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Category: Banking

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Italy: EIB and Eni sign €500 million finance agreement to convert Livorno refinery into a biorefinery

    Source: European Investment Bank

    EIB

    • This will be Eni’s third biorefinery in Italy, after those in Venice and Gela.
    • Among the distinctive features of the project, in addition to the use of advanced technologies, there is the possibility of adapting the plant to also produce SAF (sustainable aviation fuel) in the future.
    • This initiative contributes to the European Union’s decarbonisation goals, with particular reference to the transport sector, and confirms Eni’s energy transition path.
    • The project is part of Enilive’s strategy to reach more than five million tonnes of biorefinery capacity by 2030.

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Eni have signed a €500 million 15-year finance contract to support the conversion of Eni’s Livorno refinery in Tuscany into a biorefinery. The agreement was signed today at Eni’s headquarters in San Donato Milanese by EIB Vice-President Gelsomina Vigliotti and Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi.

    Eni’s project involves the construction of new plants to produce hydrogenated biofuels at the Livorno refinery site, including a biogenic pre-treatment unit and a 500 000-tonne/year Ecofining™ plant.

    Thanks to its proprietary Ecofining™ technology, Eni’s company dedicated to sustainable mobility, Enilive, produces HVO (hydrogenated vegetable oil) – a biofuel made from renewable raw materials[1] such as used cooking oil and agrifood waste. Pure HVO can now be used in approved engines and is distributed through existing infrastructure.

    EIB Vice-President Gelsomina Vigliotti said: “The EIB financing is key to delivering a project of high environmental, technological and strategic value, helping to promote the decarbonisation of the transport sector. This is a concrete example of how industrial innovation can accelerate the path towards climate neutrality, while generating sustainable value for regions.”

    Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi said: “The agreement with the EIB confirms Eni’s concrete and high-quality commitment in the transition towards increasingly decarbonized energy. It also underscores the validity of our approach, which is to invest and leverage all available and effective initiatives and technologies for reducing emissions. This virtuous approach is now leading us to convert a third refinery into a biorefinery in Italy, following the examples of Venice and Gela.”

    HVO biofuels play a key role because they can make an immediate contribution to reducing transport sector emissions generated not only on roads, but also by air traffic, maritime and rail transport (calculated along the entire value chain). The conversion of the Livorno site is in line with Enilive’s strategy to increase the production of biofuels in response to growing demand in Europe and Italy, in order to meet both emission reduction targets under RED III (Renewable Energy Directive) and the obligations to release pure biofuels for use as defined by Italian legislation. Worldwide, it is estimated that the demand for hydrogenated biofuels will increase by 65% over the period 2024-2028[2].

    The Livorno biorefinery will be able to treat different types of biogenic charges, mainly waste and residues of plant origin, to produce HVO diesel, HVO naphtha and bio-LPG.

    Among the distinctive features of the project, in addition to the adoption of advanced technologies, there is the possibility in the future of modifying the layout of the plant to have the flexibility to also produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which is a key element of efforts to decarbonise aviation. This gives flexibility to the investment and brings it up to speed with the environmental priorities of the European Union, broadening the potential impact.

    This operation is part of the energy transition at national and European level, contributing substantially to decarbonisation of the transport sector and the reduction of CO2 emissions. It also supports the achievement of Italy’s targets for the production of pure biofuels, which under current legislation provides for a gradual increase in use from 300 000 tonnes per year in 2023 to one million tonnes by 2030.

    Background information

    The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. It finances investments that contribute to EU policy objectives. EIB projects bolster competitiveness, drive innovation, promote sustainable development, enhance social and territorial cohesion, and support a just and swift transition to climate neutrality. In the last five years, the EIB Group has provided more than €58 billion in financing for projects in Italy. All projects financed by the EIB Group are in line with the Paris Climate Agreement. The EIB Group does not fund investments in fossil fuels. We are on track to deliver on our commitment to support €1 trillion in climate and environmental sustainability investment in the decade to 2030 as pledged in our Climate Bank Roadmap. Over half of the EIB Group’s annual financing supports projects directly contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation, and a healthier environment. Approximately half of the EIB’s financing within the European Union is directed towards cohesion regions, where per capita income is lower.

    Eni is a global energy tech company operating in 64 Countries, with about 32.500 employees. Originally an oil & gas company, it has evolved into an integrated energy company, playing a key role in ensuring energy security and leading the energy transition. Eni’s goal is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 through the decarbonization of its processes and of the products it sells to its customers. In line with this goal, Eni invests in the research and development of technologies that can accelerate the transition to increasingly sustainable energy. Renewable energy sources, bio-refining, carbon capture and storage are only some examples of Eni’s areas of activity and research. In addition, the company is exploring game-changing technologies such as fusion energy – a technology based on the physical processes that power stars and that could generate safe, virtually limitless energy with zero emissions.


    [1] In accordance with the EU Renewable Energy Directive

    [2] IEA Renewables 2023 report, main case, analysis and forecast to 2028.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Europe: Italy: EIB and Eni sign €500 million finance agreement to convert Livorno refinery into a biorefinery

    Source: European Investment Bank

    EIB

    • This will be Eni’s third biorefinery in Italy, after those in Venice and Gela.
    • Among the distinctive features of the project, in addition to the use of advanced technologies, there is the possibility of adapting the plant to also produce SAF (sustainable aviation fuel) in the future.
    • This initiative contributes to the European Union’s decarbonisation goals, with particular reference to the transport sector, and confirms Eni’s energy transition path.
    • The project is part of Enilive’s strategy to reach more than five million tonnes of biorefinery capacity by 2030.

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Eni have signed a €500 million 15-year finance contract to support the conversion of Eni’s Livorno refinery in Tuscany into a biorefinery. The agreement was signed today at Eni’s headquarters in San Donato Milanese by EIB Vice-President Gelsomina Vigliotti and Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi.

    Eni’s project involves the construction of new plants to produce hydrogenated biofuels at the Livorno refinery site, including a biogenic pre-treatment unit and a 500 000-tonne/year Ecofining™ plant.

    Thanks to its proprietary Ecofining™ technology, Eni’s company dedicated to sustainable mobility, Enilive, produces HVO (hydrogenated vegetable oil) – a biofuel made from renewable raw materials[1] such as used cooking oil and agrifood waste. Pure HVO can now be used in approved engines and is distributed through existing infrastructure.

    EIB Vice-President Gelsomina Vigliotti said: “The EIB financing is key to delivering a project of high environmental, technological and strategic value, helping to promote the decarbonisation of the transport sector. This is a concrete example of how industrial innovation can accelerate the path towards climate neutrality, while generating sustainable value for regions.”

    Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi said: “The agreement with the EIB confirms Eni’s concrete and high-quality commitment in the transition towards increasingly decarbonized energy. It also underscores the validity of our approach, which is to invest and leverage all available and effective initiatives and technologies for reducing emissions. This virtuous approach is now leading us to convert a third refinery into a biorefinery in Italy, following the examples of Venice and Gela.”

    HVO biofuels play a key role because they can make an immediate contribution to reducing transport sector emissions generated not only on roads, but also by air traffic, maritime and rail transport (calculated along the entire value chain). The conversion of the Livorno site is in line with Enilive’s strategy to increase the production of biofuels in response to growing demand in Europe and Italy, in order to meet both emission reduction targets under RED III (Renewable Energy Directive) and the obligations to release pure biofuels for use as defined by Italian legislation. Worldwide, it is estimated that the demand for hydrogenated biofuels will increase by 65% over the period 2024-2028[2].

    The Livorno biorefinery will be able to treat different types of biogenic charges, mainly waste and residues of plant origin, to produce HVO diesel, HVO naphtha and bio-LPG.

    Among the distinctive features of the project, in addition to the adoption of advanced technologies, there is the possibility in the future of modifying the layout of the plant to have the flexibility to also produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which is a key element of efforts to decarbonise aviation. This gives flexibility to the investment and brings it up to speed with the environmental priorities of the European Union, broadening the potential impact.

    This operation is part of the energy transition at national and European level, contributing substantially to decarbonisation of the transport sector and the reduction of CO2 emissions. It also supports the achievement of Italy’s targets for the production of pure biofuels, which under current legislation provides for a gradual increase in use from 300 000 tonnes per year in 2023 to one million tonnes by 2030.

    Background information

    The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. It finances investments that contribute to EU policy objectives. EIB projects bolster competitiveness, drive innovation, promote sustainable development, enhance social and territorial cohesion, and support a just and swift transition to climate neutrality. In the last five years, the EIB Group has provided more than €58 billion in financing for projects in Italy. All projects financed by the EIB Group are in line with the Paris Climate Agreement. The EIB Group does not fund investments in fossil fuels. We are on track to deliver on our commitment to support €1 trillion in climate and environmental sustainability investment in the decade to 2030 as pledged in our Climate Bank Roadmap. Over half of the EIB Group’s annual financing supports projects directly contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation, and a healthier environment. Approximately half of the EIB’s financing within the European Union is directed towards cohesion regions, where per capita income is lower.

    Eni is a global energy tech company operating in 64 Countries, with about 32.500 employees. Originally an oil & gas company, it has evolved into an integrated energy company, playing a key role in ensuring energy security and leading the energy transition. Eni’s goal is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 through the decarbonization of its processes and of the products it sells to its customers. In line with this goal, Eni invests in the research and development of technologies that can accelerate the transition to increasingly sustainable energy. Renewable energy sources, bio-refining, carbon capture and storage are only some examples of Eni’s areas of activity and research. In addition, the company is exploring game-changing technologies such as fusion energy – a technology based on the physical processes that power stars and that could generate safe, virtually limitless energy with zero emissions.


    [1] In accordance with the EU Renewable Energy Directive

    [2] IEA Renewables 2023 report, main case, analysis and forecast to 2028.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Europe: Cocoa with a conscience: Funding fair and forest‑friendly beans

    Source: European Investment Bank

    The European Union has taken steps to combat deforestation and child labour through the Sustainable Cocoa Initiative and the Alliance for Sustainable Cocoa. Those initiatives call on countries like the Ivory Coast and Ghana, which produce 60% of the world’s cocoa, to improve oversight of the sector, combat deforestation and child labour, and ensure decent incomes for farmers. Exporters will also have to comply with a new European regulation on deforestation, which is expected to go into force in 2026.

    In parallel, the Ivorian government has embarked on an “ambitious initiative” to implement new African standards that trace crops across cocoa-producing regions and improve environmental protection, says Sylvain Caurla, an agroforestry engineer with the European Investment Bank who works on sustainable cocoa and reforestation projects in the Ivory Coast.

    “Cocoa has been a major driver of deforestation in recent decades,” Caurla says. “But cocoa is also a major contributor to Ivorian GDP. There is a world strategy around protecting forests, but also producing cocoa in a different way, a sustainable way – a way that provides a decent livelihood for communities that depend on it.”

    The EIB’s loan to BNI was approved in September 2024, just in time for the main cocoa harvest season, which lasts from October to March. In a few weeks, BNI was able to put together projects – loans for agricultural cooperatives and others – accounting for about 90% of the EIB funds, says Marc-Antoine Coursaget, the loan officer in EIB Global who is handling the investment.

    Around 60% of the financed cooperatives are led by young entrepreneurs or employ a significant number of young people, while 40% are either led by women or have a large number of women in the workforce.

    The EIB and Agence Française de Développement will also provide technical assistance to help BNI strengthen its environmental and social management system and enable cocoa producers meet EU requirements and the demands of international certifications. Those regulations and certifications are designed to curb cacao’s incursion into Ivory Coast’s rainforest, which has shrunk by more than 80% since 1960, with devastating consequences for biodiversity.

    Ivory Coast has embarked on vast programmes of reforestation to counter the loss. The EIB is providing €150 million to support the country’s forest preservation, rehabilitation and expansion strategy.

    “The European Union has two main priorities in Ivory Coast: one is the Sustainable Cocoa Initiative and the second is low-carbon transition,” Coursaget says. “And when you fight deforestation, you also help reduce carbon emissions.”

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: Payment for purchases via SBP is growing in popularity

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Central Bank of Russia –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The number of companies that connected payments via the Fast Payment System (FPS) exceeded 2.5 million by the end of Q2 2025. Their clients paid for purchases totaling 2.2 trillion rubles in this way from April to June. This is 1.4 times more than in the same period last year.

    In total, bydata According to the Bank of Russia, 4.6 billion transactions worth 24.8 trillion rubles were processed through the SBP in the second quarter of 2025. Almost a third of them were for payment for goods and services. Every day, trade and service companies accept an average of 15 million payments through the SBP. Small businesses continue to be the most active in connecting to this payment method. A third of such companies work with the SBP.

    The number (1.5 times) and the amount (1.4 times) of payments that citizens received through the SBP from insurance companies, brokers and other legal entities, including in the form of cashback, increased.

    Preview photo: romain-jorge / Shutterstock / Fotodom

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: Announcement on Open Market Operations No.141 [2025]

    Source: Peoples Bank of China

    Announcement on Open Market Operations No.141 [2025]

    (Open Market Operations Office, July 24, 2025)

    The People’s Bank of China conducted reverse repo operations in the amount of RMB331 billion through quantity bidding at a fixed interest rate on July 24, 2025.

    Details of the Reverse Repo Operations

    Maturity

    Rate

    Bidding Volume

    Winning Bid Volume

    7 days

    1.40%

    RMB331 billion

    RMB331 billion

    Date of last update Nov. 29 2018

    2025年07月24日

    MIL OSI China News –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Charles Donald to step down as UK Government Investments CEO next year

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Charles Donald to step down as UK Government Investments CEO next year

    Charles Donald stepping down after successfully leading UKGI as its CEO since early 2020.

    • UKGI’s corporate governance and corporate finance advice and support has been significantly expanded since his appointment, particularly through the setting up of the new Financial Instruments and Transactions Advisory Group.
    • The recruitment process for his successor will be launched shortly.

    Charles Donald has announced today (24 July) that he will step down from his role as CEO of UK Government Investments (UKGI) in early 2026 after over five years of leading the company.

    UKGI is the government’s centre for expertise in corporate governance and corporate finance, providing expert advice and solutions to the government, including financial interventions into corporate structures and corporate finance negotiations.

    As CEO, Charles oversaw a significant expansion of UKGI’s activities during the pandemic including the establishment of the Covid Interventions Resolution Group which supported the Bank of England’s £85 billion Covid Corporate Financing Facility.

    The addition of AWE, BBC Commercial, Eutelsat, Octric, the National Wealth Fund, NESO, Network Rail, Reclaim Fund Limited, Sheffield Forgemasters and Sizewell C to UKGI’s governance portfolio also happened during Charles’ time as CEO.

    He was a key player in securing the Treasury’s full exit as a shareholder in NatWest Group in May 2025.

    Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Emma Reynolds, said:

    Charles has been an excellent CEO of UKGI, having led an impressive expansion of its important work to provide advice and support to the Government on complex corporate governance and corporate finance matters.

    I wish him well and look forward to UKGI’s continued work to support our number one mission – delivering economic growth.

    Charles Donald, outgoing CEO of UKGI, said

    It has been an extraordinary privilege to be the CEO of UKGI since early 2020.

    My objective was to continue building the expertise in corporate finance and corporate governance that UKGI brings to government as well as to ensure that UKGI continued to be an effective bridge between Whitehall and the City.

    I am proud to have had the opportunity to grow and further professionalise an organisation of such skilled and dedicated experts who support departments as government’s in-house corporate finance and corporate governance advisory function.

    Vindi Banga, Chair of UKGI, said:

    I am profoundly grateful to Charles for his leadership and commitment to UKGI over the past seven years. 

    It has been a privilege to work with Charles as he has led UKGI in support of some of government’s toughest challenges, with his characteristically calm leadership style, wisdom, and immense professional expertise.

    The recruitment process for Charles Donald’s successor will be launched shortly.

    The Board, led by Vindi Banga, is leading the process and as part of a well-ordered succession, Charles will support the transition to the new CEO following their appointment.


    Further information

    • UKGI is the government’s centre of expertise in corporate governance and corporate finance. It provides expert advice and leading solutions that inform and translate government’s decisions into effective outcomes in the national interest. 
    • UKGI acts as shareholder representative for, and leads the establishment of, UK government most complex and commercial arm’s length bodies on behalf of sponsor departments. It advises on major UK government corporate finance matters, including financial interventions into corporate structures and corporate finance negotiations; it analyses and advises on the UK government’s contingent liabilities and advises on major UK government corporate finance matters, including financial interventions into corporate structures and corporate finance negotiations. 
    • UKGI is owned by HM Treasury and independently managed with a Board comprised predominantly of independent non-executive directors. UKGI works closely with both the private and public sectors, advising and interacting with ministers, Parliament, and Whitehall departments.

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    Updates to this page

    Published 24 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New research reveals scars of Gambia’s witch hunts

    Source: Anglia Ruskin University

    A map showing the location of The Gambia

    A new United Nations-funded study has highlighted the lasting psychological and social scars left by a state-sponsored witch hunt in The Gambia, more than a decade after it was carried out by former President Yahya Jammeh.

    The research, led by Professor Mick Finlay of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in collaboration with the University of The Gambia and Nottingham Trent University, is the first academic study into the stigma associated with government-led witchcraft accusations, and includes interviews with victims and their families from the villages most affected by the campaign.

    Jammeh’s 22-year dictatorship, which ended in 2016, was marked by human rights abuses including torture, extrajudicial killings and disappearances. Between 2008-2009, he orchestrated a campaign of witch hunts focusing on the West Coast and North Bank regions. These were led by a group of “witch hunters” from neighbouring countries, supported by The Gambia’s security forces.

    Hundreds of people, mainly elderly, were detained, beaten, raped and subjected to degrading treatment. It is thought 41 people died and the survivors faced social exclusion and discrimination when they returned home because of the stigma associated with the witchcraft accusations.

    The new study, published in the Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology and funded by the United Nations Development Program (The Gambia), involved interviewing and surveying the victims and their families, as well as members of their communities.

    There was widespread sympathy for those affected – 98% of survey respondents expressed compassion for victims and their families – and a high level of agreement that the government (99%) and the community (92%) should provide more help for victims, indicating that the effects of the witch hunts were still being experienced.

    The study also highlighted the complex role of traditional beliefs in perpetuating stigma. Although most participants believed the witch hunts were organised to frighten people not to oppose President Jammeh (89%) or to sow division (87%), 25% believed the threat from witches was real, including 22% of victims and the families of victims surveyed.

    However, there was overwhelming support for legal reform. Almost all participants agreed that accusations of witchcraft should be made illegal (98%), and those responsible should be punished (95%).

    Through interviews, the researchers found that the stigma extended beyond individuals to their families and entire villages. Children of victims were bullied at school, families were shunned, and some communities were labelled as “witch villages” by neighbouring areas. This led to broken relationships, mistrust and long-lasting divisions within and between communities.

    Victims reported a range of psychological conditions including anxiety, panic attacks and post-traumatic symptoms. Many described feeling powerless and socially isolated. Some withdrew from public life entirely, while others struggled to find work.

    Although The Gambia’s current government established a Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) to investigate the human rights abuses carried out by Jammeh, the study found many victims felt more needed to be done to address the specific harms caused by the witch hunts.

    Participants proposed a range of measures to support reconciliation and healing including public declarations of innocence, legal reforms to criminalise witchcraft accusations, counselling, educational support, financial reparations and community-led dialogues to restore victims’ reputations.

    “Our extensive fieldwork showed that not only did victims of the witchcraft accusations have to deal with the trauma of the human rights abuses, they also experienced a range of longer-term stigmatising effects from sections of their communities.

    “There was a strong desire among those we spoke to for official recognition of the injustice they suffered. Addressing the stigma of Jammeh’s witch hunts involves restoring the good name of the victims through official declarations as well as rebuilding their social roles and relationships.

    “Although The Gambia is undergoing transitional justice processes to address the impacts of the dictatorship, the recommendations by the participants should help the government and NGOs to further develop reparation and reconciliation processes related to the specific case of state-sanctioned witch hunts.

    “Our findings will be of interest to other countries going through transitional justice processes when human rights come into conflict with traditional beliefs, especially belief in witchcraft.”

    Mick Finlay, the lead author of the study and Professor of Social and Applied Psychology at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU)

    The open access study also involved the Women’s Association of Victims’ Empowerment (WAVE) charity in The Gambia and is published by the Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology. It will be available at the following DOI: 10.1002/casp.70147

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Economics: ADB President Calls for Increased Innovation Investment at STS Forum

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    ADB President Masato Kanda urged increased investment in science, technology, and innovation to drive inclusive and sustainable growth in Southeast Asia during his keynote address at the 9th Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum ASEAN–Japan Conference in Jakarta.

    MIL OSI Economics –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: BE Semiconductor Industries N.V. Announces Q2-25 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Q2-25 Revenue and Net Income of € 148.1 Million and € 32.1 Million, Respectively

    H1-25 Revenue and Net Income of € 292.2 Million and € 63.6 Million, Respectively

    DUIVEN, the Netherlands, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BE Semiconductor Industries N.V. (the “Company” or “Besi”) (Euronext Amsterdam: BESI; OTC markets: BESIY), a leading manufacturer of assembly equipment for the semiconductor industry, today announced its results for the second quarter and first half year ended June 30, 2025.

    Key Highlights Q2-25

    • Revenue of € 148.1 million grew 2.8% vs. Q1-25 and was within prior guidance due primarily to higher die attach shipments for mainstream computing applications. Revenue decreased 2.1% vs. Q2-24 principally due to weakness in mobile end markets partially offset by growth in hybrid bonding shipments
    • Orders of € 128.0 million decreased 3.0% vs. Q1-25 due primarily due to ongoing weakness in mainstream computing and mobile applications partially offset by significant new orders for TCB Next systems. Orders declined 30.9% vs. Q2-24 due primarily to lower orders for hybrid bonding and mobile applications
    • Gross margin of 63.3% decreased by 0.3 points vs. Q1-25 and by 1.7 points vs. Q2-24 due to a less favorable product mix and adverse forex effects from a decline in the USD versus the euro
    • Net income of € 32.1 million increased 1.9% vs. Q1-25. Versus Q2-24, net income decreased 23.4% due principally to lower revenue and gross margins, increased R&D spending and higher interest expense related to the Senior Note offering in July 2024. Q2-25 net margin decreased to 21.6% vs. 21.9% in Q1-25 and 27.7% in Q2-24
    • Cash and deposits of € 490.2 million at June 30, 2025 increased by 90.6% vs. June 30, 2024 due to the Senior Note offering in July 2024

    Key Highlights H1-25

    • Revenue of € 292.2 million decreased 1.8% vs. H1-24 principally due to ongoing weakness in mainstream assembly markets, particularly for mobile and automotive applications, partially offset by increased shipments of hybrid bonding systems
    • Orders of € 259.9 million were down 17.0% vs. H1-24 primarily due to lower bookings for hybrid bonding systems and for mobile applications, partially offset by increased die attach orders by Asian subcontractors for AI related computing applications and new orders for Besi’s TCB Next system
    • Gross margin of 63.4% decreased by 2.7 points versus H1-24 primarily due to a less favorable product mix and adverse forex effects
    • Net income of € 63.6 million decreased € 12.3 million, or 16.2%, vs. H1-24 primarily due to lower revenue and gross margin and higher interest expense. Similarly, Besi’s net margin decreased to 21.7% versus 25.5% in H1-24

    Q3-25 Outlook  

    • Revenue is expected to decline 5-15% vs. the € 148.1 million reported in Q2-25
    • Orders are expected to increase significantly vs. Q2-25 primarily due to increased demand for hybrid bonding systems and die attach systems for AI-related 2.5D computing applications
    • Gross margin is expected to range between 60-62% and decrease vs. the 63.3% realized in Q2-25 primarily due to adverse forex effects from a significantly lower USD versus the euro
    • Operating expenses are expected to be flat +/- 5% vs. € 50.2 million in Q2-25
    (€ millions, except EPS) Q2-
    2025
    Q1-
    2025
    Δ Q2-
    2024
     
    Δ
    HY1-
    2025
    HY1-
    2024
    Δ
    Revenue 148.1 144.1 +2.8% 151.2 -2.1% 292.2 297.5 -1.8%
    Orders 128.0 131.9 -3.0% 185.2 -30.9% 259.9 313.0 -17.0%
    Gross Margin 63.3% 63.6% -0.3 65.0% -1.7 63.4% 66.1% -2.7
    Operating Income 43.5 39.3 +10.7% 49.3 -11.8% 82.8 90.0 -8.0%
    Net Income 32.1 31.5 +1.9% 41.9 -23.4% 63.6 75.9 -16.2%
    Net Margin 21.6% 21.9% -0.3 27.7% -6.1 21.7% 25.5% -3.8
    EPS (basic) 0.40 0.40 – 0.53 -24.5% 0.80 0.97 -17.5%
    EPS (diluted) 0.40 0.40 – 0.53 -24.5% 0.80 0.97 -17.5%
    Net Cash and Deposits -36.0* 159.4 -122.6% 74.4* -148.4% -36.0* 74.4* -148.4%

    * Reflects cash dividend payments of € 172.8 million and € 171.5 million in Q2-25 and Q2-24, respectively.

    Richard W. Blickman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Besi, commented:
    “Besi reported Q2-25 revenue, operating income and net income of € 148.1 million, € 43.5 million and € 32.1 million, respectively. Revenue and operating results were at the midpoint of prior guidance in a mainstream assembly equipment market still affected by soft demand for mobile and automotive applications. Market development in Q2-25 was also affected by increased customer caution due to global trade tensions. Q2-25 revenue and operating income grew sequentially by 2.8% and 10.7%, respectively, as we saw an increase in shipments to Asian subcontractors for AI-related datacenter applications combined with a 4.3% decrease in sequential operating expenses. Orders for the quarter decreased 3.0% versus Q1-25 as weakness in mainstream computing and mobile applications was partially offset by new orders for Besi’s TCB Next system.

    For the first half year, revenue of € 292.2 million decreased 1.8% versus H1-24 reflecting broader assembly market trends as weakness in mobile and, to a lesser extent, automotive end markets was significantly offset by growth in hybrid bonding revenue which more than doubled versus H1-24. Orders decreased by 17.0% due to the timing of customer orders for hybrid bonding systems and a lack of new product introductions in high-end smartphones. H1-25 operating and net income decreased by 8.0% and 16.2%, respectively, versus H1-24 primarily due to lower revenue and a 2.7-point reduction in gross margin from a less favorable product mix, adverse net forex effects from the decline of the USD versus the euro and increased interest expense related to Besi’s Senior Note issuance in July 2024. Liquidity remained strong with cash and deposits of € 490.2 million at June 30, 2025 increasing by 90.6% vs. June 30, 2024 due to the Senior Note offering in July 2024.

    We believe the outlook for Besi’s business in H2-25 has improved in recent weeks based on customer feedback and order trends subsequent to quarter end. Expanded capex budgets for AI infrastructure have been confirmed by each of the leading industry players in recent quarters with new use cases emerging in cloud and edge computing along with co-packaged optics. Advanced packaging is one of the key ways to achieve AI system differentiation, develop innovative consumer edge AI devices and provide the most energy-efficient data center performance. Advanced packaging demand for AI applications remains strong given new device introductions expected in 2026-2028. We believe we are well positioned in the fastest-growing advanced packaging market segments including data centers, photonics, AI-enhanced PCs and mobile devices and EVs/autonomous driving.

    As such, orders for our hybrid bonding systems are expected to increase significantly in H2-25 versus both H1-25 and H2-24 in both advanced logic and HBM4 memory applications as customers advance their technology roadmaps for new product introductions in 2026 and 2027. Customer interest in our TCB Next system for both memory and logic applications has also expanded significantly. TCB Next cycle times have improved with shipments anticipated in Q4-25 from orders received in Q2-25. We also anticipate increased orders for 2.5D advanced packaging systems for AI-related datacenter applications from both global IDMs and Asian subcontractors. In addition, there are early signs of a recovery in our mainstream assembly markets principally related to increased demand by Asian subcontractors for high-end mobile applications and high-performance computing applications for consumer markets.

    For Q3-25, we anticipate that revenue will decline by approximately 5-15% versus Q2-25. However, orders for Q3-25 are expected to increase significantly on a sequential basis due to increased demand for hybrid bonding and 2.5D advanced packaging applications. Besi’s gross margin is anticipated to decline to a range of 60-62% in Q3-25 due to the adverse impact of a 12.8% decline in the value of the USD versus the euro in the first half of 2025. Operating expenses in Q3-25 are expected to be flat plus or minus 5% versus Q2-25 despite increased R&D spending.”

    Share Repurchase Activity
    During the quarter, Besi spent € 20.7 million to repurchase approximately 196,000 of its ordinary shares at an average price of € 105.80 per share. As of June 30, 2025, € 72.2 million of the current € 100 million share repurchase authorization has been used to repurchase approximately 644,000 ordinary shares at an average price of € 111.96 per share. As of June 30, 2025, Besi held approximately 2.0 million shares in treasury, equivalent to 2.5% of shares outstanding.

    Investor and media conference call
    A conference call and webcast for investors and media will be held today at 4:00 pm CET (10:00 am EDT). To register for the conference call and/or to access the audio webcast and webinar slides, please visit www.besi.com.

    Important Dates

    • Publication Q3/Nine-month results
    • Publication Q4/Full year results

    October 23, 2025
    February 2026

    Basis of Presentation
    The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as adopted by the European Union. Reference is made to the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as included in our 2024 Annual Report, which is available on www.besi.com.

    Contacts:
    Richard W. Blickman, President & CEO
    Andrea Kopp-Battaglia, Senior Vice President Finance
    Claudia Vissers, Executive Secretary/IR coordinator
    Edmond Franco, VP Corporate Development/US IR coordinator
    Michael Sullivan, Investor Relations
    Tel. (31) 26 319 4500
    investor.relations@besi.com

    About Besi
    Besi is a leading manufacturer of assembly equipment supplying a broad portfolio of advanced packaging solutions to the semiconductor and electronics industries. We offer customers high levels of accuracy, reliability and throughput at a lower cost of ownership with a principal focus on wafer level and substrate assembly solutions. Customers are primarily leading semiconductor manufacturers, foundries, assembly subcontractors and electronics and industrial companies. Besi’s ordinary shares are listed on Euronext Amsterdam (symbol: BESI). Its Level 1 ADRs are listed on the OTC markets (symbol: BESIY) and its headquarters are located in Duiven, the Netherlands. For more information, please visit our website at www.besi.com.

    Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains statements about management’s future expectations, plans and prospects of our business that constitute forward-looking statements, which are found in various places throughout the press release, including, but not limited to, statements relating to expectations of orders, net sales, product shipments, expenses, timing of purchases of assembly equipment by customers, gross margins, operating results and capital expenditures. The use of words such as “anticipate”, “estimate”, “expect”, “can”, “intend”, “believes”, “may”, “plan”, “predict”, “project”, “forecast”, “will”, “would”, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. The financial guidance set forth under the heading “Outlook” contains such forward-looking statements. While these forward-looking statements represent our judgments and expectations concerning the development of our business, a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors could cause actual developments and results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, including any inability to maintain continued demand for our products; failure of anticipated orders to materialize or postponement or cancellation of orders, generally without charges; the volatility in the demand for semiconductors and our products and services; the extent and duration of the COVID-19 and other global pandemics and the associated adverse impacts on the global economy, financial markets, global supply chains and our operations as well as those of our customers and suppliers; failure to develop new and enhanced products and introduce them at competitive price levels; failure to adequately decrease costs and expenses as revenues decline; loss of significant customers, including through industry consolidation or the emergence of industry alliances; lengthening of the sales cycle; acts of terrorism and violence; disruption or failure of our information technology systems; consolidation activity and industry alliances in the semiconductor industry that may result in further increased customer concentration, inability to forecast demand and inventory levels for our products; the integrity of product pricing and protection of our intellectual property in foreign jurisdictions; risks, such as changes in trade regulations, conflict minerals regulations, currency fluctuations, political instability and war, associated with substantial foreign customers, suppliers and foreign manufacturing operations, particularly to the extent occurring in the Asia Pacific region where we have a substantial portion of our production facilities; potential instability in foreign capital markets; the risk of failure to successfully manage our diverse operations; any inability to attract and retain skilled personnel, including as a result of restrictions on immigration, travel or the availability of visas for skilled technology workers.

    In addition, the United States and other countries have recently levied tariffs and taxes on certain goods and could significantly increase or impose new tariffs on a broad array of goods. They have imposed, and may continue to impose, new trade restrictions and export regulations. Increased or new tariffs and additional taxes, including any retaliatory measures, trade restrictions and export regulations, could negatively impact end-user demand and customer investment in semiconductor equipment, increase Besi’s supply chain complexity and manufacturing costs, decrease margins, reduce the competitiveness of our products or restrict our ability to sell products, provide services or purchase necessary equipment and supplies. Any or all of the foregoing factor could have a material and adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. In addition, investors should consider those additional risk factors set forth in Besi’s annual report for the year ended December 31, 2024 and other key factors that could adversely affect our businesses and financial performance contained in our filings and reports, including our statutory consolidated statements. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or alter our forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Consolidated Statements of Operations
         
    (€ thousands, except share and per share data) Three Months Ended
    June 30,
    (unaudited)
    Six Months Ended
    June 30,
    (unaudited)
      2025 2024 2025 2024
             
    Revenue 148,101 151,176 292,246 297,490
    Cost of sales 54,410 52,908 106,833 100,951
             
    Gross profit 93,691 98,268 185,413 196,539
             
    Selling, general and administrative expenses 30,629 30,514 63,587 70,155
    Research and development expenses 19,571 18,503 39,073 36,422
             
    Total operating expenses 50,200 49,017 102,660 106,577
             
    Operating income 43,491 49,251 82,753 89,962
             
    Financial expense, net 5,693 1,045 8,652 1,634
             
    Income before taxes 37,798 48,206 74,101 88,328
             
    Income tax expense 5,748 6,261 10,545 12,404
             
    Net income 32,050 41,945 63,556 75,924
             
    Net income per share – basic 0.40 0.53 0.80 0.97
    Net income per share – diluted 0.40 0.53 0.80 0.97
    Number of shares used in computing per share amounts:
    – basic
    – diluted 1

    79,184,703
    81,288,679

    79,281,533
    81,941,471

    79,206,267
    81,405,308

    78,231,430
    82,023,808

    ______________________
    1) The calculation of diluted income per share assumes the exercise of equity settled share based payments and the conversion of all Convertible Notes outstanding

    Consolidated Balance Sheets
     
    (€ thousands) June
    30, 2025
    (unaudited)
    March
    31, 2025
    (unaudited)
    December
    31, 2024
    (audited)
    ASSETS      
           
    Cash and cash equivalents 330,170 405,736 342,319
    Deposits 160,000 280,000 330,000
    Trade receivables 178,615 170,440 181,862
    Inventories 96,977 103,836 103,285
    Other current assets 53,821 46,099 40,927
           
    Total current assets 819,583 1,006,111 998,393
           
    Property, plant and equipment 51,089 42,868 44,773
    Right of use assets 13,799 15,161 15,726
    Goodwill 44,857 45,610 46,010
    Other intangible assets 103,933 98,622 96,677
    Investment property 5,206 – –
    Deferred tax assets 27,494 29,240 31,567
    Other non-current assets 1,303 1,347 1,330
           
    Total non-current assets 247,681 232,848 236,083
           
    Total assets 1,067,264 1,238,959 1,234,476
           
           
    Bank overdraft –   840 776
    Current portion of long-term debt –   – 2,042
    Trade payables 47,458 46,598 52,630
    Other current liabilities 95,530 111,170 111,531
           
    Total current liabilities 142,988 158,608 166,979
           
    Long-term debt 526,184 525,493 525,653
    Lease liabilities 10,873 11,770 12,350
    Deferred tax liabilities 10,523 10,416 10,320
    Other non-current liabilities 19,915 19,328 17,910
           
    Total non-current liabilities 567,495 567,007 566,233
           
    Total equity 356,781 513,344 501,264
           
    Total liabilities and equity 1,067,264 1,238,959 1,234,476
    Consolidated Cash Flow Statements
         
    (€ thousands)
    Three Months Ended
    June 30,
    (unaudited)
    Six Months Ended
    June 30,
    (unaudited)
      2025 2024 2025 2024
             
    Cash flows from operating activities:        
             
    Income before income tax 37,798 48,206 74,101 88,328
             
    Depreciation and amortization 7,458 6,980 14,765 13,793
    Share based payment expense 4,342 6,916 8,783 23,816
    Financial expense, net 5,694 1,045 8,653 1,634
             
    Changes in working capital (11,032) (46,694) (13,145) (49,945)
    Interest (paid) received 3,726 3,893 839 5,062
    Income tax paid (21,988) (15,428) (23,563) (17,517)
             
    Net cash provided by operating activities 25,998 4,918 70,433 65,171
             
    Cash flows from investing activities:        
    Capital expenditures (11,764) (3,216) (13,497) (8,866)
    Capitalized development expenses (7,320) (4,912) (14,057) (9,575)
    Acquisition of investment property (5,206) – (5,206) –
    Repayments of (investments in) deposits 120,000 85,000 170,000 95,000
             
    Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 95,710 76,872 137,240 76,559
             
    Cash flows from financing activities:        
    Proceeds from (payments of) bank lines of credit (840) – (776) –
    Proceeds from (payments of) debt (2,042) – (2,042) –
    Payments of lease liabilities (1,111) (1,063) (2,225) (2,106)
    Purchase of treasury shares (20,721) (14,810) (42,785) (29,589)
    Dividends paid to shareholders (172,811) (171,534) (172,811) (171,534)
             
    Net cash used in financing activities (197,525) (187,407) (220,639) (203,229)
             
    Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (75,817) (105,617) (12,966) (61,499)
    Effect of changes in exchange rates on cash and
      cash equivalents
    251 798 817 256
    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the
       period
    405,736 232,053 342,319 188,477
             
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period 330,170 127,234 330,170 127,234
    Supplemental Information (unaudited)
    (€ millions, unless stated otherwise)
                             
    REVENUE Q2-2025 Q1-2025 Q4-2024 Q3-2024 Q2-2024 Q1-2024
                             
    Per geography:                        
    China 37.5   25%   40.5   28%   42.8   28%   45.5   29%   57.5   38%   58.5   40%  
    Asia Pacific (excl. China) 66.1   45%   56.3   39%   53.5   35%   51.6   33%   54.1   36%   43.6   30%  
    EU / USA / Other 44.5   30%   47.3   33%   57.1   37%   59.5   38%   39.6   26%   44.2   30%  
                             
    Total 148.1   100%   144.1   100%   153.4   100%   156.6   100%   151.2   100%   146.3   100%  
                             
    ORDERS Q2-2025 Q1-2025 Q4-2024 Q3-2024 Q2-2024 Q1-2024
                             
    Per geography:                        
    China 44.4   35%   39.7   30%   40.4   33%   45.4   30%   43.3   23%   51.1   40%  
    Asia Pacific (excl. China) 60.7   47%   51.7   39%   38.8   32%   69.3   46%   72.0   39%   45.0   35%  
    EU / USA / Other 22.9   18%   40.5   31%   42.7   35%   37.1   24%   69.9   38%   31.6   25%  
                             
    Total 128.0   100%   131.9   100%   121.9   100%   151.8   100%   185.2   100%   127.7   100%  
                             
    Per customer type:                        
    IDM 71.9   56%   48.1   36%   61.2   50%   84.5   56%   122.4   66%   53.5   42%  
    Foundries/Subcontractors 56.1   44%   83.8   64%   60.7   50%   67.3   44%   62.8   34%   74.2   58%  
                             
    Total 128.0   100%   131.9   100%   121.9   100%   151.8   100%   185.2   100%   127.7   100%  
                             
    HEADCOUNT June 30, 2025 Mar 31, 2025 Dec 31, 2024 Sep 30, 2024 Jun 30, 2024 Mar 31, 2024
                             
    Fixed staff (FTE) 1,831   88%   1,820   88%   1,812   93%   1,807   87%   1,783   86%   1,760   88%  
    Temporary staff (FTE) 239   12%   251   12%   134   7%   271   13%   279   14%   236   12%  
                             
    Total 2,070   100%   2,071   100%   1,946   100%   2,078   100%   2,062   100%   1,996   100%  
                             
    OTHER FINANCIAL DATA Q2-2025 Q1-2025 Q4-2024 Q3-2024 Q2-2024 Q1-2024
                             
    Gross profit 93.7   63.3%   91.7   63.6%   98.2   64.0%   101.2   64.7%   98.3   65.0%   98.3   67.2%  
                             
                             
    Selling, general and admin expenses:                        
    As reported 30.6   20.7%   33.0   22.9%   28.6   18.6%   27.3   17.4%   30.5   20.2%   39.6   27.1%  
    Share-based compensation expense (4.3 )  -2.9%   (4.4 )  -3.1%   (2.9 )  -1.8%   (3.4 ) -2.1%   (6.9 ) -4.6%   (16.9 ) -11.6%  
                             
    SG&A expenses as adjusted 26.3   17.8%   28.6   19.8%   25.7   16.8%   23.9   15.3%   23.6   15.6%   22.7   15.5%  
                             
                             
    Research and development expenses:                        
    As reported 19.6   13.2%   19.5   13.5%   19.0   12.4%   18.9   12.1%   18.5   12.2%   17.9   12.2%  
    Capitalization of R&D charges 7.3   4.9%   6.7   4.6%   5.4   3.5%   4.4   2.8%   4.9   3.2%   4.7   3.2%  
    Amortization of intangibles (3.9 ) -2.6%   (3.7 ) -2.5%   (3.9 ) -2.5%   (3.9 ) -2.5%   (3.6 ) -2.3%   (3.6 ) -2.4%  
                             
    R&D expenses as adjusted 23.0   15.5%   22.5   15.6%   20.5   13.4%   19.4   12.4%   19.8   13.1%   19.0   13.0%  
                             
                             
    Financial expense (income), net:                        
    Interest income (3.4 )   (5.0 )   (5.1 )   (5.2 )   (3.0 )   (4.0 )  
    Interest expense 6.4     6.3     6.1     5.7     2.1     2.8    
    Net cost of hedging 2.3     1.8     2.0     1.9     1.4     1.6    
    Foreign exchange effects, net 0.4     (0.1 )   0.9     (0.8 )   0.5     0.2    
                             
    Total 5.7     3.0     3.9     1.6     1.0     0.6    
                             
                             
    Operating income (as % of net sales) 43.5   29.4%   39.3   27.2%   50.6   33.0%   55.1   35.2%   49.3   32.6%   40.7   27.8%  
                             
    EBITDA (as % of net sales) 50.9   34.4%   46.6   32.3%   58.0   37.8%   62.4   39.8%   56.2   37.2%   47.5   32.5%  
                             
    Net income (as % of net sales) 32.1   21.6%   31.5   21.9%   59.3   38.6%   46.8   29.9%   41.9   27.7%   34.0   23.2%  
                             
    Effective tax rate 15.2%     13.2%     -27.0%     12.6%     13.0%     15.3%    
                             
                             
    Income per share                        
    Basic 0.40     0.40     0.75     0.59     0.53     0.44    
    Diluted 0.40     0.40     0.74     0.59     0.53     0.44    
                             
    Average shares outstanding (basic) 79,184,703 79,228,071 79,402,192 79,630,787 79,281,533 77,181,326
                             
    Shares repurchased                        
    Amount 20.7     22.1     22.4     27.8     14.8     14.8    
    Number of shares 195,647 186,869  198,450  230,807  105,042  101,049 
                             
                             
    Gross cash 490.2     685.7     672.3     637.4     257.2     447.1    
                             
    Net cash (36.0 )   159.4     143.8     110.7     74.4     180.9    
                             

    The MIL Network –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-Evening Report: Reserve Bank says unemployment rise was not a shock, inflation on track

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Head, Canberra School of Government, University of Canberra

    Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock has fleshed out the central bank’s thinking behind its surprise decision to keep interest rates on hold this month.

    In a speech today to the Anika Foundation, Bullock said there has been:

    meaningful progress in bringing inflation down.

    But the Reserve Bank is waiting for confirmation that underlying inflation has actually moved back towards the mid-point of its 2% to 3% target band:

    We still think it will show inflation declining slowly towards 2.5%, but we are looking for data to support this expectation.

    The governor was pleased to see the progress on inflation did not come at the cost of jobs growth. Employment has remained around an all-time high as a proportion of the population. Comparable countries have not managed as well as this.

    The Reserve Bank has cut interest rates twice this year, and said policy is leaning towards further cuts by the end of the year.

    The dual mandate

    The Reserve Bank’s 2-3% inflation target is well known. But it is not the sole focus of policymakers. The bank actually has a dual mandate of inflation and employment, which was the topic of Bullock’s annual speech to Sydney’s financial community.

    The Reserve Bank Act charges the bank’s monetary policy board with setting monetary policy:

    in a way that, in the Board’s opinion, best contributes to:

    (i) price stability in Australia; and

    (ii) the maintenance of full employment in Australia.

    Full employment has been enshrined in legislation as a goal of the central bank since the 1940s.

    Last week, the monthly employment report unexpectedly showed a jump in unemployment to 4.3% in June after five months as 4.1% as more people looked for work.

    In her speech, Bullock said while some of the coverage suggested the increase was a shock, the employment figures over the whole of the June quarter were in line with the bank’s forecasts.

    She did not think it would have meant a different decision at the last board meeting if it had been known then.

    Are the twin goals in conflict or complementary?

    Some other central banks, such as the US Federal Reserve, also have dual mandates.

    In the long run, there is no conflict between these goals. In the governor’s words:

    Low and stable inflation – or price stability – is a prerequisite for strong and sustainable employment growth because it creates favourable conditions for households and businesses to plan, invest and create jobs without having to worry about inflation.

    Even in the short run, the two goals often involve no conflict. When the economy is overheating, inflation is high and unemployment low, so it is clear interest rates should be raised. During a recession, inflation is low and unemployment high, so it is clear interest rates should be lowered.

    But there are times when the implications from the two goals clash. A surge in oil prices, for example, could lead to both higher inflation (suggesting interest rates should be raised) and weaker economic activity (suggesting interest rates should be lowered).

    The governor said the bank’s response may depend on the likely longevity of such a shock:

    If a supply disruption is temporary and modest, monetary policy should mostly ‘look through’ it. Raising interest rates makes little sense if inflation is expected to ease once temporary supply disruptions are resolved – it would only weaken the job market.

    By contrast, when a supply shock is likely to have a longer lasting effect on the economy and inflation there may be stronger grounds for monetary policy to respond.

    The outlook

    In its latest published forecasts, in May, the bank said that if, as markets expected, it lowers its cash rate target to 3.4% by the end of the year, then unemployment would rise marginally, to 4.3%, while its preferred measure of underlying inflation drops to 2.6%.

    The Reserve Bank will release its updated forecasts after its next policy meeting on August 12, when it is also expected to cut interest rates.

    Better monthly inflation data on the way

    The Reserve Bank governor has made clear she regards the quarterly inflation series as a better guide than the current monthly series. At her May press conference she said:

    We get four readings on inflation a year.

    The Australian Bureau of Statistics has announced it is upgrading the monthly consumer price index (CPI) with effect from the October 2025 reading. It will then have the same coverage as the current quarterly CPI. But it will still be a more volatile measure than the quarterly.

    The bank will go through a learning experience becoming familiar with the new monthly series.




    Read more:
    Australia’s inflation rate is to go monthly. Be careful what you wish for


    John Hawkins was formerly a senior economist at the Reserve Bank.

    – ref. Reserve Bank says unemployment rise was not a shock, inflation on track – https://theconversation.com/reserve-bank-says-unemployment-rise-was-not-a-shock-inflation-on-track-261759

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: INVL Renewable Energy Fund I company REFI Sun aims to raise up to EUR 15 million in public bond offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    The INVL Renewable Energy Fund I managed by INVL Asset Management, the leading alternative asset manager in the Baltics, is seeking to raise up to EUR 15 million through an offering of bonds issued by REFI Sun, a company the fund owns. The bonds will be offered publicly to retail and institutional investors in the Baltic countries from 28 July to 15 August. 

    The bonds have a maturity of 2.5 years. The fixed interest rate on the debt securities will be set in the range of 7.5% to 8.5% and announced at completion of the offering. Interest will be paid to investors quarterly. The INVL Renewable Energy Fund I will provide guarantees to all holders of the REFI Sun bonds. 

    “Construction of the fund’s renewable energy projects in Romania and Poland is gaining momentum, so there is also a growing need for financing, which in part we aim to meet by issuing new bonds. Most of the money raised from investors will be used to refinance a loan previously obtained by one of the fund’s companies, the rest will go to the fund’s solar power plant construction projects,” says Liudas Liutkevičius, Managing Partner of the INVL Renewable Energy Fund I. 

    REFI Sun seeks to raise up to EUR 15 million in a public offer in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia under a base prospectus for EUR 25 million bond programme approved by the Bank of Lithuania. The minimum investment amount is EUR 1,000.  

    The lead arranger of the bond program is Artea Bank. Evernord will also participate in the placement in Lithuania, while LHV Pank and Signet Bank acting as distribution partners in Estonia and Latvia. The certified advisor to the issuer is the Sorainen law firm, while the bondholders’ trustee is the company Audifina. It is planned that the debt securities will be listed on the First North alternative securities market operated by Nasdaq Vilnius within three months after the issue date. 

    More information about the bond issue and the offering process is available on the website of the INVL Renewable Energy Fund I. 

    An online presentation and question-and-answer session for investors (in English) will be held on 31 July at 10:00. The link to join the session is here. An online presentation and Q&A session for investors in the Lithuanian language will be held on the same day at 14:00; the link to join that session is here.    

    In February 2025, the INVL Renewable Energy Fund I’s company REFI Energy successfully completed an EUR 8 million public offering of bonds with an annual interest rate of 8%. Demand for the bonds exceeded the issue size 1.7 times, demonstrating strong investor confidence in the Fund’s management team and strategy.   

    The INVL Renewable Energy Fund I is focusing on the Polish and Romanian markets, where the fund’s managers see big growth potential. Total capacity of the fund’s portfolio of projects in development in these markets is 389 MW. 

    In Romania, the fund is investing in projects for 8 solar plants with a combined capacity of 356 MW. In Poland, it is developing solar park projects with over 32 MW in capacity. Investments in  Romania and Poland are expected to exceed EUR 250 million. The fund has invested over EUR 90 million in acquisition and construction of the projects as of June 2025. Construction of all the solar parks should be completed by the end of 2027. 

    To date the INVL Renewable Energy Fund I has raised EUR 73.9 million from investors through investment units and bonds. 

    About the INVL Renewable Energy Fund I  

    The INVL Renewable Energy Fund I was established on 20 July 2021 by INVL Asset Management, the leading alternative asset manager in the Baltic States, as a sub-fund for informed investors. It invests in early- and mid-stage renewable energy projects (solar), including the construction of new power plants, the development and/or acquisition of the infrastructure necessary for the operation of power plants, and effective management of existing power plants in the European Union and member states of the European Economic Area. 

    INVL Asset Management is part of Invalda INVL, the leading Baltic asset management group. 

    Further information:
    Liudas Liutkevičius
    Managing Partner of the INVL Renewable Energy Fund I
    liudas.liutkevicius@invl.com

    The MIL Network –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: INVL Renewable Energy Fund I company REFI Sun aims to raise up to EUR 15 million in public bond offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    The INVL Renewable Energy Fund I managed by INVL Asset Management, the leading alternative asset manager in the Baltics, is seeking to raise up to EUR 15 million through an offering of bonds issued by REFI Sun, a company the fund owns. The bonds will be offered publicly to retail and institutional investors in the Baltic countries from 28 July to 15 August. 

    The bonds have a maturity of 2.5 years. The fixed interest rate on the debt securities will be set in the range of 7.5% to 8.5% and announced at completion of the offering. Interest will be paid to investors quarterly. The INVL Renewable Energy Fund I will provide guarantees to all holders of the REFI Sun bonds. 

    “Construction of the fund’s renewable energy projects in Romania and Poland is gaining momentum, so there is also a growing need for financing, which in part we aim to meet by issuing new bonds. Most of the money raised from investors will be used to refinance a loan previously obtained by one of the fund’s companies, the rest will go to the fund’s solar power plant construction projects,” says Liudas Liutkevičius, Managing Partner of the INVL Renewable Energy Fund I. 

    REFI Sun seeks to raise up to EUR 15 million in a public offer in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia under a base prospectus for EUR 25 million bond programme approved by the Bank of Lithuania. The minimum investment amount is EUR 1,000.  

    The lead arranger of the bond program is Artea Bank. Evernord will also participate in the placement in Lithuania, while LHV Pank and Signet Bank acting as distribution partners in Estonia and Latvia. The certified advisor to the issuer is the Sorainen law firm, while the bondholders’ trustee is the company Audifina. It is planned that the debt securities will be listed on the First North alternative securities market operated by Nasdaq Vilnius within three months after the issue date. 

    More information about the bond issue and the offering process is available on the website of the INVL Renewable Energy Fund I. 

    An online presentation and question-and-answer session for investors (in English) will be held on 31 July at 10:00. The link to join the session is here. An online presentation and Q&A session for investors in the Lithuanian language will be held on the same day at 14:00; the link to join that session is here.    

    In February 2025, the INVL Renewable Energy Fund I’s company REFI Energy successfully completed an EUR 8 million public offering of bonds with an annual interest rate of 8%. Demand for the bonds exceeded the issue size 1.7 times, demonstrating strong investor confidence in the Fund’s management team and strategy.   

    The INVL Renewable Energy Fund I is focusing on the Polish and Romanian markets, where the fund’s managers see big growth potential. Total capacity of the fund’s portfolio of projects in development in these markets is 389 MW. 

    In Romania, the fund is investing in projects for 8 solar plants with a combined capacity of 356 MW. In Poland, it is developing solar park projects with over 32 MW in capacity. Investments in  Romania and Poland are expected to exceed EUR 250 million. The fund has invested over EUR 90 million in acquisition and construction of the projects as of June 2025. Construction of all the solar parks should be completed by the end of 2027. 

    To date the INVL Renewable Energy Fund I has raised EUR 73.9 million from investors through investment units and bonds. 

    About the INVL Renewable Energy Fund I  

    The INVL Renewable Energy Fund I was established on 20 July 2021 by INVL Asset Management, the leading alternative asset manager in the Baltic States, as a sub-fund for informed investors. It invests in early- and mid-stage renewable energy projects (solar), including the construction of new power plants, the development and/or acquisition of the infrastructure necessary for the operation of power plants, and effective management of existing power plants in the European Union and member states of the European Economic Area. 

    INVL Asset Management is part of Invalda INVL, the leading Baltic asset management group. 

    Further information:
    Liudas Liutkevičius
    Managing Partner of the INVL Renewable Energy Fund I
    liudas.liutkevicius@invl.com

    The MIL Network –

    July 24, 2025
  • Markets open flat; IT, midcap stocks under pressure amid mixed global cues

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian stock market opened flat on Thursday as IT companies came under selling pressure amid mixed global cues.

    At 9:28 a.m., the Sensex slipped 110 points or 0.13 per cent to 82,615, and the Nifty declined 13 points or 0.05 per cent to 25,206.

    Sectorally, the Nifty IT index underperformed with a loss of 1.17 per cent. All other sectors showed marginal dips or moderate gains. Bank stocks registered moderate losses of up to 0.20 per cent.

    Midcap and smallcap stocks also faced selling pressure. The Nifty Midcap 100 index was down 0.39 per cent at 59,148, while the Nifty Smallcap 100 index declined 0.07 per cent to 18,879.

    In the Nifty pack, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories led the gainers with a 3.07 per cent rise, followed by Tata Motors at 1.51 per cent. Tata Consumer Products, Eicher Motors, JSW Steel, and Tata Steel were also among the top gainers. Trent, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and Bajaj Finance were among the early losers.

    “Market sentiment remains cautiously optimistic amid heightened volatility and mixed global cues. Nifty 50’s rebound highlights buyer strength at lower levels. A sustained move above 25,250 could potentially open the path toward the 25,330 mark. On the downside, immediate support is placed at 25,125, followed by 25,000,” said Hardik Matalia of Choice Equity Broking Private Limited.

    The Bank Nifty outperformed the broader index, rising 454 points and forming a bullish candlestick, indicating renewed buying interest, he added.

    Both Asian and U.S. indices posted strong overnight gains, lending a positive backdrop for Indian markets at the open.

    In the U.S., the Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 1.14 per cent, the Nasdaq rose 0.61 per cent, and the S&P 500 added 0.78 per cent.

    According to analysts, the U.S. striking trade deals with various countries is gradually easing concerns over tariff wars. Strong corporate earnings in the U.S. are also providing fundamental support to the market.

    In Asian markets, the Nikkei 225 continued its strong rally for the second consecutive day, gaining 1.97 per cent, while Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite climbed 1.70 per cent. Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Seoul were also trading in the green.

    On July 23, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net sellers for the fifth consecutive session, offloading stocks worth Rs 4,209 crore. In contrast, domestic institutional investors (DIIs) remained strong buyers for the 12th straight day, purchasing shares worth Rs 4,358 crore.

    IANS

    July 24, 2025
  • Markets open flat; IT, midcap stocks under pressure amid mixed global cues

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian stock market opened flat on Thursday as IT companies came under selling pressure amid mixed global cues.

    At 9:28 a.m., the Sensex slipped 110 points or 0.13 per cent to 82,615, and the Nifty declined 13 points or 0.05 per cent to 25,206.

    Sectorally, the Nifty IT index underperformed with a loss of 1.17 per cent. All other sectors showed marginal dips or moderate gains. Bank stocks registered moderate losses of up to 0.20 per cent.

    Midcap and smallcap stocks also faced selling pressure. The Nifty Midcap 100 index was down 0.39 per cent at 59,148, while the Nifty Smallcap 100 index declined 0.07 per cent to 18,879.

    In the Nifty pack, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories led the gainers with a 3.07 per cent rise, followed by Tata Motors at 1.51 per cent. Tata Consumer Products, Eicher Motors, JSW Steel, and Tata Steel were also among the top gainers. Trent, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and Bajaj Finance were among the early losers.

    “Market sentiment remains cautiously optimistic amid heightened volatility and mixed global cues. Nifty 50’s rebound highlights buyer strength at lower levels. A sustained move above 25,250 could potentially open the path toward the 25,330 mark. On the downside, immediate support is placed at 25,125, followed by 25,000,” said Hardik Matalia of Choice Equity Broking Private Limited.

    The Bank Nifty outperformed the broader index, rising 454 points and forming a bullish candlestick, indicating renewed buying interest, he added.

    Both Asian and U.S. indices posted strong overnight gains, lending a positive backdrop for Indian markets at the open.

    In the U.S., the Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 1.14 per cent, the Nasdaq rose 0.61 per cent, and the S&P 500 added 0.78 per cent.

    According to analysts, the U.S. striking trade deals with various countries is gradually easing concerns over tariff wars. Strong corporate earnings in the U.S. are also providing fundamental support to the market.

    In Asian markets, the Nikkei 225 continued its strong rally for the second consecutive day, gaining 1.97 per cent, while Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite climbed 1.70 per cent. Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Seoul were also trading in the green.

    On July 23, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net sellers for the fifth consecutive session, offloading stocks worth Rs 4,209 crore. In contrast, domestic institutional investors (DIIs) remained strong buyers for the 12th straight day, purchasing shares worth Rs 4,358 crore.

    IANS

    July 24, 2025
  • UAE Central Bank mandates phase-out of SMS and email OTP authentication by March 2026

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) has issued a directive requiring all financial institutions to eliminate SMS and email-based one-time password (OTP) authentication for customer transactions by March 31, 2026. This move, aimed at bolstering digital banking security, will affect banks, finance companies, exchange houses, insurers, and payment service providers across the UAE, marking a significant shift toward more secure, risk-based authentication technologies.

    Traditional OTP methods, delivered via SMS or email, are increasingly vulnerable to phishing, SIM swapping, and SS7 protocol exploits. To counter these threats, the CBUAE is mandating the adoption of advanced authentication methods, such as Emirates Face Recognition, biometric verification, and mobile-based soft tokens.

    Starting July 25, 2025, UAE banks will begin transitioning customers to app-based authentication for all domestic and international financial transactions. Leading institutions like Emirates NBD, ADIB, and FAB have already adopted biometric and in-app solutions for most online banking activities. Customers will need to enable app-based verification features to authorize transactions, replacing the reliance on SMS or email OTPs. The CBUAE has set a phased implementation, with full compliance required by March 2026.

    The UAE’s move aligns with global trends, as countries like Singapore and Malaysia phase out SMS-based OTPs due to similar security concerns. The Monetary Authority of Singapore, for instance, mandated a similar shift in 2024, citing rising phishing scams. The CBUAE’s directive is part of its broader Financial Infrastructure Transformation (FIT) Programme, which includes initiatives like the planned launch of a retail central bank digital currency (CBDC), the digital dirham, in late 2025.

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Tanate Phutrakul to step down as CFO at 2026 AGM

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Tanate Phutrakul to step down as CFO at 2026 AGM

    ING announced today that Tanate Phutrakul will step down from his position as CFO and member of the Executive Board of ING. Tanate will leave ING as of the Annual General Meeting in April 2026, after 24 years at ING of which seven on the Executive Board. 

    Karl Guha, chairman of ING’s Supervisory Board said: “It has been a privilege to work with Tanate. I have come to know him as a man of good grace, integrity, and high standards. He has been instrumental in helping steer ING to a better place of strong performance and delivering on our promises. We are fortunate to still have him on our executive team until the AGM and wish him every success in the next phase of his life.”

    Steven van Rijswijk, CEO of ING said: “I want to thank Tanate for his many years serving ING. While it is never easy to see a colleague leave, after seven years as CFO on the board it is a logical moment for Tanate to step down. With his deeply professional and pleasant approach, he has played a pivotal role in guiding ING through a turbulent period for the bank, the sector and the world. He has done so with his trademark calmness and has been an invaluable part of our executive team. His contributions in making ING the strong and financially sound bank it is today, which enables our current growth strategy, can hardly be overestimated. We look forward to continue to work with Tanate in the coming months.”

    Tanate Phutrakul said: “It has been and still is a pleasure to serve as a board member of ING, having helped shape the bank into what it is. It has been a wonderful journey. Many thanks for the kind support of Steven and my fellow board members and especially to the many ING colleagues I have worked with over the years.”

    Tanate joined ING in 1998 as managing director of ING Barings Securities Thailand. From 2003 until 2008 he served as head of Wholesale Banking and chief financial officer of TMB Bank in Thailand. In successive years he served as CFO of ING’s Operations and IT unit, ING Retail Banking International and ING Belgium. In 2019, he was appointed to the Executive Board as CFO of ING Group. 

    The search for a successor has been initiated and announcements will be made in due course. 

    Note for editors
    For further information on ING, please visit www.ing.com. Frequent news updates can be found in the Newsroom. Photos of ING operations, buildings and its executives are available for download at Flickr.

    ING PROFILE
    ING is a global financial institution with a strong European base, offering banking services through its operating company ING Bank. The purpose of ING Bank is: empowering people to stay a step ahead in life and in business. ING Bank’s more than 60,000 employees offer retail and wholesale banking services to customers in over 100 countries.

    ING Group shares are listed on the exchanges of Amsterdam (INGA NA, INGA.AS), Brussels and on the New York Stock Exchange (ADRs: ING US, ING.N).

    ING aims to put sustainability at the heart of what we do. Our policies and actions are assessed by independent research and ratings providers, which give updates on them annually. ING’s ESG rating by MSCI was reconfirmed by MSCI as ‘AA’ in August 2024 for the fifth year. As of June 2025, in Sustainalytics’ view, ING’s management of ESG material risk is ‘Strong’ with an ESG risk rating of 18.0 (low risk). ING Group shares are also included in major sustainability and ESG index products of leading providers. Here are some examples: Euronext, STOXX, Morningstar and FTSE Russell. Society is transitioning to a low-carbon economy. So are our clients, and so is ING. We finance a lot of sustainable activities, but we still finance more that’s not. Follow our progress on ing.com/climate.

    IMPORTANT LEGAL INFORMATION
    Elements of this press release contain or may contain information about ING Groep N.V. and/ or ING Bank N.V. within the meaning of Article 7(1) to (4) of EU Regulation No 596/2014 (‘Market Abuse Regulation’).

    ING Group’s annual accounts are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (‘IFRS- EU’). In preparing the financial information in this document, except as described otherwise, the same accounting principles are applied as in the 2024 ING Group consolidated annual accounts. All figures in this document are unaudited. Small differences are possible in the tables due to rounding.

    Certain of the statements contained herein are not historical facts, including, without limitation, certain statements made of future expectations and other forward-looking statements that are based on management’s current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Actual results, performance or events may differ materially from those in such statements due to a number of factors, including, without limitation: (1) changes in general economic conditions and customer behaviour, in particular economic conditions in ING’s core markets, including changes affecting currency exchange rates and the regional and global economic impact of the invasion of Russia into Ukraine and related international response measures (2) changes affecting interest rate levels (3) any default of a major market participant and related market disruption (4) changes in performance of financial markets, including in Europe and developing markets (5) fiscal uncertainty in Europe and the United States (6) discontinuation of or changes in ‘benchmark’ indices (7) inflation and deflation in our principal markets (8) changes in conditions in the credit and capital markets generally, including changes in borrower and counterparty creditworthiness (9) failures of banks falling under the scope of state compensation schemes (10) non-compliance with or changes in laws and regulations, including those concerning financial services, financial economic crimes and tax laws, and the interpretation and application thereof (11) geopolitical risks, political instabilities and policies and actions of governmental and regulatory authorities, including in connection with the invasion of Russia into Ukraine and the related international response measures (12) legal and regulatory risks in certain countries with less developed legal and regulatory frameworks (13) prudential supervision and regulations, including in relation to stress tests and regulatory restrictions on dividends and distributions (also among members of the group) (14) ING’s ability to meet minimum capital and other prudential regulatory requirements (15) changes in regulation of US commodities and derivatives businesses of ING and its customers (16) application of bank recovery and resolution regimes, including write down and conversion powers in relation to our securities (17) outcome of current and future litigation, enforcement proceedings, investigations or other regulatory actions, including claims by customers or stakeholders who feel misled or treated unfairly, and other conduct issues (18) changes in tax laws and regulations and risks of non-compliance or investigation in connection with tax laws, including FATCA (19) operational and IT risks, such as system disruptions or failures, breaches of security, cyber-attacks, human error, changes in operational practices or inadequate controls including in respect of third parties with which we do business and including any risks as a result of incomplete, inaccurate, or otherwise flawed outputs from the algorithms and data sets utilized in artificial intelligence (20) risks and challenges related to cybercrime including the effects of cyberattacks and changes in legislation and regulation related to cybersecurity and data privacy, including such risks and challenges as a consequence of the use of emerging technologies, such as advanced forms of artificial intelligence and quantum computing (21) changes in general competitive factors, including ability to increase or maintain market share (22) inability to protect our intellectual property and infringement claims by third parties (23) inability of counterparties to meet financial obligations or ability to enforce rights against such counterparties (24) changes in credit ratings (25) business, operational, regulatory, reputation, transition and other risks and challenges in connection with climate change, diversity, equity and inclusion and other ESG-related matters, including data gathering and reporting and also including managing the conflicting laws and requirements of governments, regulators and authorities with respect to these topics (26) inability to attract and retain key personnel (27) future liabilities under defined benefit retirement plans (28) failure to manage business risks, including in connection with use of models, use of derivatives, or maintaining appropriate policies and guidelines (29) changes in capital and credit markets, including interbank funding, as well as customer deposits, which provide the liquidity and capital required to fund our operations, and (30) the other risks and uncertainties detailed in the most recent annual report of ING Groep N.V. (including the Risk Factors contained therein) and ING’s more recent disclosures, including press releases, which are available on www.ING.com.

    This document may contain ESG-related material that has been prepared by ING on the basis of publicly available information, internally developed data and other third-party sources believed to be reliable. ING has not sought to independently verify information obtained from public and third-party sources and makes no representations or warranties as to accuracy, completeness, reasonableness or reliability of such information.

    Materiality, as used in the context of ESG, is distinct from, and should not be confused with, such term as defined in the Market Abuse Regulation or as defined for Securities and Exchange Commission (‘SEC’) reporting purposes. Any issues identified as material for purposes of ESG in this document are therefore not necessarily material as defined in the Market Abuse Regulation or for SEC reporting purposes. In addition, there is currently no single, globally recognized set of accepted definitions in assessing whether activities are “green” or “sustainable.” Without limiting any of the statements contained herein, we make no representation or warranty as to whether any of our securities constitutes a green or sustainable security or conforms to present or future investor expectations or objectives for green or sustainable investing. For information on characteristics of a security, use of proceeds, a description of applicable project(s) and/or any other relevant information, please reference the offering documents for such security.

    This document may contain inactive textual addresses to internet websites operated by us and third parties. Reference to such websites is made for information purposes only, and information found at such websites is not incorporated by reference into this document. ING does not make any representation or warranty with respect to the accuracy or completeness of, or take any responsibility for, any information found at any websites operated by third parties. ING specifically disclaims any liability with respect to any information found at websites operated by third parties. ING cannot guarantee that websites operated by third parties remain available following the publication of this document, or that any information found at such websites will not change following the filing of this document. Many of those factors are beyond ING’s control.

    Any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of ING speak only as of the date they are made, and ING assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or for any other reason.

    This document does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, any securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction.

    Attachment

    • PDF version of Press Release

    The MIL Network –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Economics: Result of the Overnight Variable Rate Repo (VRR) auction held on July 24, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    Tenor 1-day
    Notified Amount (in ₹ crore) 50,000
    Total amount of bids received (in ₹ crore) 1,421
    Amount allotted (in ₹ crore) 1,421
    Cut off Rate (%) 5.51
    Weighted Average Rate (%) 5.53
    Partial Allotment Percentage of bids received at cut off rate (%) NA

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2025-2026/775

    MIL OSI Economics –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Banking: Underwriting Auction for sale of Government Securities for ₹36,000 crore on July 25, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    Government of India has announced the sale (re-issue) of Government Securities, as detailed below, through auctions to be held on July 25, 2025 (Friday).

    As per the extant scheme of underwriting commitment notified on November 14, 2007, the amounts of Minimum Underwriting Commitment (MUC) and the minimum bidding commitment under Additional Competitive Underwriting (ACU) auction, applicable to each Primary Dealer (PD), are as under:

    (₹ crore)
    Security Notified Amount MUC amount per PD Minimum bidding commitment per PD under ACU auction
    5.91% GS 2028 6,000 143 143
    6.33% GS 2035 30,000 715 715

    The underwriting auction will be conducted through multiple price-based method on July 25, 2025 (Friday). PDs may submit their bids for ACU auction electronically through Core Banking Solution (E-Kuber) System between 09:00 A.M. and 09:30 A.M. on the day of underwriting auction.

    The underwriting commission will be credited to the current account of the respective PDs with RBI on the day of issue of securities.

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2025-2026/774

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

    July 24, 2025
  • From Gujarat to global: How PM Modi’s diaspora diplomacy took root in the UK

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    As Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in London on Wednesday, he was greeted by thunderous chants of “Modi Modi”, “Bharat Mata ki Jai”, and “Vande Mataram” from the Indian community — an emphatic reminder of a diplomatic tradition he initiated decades ago, long before rising to India’s highest political office.

    This growing emotional and strategic connect with the Indian diaspora has become a cornerstone of India’s foreign policy under PM Modi, especially during his second term.

    The foundations of this approach were laid as early as 1993, when Narendra Modi — then BJP’s General Secretary in Gujarat and an emerging national figure — made an impromptu stop in the UK on his return from the United States. Although the visit was unplanned and brief, Modi ensured he connected with the Indian diaspora in the UK. He visited media hubs like Sunrise Radio and the Gujarati newspaper Naya Padkar, interacted with families in Croydon and Hastings, engaged in informal conversations, rode the London Underground, and exchanged ideas with everyday Indians living in Britain.

    “The seeds planted then would quietly nourish India’s diaspora diplomacy for decades to come,” the Modi Archive said in a post on X, while sharing a timeline of the Prime Minister’s engagements in the UK.

    By 1999, when Modi had become a key national figure and the BJP’s global voice, he returned to the UK for a five-day visit in October, shortly after the BJP’s sweeping national electoral victory. Then serving as BJP’s National General Secretary, Modi had just delivered a stellar performance in Gujarat — winning 20 out of 26 Lok Sabha seats and expanding the party’s grassroots presence from 1,000 to over 16,000 village units between 1985 and 1995. This visit was highlighted by a landmark event at the Swaminarayan School in Neasden, organised by the Overseas Friends of BJP (UK). Despite a cold drizzle, the hall was packed.

    Notable attendees included Lord Navnit Dholakia, MP Barry Gardiner (Chairman of Labour Friends of India), and C.B. Patel, editor of Gujarat Samachar.

    “BJP stands for nationalism and patriotism,” Narendra Modi was quoted as saying by the Modi Archive.

    During this visit, he expanded on India’s democratic traditions, the NDA’s policy vision, and paid homage to Gandhian ideals — illustrating the BJP’s ideological clarity and moral purpose. He framed the BJP not just as a political force, but as a cultural and civilizational movement rooted in tradition, religion, modernity, and democracy. He further asserted that India’s democratic ethos is admired across the world.

    In addition, Modi was honoured by the Lohana Mahajan community, where he commended overseas Indians for serving as authentic ambassadors of Indian civilisation. He also paid a visit to 10 Downing Street during the trip.

    Modi’s emphasis on global awareness continued during another visit to the UK in 2000. In September that year, he stopped in London en route to the World Hindu Conference in the Caribbean and the UN Peace Summit in the US. At the time, he was about to assume the influential position of BJP General Secretary (Organisation), a role only two others had held since the Jana Sangh era.

    During this short visit, Modi met British Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and engaged in serious discussions on political stability in Asia, India’s regional situation, and the growing threat of international terrorism. He also met with members of the Overseas Friends of BJP and held teleconferences with C.B. Patel, updating them on the state of affairs in Gujarat and national security efforts in Jammu and Kashmir.

    “Terrorism is an evil against humanity — whether in India, the Middle East, or Northern Ireland,” Modi said.

    It was a prescient warning that came a full year before the 9/11 attacks, at a time when much of the world had yet to perceive terrorism as a shared global menace.

    In August 2003, two years after the devastating Bhuj earthquake in Gujarat, Modi returned to the UK as Chief Minister of Gujarat.

    The purpose was to thank members of the Indian diaspora, many of whom had mobilised support, resources, and aid for the affected people.

    “You are all the real friends of Gujarat, and I have come to reciprocate the loyalty. We have slept in the street of death and today I have come to repay a debt of friendship to those who helped us in our hour of need,” Modi said, addressing thousands at the packed Wembley Conference Centre.

    He praised the diaspora not just for their financial contributions but for their deep emotional ties with India, calling them “the true friends of Gujarat”.

    During this visit, he also inaugurated the Shakti Hall at the Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice offices. True to his style, he spoke not just of the past, but also of the future.

    In a speech still fondly remembered by the editors of Asian Voice, Modi famously said, “IT is not Information Technology. IT is India Today. BT is not Biotechnology. It is Bharat Today. IT and IT equals IT. That means Information Technology and Indian Talent is India Tomorrow.”

    The visit also included a meeting with then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was in London at the time. Modi later met a delegation of political leaders and diaspora members on the South Bank of the River Thames, near Westminster Bridge, opposite the iconic Houses of Parliament.

    Even in 2011, when Gujarat marked its golden jubilee, he virtually brought the UK into the celebrations. He addressed a high-profile audience in Mayfair, London, through video conferencing while in Gandhinagar, stating, “The name Gujarat and development are synonymous. Gujarat is creating history.”

    The event, hosted by Friends of Gujarat, Gujarat Samachar, and Asian Voice, brought together 90 distinguished guests including British MPs, Lords, and community leaders. Among them was Lord Gulam Noon, who had a direct and lively exchange with Modi.

    He used the opportunity to share his vision for the future. He announced the construction of the Mahatma Mandir, a monumental tribute rising from the soil of 18,000 villages — and including ‘mitti’ sent by Gujaratis living abroad.

    “In this Golden Jubilee celebration, we have decided to build a Mahatma Mandir. We have collected earth from 18,000 villages in Gujarat to make this monument. We have also collected earth from abroad, especially the UK,” he said.

    The message was clear: for Narendra Modi, the diaspora has never been a passive audience.

    It has always been, and continues to be, an integral part of India’s journey — a partner in progress and a powerful force in shaping India’s global image.

    Now, as Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi continues to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions made by overseas Indians in deepening people-to-people ties and in promoting India’s image and influence across the globe.

    IANS

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Banking: Secretary-General of ASEAN delivers Pre-Recorded Keynote Remarks at the ASEAN–India Forum 2025

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today delivered pre-recorded keynote remarks at the ASEAN–India Forum 2025, held in Bangkok, Thailand. In his message, Dr. Kao reaffirmed ASEAN’s strong commitment to advancing the ASEAN–India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership through tourism. He also emphasized the importance of sustainable tourism, stronger transport connectivity, and collaborative destination marketing, highlighting the regional tagline “A Destination for Every Dream.”
     

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN delivers Pre-Recorded Keynote Remarks at the ASEAN–India Forum 2025 appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Banking: Money Market Operations as on July 23, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India


    (Amount in ₹ crore, Rate in Per cent)

      Volume
    (One Leg)
    Weighted
    Average Rate
    Range
    A. Overnight Segment (I+II+III+IV) 6,03,403.84 5.73 4.75-6.75
         I. Call Money 17,346.55 5.73 4.75-5.85
         II. Triparty Repo 4,04,014.05 5.72 5.30-5.82
         III. Market Repo 1,79,687.94 5.75 5.20-5.90
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 2,355.30 5.91 5.85-6.75
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 131.54 5.46 5.00-5.82
         II. Term Money@@ 189.50 – 5.60-5.95
         III. Triparty Repo 795.00 5.57 5.50-5.70
         IV. Market Repo 470.68 5.55 5.55-5.55
         V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
      Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
    Cut off Rate
    C. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
    I. Today’s Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo Wed, 23/07/2025 2 Fri, 25/07/2025 50,001.00 5.53
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF# Wed, 23/07/2025 1 Thu, 24/07/2025 820.00 5.75
    4. SDFΔ# Wed, 23/07/2025 1 Thu, 24/07/2025 78,428.00 5.25
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -27,607.00  
    II. Outstanding Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo Fri, 18/07/2025 7 Fri, 25/07/2025 2,00,027.00 5.49
    3. MSF#          
    4. SDFΔ#          
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       10,403.21  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -1,89,623.79  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -2,17,230.79  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks          
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on July 23, 2025 9,68,804.65  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending July 25, 2025 9,63,288.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ July 23, 2025 50,001.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on June 27, 2025 5,79,904.00  

    @ Based on Reserve Bank of India (RBI) / Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL).

    – Not Applicable / No Transaction.

    ** Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 2 to 14 days tenor.

    @@ Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 15 days to one year tenor.

    $ Includes refinance facilities extended by RBI.

    * Net liquidity is calculated as Repo+MSF+SLF-Reverse Repo-SDF.

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2025-2026/772

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Australia: The RBA’s Dual Mandate – Inflation and Employment

    Source: Airservices Australia

    I’d like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we meet and pay my respects to Elders past and present.

    It’s an honour to join you today at the Anika Foundation fundraising lunch. The Foundation supports vital work on youth mental health research, awareness and education, in which I have a strong personal interest.

    I’m proud to uphold the tradition of the Reserve Bank Governor speaking at this event to support an organisation that is making a real difference.

    My remarks today centre on the dual objectives of monetary policy: ‘price stability’, which means maintaining low and stable inflation; and full employment, which I will talk about in more detail later.

    I’ll explore how these aims have shaped the Monetary Policy Board’s strategy in recent years. As part of that, I will reflect on the relationship between the labour market and inflation over that time, and how conditions in the labour market have evolved to the present day.

    Now is a good time to revisit these subjects, following the agreement two weeks ago of an updated Statement on the Conduct of Monetary Policy, which sets out the common understanding of Government and the Board on key elements of the monetary policy framework.

    But before I turn to that, I’ll start with an update on recent monetary policy settings.

    Recent monetary policy settings

    If you cast your mind back to 2022, you will recall that inflation was higher than it had been in decades, peaking at 7.8 per cent at the end of that year. It was this rise in inflation that required a tightening in monetary policy over 2022 and 2023, with the cash rate increasing from almost zero to 4.35 per cent over that period.

    Over the past couple of years, we have made meaningful progress in bringing inflation down. Higher interest rates have been working to bring aggregate demand and supply closer towards balance. We expect headline inflation in the June quarter to be in the lower half of our 2–3 per cent target range – although that partly reflects the ongoing effect of temporary cost-of-living relief. As that effect unwinds, we expect headline inflation to pick up to around the top of the band at the end of this year and into the first part of 2026.

    To help look through temporary factors like this, we also pay close attention to trimmed mean inflation (published quarterly), which provides a good guide to underlying inflation trends. This measure has also been easing, but it’s still a bit higher than headline inflation. At 2.9 per cent in the March quarter, year-ended trimmed mean inflation was under 3 per cent for the first time since 2021.

    We expect trimmed mean inflation to fall a little further in the June quarter in year-ended terms. However, the monthly CPI Indicator data, which are volatile, suggest that the fall may not be quite as much as we forecast back in May. We still think it will show inflation declining slowly towards 2½ per cent, but we are looking for data to support this expectation.

    Encouragingly, as inflation has slowed, the labour market has eased only gradually and the unemployment rate is relatively low. I’ll have more to say on developments in the labour market later.

    Since February, we have reduced the cash rate by 50 basis points. The Board continues to judge that a measured and gradual approach to monetary policy easing is appropriate. Global economic and policy developments have so far been largely in line with our baseline May forecasts, and the likelihood of a severe downside ‘trade war’ appears to have diminished. But there is still uncertainty and unpredictability in the global economy. The Board’s view is that monetary policy is well placed to respond decisively to adverse international developments if needed.

    Our longstanding strategy has been to bring inflation back to target while preserving as many of the gains in the labour market as possible. This approach meant that interest rates in Australia did not rise as high as they did in some other economies, and so we may not need to lower them as much on the way down.

    We also know that Australians continue to feel cost-of-living pressures, with the average level of prices now notably higher than it was just a few years ago. That is why we want to make sure that inflation remains low and stable from here on in. Low and stable inflation is good for households, good for jobs, good for communities and good for the economy.

    Our goals of price stability and full employment generally reinforce each other

    Stepping back from current policy settings and the inflationary episode of recent years, I now want to reflect on the framework that guides the Board’s decisions more generally.

    The RBA’s monetary policy objectives are set out in legislation. Our overarching goal is to promote the economic prosperity and welfare of the Australian people, both now and into the future. For the Board, this means setting monetary policy in a way that best achieves both price stability and full employment.

    These goals are often referred to as our ‘dual mandate’ and are longstanding objectives of the RBA.

    Over time, low and stable inflation and full employment go hand in hand. Low and stable inflation – or price stability – is a prerequisite for strong and sustainable employment growth because it creates favourable conditions for households and businesses to plan, invest and create jobs without having to worry about inflation. So our two objectives are complementary over the longer term.

    Even in the shorter term, the two objectives often go hand in hand. For example, when there are ups and downs in demand, inflation tends to rise as the labour market tightens, and fall as it loosens. So a monetary policy response that returns inflation to target will, in time, also move the labour market towards full employment.

    But sometimes there are developments that push up inflation at the same time as they weigh down demand – and therefore employment. This includes sharp increases in energy prices and supply disruptions that push up prices more broadly. As I’ll discuss in a moment, such ‘negative supply shocks’ were part of the reason for the high inflation of recent years, though they were not the only factor.

    In the face of supply shocks that push up prices, we need to think about possible trade-offs: how do we balance our two goals in these circumstances?

    If a supply disruption is temporary and modest, monetary policy should mostly ‘look through’ it. Raising interest rates makes little sense if inflation is expected to ease once temporary supply disruptions are resolved – it would only weaken the job market.

    By contrast, when a supply shock is likely to have a longer lasting effect on the economy and inflation there may be stronger grounds for monetary policy to respond.

    A key concern here is that the longer inflation stays high, the more households’ and businesses’ expectations for future inflation could increase. This could, in turn, lead to second-round effects on inflation as households and businesses build higher expectations into their decisions.

    But if households and businesses instead maintain a high level of confidence that the Board will do what is needed to return inflation to target, inflationary shocks will have less effect on price and wage setting. That means we can look through adverse supply shocks to a greater extent – even those that we think could last for some time.

    This highlights another important way in which our objectives are complementary – and it’s something I want to emphasise. Having a strong track record of low and stable inflation puts us in the best possible position to support employment. It means there is less risk of inflation getting out of control, which allows inflation to be brought down with smaller increases in interest rates than otherwise. This in turn keeps the labour market closer to full employment.

    That is why maintaining well-anchored inflation expectations is a key benefit of inflation targeting frameworks, as I will return to in a moment, and why it is important that inflation returns to be sustainably in our target range.

    The dual mandate in the post-pandemic period

    So how did this dual mandate shape our policy response to the post-pandemic rise in inflation?

    First, the starting point for our monetary policy settings mattered – these were of course very accommodative, with the cash rate effectively at zero.

    Second, the causes of the pick-up in inflation were crucial. The initial pick-up in inflation was partly driven by some of the supply factors I have mentioned. Temporary disruptions in global supply chains during the pandemic led to strong increases in goods prices, and the war in Ukraine caused a spike in global energy prices.

    But it was also clear that demand was part of the story. Accommodative fiscal and monetary policy settings in the pandemic period supported strong growth in demand for goods during lockdowns, and this demand strength interacted with supply constraints to amplify inflationary pressures. Then, as lockdowns eased and the economy started to recover, demand for services also recovered strongly. As a result, conditions in product markets and labour markets were very tight by mid-2022.

    It was clear that we needed to increase interest rates to bring about a better balance between demand and supply, which would help to ease domestic price pressures. This need was reinforced by a concern that longer run inflation expectations could increase. If this happened, it would add to inflationary pressure and would ultimately require a larger policy response, and higher job losses.

    Although it was clear that we needed to raise interest rates to slow demand growth, it was less clear how quickly demand pressures needed to ease, how persistent global shocks or their effects would be, and how much we could afford to ‘look through’ those effects.

    The Board could have chosen to match the more significant rate increases of some other central banks to bring inflation back to target more quickly. But this could have risked a sharper and more persistent increase in the unemployment rate.

    Instead, the Board judged that a measured approach was consistent with its dual mandate. We increased the cash rate quickly at first – but we didn’t go as high as some other central banks. We then held the cash rate for over a year, even as some other central banks started easing monetary policy. Throughout, we kept a close eye on longer term inflation expectations, to ensure they remained anchored to the target.

    This strategy was designed to rein in inflation while also preserving as many of the gains in the labour market as possible – an example of our dual mandate in practice.

    How has this played out so far?

    Since the peak of inflation in 2022, headline inflation has declined by over 5 percentage points. And over the same period there has been a relatively modest easing in labour market conditions. The unemployment rate has increased from around 3.5 per cent in mid-2022 to 4.2 per cent in the June quarter this year, and remains low by historical standards.

    Crucially, the share of the population in work has remained around record highs; this is in contrast to declines in many other advanced economies (Graph 1).

    The fact that unemployment has remained low and employment growth has remained strong is remarkable – and very welcome.

    And it is striking that the increase in the unemployment rate has been small compared with the large decline in inflation. This is especially true compared with previous episodes of disinflation in Australia (Graph 2).

    Why is this?

    Part of the answer is that the supply-driven price increases that I mentioned earlier did turn out to be temporary, even if they flowed through to the economy over a long period of time (Graph 3). As these supply disruptions eventually subsided and oil prices declined, price pressures eased.

    And also as I mentioned earlier, the Board were very alert to the risk that inflation expectations could increase. Crucially, that did not happen.

    Instead, households and businesses continued to believe that inflation would return to the target range (Graph 4). This limited any so-called ‘second-round’ effects on inflation, which allowed inflation to fall without a sharp rise in the unemployment rate.

    This demonstrates the point I made earlier about how our two objectives can be complementary. A history of low and stable inflation, and the resulting public confidence in the inflation target, enabled the Board to adopt a strategy that protected the labour market as much as possible while still ensuring inflation came down.

    How has the labour market adjusted in the current cycle?

    I’ve already highlighted the comparatively modest increase in the unemployment rate over the past few years from a very low level, and that overall employment has continued growing. The rate of layoffs has increased only a little and remains at a remarkably low level by historical standards (Graph 5). The share of workers who are long-term unemployed also remains low.

    These are good outcomes – as job losses are an especially painful way for the labour market to adjust to tighter monetary policy. Losing a job can be one of the most stressful events in someone’s life, and it can have far-reaching implications for families and communities.

    While the unemployment rate has risen since its trough in late 2022, including an uptick in the month of June, there has been significant jobs growth in aggregate. Instead, the labour market has adjusted in some other – less disruptive – ways.

    First, job vacancies have declined from a very high level as firms have slowed hiring activity.

    Second, the average number of hours that people are working has declined. This follows a period when hours had increased sharply due to very strong demand for workers (Graph 6).

    Having your hours cut is tough, but it’s often preferable to losing a job altogether. And it’s worth noting that some of this decline in hours has been voluntary, especially over the past year or so.

    Third, there has been a decline in the share of workers voluntarily leaving their jobs (the ‘quits rate’). This suggests there could be less need for firms to compete to attract and retain workers, implying less upward pressure on wages growth than otherwise (Graph 7).

    In summary, the gradual easing in labour market conditions has so far been most evident in fewer job vacancies, reductions in hours worked and declining rates of voluntary job switching.

    These shifts aren’t without their challenges, but they all tend to be less disruptive than outright job losses.

    I should note that the RBA can’t wave a magic wand and control how adjustments in the labour market play out. Interest rates are too blunt an instrument for that, and I am not here to claim credit for the fact that the adjustment has so far taken place in a less costly way.

    By the same token, because the labour market can adjust in different ways, we do not ‘target’ any one adjustment mechanism, such as a set number of job losses, as we seek to bring demand and supply back into balance. Indeed, there have been substantial job gains over this period.

    Are we close to full employment?

    Let me bring the labour market story up to date.

    Our overall assessment at the time of our most recent forecast in May was that there was still some tightness in the labour market, and we expected it to ease a little over the remainder of this year.

    A broad range of indicators underpinned this assessment, and in many ways not much has changed. Firms still report significant difficulties finding labour, even if this constraint has eased somewhat recently. The ratio of vacancies to unemployed people remains high (Graph 8). At the same time, unit labour costs have been increasing strongly.

    In May we also highlighted the possibility that labour market conditions could be less tight than we thought. As I noted earlier, the low rate of job switching may imply less upward pressure on wage growth than otherwise. And the quarterly rate of underlying inflation has recently been around a pace that would be consistent with 2½ per cent in annual terms.

    For that reason, our May forecasts for wages growth and inflation incorporated some downwards judgement to reflect the possibility that there is more capacity in the labour market – and the economy more broadly – than is suggested by our usual assessment.

    Last week brought us the latest labour market data, which confirmed that the unemployment rate increased in the June quarter. Some of the coverage of the latest data suggested this was a shock – but the outcome for the June quarter was in line with the forecast we released in May. That on its own suggests that the labour market moved a little further towards balance, as we were anticipating. While the June monthly data showed a noticeable pick-up in the unemployment rate, other measures – such as the vacancy rate – have been stable recently. More broadly, leading indicators are not pointing to further significant increases in the unemployment rate in the near term.

    Nevertheless, the risks we highlighted in May remain. As always, there is uncertainty around how labour market conditions stand relative to full employment, and we will continue to closely monitor incoming labour market data. Our August Statement on Monetary Policy will provide a full updated assessment of labour market conditions and the outlook.

    Concluding remarks

    So, to conclude, our goals of low and stable inflation and full employment are closely linked and generally reinforce each other.

    A critical feature of the recent high-inflation period is that longer term inflation expectations remained anchored. This has enabled the Board’s monetary policy strategy of bringing inflation down in a relatively gradual way so as to limit the easing in labour market conditions.

    Much of the rebalancing of demand and supply in the labour market that has occurred in recent years has been reflected in declines in job vacancies, hours worked and voluntary job switching. There are many ways the labour market can adjust. The RBA doesn’t ‘target’ a specific outcome, like a certain unemployment rate or number of job losses, to reach full employment.

    Monetary policy cannot control how the adjustment happens, but if it can occur while keeping employment strong – and even growing – that is a great outcome for workers, families, communities and the economy.

    In the end, the best way to promote the economic welfare of Australians is by achieving low and stable inflation alongside full employment.

    And that is what the Board is constantly striving for.

    Thank you and I look forward to taking your questions.

    MIL OSI News –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Economics – Tariffs and uncertainty likely to dampen medium-term inflation pressures – Reserve Bank of NZ

    Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand

    24 July 2025 – Global tariffs and economic uncertainty are likely to mean less inflation pressures in New Zealand and a pullback in business investment and household spending, RBNZ Chief Economist Paul Conway says.

    However, the economy is currently supported by high export prices and lower interest rates, he says.  

    In a speech delivered to Business New Zealand in Wellington today, Mr Conway says that as a small, open economy, we are heavily influenced by global developments.

    “Being tied in with the global economy helps us prosper. It also means that when something big happens offshore, such as the imposition of tariffs, its ripple effects impact the New Zealand economy,” he says.

    The US has made a decisive shift towards a more trade protectionist stance, which is a major change in the global trading environment with significant implications for the global economy, Mr Conway says.

    Tariffs may make global supply chains less efficient and could nudge up the cost of imports. This is why tariffs are expected to add to inflation pressures in the US.

    But for New Zealand, the main impact is likely to be weaker global growth, which could reduce demand for our exports and lower import prices. Import prices could fall further as other countries redirect their exports away from the US. This is expected to reduce inflation pressures here.

    At the same time, uncertainty is elevated, making it harder for households and businesses to plan.

    “When businesses aren’t sure what’s coming, they hold off hiring and delay big investments. Households tend to respond to increased uncertainty by putting off big sp

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Property Market – Rental market softens tipping in favour of tenants – Cotality

    Source: Cotality.

    New Zealand’s rental market has started to swing in favour of tenants, as easing migration and rising supply take the heat out of rents, according to Cotality’s July Housing Chart Pack. (ref. http://www.cotality.com/nz/resources/industry-insights/monthly-housing-chart-pack )

    Data from the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE) shows that the national median rent in the three months to May edged down by -0.3% from last year, not a big fall but still the first since late 2009.

    After significant increases over 2021-23, rental growth has generally petered out in recent months, or turned negative in some key centres.

    There has been a rare shift in markets such as Auckland where the median weekly rent has dropped -2.0% over the past year to $650. Wellington City has also seen a decline of -0.8%, down to $602. Tauranga and Christchurch are other main centres with soft rents at present.
     
    Median weekly rents in three months to May, % change from a year ago

    Sources: MBIE, Cotality (formerly CoreLogic)

    Cotality Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson said this shift is being driven by a range of interrelated factors.

    “There was a sharp rise in rents post-COVID as borders reopened and net migration spiked. Many new migrants tend to rent, especially given the foreign buyer ban, and that demand placed pressure on key centres such as Auckland.”

    “At the same time, rental supply was tighter. Investor activity had dipped due to rising mortgage rates and tax rule changes, which arguably meant fewer rental properties were added to the available pool than otherwise might have been the case.”
    Mr Davidson noted that these dynamics pushed rents up to high levels, both in dollar terms and relative to household incomes, placing strain on tenant affordability.

    “This affordability ceiling is now acting as a natural brake on further rent increases.”

    “And while it’s still expensive to be a tenant, the balance of power has shifted slightly. It’s not suddenly easy to rent, but it is nevertheless a friendlier market for tenants than it has been in recent years,” he said.
    Recent falls in net migration have reduced marginal rental demand growth, while the supply of available listings rises.

    “Supply has risen as investors are starting to return to the market, and at the same time we’re seeing the completion of many new-build properties.

    “Overall, this has contributed to a softening in the rental market, with conditions gradually shifting in favour of tenants,” Mr Davidson concluded.
    Highlights from the July 2025 Housing Chart Pack include:

    New Zealand’s residential real estate market is worth a combined $1.65 trillion.
    The Cotality Home Value Index shows property values across New Zealand ticked up by +0.2% in June. Over the three months to June, however, there was a -0.1% dip in median property values across NZ.

    The total sales count over the 12 months to June is 85,951.
    Total listings on the market were 27,006 in June. The total number of properties listed on the market remains elevated, although the seasonal fall for new listings flows means that agreed sales have just started to eat into stock levels.
    The pace of rental growth remains subdued, with net migration having fallen a long way from its peak, and the stock of available rental listings on the market still elevated.
    Buyer Classification data shows first home buyers made up 26% of purchases from April to June, while smaller investors (‘Mums and Dads’) are having a comeback, targeting cheaper, existing dwellings.
    Gross rental yields now stand at 3.8%, which is the highest level since mid-16.
    Inflation is back in the 1–3% target range. The Reserve Bank looks set to cut the official cash rate again to 3.0%, potentially as soon as August.
    The Chart of the Month for July highlights MBIE data showing the annual % change in median weekly rents over the three months to May. After years of sharp increases, rents are now softening in some main centres, with Auckland down -2.0% to $650, alongside modest declines in Wellington City (-0.8%) and Tauranga (-0.2%).

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Northfield Bancorp, Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2025 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NOTABLE ITEMS FOR THE QUARTER INCLUDE:

    • DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE WERE $0.24 FOR THE CURRENT QUARTER COMPARED TO $0.19 FOR THE TRAILING QUARTER, AND $0.14 FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2024.
    • NET INTEREST MARGIN INCREASED BY 19 BASIS POINTS TO 2.57% FOR THE CURRENT QUARTER COMPARED TO 2.38% FOR THE TRAILING QUARTER, AND BY 48 BASIS POINTS COMPARED TO 2.09% FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2024, DRIVEN BY LOWER FUNDING COSTS AND HIGHER YIELDS ON INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS.
    • COST OF DEPOSITS, EXCLUDING BROKERED DEPOSITS, AT JUNE 30, 2025 WAS 1.88% AS COMPARED TO 1.94% AT MARCH 31, 2025.
    • ASSET QUALITY IMPROVED WITH NON-PERFORMING LOANS TO TOTAL LOANS AT 0.36% AT JUNE 30, 2025 COMPARED TO 0.48% AT MARCH 31, 2025.
    • THE COMPANY MAINTAINED STRONG LIQUIDITY WITH OVER $800 MILLION IN UNPLEDGED AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES AND LOANS READILY AVAILABLE-FOR-PLEDGE OF APPROXIMATELY $1 BILLION.
    • A $10.0 MILLION REPURCHASE PLAN APPROVED ON APRIL 23, 2025 WAS COMPLETED DURING THE CURRENT QUARTER AS THE COMPANY REPURCHASED 862,469 SHARES.
    • CASH DIVIDEND DECLARED OF $0.13 PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK, PAYABLE ON AUGUST 20, 2025, TO STOCKHOLDERS OF RECORD AS OF AUGUST 6, 2025.

    WOODBRIDGE, N.J., July 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NORTHFIELD BANCORP, INC. (Nasdaq:NFBK) (the “Company”), the holding company for Northfield Bank, reported net income of $9.6 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $7.9 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2025, and $6.0 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2024. For the six months ended June 30, 2025, net income totaled $17.4 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, compared to $12.2 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2024. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, net income included $580,000 of additional tax expense related to options that expired in May 2025. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, net income included $795,000 of additional tax expense related to options that expired in June 2024, and $683,000 of severance expense. The increase in net income for the current quarter and the six months ended June 30, 2025, as compared to the comparable prior year periods was primarily due to an increase in net interest income, attributable to lower funding costs and higher yields on loans and securities, partially offset by an increase in the provision for credit losses on loans.

    Commenting on the quarter, Steven M. Klein, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, noted, “Our strong financial results reflect the continued execution of our strategic initiatives, focused on prudent and disciplined lending and deposit gathering, net interest margin expansion, and expense discipline.” Mr. Klein further noted, “I’m pleased to report that we continue to deploy our substantial capital base, including through stock repurchases of $15.0 million for the year and the declaration of a quarterly cash dividend of $0.13 per common share, payable August 20, 2025, to stockholders of record on August 6, 2025.”

    Results of Operations

    Comparison of Operating Results for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 and 2024

    Net income was $17.4 million and $12.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2024, respectively. Significant variances from the comparable prior year period are as follows: a $9.6 million increase in net interest income, a $4.9 million increase in the provision for credit losses on loans, a $1.3 million increase in non-interest income, a $920,000 decrease in non-interest expense, and a $1.7 million increase in income tax expense.

    Net interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2025, increased $9.6 million, or 17.0%, to $66.2 million, from $56.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 due to a $6.0 million decrease in interest expense and a $3.6 million increase in interest income. The decrease in interest expense was primarily due to a decrease in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities of $141.5 million, or 3.3%, as well as a decrease in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities, which decreased by 18 basis points to 2.74% for the six months ended June 30, 2025, from 2.92% for the six months ended June 30, 2024. The average balance of interest-bearing liabilities decreased primarily due to a $378.9 million, or 35.2%, decrease in the average balance of borrowed funds, partially offset by a $237.2 million, or 7.5%, increase in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits, primarily certificates of deposit. The decrease in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities was driven primarily by an eight basis point decrease in the cost of interest-bearing deposits to 2.47% from 2.55% and a four basis point decrease in the cost of borrowings to 3.83% from 3.87%. The increase in interest income was primarily due to a 25 basis point increase in the yield on interest-earning assets, due to higher yields on mortgage-backed securities and loans, partially offset by a $128.0 million, or 2.3%, decrease in the average balance of interest-earning assets. The decrease was primarily due to decreases in the average balance of loans of $175.5 million, the average balance of other securities of $275.8 million, and the average balance of interest-earning deposits in financial institutions of $128.1 million, partially offset by an increase in the average balance of mortgage-backed securities of $453.4 million. The changes reflect the purchase of higher-yielding mortgage-related securities with excess cash and proceeds from the maturities of other securities.

    Net interest margin increased by 42 basis points to 2.48% for the six months ended June 30, 2025, from 2.06% for the six months ended June 30, 2024. The increase in net interest margin was primarily due to higher yields on loans and mortgage-backed securities, coupled with a decrease in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2025, included $609,000 of interest income related to the settlement of a non-accrual loan in May 2025. The Company accreted interest income related to purchased credit-deteriorated (“PCD”) loans of $469,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2025, as compared to $747,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2024. Net interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2025, also included loan prepayment income of $767,000 as compared to $561,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2024.

    The provision for credit losses on loans increased by $4.9 million to $4.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared to a benefit of $203,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2024, primarily due to an increase in general reserves related to a worsening macroeconomic forecast in the current quarter within our Current Expected Credit Loss (“CECL”) model, an increase in specific reserves of $1.2 million, changes in model assumptions including a reduction in prepayment speeds, and higher net charge-offs. Partially offsetting the increase in reserves was a decline in loan balances. Net charge-offs were $3.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, primarily due to $3.2 million in net charge-offs on small business unsecured commercial and industrial loans, as compared to net charge-offs of $2.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024. Management continues to closely monitor the small business unsecured commercial and industrial loan portfolio, which totaled $24.0 million at June 30, 2025.

    Non-interest income increased by $1.3 million, or 21.0%, to $7.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $6.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024. The increase was primarily due to an increase in income on bank-owned life insurance of $1.4 million, primarily related to the exchange of certain policies in the fourth quarter of 2024 which have higher yields, partially offset by a $178,000 decrease in gains on trading securities. Gains on trading securities in the six months ended June 30, 2025, were $709,000, as compared to gains of $887,000 in the six months ended June 30, 2024. The trading portfolio is utilized to fund the Company’s deferred compensation obligation to certain employees and directors of the plan. The participants of this plan, at their election, defer a portion of their compensation. Gains and losses on trading securities have no effect on net income since participants benefit from, and bear the full risk of changes in the trading securities market values. Therefore, the Company records an equal and offsetting amount in compensation expense, reflecting the change in the Company’s obligations under the plan.

    Non-interest expense decreased by $920,000, or 2.0%, to $44.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $45.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024. The decrease was primarily due to a $650,000 decrease in employee compensation and benefits, primarily due to severance expense of $683,000 which was recorded during the six months ended June 30, 2024, and a $178,000 decrease in deferred compensation expense, which is described above, and had no effect on net income. Partially offsetting the decreases were higher salary expense related to annual merit increases and higher stock compensation expense as the prior year included a credit of $461,000 related to performance stock awards not expected to vest. Additionally, there was a $456,000 decrease in advertising expense attributable to a change in marketing strategy and the timing of specific deposit and lending campaigns, and a $311,000 decrease in other expense. Partially offsetting the decreases was a $485,000 increase in professional fees related to outsourced audit services and recruitment fees.

    The Company recorded income tax expense of $7.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $5.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024. The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2025, was 29.3% compared to 31.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2024. In May 2025, options granted in 2015 expired and resulted in additional tax expense of $580,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2025, as compared to options granted in 2014 that expired in June 2024 and resulted in additional tax expense of $795,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2024.

    Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 and 2024

    Net income was $9.6 million and $6.0 million for the quarters ended June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2024, respectively. Significant variances from the comparable prior year quarter are as follows: a $5.7 million increase in net interest income, a $2.7 increase in the provision for credit losses on loans, a $1.7 million increase in non-interest income, and a $1.1 million increase in income tax expense.

    Net interest income for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, increased $5.7 million, or 19.9%, to $34.4 million, from $28.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, due to a $3.5 million decrease in interest expense and a $2.2 million increase in interest income. The decrease in interest expense was primarily due to a decrease in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities of $177.0 million, or 4.1%, as well as a decrease in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities which decreased by 22 basis points to 2.73% for the three months ended June 30, 2025, from 2.95% for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The average balance of interest-bearing liabilities decreased primarily due to a $344.2 million, or 33.1% decrease in the average balance of borrowed funds, partially offset by a $167.0 million, or 5.2%, increase in the average of interest-bearing deposits. The decrease in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities was driven by an 18 basis point decrease in the cost of interest-bearing deposits to 2.42% from 2.60%, partially offset by a 10 basis point increase in the cost of borrowed funds to 3.98% from 3.88%. The increase in interest income was primarily due to a 28 basis point increase in the yield on interest-earning assets due to higher yields on mortgage-backed securities and loans, partially offset by a $151.7 million, or 2.8%, decrease in the average balance of interest-earning assets. The decrease was primarily due to decreases in the average balance of other securities of $277.3 million, the average balance of loans of $183.3 million and the average balance of interest-earning deposits in financial institutions of $112.0 million, partially offset by an increase in the average balance of mortgage-backed securities of $422.3 million. The changes reflect the purchase of higher-yielding mortgage-related securities with excess cash and proceeds from the maturities of other securities.

    Net interest margin increased by 48 basis points to 2.57% for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, from 2.09% for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. The increase in net interest margin was primarily due to higher yields on loans and mortgage-backed securities, coupled with a decrease in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest income for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, included $609,000 of interest income related to the settlement of a non-accrual loan in May 2025. The Company accreted interest income related to PCD loans of $247,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, as compared to $321,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. Net interest income for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, included loan prepayment income of $522,000, as compared to $210,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2024.

    The provision for credit losses on loans increased by $2.7 million to $2.1 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, from a benefit of $618,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, primarily due to an increase in general reserves related to a worsening macroeconomic forecast in the current quarter within our CECL model, an increase in specific reserves of $1.2 million, and changes in model assumptions, including a reduction in prepayment speeds. Partially offsetting the increase in reserves was a decline in loan balances and lower net charge-offs. Net charge-offs were $887,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, primarily due to $879,000 in net charge-offs on small business unsecured commercial and industrial loans, as compared to net charge-offs of $1.6 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024.

    Non-interest income increased by $1.7 million, or 58.3%, to $4.5 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, from $2.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. The increase was primarily due to increases of $820,000 in gains on trading securities and $760,000 in income on bank-owned life insurance, primarily related to the exchange of certain policies in the fourth quarter of 2024 which have higher yields. Gains on trading securities in the three months ended June 30, 2025, were $1.0 million as compared to gains of $188,000 in the quarter ended June 30, 2024.

    Non-interest expense remained stable at $23.0 million for both quarters ended June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2024.

    The Company recorded income tax expense of $4.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, compared to $3.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. The effective tax rate for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, was 31.0% compared to 35.0% for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. In May 2025, options granted in 2015 expired and resulted in additional tax expense of $580,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, as compared to options granted in 2014 that expired in June 2024 and resulted in additional tax expense of $795,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2024.

    Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 and March 31, 2025

    Net income was $9.6 million and $7.9 million for the quarters ended June 30, 2025, and March 31, 2025, respectively. Significant variances from the prior quarter are as follows: a $2.6 million increase in net interest income, a $496,000 decrease in the provision for credit losses on loans, a $1.5 million increase in non-interest income, a $1.5 million increase in non-interest expense, and a $1.4 million increase in income tax expense.

    Net interest income for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, increased by $2.6 million, or 8.2%, to $34.4 million, from $31.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, due to a $2.3 million increase in interest income and a $272,000 decrease in interest expense. The increase in interest income was primarily due to a 17 basis point increase in the yield on interest-earning assets, partially offset by a $49.1 million decrease in the average balance of interest-earning assets, primarily due to decreases in the average balance of loans of $62.4 million, the average balance of other securities of $61.5 million, and the average balance of interest-earning deposits in financial institutions of $39.5 million, which were partially offset by an increase in the average balance of mortgage-backed securities of $114.1 million. The changes reflect the purchase of higher-yielding mortgage-related securities with excess cash and proceeds from the maturities of other securities. The decrease in interest expense was primarily due to a $66.1 million, or 1.6%, decrease in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities largely attributable to a $67.8 million decrease in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits.

    Net interest margin increased by 19 basis points to 2.57% for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, from 2.38% for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, primarily due to higher yields on loans and mortgage-backed securities. Net interest income for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, included $609,000 of interest income related to the settlement of a non-accrual loan in May 2025. Net interest income for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, included loan prepayment income of $522,000 as compared to $245,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. The Company accreted interest income related to PCD loans of $247,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, as compared to $223,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2025.

    The provision for credit losses on loans decreased by $496,000 to $2.1 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, from $2.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. The decrease in the provision for the current quarter was primarily due to lower net charge-offs and a decline in loan balances, partially offset by an increase in specific reserves of $569,000 and an increase in general reserves due to a worsening macroeconomic forecast in the current quarter within our CECL model. Net charge-offs were $887,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, as compared to net charge-offs of $2.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025.

    Non-interest income increased by $1.5 million, or 49.8%, to $4.5 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, from $3.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. The increase was primarily due to a $1.3 million increase in gains on trading securities, net. For the quarter ended June 30, 2025, gains on trading securities, net, were $1.0 million, compared to losses of $299,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2025.

    Non-interest expense increased by $1.5 million, or 7.2%, to $23.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, from $21.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. The increase was primarily due to a $2.0 million increase in compensation and employee benefits, of which $1.3 million was attributable to an increase in deferred compensation expense and has no effect on net income due to offsetting gains on trading securities. The remaining increase in compensation and employee benefits was primarily due to higher salary expense related to an increase in headcount during the current quarter as well as recognizing a full quarter of merit-related increases as compared to one month in the prior quarter. Additionally, there was a $280,000 increase in data processing costs attributable to an increase in core system expenses. Partially offsetting the increases were decreases of $205,000 in occupancy expense, $169,000 in professional fees, $210,000 in other expense, and $156,000 in credit loss expense/(benefit) for off-balance sheet exposure. The decrease in credit loss expense/(benefit) for off-balance sheet exposure was due to a benefit of $53,000 recorded during the quarter ended June 30, 2025, as compared to a provision of $103,000 recorded during the quarter ended March 31, 2025.

    The Company recorded income tax expense of $4.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, compared to $2.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. The effective tax rate for the quarter ended June 30, 2025 was 31.0%, compared to 27.0% for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. During the quarter ended June 30, 2025, options granted in 2015 expired and resulted in additional tax expense of $580,000, contributing to the higher effective tax rate for the quarter ended June 30, 2025 compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2025.

    Financial Condition

    Total assets increased by $12.9 million, or 0.2%, to $5.68 billion at June 30, 2025, from $5.67 billion at December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily due to an increase in available-for-sale debt securities of $200.2 million, or 18.2%, partially offset by decreases in loans receivable of $106.5 million, or 2.6%, cash and cash equivalents of $70.2 million, or 41.8% and other assets of $9.6 million, or 20.4%.

    Cash and cash equivalents decreased by $70.1 million, or 41.8%, to $97.6 million at June 30, 2025, from $167.7 million at December 31, 2024, as excess liquidity was deployed into purchasing higher-yielding mortgage-backed securities. Balances fluctuate based on the timing of receipt of security and loan repayments and the redeployment of cash into higher-yielding assets such as loans and securities, or the funding of deposit outflows or borrowing maturities.

    Loans held-for-investment, net, decreased by $101.6 million, or 2.5%, to $3.92 billion at June 30, 2025 from $4.02 billion at December 31, 2024, primarily due to a decrease in multifamily real estate loans, partially offset by increases in one-to-four family residential mortgage and home equity and lines of credit loans. The decrease in loan balances reflects the Company’s continued strategic focus on managing concentration risk within its commercial and multifamily real estate loan portfolios, while maintaining disciplined loan pricing. Multifamily loans decreased $114.4 million, or 4.4%, to $2.48 billion at June 30, 2025 from $2.60 billion at December 31, 2024, commercial and industrial loans decreased $4.9 million, or 3.0%, to $158.5 million at June 30, 2025 from $163.4 million at December 31, 2024, commercial real estate loans decreased $3.7 million, or 0.4%, to $886.1 million at June 30, 2025 from $889.8 million at December 31, 2024, and construction and land loans decreased $3.6 million, or 10.0%, to $32.3 million at June 30, 2025 from $35.9 million at December 31, 2024. Partially offsetting these decreases were increases in home equity and lines of credit of $12.8 million, or 7.3%, to $186.8 million at June 30, 2025 from $174.1 million at December 31, 2024, and one-to-four family residential loans of $12.5 million, or 8.3%, to $162.8 million at June 30, 2025 from $150.2 million at December 31, 2024.

    As of June 30, 2025, non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans (as defined by regulatory guidance) to total risk-based capital was estimated at approximately 416%. Management believes that Northfield Bank (the “Bank”) maintains appropriate risk management practices including risk assessments, board-approved underwriting policies and related procedures, which includes monitoring Bank portfolio performance, performing market analysis (economic and real estate), and stressing of the Bank’s commercial real estate portfolio under severe, adverse economic conditions. Although management believes the Bank has implemented appropriate policies and procedures to manage its commercial real estate concentration risk, the Bank’s regulators could require it to implement additional policies and procedures or could require it to maintain higher levels of regulatory capital, which might adversely affect its loan originations, the Company’s ability to pay dividends, and overall profitability.

    Our real estate portfolio includes credit risk exposure to loans collateralized by office buildings and multifamily properties in New York subject to some form of rent regulation limiting rent increases for rent stabilized multifamily properties. At June 30, 2025, office-related loans represented $178.8 million, or 4.6% of our total loan portfolio, with an average balance of $1.8 million (although we have originated these type of loans in amounts substantially greater than this average) and a weighted average loan-to-value ratio of 58%. Approximately 39% were owner-occupied. The geographic locations of the properties collateralizing our office-related loans are: 49.9% in New York, 48.6% in New Jersey and 1.5% in Pennsylvania. At June 30, 2025, our largest office-related loan had a principal balance of $90.0 million (with a net active principal balance for the Bank of $29.3 million as we have a 33.3% participation interest), was secured by an office facility located in Staten Island, New York, and was performing in accordance with its original contractual terms. At June 30, 2025, multifamily loans that have some form of rent stabilization or rent control totaled $434.1 million, or 11% of our total loan portfolio, with an average balance of $1.7 million (although we have originated these type of loans in amounts substantially greater than this average) and a weighted average loan-to-value ratio of 50%. At June 30, 2025, our largest rent-regulated loan had a principal balance of $16.6 million, was secured by an apartment building located in Staten Island, New York, and was performing in accordance with its original contractual terms. Management continues to closely monitor its office and rent-regulated portfolios. For further details on our rent-regulated multifamily portfolio see “Asset Quality”.

    PCD loans totaled $9.0 million and $9.2 million at June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. The majority of the remaining PCD loan balance consists of loans acquired as part of a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-assisted transaction. The Company accreted interest income of $247,000 and $469,000 attributable to PCD loans for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, respectively, compared to $321,000 and $747,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively. PCD loans had an allowance for credit losses of approximately $2.7 million at June 30, 2025.

    Loan balances are summarized as follows (dollars in thousands):

      June 30, 2025   March 31, 2025   December 31, 2024
    Real estate loans:          
    Multifamily $ 2,483,078   $ 2,567,913   $ 2,597,484
    Commercial mortgage   886,135     882,600     889,801
    One-to-four family residential mortgage   162,750     146,791     150,217
    Home equity and lines of credit   186,848     181,354     174,062
    Construction and land   32,300     40,284     35,897
    Total real estate loans   3,751,111     3,818,942     3,847,461
    Commercial and industrial loans   158,539     162,133     163,425
    Other loans   2,008     1,411     2,165
    Total commercial and industrial and other loans   160,547     163,544     165,590
    Loans held-for-investment, net (excluding PCD)   3,911,658     3,982,486     4,013,051
    PCD loans   8,955     9,043     9,173
    Total loans held-for-investment, net $ 3,920,613   $ 3,991,529   $ 4,022,224
                     

    Other assets decreased by $9.6 million, or 20.4%, to $37.4 million at June 30, 2025, from $46.9 million at December 31, 2024. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in deferred tax assets primarily due to a decrease in unrealized losses on the securities available-for-sale portfolio.

    The Company’s available-for-sale debt securities portfolio increased by $200.2 million, or 18.2%, to $1.30 billion at June 30, 2025, from $1.10 billion at December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily attributable to purchases of securities, partially offset by paydowns and maturities. At June 30, 2025, $1.27 billion of the portfolio consisted of residential mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or Ginnie Mae. In addition, the Company held $29.7 million in corporate bonds, substantially all of which were investment grade, $684,000 in municipal bonds and $613,000 in U.S. Government agency securities at June 30, 2025. Unrealized losses, net of tax, on available-for-sale debt securities and held-to-maturity securities approximated $14.6 million and $276,000, respectively, at June 30, 2025, and $21.8 million and $400,000, respectively, at December 31, 2024.

    Equity securities were $6.3 million at June 30, 2025 and $14.3 million at December 31, 2024. Equity securities are primarily comprised of an investment in a Small Business Administration (“SBA”) Loan Fund. This investment is utilized by the Bank as part of its Community Reinvestment Act program. The decrease in equity securities was primarily due to a redemption, at par, of $5.0 million of our investment in the SBA Loan Fund during the quarter ended June 30, 2025.

    Total liabilities increased $7.3 million, or 0.1%, to $4.97 billion at June 30, 2025, from $4.96 billion at December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in borrowings of $165.5 million, partially offset by a decrease in deposits of $152.3 million. The Company routinely utilizes brokered deposits and borrowed funds to manage interest rate risk, the cost of interest-bearing liabilities, and funding needs related to loan originations and deposit activity.

    Deposits decreased $152.3 million, or 3.7%, to $3.99 billion at June 30, 2025 as compared to $4.14 billion at December 31, 2024. Brokered deposits decreased by $188.4 million, or 71.5%, as the Company placed less reliance on brokered deposits, which were used as a lower-cost alternative to borrowings in the quarter ended December 31, 2024. Deposits, excluding brokered deposits, increased $36.0 million, or 0.9%. The increase in deposits, excluding brokered deposits, was primarily attributable to increases of $73.7 million in transaction accounts and $9.6 million in time deposits, partially offset by decreases of $29.2 million in savings accounts, and $18.0 million in money market accounts. Growth in transaction accounts and time deposits was primarily due to new municipal relationships and new commercial customer relationships.

    Estimated gross uninsured deposits at June 30, 2025 were $1.87 billion. This total includes fully collateralized uninsured governmental deposits and intercompany deposits of $940.6 million, leaving estimated uninsured deposits of approximately $929.2 million, or 23.1%, of total deposits. At December 31, 2024, estimated uninsured deposits, excluding fully collateralized uninsured governmental deposits and intercompany deposits, totaled $896.5 million, or 21.7% of total deposits.

    Deposit account balances are summarized as follows (dollars in thousands):

      June 30, 2025   March 31, 2025   December 31, 2024
    Transaction:          
    Non-interest bearing checking $ 735,811   $ 722,994   $ 706,976
    Negotiable orders of withdrawal and interest-bearing checking   1,331,060     1,367,219     1,286,154
    Total transaction   2,066,871     2,090,213     1,993,130
    Savings and money market:          
    Savings   874,927     899,674     904,163
    Money market   254,154     271,566     272,145
    Total savings   1,129,081     1,171,240     1,176,308
    Certificates of deposit:          
    $250,000 and under   573,612     602,959     580,940
    Over $250,000   141,623     144,255     124,681
    Brokered deposits   75,000     123,289     263,418
    Total certificates of deposit   790,235     870,503     969,039
    Total deposits $ 3,986,187   $ 4,131,956   $ 4,138,477
                     

    Included in the table above are business and municipal deposit account balances as follows (dollars in thousands):

      June 30, 2025   March 31, 2025   December 31, 2024
               
    Business customers $ 907,464   $ 891,545   $ 885,769
    Municipal (governmental) customers $ 892,652   $ 929,611   $ 859,319
                     

    Borrowed funds increased to $893.5 million at June 30, 2025, from $727.8 million at December 31, 2024. The increase in borrowings for the period was primarily due to a $55.0 million increase in borrowings under an overnight line of credit, and a $110.5 million increase in other borrowings. Management utilizes borrowings to mitigate interest rate risk, for short-term liquidity, and to a lesser extent from time to time, as part of leverage strategies.

    The following table sets forth borrowing maturities (excluding overnight borrowings and subordinated debt) and the weighted average rate by year at June 30, 2025 (dollars in thousands):

    Year   Amount   Weighted Average Rate
    2025   $295,684   4.44%
    2026   148,000   4.36%
    2027   173,000   3.19%
    2028   154,288   3.96%
        $770,972   4.05%
             

    Total stockholders’ equity increased by $5.6 million to $710.3 million at June 30, 2025, from $704.7 million at December 31, 2024. The increase was attributable to net income of $17.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, an $11.9 million increase in accumulated other comprehensive income associated with an increase in the estimated fair value of our debt securities available-for-sale portfolio, and a $2.0 million increase in equity award activity, partially offset by $15.0 million in stock repurchases and $10.7 million in dividend payments. On February 26, 2025, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a $5.0 million stock repurchase program, and on April 23, 2025, the Board of Directors approved a $10.0 million stock repurchase program. During the six months ended June 30, 2025, the Company repurchased 1.3 million shares of its common stock outstanding at an average price of $11.52 for a total of $15.0 million pursuant to the approved stock repurchase plans. As of June 30, 2025, the Company has no outstanding repurchase program.

    The Company’s most liquid assets are cash and cash equivalents, corporate bonds, and unpledged mortgage-related securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac, that we can either borrow against or sell. We also have the ability to surrender bank-owned life insurance contracts. The surrender of these contracts would subject the Company to income taxes and penalties for increases in the cash surrender values over the original premium payments. We also have the ability to obtain additional funding from the Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank of New York utilizing unencumbered and unpledged securities and multifamily loans. The Company expects to have sufficient funds available to meet current commitments in the normal course of business. The Company’s on-hand liquidity ratio as of June 30, 2025 was 18.3%.

    The Company had the following primary sources of liquidity at June 30, 2025 (dollars in thousands):

    Cash and cash equivalents(1)   $ 85,652
    Corporate bonds(2)   $ 15,525
    Multifamily loans(2)   $ 1,074,872
    Mortgage-backed securities (issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac)(2)   $ 791,369
         
    (1) Excludes $12.0 million of cash at Northfield Bank.
    (2) Represents estimated remaining borrowing potential.
     

    The Company and the Bank utilize the Community Bank Leverage Ratio (“CBLR”) framework. At June 30, 2025, the Company’s and the Bank’s estimated CBLR ratios were 12.09% and 12.56%, respectively, which exceeded the minimum requirement to be considered well-capitalized of 9%.

    Asset Quality

    The following table details total non-accrual loans (excluding PCD), non-performing assets, loans over 90 days delinquent on which interest is accruing, and accruing loans 30 to 89 days delinquent at June 30, 2025, March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 (dollars in thousands):

      June 30, 2025   March 31, 2025   December 31, 2024
    Non-accrual loans:          
    Held-for-investment          
    Real estate loans:          
    Multifamily $ 2,521     $ 2,565     $ 2,609  
    Commercial mortgage   4,555       4,565       4,578  
    Home equity and lines of credit   1,264       1,267       1,270  
    Commercial and industrial   4,517       4,972       5,807  
    Total non-accrual loans   12,857       13,369       14,264  
    Loans delinquent 90 days or more and still accruing:          
    Held-for-investment          
    Real estate loans:          
    Multifamily   —       —       164  
    Commercial mortgage   74       —       —  
    One-to-four family residential   871       878       882  
    Home equity and lines of credit   177       140       140  
    Commercial and industrial   121       —       —  
    Total loans held-for-investment delinquent 90 days or more and still accruing   1,243       1,018       1,186  
    Non-performing loans held-for-sale:          
    Commercial mortgage   —       4,397       4,397  
    Commercial and industrial   —       500       500  
    Total non-performing loans held-for-sale   —       4,897       4,897  
    Total non-performing loans   14,100       19,284       20,347  
    Total non-performing assets $ 14,100     $ 19,284     $ 20,347  
    Non-performing loans to total loans   0.36 %     0.48 %     0.51 %
    Non-performing assets to total assets   0.25 %     0.34 %     0.36 %
    Accruing loans 30 to 89 days delinquent $ 4,076     $ 6,845     $ 9,336  
                           

    The decrease in non-performing loans held-for-sale from March 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, was due to repayment of the loans in full from a settlement agreement in bankruptcy.

    Accruing Loans 30 to 89 Days Delinquent

    Loans 30 to 89 days delinquent and on accrual status totaled $4.1 million, $6.8 million and $9.3 million at June 30, 2025, March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. The following table sets forth delinquencies for accruing loans by type and by amount at June 30, 2025, March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 (dollars in thousands):

      June 30, 2025   March 31, 2025   December 31, 2024
    Held-for-investment          
    Real estate loans:          
    Multifamily $ 1,230   $ 1,296   $ 2,831
    Commercial mortgage   14     147     78
    One-to-four family residential   741     2,584     2,407
    Home equity and lines of credit   1,398     1,141     1,472
    Commercial and industrial loans   693     1,674     2,545
    Other loans   —     3     3
    Total delinquent accruing loans held-for-investment $ 4,076   $ 6,845   $ 9,336
                     

    PCD Loans (Held-for-Investment)

    The Company accounts for PCD loans at estimated fair value using discounted expected future cash flows deemed to be collectible on the date acquired. Based on its detailed review of PCD loans and experience in loan workouts, management believes it has a reasonable expectation about the amount and timing of future cash flows and accordingly has classified PCD loans ($9.0 million at June 30, 2025 and $9.2 million at December 31, 2024, respectively) as accruing, even though they may be contractually past due. At June 30, 2025, 2.3% of PCD loans were past due 30 to 89 days, and 25.5% were past due 90 days or more, as compared to 2.1% and 24.9%, respectively, at December 31, 2024.

    Our multifamily loan portfolio at June 30, 2025 totaled $2.48 billion, or 63% of our total loan portfolio, of which $434.1 million, or 11%, of our total loan portfolio included loans collateralized by properties in New York with units subject to some percentage of rent regulation. The table below sets forth details about our multifamily loan portfolio in New York (dollars in thousands).

    % Rent
    Regulated
      Balance   % Portfolio
    Total NY
    Multifamily
    Portfolio
      Average
    Balance
      Largest Loan   LTV*   Debt Service
    Coverage Ratio
    (DSCR)*
      30-89 Days
    Delinquent
      Non-Accrual   Special
    Mention
      Substandard
    0   $ 294,926   40.5 %   $ 1,229   $ 16,361   50.6 %   1.50x   $ 155   $ 481   $ —   $ 1,015
    >0-10     4,673   0.6       1,558     2,097   50.6     1.33     —     —     —     —
    >10-20     18,258   2.5       1,404     2,818   48.4     1.59     —     —     —     —
    >20-30     19,159   2.6       2,129     5,417   48.1     1.55     —     —     —     —
    >30-40     15,884   2.2       1,324     3,012   43.2     1.74     —     —     —     —
    >40-50     21,438   2.9       1,261     2,701   46.7     1.68     —     —     —     —
    >50-60     9,222   1.3       1,537     2,299   39.1     1.80     —     —     —     —
    >60-70     21,815   3.0       2,727     11,102   53.2     1.50     —     —     —     —
    >70-80     22,038   3.0       2,449     4,855   47.3     1.55     —     —     —     —
    >80-90     19,547   2.7       1,150     3,113   45.9     1.66     —     —     1,118     —
    >90-100     282,037   38.7       1,730     16,594   51.3     1.54     —     2,040     3,608     4,342
    Total   $ 728,997   100.0 %   $ 1,467   $ 16,594   50.2 %   1.54x   $ 155   $ 2,521   $ 4,726   $ 5,357
                                                               

    The table below sets forth our New York rent-regulated loans by county (dollars in thousands).

    County   Balance   LTV*   DSCR*
    Bronx   $ 116,252   50.9%   1.51x
    Kings     184,424   49.4%   1.58
    Nassau     2,145   35.7%   2.13
    New York     48,532   46.0%   1.62
    Queens     37,359   44.1%   1.69
    Richmond     32,031   59.8%   1.41
    Westchester     13,327   58.4%   1.44
    Total   $ 434,070   49.9%   1.56x
                 
    *  Weighted Average
     

    None of the loans that are rent-regulated in New York are interest only. During the remainder of 2025, 13 loans with an aggregate principal balance of $23.6 million will re-price.

    About Northfield Bank

    Northfield Bank, founded in 1887, operates 37 full-service banking offices in Staten Island and Brooklyn, New York, and Hunterdon, Middlesex, Mercer, and Union counties, New Jersey. For more information about Northfield Bank, please visit www.eNorthfield.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements: This release may contain certain “forward looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and may be identified by the use of such words as “may,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “plan,” “estimate,” “predict,” “continue,” and “potential” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, estimates with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of Northfield Bancorp, Inc. Any or all of the forward-looking statements in this release and in any other public statements made by Northfield Bancorp, Inc. may turn out to be wrong. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions Northfield Bancorp, Inc. might make or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties as described in our SEC filings, including, but not limited to, those related to general economic conditions, particularly in the market areas in which the Company operates, competition and demand for financial services in our market area, competition among depository and other financial institutions, including with respect to fees and interest rates, fluctuations in residential and commercial real estate values and market conditions, changes in liquidity, the size and composition of our deposit portfolio and the percentage of uninsured deposits in the portfolio, our ability to access cost-effective funding, changes in laws or government regulations or policies affecting financial institutions, including changes in the monetary policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the imposition of tariffs or other domestic or international governmental policies and retaliatory responses, changes in the quality and/or composition of our loan and securities portfolios, prepayment speeds, charge-offs and/or credit loss provisions, changes in the value of our goodwill or other intangible assets, changes in regulatory fees, assessments and capital requirements, inflation and changes in the interest rate environment that reduce our margins, reduce the fair value of financial instruments or reduce our ability to originate loans, the failure to maintain current technologies and to successfully implement future information technology enhancements, cyber security and fraud risks against our information technology and those of our third-party providers, the ability of third-party providers to perform their obligations to us, the effects of war, conflict, and acts of terrorism, our ability to successfully integrate acquired entities, and adverse changes in the securities markets. Consequently, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Northfield Bancorp, Inc. does not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this release, or conform these statements to actual events.

     
    (Tables follow)
    NORTHFIELD BANCORP, INC.
    SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) (unaudited)
     
                   
      At or For the Three Months Ended   At or For the Six Months Ended
      June 30,   March 31,   June 30,
      2025   2024   2025   2025   2024
    Selected Financial Ratios:                  
    Performance Ratios (1)                  
    Return on assets (ratio of net income to average total assets) 0.68 %   0.41 %   0.56 %   0.62 %   0.42 %
    Return on equity (ratio of net income to average equity) 5.41     3.45     4.52     4.97     3.52  
    Average equity to average total assets 12.56     12.00     12.43     12.50     12.02  
    Interest rate spread 1.94     1.44     1.76     1.84     1.41  
    Net interest margin 2.57     2.09     2.38     2.48     2.06  
    Efficiency ratio (2) 59.02     72.89     61.57     60.22     72.16  
    Non-interest expense to average total assets 1.63     1.60     1.53     1.58     1.58  
    Non-interest expense to average total interest-earning assets 1.72     1.68     1.61     1.66     1.65  
    Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities 130.31     128.47     129.42     129.87     128.57  
    Asset Quality Ratios:                  
    Non-performing assets to total assets 0.25     0.30     0.34     0.25     0.30  
    Non-performing loans (3) to total loans (4) 0.36     0.42     0.48     0.36     0.42  
    Allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans (5) 256.15     200.96     242.73     256.15     200.96  
    Allowance for credit losses to total loans held-for-investment, net (6) 0.92     0.85     0.87     0.92     0.85  
                                 

    (1)  Annualized where appropriate.
    (2)  The efficiency ratio represents non-interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income.
    (3)  Non-performing loans consist of non-accruing loans and loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing (excluding PCD loans), and are included in total loans held-for-investment, net.
    (4)  Includes originated loans held-for-investment, PCD loans, acquired loans and loans held-for-sale.
    (5)  Excludes loans held-for-sale.
    (6)  Includes originated loans held-for-investment, PCD loans, and acquired loans.

     
    NORTHFIELD BANCORP, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts) (unaudited)
     
      June 30, 2025   March 31, 2025   December 31, 2024
    ASSETS:          
    Cash and due from banks $ 11,985     $ 12,523     $ 13,043  
    Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions   85,652       89,139       154,701  
    Total cash and cash equivalents   97,637       101,662       167,744  
    Trading securities   14,052       13,003       13,884  
    Debt securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value   1,300,975       1,246,473       1,100,817  
    Debt securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost   8,454       8,883       9,303  
    Equity securities   6,278       10,855       14,261  
    Loans held-for-sale   —       4,897       4,897  
    Loans held-for-investment, net   3,920,613       3,991,529       4,022,224  
    Allowance for credit losses   (36,120 )     (34,921 )     (35,183 )
    Net loans held-for-investment   3,884,493       3,956,608       3,987,041  
    Accrued interest receivable   19,241       19,648       19,078  
    Bank-owned life insurance   179,134       177,398       175,759  
    Federal Home Loan Bank of New York stock, at cost   43,664       38,350       35,894  
    Operating lease right-of-use assets   26,157       27,345       27,771  
    Premises and equipment, net   20,842       21,431       21,985  
    Goodwill   41,012       41,012       41,012  
    Other assets   37,352       42,435       46,932  
    Total assets $ 5,679,291     $ 5,710,000     $ 5,666,378  
               
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:          
    LIABILITIES:          
    Deposits $ 3,986,187     $ 4,131,956     $ 4,138,477  
    Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings   831,920       709,159       666,402  
    Subordinated debentures, net of issuance costs   61,554       61,498       61,442  
    Lease liabilities   30,286       31,630       32,209  
    Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance   25,287       29,270       24,057  
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities   33,783       35,338       39,095  
    Total liabilities   4,969,017       4,998,851       4,961,682  
               
    STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:          
    Total stockholders’ equity   710,274       711,149       704,696  
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 5,679,291     $ 5,710,000     $ 5,666,378  
               
    Total shares outstanding   41,819,988       42,676,274       42,903,598  
    Tangible book value per share(1) $ 16.00     $ 15.70     $ 15.46  
                           

    (1)  Tangible book value per share is calculated based on total stockholders’ equity, excluding intangible assets (goodwill and core deposit intangibles), divided by total shares outstanding as of the balance sheet date. Core deposit intangibles were $45, $57 and $69 at June 30, 2025, March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively, and are included in other assets.

     
    NORTHFIELD BANCORP, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
    (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts) (unaudited)
     
      For the Three Months Ended   For the Six Months Ended
      June 30,   March 31,   June 30,
        2025       2024       2025       2025     2024  
    Interest income:                  
    Loans $ 46,661     $ 45,967     $ 45,283     $ 91,944   $ 92,014  
    Mortgage-backed securities   13,888       7,355       12,009       25,897     11,753  
    Other securities   442       3,506       797       1,239     7,347  
    Federal Home Loan Bank of New York dividends   728       935       862       1,590     1,905  
    Deposits in other financial institutions   706       2,457       1,141       1,847     5,849  
    Total interest income   62,425       60,220       60,092       122,517     118,868  
    Interest expense:                  
    Deposits   20,285       20,664       21,191       41,476     39,937  
    Borrowings   6,916       10,041       6,291       13,207     20,704  
    Subordinated debt   828       828       819       1,647     1,656  
    Total interest expense   28,029       31,533       28,301       56,330     62,297  
    Net interest income   34,396       28,687       31,791       66,187     56,571  
    Provision/(benefit) for credit losses   2,086       (618 )     2,582       4,668     (203 )
    Net interest income after provision/(benefit) for credit losses   32,310       29,305       29,209       61,519     56,774  
    Non-interest income:                  
    Fees and service charges for customer services   1,685       1,570       1,620       3,305     3,185  
    Income on bank-owned life insurance   1,736       976       1,639       3,375     1,940  
    Gains on available-for-sale debt securities, net   —       1       —       —     1  
    Gains/(losses) on trading securities, net   1,008       188       (299 )     709     887  
    Gain on sale of loans   —       51       —       —     51  
    Other   97       73       62       159     176  
    Total non-interest income   4,526       2,859       3,022       7,548     6,240  
    Non-interest expense:                  
    Compensation and employee benefits   13,728       13,388       11,775       25,503     26,153  
    Occupancy   3,328       3,222       3,533       6,861     6,775  
    Furniture and equipment   411       477       414       825     961  
    Data processing   2,402       2,177       2,122       4,524     4,324  
    Professional fees   903       681       1,072       1,975     1,490  
    Advertising   294       482       250       544     1,000  
    Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance   618       649       617       1,235     1,237  
    Credit (benefit) loss expense for off-balance sheet exposures   (53 )     103       103       50     186  
    Other   1,339       1,814       1,549       2,888     3,199  
    Total non-interest expense   22,970       22,993       21,435       44,405     45,325  
    Income before income tax expense   13,866       9,171       10,796       24,662     17,689  
    Income tax expense   4,295       3,214       2,920       7,215     5,518  
    Net income $ 9,571     $ 5,957     $ 7,876     $ 17,447   $ 12,171  
    Net income per common share:                  
    Basic $ 0.24     $ 0.14     $ 0.19       0.43     0.29  
    Diluted $ 0.24     $ 0.14     $ 0.19       0.43     0.29  
    Basic average shares outstanding   40,183,613       41,999,541       40,864,529       40,522,193     42,181,306  
    Diluted average shares outstanding   40,204,833       42,002,650       40,922,829       40,561,953     42,203,715  
     
    NORTHFIELD BANCORP, INC.
    ANALYSIS OF NET INTEREST INCOME
    (Dollars in thousands) (unaudited)
     
      For the Three Months Ended
      June 30, 2025   March 31, 2025   June 30, 2024
      Average
    Outstanding
    Balance
      Interest   Average
    Yield/
    Rate (1)
      Average
    Outstanding
    Balance
      Interest   Average
    Yield/
    Rate (1)
      Average
    Outstanding
    Balance
      Interest   Average
    Yield/
    Rate (1)
    Interest-earning assets:                                  
    Loans (2) $ 3,944,822   $ 46,661   4.74 %   $ 4,007,266   $ 45,283   4.58 %   $ 4,128,105   $ 45,967   4.48 %
    Mortgage-backed securities (3)   1,246,843     13,888   4.47       1,132,715     12,009   4.30       824,498     7,355   3.59  
    Other securities (3)   56,559     442   3.13       118,082     797   2.74       333,855     3,506   4.22  
    Federal Home Loan Bank of New York stock   37,225     728   7.84       36,929     862   9.47       38,707     935   9.72  
    Interest-earning deposits in financial institutions   79,463     706   3.56       118,983     1,141   3.89       191,470     2,457   5.16  
    Total interest-earning assets   5,364,912     62,425   4.67       5,413,975     60,092   4.50       5,516,635     60,220   4.39  
    Non-interest-earning assets   280,107             277,586             265,702        
    Total assets $ 5,645,019           $ 5,691,561           $ 5,782,337        
                                       
    Interest-bearing liabilities:                                  
    Savings, NOW, and money market accounts $ 2,491,340   $ 12,227   1.97 %   $ 2,502,664   $ 12,148   1.97 %   $ 2,490,372   $ 13,183   2.13 %
    Certificates of deposit   867,268     8,058   3.73       923,713     9,043   3.97       701,272     7,481   4.29  
    Total interest-bearing deposits   3,358,608     20,285   2.42       3,426,377     21,191   2.51       3,191,644     20,664   2.60  
    Borrowed funds   696,874     6,916   3.98       695,281     6,291   3.67       1,041,035     10,041   3.88  
    Subordinated debt   61,517     828   5.40       61,461     819   5.40       61,294     828   5.43  
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   4,116,999     28,029   2.73       4,183,119     28,301   2.74       4,293,973     31,533   2.95  
    Non-interest bearing deposits   723,693             706,217             691,384        
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities   95,047             94,819             103,082        
    Total liabilities   4,935,739             4,984,155             5,088,439        
    Stockholders’ equity   709,280             707,406             693,898        
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 5,645,019           $ 5,691,561           $ 5,782,337        
                                       
    Net interest income     $ 34,396           $ 31,791           $ 28,687    
    Net interest rate spread (4)         1.94 %           1.76 %           1.44 %
    Net interest-earning assets (5) $ 1,247,913           $ 1,230,856           $ 1,222,662        
    Net interest margin (6)         2.57 %           2.38 %           2.09 %
    Average interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities         130.31 %           129.42 %           128.47 %

    (1)  Average yields and rates are annualized.
    (2)  Includes non-accruing loans.
    (3)  Securities available-for-sale and other securities are reported at amortized cost.
    (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-earning assets represent total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities.
    (6)  Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.

       
      For the Six Months Ended
      June 30, 2025   June 30, 2024
      Average
    Outstanding
    Balance
      Interest   Average
    Yield/
    Rate (1)
      Average
    Outstanding
    Balance
      Interest   Average
    Yield/
    Rate (1)
    Interest-earning assets:                      
    Loans (2) $ 3,975,872   $ 91,944   4.66 %   $ 4,151,387   $ 92,014   4.46 %
    Mortgage-backed securities (3)   1,190,095     25,897   4.39       736,654     11,753   3.21  
    Other securities (3)   87,150     1,239   2.87       362,917     7,347   4.07  
    Federal Home Loan Bank of New York stock   37,078     1,590   8.65       39,153     1,905   9.78  
    Interest-earning deposits in financial institutions   99,114     1,847   3.76       227,177     5,849   5.18  
    Total interest-earning assets   5,389,309     122,517   4.58       5,517,288     118,868   4.33  
    Non-interest-earning assets   278,852             266,065        
    Total assets $ 5,668,161           $ 5,783,353        
                           
    Interest-bearing liabilities:                      
    Savings, NOW, and money market accounts $ 2,496,970   $ 24,375   1.97 %   $ 2,477,334   $ 25,514   2.07 %
    Certificates of deposit   895,335     17,101   3.85       677,800     14,423   4.28  
    Total interest-bearing deposits   3,392,305     41,476   2.47       3,155,134     39,937   2.55  
    Borrowed funds   696,082     13,207   3.83       1,074,957     20,704   3.87  
    Subordinated debt   61,489     1,647   5.40       61,266     1,656   5.44  
    Total interest-bearing liabilities $ 4,149,876     56,330   2.74     $ 4,291,357     62,297   2.92  
    Non-interest bearing deposits   715,003             695,512        
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities   94,934             101,339        
    Total liabilities   4,959,813             5,088,208        
    Stockholders’ equity   708,348             695,145        
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 5,668,161           $ 5,783,353        
                           
    Net interest income     $ 66,187           $ 56,571    
    Net interest rate spread (4)         1.84 %           1.41 %
    Net interest-earning assets (5) $ 1,239,433           $ 1,225,931        
    Net interest margin (6)         2.48 %           2.06 %
    Average interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities         129.87 %           128.57 %
                           

    (1)  Average yields and rates are annualized.
    (2)  Includes non-accruing loans.
    (3)  Securities available-for-sale and other securities are reported at amortized cost.
    (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-earning assets represent total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities.
    (6)  Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.

    Company Contact:
    William R. Jacobs
    Chief Financial Officer
    Tel: (732) 499-7200 ext. 2519

    The MIL Network –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Five Star Bancorp Announces Second Quarter 2025 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif., July 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Five Star Bancorp (Nasdaq: FSBC) (“Five Star” or the “Company”), a holding company that operates through its wholly owned banking subsidiary, Five Star Bank (the “Bank”), today reported net income of $14.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, as compared to $13.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and $10.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024.

    Second Quarter Highlights

    Performance and operating highlights for the Company for the periods noted below included the following:

        Three months ended  
    (in thousands, except per share and share data)   June 30,
    2025
          March 31,
    2025
          June 30,
    2024
     
    Return on average assets (“ROAA”)   1.37 %     1.30 %     1.23 %
    Return on average equity (“ROAE”)   14.17 %     13.28 %     11.72 %
    Pre-tax income $ 20,099     $ 18,391     $ 15,152  
    Pre-tax, pre-provision income(1) $ 22,599     $ 20,291     $ 17,152  
    Net income $ 14,508     $ 13,111     $ 10,782  
    Basic earnings per common share $ 0.68     $ 0.62     $ 0.51  
    Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.68     $ 0.62     $ 0.51  
    Weighted average basic common shares outstanding   21,225,831       21,209,881       21,039,798  
    Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding   21,269,265       21,253,588       21,058,085  
    Shares outstanding at end of period   21,360,991       21,329,235       21,319,583  
                           
    (1)See the section entitled “Non-GAAP Reconciliation (Unaudited)” for a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure.
     

    James E. Beckwith, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented:

    “We are very pleased to report an exceptional quarter where the continuation of our organic growth strategy fueled new account openings and resulted in growth in loans and deposits. Total loans held for investment increased by $136.2 million, or 3.76% (15.04% when annualized), and total deposits increased by $158.3 million, or 4.24% (16.94% when annualized). Net interest margin increased by eight basis points to 3.53%, while our efficiency ratio decreased to 41.03% compared to 42.58% for the first quarter of 2025. Short-term borrowings remained at zero as of June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024. This quarter, we declared another dividend to shareholders, which exemplifies our commitment to shareholder value.

    This success serves as a strong testimony to our people, technology, operating efficiencies, conservative underwriting practices, exceptional credit quality, and prudent approach to portfolio management, which we believe will continue to benefit our clients, employees, community, and shareholders. It is also attributable to our relationship-based banking approach, where clients receive high-tech and high-touch concierge business banking services.

    We look forward to bringing these services to the Walnut Creek market, where we expect to open an office in the third quarter of 2025. Since our expansion in the San Francisco Bay Area began in June 2023, the team has grown to 34 employees with $456.9 million in deposits as of June 30, 2025. We also look forward to the continued growth of business verticals, including Food, Agribusiness, and Diversified Industries where we believe clients will benefit from our global trade services and exceptional treasury management tools.

    As we look to the second half of 2025, we are humbled and proud of our team’s accomplishments. We also thank our employees for their outstanding commitment to ensuring Five Star Bank remains a safe, trusted, and steadfast banking partner.”

    Financial highlights as of and during the three months ended June 30, 2025 included the following:

    • The San Francisco Bay Area team increased from 31 to 34 employees and generated deposit balances totaling $456.9 million at June 30, 2025, an increase of $77.2 million from March 31, 2025.
    • The Company hired five new Business Development Officers, increasing from 35 at March 31, 2025 to 40 at June 30, 2025.
    • Cash and cash equivalents were $483.8 million, representing 12.42% of total deposits at June 30, 2025, as compared to 12.11% at March 31, 2025.
    • Total deposits increased by $158.3 million, or 4.24%, during the three months ended June 30, 2025, due to increases in non-wholesale deposits that exceeded decreases in wholesale deposits, which the Company defines as brokered deposits and California Time Deposit Program deposits. During the three months ended June 30, 2025, non-wholesale deposits increased by $191.6 million, or 6.29%, and wholesale deposits decreased by $33.4 million, or 4.84%.
    • The Company had no short-term borrowings at June 30, 2025 or March 31, 2025.
    • Consistent, disciplined management of expenses contributed to our efficiency ratio of 41.03% for the three months ended June 30, 2025, as compared to 42.58% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 44.07% for the three months ended June 30, 2024.
    • For the three months ended June 30, 2025, net interest margin was 3.53%, as compared to 3.45% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 3.39% for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The effective Federal Funds rate was 4.33% as of June 30, 2025, remaining constant from March 31, 2025 and decreasing from 5.33% at June 30, 2024.
    • Other comprehensive loss was $0.3 million during the three months ended June 30, 2025. Unrealized losses, net of tax effect, on available-for-sale securities were $12.0 million as of June 30, 2025. Total carrying value of held-to-maturity and available-for-sale securities represented 0.06% and 2.22% of total interest-earning assets, respectively, as of June 30, 2025.
    • The Company’s common equity Tier 1 capital ratio was 10.85% and 11.00% as of June 30, 2025 and March 31, 2025, respectively. The Bank continues to meet all requirements to be considered “well-capitalized” under applicable regulatory guidelines.
    • Loan and deposit growth in the three and twelve months ended June 30, 2025 was as follows:
    (in thousands) June 30,
    2025
      March 31,
    2025
      $ Change   % Change
    Loans held for investment $ 3,758,025     $ 3,621,819     $ 136,206       3.76 %
    Non-interest-bearing deposits   1,004,061       933,652       70,409       7.54 %
    Interest-bearing deposits   2,890,561       2,802,702       87,859       3.13 %
                   
    (in thousands) June 30,
    2025
      June 30,
    2024
      $ Change   % Change
    Loans held for investment $ 3,758,025     $ 3,266,291     $ 491,734       15.05 %
    Non-interest-bearing deposits   1,004,061       825,733       178,328       21.60 %
    Interest-bearing deposits   2,890,561       2,323,898       566,663       24.38 %
    • The ratio of nonperforming loans to loans held for investment at period end increased from 0.05% at March 31, 2025 to 0.06% at June 30, 2025. The increase was due to one commercial real estate loan being put on nonaccrual status during the quarter.
    • The Company’s Board of Directors declared on April 17, 2025, and the Company subsequently paid, a cash dividend of $0.20 per share during the three months ended June 30, 2025. The Company’s Board of Directors subsequently declared another cash dividend of $0.20 per share on July 17, 2025, which the Company expects to pay on August 11, 2025 to shareholders of record as of August 4, 2025.

    Summary Results

    Three months ended June 30, 2025, as compared to three months ended March 31, 2025

    The Company’s net income was $14.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, as compared to $13.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025. Net interest income increased by $2.5 million during the three months ended June 30, 2025, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025, primarily due to an increase in interest income driven by loan growth and an improvement in the average yield on loans, partially offset by an increase in interest expense driven by deposit growth. The provision for credit losses increased by $0.6 million, with loan growth and increases in net charge-offs during the three months ended June 30, 2025 as the leading drivers. Non-interest income increased by $0.5 million, primarily due to an overall improvement in the estimated earnings related to investments in venture-backed funds during the three months ended June 30, 2025, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025. Non-interest expense increased by $0.7 million during the three months ended June 30, 2025, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025, primarily related to increases in business travel, conferences, training, and advertising and promotional expenses associated with expansion of the Bank’s business development teams, partially offset by an increase in deferred loan origination costs.

    Three months ended June 30, 2025, as compared to three months ended June 30, 2024

    The Company’s net income was $14.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, as compared to $10.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024. Net interest income increased by $7.4 million during the three months ended June 30, 2025, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2024, primarily due to an increase in interest income driven by loan growth and an improvement in the average yield on loans, partially offset by an increase in interest expense driven by deposit growth. The provision for credit losses increased by $0.5 million, with increases in net charge-offs during the three months ended June 30, 2025 as the leading driver. Non-interest income increased by $0.2 million, primarily due to an overall improvement in the estimated earnings related to investments in venture-backed funds, partially offset by a decrease in the volume of loans sold during the three months ended June 30, 2025, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2024. Non-interest expense increased by $2.2 million during the three months ended June 30, 2025, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2024, with an increase in salaries and employee benefits related to increased headcount as the leading driver.

    The following is a summary of the components of the Company’s operating results and performance ratios for the periods indicated:

        Three months ended        
    (in thousands, except per share data)   June 30,
    2025
      March 31,
    2025
      $ Change   % Change
    Selected operating data:                    
    Net interest income   $ 36,515     $ 33,977     $ 2,538       7.47 %
    Provision for credit losses     2,500       1,900       600       31.58 %
    Non-interest income     1,810       1,359       451       33.19 %
    Non-interest expense     15,726       15,045       681       4.53 %
    Pre-tax income     20,099       18,391       1,708       9.29 %
    Provision for income taxes     5,591       5,280       311       5.89 %
    Net income   $ 14,508     $ 13,111     $ 1,397       10.66 %
    Earnings per common share:                    
    Basic   $ 0.68     $ 0.62     $ 0.06       9.68 %
    Diluted   $ 0.68     $ 0.62     $ 0.06       9.68 %
    Performance and other financial ratios:                    
    ROAA     1.37 %     1.30 %            
    ROAE     14.17 %     13.28 %            
    Net interest margin     3.53 %     3.45 %            
    Cost of funds     2.53 %     2.56 %            
    Efficiency ratio     41.03 %     42.58 %            
                         
        Three months ended            
    (in thousands, except per share data)   June 30,
    2025
      June 30,
    2024
        $ Change     % Change
    Selected operating data:                    
    Net interest income   $ 36,515     $ 29,092     $ 7,423       25.52 %
    Provision for credit losses     2,500       2,000       500       25.00 %
    Non-interest income     1,810       1,573       237       15.07 %
    Non-interest expense     15,726       13,513       2,213       16.38 %
    Pre-tax income     20,099       15,152       4,947       32.65 %
    Provision for income taxes     5,591       4,370       1,221       27.94 %
    Net income   $ 14,508     $ 10,782     $ 3,726       34.56 %
    Earnings per common share:                    
    Basic   $ 0.68     $ 0.51     $ 0.17       33.33 %
    Diluted   $ 0.68     $ 0.51     $ 0.17       33.33 %
    Performance and other financial ratios:                    
    ROAA     1.37 %     1.23 %            
    ROAE     14.17 %     11.72 %        
    Net interest margin     3.53 %     3.39 %        
    Cost of funds     2.53 %     2.56 %        
    Efficiency ratio     41.03 %     44.07 %        
                             

    Balance Sheet Summary

    (in thousands)   June 30,
    2025
      March 31,
    2025
      $ Change   % Change  
    Selected financial condition data:                  
    Total assets   $ 4,413,473     $ 4,245,057     $ 168,416       3.97 %
    Cash and cash equivalents     483,810       452,571       31,239       6.90 %
    Total loans held for investment     3,758,025       3,621,819       136,206       3.76 %
    Total investments     97,575       99,696       (2,121 )     (2.13 )%
    Total liabilities     3,996,731       3,838,606       158,125       4.12 %
    Total deposits     3,894,622       3,736,354       158,268       4.24 %
    Subordinated notes, net     73,968       73,932       36       0.05 %
    Total shareholders’ equity     416,742       406,451       10,291       2.53 %
    • Insured and collateralized deposits were approximately $2.6 billion, representing 67.06% of total deposits as of June 30, 2025, as compared to 67.55% as of March 31, 2025. Net uninsured and uncollateralized deposits were approximately $1.3 billion as of June 30, 2025, increasing from $1.2 billion at March 31, 2025.
    • Non-wholesale deposit accounts constituted 83.14% of total deposits as of June 30, 2025, as compared to 81.53% at March 31, 2025. Deposit relationships of greater than $5 million represented 59.91% of total deposits, as compared to 60.87% as of March 31, 2025, and had an average age of approximately 8.34 years as of June 30, 2025, as compared to 8.80 years as of March 31, 2025.
    • Total deposits as of June 30, 2025 were $3.9 billion, an increase of $158.3 million, or 4.24%, from March 31, 2025 comprised of increases in both interest-bearing and non-interest-bearing deposits. The primary driver of interest-bearing deposit growth was new money market deposit accounts opened during the quarter, adding $87.4 million in new balances. Non-interest-bearing deposit growth was driven by new accounts opened during the quarter, adding $68.7 million in new balances.
    • Cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2025 were $483.8 million, representing 12.42% of total deposits at June 30, 2025, as compared to 12.11% as of March 31, 2025.
    • Total liquidity (consisting of cash and cash equivalents and unused and immediately available borrowing capacity as set forth below) was approximately $2.2 billion as of June 30, 2025, as compared to $2.0 billion at March 31, 2025.
        June 30, 2025
    (in thousands)   Line of Credit   Letters of Credit Issued   Borrowings   Available
    Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (“FHLB”) advances   $ 1,290,446     $ 732,500     $ —     $ 557,946  
    Federal Reserve Discount Window     926,573       —       —       926,573  
    Correspondent bank lines of credit     185,000       —       —       185,000  
    Cash and cash equivalents     —       —       —       483,810  
    Total   $ 2,402,019     $ 732,500     $ —     $ 2,153,329  
                     
    (in thousands)   June 30,
    2025
      December 31,
    2024
      $ Change   % Change
    Selected financial condition data:                
    Total assets   $ 4,413,473     $ 4,053,278     $ 360,195       8.89 %
    Cash and cash equivalents     483,810       352,343       131,467       37.31 %
    Total loans held for investment     3,758,025       3,532,686       225,339       6.38 %
    Total investments     97,575       100,914       (3,339 )     (3.31 )%
    Total liabilities     3,996,731       3,656,654       340,077       9.30 %
    Total deposits     3,894,622       3,557,994       336,628       9.46 %
    Subordinated notes, net     73,968       73,895       73       0.10 %
    Total shareholders’ equity     416,742       396,624       20,118       5.07 %
                                     

    The increase in total assets from December 31, 2024 to June 30, 2025 was primarily comprised of a $225.3 million increase in total loans held for investment and a $131.5 million increase in cash and cash equivalents. The $225.3 million increase in total loans held for investment between December 31, 2024 and June 30, 2025 was a result of $578.8 million in loan originations and advances, partially offset by $130.3 million and $223.1 million in loan payoffs and paydowns, respectively. The $225.3 million increase in total loans held for investment included $43.9 million in purchases of loans within the consumer concentration of the loan portfolio. The $131.5 million increase in cash and cash equivalents primarily resulted from net cash inflows related to financing and operating activities of $328.1 million and $28.1 million, respectively, partially offset by net cash outflows related to investing activities of $224.7 million.

    The increase in total liabilities from December 31, 2024 to June 30, 2025 was primarily due to an increase in interest-bearing deposits of $255.2 million. The increase in interest-bearing deposits was largely due to increases in money market and time deposits of $179.4 million and $101.9 million, respectively.

    The increase in total shareholders’ equity from December 31, 2024 to June 30, 2025 was primarily a result of net income recognized of $27.6 million and a $0.4 million increase in accumulated other comprehensive income, partially offset by $8.5 million in cash dividends paid during the period.

    Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

    The following is a summary of the components of net interest income for the periods indicated:

        Three months ended        
    (in thousands)   June 30,
    2025
      March 31,
    2025
      $ Change   % Change
    Interest and fee income   $ 60,580     $ 57,087     $ 3,493       6.12 %
    Interest expense     24,065       23,110       955       4.13 %
    Net interest income   $ 36,515     $ 33,977     $ 2,538       7.47 %
    Net interest margin     3.53 %     3.45 %        
                     
        Three months ended        
    (in thousands)   June 30,
    2025
      June 30,
    2024
      $ Change   % Change
    Interest and fee income   $ 60,580     $ 48,998     $ 11,582       23.64 %
    Interest expense     24,065       19,906       4,159       20.89 %
    Net interest income   $ 36,515     $ 29,092     $ 7,423       25.52 %
    Net interest margin     3.53 %     3.39 %        
                             

    The following table shows the components of net interest income and net interest margin for the quarterly periods indicated:

        Three months ended
        June 30, 2025   March 31, 2025   June 30, 2024
    (in thousands)   Average
    Balance
      Interest
    Income/
    Expense
      Yield/ Rate   Average
    Balance
      Interest
    Income/
    Expense
      Yield/ Rate   Average
    Balance
      Interest
    Income/
    Expense
      Yield/ Rate
    Assets                                    
    Interest-earning deposits in banks   $ 361,866     $ 3,987       4.42 %   $ 328,571     $ 3,575       4.41 %   $ 148,936     $ 1,986       5.36 %
    Investment securities     97,886       577       2.37 %     100,474       581       2.34 %     105,819       650       2.47 %
    Loans held for investment and sale     3,691,616       56,016       6.09 %     3,567,992       52,931       6.02 %     3,197,921       46,362       5.83 %
    Total interest-earning assets     4,151,368       60,580       5.85 %     3,997,037       57,087       5.79 %     3,452,676       48,998       5.71 %
    Interest receivable and other assets, net     101,632               93,543               84,554          
    Total assets   $ 4,253,000             $ 4,090,580             $ 3,537,230          
                                         
    Liabilities and shareholders’ equity                                    
    Interest-bearing transaction accounts   $ 283,369     $ 1,043       1.48 %   $ 303,822     $ 1,112       1.48 %   $ 291,470     $ 1,104       1.52 %
    Savings accounts     121,692       801       2.64 %     123,599       772       2.53 %     120,080       856       2.87 %
    Money market accounts     1,647,628       13,270       3.23 %     1,540,879       12,435       3.27 %     1,547,814       13,388       3.48 %
    Time accounts     726,295       7,790       4.30 %     706,528       7,629       4.38 %     272,887       3,369       4.96 %
    Subordinated notes and other borrowings     73,967       1,161       6.30 %     73,908       1,162       6.37 %     75,747       1,189       6.31 %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities     2,852,951       24,065       3.38 %     2,748,736       23,110       3.41 %     2,307,998       19,906       3.47 %
    Demand accounts     957,034               910,954               817,668          
    Interest payable and other liabilities     32,406               30,389               41,429          
    Shareholders’ equity     410,609               400,501               370,135          
    Total liabilities & shareholders’ equity   $ 4,253,000             $ 4,090,580             $ 3,537,230          
                                         
    Net interest spread             2.47 %             2.38 %             2.24 %
    Net interest income/margin       $ 36,515       3.53 %       $ 33,977       3.45 %       $ 29,092       3.39 %
                                                                 

    Net interest income during the three months ended June 30, 2025 increased $2.5 million, or 7.47%, to $36.5 million compared to $34.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2025. Net interest margin totaled 3.53% for the three months ended June 30, 2025, an increase of eight basis points compared to the prior quarter. The increase in net interest income is primarily attributable to an additional $3.5 million in interest income, mainly due to a $123.6 million, or 3.46%, increase in the average balance of loans and a seven basis point improvement in the average yield on loans during the three months ended June 30, 2025 compared to the prior quarter. The increase in interest income was partially offset by an additional $1.0 million in interest expense, which was mainly driven by a $150.2 million, or 4.19%, increase in the average balance of deposits at an average rate of two basis points lower than the prior quarter.

    As compared to the three months ended June 30, 2024, net interest income increased $7.4 million, or 25.52%, to $36.5 million from $29.1 million. Net interest margin totaled 3.53% for the three months ended June 30, 2025, an increase of 14 basis points compared to the same quarter of the prior year. The increase in net interest income is primarily attributable to an additional $11.6 million in interest income, mainly due to a $493.7 million, or 15.44%, increase in the average balance of loans and a 26 basis point improvement in the average yield on loans during the three months ended June 30, 2025 compared to the same quarter of the prior year. The increase in interest income was partially offset by an additional $4.2 million in interest expense compared to the same quarter of the prior year. The increase in interest expense is mainly attributable to a $686.1 million, or 22.50%, increase in the average balance of deposits at an average rate of one basis point lower during the three months ended June 30, 2025 compared to the same quarter of the prior year.

    Loans by Type

    The following table provides loan balances, excluding deferred loan fees, by type as of the dates shown:

    (in thousands)   June 30, 2025   March 31, 2025
    Real estate:        
    Commercial   $ 3,066,627     $ 2,941,201  
    Commercial land and development     1,422       3,556  
    Commercial construction     112,399       113,002  
    Residential construction     5,479       5,747  
    Residential     33,132       34,053  
    Farmland     51,579       43,643  
    Commercial:        
    Secured     173,855       170,525  
    Unsecured     37,568       34,970  
    Consumer and other     278,215       277,093  
    Net deferred loan fees     (2,251 )     (1,971 )
    Total loans held for investment   $ 3,758,025     $ 3,621,819  
                     

    Interest-bearing Deposits

    The following table provides interest-bearing deposit balances by type as of the dates shown:

    (in thousands)   June 30, 2025   March 31, 2025
    Interest-bearing transaction accounts   $ 292,257     $ 295,633  
    Money market accounts     1,704,652       1,577,473  
    Savings accounts     121,567       128,210  
    Time accounts     772,085       801,386  
    Total interest-bearing deposits   $ 2,890,561     $ 2,802,702  
                     

    Asset Quality

    Allowance for Credit Losses

    At June 30, 2025, the Company’s allowance for credit losses was $40.2 million, as compared to $37.8 million at December 31, 2024. The $2.4 million increase in the allowance is due to a $4.6 million provision for credit losses recorded during the six months ended June 30, 2025, partially offset by net charge-offs of $2.2 million, primarily attributable to commercial and industrial loans, during the same period.

    The Company’s ratio of nonperforming loans to loans held for investment increased from 0.05% at December 31, 2024 to 0.06% at June 30, 2025. Loans designated as watch decreased from $123.4 million to $106.5 million between December 31, 2024 and June 30, 2025. Loans designated as substandard increased from $2.6 million to $4.2 million between December 31, 2024 and June 30, 2025. There were no loans with doubtful risk grades at June 30, 2025 or December 31, 2024.

    A summary of the allowance for credit losses by loan class is as follows:

        June 30, 2025   December 31, 2024
    (in thousands)   Amount   % of Total   Amount   % of Total
    Real estate:                
    Commercial   $ 27,792       69.19 %   $ 25,864       68.44 %
    Commercial land and development     33       0.08 %     78       0.21 %
    Commercial construction     2,575       6.41 %     2,268       6.00 %
    Residential construction     75       0.19 %     64       0.17 %
    Residential     334       0.83 %     270       0.71 %
    Farmland     723       1.80 %     607       1.61 %
          31,532       78.50 %     29,151       77.14 %
    Commercial:                
    Secured     5,623       14.00 %     5,866       15.52 %
    Unsecured     417       1.04 %     278       0.74 %
          6,040       15.04 %     6,144       16.26 %
    Consumer and other     2,595       6.46 %     2,496       6.60 %
    Total allowance for credit losses   $ 40,167       100.00 %   $ 37,791       100.00 %
                                     

    The ratio of allowance for credit losses to loans held for investment remained at 1.07% at June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024.

    Non-interest Income

    The following table presents the key components of non-interest income for the periods indicated:

        Three months ended        
    (in thousands)   June 30,
    2025
      March 31,
    2025
      $ Change   % Change
    Service charges on deposit accounts   $ 196     $ 215     $ (19 )     (8.84 )%
    Gain on sale of loans     119       125       (6 )     (4.80 )%
    Loan-related fees     468       448       20       4.46 %
    FHLB stock dividends     325       331       (6 )     (1.81 )%
    Earnings on bank-owned life insurance     220       161       59       36.65 %
    Other income     482       79       403       510.13 %
    Total non-interest income   $ 1,810     $ 1,359     $ 451       33.19 %
                                     

    Other income. The increase resulted primarily from an overall improvement in the estimated earnings related to investments in venture-backed funds during the three months ended June 30, 2025 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025.

    The following table presents the key components of non-interest income for the periods indicated:

        Three months ended      
    (in thousands)   June 30,
    2025
      June 30,
    2024
      $ Change   % Change
    Service charges on deposit accounts   $ 196     $ 189     $ 7       3.70 %
    Gain on sale of loans     119       449       (330 )     (73.50 )%
    Loan-related fees     468       370       98       26.49 %
    FHLB stock dividends     325       329       (4 )     (1.22 )%
    Earnings on bank-owned life insurance     220       158       62       39.24 %
    Other income     482       78       404       517.95 %
    Total non-interest income   $ 1,810     $ 1,573     $ 237       15.07 %
                                     

    Gain on sale of loans. The decrease related primarily to an overall decline in the volume of loans sold, partially offset by an improvement in the effective yield of loans sold. During the three months ended June 30, 2025, approximately $1.6 million of loans were sold with an effective yield of 7.60%, as compared to approximately $6.8 million of loans sold with an effective yield of 6.60% during the three months ended June 30, 2024.

    Other income. The increase related primarily to an overall improvement in the estimated earnings related to investments in venture-backed funds during the three months ended June 30, 2025 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2024.

    Non-interest Expense

    The following table presents the key components of non-interest expense for the periods indicated:

        Three months ended        
    (in thousands)   June 30,
    2025
      March 31,
    2025
      $ Change   % Change
    Salaries and employee benefits   $ 8,910     $ 9,134     $ (224 )     (2.45 )%
    Occupancy and equipment     657       637       20       3.14 %
    Data processing and software     1,508       1,457       51       3.50 %
    Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance     470       455       15       3.30 %
    Professional services     918       913       5       0.55 %
    Advertising and promotional     865       522       343       65.71 %
    Loan-related expenses     423       319       104       32.60 %
    Other operating expenses     1,975       1,608       367       22.82 %
    Total non-interest expense   $ 15,726     $ 15,045     $ 681       4.53 %
                                     

    Salaries and employee benefits. The decrease related primarily to: (i) a $0.6 million increase in deferred loan origination costs due to greater loan originations, net of purchased consumer loans; and (ii) $0.1 million decrease in salaries, benefits, and bonus expense. The decrease was partially offset by a $0.5 million increase in commissions expense due to greater loan originations, net of purchased consumer loans, period-over-period.

    Advertising and promotional. The increase related primarily to additional expenses incurred to support the expansion of the Bank’s business development teams, including a $0.1 million increase related to business development expenses, a $0.1 million increase in expenses related to sponsored events and partnerships, and a $0.1 million increase in expenses related to donations.

    Loan-related expenses. The increase related primarily to a $0.1 million increase in expenses related to inspections to support the increase in loan originations and annual loan reviews.

    Other operating expenses. The increase was primarily due to a $0.2 million increase in business travel expenses and a $0.1 million increase in expenses related to conferences and trainings attended.

    The following table presents the key components of non-interest expense for the periods indicated:

        Three months ended        
    (in thousands)   June 30,
    2025
      June 30,
    2024
      $ Change   % Change
    Salaries and employee benefits   $ 8,910     $ 7,803     $ 1,107       14.19 %
    Occupancy and equipment     657       646       11       1.70 %
    Data processing and software     1,508       1,235       273       22.11 %
    FDIC insurance     470       390       80       20.51 %
    Professional services     918       767       151       19.69 %
    Advertising and promotional     865       615       250       40.65 %
    Loan-related expenses     423       297       126       42.42 %
    Other operating expenses     1,975       1,760       215       12.22 %
    Total non-interest expense   $ 15,726     $ 13,513     $ 2,213       16.38 %
                                     

    Salaries and employee benefits. The increase related primarily to: (i) a $1.2 million increase in salaries, benefits, and bonus expense, mainly related to a 16.58% increase in headcount between June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2025; and (ii) a $0.1 million increase in commissions paid. This increase was partially offset by a $0.2 million increase in deferred loan origination costs due to a greater number of loan originations, net of purchased consumer loans, period-over-period.

    Data processing and software. The increase was primarily due to: (i) increased usage of our digital banking platform; (ii) higher transaction volumes related to the increased number of loan and deposit accounts; and (iii) an increased number of licenses required for new users on our loan origination and documentation system.

    Professional services. The increase was primarily due to a $0.1 million increase in fees paid for compensation and business development consulting services.

    Advertising and promotional. The increase related primarily to additional expenses incurred to support the expansion of the Bank’s business development teams, including a $0.1 million increase in expenses related to sponsored events and partnerships and a $0.1 million increase related to business development expenses.

    Loan-related expenses. The increase related primarily to a $0.1 million increase in expenses related to inspections to support the increase in loan originations and annual loan reviews.

    Other operating expenses. The increase was primarily due to a $0.1 million increase in travel expense and a $0.1 million increase in expenses related to conferences, trainings, and professional association memberships.

    Provision for Income Taxes

    On July 4, 2025, the President signed H.R. 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” into law. The legislation includes several changes to federal tax law that generally allow for more favorable deductibility of certain business expenses beginning in 2025, including the restoration of immediate expensing of domestic R&D expenditures, reinstatement of 100% bonus depreciation, and more favorable rules for determining the limitation on business interest expense. The Act also made certain changes to the deductibility of the cost of meals and charitable contributions that are effective for tax years beginning after Dec. 31, 2025. These changes were not reflected in the income tax provision for the period ended June 30, 2025, as enactment occurred after the balance sheet date. The Company is currently evaluating the impact on future periods.

    Three months ended June 30, 2025, as compared to three months ended March 31, 2025

    Provision for income taxes increased to $5.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025 from $5.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, which was primarily due to an increase in taxable income recognized during the three months ended June 30, 2025. This increase was partially offset by a net $0.2 million reduction to the provision recorded during the three months ended June 30, 2025. This adjustment related to a tax law change for the state of California effective as of June 30, 2025, which requires a transition from a three-factor apportionment formula to a single-sales-factor formula for determining state income tax. As such, the Company recorded a net benefit of approximately $0.9 million relating to the current year provision, which was partially offset by a $0.7 million expense relating to the remeasuring of the deferred tax assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2025. The effective tax rates were 27.82% and 28.71% for the three months ended June 30, 2025 and March 31, 2025, respectively.

    Three months ended June 30, 2025, as compared to three months ended June 30, 2024

    Provision for income taxes increased by $1.2 million, or 27.94%, for the three months ended June 30, 2025 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2024. This increase was primarily driven by an increase in taxable income. This increase was partially offset by a net $0.2 million reduction to the provision recorded during the three months ended June 30, 2025. This adjustment related to a tax law change for the state of California effective as of June 30, 2025, which requires a transition from a three-factor apportionment formula to a single-sales-factor formula for determining state income tax. As such, the Company recorded a net benefit of approximately $0.9 million relating to the current year provision, which was partially offset by a $0.7 million expense relating to the remeasuring of the deferred tax assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2025. The effective tax rates were 27.82% and 28.84% for the three months ended June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2024, respectively.

    Webcast Details

    Five Star Bancorp will host a live webcast for analysts and investors on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at 1:00 PM ET (10:00 AM PT) to discuss its second quarter financial results. To view the live webcast, visit the “News & Events” section of the Company’s website under “Events” at https://investors.fivestarbank.com/news-events/events. The webcast will be archived on the Company’s website for a period of 90 days.

    About Five Star Bancorp

    Five Star is a bank holding company headquartered in Rancho Cordova, California. Five Star operates through its wholly owned banking subsidiary, Five Star Bank. The Bank has eight branches in Northern California.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements represent plans, estimates, objectives, goals, guidelines, expectations, intentions, projections, and statements of the Company’s beliefs concerning future events, business plans, objectives, expected operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based. Forward-looking statements include without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate, or imply future results, performance, or achievements, and are typically identified with words such as “may,” “could,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “aim,” “intend,” “plan,” or words or phases of similar meaning. The Company cautions that the forward-looking statements are based largely on the Company’s expectations and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on factors which are, in many instances, beyond the Company’s control. Such forward-looking statements are based on various assumptions (some of which may be beyond the Company’s control) and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which change over time, and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated. New risks and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict their occurrence or how they will affect the Company. If one or more of the factors affecting the Company’s forward-looking information and statements proves incorrect, then the Company’s actual results, performance, or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, forward-looking information and statements contained in this press release. Therefore, the Company cautions you not to place undue reliance on the Company’s forward-looking information and statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2025, in each case under the section entitled “Risk Factors,” and other documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.

    The Company disclaims any duty to revise or update the forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, to reflect actual results or changes in the factors affecting the forward-looking statements, except as specifically required by law.

    Condensed Financial Data (Unaudited)

        Three months ended
    (in thousands, except per share and share data)   June 30,
    2025
      March 31,
    2025
      June 30,
    2024
    Revenue and Expense Data            
    Interest and fee income   $ 60,580     $ 57,087     $ 48,998  
    Interest expense     24,065       23,110       19,906  
    Net interest income     36,515       33,977       29,092  
    Provision for credit losses     2,500       1,900       2,000  
    Net interest income after provision     34,015       32,077       27,092  
    Non-interest income:            
    Service charges on deposit accounts     196       215       189  
    Gain on sale of loans     119       125       449  
    Loan-related fees     468       448       370  
    FHLB stock dividends     325       331       329  
    Earnings on bank-owned life insurance     220       161       158  
    Other income     482       79       78  
    Total non-interest income     1,810       1,359       1,573  
    Non-interest expense:            
    Salaries and employee benefits     8,910       9,134       7,803  
    Occupancy and equipment     657       637       646  
    Data processing and software     1,508       1,457       1,235  
    FDIC insurance     470       455       390  
    Professional services     918       913       767  
    Advertising and promotional     865       522       615  
    Loan-related expenses     423       319       297  
    Other operating expenses     1,975       1,608       1,760  
    Total non-interest expense     15,726       15,045       13,513  
    Income before provision for income taxes     20,099       18,391       15,152  
    Provision for income taxes     5,591       5,280       4,370  
    Net income   $ 14,508     $ 13,111     $ 10,782  
                 
    Comprehensive Income            
    Net income   $ 14,508     $ 13,111     $ 10,782  
    Net unrealized holding gain on securities available-for-sale during the period     190       1,030       295  
    Less: Income tax expense related to other comprehensive (loss) income     502       305       87  
    Other comprehensive (loss) income     (312 )     725       208  
    Total comprehensive income   $ 14,196     $ 13,836     $ 10,990  
                 
    Share and Per Share Data            
    Earnings per common share:            
    Basic   $ 0.68     $ 0.62     $ 0.51  
    Diluted   $ 0.68     $ 0.62     $ 0.51  
    Book value per share   $ 19.51     $ 19.06     $ 17.85  
    Tangible book value per share(1)   $ 19.51     $ 19.06     $ 17.85  
    Weighted average basic common shares outstanding     21,225,831       21,209,881       21,039,798  
    Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding     21,269,265       21,253,588       21,058,085  
    Shares outstanding at end of period     21,360,991       21,329,235       21,319,583  
                 
    Selected Financial Ratios            
    ROAA     1.37 %     1.30 %     1.23 %
    ROAE     14.17 %     13.28 %     11.72 %
    Net interest margin     3.53 %     3.45 %     3.39 %
    Loan to deposit(2)     96.50 %     97.01 %     103.87 %
     
    (1) See the section entitled “Non-GAAP Reconciliation (Unaudited)” for a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure.

    (2) Loan balance in loan to deposit ratio is total loans held for investment and sale at period end. Deposit balance in loan to deposit ratio is total deposits at period end.

     
    (in thousands)   June 30,
    2025
      March 31,
    2025
      June 30,
    2024
    Balance Sheet Data            
    Cash and due from financial institutions   $ 53,724     $ 42,473     $ 28,572  
    Interest-bearing deposits in banks     430,086       410,098       161,787  
    Time deposits in banks     849       4,024       4,097  
    Securities – available-for-sale, at fair value     94,990       97,111       103,204  
    Securities – held-to-maturity, at amortized cost     2,585       2,585       2,973  
    Loans held for sale     309       2,669       5,322  
    Loans held for investment     3,758,025       3,621,819       3,266,291  
    Allowance for credit losses     (40,167 )     (39,224 )     (35,406 )
    Loans held for investment, net of allowance for credit losses     3,717,858       3,582,595       3,230,885  
    FHLB stock     15,000       15,000       15,000  
    Operating leases, right-of-use asset     7,094       5,944       6,630  
    Premises and equipment, net     1,606       1,524       1,610  
    Bank-owned life insurance     23,466       23,246       19,030  
    Interest receivable and other assets     65,906       57,788       55,107  
    Total assets   $ 4,413,473     $ 4,245,057     $ 3,634,217  
                 
    Non-interest-bearing deposits   $ 1,004,061     $ 933,652     $ 825,733  
    Interest-bearing deposits     2,890,561       2,802,702       2,323,898  
    Total deposits     3,894,622       3,736,354       3,149,631  
    Subordinated notes, net     73,968       73,932       73,822  
    Other borrowings     —       —       —  
    Operating lease liability     7,744       6,591       7,077  
    Interest payable and other liabilities     20,397       21,729       23,217  
    Total liabilities     3,996,731       3,838,606       3,253,747  
                 
    Common stock     303,155       302,788       301,968  
    Retained earnings     125,545       115,309       90,734  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes     (11,958 )     (11,646 )     (12,232 )
    Total shareholders’ equity     416,742       406,451       380,470  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 4,413,473     $ 4,245,057     $ 3,634,217  
                 
    Quarterly Average Balance Data            
    Average loans held for investment and sale   $ 3,691,616     $ 3,567,992     $ 3,197,921  
    Average interest-earning assets     4,151,368       3,997,037       3,452,676  
    Average total assets     4,253,000       4,090,580       3,537,230  
    Average deposits     3,736,018       3,585,782       3,049,919  
    Average total equity     410,609       400,501       370,135  
                 
    Credit Quality            
    Allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans     1,763.26 %     2,222.32 %     1,882.30 %
    Nonperforming loans to loans held for investment     0.06 %     0.05 %     0.06 %
    Nonperforming assets to total assets     0.05 %     0.04 %     0.05 %
    Nonperforming loans plus performing loan modifications to loans held for investment     0.06 %     0.05 %     0.06 %
                 
    Capital Ratios            
    Total shareholders’ equity to total assets     9.44 %     9.57 %     10.47 %
    Tangible shareholders’ equity to tangible assets(1)     9.44 %     9.57 %     10.47 %
    Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)     13.72 %     13.97 %     14.38 %
    Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)     10.85 %     11.00 %     11.27 %
    Common equity Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)     10.85 %     11.00 %     11.27 %
    Tier 1 leverage ratio     10.03 %     10.17 %     11.05 %
     
    (1) See the section entitled “Non-GAAP Reconciliation (Unaudited)” for a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure.
     

    Non-GAAP Reconciliation (Unaudited)

    The Company uses financial information in its analysis of the Company’s performance that is not in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to management and investors that is supplementary to the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows computed in accordance with GAAP. However, the Company acknowledges that its non-GAAP financial measures have a number of limitations. As such, investors should not view these disclosures as a substitute for results determined in accordance with GAAP. Additionally, these non-GAAP measures are not necessarily comparable to non-GAAP financial measures that other banking companies use. Other banking companies may use names similar to those the Company uses for the non-GAAP financial measures the Company discloses, but may calculate them differently. Investors should understand how the Company and other companies each calculate their non-GAAP financial measures when making comparisons.

    Tangible shareholders’ equity to tangible assets is defined as total equity less goodwill and other intangible assets, divided by total assets less goodwill and other intangible assets. The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is total shareholders’ equity to total assets. Management believes that tangible shareholders’ equity to tangible assets is a useful financial measure because it enables management, investors, and others to assess the Company’s financial health based on tangible capital. We had no goodwill or other intangible assets at the end of any period indicated. As a result, tangible shareholders’ equity to tangible assets is the same as total shareholders’ equity to total assets at the end of each of the periods indicated.

    Tangible book value per share is defined as total shareholders’ equity less goodwill and other intangible assets, divided by the outstanding number of common shares at the end of the period. The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is book value per share. Management believes that tangible book value per share is a useful financial measure because it enables management, investors, and others to assess the Company’s value and use of equity. We had no goodwill or other intangible assets at the end of any period indicated. As a result, tangible book value per share is the same as book value per share at the end of each of the periods indicated.

    Pre-tax, pre-provision income is defined as pre-tax income plus provision for credit losses. The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is pre-tax income. Management believes that pre-tax, pre-provision income is a useful financial measure because it enables management, investors, and others to assess the Company’s ability to generate operating profit and capital.

    The following reconciliation table provides a more detailed analysis of this non-GAAP financial measure:

        Three months ended
    (in thousands)   June 30,
    2025
      March 31,
    2025
      June 30,
    2024
    Pre-tax, pre-provision income            
    Pre-tax income   $ 20,099     $ 18,391     $ 15,152  
    Add: provision for credit losses     2,500       1,900       2,000  
    Pre-tax, pre-provision income   $ 22,599     $ 20,291     $ 17,152  

    Investor Contact:
    Heather C. Luck, Chief Financial Officer
    Five Star Bancorp
    (916) 626-5008
    hluck@fivestarbank.com

    Media Contact:
    Shelley R. Wetton, Chief Marketing Officer
    Five Star Bancorp
    (916) 284-7827
    swetton@fivestarbank.com

    The MIL Network –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Subsea7 and Saipem announce signing of the Merger Agreement

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)


    NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, OR IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW 

    Transaction structure and terms confirmed in line with Memorandum of Understanding

    Creating a global leader in energy services

    Milan, Luxembourg, 24 July 2025 – Saipem and Subsea7 announce that they have entered into a binding merger agreement, on terms and conditions in line with what previously communicated at the time of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on 23 February 2025. The merger of Saipem and Subsea7 will create a global leader in energy services. 

    Highlights

    • The company resulting from the merger1 between Saipem and Subsea7 (the “Proposed Combination”) will be renamed Saipem7 (“Saipem7”), will have revenue of approx. €21 billion2, EBITDA in excess of €2 billion3, will generate more than €800 million of Free Cash Flow4 and will have a combined backlog of €43 billion5
    • The highly complementary geographical footprints, competencies and capabilities, vessel fleets and technologies will benefit Saipem7’s global portfolio of clients
    • The diversification of the geographical footprint of Saipem and Subsea7 is reflected in the combined backlog, with no single country contributing more than 15% of total6
    • On completion, Saipem and Subsea7 shareholders will own 50% each of the share capital of Saipem7
    • Subsea7 shareholders participating to the Proposed Combination will receive 6.688 new Saipem shares for each Subsea7 share held
    • Subsea7 will distribute an extraordinary dividend to its shareholders for an amount equal to €450 million immediately prior to completion of the Proposed Combination
    • Annual synergies expected to be approximately €300 million on a run-rate basis, which will lead to material value creation for the shareholders of Saipem7
    • Saipem7 will remain incorporated in Italy and headquartered in Milan, and will have its shares listed on both the Milan and Oslo stock exchanges
    • Siem Industries, reference shareholder of Subsea7, and Eni and CDP Equity, reference shareholders of Saipem, have committed to vote in favour of the Proposed Combination
    • Completion of the Proposed Combination anticipated to occur in the second half of 2026

    The management of both Saipem and Subsea7 confirm the compelling strategic rationale in creating a global leader in energy services, particularly considering the growing size of clients’ projects. The parties believe the Proposed Combination will enhance value for all shareholders and stakeholders, both in the current market and in the long term.

    Eni, CDP Equity and Siem Industries fully support the Proposed Combination and have signed a Shareholders’ Agreement confirming the undertaking to vote in favour of the Proposed Combination. As part of this, to ensure a balanced leadership and governance structure, Saipem7’s CEO will be designated by Eni and CDP Equity and Saipem7’s Chairman of the Board of Directors will be designated by Siem Industries.

    It is currently envisaged that, upon completion of the Proposed Combination, Mr Kristian Siem will be appointed as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Saipem77 and Mr Alessandro Puliti will be appointed as CEO of Saipem78. In addition, Mr Alessandro Puliti and Mr John Evans will be appointed respectively as the Chairman and CEO of the company that will manage the Offshore Engineering & Construction business of Saipem7. Such company will be named Subsea7, branded as “Subsea7, a Saipem7 Company”, and will comprise all of Subsea7’s businesses and Saipem’s Asset Based Services business (including Offshore Wind).

    The by-laws of Saipem7 are expected to provide for loyalty shares (double votes), which will be available, upon request, to all shareholders of Saipem7.

    Strategic rationale of the Proposed Combination

    The Proposed Combination will be beneficial to the clients of both Saipem and Subsea7, bringing together the respective strengths of both companies:

    • Global reach and comprehensive solutions for clients: global operations and projects in more than 60 countries and a highly complementary footprint between the two companies. A full spectrum of offshore and onshore services, from drilling, engineering and construction to life-of-field services and decommissioning, with an increased ability to optimise project scheduling for clients in oil, gas, carbon capture and renewable energy
    • Diversified and complementary fleet: an expanded and diversified fleet of more than 60 construction vessels enhancing Saipem7’s ability to undertake a wide range of projects, from shallow water to ultra-deepwater operations, utilising a full portfolio of heavy lift, high-end J-lay, S-lay and reel-lay rigid pipeline solutions, flexible pipe and umbilical lay services, as well as market-leading wind turbine, foundations and cable lay installation capabilities
    • World-class expertise and experience: a specialised, global workforce of approximately 44,000 people, including more than 9,000 engineers and project managers contributing to delivering solutions that unlock value for clients
    • Innovation and technology: the combined expertise to foster innovation in offshore technologies, ensuring cutting-edge solutions for complex projects 

    The transaction is expected to create significant shareholder value through:

    • Synergies: annual cost and capital expenditure synergies expected to be approximately €300 million from the third year after completion of the Proposed Combination, driven by fleet optimisation (utilisation and geographical positioning of vessels and equipment), procurement (longer charter periods for leased vessels and improved terms with suppliers), sales and marketing (tendering rationalisation), and process efficiencies
    • More efficient capital expenditure programme: optimised allocation of capital across a broader, complementary vessel fleet
    • Attractive shareholder remuneration policy: Saipem7 is expected to distribute annually to its shareholders at least 40% of its Free Cash Flow after repayment of lease liabilities
    • Enhanced capital structure: a solid balance sheet expected to support an investment grade credit rating
    • Greater scale in both equity and debt capital markets: access to a wider investor base and to more diversified sources of capital

     Transaction structure, ownership and terms

    • Saipem7 will be created through an EU cross-border statutory merger, carried out by way of absorption of Subsea7 into Saipem, with the latter to be renamed Saipem7
    • Saipem7 will remain incorporated in Italy and headquartered in Milan, and will have its shares listed on both the Milan and Oslo stock exchanges
    • Siem Industries (currently the largest shareholder of Subsea7) will own approximately 11.8% of Saipem7’s share capital, while Eni and CDP Equity (currently the largest shareholders of Saipem) will respectively own approximately 10.6% and 6.4% of Saipem7’s share capital
    • Subsea7 shareholders participating to the Proposed Combination will receive 6.688 new Saipem shares for each Subsea7 share held
    • Assuming all Subsea7 shareholders participate in the merger, the share capital of Saipem7 will be held 50-50% by the current shareholders of Saipem and Subsea7 on completion
    • Immediately prior to completion of the Proposed Combination, Subsea7 shareholders will receive an extraordinary cash dividend of €450 million9
    • Shareholders of Subsea7 who vote against the approval of the Proposed Combination at the Subsea7 Extraordinary General Meeting will have the right to dispose of their shares in Subsea7 for an adequate cash compensation under the conditions set out under Luxembourg company law.10 The formula that will be used to determine the cash compensation will be made available on Subsea7’s website and the amount of the cash compensation determined on the basis of such formula will be announced in advance of Subsea7’s Extraordinary General Meeting

     Key activities performed since the execution of the Memorandum of Understanding

    • Satisfactory confirmatory due diligence completed, and transaction terms finalised in line with those initially agreed at the time of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding
    • Annual cost and capital expenditure synergies confirmed and expected to be equal to approximately €300 million from the third year after completion of the Proposed Combination
    • No material findings in the analysis of Saipem and Subsea7 business plans in terms of projects overlap, thus further underpinning the value creation deriving from the Proposed Combination
    • Completed the preliminary antitrust analysis with the support of specialised advisors. Currently in the process of submitting the relevant documentation for the consideration of the Proposed Combination to the applicable antitrust authorities
    • Confirmation of capital allocation framework, including shareholders’ remuneration policy and target of achieving and maintaining investment grade credit rating
    • Identified the key members of the management team of Saipem7 and Subsea7 following completion of the Proposed Combination
    • Agreement on the governance principles applicable to Saipem7 and Subsea7 following completion of the Proposed Combination

     Organisational structure of Saipem7

    • Saipem7 will be structured as four businesses: Offshore Engineering & Construction, Onshore Engineering & Construction, Sustainable Infrastructures and Drilling Offshore
    • The Offshore Engineering & Construction business will be contained within an operationally autonomous company, fully owned by Saipem7, named Subsea7, branded as “Subsea7, a Saipem7 Company”, and will comprise all Subsea7’s businesses and the Asset Based Services business of Saipem (including Offshore Wind). The company will represent approximately 84% of the combined group’s EBITDA for the last 12 months as of 31 December 2024
    • Subsea7 shall be incorporated in the UK and headquartered in London. After completion of the Proposed Combination, Subsea7 will be governed by a Board of Directors comprising seven members, including Mr Alessandro Puliti as Chairman, Mr John Evans as CEO, Mr Kristian Siem and other four independent directors

     Pre-completion distributions to shareholders

    • Each of Saipem and Subsea7 will distribute cash dividends of $350 million during the course of 2025, such dividends having already been approved by their respective shareholders’ meetings in May 2025 and having already been partially distributed
    • If the Proposed Combination is not completed before the approval of the full year 2025 results of Saipem and Subsea7 (expected in the second quarter of 2026 for both Saipem and Subsea7), each of Saipem and Subsea7 will (subject to their respective 2025 results meeting certain agreed financial targets) be entitled to distribute cash dividends to their respective shareholders of at least $300 million11,12, 13, to be paid in Q2 2026  
    • In connection with a permitted business divestment currently ongoing, Subsea7 will also distribute a cash dividend equal to €105 million14 to its shareholders prior to completion of the Proposed Combination

    Shareholders’ Agreement

    The Shareholders’ Agreement signed between Siem Industries, Eni and CDP Equity provides for, inter alia, an irrevocable undertaking to vote in favour of the Proposed Combination (subject to receipt of the required Italian government approval), a three-year shareholder lock-up and the submission of a joint slate for the appointment of the majority of the members of the board of directors of Saipem7.

    Timing, conditions precedent, approvals and other matters

    Completion of the Proposed Combination will be subject to customary conditions precedent for a transaction of this nature, including, inter alia, the approval of antitrust, other public and regulatory authorities’ (e.g. the required Italian Government approval), as well as approval by the shareholders of both Saipem and Subsea7 at their respective Extraordinary General Meetings. In the case of Saipem this will be subject to reaching also the so-called “whitewash majorities” for purposes of the mandatory takeover bid exemption15. Both Saipem’s and Subsea7’s Extraordinary General Meetings will take place on 25 September 2025.

    Completion is currently anticipated to occur in the second half of 2026.

    The completion of the Proposed Combination will result in a “Change of Control,” as defined in the terms and conditions of the convertible bond issued by Saipem and denominated “€500,000,000 Senior Unsecured Guaranteed Equity Linked Bonds due 2029”.

    Documentation

    In connection with the Proposed Combination, the following documents, among others, will be made available:

    • The notice of call of each of Saipem and Subsea7’s Extraordinary General Meetings
    • The common merger plan approved by the Boards of Directors of each of Saipem and Subsea7 (the “Common Merger Plan”), along with the consolidated financial statements of Saipem and Subsea7 for the last three financial years and the merger related interim financial statements of Saipem and Subsea7 as of 30 June 2025
    • The reports of the Board of Directors of each of Saipem and Subsea7 describing the Proposed Combination
    • The independent expert reports prepared for each of Saipem and Subsea7 in connection with the Proposed Combination

    These documents will be available at the companies’ registered seats and published on each party’s website. Where required under applicable laws and regulations, these documents will be disclosed also through the authorised storage mechanism (SDIR) for Saipem and through an officially appointed mechanism (OAM) for Subsea7.

    The Common Merger Plan will also be filed with the Companies’ Register of Milan Monza Brianza Lodi, and the Luxembourg Trade and Companies Register, and will also be published in the Recueil Electronique des Sociétés et Associations in Luxembourg (the Luxembourg legal gazette for company announcements) (RESA)16. 

    Advisors

    Goldman Sachs Bank Europe SE, Succursale Italia is acting as lead financial advisor to Saipem, and Deutsche Bank AG, Milan Branch as financial advisor to Saipem. Clifford Chance LLP is serving as global legal counsel to Saipem (including as to matters of Italian, English, US and Luxembourg Law), while Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS is serving as legal counsel to Saipem as to matters of Norwegian law.

    Kirk Lovegrove & Company Limited is acting as lead financial advisor and Deloitte LLP is acting as financial advisor to Subsea7. Freshfields LLP is serving as global legal counsel to Subsea7 (including as to matters of Italian, US and English Law), while Elvinger Hoss Prussen société anonyme and Advokatfirmaet Wiersholm AS are serving as legal counsel to Subsea7 as to matters of Luxembourg and Norwegian law, respectively.

    Enquiries

    Saipem is a global leader in the engineering and construction of major projects for the energy and infrastructure sectors, both offshore and onshore. Saipem is “One Company” organized into business lines: Asset Based Services, Drilling, Energy Carriers, Offshore Wind, Sustainable Infrastructures, Robotics & Industrialised Solutions. The company has 5 fabrication yards and an offshore fleet of 17 owned construction vessels and 13 drilling rigs, of which 9 owned. Always oriented towards technological innovation, the company’s purpose is “Engineering for a sustainable future”. As such Saipem is committed to supporting its clients on the energy transition pathway towards Net Zero, with increasingly digital means, technologies and processes geared for environmental sustainability. Listed on the Milan Stock Exchange, it is present in more than 50 countries around the world and employs about 30,000 people of over 130 nationalities.

    Subsea7 is a global leader in the delivery of offshore projects and services for the energy industry. Subsea7 makes offshore energy transition possible through the continuous evolution of lower-carbon oil and gas and by enabling the growth of renewables and emerging energies.

    No Offer or Solicitation

    This document is not an offer of merger consideration shares in the United States. Neither the merger consideration shares nor any other securities have been or will be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and neither the merger considerations shares nor any other securities may be offered, sold or delivered within or into the United States, except pursuant to a registration statement filed pursuant to the Securities Act or an applicable exemption from registration or in a transaction otherwise not subject to the Securities Act. This document must not be forwarded, distributed or sent, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the United States. This document does not constitute an offer of or an invitation by or on behalf of, Saipem or Subsea7, or any other person, to purchase any securities.

    Forward-looking Statements

    This document contains forward-looking information and statements about Saipem and Subsea7 and their combined business after completion of the proposed merger of Saipem and Subsea 7 (the “Proposed Combination“). Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. These statements include financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives and expectations with respect to future operations, products and services, and statements regarding future performance, Free Cash Flow, EBITDA, dividends, and credit ratings. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates” and similar expressions. Although the managements of Saipem and Subsea7 believe that the respective expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors and holders of Saipem and Subsea7 shares are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Saipem and Subsea7, respectively, that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. Except as required by applicable law, neither Saipem nor Subsea7 undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking information or statements.

    This document includes estimates relating to the synergies expected to arise from the merger and the combination of the business operations of Saipem and Subsea7, as well as related integration costs, which have been prepared by Saipem and Subsea7 and are based on a number of assumptions and judgments. Such estimates present the expected future impact of the merger and the combination of the business operations of Saipem and Subsea7 on Saipem7’s business, financial condition and results of operations. The assumptions relating to the estimated synergies and related integration costs are inherently uncertain and are subject to a wide variety of significant business, economic, and competitive risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual synergies from the merger and the combination of the business operations of Saipem and Subsea7, if any, and related integration costs to differ materially from the estimates in this document. Further, there can be no certainty that the merger will be completed in the manner and timeframe described in this document, or at all.

    Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures

    This announcement includes certain non-IFRS financial measures with respect to Saipem and Subsea7, including EBITDA and Free Cash Flow. These unaudited non-IFRS financial measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, measures of Saipem’s and Subsea7’s financial performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. In addition, these measures may be defined differently than similar terms used by other companies.

    Presentation of Financial Information

    This document includes financial data regarding Saipem and Subsea7 and the combination of Saipem and Subsea7.  Any Saipem7 financial data presented herein is presented for informational purposes only and is not intended to represent or be indicative of the actual consolidated results of operations or financial position of the combined entity and should not be taken as representative of the combined entity’s future consolidated results of operations or financial position had the Proposed Combination occurred as of such date. These estimates are based on financial information available at the time of the preparation of this document.

    1 Merger by way of absorption of Subsea7 into Saipem
    2 Combined Revenue for Saipem and Subsea7 as per last 12 months as of 31 December 2024
    3 Combined EBITDA for Saipem and Subsea7 as per last 12 months as of 31 December 2024
    4 Combined Free Cash Flow post repayment of lease liabilities for Saipem and Subsea7 as per last 12 months as of 31 December 2024
    5 Combined backlog for Saipem and Subsea7 as of 31 March 2025
    6 Combined backlog for Saipem and Subsea7 as of 31 March 2025
    7 Subject to approval by the Shareholders’ Meeting and the Board of Directors of Saipem7
    8 Subject to approval by the Shareholders’ Meeting and the Board of Directors of Saipem7
    9 Subject to approval by the Subsea7 Shareholders’ Meeting
    10 Such withdrawal right may only be exercised in respect of (a) Subsea7 shares registered in the securities account of the relevant shareholder with such shareholder’s financial intermediary on the date of publication of the Common Merger Plan on the Recueil Electronique des Sociétés et Associations – RESA (the Luxembourg legal gazette for company announcements) and (b) Subsea7 shares acquired after such date through inheritance or bequest.  Further details will be specified in the convening notice to the Subsea7 Extraordinary General Meeting
    11 Subject to approval by the Shareholders’ Meeting and the Board of Directors
    12 The dividend paid by Saipem will be qualified as ordinary in nature
    13 Saipem and Subsea7 will be entitled to distribute a reduced pro-rated amount should their respective financial results not meet the relevant financial targets, as detailed in the Common Merger Plan
    14 Subject to approval by the Subsea7 Shareholders’ Meeting
    15 Pursuant to Art. 49, paragraph 1, letter g) of Consob Regulation 11971/99
    16 Subsea7 intends to file the Common Merger Plan with the Registre de Commerce et des Sociétés, Luxembourg (the Luxembourg Trade and Companies Register) for publication on the RESA no later than the second Oslo Børs trading day after the date of this announcement

    This information is considered to be inside information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. 
     This stock exchange release was published by Katherine Tonks, Investor Relations, Subsea7, on 24 July 2025 at 00:40 CET.

    Attachment

    • Merger Agreement Saipem and Subsea7 24 July 2025

    The MIL Network –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján Fights for National Lab Science Funding, Presses Trump Administration to Protect America’s Scientific Innovation and Reverse Course on Cuts to Research and Development Programs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Co-Chair of the Senate National Labs Caucus, called on President Trump to reverse course on proposed reductions in the Fiscal Year 2026 federal budget to research and development programs within the Department of Energy (DOE), including cuts to programs at National Laboratories. In the letter to President Trump, Senator Luján highlights the successful economic impacts by these DOE research and development programs, including our National Laboratories’ critical role in driving global scientific leadership.

    Senator Luján wrote, “These proposed changes jeopardize not only our nation’s economic competitiveness but also our national security, energy independence, and capacity for innovation. Slashes to these programs undermine the core principles and opportunities that America promises its citizens: through bold investment in knowledge and innovation, we build a stronger, safer, and more just future.”

    “Without adequate support, the United States risks ceding leadership in emerging industries to nations with more consistent and centralized science investment strategies. Slashing funding to these programs is not fiscal responsibility – it is strategic negligence,” continued Senator Luján.

    “As a proud and steadfast champion of the groundbreaking innovation coming out of the national labs in my state, I’m constantly reminded of their extraordinary contributions,” concluded Senator Luján.

    The full text of the letter is available here and below:

    Dear President Trump:

    I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the proposed reductions in the Fiscal Year 2026 federal budget to research and development programs within the Department of Energy (DOE), including significant cuts to the Office of Science, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), and the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA–E). These proposed changes jeopardize not only our nation’s economic competitiveness but also our national security, energy independence, and capacity for innovation. Slashes to these programs undermine the core principles and opportunities that America promises its citizens: through bold investment in knowledge and innovation, we build a stronger, safer, and more just future.

    The national laboratories are not just the Department of Energy’s research hubs; they are engines of economic empowerment. These nearly 80,000 scientists, engineers, and staff are at the forefront of pioneering technologies in advanced energy systems, life-saving medical isotopes, next-generation manufacturing, and national defense. The proposed 14% reduction to the Office of Science and 74% cut to EERE will have an immediate and destabilizing impact – threatening the continuation of critical research programs, leading to the loss of thousands of skilled jobs. Investments in science ARE investments in American leadership.

    Specifically, EERE has been responsible for more than $624 billion in net economic benefits, heavily contributing to U.S. energy bill reductions of over $800 billion since 1980. These cuts will impede 100s of ongoing lab-based projects in clean energy, grid modernization, and industrial decarbonization, while endangering 1,000s of jobs across multiple national laboratories, and undermine a network that has historically returned over $10 in economic output for every dollar of federal R&D investment. We don’t just silence the potential for future discoveries that could deliver heat and power to every corner of the country, we squander the ingenuity of the very Americans who have the knowledge and drive to make it happen.

    Similarly, proposed budget reductions would scale back fellowships, internships, and research grants that support tens of thousands of graduate and postdoctoral researchers. Around half of STEM graduate students rely on federal support to complete their training. The elimination of these opportunities would be devastating to early-career researchers and erode our long-term competitiveness, particularly in fields like quantum, biotechnology, and energy.

    For decades, DOE’s national laboratories have played a critical role in translating federal research into commercial success. The DOE national labs outperform other agencies in innovation productivity, producing 3.5x more patents per dollar and 1.4x higher licensing rate per patent than the federal agency average. Every year the labs execute 1000s of partnership agreements, including 100s of agreements to commercialize technology. These efforts are part of a larger ecosystem that has enabled the United States to maintain global leadership in critical technologies such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, advanced computing, and energy efficiency. This innovation culture, rooted in federally funded basic and applied science, has given the United States a durable advantage over strategic competitors, including China, whose state-led investments are rapidly closing the gap.

    Programs like ARPA-E, which the budget proposes to cut by 57%, have been instrumental in maintaining this leadership. The agency has funded over 1,000 high-risk projects, resulted in over 700 patents, and attracted over $12 billion in follow-on private investment. Reducing federal investments in ARPA-E and DOE lab commercialization programs could shift the global balance of innovation. Without adequate support, the United States risks ceding leadership in emerging industries to nations with more consistent and centralized science investment strategies. Slashing funding to these programs is not fiscal responsibility – it is strategic negligence.

    The United States did not become a global leader in science and technology by retreating from bold investment. We became that leader by making deliberate, courageous decisions to fund basic and applied research, to believe in our academic institutions, and to empower our national laboratories as centers of excellence. At a time when other nations are dramatically increasing their R&D investments, it would be short-sighted and strategically dangerous for the United States to step back.

    As a proud and steadfast champion of the groundbreaking innovation coming out of the national labs in my state, I’m constantly reminded of their extraordinary contributions. At Sandia National Laboratories, researchers invented clean rooms, a technology essential to manufacturing microchips that power high performance computing and artificial intelligence, while also revolutionizing hospital operating room safety. Sandia isn’t just refining the economics of LED light bulbs, they’re re-engineering light itself to promote human health and increase agricultural yields. At Los Alamos, during the Human Genome Project, scientists developed GenBank, the genetic sequence database that has become indispensable to modern drug discovery and our understanding of disease. Los Alamos also remains one of the nation’s only sources of critical medical isotopes used in targeted cancer therapies – treatments that can destroy breast cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. Slashing funding to these transformative institutions isn’t just short-sighted – it’s an assault on the standard of living, health, and opportunity for every American.

    America’s scientific capacity is one of its most valuable assets. We must treat it accordingly – with care, with vision, and with the full weight of federal support. I respectfully urge you to reconsider these reductions and restore full funding for DOE research and innovation programs – including ARPA-E, EERE, the Office of Science, the associated workforce, and their commercialization initiatives.

    Thank you for your consideration and commitment to the future of American science, security, and prosperity.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley, Fetterman Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Crack Down on Art Market Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

    WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) today introduced the Art Market Integrity Act. The bipartisan legislation would require art dealers and auction houses to comply with existing anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regulations.

    “For decades, criminal enterprises have used America’s multibillion-dollar art industry as a personal piggy bank for money laundering schemes, terrorist financing and other nefarious activities. By requiring our nation’s art market to comply with existing anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws, this bipartisan legislation would keep art, and millions of dollars, out of the wrong hands,” Grassley said.

    “Art should be for art-lovers, not terrorists and criminals,” Fetterman said. “For too long, loopholes have allowed Russian criminal kingpins to evade sanctions and terrorists like Hezbollah to funnel money through art deals. I’m grateful to Senators Grassley, Whitehouse, and McCormick for working across the aisle to require art dealers and auction houses to perform basic due diligence. This needs to stop now.”

    The Art Market Integrity Act would:

    • Require art dealers and auction houses to maintain records and report on high-value art market transactions, exempting artists and businesses with under $50,000 in annual art transactions;
    • Align the United States with international standards adopted by the United Kingdom, European Union, Switzerland and China; and
    • Protect the United States’ national security, economic integrity and multibillion-dollar art market from criminals, terrorists, cartels and other bad actors.

    Grassley and Fetterman are joined by Sens. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Andy Kim (D-N.J.).

    Download the full bill text HERE.

    Background:

    The United States’ art industry is valued at around $25 billion and is the largest of its kind globally. Despite this, our art market is not currently bound by the anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing standards set by the Bank Secrecy Act.

    In 2024, the Treasury Department identified America’s art market as being particularly susceptible to money laundering and sanctions evasion. High-profile cases have further highlighted the urgent need for art market reform, including the indictment of Hezbollah financier, Nazem Ahmad, who used art to evade terrorism-related sanctions to the tune of $160 million.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Banking: ACP Statement on FERC Approval of MISO and SPP ERAS Proposals

    Source: American Clean Power Association (ACP)

    Headline: ACP Statement on FERC Approval of MISO and SPP ERAS Proposals

    WASHINGTON, D.C. July 23, 2025— The American Clean Power Association (ACP) released the following statement from ACP Vice President of Markets & Transmission Carrie Zalewski after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) approval of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) and Southwest Power Pool’s proposed Expedited Resource Addition Study (ERAS) proposals:
    “FERC’s approval of MISO and SPP’s ERAS proposals is a dangerous misstep, ignoring widely acknowledged market realities while signing off on the potential for major disruption for projects that have gone through the proper processes to be connected to the grid. The fastest growing sources of energy—solar, wind, and energy storage technologies—are the ones ready to deploy to help keep costs lower and power reliable for the more than 60 million American consumers served across both territories.
    “Maintaining reliable and affordable power requires a diversified grid and predictable measures to bring new resources online. We are committed to advancing this shared goal and responsibility in a way that instills confidence and benefits consumers and will work with stakeholders in SPP and MISO to ensure these approved requests do not set a precedent that will cause lasting damage.”
    The Facts
    States with higher deployment of clean energy see increases in reliability, as well as lower electricity prices on average.   

    During the Polar Vortex of 2025, where temperatures plummeted across the country, Texas and California only experienced a 20% increase in prices while states in MISO experienced an eye-popping 135+% increase in prices (Jan. 19-23, 2025).
    In SPP, during an intense heatwave in Summer 2024, wind rose to 30% of total demand during the heatwave, helping reduce operating costs by at least $27M (July 13-17, 2024).

    ###

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

    July 24, 2025
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