shares.

    The following table sets forth the information relating to our average balances and net interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2024, June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023 and reflects the average yield on interest-earning assets and average cost of interest-bearing liabilities for the periods indicated.

      Three Months Ended
      September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   September 30, 2023
      Average       Average Yield/   Average       Average Yield/   Average       Average Yield/
      Balance   Interest   Cost(8)   Balance   Interest   Cost(8)   Balance   Interest   Cost(8)
      (Dollars in thousands)
    ASSETS:                                        
    Interest-earning assets                                        
    Loans(1)(2) $ 2,038,593   $ 25,253     4.93 %   $ 2,017,127   $ 24,454     4.88 %   $ 2,007,267   $ 23,568     4.66 %
    Securities(2)   354,696     2,121     2.38       354,850     2,141     2.43       361,216     2,033     2.23  
    Other investments   15,904     189     4.73       14,328     148     4.15       12,155     166     5.42  
    Short-term investments(3)   32,043     396     4.92       14,328     173     4.86       22,349     251     4.46  
    Total interest-earning assets   2,441,236     27,959     4.56       2,400,633     26,916     4.51       2,402,987     26,018     4.30  
    Total non-interest-earning assets   153,585               156,701               156,503          
    Total assets $ 2,594,821             $ 2,557,334             $ 2,559,490          
                                             
    LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:                                        
    Interest-bearing liabilities                                        
    Interest-bearing checking accounts $ 131,133     271     0.82     $ 131,449     253     0.77     $ 144,792     269     0.74  
    Savings accounts   179,844     38     0.08       185,690     51     0.11       195,020     41     0.08  
    Money market accounts   621,340     3,172     2.03       622,062     2,930     1.89       656,066     2,488     1.50  
    Time deposit accounts   688,797     7,684     4.44       650,054     7,101     4.39       563,135     4,906     3.46  
    Total interest-bearing deposits   1,621,114     11,165     2.74       1,589,255     10,335     2.62       1,559,013     7,704     1.96  
    Borrowings   153,317     1,947     5.05       160,484     1,997     5.00       149,507     1,814     4.81  
    Interest-bearing liabilities   1,774,431     13,112     2.94       1,749,739     12,332     2.83       1,708,520     9,518     2.21  
    Non-interest-bearing deposits   559,224               548,781               591,933          
    Other non-interest-bearing liabilities   23,466               24,453               24,504          
    Total non-interest-bearing liabilities   582,690               573,234               616,437          
    Total liabilities   2,357,121               2,322,973               2,324,957          
    Total equity   237,700               234,361               234,533          
    Total liabilities and equity $ 2,594,821             $ 2,557,334             $ 2,559,490          
    Less: Tax-equivalent adjustment(2)       (119 )               (114 )               (117 )      
    Net interest and dividend income     $ 14,728               $ 14,470               $ 16,383        
    Net interest rate spread(4)         1.60 %           1.66 %           2.07 %
    Net interest rate spread, on a tax-equivalent basis(5)         1.62 %           1.67 %           2.09 %
    Net interest margin(6)         2.40 %           2.42 %           2.70 %
    Net interest margin, on a tax-equivalent basis(7)         2.42 %           2.44 %           2.72 %
    Ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities         137.58 %           137.20 %           140.65 %
                                             

    The following tables set forth the information relating to our average balances and net interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 and reflect the average yield on interest-earning assets and average cost of interest-bearing liabilities for the periods indicated.

      Nine Months Ended September 30,
      2024   2023
      Average
    Balance
      Interest   Average Yield/
    Cost(8)
      Average
    Balance
      Interest   Average Yield/
    Cost(8)
     
                                           
      (Dollars in thousands)
    ASSETS:                          
    Interest-earning assets                          
    Loans(1)(2) $ 2,025,858   $ 74,058     4.88 %   $ 2,002,485   $ 67,586     4.51 %
    Securities(2)   356,340     6,376     2.39       372,623     6,276     2.25  
    Other investments   14,248     473     4.43       12,528     418     4.46  
    Short-term investments(3)   18,634     682     4.89       12,922     424     4.39  
    Total interest-earning assets   2,415,080     81,589     4.51       2,400,558     74,704     4.16  
    Total non-interest-earning assets   154,894               154,525          
    Total assets $ 2,569,974             $ 2,555,083          
                               
    LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:                          
    Interest-bearing liabilities                          
    Interest-bearing checking accounts $ 132,708     759     0.76 %   $ 142,716     780     0.73 %
    Savings accounts   183,872     128     0.09       207,513     142     0.09  
    Money market accounts   623,216     8,689     1.86       711,173     6,813     1.28  
    Time deposit accounts   655,700     21,217     4.32       498,193     10,141     2.72  
    Total interest-bearing deposits   1,595,496     30,793     2.58       1,559,595     17,876     1.53  
    Short-term borrowings and long-term debt   158,183     5,909     4.99       130,796     4,739     4.84  
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   1,753,679     36,702     2.80       1,690,391     22,615     1.79  
    Non-interest-bearing deposits   555,253               607,338          
    Other non-interest-bearing liabilities   24,931               23,886          
    Total non-interest-bearing liabilities   580,184               631,224          
                               
    Total liabilities   2,333,863               2,321,615          
    Total equity   236,111               233,468          
    Total liabilities and equity $ 2,569,974             $ 2,555,083          
    Less: Tax-equivalent adjustment (2)       (343 )               (356 )      
    Net interest and dividend income     $ 44,544               $ 51,733        
    Net interest rate spread (4)         1.70 %           2.35 %
    Net interest rate spread, on a tax-equivalent basis (5)         1.71 %           2.37 %
    Net interest margin (6)         2.46 %           2.88 %
    Net interest margin, on a tax-equivalent basis (7)         2.48 %           2.90 %
    Ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities       137.72 %           142.01 %

    (1) Loans, including nonaccrual loans, are net of deferred loan origination costs and unadvanced funds.
    (2) Loan and securities income are presented on a tax-equivalent basis using a tax rate of 21%. The tax-equivalent adjustment is deducted from tax-equivalent net interest and dividend income to agree to the amount reported on the consolidated statements of net income.
    (3) Short-term investments include federal funds sold.
    (4) Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
    (5) Net interest rate spread, on a tax-equivalent basis, represents the difference between the tax-equivalent weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
    (6) Net interest margin represents net interest and dividend income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.
    (7) Net interest margin, on a tax-equivalent basis, represents tax-equivalent net interest and dividend income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.
    (8) Annualized.

    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP to GAAP Financial Measures

    The Company believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures provide information to investors that is useful in understanding its results of operations and financial condition.  Because not all companies use the same calculation, this presentation may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures calculated by other companies.  A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures is provided below.

      For the quarter ended
      9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
      (Dollars in thousands)
                       
    Loan interest (no tax adjustment) $ 25,134     $ 24,340     $ 24,241     $ 23,939     $ 23,451  
    Tax-equivalent adjustment   119       114       110       113       117  
    Loan interest (tax-equivalent basis) $ 25,253     $ 24,454     $ 24,351     $ 24,052     $ 23,568  
                       
    Net interest income (no tax adjustment) $ 14,728     $ 14,470     $ 15,346     $ 16,176     $ 16,383  
    Tax equivalent adjustment   119       114       110       113       117  
    Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis) $ 14,847     $ 14,584     $ 15,456     $ 16,289     $ 16,500  
                       
    Average interest-earning assets $ 2,441,236     $ 2,400,633     $ 2,403,086     $ 2,427,112     $ 2,402,987  
    Net interest margin (no tax adjustment)   2.40 %     2.42 %     2.57 %     2.64 %     2.70 %
    Net interest margin, tax-equivalent   2.42 %     2.44 %     2.59 %     2.66 %     2.72 %
                       
    Book Value per Share (GAAP) $ 11.40     $ 11.07     $ 10.90     $ 10.96     $ 10.53  
    Non-GAAP adjustments:                  
    Goodwill   (0.59 )     (0.58 )     (0.58 )     (0.58 )     (0.57 )
    Core deposit intangible   (0.08 )     (0.08 )     (0.07 )     (0.08 )     (0.09 )
    Tangible Book Value per Share (non-GAAP) $ 10.73     $ 10.41     $ 10.25     $ 10.30     $ 9.87  
                       
      For the quarter ended
      9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
      (Dollars in thousands)
                       
    Efficiency Ratio:                  
    Non-interest Expense (GAAP) $ 14,406     $ 14,314     $ 14,782     $ 14,785     $ 14,118  
                       
    Net Interest Income (GAAP) $ 14,728     $ 14,470     $ 15,346     $ 16,176     $ 16,383  
                       
    Non-interest Income (GAAP) $ 3,141     $ 3,834     $ 2,674     $ 2,714     $ 3,612  
    Non-GAAP adjustments:                  
    Unrealized (gains) losses on marketable equity securities   (10 )     (4 )     (8 )     1        
    Gain on non-marketable equity investments         (987 )                 (238 )
    Loss on disposal of premises and equipment               6             3  
    Gain on bank-owned life insurance death benefit                           (778 )
    Non-interest Income for Adjusted Efficiency Ratio (non-GAAP) $ 3,131     $ 2,843     $ 2,672     $ 2,715     $ 2,599  
    Total Revenue for Adjusted Efficiency Ratio (non-GAAP) $ 17,859     $ 17,313     $ 18,018     $ 18,891     $ 18,982  
                       
    Efficiency Ratio (GAAP)   80.62 %     78.20 %     82.03 %     78.27 %     70.61 %
                       
    Adjusted Efficiency Ratio (Non-interest Expense (GAAP)/Total Revenue for Adjusted Efficiency Ratio (non-GAAP))   80.67 %     82.68 %     82.04 %     78.26 %     74.38 %
                       
      For the nine months ended
      9/30/2024   9/30/2023
      (Dollars in thousands)
           
    Loan income (no tax adjustment) $ 73,715     $ 67,230  
    Tax-equivalent adjustment   343       356  
    Loan income (tax-equivalent basis) $ 74,058     $ 67,586  
           
    Net interest income (no tax adjustment) $ 44,544     $ 51,733  
    Tax equivalent adjustment   343       356  
    Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis) $ 44,887     $ 52,089  
           
    Average interest-earning assets $ 2,415,080     $ 2,400,558  
    Net interest margin (no tax adjustment)   2.46 %     2.88 %  
    Net interest margin, tax-equivalent   2.48 %     2.90 %  
           
    Adjusted Efficiency Ratio:      
    Non-interest Expense (GAAP) $ 43,502     $ 43,565  
           
    Net Interest Income (GAAP) $ 44,544     $ 51,733  
           
    Non-interest Income (GAAP) $ 9,649     $ 8,183  
    Non-GAAP adjustments:      
    Unrealized gains on marketable equity securities   (22 )      
    Loss on disposal of premises and equipment, net   6       3  
    Gain on bank-owned life insurance         (778 )
    Gain on non-marketable equity investments   (987 )     (590 )
    Loss on defined benefit plan curtailment         1,143  
    Non-interest Income for Adjusted Efficiency Ratio (non-GAAP) $ 8,646     $ 7,961  
    Total Revenue for Adjusted Efficiency Ratio (non-GAAP) $ 53,190     $ 59,694  
           
    Efficiency Ratio (GAAP)   80.27 %     72.71 %
           
    Adjusted Efficiency Ratio (Non-interest Expense (GAAP)/Total Revenue for Adjusted Efficiency Ratio (non-GAAP))   81.79 %     72.98 %
                   

    For further information contact:
    James C. Hagan, President and CEO
    Guida R. Sajdak, Executive Vice President and CFO
    Meghan Hibner, First Vice President and Investor Relations Officer
    413-568-1911

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Video: Why actor Edward Norton champions biodiversity | United Nations Goodwill Ambassador | Awake at Night

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Acclaimed actor, filmmaker and three-time Academy Award nominee Edward Norton has long been raising his voice on behalf of the planet and its most vulnerable communities. As a UN Goodwill Ambassador for Biodiversity, he is championing the protection of biodiversity for the well-being of all.

    “It’s quite heartbreaking. I started diving, when I was 14, in the Caribbean. The change to the reef environments in the Caribbean in my adult lifetime is staggering and really upsetting. Reefs are in just terrible shape, terrible shape. Bleached, covered with algae, fish a fraction of what they were. What was vibrant and colorful and rich is just sort of denuded. It looks like a burnt forest or something. It’s just not, it’s not as alive.”

    Working closely with communities in East Africa and around the world, Edward Norton is pushing for conservation that also tackles poverty by providing sustainable sources of income for local communities.

    In this special episode, the Hollywood star reflects on his activist upbringing, his hopes for his children, and on balancing a successful acting career with a rich, varied and meaningful life.

    #podcast #unitednations #awakeatnight #biodiversity #edwardnorton
    ——————-
    About Awake at Night:

    Hosted by Melissa Fleming, Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, the podcast ‘Awake at Night’ is an in-depth interview series focusing on remarkable United Nations staff members who dedicate their career to helping people in parts of the world where they have the hardest lives – from war zones and displacement camps, to areas hit by disasters and the devastation of climate change.

    For more information on Awake at Night, visit Awake at Night: https://www.un.org/en/awake-at-night

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GOvX4wbriY

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI Video: Türkiye, Lebanon/Israel, Yemen & other topics – Daily Press Briefing (23 Oct 2024) | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

    Highlights:
    -Türkiye
    -Occupied Palestinian territory
    -Lebanon/Israel
    -Lebanon/humanitarian
    -Yemen
    -Brics
    -Deputy Secretary-General/Travel
    -Central African Republic
    -Security Council/Syria
    -Women, Peace and Security

    TÜRKIYE
    In a statement issued today, the Secretary-General strongly condemned the terrorist attack on Turkish Aerospace Industries’ facilities in Ankara. He expressed his deepest condolences to the victims and their families and wished a speedy and full recovery to those injured.
    The United Nations stands in solidarity with the people and Government of the Republic of Türkiye.

    OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
    The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warns that Palestinians in North Gaza Governorate are experiencing extreme suffering as the Israeli siege there continues. OCHA says there are harrowing levels of death, injury and destruction in the north.
    Civilians are trapped under rubble. The sick and wounded are going without life-saving health care. Families lack food. Their homes have been destroyed. They have no shelter. And nowhere is safe.
    International humanitarian law demands that civilians have the essentials they need to survive – that’s food, shelter, medical care, and other critical assistance. OCHA appeals once again for rapid, unimpeded humanitarian relief – which must reach civilians in need.
    Our partners on the ground report that two water stations in North Gaza have stopped operating due to the lack of fuel. The suspension of service is affecting large areas, including the neighbourhoods of Al-Daraj, Al-Tuffah, Al-Zarga and Sheikh Radwan. A request earlier this week to deliver 23,000 litres of fuel to North Gaza Governorate was denied by Israeli authorities.
    From 6 October through yesterday, several attempts to get fuel to Gaza Governorate were also denied. Another mission was impeded and therefore unable to be accomplished.
    The UN and our partners have also been compelled to postpone the polio vaccination campaign in northern Gaza due to the escalating violence, intense bombardment, mass displacement orders, and the lack of assured humanitarian pauses across most of the north.
    This final phase of the vaccination effort was supposed to begin today, with the aim of reaching more than 119,000 children across northern Gaza.
    The current conditions – including ongoing attacks on civilian infrastructure – continue to jeopardize people’s safety and movement in northern Gaza, making it impossible for families to safely bring their children for vaccination, and for health workers to operate.
    It is imperative to stop the polio outbreak in Gaza, before more children are paralyzed and the virus spreads. To interrupt transmission, at least 90 per cent of all children in every community and neighbourhood must be vaccinated. The vaccination campaign must be facilitated in the north through the implementation of humanitarian pauses.
    UN humanitarian partners say that all logistics, supplies and trained personnel were prepared to vaccinate children across the north with their second dose of the polio vaccine. However, given that the area currently approved for temporary humanitarian pauses was substantially reduced in geographic size from the previous round of the vaccination campaign – and is now limited only to Gaza City – many children in northern Gaza would have missed out on a second dose.
    The UN and its humanitarian partners continue their efforts to get assistance to people in northern Gaza. On 15 October, the World Food Programme (WFP) was able to deliver one convoy into Gaza City. However, the Israeli siege on North Gaza Governorate has prevented the agency from reaching people there for the past three weeks.
    WFP warns that September and October saw some of the lowest levels of humanitarian aid entering Gaza since late 2023, alongside a drastic reduction in commercial cargo.
    In October, to date, only 20 per cent of the agency’s operational food needs have entered Gaza. A drastic shortage of supplies across Gaza has almost halted general food distribution.
    WFP says very limited aid supplies have entered the south due to insecurity at the Kerem Shalom crossing point. There is a critical need for a safe and enabling environment for humanitarian operations and convoy movements into and within Gaza.

    Full Highlight: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=23%20October%202024

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJXrMLA8PBg

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI Video: Human rights defenders help realize the Sustainable Development Goals | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Human rights defenders are central to realizing the Sustainable Development Goals, a United Nations independent expert says. UN Special Rapporteur Mary Lawlor speaks alongside two defenders who champion rights at great cost. Wellington Gabriel de Jesus dos Santos, from the Pitanga dos Palmares Quilombola community in Brazil, lost his father, who was shot dead outside in 2017, and his grandmother, who in 2023 was also brutally killed in response to her human rights work. Emily Donovan, a co-founder of Clean Cape Fear, a grassroots community action group in North Carolina, works to restore and protect air, soil, water and food supply from contamination from PFAS substances known as forever chemicals. Both took their causes to the United Nations, where the Special Rapporteur urged protections for human rights defenders around the world.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bm2RWOQTcuM

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI Video: UN Chief & African Union Commission Chair – Joint Press Conference | United Nations [EN/FR]

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Joint press conference by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission.

    Secretary-General António Guterres today (21 Oct) in Addis Ababa said, “there is now a consensus from Member States that the Security Council must be reformed, and there is a consensus of all Member States that the key aspect of that reform is to have two African members as permanent members of the Security Council.”

    Guterres, who took part in the 8th African Union–United Nations annual conference said, “Africa faces enormous obstacles to its development” which are “deeply rooted in the colonial legacy.”

    Speaking at a joint press conference after meeting with the African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, he said, “African countries gained independence with their economies and to a certain extent, their societies distorted by the interests of the colonial powers that organized their economies to the benefits of the colonists.”

    The Secretary-General announced that, “we just decided to create the common working group with the Economic Commission for Africa and the African Union Commission to do serious research, to allow to contribute to the creation of an African strategy to bridge the digital divide and the Artificial Intelligence divide, and to overcome all the enormous structural difficulties and impediments that exist today, and to be able to claim the resources that will be necessary for it to be possible.”

    The AU – UN high-level discussions, co-chaired by Faki and the Secretary-General, focused on progress in the implementation of cooperation frameworks between the two organizations, as well as the operationalization of Security Council resolution 2719, which establishes the framework for financing of African Union-led peace support operations through UN assessed contributions.

    Participants also discussed joint action, as well as challenges linked to peace, security, development, human rights and the impact of climate change on the African continent. Discussions also included the implementation of the Pact for the Future.

    The Secretary-General also participated in a ceremony for the inauguration of a renovated Africa Hall. This hall was built for the Organization of African Unity, now the African Union.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp3HafFKwIw

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI Video: Reporters Without Borders What happened to the 4 journalists who disappeared after a Russian roundup in Melitopol?

    Source: Reporters Without Borders (RSF) (Video Release)

    #UKRAINE: Imprisonment, forced confessions, slavery…What happened to the 4 journalists who disappeared after a Russian roundup in Melitopol? We investigated and managed to find them

    20 August 2023 marked a turning point in the occupation of Melitopol. At the crack of dawn, at least four journalists and news content creators were escorted away by men in military uniform, as documented by RSF. Then, for weeks, silence…

    In October 2023, their arrest was confirmed by Russian propaganda videos in which the journalists were forced to make false confessions – yet no information on their fate or whereabouts has been released since. Russia is holding these media workers illegally, moving them from prison to prison in conditions that are much closer to enforced disappearance than legitimate detention.

    In this video, discover the way RSF retraced the paths of their imprisonment.

    #russiaukrainewar #russia #telegram #desinformation #propagande #russie #kremlin #poutine #media #journalisme #freespeech #freepress #journalists #journaliste #condemningabuses #reportersindanger #libertédelapresse #journalismisntacrime #fightfortruth #humanrights #freemedia #violence #justicenow #picoftheday #libertedelapresse #rsf

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FslSNlIlfQ4

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI Video: NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 Re-entry and Splashdown

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    Watch Crew-8 return to Earth, concluding their mission to the International Space Station. Their SpaceX Dragon spacecraft is scheduled for splashdown off the coast of Florida on Friday, Oct. 25 at approximately 3:29 a.m. EDT (0729 UTC).

    NASA astronauts Michael Barratt, Matthew Dominick, and Jeanette Epps and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin are coming home after seven months aboard the orbiting lab, conducting scientific experiments and technology demonstrations.

    Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who launched to the station aboard NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test (CFT) this summer, will return to Earth with the two members of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission in the spring of 2025. Learn more about CFT: https://nasa.gov/starliner-faq

    Crew-8’s science highlights: https://www.nasa.gov/missions/station/iss-research/crew-8-concludes-space-station-scientific-mission/

    Credit: NASA

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CRB3FHV9Dw

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI Video: Border Patrol Teaches You the Skills You Need – Learn Spanish at the Academy – Hiring Process | CBP

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    As a Border Patrol Agent, you will attend training at the U.S. Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, New Mexico. As a part of your training, you will be required to speak and understand Spanish. This video provides an overview of the Spanish requirement, the approach to learning at the U.S. Border Patrol Academy, and helpful resources to kickstart your journey.

    Join our Talent Network: https://go.dhs.gov/3zg

    Start Your Application: https://www.cbp.gov/careers/apply-now

    Instagram ➤ https://instagram.com/CBPgov
    Facebook ➤ https://facebook.com/CBPgov
    Twitter ➤ https://twitter.com/CBP
    Official Website ➤ https://www.cbp.gov

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqZKj0jZia0

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI Video: Reducing Plastic Pollution and Improving Human Health

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    In this Bite-Size Learning session, “Reducing Plastic Pollution and Improving Human Health”, Erin Simon, Vice President of Plastic Waste and Business at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), discusses the harmful impacts of plastic on human health and the environment and steps that WWF and its partners are taking to address it, including through WWF’s Resource: Plastic initiative.

    The session also covers actions being taken by the Administration, including recently announced White House commitments to reducing plastic pollution within the federal government and the global plastics treaty process. The session provides an understanding about what federal agencies, businesses, and individuals alike can do to act on the plastics crisis.

    Be Part of the Solution

    The Go Green Get Healthy HHS program is challenging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) workforce to focus on small changes each of us can make to reduce plastic waste now and all year!

    Besides creating an environmental nightmare, plastic pollution has a health impact. Plastic does not biodegrade, it just gets smaller and smaller, forming nano- and microplastics. Plastic is made from a derivative of crude oil and often contains toxic chemicals. As plastic breaks down, toxic chemicals are released into the ground, water, and air which affects the food we eat, water we drink, and air we breathe. To learn more about the effect of microplastics on your health, watch Earth Day 2024 presentations on this Go Green Get Healthy HHS playlist on the HHS YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrl7E8KABz1Ht0EWIT9IcaKpXKy8ViQ3m. Plus, you can view the FY 2023 HHS Green Champion Awards ceremony in the playlist.

    Join the millions of people worldwide reducing plastic waste by choosing to refuse single-use plastic. BE part of the solution! As Confucius says, “The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.”

    Greater change occurs when a larger group makes smaller changes versus a smaller group that makes large changes. For example, if all HHS employees reduced plastic use by 90%, they would save nearly 11,000 tons of plastic waste annually! And, if the entire federal government staff reduced plastic use by just 10%, 45,000 tons of plastic waste would be reduced each year.
    Use the Home Plastic Checklist https://www.plasticfreeseas.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Plastic-free-living-checklist.jpg to get started.

    So come on, step up and lead the way!

    There were 665 attendees who benefitted from this session! The event was hosted by the Go Green Get Healthy HHS sustainability team on August 27, 2024. Gain knowledge and power by attending our Bite-Size Learning sessions! If you have any questions, please email GoGreen@hhs.gov.

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) | http://www.hhs.gov

    http://www.Twitter.com/HHSGov | http://www.Facebook.com/HHS http://www.Instagram.com/HHSGov
    http://www.LinkedIn.com/company/us-department-of-health-and-human-services

    HHS Privacy Policy: http://www.hhs.gov/Privacy.html

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_6ul0HnnOI

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI Video: Powering Communities: Building Resilience in Estes Park, CO

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    In Estes Park, Colorado, the threat of wildfires, high winds, and flooding has put the local electric grid at risk. To ensure critical infrastructure like the hospital remains powered, Platte River Power Authority in partnership with the State of Colorado Energy Office and the Grid Deployment Office is installing an innovative battery storage project. This project aims to strengthen the grid and help Estes Park power through future severe weather events. Learn more about how this community is taking action to secure its energy future.

    #EstesPark #BatteryStorage #Resilience #ColoradoEnergyOffice #PlatteRiverPowerAuthority #EstesParkPower

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMfxEPnl1OA

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI Video: Secretary Pete delivers remarks at the Gulf Coast Rail Groundbreaking

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    The Biden-Harris Administration is making historic investments in passenger rail. The Gulf Coast Corridor Improvement Project restores Amtrak service from New Orleans to Mobile, AL—for the first time since Hurricane Katrina ended service in 2005.

    0:00 — Amtrak Conductor John Morgan
    2:14 — Secretary Pete Buttigieg

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB67s4-vsaY

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Experts of the Human Rights Committee Welcome France’s Efforts to Combat Homophobia, Raise Questions on Violence in New Caledonia and Rules Governing Identity Checks

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Human Rights Committee today concluded its consideration of the sixth periodic report of France on how it implements the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, with Committee Experts welcoming France’s national plan combatting hatred against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons and plans to combat homophobia, while raising questions on violence in New Caledonia and rules governing identity checks. 

    One Committee Expert said the Committee welcomed the national plan for equality and against hatred and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons (2020-2026) and the government plan (2023-2026) to combat homophobia and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. 

    Another Expert said it appeared that the current violence in the non-self-governing territory of New Caledonia was linked to reforms of the Nouméa Accord and a lack of progress in the decolonisation process.  What was the progress made on the issue of self-determination of the non-self-governing territory of New Caledonia as well as that of French Polynesia, and the participation and consultation processes put in place with the indigenous peoples living in these territories to obtain their free and informed consent and access to independence? 

    Another Expert asked if the State party could indicate whether mandatory training on racial and ethnic discrimination and profiling was systematically offered to law enforcement officials, both in metropolitan France and in the overseas territories?  Did the State party systematically collect data to monitor the use of identity checks, both in metropolitan France and in the overseas territories?  Would the State party be prepared to implement a template for all individuals subject to an identity check?  Would it be willing to introduce a centralised record of all identity checks to have an overview of how they were used, with whom and where?

    The delegation said France supported the recognition of indigenous peoples.  New Caledonia was one of the most advanced examples of the French Government recognising the rights of indigenous peoples.  Since the Nouméa Accord, an institutional framework had been put into place allowing for shared governance between the communities, representing the customs of the Kanak people.  On 1 October, the Prime Minister announced the postponement of elections in 2025, which was unanimously agreed by Parliament.  Since 1998, France had been cooperating with the decolonisation committee and the work had been fruitful.

    The delegation said all French citizens were equal before the law. The code of ethics for the police and national gendarmerie prohibited discriminatory identity checks.  When the law authorised an identity check, the police should not rely on any physical trait, unless there were specific grounds. Any act of discrimination could be reported by someone who believed they were a victim of discriminatory profiling. There were several ways to do this, including through the various controlling and monitoring authorities and the judiciary.

    Introducing the report, Isabelle Rome, Ambassador for Human Rights of France and head of the delegation, said human rights were a priority for France.  In December 2023, the President of the Republic announced that a House of Human Rights would be created in Paris to support civil society organizations. France had strengthened its public policies on the judiciary, democracy and the law enforcement agencies since 2022, paying particular attention to conditions for the use of force, and compliance with the rules of ethics during all police operations.  Ms. Rome concluded by saying that France believed in its democratic model, in liberty, equality and fraternity, as illustrated this summer by the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

    In concluding remarks, Ms. Rome thanked the Committee for the dialogue.  France was deeply attached to the rule of law and the Committee’s recommendations would be scrupulously considered.  The country was committed to renewing dialogue with the territory of New Caledonia and its inhabitants. 

    Tania María Abdo Rocholl, Committee Chairperson, thanked the delegation for the dialogue, which had covered a wide range of subjects under the Covenant.   The Committee aimed to ensure the highest level of implementation of the Covenant in France. 

    The delegation of France was made up of representatives of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs; the Ministry of the Interior and Overseas; the Ministry of Justice; the State Council; the Interministerial delegation to the fight against racism, anti-Semitism, and hatred; the French office for the protection of refugees and stateless persons; and the Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations Office at Geneva.

    The Human Rights Committee’s one hundred and forty-second session is being held from 14 October to 7 November 2024.  All the documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage.  Meeting summary releases can be found here.  The webcast of the Committee’s public meetings can be accessed via the UN Web TV webpage.

    The Committee will next meet in public at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, 23 October, to begin its consideration of the second periodic report of Türkiye (CCPR/C/TUR/2).

    Report

    The Committee has before it the sixth periodic report of France (CCPR/C/FRA/6).

    Presentation of Report

    ISABELLE ROME, Ambassador for Human Rights of France and head of the delegation, said human rights were a priority for France.  In December 2023, the President of the Republic announced that a House of Human Rights would be created in Paris to support civil society organizations.  Launched in 2021, the Marianne initiative for human rights defenders aimed to encourage the activities of human rights defenders, both in their country of origin, and by welcoming them in France.  The fight against the death penalty was also a priority for France.  France would host the ninth World Congress against the Death Penalty in Paris in 2026.  France was also contributing to the organization of the first World Congress on Enforced Disappearances in Geneva on 15 and 16 January 2025. 

    The State’s new feminist diplomacy strategy would be published by the end of 2024.  France was proud that the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games were the first gender-balanced games in history.  Through its diplomatic and consular network, France supported projects of democratic governance, respect for the rule of law, the fight against impunity, access to justice, and mechanisms to monitor the effective exercise of civil and political rights.  In 2019, France launched the Partnership for Information and Democracy, which was joined by 54 States from all regions, to guarantee freedom of expression.  In May 2024, the President of the French Republic and the Prime Minister of New Zealand announced the creation of a new non-governmental organization, the Christchurch Call Foundation, to coordinate the work of the Christchurch Call to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online. 

    France had strengthened its public policies on the judiciary, democracy and the law enforcement agencies since 2022, paying particular attention to conditions for the use of force, and compliance with the rules of ethics during all police operations.  The national law enforcement plan published in 2021 provided for an adaptation of the employment strategies of the republican security companies and the mobile gendarmerie squadrons during public demonstrations.  The right to demonstrate was guaranteed by the Constitution in France.  By getting in touch with the prefects and police units involved in public demonstrations, journalists could be added to communication channels, allowing them to receive live information and ask questions. 

    Between 2020 and 2024, the Ministry of Justice’s budget increased by 33 per cent, from €7.6 billion in 2020 to €10.1 billion in 2024. In five years, the French Ministry of Justice would have recruited as many magistrates as in the last 20 years. To combat prison overcrowding, the Ministry of Justice was implementing a proactive prison regulation policy, based on the development of alternatives to incarceration, the strengthening of early release mechanisms, and an ambitious prison real estate programme creating 15,000 net prison places.  An Interministerial Committee for Overseas Territories was set up in July 2023.  France had mobilised authorities to enable and guarantee the return to calm and security of people in New Caledonia. Emergency measures were deployed last June.  The mediation and work mission continued its work, with the aim of renewing political dialogue. 

    France had been implementing a new interministerial plan for gender equality 2023-2027, which contained 161 measures divided into four priority areas: the fight against violence against women; the global approach to women’s health; professional and economic equality; and the dissemination and transmission of a culture of equality.  The law of July 2023 aimed at strengthening women’s access to responsibilities in the public service.  It increased the mandatory quota of first-time female appointments to senior and management positions to 50 per cent.  On 8 March 2024, France became the first country in the world to enshrine the freedom to have access to voluntary termination of pregnancy in its Constitution. 

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert welcomed that France’s report was prepared in consultation with the National Consultative Commission on Human Rights, whose role was to monitor France’s international commitments and the implementation of recommendations issued by international and regional bodies.  In May 2024, despite the provisions of the Nouméa Accord which provided for a process of gradual transfer of power from France to New Caledonia, the National Assembly voted in favour of expanding the electorate of New Caledonia.  Thousands of Kanak demonstrators mobilised to denounce these reforms, which were allegedly passed without adequate consultation or free, prior and informed consent.  In the absence of sufficient dialogue on the part of the authorities, a violent conflict had been raging since that date. 

    The French Government had deployed considerable military resources to restore order, but at the cost of numerous allegations of excessive use of force that led to several deaths among Kanak protesters and security forces, as well as injuries.  According to information received by the Committee, at least 11 people were shot dead and 169 others were injured; 2658 demonstrators were arrested, many of whom were arbitrarily arrested and detained, dozens of them were also transferred to metropolitan France. 

    It appeared that the current violence in the non-self-governing territory of New Caledonia was linked to reforms of the Nouméa Accord and a lack of progress in the decolonisation process.  What was the progress made on the issue of self-determination of the non-self-governing territory of New Caledonia as well as that of French Polynesia, and the participation and consultation processes put in place with the indigenous peoples living in these territories to obtain their free and informed consent and access to independence?

    There had been several prominent court cases regarding the removal of headscarves in France.  In the opinion of the French State, should the Committee’s Views be followed only in the case where the Committee considered a complaint to be inadmissible or agreed with the arguments presented by the French Government? Were there intentions to lift reservations to the Covenant?  Who currently appointed the magistrates of the courts?  What was the current state of the constitutional reform initiated with a view to making the Prosecutor’s Office independent of the executive?  How could the full independence of judges and prosecutors be guaranteed?

    Since 2015, France had put in place measures to combat terrorism, which had been seen over the years to be increasingly detrimental to people’s rights and freedoms.

    Was the new legislation accompanied by sufficient guarantees against the risk of arbitrary and discriminatory implementation of these measures?  What independent and impartial expertise did public authorities have to assess the impact of new technologies on the exercise of the rights and freedoms recognised by the Covenant? 

    It was understood that mass surveillance technology was used during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.  How did the State party ensure that it did not lead to profiling that disproportionately affected racial, ethnic and religious minorities?  How did the State party ensure that continuous surveillance by algorithm-based systems did not violate the right to privacy and respected the requirements of proportionality and necessity?  For how long could the data collected in this way be kept? 

    What were the current conditions for the communication of information to the intelligence services, particularly in the area of sensitive data? What information could be transmitted and what traceability requirements were in place?  Under what conditions could information provided by the intelligence services be made available to the judicial authority and the Public Prosecutor’s Office?  What means of access was available to defendants and those accused of acts of terrorism?

    Another Expert said the Committee was informed that people of colour were subjected to identity checks by the police about 20 times more often than other citizens.  They also faced discriminatory treatment during police stops and searches, including direct fines, often without objective suspicion and without being informed of the reasons.  What could be done to ensure that the use of identity checks and fines was not left to the discretion of law enforcement agencies, and was based only on objective and individualised conditions, and not on racial origins?  Did the State party have explicit guidelines for law enforcement agencies that clearly prohibited racial profiling in police operations as well as discriminatory identity checks? 

    Could the State party indicate whether mandatory training on racial and ethnic discrimination and profiling was systematically offered to law enforcement officials, both in metropolitan France and in the overseas territories?  Did the State party systematically collect data to monitor the use of identity checks, both in metropolitan France and in the overseas territories?  Would the State party be prepared to implement a template for all individuals subject to an identity check?  Would it be willing to introduce a centralised record of all identity checks to have an overview of how they were used, with whom and where?

    The Committee had received extensive information that showed the persistent problem of systemic racial discrimination, as well as the use of negative stereotypes against minorities.  What measures had the State party taken to effectively combat all forms of hate speech and hate crimes against racial, ethnic and religious minorities? What training was provided to law enforcement officers, judges and prosecutors, and what awareness campaigns were organised to prevent and combat hate crime and hate speech?  Would France develop data collection and research in compliance with data protection rules, to effectively identify cases of racial or ethnic profiling and offences in metropolitan France and overseas?

    The Committee welcomed the national plan for equality and against hatred and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons (2020-2026) and the government plan (2023-2026) to combat homophobia and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.  How would the State party ensure adequate resources and the active participation of civil society in the implementation of these plans?  Did these programmes sufficiently take into account minorities within minorities, such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex asylum seekers? 

    The Committee was informed that some of the measures granting extensive powers to the administrative authorities, developed in the context of the state of emergency, had been granted permanent status.  What measures had the State party taken to ensure that initial emergency measures were in conformity with the Covenant in terms of necessity and proportionality?  How did the State party promote the accessibility of judicial procedures and ensure that they were effective?

    How would France ensure that anti-terrorism legislation did not disproportionately target Muslims and that actions were based on alleged criminal behaviour rather than religious practices?  How did the State party ensure that house searches and dissolution of organizations were conducted by the courts?  What was the percentage of terrorist offences in relation to criminal offences committed in the last five years?  The Committee was informed of the law establishing a new security regime, which subjected the accused to certain obligations, with a view of ensuring their reintegration.  How did France ensure that this monitoring system, which was based on the rather vague notion of “dangerousness”, was not arbitrary and did not disproportionately infringe on the rights of persons who had served their sentences?

    One Committee Expert said the Committee particularly welcomed the State party’s commitment of significant financial resources to address the needs of vulnerable groups during the health crisis of COVID-19. What was the impact of the measures described in the State party’s report, to ensure that the COVID-19 pandemic did not exacerbate inequalities, discrimination and exclusion, including among vulnerable groups?  Specifically, regarding domestic violence against women, which was said to have increased during the pandemic, what was the assessment of the effectiveness and impact of the measures taken? 

    While noting the information provided by the State party, including on the judicial review of the restrictions imposed, could the proportionality of the measures imposed to address COVID-19 be explained, including the ban on any gathering of more than 10 people imposed for a certain period? What assessment did the State party make of this experience for a better consideration of human rights in future crises?      

    Another Expert said the State party had reported on humanitarian repatriations from Syria of women and children of French nationality.  With regard to returns, according to public reports, there was still a significant number of women and children detained or held in camps and rehabilitation centres in Syria.  What was the number, the current situation, and the measures taken by the State party to ensure the full repatriation of all French women and children still in detention camps and rehabilitation centres for minors in Syria? 

    What was the estimated number of detained men and women in Syria who participated as Islamic State fighters?  Had measures been taken to ensure that due process standards were strictly respected in the trials before the Syrian national courts? According to information, in May and June 2019, 11 French nationals had been sentenced to death in Iraq for their involvement as Islamic State fighters.  Could the delegation provide an update on that information and indicate what steps the State party had taken to prevent the continued imposition of death sentences on its nationals in that country?  What other penalties had been applied to these French nationals in lieu of the death penalty?

    The Committee had requested information related to the Arms Trade Treaty, in order to know whether the State party carried out an evaluation for the granting of export licenses aimed at determining that the recipient country used the weapons included in the respective license within the framework of respect for the right to life.  Did the evaluation of an arms export take this into account?  Had any measures been taken to ensure a total ban on arms sales to countries where there was a clear risk that such weapons could be used to violate international human rights law?  Was it possible to access information on arms exports so that civil society could carry out oversight?  What measures had been taken to prevent the negative effects on the right to life of the operations of French companies abroad, especially in the province of Cabo Delgado in Mozambique? 

    A Committee Expert said the Committee was informed that there had been a rise in police violence in recent years, with multiple incidents resulting in fatal outcomes, some of them young boys.   Could more information be provided on trainings on racism for police officers?  Had improvements been made, bearing in mind previous incidents?  The Committee was informed that investigations and legal procedures of unlawful killings by law enforcement officials were not expeditious, sometimes even leading to de facto police impunity, or that sentences were not commensurate with the gravity of the crime. 

    Had there been plans to amend legal norms and review legal conditions for the use of firearms by the police and the gendarmerie, aiming to reduce the risks of disproportionate use of lethal force, and to strike a better balance with the principles of absolute necessity and strict proportionality?  What was the status of investigations of fatalities and injuries, including those related to alleged excessive use of force, which emerged during conflicts that started in May 2024 in New Caledonia? Had trainings been undertaken for those operating in France’s overseas territories? 

    The Committee welcomed the reported introduction of the new right to appeal introduced by article 803-8 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, as a step forward.  However, Experts had been informed that there were several challenges preventing its full use and benefits.  Since the right to a judicial remedy against undignified conditions of detention was introduced in 2021, what were the steps taken by the State party to disseminate it within the incarcerated population?  Was the information on the creation of a new legal tool easily reachable in all penitentiaries under the jurisdiction of the State party?  Had legal aid been introduced to those incarcerated persons who could not afford a lawyer or judicial taxes?  Were there plans to introduce wider use of alternatives to detention or a more restricted use of detention as a last resort?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said France supported the recognition of indigenous peoples.  New Caledonia was one of the most advanced examples of the French Government recognising the rights of indigenous peoples.  Since the Nouméa Accord, an institutional framework had been put into place allowing for shared governance between the communities, representing the customs of the Kanak people.  On 1 October, the Prime Minister announced the postponement of elections in 2025, which was unanimously agreed by Parliament.  Since 1998, France had been cooperating with the decolonisation committee and the work had been fruitful.

    Since 2015, the technical intelligence community had been working on a specific legal framework.  The law included respect for the private lives of citizens and had a strict principle of proportionality.  The law set forth the procedures to be respected when it came to implementing intelligence techniques, including prior authorisation by the Prime Minister.  There were restrictions on how long the data could be held.  The enhanced video surveillance was enacted in advance of the Olympics and Paralympics Games.  France chose to engage in a rigorous oversight mechanism regarding this surveillance.  This was a tool for detecting events without having to resort to facial recognition. 

    All French citizens were equal before the law.  The code of ethics for the police and national gendarmerie prohibited discriminatory identity checks.  When the law authorised an identity check, the police should not rely on any physical trait, unless there were specific grounds.  Any act of discrimination could be reported by someone who believed they were a victim of discriminatory profiling.  There were several ways to do this, including through the various controlling and monitoring authorities and the judiciary.

    At the end of the state of emergency, which followed the attacks carried out on France in 2015, the Government acknowledged the need to keep these tools in place due to the possibility of other attacks.  Four new measures had then been created.  These laws were only for preventing terrorism and were accompanied with significant guarantees for citizens.  The law of 30 July 2021 on preventing acts of terrorism gave these measures permanency.  The Constitutional Council believed this was a balanced approach that ensured achieving the goal of preventing terrorism while respecting private life.  House searches could not be instigated unless there was prior authorisation from a judge; 1,447 remedies were presented for the state of emergency.  The law of 2021 applied to people who had been sentenced to acts of terrorism. Sentences for terrorist activities represented around 0.04 per cent of all criminal activities. 

    A plan had been developed to prepare the plan on combatting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex hatred, involving members of civil society.  The plan contained 16 key measures, including a ten-million-euro fund by 2027 to improve the host centres for these individuals.  The goal was to have two centres per region in France.  For hate speech, the legislation provision had recently been strengthened.  In 2021, there was a vote to govern the digital space and that law had a set of provisions on combatting online hate speech to better regulate illegal behaviour. There had been significant progress made in this area, given that a bill had been introduced in the European Parliament to regulate heinous content online. 

    In France, 2020 was the year that the State had the lowest rate of femicide.  This meant that the measures set up were effective, and that the police and justice systems were able to act swiftly to combat family violence.  There were also provisions which allowed complaints to be raised. 

    Measures adopted during the pandemic were considered to be proportional.  The measures taken to address the pandemic did not overturn other measures in place. During COVID-19, the number of calls to victim support groups for violence had increased.  The accelerated measures implemented by France to support victims included electronic bracelets to ensure restraining orders were complied with.   In 2021, emergency plans were implemented to ensure people were protected.  At the end of the pandemic, the State provided hotlines 24/7 and reception centres in shopping malls.  More specialised support was also provided in courts. 

    International commitments by France to human rights did not involve a repatriation of citizens in an area where France had no control.  Authorities responded systematically to requests for repatriation made by French citizens.  Since 2019, repatriation efforts for minors had been organised.  France exported weapons to countries that wished to strengthen their armies, only with strict national oversight. 

    Force was only used when necessary in cases set forth by law and in a manner which was proportional to the threat.  A police or member of the gendarmerie would only use force if it was essential in their work, such as in cases of self-defence.  Police had additional guidelines on the use of weapons.  There should never be doubt regarding the reasons of an arrest warrant. 

    France had a law which allowed for all inmates to request guarantees for their detention conditions, ensuring they were dignified. A provision was in place which allowed individuals to benefit from jurisdictional support, in place since 2023. Template forms for this purpose were provided to all detainees upon their detention. 

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert said the problem with the New Caledonia information was the outcome of the projects which arose in France in 1984. The idea of postponing elections to 2025 was a positive sign as this would allow for mediation between the local and French authorities.  Over recent years, there had been a considerable strengthening of anti-terrorist measures.  However, the majority of terrorist threats were foiled by international cooperation efforts.  Were the measures justified by the threats the State faced?  How could this be transmitted between different intelligence branches?  How long was intelligence data stored and what measures were provided to keep the information secure? 

    Another Expert asked for disaggregated data on what law enforcement officials had been charged with?  Were inmates allowed to apply to a collective appeal so that others could benefit? 

    An Expert said there were laws which prohibited discrimination in identification checks; how was it ensured that this legislation was implemented?

    Another Committee Expert asked for the delegation to bear in mind the matter of redress granted to victims of violence. 

    One Expert asked for a more specific response to the measures adopted to comply with the rulings of the European courts against certain cases against France?  How did the State party ensure effective judicial control and parliamentary oversight in weapon exportation? 

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the French overseas territories met all international criteria under the law.  France had completed the decolonisation process and no longer administered non-self-governing territories.  As for French Polynesia, in 2023, France decided to speak before the General Assembly, illustrating ongoing dialogue between the State and French Polynesia. France supported the development of French Polynesia. 

    The French Government followed the individual communications procedure before the Committee.  Any communications were the subject of broad consultations among many ministries and institutions. 

    When France ended the state of emergency of 2015 to 2017, the risk of terrorism in the country was still high.  While this risk had come down, threats still persisted; 45 attacks had been foiled between 2017 and now. 

    In 2022, over 700 people brought cases to court regarding acts of violence committed by people in public authority.  Over 200 of these led to convictions. 

    The Ministry of Education and Youth was currently creating a programme to consider the new kinds of racism and anti-Semitism which had cropped up in recent years. 

    The French law enforcement force represented the population and was diverse.  Inmates could ask for specific improvements to detention conditions which impacted their dignity.  Improvements had been carried out in several penitentiaries as a result of this. Several inmates could present these complaints together.   

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert said since the end of the state of health emergency on 10 July 2020, the situation of exiled people in Calais had deteriorated.  The nearly 1,200 homeless men, women and children in Calais had seen their living conditions deteriorated due to the brutal “evacuations” of several large camps, and the dramatic reduction in vital services such as food distributions, and lack of access to showers and water points.  Additionally, around 100 unaccompanied minors had settled in tents in Jules Ferry Square to highlight that they had been abandoned by the State. Could the State party comment on this?

    According to information received, journalists and media organizations were reportedly facing increasing challenges in carrying out their duties, including restrictions on reporting, potential abuses of power, and other pressures that undermined press freedom.  Reporters without Borders reported that police reportedly assaulted several “clearly identifiable” journalists.  There were several cases cited to support these allegations, including journalists in New Caledonia who stated they were constantly harassed for their coverage of the riots.  Could the delegation comment on these allegations?  What measures did the State party intend to take to better protect journalists and human rights defenders in the exercise of their work? Had the perpetrators of the mentioned cases been prosecuted and what was the outcome, including convictions and reparations?

    Another Expert noted the numerous allegations of prison overcrowding in the State party and the serious health risks during the most critical period of the COVID-19 pandemic, asking what were the reasons for providing, through decree-law 2020-303, for the full continuation of pre-trial detention, which even affected minors?  What were the conditions for the application of the measure of full maintenance of pre-trial detention to children and how many children were affected by this measure? How did law no. 2021-646 of 25 May 2021 on global security preserving freedoms effectively guarantee respect for privacy, especially in the use of portable cameras by law enforcement officers and cameras installed on unmanned aerial vehicles?  Did it include the principles of proportionality and necessity? In the case of the use of surveillance devices in public demonstrations by law enforcement officers, were there safeguards or limitations to prevent their use from affecting the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression? 

    It was alleged that four former national secretaries of the General Confederation of Labour were being investigated for defamation and public slander following a complaint filed against them by the Directorate of the National School of Prison Administration.  Could information on this be provided?  The Committee would also like information on the processes followed against various union, political and community leaders for the crime of glorifying terrorism after the Hamas attacks of 7 October 2023.  It was reported that during the recent Olympic Games, there were many cases of systematic Islamophobia that mainly affected Muslim athletes and communities, a situation exacerbated by the security measures adopted. Could the delegation comment on this? What measures had the State party taken to combat hate speech against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons?

    One Expert said the Committee had unfortunately been informed that the situation of migrants in Calais and Grande-Synthe was still very worrying, with authorities continuing to apply the “zero point of fixation” policy, under which temporary shelters were systematically dismantled, sometimes with excessive use of force, every 48 hours.  How were migrants informed of the 48 hour rule and the possible dismantling of their temporary shelters?  Could the State consider the use of more humane and proportionate alternatives to dismantling these shelters, including increasing the capacity of reception centres?  What measures had been adopted to facilitate reporting on police abuses? 

    The Committee was concerned by reports that migrants had been detained at the French-Italian border without having obtained legal documents explaining their detention.  How did France ensure that such detentions were not arbitrary and that all migrants were informed of their procedural rights?  The Committee was also informed that the immigration law of 2 January 2024 expanded the criteria for expulsion to include minor offences, and allowed authorities to place a foreign person in administrative detention for reasons related to a potential threat to public order without justification, as well as allowing detention to be extended and reducing procedural rights.  How was it ensured that these measures were compatible with the provisions of the Covenant? 

    The Committee had received information that the State party continued to issue expulsion notices for the return of persons to countries where they were at risk of serious violations of their rights.  How did the State party ensure respect for the principle of non-refoulement in all cases of expulsion?  Regarding the internal borders of the Schengen area, in particular the issue of rapid refoulement at the border between France and Italy, the Committee noted with appreciation the State party’s follow-up to the conclusion of the Court of Justice of the European Union.  The Committee welcomed the annulment by the Council of State, in February, of certain parts of the Code on the Entry and Residence of Foreigners and the Right of Asylum. 

    However, information had been received that foreign nationals continued to be forcibly returned to Italy without having had access to a proper asylum procedure.  How did France ensure the individualised examination of all applications and effective access to asylum procedures?  Did the State intend to end the use of bone tests in law and in practice?  What was the objective of the January 2024 law to establish files to identify unaccompanied minors suspected of a criminal offence?  Who controlled these files and who kept them?  What measures had been taken to ensure adequate temporary accommodation and emergency accommodation for unaccompanied minors?

    One Committee Expert said France had adopted the third national action plan against human trafficking (2024-2027) at the beginning of 2024.  Could the evaluation of achievements from the second action plan be provided and what goals were set for the third plan?  What were the measures developed to combat trafficking?  Could victims receive compensation within the criminal procedure, or did they have to undergo civil suits for compensation?  What safeguards were in place to protect victims themselves from criminal accountability?  What methods had been developed for victims’ identification?  Had trainings been organised for prosecutors, judges and lawyers on human trafficking? 

    The Committee was concerned by numerous reports that the ban on manifestation of religious beliefs by means of clothing, headgear or other religious symbols was a source of tension in French society and was seen by some as disrespect for multiculturism, fuelling the sense of discrimination, racism, anti-Semitism, and Islamophobia.  What measures were being taken to ensure that the ban on expressing religion by means of religious clothing, headgear or symbols did not have a discriminatory effect in practice?  How was it ensured that all visible religious symbols were treated equally? What criteria was used to decide what symbol should be treated as conspicuous and thus be banned, while others were treated as discrete and allowed?  How did the State party avoid that the ban on manifestation of religious beliefs by means of clothing affected predominantly Muslim girls and women? 

    What safeguards were in place to ensure that provisions on the dissolution of association would not be broadly interpreted and end in violating the right to freedom of assembly?  There had been examples of associations, such as Uprisings of the Earth, labelled as eco-terrorists.  Could the delegation provide its views on this?  The Committee was concerned at the expansion of police powers to stop and check persons in the vicinity of protests, and the effect that this could have on the effective enjoyment of the right of peaceful assembly.  A significant number of protesters had been arrested and detained and a small percentage of the protesters arrested had been charged.  What was the position of the State party on these allegations?  How were personal dignity and respect understood by the courts?

    Another Expert said the year 2023 was marked by a succession of bans on demonstrations, particularly related to the mobilisation against the pension reform, or those carried out in support of the Palestinian people.  In October 2023, the Minister of the Interior issued a memo calling on local authorities to pre-emptively ban all demonstrations of solidarity with the Palestine people.  The ban was challenged before the Council of State, which determined that local authorities had to judge on a case-by-case basis the risks to public order and thus avoid repression by invoking public order, excessive force or arbitrary arrest.  This had had repercussions, even in the area of the right to information, which was concerning.

    Did the National Law Enforcement Scheme adopted in September 2020 mention the path of “de-escalation”, as a strategic principle for policing political manifestations in Europe, supported by the European Union?  The Committee had expressed concern about allegations of ill treatment, excessive use of force, and disproportionate use of intermediate force weapons, in particular during arrests, forced evacuations, and law enforcement operations.  A 2017 law (the Cazeneuve law) created a common framework for the use of weapons, allowing police to use armed force in five different cases.  However, the number of deaths had increased fivefold after the 2017 law, causing France to become the country in the European Union with the largest numbers of people killed or injured by shots fired by police. 

    Could the delegation explain the extent to which law enforcement agencies followed the applicable protocols in practice, with supporting statistics, and respected the principles of necessity, proportionality, precaution, non-discrimination and self-defence in the use of weapons?  What measures, in terms of training for law enforcement agencies, were envisaged?  Would the State party be willing to review the legal framework on the use of weapons and limit the use of firearms within the Security Code?  What follow-up had been given to decision 2020-131 of the Defender of Rights on general recommendations on law enforcement practices with regard to the rules of ethics? 

    According to a decision by the Ombudsman, France was the only country in Europe to use stun grenades to keep demonstrators at bay. Would grenades continue to be used despite the serious mutilations and injuries they caused?  Could the delegation provide updated information on the number of persons who had died as a result of police operations during arrests, including through the excessive use of force, and on the outcome of investigations into such deaths, sanctions imposed, and reparations provided to victims and their families?  Could statistics be provided on the number of proposals for sanctions presented by the Defender of Rights and what became of them, in particular the number of prosecutions? 

    Would the Brigades for the Repression of Motorised Violent Actions be dissolved?  The State party’s report provided information on complaints and investigations initiated concerning members of the security forces.  What measures would be taken to make the relevant statistical data more reliable, disaggregated and complete?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the evacuations of camps in Calais which took place were done through either a legal or an administrative decision. These decisions were carried out with proper supervision and were overseen by the Government and social organizations.  Unaccompanied minors were housed in emergency shelter systems when possible and the same for adults when possible. 

    France guaranteed the right to protest and freedom of collective speech and expression of ideas.  The French State allowed journalists free circulation.  France was seeking to strike a balance because there were now many journalists without press identification who ran risks, placing themselves between protesters and law enforcement officials.  Law enforcement officers were called on to show professional behaviour at all times, including in situations where protests were violent. 

    Videos in public spaces were used to call attention to pre-determined actions; they did not have any impact on the right to protest. France supported the European plan for protecting journalists against violence.  This had allowed for additional guarantees to be provided in certain cases. 

    French authorities were mobilised to support efforts against hate speech, and there were efforts to address this phenomenon within the Ministry of Justice.  When cases were thrown out, they could be appealed before the appeals court.  Investigations into allegations of hate speech were underway. 

    The administrative police were evacuating camps, which were aimed at putting an end to illegal occupation and squatting of lands.  These operations on the ground involved parameters being established.  Regarding expulsions in Calais, 36 operations had taken place.  They were based on the same legal foundations; the anti-squat laws had been utilised to proceed with the evacuation.  Minors were always supported.  The State was aware of the situation of unaccompanied minors in Calais. Systems had been put in place to address these realities and identify the unaccompanied minors.  Work was being done with associations on the ground in Calais, including Doctors without Borders.  The shelters were only 20 minutes from Calais and allowed for daily operations and support.  This distance was far enough to protect unaccompanied minors from traffickers found in these camps. 

    When foreigners were not eligible for asylum seeking procedures, they could then be placed under administrative detention in administrative detention centres.  These decisions were subjected to oversight by judges.  During the detention period, foreigners benefitted from health care support and legal counsel.  Voluntary returnees received financial support.  Some countries were not considered to be safe, and therefore returns were only on a voluntary basis.  Since October 2022, the Government was active in Mayotte, allowing active participation in the asylum-seeking process. 

    There were 2,100 victims of trafficking and exploitation in 2023, a six per cent increase compared to 2022.  Around 882 people had been sentenced for exploitation and trafficking.  France thanked civil society for helping contribute to the National Action Plan against Trafficking.  Training was an important part of the strategy to combat trafficking; there was a training course on human trafficking with a focus on modern slavery. Training was provided to 150 different professionals.  To care for the victims of human trafficking, several mechanisms were in place, including an early detection mechanism.

    France guaranteed the rights of citizens at the highest level, and any restrictions applied to all religions equally.  There was freedom for an individual to display religious signs, but this needed to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.  Any restriction on a religious symbol was only imposed if they were identified as a risk to the public service. 

    Freedom of expression was guaranteed in France, but this could result in some groups promoting racist and hate speech.  The law of 2021 amended the list of cases where a dissolution could take place, broadening the list of discriminatory measures which could lead to a dissolution. 

    The Public Ministry could carry out prosecutions.  Sometimes the Prosecutor could enact educational measures instead, which was used in some cases of minors.  The judges of France were required to argue for their decisions, given that there were no automatic sentences in the State.  This was also true for those found guilty of threatening public order. 

    France was one of the first countries to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.  There had been a significant increase in anti-Semitic acts since October 2023. Freedom to demonstrate was a fundamental right protected by the Constitution and protests were not subjected to authorisation.  There should be a notification to law enforcement around 15 days before to protect the safety of those participating and those living in the area.  The prohibition of protests was only carried out if it was believed they were a threat to public order, and this was done with the oversight of a judge.  Exceptionally, some protests had been prohibited due to the risk they posed to public order. 

    The use of firearms in France was regulated by the Criminal Code. This allowed a gradual response to respect necessity and proportionality to the violence and the threat.  The goal was to reduce the risk of threatening life and the integrity of people.  The police and gendarmerie were trained on how to use these weapons.  Regarding the brigades, several changes in the practices of demonstrators, including the increase in use of social media, had meant that for three years, the strategy had changed.  On average, there were two to three protests every day in Paris.  To meet this challenge, the brigades were developed and had been used to break up certain disruptive groups.  Since October 2023, the Ministry of Justice had circulated a document on combatting offences related to terrorist activities. 

    The fight against Islamophobia was a strong State policy. The strong Muslim community in France should be able to live with their beliefs peacefully to enjoy their religion. Any law which might be seen as a restriction did not target any specific population or any specific religion. 

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert asked if minors in Mayotte could be afforded the same protections as in metropolitan France? 

    Another Expert said hate speech online affected artists and activists in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community. What had been done to prevent this? 

    An Expert said there had been a significant increase in those killed or wounded during protests or police operations.  Were grenades and defensive bullets still used?  What happened when police used these weapons? Was there a compulsory inquiry? Was there oversight regarding each use of weapons? 

    Responses by the Delegation

    Minors were subjected to an age evaluation before they were recorded as minors.  If recorded as a minor, they should not undergo another evaluation.  The dismantling of camps was based on public legal rulings.  The individuals were informed, and efforts were made to help them find shelters or to change their immigration status.  Readmission into the Schengen space was a complex issue. 

    There was a doctrine for the use of medium weapons which allowed gradual and proportionate use.  Recent changes allowed France to address the risk of wounds with these weapons.  Law enforcement officers needed to be clearly trained on each type of weapon on a regular basis.  There was a proposal to replace grenades with non-lethal “flash-bangs”. Random visits were undertaken to police and gendarmerie stations as a form of auditing.  Efforts were made to identify the amount of time weapons were used. 

    Closing Remarks

    ISABELLE ROME, Ambassador for Human Rights of France and head of the delegation, thanked the Committee for the dialogue.  France was deeply attached to the rule of law and was a living democracy; the Committee’s recommendations would be scrupulously considered.  France would continue to progress with an open-minded spirit, in partnership with civil society and the national human rights institution.  The country was committed to renewing dialogue with the territory of New Caledonia and its inhabitants. 

    TANIA MARÍA ABDO ROCHOLL, Committee Chairperson, thanked the delegation for the dialogue, which had covered a wide range of subjects under the Covenant.  The Committee aimed to ensure the highest level of implementation of the Covenant in France. 

    __________

    CCPR.24.024E

    Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the information media; not an official record.

    English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Funding for encampments: Minister Nixon

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    “The province has not received, nor has the province declined, an offer on encampment funding. It is disappointing to see that the federal government is playing politics with vulnerable Albertans.

    “We did receive a letter from federal Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Sean Fraser that initiated planning for federal encampment funding. However, there was no offer of encampment funding and at no point was a deadline provided to the province to finalize an agreement. Officials have met regularly to discuss the best use of these potential funds, including as recently as Monday, Oct. 21.

    “This year alone, Alberta’s government is investing almost $210 million in homelessness initiatives – the highest investment in the province’s history. We have increased our shelter capacity to the most in Alberta history and are operating below capacity.

    “While Alberta is open to federal partnership on these issues, we are not interested in playing politics with the federal government. Alberta will continue investing in this life-changing work, with or without the federal government.”

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Mixed weather bag ahead for Te Wai Pounamu, the South Island into Labour Weekend

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    MetService and meteorologists are warning people travelling this week and over Labour Weekend to be ready for changeable weather and in some places torrential rain.

    Two storm surges are forecast, says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA), with the first starting over Te Wai Pounamu/the South Island today and tomorrow.


    Milford Sound Piopiotahi highway, SH94 closed today and Thursday

    Intense rain has elevated the avalanche risk on this route today, closing it today and Thursday. Reopening Friday will be subject to avalanche risk and storm clearance work. Updates here: (external link)

    Journey Planner – Southland closures(external link)


    West Coast and alpine passes

    West Coast drivers on SH6 south of Harihari need to be ready for heavy rain and possible flooding from rivers like the Waiho near Franz Josef later today and into tomorrow.

    Visibility in heavy rain can be minimal and SH6 can flood in low-lying places. “Drivers should avoid travelling at night and leave double the normal travelling distance to the car in front in torrential rain,” says Mark Pinner, System Manager for NZTA, Central South Island.

    Roads will close if conditions deteriorate and people could encounter fallen trees and slips so be ready to slow down at short notice, says Mr Pinner.

    Heavy rain is forecast to move to alpine areas of SH73, the Arthur’s Pass/ Otira highway, and further north on the West Coast later Thursday into Friday.

    • Rain is forecast to ease south of Arthur’s Pass, SH73, by early Friday and other areas later on Friday.
    • Canterbury river catchments like the Rakaia and Rangitata are also forecast to catch huge amounts of rain in the headwaters.

    Second storm over weekend

    The second storm is forecast to affect the upper half of the South Island on Saturday bringing heavy rain, including eastern areas.

    Kaikōura, Nelson, Marlborough, and Buller could all catch this rainfall as well as the eastern foothills, say meteorologists.

    With cold air forecast for Saturday also along the Main Divide alpine pass travellers need to keep up-to-date on conditions and any restrictions –  for example, if chains are required and no-towing vehicles in places like Porters or Arthur’s Pass.

    NZTA advises people to check these sites before heading away and drive prepared – with snacks, water and blankets and a safe vehicle with good windscreen wipers:

    Metservice warnings(external link)

    Journey planner – Highway conditions(external link)


    Labour Weekend popular travelling time

    “There will likely be heavy traffic over the long weekend as large numbers of people head out of main centres to holiday destinations. If you can avoid peak travel times it will make the trip a lot more enjoyable,” says Mr Pinner.

    Check the NZTA Labour Weekend journey planner for an indication of times and days traffic has been heavy on key highway routes here: 

    Labour day weekend holiday journeys(external link)

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Don’t let holiday traffic belabour your long weekend

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    Labour Weekend is now upon us after a long winter and spring with no public holidays. With it comes holiday road trips and more traffic on the roads.

    Mark Owen, Regional Manager Lower North Island / Top of the South, says with more traffic comes the need to take extra care when driving.

    “Holidays are about creating happy memories, which is why we want everyone to think about the driving basics if they’re heading away this weekend.”

    “Holiday traffic means there will be congestion on highways in and out of Wellington late Friday and Monday. If you’re in queued traffic, be patient. Our helpful Holiday Journey Planner can help you avoid peak travel times and save you some traffic jam stress,” Mr Owen says.

    Holiday Journey Planner (external link)

    Mr Owen says carrying out some basic checks before you drive can save you grief too.

    “Check your tyre pressures, coolant and oil levels. Punctures, overheating, and engine troubles are not what you need on a road trip.”

    “Also, check the weather too. If the forecast is bad, allow some extra time for your journey,” Mr Owen says.

    But the most critical advice Mr Owen has is to drive safely.

    “We may sound like a broken record when we tell people to be patient and not to speed, to keep left unless passing, to not drive when tired, and to always wear your seatbelt.”

    “But we say it because it matters. Small mistakes can have devastating consequences. For you, your friends and family, and other drivers,” Mr Owen says.


    Weather Warnings

    The Metservice has issued weather alerts for the lower North and upper South Islands.

    A Strong Wind Watch is in force for Wairarapa, Wellington, and the Marlborough Sounds from late today (Thursday) to early Friday morning, with severe northwest gales forecast for exposed areas.

    Drivers travelling on State Highway 2 Remutaka Hill and the Wainui Saddle on State Highway 1 Transmission Gully must take extra care.

    On top of the South Island, a Heavy Rain Warning has been issued for the Tasman District northwest of Motueka from late today (Thursday) to early Friday morning. This will affect State Highway 60 in Tākaka/Golden Bay.

    Drivers should be prepared for slips, rockfalls, localised flooding and wet driving conditions. Please watch your speed and following distances, and drive to the conditions.

    Road users are encouraged to check road and weather conditions before they travel.

    Metservice warnings(external link)

    Journey planner – Highway conditions(external link)


    Tips for safe driving on your Labour Weekend holiday

    Plan ahead. Use our Holiday Journey Planner to find out when the peak traffic times will be and time your travel to avoid them.

    Labour day weekend holiday journeys(external link)

    Drive to the conditions, allow plenty of time and take regular breaks to stay alert.

    • Be patient when driving this summer so everyone can relax and enjoy the holidays together.
    • Keep a safe following distance from vehicles in front so you can stop safely.
    • Drive to the conditions – whether it’s the weather, the road you’re on, the time of day or the volume of traffic on the roads.
    • Take regular breaks to stay alert.
    • Allow plenty of time. You’re on holiday, there is no need to rush. 
    • For more information, check out our helpful holiday driving tips:
      Driving in the holidays(external link)

    Vehicle safety

    • Your vehicle must be safe to drive before you set off on your summer holiday.
    • Check that the Warrant of Fitness or Certificate of Fitness is up-to-date on any vehicle you plan to drive, including rentals.
    • There are basic checks you can do yourself, including:
      • Tyres – minimum tread is 1.5mm but the more tread, the better the grip.
      • Lights – check that all lights work so your vehicle is visible in poor light.
      • Indicators – ensure all indicators work so people know which direction you are moving.
      • Windscreen and wipers – check for wear and tear so you can see the road safely.
    • For more information on self-checks, visit our Check your car web page:
      Check your car – safety basics(external link)

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Federal Judge Rebuffs Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Claim That U.S. Labor Law Violates Constitution

    Source: Communications Workers of America

    PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A motion by representatives of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette arguing that the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) is unconstitutional was rejected by U.S. District Court Judge Cathy Bissoon on Tuesday.

    The Post-Gazette (“PG Publishing Co.”) is facing an injunction hearing on Monday, Oct. 28, in which the National Labor Relations Board will seek a ruling from Judge Bissoon ordering and enjoining the PG to stop violating federal labor law, bargain with its workers in good faith, and pay for their health care costs until a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), or health care plan, is agreed.

    With its rejected motion, the PG joined Elon Musk, Trader Joe’s, and Amazon in claiming that the NLRA, which has regulated labor relations in the U.S. since its passage in 1935, violates the constitution. Judge Bissoon dismissed these arguments.

    “While PG’s positions are not outlandish by contemporary standards, this Court declines its invitation to ignore nearly a century’s worth of settled jurisprudence. See NLRB v. Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp., 301 U.S. 1 (1937),” Bissoon wrote in her order. “Although respect for stare decisis appears less ‘in vogue’ as of late, there is something to be said for tradition. The undersigned will continue to respect it.”

    Striking pressworkers, advertisers, and mailers have been on strike since October 6, 2022, following the PG unilaterally canceling the health care of its production and distribution workers over an increase in costs of $19 per week per person.

    Editorial workers in the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh joined them on Oct. 18 on an unfair labor practice strike stemming from the company’s illegally unilateral decision to tear up the Guild’s contract in July of 2020 and from the company’s other illegal behavior.

    “The Post-Gazette’s owners have gone beyond breaking the law and have argued that there should be no law at all,” said CWA District 2-13 Vice President Mike Davis. “It would be laughable at this point if it wasn’t causing real damage to the Post-Gazette’s workers and their families and undermining the news coverage that the people of Pittsburgh deserve. We are pleased that Judge Bissoon has rejected the Post-Gazette’s frivolous attempt to eliminate the National Labor Relations Act so we can focus on the real issue—the Post-Gazette’s failure to follow the law.”

    Monday’s hearing in front of Judge Bissoon is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. at the federal courthouse at 700 Grant St. in Downtown Pittsburgh.

    ###

    About CWA: The Communications Workers of America represents working people in telecommunications, customer service, media, airlines, health care, public service and education, manufacturing, tech, and other fields.

    cwa-union.org @cwaunion

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA to Help Michigan Businesses Affected by Drought

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today that federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) are available in Michigan for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private nonprofit organizations with economic losses from drought that began on Oct. 8.

    The declaration includes the primary County of Lenawee, and the adjacent counties of Hillsdale, Jackson, Monroe and Washtenaw in Michigan, and Fulton and Lucas in Ohio.  

    “When farmers face crop losses and a disaster is declared by the Secretary of Agriculture, SBA working capital loans become a lifeline for eligible small businesses,” said Francisco Sánchez, Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration. “These loans are the backbone that helps rural communities bounce back and thrive after a disaster strikes.”

    Under this declaration, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible farm-related and nonfarm-related entities that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster.  Apart from aquaculture enterprises, SBA cannot provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, and ranchers. Nurseries are eligible to apply for economic injury disaster loans for losses caused by drought conditions. 

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates of 4% for small businesses and  
    3.25% for private nonprofit organizations, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition. Eligibility is based on the size of the applicant, type of activity and its financial resources. These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. The loans are not intended to replace lost sales or profits. 

    On October 15, 2024, it was announced that funds for the Disaster Loan Program have been fully expended. While no new loans can be issued until Congress appropriates additional funding, we remain committed to supporting disaster survivors. Applications will continue to be accepted and processed to ensure individuals and businesses are prepared to receive assistance once funding becomes available.

    Applicants are encouraged to submit their loan applications promptly for review in anticipation of future funding.

    For information and to apply online visit SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 6592955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. 

    Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than June 16, 2025. 

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov. 

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Administrator Samantha Power in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

    Source: USAID

    The below is attributable to Spokesperson Benjamin Suarato:

    Today, Administrator Samantha Power was in Phnom Penh for the second day of her visit to Cambodia. She met with Prime Minister Hun Manet at the Peace Palace, where they discussed the U.S. and Cambodia’s shared interest in fostering a deeper bilateral relationship. Noting that her visit marked the first time a USAID Administrator had traveled to Cambodia, Administrator Power recognized the significant progress achieved through collaboration between USAID and the Government of Cambodia in areas such as health, education, and environmental protection. 

    Administrator Power also recognized Cambodia’s achievements on reducing deaths from tuberculosis and malaria. Administrator Power and Prime Minister Manet discussed the importance of the U.S. and Cambodia working together to address the online scam industry, demining and the removal of unexploded ordnance, global health security, reducing lead exposure for children, and other issues of mutual concern. Administrator Power underscored the strong U.S. support around the world and in Cambodia for workers’ rights and civil society, as well as concerns about issues such as closing civic space and press freedoms. 

    Administrator Power met with Yeang Chheang, a medical entomologist who saved countless lives by distributing malaria medication during the deadly Khmer Rouge regime in the mid-1970s, and who subsequently helped rebuild Cambodia’s National Malaria Program. She congratulated Mr. Chheang for receiving the “Unsung Hero” award at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai in December 2023 for his efforts to eliminate malaria and shared her appreciation for his valuable contributions to the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI). With U.S. government support through PMI, by 2025 Cambodia is on track to become the first PMI bilateral country to reach malaria elimination.  

    Administrator Power participated in meetings to hear from Cambodians about how the U.S. can best support progress on rights, governance, and rule of law. These meetings included engagements with civil society leaders, as well as other individuals with perspectives on these issues.

    Administrator Power also visited the Mekong River, along with USAID partners, Cambodian government officials, researchers, students, conservationists, and fisherpeople. Traveling by boat down the Tonle Sap River to the confluence with the Mekong River, Administrator Power released endangered fish into the river waters to demonstrate USAID’s support for healthy and thriving inland waterways that promote livelihoods, economic independence, autonomy, and food security. She underscored the U.S. government’s support under the Mekong-U.S. Partnership for autonomy, protecting endangered aquatic marine life, and safeguarding the ecosystem of the Mekong watershed and other natural resources in Cambodia. USAID will continue to support Mekong conservation efforts in Cambodia and their expansion to the broader Mekong sub-region.

    Additionally, Administrator Power met with U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh and USAID/Cambodia staff to celebrate their efforts and achievements to advance the U.S.-Cambodia relationship. To close out her trip, Administrator Power held a press conference and announced more than $50 million in new USAID and U.S. government programs and initiatives to assist farmers, expand the Wonders of the Mekong, support civil society and media, and more.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Administrator Samantha Power at a Press Conference in Phnom Penh

    Source: USAID

    ADMINISTRATOR SAMANTHA POWER: Thank you all. It is great to see everyone this evening. 

    It has been a great pleasure for me to be back in Cambodia for my fourth visit. In previous visits, of course, I have been awed by the majesty and rich culture of Angkor Wat, the incredible power and importance of the Tulsa Lang Genocide Museum, and, of course, the beauty of the Mekong River.

    Being back here and discussing the deepening engagement between our two countries has been very enlightening for me. The partnership of today builds on several decades of investment by USAID in support of the dignity and prosperity of the Cambodian people. 

    I feel, personally, very fortunate to be the first USAID Administrator to visit Cambodia while in this role, and I have taken many notes about the priorities of the Government officials, students, and civil society leaders that I’ve had the chance to engage with.

    Over the past few decades, the Cambodian people have made really remarkable strides to improve health, education, and economic growth. We, in the United States, again, have been able to support these efforts, including with a total of $3 billion in assistance over the past more-than-30 years. 

    We, in these years, supported the efforts of public health heroes like Mr. Yang Chiang, this country’s first entomologist, who I had the honor of meeting today. A man who has dedicated his life to trying to eliminate malaria here in Cambodia, and an individual who has been able to see with so many of you that Cambodia now has marked six straight years without a single death from malaria, and thus, again, is on the cusp of meeting this goal of eliminating malaria in this country.

    We also have supported Cambodia’s education system to get more kids into school. Since 2007, the number of children enrolled in preschool programs has more than doubled, and Cambodia is close, in fact, to achieving universal access to primary education. USAID programs have doubled reading scores among the children that we have worked with, and we are now seeing the Cambodian Government using these same approaches to help even more young people. 

    We worked as well to increase trade between our two countries, and today, the United States is Cambodia’s largest export market. Over the past five years, indeed, Cambodia’s exports to the United States have more than doubled. There is meaningful progress like this to celebrate, and on this trip, I am glad to announce over $50 million in new funding from across the U.S. government to try to build on some of this progress.

    With these funds, we will invest in helping Cambodian farmers connect with markets and adopt new technologies to keep producing plentiful and safe food, even as the climate changes. We will invest in keeping the Cambodian people safe by clearing landmines and other unexploded ordinances, building on decades of efforts to address the dangerous legacies of war. And importantly, we will invest in supporting civil society, labor, and independent media, investments that will not only support Cambodia’s democratic future but its economic future, as well. 

    On this visit, I have met with Cambodians from all walks of life – families fostering kids with disabilities, students and environmentalists, workers who care for some of this country’s most sacred sites, doctors, nurses and community health workers, labor activists, and brave individuals who seek to hold those with power accountable to the principles enshrined in this country’s constitution: democracy, human rights, transparency. 

    There is great potential for the relationship between the United States and Cambodia to grow stronger, and, as is the case in all of our important relationships, there are also concerns, including about unjustified arrests and threats to basic rights. We are following the case of journalist Mech Dara very closely, including some potential developments today. I had a chance to both meet with Dara’s family, and to raise this issue, along with other concerning cases, in my meeting with the Prime Minister today. 

    All of these cases are sensitive, but I will just underscore that we have emphasized our support for finding positive resolutions. More broadly, as I discussed with Prime Minister Hen Mannet earlier today, American and international companies see real opportunity here in Cambodia. But, in order to invest here, they want to see meaningful improvements in the business enabling environment, to tackle corruption, to improve respect for labor rights, and to address the cyber scam operations plaguing Cambodia’s international reputation. 

    Working toward greater transparency, accountability and protection of human rights can unlock extraordinary prosperity for the Cambodian people. That can be the promise of a new generation, and we, in the United States, will be eager partners in working together to achieve it. 

    Thank you so much, and I look forward to taking your questions.

    QUESTION: Thank you. Hi, I’m Prak Chan Thul from Kiripost. So, you said you announced $50 new million for Cambodia. What? What have you heard from the authorities of the Cambodian government that in return of this new aid and what have you – what will you promise in the case of Mech Dara, will he be released? Thank you.

    ADMINISTRATOR POWER: Thank you. I’m not going to comment further on Mech Dara’s case beyond to stress the importance of independent media, of checks and balances, and of the rule of law. 

    With regard to the new investments that have been announced. They range from an additional investment in the prevention of tuberculosis. I was able, yesterday in Siem Reap, to witness a very energetic effort to reach at least some of the Cambodians who have tuberculosis, but often do not know they have TB until it is not only too late for them, but too late for others, given how the disease spreads. So, USAID is partnering with community-based organizations that will reach citizens where they are, not expecting citizens to experience a symptom and then travel a long way to get a diagnosis, but an effort really to make the diagnostic technology more mobile and more readily available. And, this is with an eye to helping Cambodia and Cambodians reach the goal that the government has set to eliminate TB by 2030. So, this is a $4 million investment in a local organization that is driving some of this community based work to get rid of TB. 

    In addition, just to stay in the area of public health, we have announced an additional $1 million to invest in doing a survey for the Cambodian people of blood lead levels. There is significant lead poisoning among children in many developing countries, including Cambodia, but understanding exactly where those elevated levels of lead in the blood are clustered, understanding the sources of lead poisoning is absolutely critical to eliminating lead poisoning going forward. 

    And, this was something – both this and TB and, of course, all of the work we have done together on malaria, were each topics that I had a chance to discuss with the Prime Minister, and sensed a lot of enthusiasm to go forward again with the efforts to eliminate TB, and the effort now to get a handle on precisely what the sources of lead poisoning are so as to embark on a multi-faceted effort to regulate lead and to ensure that Cambodia’s children are no longer exposed to something that can be very harmful to educational attainment, and can ultimately even cause premature death. 

    We also are announcing an investment of an additional $5 million to support workers, civil society, and independent media. And here, let me just note, obviously these are investments in non-governmental actors. But, one of the topics that we discussed at length with the Prime Minister was his broad ambition to attract more foreign investment, to take steps that will ensure that the economy continues to grow and even grows more, and creates jobs for all of the young people who are looking for jobs every year. But, it is really, really important for investors to have confidence in the rule of law, for corruption to be tackled, so that, for example, American companies can feel confident that they can invest here without having to pay bribes or engage in kickbacks, which are illegal in the United States. 

    And so, these investments in civil society, in media, in the dignity of work and workers – all of these are investments as well in Cambodia’s economic development and that broad ambition that so many Cambodians have for their children to enjoy a more prosperous future than they themselves.

    QUESTION: Hi, my name is Danielle Keaton Olson. I’m a freelance journalist based in Phnom Penh, and I was wondering so, Cambodian-based labor rights organization called Central has gotten under fire for receiving foreign funding. The Cambodian government has criticized it for receiving foreign funding. And, of course, there’s been the arrest of our colleague and the U.S. recognized Trafficking-In-Persons report hero, Mech Dera. Are these raising alarms or concerns within USAID at this moment?

    ADMINISTRATOR POWER: Well, I have had the chance on this visit to sit down with individuals from Central and to hear firsthand about the experiences that they have been having, the level of the scrutiny of their operations, and the concerns that they have about being able to continue doing the work that has proven so important for workers rights here in Cambodia. I also had a chance in Siem Reap to meet with individuals who have helped organize, those who actually maintain these cherished tourist sites, and who themselves have organized in order to secure better wages, better working conditions, better hours, et cetera. 

    President Biden is laser-focused on labor rights at home and indeed has shown tremendous initiative and leadership on promoting global labor rights. And so, it was very important in having this visit for us to sit down and dig into just those issues. And, one of the arguments that I made today with the government, and it’s an argument again that U.S. officials are making all around the world, is that labor rights and workers abilities – a worker’s ability and workers’ abilities to advocate for themselves without fear of persecution, is absolutely critical to growing the economy in a manner that expands livelihoods and prosperity for all Cambodians. 

    So, this is not simply an issue of human rights, which it is, it is also absolutely critical that the freedom to organize, the freedom to associate, the freedom to express one’s concerns, be protected. And, I think that is the foundation to an economy that will not only grow but grow in an inclusive manner that benefits ordinary Cambodians and not merely those who have benefited from growth in prior generations.

    QUESTION: Sorry. Has it – just to clarify – Has it raised some concerns about USAID ability to support these values that, in terms of labor rights and independent media, that the U.S. government values?

    ADMINISTRATOR POWER: Well, as I indicated in announcing additional support, you know, when these rights are challenged, it becomes all the more important for USAID to be working in partnership with those who are bravely defending those rights. And so, I actually think it underscores the importance of these investments, and I think that is certainly the message that I heard from the labor organizers that I’ve spoken with over the last few days – is both the resources to support those who are organizing, but also what we call the development diplomacy, you know, raising these – raising with senior government officials, the importance of these rights being protected and respected. And, the United States is not alone in raising these concerns. Obviously, other democracies are intent as well in raising concerns about, again, some of what appear to be the growing pressures on workers and on unions and on labor organizers. 

    QUESTION: Good evening, madam. My name is Hul Reaksmey. I am reporter from Voice of America. My question is, what is your observation about Chinese growing in Cambodia, when you talk about Cambodia effort to improve democracy?

    ADMINISTRATOR POWER: Sorry, just a little bit hard to hear. Maybe just slow down, and I heard the first part, but just the last part of your question?

    QUESTION: Does the Chinese growing influence undermine efforts of Cambodia to improve democracy?

    ADMINISTRATOR POWER: Thank you. Well, one of the things that the United States stresses in the countries where it works around the world is the importance of transparency, a spirit of partnership, the importance of natural resources being protected and preserved. As we just discussed, the importance of civil society and non-governmental actors, holding government accountable, and maybe this is a point I would stress even the most strongly, the importance of the investments we make, strengthening a country’s path to independence, rather than any kind of dependence. And so, one of the things that really stands out for me in terms of the U.S. development model is that we provide our support by-and-large through grants. 

    It’s extremely important to us that when we invest in health programming or education programming or food security efforts, like the USDA program that I’ve announced on this visit; or demining, like the additional $12 million that I announced on this visit, that the Cambodian people understand that these resources are invested in a spirit of partnership. 

    We are listening to our Cambodian partners and trying to mobilize resources in support of their objectives. What we do not want is for Cambodia or the Cambodian people to be somehow indebted to us in a manner that actually impedes this country’s economic development. 

    So, just to give you one statistical example of this. The United States invests about nine dollars in grants for every dollar of loan that the United States provides. The PRC invests about nine dollars in loans for every dollar in grants. And, one of the challenges – and these numbers are lower, I think, than the actual number, but at least that is the ratio, at least – one of the challenges that can saddle future generations with the obligation to repay debt, often at high interest, debt that was incurred long before.

    Again, our goal is for Cambodia to move, once and for all, from aid to trade. We know the capability of the Cambodian people. We see it in the incredible economic growth that this country has enjoyed. We see it in the resilience of the people who have gone through so much over the generations. And, what we seek to do is to be catalytic and responsive to our partners objectives, but the ultimate objective is for a sovereign and independent Cambodia to make its own choices about how to deploy its own resources, including its tremendous human capital.

    QUESTION: Hello, good evening ma’am. And my name is Ko Ratha from the Cambodia-China Times, and we call in Khmer the CC-Times. And, I have some questions for you. I just would like to say, this is very busy trip to Cambodia. And my first question is, how do you think about the development in Cambodia? As you mentioned that this is your fourth trip to Cambodia. And the second one is, why Americans decided to support more aid to Cambodia? And the last one, what is your encouragement in order to use aid in the right way and now the U.S. purpose?

    ADMINISTRATOR POWER: Well, I have only been USAID Administrator now for more than three and a half years, let’s say, but one of the things that is wonderful about visiting Cambodia is to see the way in which previous investments by USAID and really from the American people, have produced such significant results here. 

    I gave the example of the elimination of malaria. The work done to eliminate malaria was done by Cambodians. It’s Cambodia that achieved, is on the verge, I should say, of achieving that very, very significant accomplishment. But USAID has been present over the last several decades in supporting that work. I mentioned in education that USAID has made investments in looking to see what forms of education are having the greatest impact with students. That’s a, you know, relatively small program, but that produced really valuable information, and now the Ministry of Education is using that information to inform its decisions about curriculum. 

    I think these are two really important examples of how this assistance can flow. It starts with respecting the judgment and the priorities of the Cambodian people. One of the things about USAID that is not well known, and even that I was not aware of before I came to USAID, is that three quarters of our staff in the countries in which we work are nationals of the countries in which we work. So, here, of course, that means that the vast majority of our staff here in Cambodia are Cambodians who live in their communities – who listen to their neighbors, who understand the importance of making health progress, and also understand the importance of fighting corruption, and ensuring that political reform and economic development go hand in hand. 

    So, I think that is our posture going forward – as we have been present in the country in some form since just after the Paris Peace Agreements, since 1993-1994 – we have learned a lot, and the people from whom we have learned the most are the Cambodian people. So, I think our presence here is not about, you know, geopolitical competition, it is about advancing the dignity, prosperity, and peace for Cambodians. 

    QUESTION: I wanted to follow up on the aid that was rescinded and then reinstated last year after the election, which the State Department called the Cambodian election last year, neither free nor fair, and then $18 million U.S. aid was withheld. Then that decision was reversed two months later. The U.S. Embassy told Cambodian news at the time that the aid was reinstated to, “encourage the new government to live up to its stated intentions to be more open and democratic.” So, a year later, I just wanted to follow up and ask, do you think it worked?

    ADMINISTRATOR POWER: Well, first, I think it’s important to discuss the aid itself, and I don’t need to repeat what we’ve already discussed here today, but when we invest $12 million in demining, that means fewer kids are going to run into unexploded ordinances. When we invest in moving diagnostic equipment that does X-rays of the lungs, that means fewer people are going to carry TB without knowing it. And, when we invest after COVID-19 and the horrible toll that that took here, not only on human health, but on the economy. When we invest in lab equipment and surveillance to prevent future global health security threats, that’s a really important investment in Cambodia’s health and stability, but also in America’s health. Every investment in global health security that we make internationally ultimately benefits us all, since we are connected. 

    So, I think that there absolutely is an effort to engage the government that has been now in office for 14 months, and to raise concerns about individuals who have, in some cases, exposed challenges in Cambodia that the Cambodian people benefit from seeing exposed like the scamming centers, like corruption, like human rights abuse by police or others. 

    We over this last or really over these last decades, but including with the new government, have made investments in labor organizing, in independent media, in these civil society organizations. At the same time, we have pressed these issues through our development diplomacy. 

    I don’t think that the United States, anywhere in the world, gives up on its efforts to promote human rights, to stress the linkage between economic progress and checks and balances, and again, the protection and promotion of human rights. And, of course, there are issues of concern, just as there were when the pause was put in place. 

    But, our programming resources do not go to the government. They go to non-governmental organizations. They go to the very organizations that, in many cases, are holding government accountable. In health, of course, goes to community based organizations that, yes, work alongside the Ministry of Health, but it is really important to take note that our assistance is to the people of this country, and that assistance, as we examine it, if it is advancing dignity, advancing checks and balances, it’s important to sustain those investments over time. 

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: The United States Announces New Programs and more than $38 Million in Additional Funding for Cambodia

    Source: USAID

    Today in Phnom Penh, Administrator Samantha Power announced new investments and support for the Cambodian people through a range of new and expanded U.S. activities in food security, the environment, civil society, media, and labor. Cambodia remains an essential partner to the United States as we work to achieve a shared vision for a free and open, prosperous, and secure Indo-Pacific region. 

    As part of the U.S. government’s commitment to strengthening agriculture and food systems, Administrator Power highlighted a new Food for Progress award of more than $29 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This funding will help Cambodia improve implementation and development of food safety regulations by improving post-harvest handling of soybean meal, increasing adoption of climate smart technologies, providing training on best food safety practices, and strengthening market linkages. Under the Mekong-US Partnership, USAID will also support new efforts to conserve the rich biodiversity of the lower Mekong River basin, which is home to more than 1,000 species of fish but increasingly threatened by the effects of climate change and infrastructure development. Underscoring the strong U.S. commitment to protecting biodiversity, USAID will extend and expand for the next five years its work with the government and local communities in Cambodia to conserve and sustain the wonders of the Mekong, as well as work with other countries of the lower Basin. 

    In a meeting with members of Cambodian civil society, Administrator Power also announced more than $6 million in new USAID funding for civil society, media, and labor in support of Cambodia’s constitutional commitments to democratic rule, respect for human rights, and support for civil society. Additionally, Administrator Power announced $3 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Labor to increase collaboration and partnerships between and among persons with disabilities. This funding will help address the prevalence of child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking among persons with disabilities and reduce barriers that impede their access to decent work. USAID will also continue to support Cambodian returnees from the United States as they reintegrate into Cambodian society and establish stable, constructive, and independent lives. 

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: RI Department of State to Host ‘Spooky State House’ on October 29

    Source: US State of Rhode Island

    PROVIDENCE, RI � Friendly frights, ghost stories, and lots of Halloween treats will soon return to the Rhode Island State House!

    This year’s Spooky State House will take place on Tuesday, October 29. Trick-or-treaters are welcome to stop by the Rhode Island State House (82 Smith Street, Providence) between 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

    Those who dare to brave the halls of the Spooky State House will be greeted by decorations and treats from the offices of Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore, Governor Dan McKee, Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos, Attorney General Peter F. Neronha, General Treasurer James A. Diossa, the Rhode Island Senate, and the Rhode Island House of Representatives.

    Costumes are encouraged and admission is free. This is a family-friendly event; all ages are welcome. Attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.

    More information is available through the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/share/nJ6hFxaVBNweY4XP/

    RSVPs are not required.

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    MIL OSI USA News