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Category: Banking

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Woodland restoration boost after Teesside company civil sanction

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    A woodland restoration project has received a boost after a Teesside company paid £290,000 to Tees Valley Wildlife Trust for breaching its Environmental Permit.

    An area of cleared woodland.

    The Lazenby Bank Woodland Restoration Project includes improvements to 215 acres of woodland near Wilton International industrial complex at Teesside.

    It comes after Sembcorp Utilities (UK) Ltd, which operates a biomass power station at Wilton, breached its environmental permit by wrongly classifying hazardous waste as non-hazardous during its disposal at landfill.

    It submitted an Enforcement Undertaking to the Environment Agency proposing a charitable donation to Tees Valley Wildlife Trust of £290,000. It’s also introduced new operating procedures to ensure waste is disposed of correctly in future.

    An Enforcement Undertaking is a voluntary offer made by companies or individuals to make amends for their offending, and usually includes a payment to an environmental charity to carry out environmental improvements in the local area.

    Work carried out on the site, next to Wilton International, includes:

    • Clearing unmanaged coniferous woodland to restore habitats where ancient woodland is present – a high priority nationally for conservation.
    • Seeding and re-planting with a greater variety of native trees to improve wildlife biodiversity and diversity of woodland, delivering long-term carbon sequestration.
    • Improved access to the area through new and improved access gates, footpaths and tracks to improve community access to the natural environment in what is an urban area.
    • Community engagement to encourage volunteers to get involved in tree planting as well as training placements with young people from the community to reduce anti-social behaviour.

    The image shows an example of improved natural woodland.

    The Trust will also use the funds to carry out river channel management over three years at nearby Coatham Marsh nature reserve to maintain good habitat conditions for wildlife.

    Ian Preston, Installations Team Leader at the Environment Agency in the North East, said:

    We always consider enforcement options on a case by case basis and Enforcement Undertakings allow companies to put right what went wrong and contribute to environmental improvements and outcomes.

    In this case the payment has allowed a planned and important community project to be delivered at pace – an environmental investment that has enhanced the local area for people and wildlife.

    Tom Harman, Chief Executive of Tees Valley Wildlife Trust, added:

    It’s vital to see funds like this being reinvested into protecting our landscapes for people and wildlife.

    Lazenby Bank Woodland and Coatham Marsh are incredible nature assets for our communities in the Tees Valley. The project will help restore nationally important habitats for priority species and secure improvements for public access.

    Image shows an example of improved natural woodland. Credit: Tees Valley Wildlife Trust.

    Waste was misclassified

    In September 2019 the Environment Agency carried out an audit into Sembcorp’s disposal of Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA), which is a product of the incineration process.

    Enquiries revealed Sembcorp had classified all its IBA as non-hazardous and disposed of it at a non-hazardous landfill.

    But data showed that its IBA contained concentrations of lead, copper, zinc and nickel – waste that should be classified as hazardous.

    Data supplied from 2015 onwards showed the misclassification had been taking place since at least that date.

    An independent report from a company instructed by Sembcorp concluded that while the IBA should have been classified as hazardous, there was no significant risk to human health or the environment as a result of the wrong disposal. Environment Agency specialists agreed with this conclusion.

    Sembcorp accepted responsibility for the misclassification and set out all the steps it had taken to prevent it happening in the future. As soon as the issue had been identified the company started disposing of its IBA at a hazardous landfill facility.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Harford County Man Sentenced for Aggravated Identity Theft and Bank Fraud Scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendant also participated in scheme to illegally obtain $28,350 in unemployment insurance benefits from the State of California during COVID-19 Pandemic.

    Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Julie R. Rubin sentenced Victor Ojo, 30, of Belcamp, Maryland, to 72 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

    Victor Ojo received the sentence for aggravated identity theft and his role in an attempted bank-fraud scheme that had an intended loss amount of $1.5 million. Additionally, Victor Ojo admitted to participating in a fraudulent scheme to obtain $28,350 in unemployment insurance benefits. So, Judge Rubin ordered Victor Ojo to forfeit $20,014.03 and to pay $78,350 in restitution.

    Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Andrew McKay, Special Agent in Charge of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration’s (TIGTA) Mid-Atlantic Field Division, and Scott Moffit, Special Agent in Charge of TIGTA’s Cybercrime Investigations Division.

    According to his guilty plea, from April 2016 through at least August 2019, Victor Ojo conspired with Damilola Ojo, Jamelia Thompson, Raissa Kaossele, and others, to commit bank fraud using the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) Modernized Internet Employer Identification Number (MODIEIN) system. The MODIEIN is the IRS system that allows users to register for a unique Employer Identification Number (EIN). It requires users to enter the valid name and Social Security Number of a real living person to obtain an EIN for a business.

    The defendant and his co-conspirators created and used various EINs to carry out the scheme. They obtained many of the EINs from the IRS using stolen Personally Identifiable Information. These EINs, in conjunction with fraudulently obtained state business certificates, allowed the co-conspirators to open bank accounts at various financial institutions to deposit stolen and/or altered checks and to receive fraudulently obtained wire transfers and other funds. Many of the wire transfers were the result of Business Email Compromises. Once obtained, the co-conspirators rapidly withdrew the proceeds, transferring them to other bank accounts.

    Victor Ojo and his co-conspirators victimized individuals through identity theft, businesses through financial account compromise, and banks through misdirecting wire transfers and making fraudulent transactions. After Victor Ojo’s arrest, law enforcement discovered evidence linking him to fraudulent activity. Law enforcement found numerous financial documents; a jacket, shirt, and hat that they saw Victor Ojo wearing in bank-surveillance footage while interacting with the fraudulent accounts; and a $14,000 check with someone else’s name on it. They also found passports in other people’s names and a Colorado ID with authentication features in someone else’s name.

    In the plea agreement, Victor Ojo admitted that he engaged in additional fraudulent activities prior to his arrest for bank-fraud conspiracy. Specifically, Victor Ojo and co-conspirators fraudulently obtained $28,350 in unemployment insurance benefits from the State of California using a victim’s identification.

    Around August 1, 2021, the California Employment Development Department (EDD) issued a Bank of America debit card in that victim’s name to an address in Lanham, Maryland. The card was linked to a Bank of America account that the EDD deposited a total of $28,350 in unemployment insurance benefits into. 
     

    The EDD made the first deposit on August 8, 2021. On August 10, 11, 24, and 25, Victor Ojo used the card to withdraw thousands of dollars from various ATMs in Harford County, Maryland. Victor Ojo was also captured on surveillance cameras making the withdrawals on August 10, 11, and 25.

    U.S. Attorney Barron commended the TIGTA for its work in the investigation.  Mr. Barron also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph L. Wenner, Paul Riley, and John D’Amico who prosecuted the federal case. He also recognized Joanna B.N. Huber, Maryland COVID-19 Strike Force Paralegal Specialist, for her assistance.

    The District of Maryland Strike Force is one of five strike forces established throughout the United States by the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute COVID-19 fraud, including fraud relating to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.  The CARES Act was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The strike forces focus on large-scale, multi-state pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors.  The strike forces are interagency law enforcement efforts, using prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams designed to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds.

    For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

    For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: XMS Capital Partners Enhances Private Capital Raising and Merchant Banking Capabilities with the Addition of Paul Glover as Managing Director

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, Jan. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — XMS Capital Partners, LLC (“XMS”), a global, independent financial services firm focused on providing M&A, corporate advisory, capital raising and asset management services, is pleased to announce the addition of Paul Glover as Managing Director.

    “Paul brings exceptional expertise, connectivity and strategic thinking in XMS’ key sectors to the role. Paul has a unique blend of experience as an advisor, investor, operator and entrepreneur, providing the firm and our clients with invaluable insights and leadership. We see tremendous opportunity in expanding our capital raising and merchant banking capabilities,” said Ted Brombach, Co-Managing Partner at XMS.

    “I am very excited to be joining XMS in a role that enables me to bring to bear my various experiences to support the firm’s growth and enhance value for its clients,” said Mr. Glover. “I have great respect for the team and culture that XMS has built, and I look forward to working with my new colleagues.”

    About Paul Glover

    Mr. Glover joins XMS with over 30 years of experience in investment banking, capital markets, principal investing and strategic financial leadership. Based in New York City, Mr. Glover will work closely with XMS’ bankers in the US and Europe across sectors on capital raising and financing initiatives, as well as supporting the firm’s merchant banking activities.

    Most recently, Mr. Glover was Chief Financial Officer of CellPoint Digital, a payment orchestration platform, where he oversaw its finance, legal, HR and compliance functions. In addition, he also was involved in raising multiple financing rounds. Prior to CellPoint, Mr. Glover served as Head of Private Capital Markets at R.W. Pressprich, and as Chief Executive Officer of Bridgenorth Capital, a boutique investment bank he founded after working as a special situations investor at OneCapital Management. Mr. Glover previously held senior roles in capital markets at Bankers Trust and at Deutsche Bank where he sat on its Global Markets Management Committee as Global Co-Head of Structured Capital Markets. 

    About XMS Capital Partners
    XMS Capital Partners, LLC, established in 2006, is a global, independent, financial services firm providing M&A, corporate advisory, capital raising and asset management services to clients. It has offices in Chicago, Boston, Dallas and London. For more information, please visit www.xmscapital.com.

    Media Contact
    Samantha Bailey
    XMS Capital Partners
    Phone: 312.262.5642
    www.xmscapital.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Mark Carney might have the edge as potential Liberal leader, but still faces major obstacles

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Sam Routley, PhD Candidate, Political Science, Western University

    In the weeks following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation announcement, the race to name his successor seems to have become a two-person contest between former Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and Mark Carney, the former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England.

    As is the usual practice in leadership bids, each has sought to advance competing visions tied to their personal credentials and desirability as candidates.

    Emphasizing her extensive cabinet experience, for example, Freeland’s pitch has so far focused on the claim that she is best equipped to handle the “existential threat” posed by the second Donald Trump administration in the United States.

    In contrast, Carney has framed himself as a pragmatic outsider. To his supporters, his monetary management of both Brexit and the 2008 financial crisis shows he can effectively address Canada’s economic challenges while remaining above the apparent politicking, ideological excesses and questionable policy decisions of the Trudeau years.

    The importance of the ground game

    It’s difficult to say for certain who is most likely to prevail. Most polls suggest many Liberals are still undecided, although Carney and Freeland are at the same level of support among Canadian voters at large.

    The incredibly short timeline for the race — voters need to be registered as Liberals by the end of today to vote for a leader — does not provide enough time for discernible trends to emerge. Despite the focus on the personality of the candidates, the Liberal leadership will be won or lost on the basis of “ground-game” organization — that is, who can identify, register and mobilize the greatest number of supporters.

    At this point, however, it’s safe to say that Carney has an advantage. Compared to Freeland, he has secured the endorsements of most senior cabinet ministers, including Francois-Philippe Champagne, Melanie Joly, Steven Guilbeault, Harjit Sajjan and Jonathan Wilkinson. This provides not only legitimacy but, far more importantly, greater organizational prowess.

    Also important is the fact that, in an environment of anti-Trudeau sentiment, he has much more — though not complete — distance from the incumbent government. It’s difficult to see how Freeland, regardless of her experience, can effectively avoid associations with the consequences of the past or existing policies that she herself was instrumental in bringing about.

    Of course, Carney has his own challenges. He will likely have to clarify his relationship with the departing Trudeau government. Since 2020, the precise nature of his role as an informal policy adviser to the prime minister — including as the chair of a task force on economic growth — remains a mystery.

    And for all of his emphasis on the importance of good policy, the substance of his actual, announced policy proposals are thin, including an ambiguous stance on the carbon tax.

    Impressive resumé

    Nonetheless, Carney simply has far more flexibility and potential than the more rigid limitations of Freeland’s candidacy. When compared to Freeland, Carney’s pitch to Canadians seems, at least on paper, to be a much smarter response to Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives.

    His impressive resumé has the potential to be a strong, substantive contrast to the sloganeering that has so far been offered by the Conservatives. Carney could represent a reasonable alternative to voters who, while desiring change, aren’t sold on Poilievre.

    But can Carney really reverse the fortunes of the Liberal Party? Although the next leader of the party is guaranteed to be Canada’s 24th prime minister, they face near Herculean odds in establishing a term that will last more than a couple of weeks due the near certainty of a non-confidence vote in Parliament after it resumes on March 24, 15 days after the Liberal convention.

    Poilievre’s Conservatives are well over 20 points ahead in public opinion polls as they benefit from an anti-incumbent sentiment that, although commonly expressed in a personal dislike for Trudeau, is really about a deeper discontent with Canada’s structural and economic challenges.

    And, unless the NDP reverses its refusal to support the government, a federal election is likely to be held by May.

    While Carney’s outsider status may inspire the Liberal faithful, his electoral performance is more likely to highlight the drawbacks of political inexperience. Although he has potential in terms of political skills, he may not have the time to realize that potential.

    Past Liberal leaders

    Historically, and to a greater degree than the Conservatives, the Liberals have been successful at recruiting leaders with accomplishments outside of partisan electoral politics.

    William Lyon Mackenzie King made his name in labour relations, while Lester B. Pearson had an incredibly successful career as a diplomat.

    Pierre Trudeau, furthermore, was not a supporter of the Liberal Party until 1965, becoming leader only three years after entering politics. In this vein, Carney — until this stage in his career a largely non-political and accomplished central banker — is a return to form.

    The difference, however, is that — with the exception of academic Michael Ignatieff in 2011 — each of these former leaders had some, albeit limited, experience. They may have been recruited for their potential as future prime ministerial candidates, but each accumulated the requisite political experience.

    Mackenzie King had served as labour minister under Wilfrid Laurier, and Pearson had been external affairs minister for nearly a decade. Pierre Trudeau’s rise to national prominence owed a large part to his provocative legislative reforms as Pearson’s attorney general.

    Carney, on the other hand, has never run for office nor made any public interjections into partisan conflicts.

    Special skill set

    Electoral politics requires a special skill set that, unless it comes naturally, can only be learned through experience. It requires a unique combination of policy aptitude, communication ability, emotional intelligence, coalition-building and raw instinct.

    Those qualities are honed with frequent exposure to voters, whether through stump speeches, stakeholder meetings or community barbecues. Carney simply does not have these experiences.

    And faced with an anti-incumbent mood, his administrative experience may be casting him not as an interesting outsider, but as a technocratic voice of the very economic, political and cultural elite who Canadians are upset with.

    Sam Routley does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Mark Carney might have the edge as potential Liberal leader, but still faces major obstacles – https://theconversation.com/mark-carney-might-have-the-edge-as-potential-liberal-leader-but-still-faces-major-obstacles-247979

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Correction: Form 8.3 – [ International Paper Company]

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.3

    PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY
    A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
    Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

    1.        KEY INFORMATION

    (a)   Full name of discloser: Danske Bank A/S
    (b)   Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
            The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.    		  
    (c)   Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
            Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 International Paper Company
    (d)   If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:  
    (e)   Date position held/dealing undertaken:
            For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure    		 24 January 2025
    (f)   In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
            If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 NO

    2.        POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.

    (a)      Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)

    Class of relevant security: Equity
      Interests Short positions
      Number % Number %
    (1)   Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 137,608 0.04    
    (2)   Cash-settled derivatives:        
    (3)   Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:        

            TOTAL:

    		 137,608 0.04    

    All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.
    Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

    (b)      Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)

    Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:  
    Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:  

    3.        DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

    The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

    (a)        Purchases and sales

    Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit
    Equity Buy      1300  58.58883846

    (b)        Cash-settled derivative transactions

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. CFD    		 Nature of dealing
    e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position    		 Number of reference securities Price per unit
             

    (c)        Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)

    (i)        Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type
    e.g. American, European etc.    		 Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit
                   

    (ii)        Exercise

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. call option    		 Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit
             

    (d)        Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing
    e.g. subscription, conversion    		 Details Price per unit (if applicable)
           

    4.        OTHER INFORMATION

    (a)        Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    None

    (b)        Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i)   the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii)   the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    None

    (c)        Attachments

    Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO
    Date of disclosure: 27 January 2025
    Contact name: Kotryna Cinciuke
    Telephone number*: +37060405825

    Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

    The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

    *If the discloser is a natural person, a telephone number does not need to be included, provided contact information has been provided to the Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit.

    The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Announcing 20250008 (LTRO,liquidity providing), for 91 days deadline 10:00

    Source: European Central Bank

    Our website uses cookies

    We use functional cookies to store user preferences; analytics cookies to improve website performance; third-party cookies set by third-party services integrated into the website.

    You have the choice to accept or reject them. For more information or to review your preference on the cookies and server logs we use, we invite you to:

    Read our privacy statement

    Learn more about how we use cookies

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: RBI publishes Payment System Report, December 2024

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    The Reserve Bank has today published the Payment System Report, December 2024. This report, in addition to analysing the trends in payment transactions carried out using various payment systems in India during the last five calendar years up to CY-2024, covers important developments in the payment ecosystem and provides an in-depth analysis into UPI. Henceforth, the Report will be published on RBI website on half yearly basis.

    (Puneet Pancholy)  
    Chief General Manager

    Press Release: 2024-2025/2019

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Announcing 20250007 (MRO,liquidity providing), for 7 days deadline 09:30

    Source: European Central Bank

    Our website uses cookies

    We use functional cookies to store user preferences; analytics cookies to improve website performance; third-party cookies set by third-party services integrated into the website.

    You have the choice to accept or reject them. For more information or to review your preference on the cookies and server logs we use, we invite you to:

    Read our privacy statement

    Learn more about how we use cookies

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Urgently Announces Appointment of Alex Zyngier to Board of Directors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VIENNA, Va, Jan. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Urgent.ly Inc. (Nasdaq: ULY) (“Urgently” or “the Company”), a U.S.-based leading provider of digital roadside and mobility assistance technology and services, announced today its board of directors has appointed Alex Zyngier to serve as a member of the board, effective January 23, 2025.

    “Alex is a seasoned leader with a proven track record of navigating complex business challenges and driving growth,” said Matt Booth, Chief Executive Officer and President of Urgently. “With over 30 years of investment, strategy, governance and operating experience across a range of industries, Alex brings a wealth of expertise to Urgently as the Company continues to transform the roadside assistance industry. We are thrilled to welcome him to our board and look forward to his contributions.”

    “I am honored to join the Board of Directors at Urgently, a company at the forefront of digital innovation in roadside assistance,” said Alex Zyngier. “Since debuting as a public company, Urgently has made remarkable progress in driving margin expansion through financial and operational improvements, while continuing to deliver an exceptional customer experience and value to its partners. In addition, the Company has demonstrated positive traction in the marketplace, as evident by the significant contract renewals, expansions and new customer wins. Urgently is at an exciting point in its growth, and I look forward to working with the board and leadership team to help drive strategic initiatives, enhance operational excellence, and expand Urgently’s impact on the mobility ecosystem.”

    Alex is the Founder and Managing Director of Batuta Capital Advisors, a private investment and advisory firm. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board for COFINA and EVO Transportation, as well as a director for various public and private companies, including Atari SA, Nu Ride, SlamCorp and Unifin Financiera. His extensive experience includes leadership roles in complex transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic financial advisory. Alex’s diverse background spans roles as a Portfolio Manager at Alden Global/Smith Management, Goldman Sachs, and Deutsche Bank, focusing on distressed investments and special situations. He has also served as an Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Co. and a Technical Brand Manager at Procter & Gamble. His educational background includes an MBA in Finance and Accounting from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from UNICAMP.

    About Urgently

    Urgently is focused on helping everyone move safely, without disruption, by safeguarding drivers, promptly assisting their journey, and employing technology to proactively avert possible issues. The company’s digitally native software platform combines location-based services, real-time data, AI and machine-to-machine communication to power roadside assistance solutions for leading brands across automotive, insurance, telematics and other transportation-focused verticals. Urgently fulfills the demand for connected roadside assistance services, enabling its partners to deliver exceptional user experiences that drive high customer satisfaction and loyalty, by delivering innovative, transparent and exceptional connected mobility assistance experiences on a global scale. For more information, visit www.geturgently.com.

    For media and investment inquiries, please contact:

    Press: media@geturgently.com

    Investor Relations: investorrelations@geturgently.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Northrim BanCorp, Inc. Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend of $0.64 per Share

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Jan. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Northrim BanCorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: NRIM) today announced that the Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.64 per share. The dividend will be payable on March 14, 2025, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 6, 2025.

    “We are pleased to announce a quarterly dividend of $0.64 per share, as we continue to provide returns to our shareholders,” said Mike Huston, President and CEO. At the stock price of $78.80 per share at the close of the market on January 23, 2025, the current dividend equates to a yield of 3.25% on an annualized basis.

    On January 24, 2025, Northrim reported net income of $10.9 million, or $1.95 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $8.8 million, or $1.57 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2024, and $6.6 million, or $1.19 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter a year ago.

    About Northrim BanCorp

    Northrim BanCorp, Inc. is the holding company of Northrim Bank, an Alaska-based community bank with 20 branches throughout the state and differentiates itself with its detailed knowledge of Alaska’s economy and its “Customer First Service” philosophy. The bank has two wholly-owned subsidiaries, Sallyport Commercial Finance, LLC, a specialty finance company and Residential Mortgage Holding Company, LLC, a regional home mortgage company. Pacific Wealth Advisors, LLC is an affiliated company.

    www.northrim.com

    Contact:   Mike Huston, President, CEO, and COO
      (907) 261-8750
      Jed Ballard, Chief Financial Officer
      (907) 261-3539

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: PSB Holdings, Inc. Reports Earnings of $0.73 Per Share for Q4 2024; Twelve Month 2024 Earnings up 10% to $2.37 per Share

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WAUSAU, Wis., Jan. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PSB Holdings, Inc. (“PSB”) (OTCQX: PSBQ), the holding company for Peoples State Bank (“Peoples”) serving Northcentral and Southeastern Wisconsin reported fourth quarter earnings ending December 31, 2024 of $0.73 per common share on net income of $3.0 million, compared to $0.69 per common share on net income of $2.9 million during the third quarter ending September 30, 2024, and $0.55 per common share on net income of $2.3 million during the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2023. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, PSB reported earnings of $2.37 per common share on net income of $9.8 million compared to $2.16 per common share on earnings of $9.1 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.

    PSB’s fourth quarter 2024 operating results reflected the following changes from the third quarter of 2024: (1) higher net interest income supported by a net interest margin increase of six basis points; (2) lower non-interest income due primarily to a loss on the sale of securities; (3) slightly lower non-interest expenses due to lower salaries and employee benefit expenses; and (4) loan growth of 2% during the quarter.

    “We are pleased with our results for the fourth quarter and fiscal 2024. We continue to maintain strong asset quality and controlled expenses, and expect to see continued expansion in our net interest margin as loan products continue to reset to higher yields and funding costs stabilize or decline. Additionally, we expect to see stronger loan growth in fiscal 2025. We are focused on delivering strong returns to shareholders through capital growth, payment of dividends and supporting our stock price through stock repurchases, when economically appropriate,” stated Scott Cattanach, President and CEO.

    December 31, 2024, Highlights:

    • Net interest income increased to $10.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, from $9.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. Asset and loan yields increased while funding costs declined slightly.
    • Noninterest income decreased $566,000 to $1.3 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, compared to $1.8 million the prior quarter due primarily to a loss on the sale of securities.
    • Noninterest expenses decreased to $8.0 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2024 from $8.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, reflecting lower salary and benefit expenses.
    • Loans increased $20.2 million, or 2% in the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2024, to $1.08 billion largely due to new commercial real estate and construction and development loans. Allowance for credit losses was 1.13% of gross loans.
    • Non-performing assets remained unchanged at $10.4 million, or 0.71% of total assets at December 31, 2024 compared to the previous quarter.
    • Total deposits increased slightly to $1.15 billion at December 31, 2024 from $1.14 billion at September 30, 2024, with the increase largely consisting of interest-bearing demand and savings deposits.
    • Return on average tangible common equity was 11.07% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, compared to 10.96% the prior quarter and 9.64% in the year ago quarter.
    • Tangible book value per common share was up 9.0% over the past year to $25.98 at December 31, 2024, compared to $23.84 at December 31, 2023. Additionally, PSB paid dividends totaling $0.64 per share during 2024, up 6.7% over the prior year.
    • On January 21, 2025, the Bank acquired Larson Financial Group, LLC, a financial advisory company based in Wausau, WI.

    Balance Sheet and Asset Quality Review

    Total assets decreased $10.0 million during the fourth quarter to $1.47 billion at December 31, 2024, compared to September 30, 2024. Cash and cash equivalents decreased $46.6 million to $40.5 million at December 31, 2024 from $87.1 million at September 30, 2024 as funds were used to originate new loans and pay down FHLB advances. Cash and cash equivalents increased $12.7 million from one year earlier. Investment securities available for sale increased $14.2 million to $189.1 million at December 31, 2024, from $174.9 million one quarter earlier. Total collateralized liquidity available to meet cash demands was approximately $349 million at December 31, 2024, with an additional $354 million that could be raised in a short time frame from the brokered CDs market.

    Total loans receivable increased $20.2 million to $1.08 billion at December 31, 2024, compared to one quarter earlier, due primarily to increased commercial non-real estate, commercial real estate and construction lending. Commercial non-real estate loans increased $5.1 million to $144.2 million at December 31, 2024, from $139.0 million one quarter earlier. Commercial real estate loans increased $10.1 million to $551.6 million at December 31, 2024 and construction and development lending increased $18.4 million to $79.4 million at December 31, 2024, compared to one quarter earlier. Offsetting gross loan growth, loans in process of disbursement increased $10.0 million to $27.8 million as new construction and development loans have not been fully funded. Residential real estate loans decreased $3.9 million from the prior quarter to $337.5 million. The loan portfolio remains well diversified with commercial real estate and construction loans totaling 56.5% of gross loans, followed by residential real estate loans at 30.2% of gross loans, commercial non-real estate loans at 12.9% and consumer loans at 0.4%.

    The allowance for credit losses decreased slightly to 1.13% of gross loans at December 31, 2024, from 1.18% the prior quarter. Annualized net charge-offs to average loans were 0.02% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024. Non-performing assets remained at 0.71% of total assets at December 31, 2024 and totaled $10.4 million. Approximately 71% of the non-performing assets consisted of three loan relationships. For the eighth consecutive quarter, the Bank did not own any foreclosed real estate.

    Total deposits increased $8.2 million to $1.15 billion at December 31, 2024, from $1.14 billion at September 30, 2024. The increase in deposits reflects a $12.9 million increase in interest-bearing demand and savings deposits and a $3.3 million increase in retail and local time deposits greater than $250,000, offset by a $1.5 million decrease in money market deposits, a $5.6 million decrease in non-interest bearing deposits and a $0.9 million decrease in retail and local time deposits less than $250,000.

    At December 31, 2024, non-interest bearing demand deposits decreased to 22.6% of total deposits from 23.3% the prior quarter, while interest-bearing demand and savings deposits increased to 29.4% of deposits, compared to 28.4% at September 30, 2024. Uninsured and uncollateralized deposits decreased to 21.6% of total deposits at December 31, 2024, from 21.7% of total deposits at September 30, 2024.

    FHLB advances decreased $19.0 million to $162.3 million at December 31, 2024, compared to $181.3 million at September 30, 2024.

    Tangible stockholder equity as a percent of total tangible assets was 7.76% at December 31, 2024, compared to 7.85% at September 30, 2024, and 7.49% at December 31, 2023.

    Tangible net book value per common share increased $2.14 to $25.98, at December 31, 2024, compared to $23.84 one year earlier, an increase of 9.0% after dividends of $0.64 were paid to shareholders. Relative to the prior quarter’s tangible book value per common share of $26.41, tangible net book value per common share decreased primarily due to a fair market value decrease in the investment portfolios and payment of dividends. The accumulated other comprehensive loss on the investment portfolio was $19.3 million at December 31, 2024, compared to $15.8 million one quarter earlier.

    Operations Review

    Net interest income increased to $10.4 million (on a net margin of 2.96%) for the fourth quarter of 2024, from $9.9 million (on a net margin of 2.90%) for the third quarter of 2024, and $9.6 million (on a net margin of 2.88%) for the fourth quarter of 2023. Earning asset yields remained flat at 5.29% during the fourth quarter of 2024, while interest bearing deposit and borrowing costs decreased seven basis points to 3.06% compared to 3.13% during the third quarter of 2024. Relative to one year earlier, earning asset yields were up 30 basis points while interest bearing deposit and borrowing costs increased 27 basis points.

    The increase in earning asset yields was primarily due to higher yields on loan originations and renewals. Loan yields increased during the fourth quarter of 2024 to 5.80% from 5.78% for the third quarter of 2024. Taxable security yields were 3.16% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, compared to 3.01% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, while tax-exempt security yields were flat at 3.31% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024. The increase in taxable security yields reflect the rise in interest rates and security restructuring activity from security sales.

    The cost of all deposits declined to 2.08% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, compared to 2.11% the prior quarter, while the overall cost of funds decreased seven basis points to 3.06% from 3.13% during the same time period. Deposit costs for all deposit categories decreased during the fourth quarter with time deposits decreasing two basis points to 4.02%, money market deposits decreasing 13 basis points to 2.56% and savings and demand deposits decreasing two basis points to 2.56%. FHLB advances also declined four basis points to 4.40% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024.

    Total noninterest income decreased during the fourth quarter of 2024 to $1.28 million, from $1.84 million for the third quarter of 2024 due primarily to a net loss on sale of securities. Mortgage banking income decreased slightly to $414,000 in the fourth quarter from $433,000 the prior quarter while various decreases in nominal revenue sources accounted for the remaining decline in noninterest income. At December 31, 2024, the Bank serviced $373.5 million in secondary market residential mortgage loans for others which provide fee income.

    Noninterest expenses decreased $149,000 to $8.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $8.2 million for the third quarter of 2024 and increased $644,000 from $7.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. Relative to one year earlier, salary and benefit cost increased $447,000, or 10.5% to $4.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, compared to $4.2 million for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2023.

    Taxes decreased $69,000 during the fourth quarter to $524,000, from $593,000 one quarter earlier. The effective tax rate for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, was 14.4% compared to 16.6% for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024, and 26.7% for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2023.

    About PSB Holdings, Inc.

    PSB Holdings, Inc. is the parent company of Peoples State Bank. Peoples is a community bank headquartered in Wausau, Wisconsin, serving northcentral and southeastern Wisconsin from twelve full-service banking locations in Marathon, Oneida, Vilas, Portage, Milwaukee and Waukesha counties and a loan production office in Dane County. Peoples also provides investment and insurance products, along with retirement planning services, through Peoples Wealth Management, a division of Peoples. PSB Holdings, Inc. is traded under the stock symbol PSBQ on the OTCQX Market. More information about PSB, its management, and its financial performance may be found at www.psbholdingsinc.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about PSB’s business based, in part, on assumptions made by management and include, without limitation, statements with respect to the potential growth of PSB, its future profits, expected stock repurchase levels, future dividend rates, future interest rates, and the adequacy of its capital position. Forward-looking statements can be affected by known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including, but not limited to, strength of the economy, the effects of government policies, including interest rate policies, risks associated with the execution of PSB’s vision and growth strategy, including with respect to current and future M&A activity, and risks associated with global economic instability. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date on which they are made and PSB does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.

               
               
    PSB Holdings, Inc.     
    Consolidated Balance Sheets     
    December 31, September 30, June 30, and March 31, 2024, unaudited, December 31, 2023 derived from audited financial statements 
               
      Dec. 31, Sep. 30, Jun. 30, Mar. 31, Dec. 31,
    (dollars in thousands, except per share data)   2024     2024     2024     2024     2023  
               
    Assets          
               
    Cash and due from banks $ 21,414   $ 23,554   $ 16,475   $ 13,340   $ 20,887  
    Interest-bearing deposits   3,724     5,126     251     105     1,431  
    Federal funds sold   15,360     58,434     69,249     2,439     5,462  
               
    Cash and cash equivalents   40,498     87,114     85,975     15,884     27,780  
    Securities available for sale (at fair value)   189,086     174,911     165,177     165,566     164,024  
    Securities held to maturity (fair values of $79,654, $82,389, $79,993, $81,234 and        
      $82,514 respectively)   86,748     86,847     86,825     87,104     87,081  
    Equity securities   2,782     1,752     1,661     1,474     1,474  
    Loans held for sale   217     –     2,268     865     230  
    Loans receivable, net (allowance for credit losses of $12,342, $12,598, $12,597,        
     $12,494 and $12,302 respectively)   1,078,204     1,057,974     1,074,844     1,081,394     1,078,475  
    Accrued interest receivable   5,042     4,837     5,046     5,467     5,136  
    Foreclosed assets   –     –     –     –     –  
    Premises and equipment, net   13,805     14,065     14,048     13,427     13,098  
    Mortgage servicing rights, net   1,742     1,727     1,688     1,657     1,664  
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock (at cost)   8,825     8,825     8,825     7,006     6,373  
    Cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance   24,732     24,565     24,401     24,242     24,085  
    Core deposit intangible   195     212     229     249     273  
    Goodwill   2,541     2,541     2,541     2,541     2,541  
    Other assets   11,539     10,598     12,111     11,682     11,866  
               
    TOTAL ASSETS $ 1,465,956   $ 1,475,968   $ 1,485,639   $ 1,418,558   $ 1,424,100  
               
    Liabilities          
               
    Non-interest-bearing deposits $ 259,515   $ 265,078   $ 250,435   $ 247,608   $ 266,829  
    Interest-bearing deposits   887,834     874,035     901,886     865,744     874,973  
               
       Total deposits   1,147,349     1,139,113     1,152,321     1,113,352     1,141,802  
               
    Federal Home Loan Bank advances   162,250     181,250     184,900     158,250     134,000  
    Other borrowings   6,872     6,128     5,775     8,096     8,058  
    Senior subordinated notes   4,781     4,779     4,778     4,776     4,774  
    Junior subordinated debentures   13,023     12,998     12,972     12,947     12,921  
    Allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments   672     477     477     477     577  
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities   14,723     12,850     13,069     10,247     12,681  
               
       Total liabilities   1,349,670     1,357,595     1,374,292     1,308,145     1,314,813  
               
    Stockholders’ equity          
               
    Preferred stock – no par value:          
       Authorized – 30,000 shares; no shares issued or outstanding          
       Outstanding – 7,200 shares, respectively   7,200     7,200     7,200     7,200     7,200  
    Common stock – no par value with a stated value of $1.00 per share:          
       Authorized – 18,000,000 shares; Issued – 5,490,798 shares          
       Outstanding – 4,092,977, 4,105,594, 4,128,382, 4,147,649 and          
         4,164,735 shares, respectively   1,830     1,830     1,830     1,830     1,830  
    Additional paid-in capital   8,610     8,567     8,527     8,466     8,460  
    Retained earnings   139,838     138,142     135,276     134,271     132,666  
    Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax   (19,314 )   (15,814 )   (20,503 )   (20,775 )   (20,689 )
    Treasury stock, at cost – 1,397,821, 1,385,204, 1,362,416, 1,343,149 and          
      1,326,063 shares, respectively   (21,878 )   (21,552 )   (20,983 )   (20,579 )   (20,180 )
               
       Total stockholders’ equity   116,286     118,373     111,347     110,413     109,287  
               
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $ 1,465,956   $ 1,475,968   $ 1,485,639   $ 1,418,558   $ 1,424,100  
               
    PSB Holdings, Inc.        
    Consolidated Statements of Income            
                            Quarter Ended     Years Ended
    (dollars in thousands, Dec. 31, Sep. 30, Jun. 30, Mar. 31, Dec. 31,   December
    except per share data – unaudited)   2024     2024   2024   2024     2023       2024     2023  
                       
    Interest and dividend income:                
       Loans, including fees $ 15,646   $ 15,634 $ 15,433 $ 15,109   $ 14,888     $ 61,822   $ 53,633  
       Securities:                
          Taxable   1,545     1,345   1,295   1,197     1,147       5,382     4,919  
          Tax-exempt   522     522   521   526     532       2,091     2,137  
       Other interest and dividends   948     699   265   343     320       2,255     851  
                       
             Total interest and dividend income   18,661     18,200   17,514   17,175     16,887       71,550     61,540  
                       
    Interest expense:                
       Deposits   6,027     5,905   5,838   6,082     5,526       23,852     16,993  
       FHLB advances   1,890     2,038   1,860   1,450     1,349       7,238     4,417  
       Other borrowings   57     57   58   60     54       232     215  
       Senior subordinated notes   59     59   58   59     59       235     238  
       Junior subordinated debentures   252     252   255   251     254       1,010     985  
                       
             Total interest expense   8,285     8,311   8,069   7,902     7,242       32,567     22,848  
                       
    Net interest income   10,376     9,889   9,445   9,273     9,645       38,983     38,692  
    Provision for credit losses   –     –   100   95     100       195     450  
                       
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses     10,376     9,889   9,345   9,178     9,545       38,788     38,242  
                       
    Noninterest income:                
       Service fees   362     367   350   336     360       1,415     1,448  
       Mortgage banking income   414     433   433   308     247       1,588     1,228  
       Investment and insurance sales commissions   226     230   222   121     100       799     910  
       Net loss on sale of securities   (511 )   –   –   (495 )   (297 )     (1,006 )   (576 )
       Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance     166     165   159   157     154       647     615  
       Life insurance death benefit   –     –   –   –     –       –     533  
       Other noninterest income   620     648   742   617     540       2,627     2,562  
                       
             Total noninterest income   1,277     1,843   1,906   1,044     1,104       6,070     6,720  
                       
    Noninterest expense:                
       Salaries and employee benefits   4,691     4,771   5,167   5,123     4,244       19,752     18,648  
       Occupancy and facilities   691     757   733   721     675       2,902     2,761  
       Loss (gain) on foreclosed assets   –     1   –   –     1       1     (45 )
       Data processing and other office operations   1,111     1,104   1,047   1,022     1,001       4,284     3,785  
       Advertising and promotion   141     164   171   129     244       605     733  
       Core deposit intangible amortization   17     17   20   24     24       78     109  
       Other noninterest expenses   1,351     1,337   1,257   1,306     1,169       5,251     4,557  
                       
            Total noninterest expense   8,002     8,151   8,395   8,325     7,358       32,873     30,548  
                       
    Income before provision for income taxes   3,651     3,581   2,856   1,897     3,291       11,985     14,414  
    Provision for income taxes   524     593   410   169     878       1,696     4,845  
                       
    Net income $ 3,127   $ 2,988 $ 2,446 $ 1,728   $ 2,413     $ 10,289   $ 9,569  
    Preferred stock dividends declared $ 122   $ 122 $ 122 $ 122   $ 122     $ 486   $ 486  
                       
    Net income available to common shareholders $ 3,005   $ 2,866 $ 2,324 $ 1,606   $ 2,291     $ 9,803   $ 9,083  
    Basic earnings per common share $ 0.73   $ 0.69 $ 0.56 $ 0.39   $ 0.55     $ 2.37   $ 2.16  
    Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.73   $ 0.69 $ 0.56 $ 0.39   $ 0.55     $ 2.37   $ 2.16  
                       
    PSB Holdings, Inc.
    Quarterly Financial Summary
    (dollars in thousands, except per share data) Quarter ended
          Dec. 31, Sep. 30, Jun. 30, Mar. 31, Dec. 31,
    Earnings and dividends:     2024     2024     2024     2024     2023  
                   
      Interest income   $ 18,661   $ 18,200   $ 17,514   $ 17,175   $ 16,887  
      Interest expense   $ 8,285   $ 8,311   $ 8,069   $ 7,902   $ 7,242  
      Net interest income   $ 10,376   $ 9,889   $ 9,445   $ 9,273   $ 9,645  
      Provision for credit losses   $ –   $ –   $ 100   $ 95   $ 100  
      Other noninterest income   $ 1,277   $ 1,843   $ 1,906   $ 1,044   $ 1,104  
      Other noninterest expense   $ 8,002   $ 8,151   $ 8,395   $ 8,325   $ 7,358  
      Net income available to common shareholders $ 3,005   $ 2,866   $ 2,324   $ 1,606   $ 2,291  
                   
      Basic earnings per common share (3) $ 0.73   $ 0.69   $ 0.56   $ 0.39   $ 0.55  
      Diluted earnings per common share (3) $ 0.73   $ 0.69   $ 0.56   $ 0.39   $ 0.55  
      Dividends declared per common share (3) $ 0.32   $ –   $ 0.32   $ –   $ 0.30  
      Tangible net book value per common share (4) $ 25.98   $ 26.41   $ 24.55   $ 24.21   $ 23.84  
                   
      Semi-annual dividend payout ratio     23.27 %   n/a     33.61 %   n/a     38.14 %
      Average common shares outstanding   4,094,360     4,132,218     4,139,456     4,154,702     4,168,924  
                   
                   
    Balance sheet – average balances:            
      Loans receivable, net of allowances for credit loss   $ 1,064,619   $ 1,066,795   $ 1,088,013   $ 1,081,936   $ 1,081,851  
      Assets   $ 1,479,812   $ 1,445,613   $ 1,433,749   $ 1,429,437   $ 1,424,240  
      Deposits   $ 1,151,450   $ 1,110,854   $ 1,111,240   $ 1,138,010   $ 1,148,399  
      Stockholders’ equity   $ 118,396   $ 114,458   $ 110,726   $ 109,473   $ 105,060  
                   
                   
    Performance ratios:            
      Return on average assets (1)     0.84 %   0.82 %   0.69 %   0.49 %   0.67 %
      Return on average common stockholders’ equity (1)     10.75 %   10.63 %   9.03 %   6.32 %   9.29 %
      Return on average tangible common          
        stockholders’ equity (1)(4)     11.07 %   10.96 %   9.34 %   6.57 %   9.64 %
      Net loan charge-offs to average loans (1)   0.02 %   0.00 %   0.00 %   0.00 %   0.00 %
      Nonperforming loans to gross loans     0.95 %   0.97 %   1.15 %   1.08 %   0.54 %
      Nonperforming assets to total assets     0.71 %   0.71 %   0.84 %   0.83 %   0.42 %
      Allowance for credit losses to gross loans   1.13 %   1.18 %   1.16 %   1.14 %   1.13 %
      Nonperforming assets to tangible equity          
        plus the allowance for credit losses (4)   8.85 %   8.71 %   11.09 %   10.59 %   5.38 %
      Net interest rate margin (1)(2)     2.96 %   2.90 %   2.84 %   2.80 %   2.88 %
      Net interest rate spread (1)(2)     2.23 %   2.16 %   2.15 %   2.12 %   2.20 %
      Service fee revenue as a percent of            
        average demand deposits (1)     0.53 %   0.56 %   0.56 %   0.54 %   0.52 %
      Noninterest income as a percent            
        of gross revenue     6.40 %   9.20 %   9.81 %   5.73 %   6.14 %
      Efficiency ratio (2)     67.59 %   68.43 %   72.52 %   78.93 %   67.04 %
      Noninterest expenses to average assets (1)   2.15 %   2.24 %   2.35 %   2.34 %   2.05 %
      Average stockholders’ equity less accumulated          
        other comprehensive income (loss) to          
        average assets     9.08 %   9.06 %   9.03 %   8.98 %   8.88 %
      Tangible equity to tangible assets (4)   7.76 %   7.85 %   7.32 %   7.60 %   7.49 %
                   
    Stock price information:            
                   
      High   $ 27.90   $ 25.00   $ 21.40   $ 22.50   $ 22.30  
      Low   $ 25.00   $ 20.30   $ 19.75   $ 20.05   $ 20.10  
      Last trade value at quarter-end   $ 26.50   $ 25.00   $ 20.40   $ 21.25   $ 22.11  
                   
    (1) Annualized            
    (2) The yield on federally tax-exempt loans and securities is computed on a tax-equivalent basis using a federal tax rate of 21%.
    (3) Due to rounding, cumulative quarterly per share performance may not equal annual per share totals.  
    (4) Tangible stockholders’ equity excludes goodwill and core deposit intangibles.      
               
    PSB Holdings, Inc.          
    Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income        
                   
          Quarter Ended
          Dec. 31, Sep. 30, Jun. 30, Mar. 31, Dec. 31,
    (dollars in thousands – unaudited)   2024     2024     2024     2024     2023  
                   
    Net income $ 3,127   $ 2,988   $ 2,446   $ 1,728   $ 2,413  
                   
    Other comprehensive income:          
                   
      Unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale, net of tax      (3,955 )   4,738     184     (615 )   5,278  
                 
      Reclassification adjustment for security  loss included in net income, net of tax     404     –     –     391     280  
                   
      Accretion of unrealized loss included in net  income on securities available for sale deferred tax adjustment for Wisconsin Act 19     (76 )   –     –     (35 )   –  
                   
      Amortization of unrealized loss included in net  income on securities available for sale transferred to securities held to maturity, net of tax     90     90     89     91     91  
                   
      Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swap, net of tax     65     (101 )   39     122     (109 )
                   
      Reclassification adjustment of interest rate swap settlements included in earnings, net of tax     (27 )   (38 )   (40 )   (41 )   (39 )
                   
                   
    Other comprehensive income (loss)   (3,499 )   4,689     272     (87 )   5,501  
                   
    Comprehensive income (loss) $ (372 ) $ 7,677   $ 2,718   $ 1,641   $ 7,914  
                   
    PSB Holdings, Inc.        
    Nonperforming Assets as of:        
      Dec 31, Sep 30, Jun 30, Mar 31, Dec 31,
    (dollars in thousands)   2024     2024     2024     2024     2023  
               
    Nonaccrual loans (excluding restructured loans) $ 10,109   $ 10,116   $ 12,184   $ 11,498   $ 5,596  
    Nonaccrual restructured loans   18     25     28     30     34  
    Restructured loans not on nonaccrual   286     292     299     304     310  
    Accruing loans past due 90 days or more   –     –     –     –     –  
               
    Total nonperforming loans   10,413     10,433     12,511     11,832     5,940  
    Other real estate owned   –     –     –     –     –  
               
    Total nonperforming assets $ 10,413   $ 10,433   $ 12,511   $ 11,832   $ 5,940  
               
    Nonperforming loans as a % of gross loans receivable   0.95 %   0.97 %   1.15 %   1.08 %   0.54 %
    Total nonperforming assets as a % of total assets   0.71 %   0.71 %   0.84 %   0.83 %   0.42 %
    Allowance for credit losses as a % of nonperforming loans   118.52 %   120.75 %   100.69 %   105.59 %   207.10 %
               
    PSB Holdings, Inc.     
    Nonperforming Assets >= $500,000 net book value before specific reserves    
    At December 31, 2024     
    (dollars in thousands)     
        Gross Specific
    Collateral Description Asset Type Principal Reserves
           
    Real estate – Recreational Facility Nonaccrual $ 4,126   $ 151  
    Real estate – Independent Auto Repair Nonaccrual   538     –  
    Real estate – Dealership Nonaccrual   2,708     560  
           
           
    Total listed nonperforming assets   $ 7,372   $ 711  
    Total bank wide nonperforming assets   $ 10,413   $ 1,043  
    Listed assets as a % of total nonperforming assets     71 %   68 %
           
    PSB Holding, Inc.          
    Loan Composition by Collateral Type          
    Quarter-ended (dollars in thousands) Dec 31,
    2024    		 Sep 30,
    2024    		 Jun 30,
    2024    		 Mar 31,
    2024    		 Dec 31,
    2023
               
    Commercial:          
    Commercial and industrial $ 116,864   $ 115,234   $ 125,508   $ 118,821   $ 117,207  
    Agriculture   11,568     11,203     11,480     12,081     12,304  
    Municipal   15,733     12,596     11,190     28,842     31,530  
               
    Total Commercial   144,165     139,033     148,178     159,744     161,041  
               
    Commercial Real Estate:          
    Commercial real estate   551,641     541,577     544,171     546,257     536,209  
    Construction and development   79,377     60,952     70,540     63,375     81,701  
               
    Total Commercial Real Estate   631,018     602,529     614,711     609,632     617,910  
               
    Residential real estate:          
    Residential   271,643     269,954     270,944     274,300     274,453  
    Construction and development   28,959     34,655     36,129     34,158     33,960  
    HELOC   36,887     36,734     33,838     31,357     29,766  
               
    Total Residential Real Estate   337,489     341,343     340,911     339,815     338,179  
               
    Consumer installment   5,060     4,770     4,423     4,867     4,357  
               
    Subtotals – Gross loans   1,117,732     1,087,675     1,108,223     1,114,058     1,121,487  
    Loans in process of disbursement   (27,791 )   (17,836 )   (21,484 )   (20,839 )   (31,359 )
               
    Subtotals – Disbursed loans   1,089,941     1,069,839     1,086,739     1,093,219     1,090,128  
    Net deferred loan costs   605     733     702     669     649  
    Allowance for credit losses   (12,342 )   (12,598 )   (12,597 )   (12,494 )   (12,302 )
               
    Total loans receivable $ 1,078,204   $ 1,057,974   $ 1,074,844   $ 1,081,394   $ 1,078,475  
               
    PSB Holding, Inc.                       
    Selected Commercial Real Estate Loans by Purpose                  
      Dec 31,   Sept 30,   June 30,   Mar 31,   Dec 31,
     (dollars in thousands)  2024     2024     2024     2024     2023 
                                 
      Total
    Exposure    		 % of
    Portfolio (1)    		   Total
    Exposure    		 % of
    Portfolio (1)    		   Total
    Exposure    		 % of
    Portfolio (1)    		   Total
    Exposure    		 % of
    Portfolio (1)    		   Total
    Exposure    		 % of
    Portfolio (1)
    Multi Family $ 140,087 14.0 %   $ 140,307 14.7 %   $ 146,873 15.2 %   $ 142,001 14.4 %   $ 132,386 13.2 %
    Industrial and Warehousing   88,297 8.8       86,818 9.1       86,025 8.9       85,409 8.6       83,817 8.3  
    Retail   33,991 3.4       33,020 3.5       34,846 3.6       33,177 3.4       35,419 3.5  
    Hotels   31,101 3.1       31,611 3.3       34,613 3.6       35,105 3.6       36,100 3.6  
    Office   6,234 0.6       6,378 0.7       6,518 0.7       6,655 0.7       6,701 0.7  
                                 
    (1) Percentage of commercial and commercial real estate portfolio and commitments.              
                   
    PSB Holdings, Inc.                    
    Deposit Composition                    
                         
    Insured and Collateralized Deposits December 31, September 30, June 30, March 31, December 31,
    (dollars in thousands)   2024     2024     2024     2024     2023  
      $ % $ % $ % $ % $ %
                         
    Non-interest bearing demand $ 204,167 17.8 % $ 210,534 18.5 % $ 202,343 17.5 % $ 199,076 17.8 % $ 197,571 17.3 %
    Interest-bearing demand and savings   315,900 27.6 %   305,631 26.8 %   304,392 26.5 %   318,673 28.7 %   317,984 27.8 %
    Money market deposits   141,024 12.3 %   138,376 12.2 %   137,637 12.0 %   143,167 12.9 %   142,887 12.5 %
    Retail and local time deposits <= $250   155,099 13.5 %   155,988 13.7 %   149,298 13.0 %   148,404 13.3 %   149,145 13.1 %
                         
    Total core deposits   816,190 71.2 %   810,529 71.2 %   793,670 69.0 %   809,320 72.7 %   807,587 70.7 %
    Retail and local time deposits > $250   25,500 2.2 %   23,500 2.1 %   22,500 2.0 %   24,508 2.3 %   23,000 2.0 %
    Broker & national time deposits <= $250   1,241 0.1 %   1,241 0.1 %   1,490 0.1 %   2,229 0.2 %   3,470 0.3 %
    Broker & national time deposits > $250   56,164 4.9 %   56,164 4.9 %   56,328 4.9 %   61,752 5.5 %   70,020 6.1 %
                         
    Totals $ 899,095 78.4 % $ 891,434 78.3 % $ 873,988 76.0 % $ 897,809 80.7 % $ 904,077 79.1 %
                         
    PSB Holdings, Inc.                    
    Deposit Composition                    
                         
    Uninsured Deposits December 31, September 30, June 30, March 31, December 31,
    (dollars in thousands)   2024     2024     2024     2024     2023  
      $ % $ % $ % $ % $ %
                         
    Non-interest bearing demand $ 55,348 4.8 % $ 54,544 4.8 % $ 48,092 4.1 % $ 48,532 4.4 % $ 69,258 6.1 %
    Interest-bearing demand and savings   20,934 1.8 %   18,317 1.6 %   32,674 2.8 %   20,535 1.8 %   20,316 1.8 %
    Money market deposits   153,334 13.4 %   157,489 13.8 %   177,954 15.4 %   124,766 11.2 %   124,518 10.9 %
    Retail and local time deposits <= $250   – 0.0 %   – 0.0 %   – 0.0 %   – 0.0 %   – 0.0 %
                         
    Total core deposits   229,616 20.0 %   230,350 20.2 %   258,720 22.3 %   193,833 17.4 %   214,092 18.8 %
    Retail and local time deposits > $250   18,638 1.6 %   17,329 1.5 %   19,613 1.7 %   21,710 1.9 %   23,633 2.1 %
    Broker & national time deposits <= $250   – 0.0 %   – 0.0 %   – 0.0 %   – 0.0 %   – 0.0 %
    Broker & national time deposits > $250   – 0.0 %   – 0.0 %   – 0.0 %   – 0.0 %   – 0.0 %
                         
    Totals $ 248,254 21.6 % $ 247,679 21.7 % $ 278,333 24.0 % $ 215,543 19.3 % $ 237,725 20.9 %
                         
                         
    PSB Holdings, Inc.                    
    Deposit Composition                    
                         
    Total Deposits December 31, September 30, June 30, March 31, December 31,
    (dollars in thousands)   2024     2024     2024     2024     2023  
      $ % $ % $ % $ % $ %
                         
    Non-interest bearing demand $ 259,515 22.6 % $ 265,078 23.3 % $ 250,435 21.6 % $ 247,608 22.2 % $ 266,829 23.4 %
    Interest-bearing demand and savings   336,834 29.4 %   323,948 28.4 %   337,066 29.3 %   339,208 30.5 %   338,300 29.6 %
    Money market deposits   294,358 25.7 %   295,865 26.0 %   315,591 27.4 %   267,933 24.1 %   267,405 23.4 %
    Retail and local time deposits <= $250   155,099 13.5 %   155,988 13.7 %   149,298 13.0 %   148,404 13.3 %   149,145 13.1 %
                         
    Total core deposits   1,045,806 91.2 %   1,040,879 91.4 %   1,052,390 91.3 %   1,003,153 90.1 %   1,021,679 89.5 %
    Retail and local time deposits > $250   44,138 3.8 %   40,829 3.6 %   42,113 3.7 %   46,218 4.2 %   46,633 4.1 %
    Broker & national time deposits <= $250   1,241 0.1 %   1,241 0.1 %   1,490 0.1 %   2,229 0.2 %   3,470 0.3 %
    Broker & national time deposits > $250   56,164 4.9 %   56,164 4.9 %   56,328 4.9 %   61,752 5.5 %   70,020 6.1 %
                         
    Totals $ 1,147,349 100.0 % $ 1,139,113 100.0 % $ 1,152,321 100.0 % $ 1,113,352 100.0 % $ 1,141,802 100.0 %
                         
    PSB Holdings, Inc. 
    Average Balances ($000) and Interest Rates         
    (dollars in thousands)           
                           
                           
      Quarter ended December 31, 2024   Quarter ended September 30, 2024   Quarter ended December 31, 2023
      Average   Yield /   Average   Yield /   Average   Yield /
      Balance Interest Rate   Balance Interest Rate   Balance Interest Rate
    Assets                      
    Interest-earning assets:                      
       Loans (1)(2) $ 1,077,242   $ 15,693 5.80 %   $ 1,079,393   $ 15,674 5.78 %   $ 1,094,152   $ 14,974 5.43 %
       Taxable securities   194,272     1,545 3.16 %     177,520     1,345 3.01 %     167,366     1,147 2.72 %
       Tax-exempt securities (2)   79,475     661 3.31 %     79,472     661 3.31 %     80,922     673 3.30 %
       FHLB stock   8,825     227 10.23 %     8,825     176 7.93 %     6,373     158 9.84 %
       Other   58,405     721 4.91 %     36,680     523 5.67 %     11,846     162 5.43 %
                           
       Total (2)   1,418,219     18,847 5.29 %     1,381,890     18,379 5.29 %     1,360,659     17,114 4.99 %
                           
    Non-interest-earning assets:                    
       Cash and due from banks   15,500           17,162           16,243      
       Premises and equipment,                    
          net   14,001           14,216           13,243      
       Cash surrender value ins   24,625           24,458           23,990      
       Other assets   20,090           20,485           22,406      
       Allowance for credit                      
          losses   (12,623 )         (12,598 )         (12,301 )    
                           
       Total $ 1,479,812           $ 1,445,613           $ 1,424,240        
                           
    Liabilities & stockholders’ equity                    
    Interest-bearing liabilities:                    
       Savings and demand                      
          deposits $ 319,777   $ 1,479 1.84 %   $ 323,841   $ 1,515 1.86 %   $ 327,036   $ 1,296 1.57 %
       Money market deposits   304,897     1,961 2.56 %     277,884     1,876 2.69 %     272,087     1,820 2.65 %
       Time deposits   256,201     2,587 4.02 %     247,296     2,514 4.04 %     273,332     2,410 3.50 %
       FHLB borrowings   170,701     1,890 4.40 %     182,414     2,038 4.44 %     133,560     1,349 4.01 %
       Other borrowings   6,848     57 3.31 %     6,702     57 3.38 %     6,999     54 3.06 %
       Senior sub. notes    4,780     59 4.91 %     4,779     59 4.91 %     4,773     59 4.90 %
       Junior sub. debentures   13,011     252 7.71 %     12,985     252 7.72 %     12,909     254 7.81 %
                           
       Total   1,076,215     8,285 3.06 %     1,055,901     8,311 3.13 %     1,030,696     7,242 2.79 %
                           
    Non-interest-bearing liabilities:                    
       Demand deposits   270,575           261,833           275,944      
       Other liabilities   14,626           13,421           12,540      
       Stockholders’ equity   118,396           114,458           105,060      
                           
       Total $ 1,479,812           $ 1,445,613           $ 1,424,240        
                           
    Net interest income   $ 10,562       $ 10,068       $ 9,872  
    Rate spread     2.23 %       2.16 %       2.20 %
    Net yield on interest-earning assets   2.96 %       2.90 %       2.88 %
                           
    (1) Nonaccrual loans are included in the daily average loan balances outstanding.     
    (2) The yield on federally tax-exempt loans and securities is computed on a tax-equivalent basis using a federal tax rate of 21%. 
                           
    PSB Holdings, Inc.
    Average Balances ($000) and Interest Rates
    (dollars in thousands)       
          Year ended December 31, 2024   Year ended December 31, 2023
          Average   Yield/   Average   Yield/
          Balance Interest Rate   Balance Interest Rate
    Assets                
    Interest-earning assets:              
       Loans (1)(2) $ 1,087,816   $ 62,085 5.71 %   $ 1,043,144   $ 53,824 5.16 %
       Taxable securities   179,074     5,382 3.01 %     183,984     4,919 2.67 %
       Tax-exempt securities (2)   79,735     2,647 3.32 %     81,481     2,705 3.32 %
       FHLB stock   8,024     750 9.35 %     5,304     386 7.28 %
       Other     29,153     1,505 5.16 %     9,073     465 5.13 %
                       
       Total (2)     1,383,802     72,369 5.23 %     1,322,986     62,299 4.71 %
                       
    Non-interest-earning assets:              
       Cash and due from banks   16,841           17,110      
       Premises and equipment, net     13,834           13,294      
       Cash surrender value ins   24,382           24,331      
       Other assets   20,911           23,136      
                     
       Allowance for credit losses     (12,528 )         (12,079 )    
                       
       Total   $ 1,447,242           $ 1,388,778        
                       
    Liabilities & stockholders’ equity            
    Interest-bearing liabilities:              
       Savings and demand deposits   $ 331,411   $ 6,133 1.85 %   $ 344,906   $ 4,582 1.33 %
       Money market deposits   281,828     7,569 2.69 %     249,079     5,328 2.14 %
       Time deposits   256,265     10,150 3.96 %     261,595     7,083 2.71 %
       FHLB borrowings   167,708     7,238 4.32 %     116,282     4,417 3.80 %
       Other borrowings   7,241     232 3.20 %     7,061     215 3.04 %
       Senior sub. notes      4,778     235 4.92 %     4,927     238 4.83 %
       Junior sub. debentures   12,972     1,010 7.79 %     12,870     985 7.65 %
                       
       Total     1,062,203     32,567 3.07 %     996,720     22,848 2.29 %
                       
    Non-interest-bearing liabilities:            
       Demand deposits   258,173           274,273      
       Other liabilities   13,475           12,397      
       Stockholders’ equity   113,391           105,388      
                       
       Total   $ 1,447,242           $ 1,388,778        
                       
    Net interest income   $ 39,802       $ 39,451  
    Rate spread       2.16 %       2.42 %
    Net yield on interest-earning assets   2.88 %       2.98 %
                       
    (1) Nonaccrual loans are included in the daily average loan balances outstanding.  
    (2) The yield on federally tax-exempt loans and securities is computed on a tax-equivalent basis using a federal tax rate of 21%.
                       

    Investor Relations Contact
    PSB Holdings, Inc.
    1905 Stewart Avenue
    Wausau, WI 54401
    888.929.9902
    InvestorRelations@bankpeoples.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Citizens Community Bancorp, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter 2024 Earnings of $0.27 Per Share and Twelve Month 2024 Earnings of $1.34 Per Share; Board of Directors Increases Annual Dividend by 12.5% to $0.36 Per Share

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    EAU CLAIRE, Wis., Jan. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Citizens Community Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: CZWI), the parent company of Citizens Community Federal N.A. (the “Bank” or “CCFBank”), today reported earnings of $2.7 million and earnings per diluted share of $0.27 for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2024, compared to $3.3 million and earnings per diluted share of $0.32 for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, and $3.7 million and $0.35 earnings per diluted share for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, respectively.

    The Company’s fourth quarter 2024 operating results reflected the following changes from the third quarter of 2024: (1) increase in net interest income of $0.4 million with net interest margin increased by 16 basis points; (2) a $0.05 million increase in negative provision for credit losses to $0.45 million in the fourth quarter; (3) lower non-interest income of $0.9 million primarily due to $0.5 million lower gain on sale of loans and $0.2 million higher net losses on sale of equity securities in the fourth quarter of 2024; and (4) higher non-interest expense primarily due to higher REO expenses of $0.2 million and higher professional fees of $0.2 million.

    Book value per share improved to $17.94 at December 31, 2024, compared to $17.88 at September 30, 2024, and $16.60 at December 31, 2023. Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP)1 was $14.69 at December 31, 2024, compared to $14.64 at September 30, 2024, and a 9.5% increase from $13.42 at December 31, 2023. For the fourth quarter of 2024, tangible book value was positively influenced by net income and intangible amortization which was mostly offset by the impact of higher long-term interest rates which increased the net unrealized loss on the available for sale securities portfolio. Stockholders’ equity as a percentage of total assets was 10.24% at December 31, 2024, compared to 10.01% at September 30, 2024. Tangible common equity (“TCE”) as a percent of tangible assets (non-GAAP)1 increased to 8.54% at December 31, 2024, compared to 8.35% at September 30, 2024, largely due to the impact of asset shrinkage.

    “As we closed 2024, I am pleased with the execution on our strategic objectives, continuing to strengthen franchise value. The quarter reflected our balance sheet optimization efforts, which increased the net interest margin 6%, and increased the tangible common equity ratio for the continued repurchase of shares at prices that were accretive to earnings per share and tangible book value. The TCE ratio increased to 8.54%, from 8.35% in the prior quarter which provides flexibility to grow the loan portfolio and potentially repurchase shares in 2025. Deposits, net of the decrease in wholesale deposits, increased $27 million. Loans decreased $56 million during the quarter, primarily in non-strategic relationships, but we forecast modest loan growth of one to three percent in 2025. Credit metrics improved and we continue to maintain a healthy reserve for credit losses to total loans at 1.50%,” stated Stephen Bianchi, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer.

    December 31, 2024, Highlights:

    • Quarterly earnings were $2.7 million, or $0.27 per diluted share for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, a decrease compared to earnings of $3.3 million, or $0.32 per diluted share for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, and $3.7 million, or $0.35 per diluted share for the quarter ended December 31, 2023.
    • Net interest income increased $0.4 million to $11.7 million for the current quarter ended December 31, 2024, from $11.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, and flat with $11.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023. The increase in net interest income from the third quarter of 2024 was primarily due to an increase in net interest margin of 16 basis points.
    • The net interest margin increased to 2.79%, primarily due to lower deposit costs, for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, compared to 2.63% for the previous quarter, and 2.69% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023. The net interest margin increase in the fourth quarter of 2024, was also favorably impacted by accelerated deferred fee accretion on loan payoffs of 3 basis points.
    • Negative provision for credit losses of $0.45 million, $0.40 million, and $0.65 million were recorded during the quarters ended December 31, 2024, September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, respectively. The fourth quarter’s negative provision was due to decreases in on-balance sheet allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) of $0.324 million and a $0.126 million decrease in off-balance sheet ACL due to a reduction in unfunded loan commitments.
    • Non-interest income decreased $0.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, due to $0.5 million in lower gain on sale of loans, $0.2 million of higher net losses on equity securities and lower loan servicing income and service charges on deposit accounts. Non-interest income decreased by $0.5 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, due to higher net losses on equity securities.
    • Non-interest expense increased $0.4 million to $10.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 from $10.4 million for the previous quarter and increased $0.6 million from $10.2 million in the fourth quarter one year earlier. The $0.4 million increase in non-interest expense from the third quarter was largely due to $0.2 million increase in professional fees and $0.2 million in losses on repossessed assets. The $0.6 million increase from the fourth quarter of 2023 was due to: (1) a $0.7 million increase in compensation expenses, due to higher incentive compensation and annual merit increases; (2) an increase of $0.2 million on losses on repossessed assets; and (3) higher data processing of $0.2 million, partially offset by lower other expenses of $0.5 million primarily due to 2023 branch closure costs.
    • Loans receivable decreased $55.8 million during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2024, to $1.369 billion compared to the prior quarter end, due to pay offs of non-strategic relationships as part of the balance sheet optimization plan.
    • Total deposits decreased $32.5 million during the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to three months earlier, as wholesale deposits were reduced with brokered deposits decreasing $47.5 million to $19.1 million at December 31, 2024, compared to three months earlier.
    • Federal Home Loan Bank advances decreased $16.0 million to $5.0 million at December 31, 2024, from $21.0 million at September 30, 2024.
    • The effective tax rate was 19.5% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, compared to 21.5% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, and 20.9% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023.
    • Nonperforming assets decreased to $14.3 million at December 31, 2024, compared to $17.1 million at September 30, 2024. The decrease was largely due to a partial paydown on one agricultural real estate loan relationship in forestry services that was placed on nonaccrual status in the third quarter.
    • Net charge-offs remain minimal and were 0.009% of average loans during the fourth quarter and 0.007% over the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2024.
    • Common stock totaling 94 thousand shares were repurchased in the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2024, at an average price of $14.55 per share. For the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2024, approximately 476 thousand shares of common stock were repurchased at an average price of $12.76 per share.
    • In November 2024, the Company notified its customers that it would be closing the Faribault, Minnesota branch on February 3, 2025, with account balances transferred to the nearest branch which is 39 miles away. The branch closure costs recognized in the fourth quarter were minimal.
    • The efficiency ratio was 76% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, compared to 72% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024.
    • On January 23, 2025, the Board of Directors declared a $0.36 per share annual dividend, an increase of 12.5%, to shareholders of record as of February 7, 2025, and payable February 21, 2025.

    Balance Sheet and Asset Quality

    Total assets decreased by $50.6 million during the quarter to $1.749 billion at December 31, 2024.

    Securities available for sale (AFS”) decreased $6.6 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2024, to $142.8 million from $149.4 million at September 30, 2024. The decrease was due to higher pre-tax unrealized losses of $3.3 million and principal repayments of $3.3 million.

    Securities held to maturity (“HTM”) decreased $1.5 million to $85.5 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2024, from $87.0 million at September 30, 2024, due to principal repayments.

    The on-balance sheet liquidity ratio, which is defined as the fair market value of AFS and HTM securities that are not pledged and cash on deposit with other financial institutions, was 11.75% of total assets at December 31, 2024, compared to 11.46% at September 30, 2024. On-balance sheet liquidity collateralized new borrowing capacity and uncommitted federal funds borrowing availability was $725 million, or 273%, of uninsured and uncollateralized deposits at December 31, 2024, and $718 million, or 269%, at September 30, 2024.

    Continued balance sheet optimization resulted in loans decreasing by $55.8 million during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2024, to $1.372 billion, compared to September 30, 2024. A large level of non-strategic relationships were repaid during the quarter as well as a $4.9 million reduction in criticized loans.

    The office loan portfolio consisting of 71 loans totaled $28 million at December 31, 2024, and decreased $3 million from $31 million at September 30, 2024. Criticized loans in the office loan portfolio for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, totaled $0.5 million and there have been no charge-offs in the trailing twelve months.

    The allowance for credit losses on loans decreased by $0.45 million to $20.5 million at December 31, 2024, representing 1.50% of total loans receivable compared to 1.47% of total loans receivable at September 30, 2024. For the quarter ended December 31, 2024, the Bank recorded a negative provision of $0.45 million which included a negative provision on ACL for loans of $0.32 million and a negative provision of $0.13 million on ACL for unfunded commitments.

    Allowance for Credit Losses (“ACL”) – Loans Percentage

    (in thousands, except ratios)

        December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   December 31, 2023
    Loans, end of period   $ 1,368,981     $ 1,424,828     $ 1,428,588     $ 1,460,792  
    Allowance for credit losses – Loans   $ 20,549     $ 21,000     $ 21,178     $ 22,908  
    ACL – Loans as a percentage of loans, end of period     1.50 %     1.47 %     1.48 %     1.57 %

    In addition to the ACL – Loans, the Company has established an ACL – Unfunded Commitments of $0.334 million at December 31, 2024, $0.460 million at September 30, 2024, and $1.250 million at December 31, 2023, classified in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
    Allowance for Credit Losses – Unfunded Commitments:
    (in thousands)

        December 31, 2024 and Three Months Ended   December 31, 2023 and Three Months Ended   December 31, 2024 and Twelve Months Ended   December 31, 2023 and Twelve Months Ended
    ACL – Unfunded commitments – beginning of period   $ 460     $ 1,571     $ 1,250     $ —  
    Cumulative effect of ASU 2016-13 adoption     —       —       —       1,537  
    (Reductions) additions to ACL – Unfunded commitments via provision for credit losses charged to operations     (126 )     (321 )     (916 )     (287 )
    ACL – Unfunded commitments – end of period   $ 334     $ 1,250     $ 334     $ 1,250  

    Special mention loans decreased by $2.5 million to $8.5 million at December 31, 2024, compared to $11.0 million at September 30, 2024. Over the past 12 months, special mention loans have declined $9.9 million from $18.4 million at December 31, 2023.

    Substandard loans decreased by $2.3 million to $18.9 million at December 31, 2024, compared to $21.2 million at September 30, 2024, primarily due to a $1.6 million reduction in a nonperforming loan, classified as substandard, agricultural real estate forestry services loan.

    Nonperforming assets decreased $2.8 million to $14.3 million at December 31, 2024, compared to $17.1 million at September 30, 2024, primarily due to the $1.6 million reduction in nonperforming assets discussed above and the sale of a real estate owned property.

        (in thousands)
        December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   March 31, 2024   December 31, 2023
    Special mention loan balances   $ 8,480   $ 11,047   $ 8,848   $ 13,737   $ 18,392
    Substandard loan balances     18,891     21,202     14,420     14,733     19,596
    Criticized loans, end of period   $ 27,371   $ 32,249   $ 23,268   $ 28,470   $ 37,988

    Total deposits decreased $32.5 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2024, to $1.49 billion as $59.7 million of wholesale brokered deposits were repaid. Brokered deposits declined $47.5 million to $19.1 million at December 31, 2024, from $66.6 million at September 30, 2024, and declined $79.1 million from $98.2 million at December 31, 2023.

    Deposit Portfolio Composition
    (in thousands)

        December 31,
    2024    		   September 30,
    2024    		   June 30,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2023
    Consumer deposits   $ 852,083   $ 844,808   $ 822,665   $ 827,290   $ 814,899
    Commercial deposits     412,355     406,095     395,148     400,910     415,715
    Public deposits     190,460     176,844     187,698     202,175     182,172
    Wholesale deposits     33,250     92,920     114,033     97,114     106,306
    Total deposits   $ 1,488,148   $ 1,520,667   $ 1,519,544   $ 1,527,489   $ 1,519,092

    At December 31, 2024, the deposit portfolio composition was 57% consumer, 28% commercial, 13% public, and 2% wholesale deposits compared to 55% consumer, 27% commercial, 12% public, and 6% wholesale deposits at September 30, 2024.

    Deposit Composition By Type
    (in thousands)

        December 31,
    2024    		   September 30,
    2024    		   June 30,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2023
    Non-interest-bearing demand deposits   $ 252,656   $ 256,840   $ 255,703   $ 248,537   $ 265,704
    Interest-bearing demand deposits     355,750     346,971     353,477     361,278     343,276
    Savings accounts     159,821     169,096     170,946     177,595     176,548
    Money market accounts     369,534     366,067     370,164     387,879     374,055
    Certificate accounts     350,387     381,693     369,254     352,200     359,509
    Total deposits   $ 1,488,148   $ 1,520,667   $ 1,519,544     1,527,489   $ 1,519,092

    Uninsured and uncollateralized deposits were $265.4 million, or 18% of total deposits, at December 31, 2024, and $267.1 million, or 18% of total deposits, at September 30, 2024. Uninsured deposits alone at December 31, 2024, were $428.0 million, or 29% of total deposits, and $413.6 million, or 27% of total deposits at September 30, 2024.

    As part of the balance sheet optimization plan, $16.0 million in Federal Home Loan Bank advances were repaid during the fourth quarter and totaled $5.0 million at December 31, 2024, compared to $21.0 million one quarter earlier.

    Common stock totaling approximately 94 thousand shares were repurchased in the fourth quarter of 2024 at an average price of $14.55 per share. For the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2024, approximately 476 thousand shares of common stock were repurchased at an average price of $12.76 per share. There are 238 thousand shares remaining under the July 2024 Board of Director repurchase authorization plan.

    Review of Operations

    Net interest income increased $0.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, from $11.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, and flat from $11.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023. The increase in net interest income compared to the third quarter of 2024 was primarily due to an increase in net interest margin, partially offsetting the impact of asset shrinkage. The net interest margin increase was favorably impacted by 3 basis points due to deferred fee accretion on loan payoffs.

    Net interest income and net interest margin analysis:
    (in thousands, except yields and rates)

        Three months ended
        December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   March 31, 2024   December 31, 2023
        Net Interest Income   Net Interest Margin   Net Interest Income   Net Interest Margin   Net Interest Income   Net Interest Margin   Net Interest Income   Net Interest Margin   Net Interest Income   Net Interest Margin
    As reported   $ 11,708     2.79 %   $ 11,285     2.63 %   $ 11,576     2.72 %   $ 11,905     2.77 %   $ 11,747     2.69 %
    Less accretion for PCD loans     (42 )   (0.01)%     (45 )   (0.01)%     (62 )   (0.01)%     (75 )   (0.02)%     (37 )   (0.01)%
    Less scheduled accretion interest     (33 )   (0.01)%     (33 )   (0.01)%     (32 )   (0.01)%     (33 )   (0.01)%     (33 )   (0.01)%
    Without loan purchase accretion   $ 11,633     2.77 %   $ 11,207     2.61 %   $ 11,482     2.70 %   $ 11,797     2.74 %   $ 11,677     2.67 %

    The table below shows the impact of certificate, loan and securities contractual fixed rate maturing and repricing.

    Portfolio Contractual Repricing:
    (in millions, except yields)

        Q1 2025   Q2 2025   Q3 2025   Q4 2025   FY 2026
    Maturing Certificate Accounts:                    
    Contractual Balance   $ 95     $ 177     $ 43     $ 14     $ 13  
    Contractual Interest Rate     4.63 %     4.68 %     4.25 %     3.07 %     3.36 %
    Maturing or Repricing Loans:                    
    Contractual Balance   $ 46     $ 97     $ 18     $ 55     $ 322  
    Contractual Interest Rate     5.27 %     7.10 %     6.15 %     4.79 %     3.85 %
    Maturing or Repricing Securities:                    
    Contractual Balance   $ 4     $ 3     $ 3     $ 4     $ 19  
    Contractual Interest Rate     6.15 %     5.12 %     4.07 %     4.31 %     3.49 %

    Non-interest income decreased $0.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 to $2.0 million from $2.9 million the prior quarter due to $0.5 million of lower gain on sale of loans, $0.2 million of higher net losses on equity securities and lower loan servicing income and service charges on deposit accounts. Total non-interest income for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, was higher at $2.5 million due to an increase in net losses on equity securities in 4Q 2024.

    Non-interest expense increased $0.4 million to $10.8 million from $10.4 million for the previous quarter and increased $0.6 million from $10.2 million one year earlier. The $0.4 million increase in non-interest expense compared to the linked quarter was largely due to the $0.2 million increase in professional fees and $0.2 million in losses on repossessed assets. The $0.6 million increase from the fourth quarter of 2023 is due to: (1) a $0.7 million increase in compensation expenses, due to higher incentive compensation and annual merit increases; (2) an increase in the current quarter of $0.2 million on losses on repossessed assets; (3) higher data processing of $0.2 million partially offset by lower other expenses $0.5 million primarily due to 2023 branch closure costs.

    Provision for income taxes decreased to $0.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 from $0.9 million in the third quarter of 2024 largely due to lower pre-tax income. The effective tax rate was 19.5% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, 21.5% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, and 20.9% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023.

    These financial results are preliminary until Form 10-K is filed in March 2025.
    About the Company

    Citizens Community Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: “CZWI”) is the holding company of the Bank, a national bank based in Altoona, Wisconsin, currently serving customers primarily in Wisconsin and Minnesota through 22 branch locations. Its primary markets include the Chippewa Valley Region in Wisconsin, the Twin Cities and Mankato markets in Minnesota, and various rural communities around these areas. The Bank offers traditional community banking services to businesses, ag operators and consumers, including residential mortgage loans.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements contained in this release are considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified using forward-looking words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “expect,” “estimates,” “intend,” “may,” “on pace,” “preliminary,” “planned,” “potential,” “should,” “will,” “would” or the negative of those terms or other words of similar meaning. Such forward-looking statements in this release are inherently subject to many uncertainties arising in the operations and business environment of the Company and the Bank. These uncertainties include: conditions in the financial markets and economic conditions generally; the impact of inflation on our business and our customers; geopolitical tensions, including current or anticipated impact of military conflicts; higher lending risks associated with our commercial and agricultural banking activities; future pandemics (including new variants of COVID-19); cybersecurity risks; adverse impacts on the regional banking industry and the business environment in which it operates; interest rate risk; lending risk; changes in the fair value or ratings downgrades of our securities; the sufficiency of allowance for credit losses; competitive pressures among depository and other financial institutions; disintermediation risk; our ability to maintain our reputation; our ability to maintain or increase our market share; our ability to realize the benefits of net deferred tax assets; our inability to obtain needed liquidity; our ability to raise capital needed to fund growth or meet regulatory requirements; our ability to attract and retain key personnel; our ability to keep pace with technological change; prevalence of fraud and other financial crimes; the possibility that our internal controls and procedures could fail or be circumvented; our ability to successfully execute our acquisition growth strategy; risks posed by acquisitions and other expansion opportunities, including difficulties and delays in integrating the acquired business operations or fully realizing the cost savings and other benefits; restrictions on our ability to pay dividends; the potential volatility of our stock price; accounting standards for credit losses; legislative or regulatory changes or actions, or significant litigation, adversely affecting the Company or Bank; public company reporting obligations; changes in federal or state tax laws; and changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines and their impact on financial performance. Stockholders, potential investors, and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Such uncertainties and other risks that may affect the Company’s performance are discussed further in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in the Company’s Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 5, 2024 and the Company’s subsequent filings with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to make any revisions to the forward-looking statements contained in this news release or to update them to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this release.

    1Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    This press release contains non-GAAP financial measures, such as net income as adjusted, net income as adjusted per share, tangible book value, tangible book value per share, tangible common equity as a percent of tangible assets and return on average tangible common equity, which management believes may be helpful in understanding the Company’s results of operations or financial position and comparing results over different periods.

    Net income as adjusted and net income as adjusted per share are non-GAAP measures that eliminate the impact of certain expenses such as branch closure costs and related severance pay, accelerated depreciation expense and lease termination fees, and the gain on sale of branch deposits and fixed assets. Tangible book value, tangible book value per share, tangible common equity as a percentage of tangible assets and return on average tangible common equity are non-GAAP measures that eliminate the impact of goodwill and intangible assets on our financial position. Management believes these measures are useful in assessing the strength of our financial position.

    Where non-GAAP financial measures are used, the comparable GAAP financial measure, as well as the reconciliation to the comparable GAAP financial measure, can be found in this press release. These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other banks and financial institutions.

    Contact: Steve Bianchi, CEO
    (715)-836-9994

    (CZWI-ER)

    CITIZENS COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (in thousands, except shares and per share data)
        December 31, 2024 (unaudited)   September 30, 2024 (unaudited)   June 30, 2024 (unaudited)   December 31, 2023 (audited)
    Assets                
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 50,172     $ 36,632     $ 36,886     $ 37,138  
    Securities available for sale “AFS”     142,851       149,432       146,438       155,743  
    Securities held to maturity “HTM”     85,504       87,033       88,605       91,229  
    Equity investments     4,702       5,096       5,023       3,284  
    Other investments     12,500       12,311       13,878       15,725  
    Loans receivable     1,368,981       1,424,828       1,428,588       1,460,792  
    Allowance for credit losses     (20,549 )     (21,000 )     (21,178 )     (22,908 )
    Loans receivable, net     1,348,432       1,403,828       1,407,410       1,437,884  
    Loans held for sale     1,329       697       275       5,773  
    Mortgage servicing rights, net     3,663       3,696       3,731       3,865  
    Office properties and equipment, net     17,075       17,365       17,774       18,373  
    Accrued interest receivable     5,653       6,235       6,289       5,409  
    Intangible assets     979       1,158       1,336       1,694  
    Goodwill     31,498       31,498       31,498       31,498  
    Foreclosed and repossessed assets, net     915       1,572       1,662       1,795  
    Bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”)     26,102       25,901       25,708       25,647  
    Other assets     17,144       16,683       15,794       16,334  
    TOTAL ASSETS   $ 1,748,519     $ 1,799,137     $ 1,802,307     $ 1,851,391  
    Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity                
    Liabilities:                
    Deposits   $ 1,488,148     $ 1,520,667     $ 1,519,544     $ 1,519,092  
    Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances     5,000       21,000       31,500       79,530  
    Other borrowings     61,606       61,548       61,498       67,465  
    Other liabilities     14,681       15,773       13,720       11,970  
    Total liabilities     1,569,435       1,618,988       1,626,262       1,678,057  
    Stockholders’ equity:                
    Common stock— $0.01 par value, authorized 30,000,000; 9,981,996, 10,074,136, 10,297,341, and 10,440,591 shares issued and outstanding, respectively     100       101       103       104  
    Additional paid-in capital     114,564       115,455       117,838       119,441  
    Retained earnings     80,840       78,438       75,501       71,117  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (16,420 )     (13,845 )     (17,397 )     (17,328 )
    Total stockholders’ equity     179,084       180,149       176,045       173,334  
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   $ 1,748,519     $ 1,799,137     $ 1,802,307     $ 1,851,391  

                    Note: Certain items previously reported were reclassified for consistency with the current presentation.

    CITIZENS COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.
    Consolidated Statements of Operations
    (in thousands, except per share data)
        Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
        December 31, 2024 (unaudited)   September 30, 2024 (unaudited)   December 31, 2023 (unaudited)   December 31, 2024 (unaudited)   December 31, 2023 (audited)
    Interest and dividend income:                    
    Interest and fees on loans   $ 19,534     $ 20,115     $ 19,408     $ 79,738     $ 73,577  
    Interest on investments     2,427       2,397       2,618       9,877       10,671  
    Total interest and dividend income     21,961       22,512       22,026       89,615       84,248  
    Interest expense:                    
    Interest on deposits     9,273       10,165       7,851       37,985       25,749  
    Interest on FHLB borrowed funds     65       128       1,371       1,281       5,966  
    Interest on other borrowed funds     915       934       1,057       3,875       4,184  
    Total interest expense     10,253       11,227       10,279       43,141       35,899  
    Net interest income before provision for credit losses     11,708       11,285       11,747       46,474       48,349  
    (Negative) provision for credit losses     (450 )     (400 )     (650 )     (3,175 )     (475 )
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses     12,158       11,685       12,397       49,649       48,824  
    Non-interest income:                    
    Service charges on deposit accounts     450       513       485       1,924       1,949  
    Interchange income     550       577       581       2,247       2,324  
    Loan servicing income     520       643       539       2,271       2,218  
    Gain on sale of loans     218       752       191       2,216       1,692  
    Loan fees and service charges     292       165       124       996       432  
    Net realized gains on debt securities     —       —       —       —       12  
    Net (losses) gains on equity securities     (287 )     (78 )     277       (856 )     447  
    Bank Owned Life Insurance (BOLI) death benefit     —       —       —       184       —  
    Other     266       349       283       1,125       1,176  
    Total non-interest income     2,009       2,921       2,480       10,107       10,250  
    Non-interest expense:                    
    Compensation and related benefits     5,840       5,743       5,139       22,741       21,106  
    Occupancy     1,217       1,242       1,314       5,159       5,431  
    Data processing     1,743       1,665       1,511       6,530       5,951  
    Amortization of intangible assets     179       178       179       715       755  
    Mortgage servicing rights expense, net     107       163       159       534       615  
    Advertising, marketing and public relations     218       225       262       793       734  
    FDIC premium assessment     192       201       204       798       812  
    Professional services     514       336       371       1,763       1,524  
    Losses (gains) on repossessed assets, net     247       65       —       294       62  
    Other     552       603       1,067       2,979       3,152  
    Total non-interest expense     10,809       10,421       10,206       42,306       40,142  
    Income before provision for income taxes     3,358       4,185       4,671       17,450       18,932  
    Provision for income taxes     656       899       978       3,699       5,873  
    Net income attributable to common stockholders   $ 2,702     $ 3,286     $ 3,693     $ 13,751     $ 13,059  
    Per share information:                    
    Basic earnings   $ 0.27     $ 0.32     $ 0.35     $ 1.34     $ 1.25  
    Diluted earnings   $ 0.27     $ 0.32     $ 0.35     $ 1.34     $ 1.25  
    Cash dividends paid   $ —     $ —     $ —     $ 0.32     $ 0.29  
    Book value per share at end of period   $ 17.94     $ 17.88     $ 16.60     $ 17.94     $ 16.60  
    Tangible book value per share at end of period (non-GAAP)   $ 14.69     $ 14.64     $ 13.42     $ 14.69     $ 13.42  

    Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income and Net Income as Adjusted (non-GAAP)

    (in thousands, except per share data)

        Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
        December 31,
    2024    		   September 30,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2023    		   December 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2023
                       
    GAAP pretax income   $ 3,358   $ 4,185   $ 4,671   $ 17,450   $ 18,932
    Branch closure costs (1)     —     —     380     168     380
    Pretax income as adjusted (2)   $ 3,358   $ 4,185   $ 5,051   $ 17,618   $ 19,312
    Provision for income tax on net income as adjusted (3)     656     899     1,058     3,735     5,991
    Net income as adjusted (non-GAAP) (2)   $ 2,702   $ 3,286   $ 3,993   $ 13,883   $ 13,321
    GAAP diluted earnings per share, net of tax   $ 0.27   $ 0.32   $ 0.35   $ 1.34   $ 1.25
    Branch closure costs, net of tax     —     —     0.03     0.01     0.03
    Diluted earnings per share, as adjusted, net of tax (non-GAAP)   $ 0.27   $ 0.32   $ 0.38   $ 1.35   $ 1.28
                         
    Average diluted shares outstanding     10,033,957     10,204,195     10,457,184     10,262,710     10,470,298

    (1) Branch closure costs include severance pay recorded in compensation and benefits and depreciation and right of use lease asset accelerated expense included in other non-interest expense in the consolidated statement of operations.
    (2) Pretax income as adjusted and net income as adjusted are non-GAAP measures that management believes enhances the market’s ability to assess the underlying business performance and trends related to core business activities.
    (3) Provision for income tax on net income as adjusted is calculated at our effective tax rate for each respective period presented.

    Loan Composition

    (in thousands)

        December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   December 31, 2023
    Total Loans:                
    Commercial/Agricultural real estate:                
    Commercial real estate   $ 709,018     $ 730,459     $ 729,236     $ 750,531  
    Agricultural real estate     73,130       76,043       78,248       83,350  
    Multi-family real estate     220,805       239,191       234,758       228,095  
    Construction and land development     78,489       87,875       87,898       110,941  
    C&I/Agricultural operating:                
    Commercial and industrial     115,657       119,619       127,386       121,666  
    Agricultural operating     31,000       27,550       27,409       25,691  
    Residential mortgage:                
    Residential mortgage     132,341       134,944       133,503       129,021  
    Purchased HELOC loans     2,956       2,932       2,915       2,880  
    Consumer installment:                
    Originated indirect paper     3,970       4,405       5,110       6,535  
    Other consumer     5,012       5,438       5,860       6,187  
    Gross loans   $ 1,372,378     $ 1,428,456     $ 1,432,323     $ 1,464,897  
    Unearned net deferred fees and costs and loans in process     (2,547 )     (2,703 )     (2,733 )     (2,900 )
    Unamortized discount on acquired loans     (850 )     (925 )     (1,002 )     (1,205 )
    Total loans receivable   $ 1,368,981     $ 1,424,828     $ 1,428,588     $ 1,460,792  

    Nonperforming Assets
    Loan Balances at Amortized Cost

    (in thousands, except ratios)

        December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   December 31, 2023
    Nonperforming assets:                
    Nonaccrual loans                
    Commercial real estate   $ 4,594     $ 4,778     $ 5,350     $ 10,359  
    Agricultural real estate     6,222       6,193       382       391  
    Construction and land development     103       106       —       54  
    Commercial and industrial (“C&I”)     597       1,956       422       —  
    Agricultural operating     793       901       1,017       1,180  
    Residential mortgage     858       1,088       1,145       1,167  
    Consumer installment     1       20       36       33  
    Total nonaccrual loans   $ 13,168     $ 15,042     $ 8,352     $ 13,184  
    Accruing loans past due 90 days or more     186       530       256       389  
    Total nonperforming loans (“NPLs”) at amortized cost     13,354       15,572       8,608       13,573  
    Foreclosed and repossessed assets, net     915       1,572       1,662       1,795  
    Total nonperforming assets (“NPAs”)   $ 14,269     $ 17,144     $ 10,270     $ 15,368  
    Loans, end of period   $ 1,368,981     $ 1,424,828     $ 1,428,588     $ 1,460,792  
    Total assets, end of period   $ 1,748,519     $ 1,799,137     $ 1,802,307     $ 1,851,391  
    Ratios:                
    NPLs to total loans     0.98 %     1.09 %     0.60 %     0.93 %
    NPAs to total assets     0.82 %     0.95 %     0.57 %     0.83 %

    Average Balances, Interest Yields and Rates

    (in thousands, except yields and rates)

        Three Months Ended
    December 31, 2024    		   Three Months Ended
    September 30, 2024    		   Three Months Ended
    December 31, 2023
        Average
    Balance    		   Interest
    Income/
    Expense    		   Average
    Yield/
    Rate    		   Average
    Balance    		   Interest
    Income/
    Expense    		   Average
    Yield/
    Rate    		   Average
    Balance    		   Interest
    Income/
    Expense    		   Average
    Yield/
    Rate
    Average interest earning assets:                                    
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 26,197   $ 327   4.97 %   $ 25,187   $ 360   5.69 %   $ 16,699   $ 241   5.73 %
    Loans receivable     1,396,854     19,534   5.56 %     1,429,928     20,115   5.60 %     1,458,558     19,408   5.28 %
    Investment securities     235,268     1,940   3.28 %     236,960     1,966   3.30 %     243,705     2,102   3.42 %
    Other investments     12,318     160   5.17 %     12,553     71   2.25 %     15,760     275   6.92 %
    Total interest earning assets   $ 1,670,637   $ 21,961   5.23 %   $ 1,704,628   $ 22,512   5.25 %   $ 1,734,722   $ 22,026   5.04 %
    Average interest-bearing liabilities:                                    
    Savings accounts   $ 162,501   $ 383   0.94 %   $ 170,777   $ 450   1.05 %   $ 175,281   $ 323   0.73 %
    Demand deposits     346,411     1,891   2.17 %     357,201     2,152   2.40 %     329,096     1,680   2.03 %
    Money market accounts     351,566     2,720   3.08 %     381,369     3,126   3.26 %     326,981     2,217   2.69 %
    CD’s     374,087     4,279   4.55 %     379,722     4,437   4.65 %     368,110     3,631   3.91 %
    Total deposits   $ 1,234,565   $ 9,273   2.99 %   $ 1,289,069   $ 10,165   3.14 %   $ 1,199,468   $ 7,851   2.60 %
    FHLB advances and other borrowings     72,431     980   5.38 %     80,338     1,062   5.26 %     191,575     2,428   5.03 %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   $ 1,306,996   $ 10,253   3.12 %   $ 1,369,407   $ 11,227   3.26 %   $ 1,391,043   $ 10,279   2.93 %
    Net interest income       $ 11,708           $ 11,285           $ 11,747    
    Interest rate spread           2.11 %           1.99 %           2.11 %
    Net interest margin           2.79 %           2.63 %           2.69 %
    Average interest earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities           1.28             1.24             1.25  
        Twelve Months Ended
    December 31, 2024    		   Twelve Months Ended
    December, 2023
        Average
    Balance    		   Interest
    Income/
    Expense    		   Average
    Yield/
    Rate    		   Average
    Balance    		   Interest
    Income/
    Expense    		   Average
    Yield/
    Rate
    Average interest earning assets:                        
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 20,864   $ 1,150   5.51 %   $ 18,469   $ 1,010   5.47 %
    Loans receivable     1,430,631     79,738   5.57 %     1,430,035     73,577   5.15 %
    Interest bearing deposits     —     —   — %     63     1   1.59 %
    Investment securities     238,851     7,977   3.34 %     257,020     8,606   3.35 %
    Other investments     12,816     750   5.85 %     16,274     1,054   6.48 %
    Total interest earning assets   $ 1,703,162   $ 89,615   5.26 %   $ 1,721,861   $ 84,248   4.89 %
    Average interest-bearing liabilities:                        
    Savings accounts   $ 171,069   $ 1,684   0.98 %   $ 200,087   $ 1,427   0.71 %
    Demand deposits     353,107     8,083   2.29 %     359,866     6,727   1.87 %
    Money market accounts     371,909     11,725   3.15 %     306,020     6,976   2.28 %
    CD’s     366,634     16,493   4.50 %     317,376     10,619   3.35 %
    Total deposits   $ 1,262,719   $ 37,985   3.01 %   $ 1,183,349   $ 25,749   2.18 %
    FHLB advances and other borrowings     99,731     5,156   5.17 %     208,373     10,150   4.87 %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   $ 1,362,450   $ 43,141   3.17 %   $ 1,391,722   $ 35,899   2.58 %
    Net interest income       $ 46,474           $ 48,349    
    Interest rate spread           2.09 %           2.31 %
    Net interest margin           2.73 %           2.81 %
    Average interest earning assets to average interest bearing liabilities           1.25             1.24  

    Wholesale Deposits
    (in thousands)

        Quarter Ended
        December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   March 31, 2024   December 31, 2023
    Brokered certificate accounts   $ 14,123   $ 48,578   $ 54,123   $ 43,507   $ 58,209
    Brokered money market accounts     5,002     18,076     42,673     40,429     40,050
    Third party originated reciprocal deposits     14,125     26,266     17,237     13,178     8,047
    Total   $ 33,250   $ 92,920   $ 114,033   $ 97,114   $ 106,306

    Key Financial Metric Ratios:

        Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
        December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   December 31, 2023   December 31, 2024   December 31, 2023
    Ratios based on net income:                    
    Return on average assets (annualized)   0.61 %   0.72 %   0.79 %   0.76 %   0.71 %
    Return on average equity (annualized)   6.00 %   7.34 %   8.72 %   7.84 %   7.87 %
    Return on average tangible common equity4 (annualized)   7.72 %   9.38 %   11.29 %   10.03 %   10.26 %
    Efficiency ratio   76 %   72 %   72 %   72 %   68 %
    Net interest margin with loan purchase accretion   2.79 %   2.63 %   2.69 %   2.73 %   2.81 %
    Net interest margin without loan purchase accretion   2.77 %   2.61 %   2.67 %   2.69 %   2.78 %
    Ratios based on net income as adjusted (non-GAAP)                    
    Return on average assets as adjusted2 (annualized)   0.61 %   0.72 %   0.86 %   0.77 %   0.73 %
    Return on average equity as adjusted3 (annualized)   6.00 %   7.34 %   9.43 %   7.91 %   8.03 %

    Reconciliation of Return on Average Assets

    (in thousands, except ratios)

        Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
        December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   December 31, 2023   December 31, 2024   December 31, 2023
           
    GAAP earnings after income taxes   $ 2,702     $ 3,286     $ 3,693     $ 13,751     $ 13,059  
    Net income as adjusted after income taxes (non-GAAP) (1)   $ 2,702     $ 3,286     $ 3,993     $ 13,883     $ 13,321  
    Average assets   $ 1,771,351     $ 1,810,826     $ 1,843,789     $ 1,808,256     $ 1,836,337  
    Return on average assets (annualized)     0.61 %     0.72 %     0.79 %     0.76 %     0.71 %
    Return on average assets as adjusted (non-GAAP) (annualized)     0.61 %     0.72 %     0.86 %     0.77 %     0.73 %

    (1) See Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income and Net Income as Adjusted (non-GAAP)

    Reconciliation of Return on Average Equity

    (in thousands, except ratios)

        Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
        December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   December 31, 2023   December 31, 2024   December 31, 2023
    GAAP earnings after income taxes   $ 2,702     $ 3,286     $ 3,693     $ 13,751     $ 13,059  
    Net income as adjusted after income taxes (non-GAAP) (1)   $ 2,702     $ 3,286     $ 3,993     $ 13,883     $ 13,321  
    Average equity   $ 179,242     $ 178,050     $ 168,058     $ 175,475     $ 165,968  
    Return on average equity (annualized)     6.00 %     7.34 %     8.72 %     7.84 %     7.87 %
    Return on average equity as adjusted (non-GAAP) (annualized)     6.00 %     7.34 %     9.43 %     7.91 %     8.03 %

    (1) See Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income and Net Income as Adjusted (non-GAAP)

    Reconciliation of tangible book value per share (non-GAAP)

    (in thousands, except per share data)

    Tangible book value per share at end of period   December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   December 31, 2023
    Total stockholders’ equity   $ 179,084     $ 180,149     $ 176,045     $ 173,334  
    Less: Goodwill     (31,498 )     (31,498 )     (31,498 )     (31,498 )
    Less: Intangible assets     (979 )     (1,158 )     (1,336 )     (1,694 )
    Tangible common equity (non-GAAP)   $ 146,607     $ 147,493     $ 143,211     $ 140,142  
    Ending common shares outstanding     9,981,996       10,074,136       10,297,341       10,440,591  
    Book value per share   $ 17.94     $ 17.88     $ 17.10     $ 16.60  
    Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP)   $ 14.69     $ 14.64     $ 13.91     $ 13.42  

    Reconciliation of tangible common equity as a percent of tangible assets (non-GAAP)

    (in thousands, except ratios)

    Tangible common equity as a percent of tangible assets at end of period   December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   December 31, 2023
    Total stockholders’ equity   $ 179,084     $ 180,149     $ 176,045     $ 173,334  
    Less: Goodwill     (31,498 )   $ (31,498 )   $ (31,498 )     (31,498 )
    Less: Intangible assets     (979 )   $ (1,158 )   $ (1,336 )     (1,694 )
    Tangible common equity (non-GAAP)   $ 146,607     $ 147,493     $ 143,211     $ 140,142  
    Total Assets   $ 1,748,519     $ 1,799,137     $ 1,802,307     $ 1,851,391  
    Less: Goodwill     (31,498 )     (31,498 )     (31,498 )     (31,498 )
    Less: Intangible assets     (979 )     (1,158 )     (1,336 )     (1,694 )
    Tangible Assets (non-GAAP)   $ 1,716,042     $ 1,766,481     $ 1,769,473     $ 1,818,199  
    Total stockholders’ equity to total assets ratio     10.24 %     10.01 %     9.77 %     9.36 %
    Tangible common equity as a percent of tangible assets (non-GAAP)     8.54 %     8.35 %     8.09 %     7.71 %

    Reconciliation of Return on Average Tangible Common Equity (non-GAAP)

    (in thousands, except ratios)

        Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
        December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   December 31, 2023   December 31, 2024   December 31, 2023
    Total stockholders’ equity   $ 179,084     $ 180,149     $ 173,334     $ 179,084     $ 173,334  
    Less: Goodwill     (31,498 )     (31,498 )     (31,498 )     (31,498 )     (31,498 )
    Less: Intangible assets     (979 )     (1,158 )     (1,694 )     (979 )     (1,694 )
    Tangible common equity (non-GAAP)   $ 146,607     $ 147,493     $ 140,142     $ 146,607     $ 140,142  
    Average tangible common equity (non-GAAP)   $ 146,676     $ 145,305     $ 134,776     $ 142,641     $ 132,409  
    GAAP earnings after income taxes     2,702       3,286       3,693       13,751       13,059  
    Amortization of intangible assets, net of tax     144       140       142       563       521  
    Tangible net income   $ 2,846     $ 3,426     $ 3,835     $ 14,314     $ 13,580  
    Return on average tangible common equity (annualized)     7.72 %     9.38 %     11.29 %     10.03 %     10.26 %

    Reconciliation of Efficiency Ratio

    (in thousands, except ratios)

      Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
      December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   December 31, 2023   December 31, 2024   December 31, 2023
    Non-interest expense (GAAP) $ 10,809     $ 10,421     $ 10,206     $ 42,306     $ 40,142  
    Less amortization of intangibles   (179 )     (178 )     (179 )     (715 )     (755 )
    Efficiency ratio numerator (GAAP) $ 10,630     $ 10,243     $ 10,027     $ 41,591     $ 39,387  
                       
    Non-interest income $ 2,009     $ 2,921     $ 2,480     $ 10,107     $ 10,250  
    Add back net losses on debt and equity securities   (287 )     (78 )     —       (856 )     —  
    Subtract net gains on debt and equity securities   —       —       277       —       459  
    Net interest income   11,708       11,285       11,747       46,474       48,349  
    Efficiency ratio denominator (GAAP) $ 14,004     $ 14,284     $ 13,950     $ 57,437     $ 58,140  
    Efficiency ratio (GAAP)   76 %     72 %     72 %     72 %     68 %

    1Net income as adjusted and net income as adjusted per share are non-GAAP financial measures that management believes enhances investors’ ability to better understand the underlying business performance and trends related to core business activities. For a detailed reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results, see the accompanying financial table “Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income and Net Income as Adjusted (non-GAAP)”.

    2Return on average assets as adjusted is a non-GAAP measure that management believes enhances investors’ ability to better understand the underlying business performance and trends relative to average assets. For a detailed reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results, see the accompanying financial table “Reconciliation of Return on Average Assets as Adjusted (non-GAAP)”.

    3Return on average equity as adjusted is a non-GAAP measure that management believes enhances investors’ ability to better understand the underlying business performance and trends relative to average equity. For a detailed reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results, see the accompanying financial table “Reconciliation of Return on Average Equity as Adjusted (non-GAAP)”.

    4Tangible book value, tangible book value per share, tangible common equity as a percent of tangible assets and return on tangible common equity are non-GAAP measures that management believes enhances investors’ ability to better understand the Company’s financial position. For a detailed reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results, see the accompanying financial table “Reconciliation of tangible book value per share (non-GAAP)”, “Reconciliation of tangible common equity as a percent of tangible assets (non-GAAP)”, and “Reconciliation of return on average tangible common equity)”.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK drives green growth by connecting millions to electricity across Africa

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    UK Minister for Africa Lord Collins announces support to extend electricity access to millions across Africa.

    • Minister for Africa Lord Collins announces support to extend electricity access to millions across Africa.

    • New deal between British International Investment and UK cleantech company MOPO will connect over a million people across the DRC to renewable energy sources, delivering on the Plan for Change by unleashing the power of British technological innovation.

    • UK partnership with the African Development Bank will also channel private sector capital into African clean energy.

    Millions more people across Africa will have access to clean power thanks to UK investment, Africa Minister Lord Collins has announced.

    This comes as UK Special Representative for Climate Rachel Kyte attends the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit today [27 January] in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

    The UK is one of the largest investors in clean energy in Africa and is working in partnership to support the Mission 300 initiative, which aims to expand electricity access to 300 million people in Africa by 2030. Half of Africa’s population – 600 million people – lack vital access to electricity.

    Lord Collins is announcing a £5.3 million new deal between British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution, and UK cleantech firm MOPO. 

    This investment will enable MOPO to expand its pay-per-use battery rental operations in the DRC where over 80% of the population lack access to electricity. It demonstrates how UK companies are unlocking new opportunities for growth and positive impact that the clean energy transition has to offer in the UK and beyond.

    Lord Collins will also announce new UK support of £8.5 million towards the African Development Bank’s Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) to build on existing efforts between the UK and African partners to connect millions of people across the continent with clean, reliable power.

    Today’s announcement will unlock private sector investment in renewable energy projects including clean cooking and energy efficiency.

    The support, which will be delivered as part of the UK’s Africa Regional Climate and Nature Programme (ARCAN), will accelerate renewable energy adoption and improve energy efficiency, developing solar-powered mini-grids in rural communities and providing technical assistance for large-scale renewable energy projects.

     Minister for Africa Lord Collins of Highbury said:

    The UK has set a landmark goal to be the first major economy to deliver clean power by 2030, and through our Plan for Change we’ll harness technology to transform the UK into a clean energy superpower. We want to leverage this ambition with our African partners to power green growth, eradicate poverty and tackle climate change.

    Connecting the continent to clean, reliable energy is vital, and UK support is helping ensure millions are getting the access they need to prosper through planet-friendly solutions. This will also allow us to deepen our partnerships across Africa, sharing expertise, finance and innovation.

    These announcements from Lord Collins show how the UK Government is delivering on the Plan for Change, which will transform the UK into a clean energy superpower, cutting bills and guaranteeing our energy independence, while championing clean technology innovation overseas  and generating opportunities for investment and jobs in British businesses. 

    Speaking at the summit, the UK’s Special Representative on Climate, Rachel Kyte, said:

    Reliable, affordable and clean energy is the cornerstone of economic growth and development. Clean energy, through modern grids and distributed renewable energy offers an opportunity for inclusive growth. Helping end energy poverty supports growth, builds resilience and puts countries on a pathway that helps our common challenge of fighting climate change.  The UK is working with partners across Africa to connect millions of people in the region with cleaner and more efficient power. That is why I’m pleased to be at this summit, supporting Mission 300 and reaffirming our commitment to our shared sustainable development goals especially in Africa.

    At the summit, the UK’s Special Representative for Climate will set out how the UK is deepening our partnerships with African nations and multilateral institutions to fuel the clean energy revolution and stimulate growth whilst tackling the climate emergency.

    Leslie Maasdorp, BII CEO said: 

    At BII we want to use our distinctive position, and track record, to create more early-stage solutions that help expand access to energy for more Africans. This is demonstrated through our investment in MOPO, which is expected to reach over a million people in DRC where energy access is limited.

    More broadly, we welcome the partnership of African governments, as well as other institutions like the African Development Bank, in making that ambition a reality.

    Today’s announcements at the Dar Es Salaam summit also reinforce the long-standing UK-Tanzania partnership.

    Tanzania was one of the first countries to sign up to the first mission of the UK’s Global Clean Power Alliance. The two countries are working together to boost the global clean energy transition, whilst furthering trade opportunities that will create jobs and deliver economic growth.   

    Notes to Editors:

    • BII is playing its part in the overall ecosystem to meet the goals of Mission 300. Today, BII’s investments provide clean energy to over 26 million people across sub-Saharan Africa and it has ambitions to do more.
    • MOPO installs hundreds of solar powered hubs which rent MOPO batteries to customers in regions far from the main grid. MOPO was supported in its early stages to develop its technology, business model and partnerships through the FCDO’s Transforming Energy Access programme.
    • The ADB funding will be delivered through the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) and will provide concessional finance and technical assistance to mobilise finance from the private sector into innovate, clean energy projects. Investments made by SEFA with support from the UK and other donors is expected to create 1.3 million new electricity connections in Africa.
    • The Africa Regional Climate and Nature Programme (ARCAN) is part of the UK’s wider £11.6bn International Climate Finance commitment. Other projects include the Climate Adaptation and Resilience research programme (CLARE), FSD Africa and FSD Africa investments, and Cooperation in International Waters in Africa (CIWA).

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

    Contact the FCDO Communication Team via email (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: DECEMBER 2024: ELFA CapEx Finance Index Shows New Business Volumes Surged at Year-End

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • FORECAST: Growth in new business volumes suggests durable goods orders will expand by 0.35% in December
    • Total new business volume (NBV) rose by $11.4 billion, a jump of 8.1% from November to December among surveyed ELFA member companies
    • NBV expanded by 4.2% from 2023 to 2024
    • Charge-offs (losses) dropped to 0.52%, after rising in the prior month

    WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — “Just as we predicted last month, the equipment finance industry ended 2024 on a high note,” said Leigh Lytle, President and CEO at ELFA. “A surge in bank financing pushed new business volume to a new high, reflecting more certainty following the election and an acknowledgment that interest rates may not fall much further in 2025. I expect that momentum to continue even if activity slows a little in the months ahead – December is usually a strong month for new business activity with the end-of-quarter, end-of-year spike. The mixture of federal policies will be a big factor in 2025, and deregulation could help demand for construction and mining equipment. However, the industry is well-positioned to face a potentially turbulent 2025.”

    Bank financing drove the jump in new activity. Most of the 8.1% monthly rise in NBV came from the banking industry, which surged by 36.2% from November to December. That jump outweighed the modest 0.2% rise in new business growth for captives and the 5.3% contraction in financing activity at independents. The jump in bank lending is the largest on record and pushed the share of bank business activity to nearly 62% of total new business volume, its highest share since before the Global Financial Crisis in the mid-2000s.

    Employment contracted further. Employment in the equipment finance industry contracted again in December, with the 12-month change from December 2023 dropping by nearly 2.0%. Employment at banks and captives declined year over year by 1.2% and 7.1%, respectively. Those declines were partially offset by the 2.5% increase in headcount at independents.

    The credit approval rate ticked up but remained near its 2024 low. The average credit approval rate increased to 74.3% of all credit decisions in December, after a precipitous decline from August to November. While the overall increase was modest, approval of small ticket financing saw its biggest one-month increase since March, rising by 3.6 percentage points.

    Financial conditions remain healthy. Charge-offs dropped to 0.52% as a percentage of net receivables, a welcome decline after the November jump of 0.26 percentage points. Aging receivables over 30 days also rose slightly to 2.0%, but continue to hover near two-year lows.

    “Equipment finance activity continues to be supported by a resilient U.S. economy, which ended 2024 on strong footing,” said Tina Eickhoff, CLFP, Senior Vice President, Head of Equipment Finance, U.S. Bank. “Despite a solid year in our industry, we think there is still a lot of pent-up demand for equipment purchases in 2025. With the election behind us and a little more clarity around interest rate cuts and the economic outlook, we expect more firms to be focused on growth projects with new equipment.”

    Industry Confidence
    The Monthly Confidence Index from ELFA’s affiliate, the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation, rose for the third consecutive month in January, signaling that industry executives remain optimistic about 2025 despite the high uncertainty surrounding federal immigration and trade policies.

    About ELFA’s CFI
    The CapEx Finance Index (CFI), formerly the Monthly Leasing and Finance Index (MLFI-25), is the only near-real-time index that reflects capex, or the volume of commercial equipment financed in the U.S. It is released monthly from Washington, D.C., one day before the U.S. Department of Commerce’s durable goods report. This financial indicator complements reports like the Institute for Supply Management Index, providing a comprehensive view of productive assets in the U.S. economy—equipment produced, acquired and financed. The CFI consists of two years of business activity data from 25 participating companies. For more details, including methodology and participants, visit www.elfaonline.org/CFI.

    About ELFA
    The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) represents financial services companies and manufacturers in the $1 trillion U.S. equipment finance sector. ELFA’s 575 member companies provide essential financing that helps businesses acquire the equipment they need to operate and grow. Learn how equipment finance contributes to businesses’ success, U.S. economic growth, manufacturing and jobs at www.elfaonline.org.

    Follow ELFA:
    X: @ELFAonline
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/89692/

    Media/Press Contact: Catherine Lockwood, PR Manager, ELFA, catherine@360livemedia.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5a28c88a-dd81-4000-82e4-bdef8f0fff65

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Forbion BioEconomy Fund I surpasses €150 million target, raising €164.5 million with strong institutional LP support

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Forbion’s BioEconomy Fund I has raised €164.5 million to date, exceeding its €150 million target in just over a year, since launching in November 2023.
    • Institutional investors, include KfW Capital, Novo Holdings, Rentenbank, Aurae Impact and most recently ABN AMRO Bank and EIFO.
    • The fund focuses on biotech-enabled, B2B solutions that deliver sustainability at price parity or better across Food, Agriculture, Materials, and Environmental Technologies.

    NAARDEN, The Netherlands, Jan. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Forbion, a leading venture capital firm with deep biotech expertise in Europe and the US, announces that its BioEconomy Fund I has raised €164.5 million. This exceeds the fund’s €150 million target, underscoring growing investor interest in the commercial potential of biotech innovations that address global sustainability challenges.

    BioEconomy Fund I is supported by top-tier institutional investors, including KfW Capital, Novo Holdings, Rentenbank, and Aurae Impact, alongside new backers ABN AMRO Bank and EIFO. The BioEconomy Fund I anticipates a final close at or close to the hard cap of €200 million, demonstrating the growing confidence in biotech innovations that address global sustainability challenges.

    Launched in November 2023, the Forbion BioEconomy Fund I is a planetary health fund that targets business-to-business (B2B) solutions that replace unsustainable products with scalable, cost-effective alternatives. A key pillar of the fund’s strategy is ensuring these innovations achieve price parity with incumbent solutions, enabling wide-scale adoption across the fund’s four target sectors: Food, Agriculture, Materials, and Environmental Technologies industries.

    Sander Slootweg, Managing Partner and co-founder of Forbion, stated, “Exceeding €150 million in just over a year reflects the strength of our team and strategy and the confidence our investors have in our ability to execute. Their support for BioEconomy Fund I demonstrates the growing demand for scalable, cost-competitive biotech solutions that deliver both sustainability and strong returns.”

    Alex Hoffmann, General Partner, added, “Investors recognize the transformative potential of scalable biotech solutions to meet the needs of industries seeking to adopt sustainable practices. Their support empowers us to help companies scale and deliver meaningful change.”

    About Forbion BioEconomy Fund I
    BioEconomy Fund I’s focus on using biotechnology and green chemistry to deliver sustainable B2B solutions in Food, Agriculture, Materials, and Environmental Technologies is best exemplified by its initial investments in Solasta Bio and Novameat. These portfolio companies illustrate Forbion’s commitment to scalable, biotech-enabled innovation. Solasta Bio develops sustainable insect control solutions as alternatives to chemical insecticides, while Novameat advances plant-based meat production with proprietary technology designed for scalability and high-quality texture. By building on Forbion’s expertise in biotechnology, the fund aligns its investments with UN Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure), SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production), and SDG 13 (climate action). Forbion BioEconomy Fund I aims to deliver strong financial returns while driving impactful solutions to pressing planetary challenges. Forbion announced the first close of BioEconomy Fund I at €75 million on 20 June 2024.

    About Forbion
    Forbion is a leading global venture capital firm with deep expertise in Europe and the US with offices in Naarden, The Netherlands, Munich, Germany and Boston, USA. Forbion invests in innovative biotech companies, managing approximately €5 billion across multiple fund strategies that cover all stages of (bio-) pharmaceutical drug development. In addition, Forbion leverages its biotech expertise beyond human health to address ‘planetary health’ challenges through its BioEconomy fund strategy, which invests in companies developing sustainable solutions in food, agriculture, materials, and environmental technologies. Forbion’s team consists of over 30 investment professionals that have built an impressive performance track record since the late nineties with 128 investments across 11 funds. Forbion’s record of sourcing, building and guiding life sciences companies has resulted in many approved breakthrough therapies and valuable exits. Forbion typically selects impactful investments that will positively affect the health and well-being of people and the planet, as well as meet its financial return objectives. The firm is a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment. Forbion operates a joint venture with BGV, the manager of seed and early-stage funds, especially focused on Benelux and Germany.

    For more information, please contact:

    Forbion Investor Relations
    Email: Robbert.van.de.Griendt@forbion.com
    General Partner IR & Impact

    Forbion Communications
    Email: laura.asbjornsen@forbion.com
    Head of Communications

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: RBI imposes monetary penalty on The Kheralu Nagrik Sahakari Bank Limited, Dist. Mehsana, Gujarat

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has, by an order dated January 24, 2025, imposed a monetary penalty of ₹1.50 lakh (Rupees One Lakh Fifty Thousand only) on The Kheralu Nagrik Sahakari Bank Limited, Dist. Mehsana, Gujarat (the bank) for non-compliance with directions issued by RBI on ‘Investment by Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks’ and ‘Know Your Customer (KYC)’. This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers conferred on RBI under the provisions of Section 47A(1)(c) read with Sections 46(4)(i) and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

    The statutory inspection of the bank was conducted by RBI with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2023. Based on supervisory findings of non-compliance with RBI directions and related correspondence in that regard, a notice was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for its failure to comply with the said directions. After considering the bank’s reply to the notice and oral submissions made during the personal hearing, RBI found, inter alia, that the following charges against the bank were sustained, warranting imposition of monetary penalty:

    The bank had:

    1. breached the prescribed ceiling of total investments held under Held to Maturity (HTM) category; and

    2. failed to carry out periodic review of risk categorization of certain accounts at least once in six months.

    This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers. Further, imposition of this monetary penalty is without prejudice to any other action that may be initiated by RBI against the bank.

    (Puneet Pancholy)  
    Chief General Manager

    Press Release: 2024-2025/2016

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: RBI imposes monetary penalty on Marketyard Commercial Cooperative Bank Limited, Unjha, Dist. Mehsana, Gujarat

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has, by an order dated January 23, 2025, imposed a monetary penalty of ₹5.50 lakh (Rupees Five Lakh Fifty Thousand only) on Marketyard Commercial Cooperative Bank Limited, Unjha, Dist. Mehsana, Gujarat (the bank) for non-compliance with certain directions issued by RBI on ‘Donations / Contributions for public /charitable purposes out of profits of UCBs’, ‘Donations to Trusts and Institutions where Directors, their relatives hold position or are interested’, ‘Loans and advances to directors, their relatives, and firms / concerns in which they are interested’ and ‘Know Your Customer (KYC)’. This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers conferred on RBI, under the provisions of Section 47A(1)(c) read with Sections 46(4)(i) and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

    The statutory inspection of the bank was conducted by RBI with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2023. Based on supervisory findings of non-compliance with RBI directions and related correspondence in that regard, a notice was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for its failure to comply with the said directions. After considering the bank’s reply to the notice and oral submissions made during the personal hearing, RBI found, inter alia, that the following charges against the bank were sustained, warranting imposition of monetary penalty:

    The bank had:

    1. made donation to trusts in excess of prescribed ceiling;

    2. made donations to certain trusts in which the bank’s directors were interested;

    3. sanctioned certain director related loans; and

    4. failed to carry out periodic review of risk categorization of certain accounts at least once in six months.

    This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers. Further, imposition of this monetary penalty is without prejudice to any other action that may be initiated by RBI against the bank.

    (Puneet Pancholy)  
    Chief General Manager

    Press Release: 2024-2025/2015

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Identity fraud: BaFin warns consumers about the company Interactive Assets

    Source: Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht – In English

    The Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) warns consumers about the company Interactive Assets and the services it is offering. BaFin suspects the unknown operators of the website interactiveassets.pro of offering consumers financial, investment and cryptoasset services without the required authorisation.

    The unknown operators are contacting consumers, claiming that their offer is from Baden-Württembergische Wertpapierbörse GmbH or Börse Stuttgart GmbH. In addition, when advertising its services, the company claims to be supervised by BaFin. However, none of this information is correct. This is a case of identity fraud. Moreover, BaFin does not supervise Interactive Assets.

    BaFin is issuing this information on the basis of section 37 (4) of the German Banking Act (Kreditwesengesetz – KWG) and section 10 (7) of the German Cryptomarkets Supervision Act (Kryptomaerkteaufsichtsgesetz).

    Please be aware:

    BaFin, the German Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt – BKA) and the German state criminal police offices (Landeskriminalämter) recommend that consumers seeking to invest money online should exercise the utmost caution and do the necessary research beforehand in order to identify fraud attempts at an early stage.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Lighting Up Africa: The Transformative Power of Mission 300 (By Kevin Kariuki)

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, January 27, 2025/APO Group/ —

    By Kevin Kariuki, Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate, and Green Growth at the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org/en)

    Across Africa, nearly 600 million people live in energy poverty, deprived of reliable access to electricity—a fundamental prerequisite for modern life. This staggering statistic represents more than just a lack of power.  Significantly, it translates to limited opportunities for education, healthcare, gender equality, and economic growth. Mission 300, a bold initiative championed by the African Development Bank Group and the World Bank Group in collaboration with key partners, seeks to change this narrative by providing first time electricity access to 300 million Africans by 2030.  A key milestone in this effort, branded Mission 300, is the Africa Energy Summit scheduled for Dar es Salaam, 27/28 January 2025.

    The Significance of Energy Access

    Energy is the engine of development. Without affordable, reliable, and sustainable electricity, Africa cannot achieve its developmental aspirations or secure its rightful place in the global economy. Energy access is the cornerstone of economic transformation, opening doors to education, healthcare, and income generation. Moreover, it fosters gender equality by reducing the time women spend on labour and time-intensive tasks such as cooking with traditional fuels or collecting for firewood. Mission 300’s success is therefore not just about electrification; it is about saving and empowering lives as well as communities.  It is also about reducing greenhouse gas emissions and safeguarding biodiversity.

    Yet, the path ahead is daunting. At the current pace of electrification, coupled with Africa’s rapid population growth, the number of people living without access to electricity could remain largely unchanged. Action is therefore an imperative, and Mission 300 provides the roadmap to achieve universal energy access by 2030, consistent with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 7 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

    The Role of Mission 300

    Mission 300 will invest in new and rehabilitation of generation capacity, transmission systems, including intra- and regional interconnections, as well as distribution grids to build robust and reliable power systems.  It will be complemented by reforms in the energy sector to ensure affordability and sustainability of electricity service, and financially viable utilities while partnerships with the private sector will assist in mobilizing funding at the required speed and scale

    In addition to providing electricity access from interconnected power systems, through Mission 300’s transformative vision, mini-grids, and stand-alone solar home systems will be prioritized to provide electricity to underserved regions and communities, including in fragile and remote areas where extending the interconnected grid is impracticable.  These Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) solutions are amenable to easy and speedy roll-out, cost-effective, modular, sustainable, and can ensure that no community is left behind in the Mission 300 journey.  DRE solutions are projected to account for more that 50% of new connections by 2030.

    A Defining Moment: The Africa Energy Summit

    The upcoming Africa Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam will be a pivotal moment in Mission 300 journey. Hosted by the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, the African Union, the African Development Bank Group, the World Bank Group, as well as the African Union, the summit will bring together over 25 Heads of State and Governments, Heads of international Organisation, including Banks, energy experts, and private sector leaders to forge a common path toward universal energy access.

    The principal outcomes of the summit comprise of the adoption of the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration by the entire continent and twelve country energy compacts co-created between countries and the Mission 300 partners.  The Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration will outline commitments to reforms and actions necessary to achieve Mission 300 while twelve country energy compacts, will expound on the principles of the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration to establish tangible country specific actions and measures for accelerated electricity access such as least-cost power expansion plans, providing last-mile access through grid and distributed renewables, building financially viable energy systems, regional interconnection and promotion of private sector participation in the energy sector.  The twelve countries that will submit energy compacts account for almost half of the global population without access to electricity.

    Another important outcome will be the enlisting of additional partners to the Mission 300 bus.  Several partners are expected to announce additional financial resources and technical assistance in furtherance of the Mission 300 goal. 

    Why Now?

    Firstly, is the unity of purpose and visionary leadership of African Development Bank Group and the World Bank Group Presidents that has led to the forging of a structured approach to definitively address the electricity deficit problem in Africa, in collaboration with other development partners.

    Secondly, the continent is blessed with abundant energy resources, including renewable energy, such as 60% of the world’s best solar potential, of which only a tiny proportion has been harnessed.

    Thirdly the cost of renewable energy technology, particularly wind and solar, has reduced dramatically in the recent past making electricity generation from these sources cost competitive compared to sources of conventional power.  Moreover, access to information communication technology, and digitization thereof, currently enables payment platforms that support distributed renewable energy solution.

    When combined, the foregoing provides unprecedented opportunities for addressing the continent’s energy access deficit while also espousing a low-carbon growth trajectory, to support Africa’s climate goals.

    A Call to Action

    Mission 300 is more than an energy initiative; it is a moral imperative. It represents a collective commitment to uplift millions from poverty, foster inclusive economic growth, and create a resilient, green future. But its success hinges on robust support from all stakeholders—governments, development partners, the private sector, and civil society. Together, we must prioritize reforms, mobilize investments, and leverage partnerships to transform Africa’s energy landscape.

    Let us seize this defining moment.  The Africa Energy Summit must not just a platform for discussion on energy.  It must constitute a watershed moment for energy access in Africa.   Let us therefore work to actualize Mission 300 and literally light up the lives of millions, thereby creating lasting change that will evoke enormous pride on future generations.

    In conclusion, “the road ahead may be challenging, but it is also filled with opportunity.  With determination, innovation, and collaboration, we can achieve universal energy access in Africa.  This is our moment to make history.”

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Mission 300 Energy Summit to Gather Africa’s Leaders and Partners to Transform Energy Sector

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, January 27, 2025/APO Group/ —

    African heads of state, business leaders, and development partners will converge tomorrow in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, for the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit where they will commit to ambitious reforms and actions to expand access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity to 300 million people in Africa by 2030.

    Mission 300 is an unprecedented collaboration between the African Development Bank, the World Bank Group, and global partners to address Africa’s electricity access gap using new technology and innovative financing. Nearly 600 million Africans lack electricity, which is crucial for development and job creation.

    Several heads of state and government from Africa will join more than 1,000 other participants—with strong representation from the private sector—at the January 27-28 summit. Together, they will chart Africa’s course toward universal access to energy.

    This week’s summit is expected to yield two significant outcomes: the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration, outlining commitments and practical actions from African governments to reform the energy sector, and the first set of National Energy Compacts, which will serve as blueprints with country-specific targets and timelines for implementation of critical reforms.

    In the first phase, 12 countries will present their energy compacts: Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia. Other African countries are expected to develop their compacts in subsequent phases.

    The partnerships forged and commitments made by the continent’s leaders and changemakers gathering in Dar es Salaam this week will shape the continent’s journey toward achieving universal energy access, transforming millions of lives, and driving sustainable development and job creation.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: Greenbacker secures nearly $1 billion financing to support acquisition and construction of largest solar project in New York State

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Greenbacker, together with Hecate Energy, has completed the development of its largest clean energy project to date. After acquiring the project from Hecate, Greenbacker closed on construction financing in conjunction with commencing construction.
    • Greenbacker partnered with six of the world’s leading project finance banks and financial institutions to secure $869 million in construction-to-term, letter of credit, and tax equity bridge loan financing and with a global investment manager for an additional $81 million development loan facility.
    • The 674 MWdc solar project is expected to power over 120,000 New York homes, support hundreds of green jobs.

    NEW YORK, Jan. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company LLC (“Greenbacker”), an independent power producer and energy transition-focused investment manager, today announced it has secured $950 million in aggregate financing to support the acquisition, construction, and operation of its largest clean energy project to date. When complete, the 674 MWdc / 500 MWac utility-scale solar farm (“Cider”) will be the largest solar project in the state of New York.

    Greenbacker acquired Cider from Hecate Energy LLC (“Hecate”), one of the largest renewable energy developers in the US. The two companies initially entered into a development partnership in 2021 to bring the project through development, financing, and the commencement of construction.

    Following the acquisition, Greenbacker closed on an $869 million financing composed of a construction-to-term loan, a tax equity bridge loan, and letters of credit. The financing was led collectively by six Coordinating Lead Arrangers: MUFG, KeyBanc Capital Markets, ING Capital LLC (“ING”), Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A., New York Branch (“Intesa Sanpaolo”), Societe Generale, and Wells Fargo. MUFG and KeyBanc Capital Markets served as the Co-Documentation Agents and Co-Administrative Agents; ING, Intesa Sanpaolo, and Societe Generale, served as Co-Syndication Agents; ING and Wells Fargo served as Co-Green Structuring Agents. ING, Intesa Sanpaolo, and Societe Generale acted as Bookrunners.

    Greenbacker also successfully closed on an $81 million development loan with Voya Investment Management (“Voya IM”). The development loan with Voya IM was utilized to support Cider’s late-stage development, preliminary construction activities, and equipment procurement.

    With committed funds totaling nearly $1 billion, Cider represents another milestone for Greenbacker—its largest project financing to date.

    “Greenbacker has called New York home for 14 years, and we’re proud to be both the owner of the largest solar energy project in the state’s history and a driving force in accelerating its ambitious clean energy goals,” said Charles Wheeler, CEO of Greenbacker. “This substantial achievement—the result of successful collaboration across a group of top-tier institutions, including our long-time development partner Hecate—will create hundreds of green jobs, deliver affordable clean power, and help continue to build a sustainable future for New Yorkers.”

    Cider also marks the third clean energy collaboration between Greenbacker and Hecate. Over the past several years, Greenbacker has acquired over 70 MWac of utility-scale solar in New York from the developer.

    “Hecate is proud to once again partner with Greenbacker to complete the development of the Cider Project, which represents a landmark accomplishment for renewable energy development in the state,” said Nick Bullinger, Hecate’s Chief Operating Officer. “This project embodies Hecate’s mission to make impact at scale building out clean generation to power our future.”

    “This is the latest in a long history of project financing transactions with Greenbacker, highlighting our ongoing commitment to deploying capital with high-quality partners to help grow the clean energy industry,” said Gregory Berman, Director KeyBanc Capital Markets.

    “This transaction reflects our strong partnership with Greenbacker, belief in its sustainability mission, and commitment to advancing clean energy in New York and nationwide,” said Alberto Mihelcic Bazzana, Director at MUFG.

    Cider will utilize approximately 2,500 acres of land in Genesee County, where it began construction in late 2024. The project is expected to generate enough annual clean electricity to power approximately 120,000 average New York households.1

    “Greenbacker’s successful closing on this development loan facility and the bank syndicate’s construction and long-term facility is a pivotal achievement for our organization,” said Carl Weatherley-White, Greenbacker’s Head of Capital Markets. “Finalizing $950 million in capital to build the largest solar project in New York is a testament to the deep expertise and dedication of all parties involved.”

    Sheppard Mullin and Barclay Damon served as counsel for Greenbacker; Winston & Strawn LLP served as counsel for Hecate; Winston & Strawn LLP and Rath, Young, and Pignatelli, PC served as counsel for the bank syndicate; Latham & Watkins LLP served as counsel for Voya.

    Greenbacker is committed to empowering a sustainable world by connecting individuals and institutions with investments in clean energy. As of September 30, 2024, the company’s fleet of clean energy projects have produced over 10 million MWh of clean energy since 2016, abating more than 7 million metric tons of carbon2 and supporting thousands of green jobs.3

    About Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company
    Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company LLC is a publicly reporting, non-traded limited liability sustainable infrastructure company that both acquires and manages income-producing renewable energy and other energy-related businesses, including solar and wind farms, and provides asset management services to other renewable energy investment vehicles. We seek to acquire and operate high-quality projects that sell clean power under long-term contracts to high-creditworthy counterparties such as utilities, municipalities, and corporations. We are long-term owner-operators, who strive to be good stewards of the land and responsible members of the communities in which we operate. Greenbacker conducts its asset management business through its wholly owned subsidiary, Greenbacker Capital Management, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. We believe our focus on power production and asset management creates value that we can then pass on to our shareholders—while facilitating the transition toward a clean energy future. For more information, please visit https://greenbackercapital.com.

    About Hecate Energy
    Hecate Energy was founded in 2012 by a team of energy industry veterans and has successfully developed 4.1 GWs of projects to construction or operations. Hecate believes in establishing beneficial, sustainable, and collaborative partnerships with the host communities where its projects are located and tailors each renewable energy project it develops to better meet the needs of project stakeholders.
    Hecate Energy has entered over 6 GWac of renewable power purchase agreements (PPAs) across 55 PPAs with 24 counterparties as well as projects that are selling through merchant markets. Projects that Hecate has developed and that are constructed or are under construction include over 4 GWac of solar projects and 103 MWac of battery storage projects totaling over $6 billion in asset value. Hecate has an active development pipeline of over 43.7 GWac of renewable projects.

    About MUFG and MUFG Americas
    Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (MUFG) is one of the world’s leading financial groups. Headquartered in Tokyo and with over 360 years of history, MUFG has a global network with approximately 2,100 locations in more than 50 countries. MUFG has nearly 160,000 employees and offers services including commercial banking, trust banking, securities, credit cards, consumer finance, asset management, and leasing. The Group aims to be “the world’s most trusted financial group” through close collaboration among our operating companies and flexibly respond to all the financial needs of our customers, serving society, and fostering shared and sustainable growth for a better world. MUFG’s shares trade on the Tokyo, Nagoya, and New York stock exchanges.

    MUFG’s Americas operations, including its offices in the U.S., Latin America, and Canada, are primarily organized under MUFG Bank, Ltd. and subsidiaries, and are focused on Global Corporate and Investment Banking, Japanese Corporate Banking, and Global Markets. MUFG is one of the largest foreign banking organizations in the Americas. For locations, banking capabilities and services, career opportunities, and more, visit www.mufgamericas.com.

    About Voya Investment Management
    Voya Investment Management (IM) has approximately $392 billion in assets under management and administration as of Sept. 30, 2024, across public and private fixed income, equities, multi-asset solutions and alternative strategies for institutions, financial intermediaries and individual investors, drawing on a 50-year legacy of active investing and the expertise of 300+ investment professionals. Voya IM has cultivated a culture grounded in a commitment to understanding and anticipating clients’ needs, producing strong investment performance, and embedding diversity, equity and inclusion in its business.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to differ materially from those anticipated at the time the forward-looking statements are made. Although Greenbacker believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that the expectations will be attained or that any deviation will not be material. Greenbacker undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement contained herein to conform to actual results or changes in its expectations.

    Greenbacker media contact
    Chris Larson
    Media Communications
    646.569.9532
    c.larson@greenbackercapital.com

    MUFG media contact
    Alicia Faugier
    Corporate Communications
    afaugier@mufg.jp

    1Governor Hochul Announces Siting Approval of New York’s Largest Solar Facility to Date, governor.ny.gov.
    2EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator. September 30, 2024.
    3 Data is as of September 30, 2024. Green jobs calculated using The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) State Clean Energy Employment Projection Support, nrel.gov.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Blackford Capital Acquires Ace Controls, Expanding PACIV, its Industrial Automation Platform

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Jan. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Blackford Capital (“Blackford”), a leading lower middle market private equity firm, announced today the acquisition of Ace Controls, a Houston, Texas-based company renowned for designing and building industrial control panels. This acquisition diversifies Blackford’s Industrial Automation Platform, PACIV, to service a broader range of customers. Terms of the transaction are not being disclosed.

    Ace Controls is the third acquisition for the PACIV platform since its establishment in June 2023, following its add-on acquisitions of Data Science Automation in January 2024, and Eight12 Automation in May 2024. PACIV has already established a strong presence in the healthcare and life science industries, and the addition of Ace Controls brings a new focus on industrial applications in the water and wastewater industry, and also further expands the platform’s control panel capabilities. Ace Controls has a 95% repeat business rate from its customers, who represent the equipment manufacturing, electrical contracting, and general contracting sectors.

    Martin Stein, Founder and Managing Director of Blackford Capital, said, “Entering an additional highly regulated, strict tolerance end market with high entry barriers will enable PACIV to scale and diversify its business. Our PACIV platform thesis is to be a multi-dimensional industrial automation enterprise catering to life sciences, food and beverage, and water and wastewater companies.”

    Ace Controls President Agmed Aguirre founded the company in 2005 with a vision to serve the water and wastewater industries by building and distributing high-quality wholesale control panels designed with the end user in mind. Under his leadership over the past 20 years, Ace Controls has flourished, earning recognition as an industry leader. Agmed’s wife Lindsey Aguirre joined the business in 2006, playing a crucial role in administration and bookkeeping, which has helped to build a solid foundation for the company. The entire management team and all employees will remain with the PACIV platform post-acquisition.

    “We are excited to join the PACIV platform and are eager to gain access to new customers, receive additional services, and collaboratively achieve significant growth,” said Mr. Aguirre.

    Jeff Johnson, Managing Director and Chairman of the Board of PACIV, said, “We welcome the Ace Controls team to PACIV, who impressed us with their strong culture of continuous improvement, dedication to cost control, and customer service. We believe that by expanding PACIV’s control panel offerings we can achieve our ’one-stop’ goal for the platform and create a truly synergistic portfolio company.”

    The platform is headquartered in ​San Juan, Puerto Rico with offices in Indiana, Pennsylvania, California, Ireland, and now Texas.

    Generational Group served as exclusive financial advisor and Lancaster | Helling served as legal advisor to Ace Controls. Varnum LLP served as legal advisor and RSM US LLP served as the financial and tax advisor to Blackford and PACIV. Mercantile Bank provided debt financing, and Rush Street Capital provided financing advisory services in support of the transaction.

    About Blackford Capital
    Founded in 2010, Blackford Capital is a private equity investment firm headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Blackford acquires, manages, and builds founder and family-owned, lower middle-market companies, with a focus on the manufacturing, industrial and distribution industries. Blackford has a track record of exceptional returns, a disciplined and relentless approach to value creation, and a focus on operational excellence and a compelling culture. In 2023 and 2024, Blackford Capital was named to Inc’s list of Founder-Friendly Investors, was recognized by ACG Detroit with the 2023 M&A Dealmaker of the Year Award and awarded the 2023 Small Markets Deal of the Year award by both Buyouts Magazine and the Global M&A Network Atlas Awards. For more information, visit www.blackfordcapital.com.

    About Ace Controls
    Established in January 2005, Ace Controls leverages over 30 years of combined expertise in control panel design, fabrication, and integration to deliver reliable and cost-effective solutions. Serving the water and wastewater industries, as well as the oil and gas industries, Ace Controls caters to manufacturers of process equipment such as pumps, compressors, blowers, conveyors, mixers, and clarifiers, making Ace Controls a trusted partner in these critical sectors.

    Media Contact:
    Lambert by LLYC
    Jennifer Hurson
    (845) 729-3100
    jhurson@lambert.com

    Jackson Lin
    (646) 717-4593
    jlin@lambert.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/72daeb91-d04c-4f9e-a1d3-5374ce84b9fb

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Form 8.3 – [ International Paper Company]

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.3

    PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY
    A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
    Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

    1.        KEY INFORMATION

    (a)   Full name of discloser: Danske Bank A/S
    (b)   Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
            The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.    		  
    (c)   Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
            Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 International Paper Company
    (d)   If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:  
    (e)   Date position held/dealing undertaken:
            For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure    		 24 January 2025
    (f)   In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
            If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 NO

    2.        POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.

    (a)      Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)

    Class of relevant security: 10p ordinary
      Interests Short positions
      Number % Number %
    (1)   Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 137,608 0.04    
    (2)   Cash-settled derivatives:     137,608 0.04
    (3)   Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:        

            TOTAL:

    		 137,608 0.04 137,608 0.04

    All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.
    Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

    (b)      Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)

    Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:  
    Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:  

    3.        DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

    The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

    (a)        Purchases and sales

    Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit
    10p ordinary Buy      
    1300    		  

    (b)        Cash-settled derivative transactions

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. CFD    		 Nature of dealing
    e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position    		 Number of reference securities Price per unit
    10p ordinary TRS Increasing a short position

    1300

    		  

    (c)        Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)

    (i)        Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type
    e.g. American, European etc.    		 Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit
                   

    (ii)        Exercise

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. call option    		 Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit
             

    (d)        Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing
    e.g. subscription, conversion    		 Details Price per unit (if applicable)
           

    4.        OTHER INFORMATION

    (a)        Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    None

    (b)        Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i)   the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii)   the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    None

    (c)        Attachments

    Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO
    Date of disclosure: 27 January 2025
    Contact name: Kotryna Cinciuke
    Telephone number*: +37060405825

    Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

    The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

    *If the discloser is a natural person, a telephone number does not need to be included, provided contact information has been provided to the Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit.

    The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: RBI announces measures to manage liquidity conditions

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    On a review of current liquidity and financial conditions, the Reserve Bank has decided to conduct the following operations to inject liquidity into the banking system:

    1. OMO purchase auctions of Government of India securities for an aggregate amount of ₹60,000 crore in three tranches of ₹20,000 crore each to be held on January 30, 2025, February 13, 2025, and February 20, 2025

    2. 56-day Variable Rate Repo (VRR) auction for a notified amount of ₹50,000 crore to be held on February 7, 2025

    3. USD/INR Buy/Sell Swap auction of USD 5 billion for a tenor of six months to be held on January 31, 2025

    2. Detailed instructions for each operation shall be issued separately.

    3. The Reserve Bank will continue to monitor evolving liquidity and market conditions and take measures as appropriate to ensure orderly liquidity conditions.

    (Puneet Pancholy)  
    Chief General Manager

    Press Release: 2024-2025/2013

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: CBDC requires interoperability, privacy protection, robust infrastructure, and clear benefits of use to become currency in future, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    CBDC requires interoperability, privacy protection, robust infrastructure, and clear benefits of use to become currency in future, says GlobalData

    Posted in Banking

    Retail central bank digital currency (CBDC) development projects continue to face significant hurdles before achieving large-scale implementation. Key challenges include ensuring system interoperability with existing payment methods and currencies worldwide, addressing privacy concerns in advanced economies, and overcoming infrastructure limitations in emerging economies, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s latest report, “The State of Central Bank Digital Currencies in 2025 and Beyond,” highlights that retail CBDCs fail to address real consumer needs or pain points meaningfully. Furthermore, they offer no clear tangible benefits that would drive user adoption.

    Blandina Szalay, Banking and Payments Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The very limited uptake of CBDC in countries where it fully launched – in the Bahamas, Jamaica, the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union, and Nigeria – can be attributed to the lack of compelling incentives for consumers to switch to CBDCs from the payment methods they are already used to.”

    With habit and convenience being the dominant factors influencing payment tool choices globally for both in-person and online payments, central banks will require either robust incentive schemes or mandates to achieve a widespread adoption of their digital currencies. In countries already operating CBDCs, consumers have expressed that using CBDCs and their associated wallets has introduced additional friction to existing payment processes without offering sufficient benefits. Critics from other CBDC-piloting countries echo these sentiments.

    Szalay continues: “Achieving critical mass in CBDC adoption, however, will be necessary to reap any advantages initially proposed by central banks. These could include driving domestic payment system innovation, improving cross-border payment efficiencies, fostering financial inclusion, and newfound financial and monetary stability in emerging economies by formalizing their economies via CBDC.”

    Most recently, the Bank of England (BoE) unveiled its digital pound lab, a testing sandbox aimed at addressing key challenges such as interoperability, or absence of clear use cases and lack of viable business models. These issues are set to be tackled throughout 2025, before the decision on a wider launch is made.

    Szalay concludes: “As national governments keep allocating resources towards their ongoing CBDC projects, they should also consider the level of their citizens’ openness and willingness to use the central bank’s digital currency in their everyday lives. Should incentives prove insufficient, and governments have to turn to mandates, it will only reinforce critics’ concerns that CBDCs are a tool for asserting domestic and international control.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Identity fraud: BaFin warns consumers against offers on websites zinsify.de and smbcgroup.asia

    Source: Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht – In English

    The Federal Financial Supervisory Authority BaFin warns consumers against offers on websites zinsify.de and smbcgroup.asia. According to information available to BaFin, banking transactions and financial services are being provided on these websites without the required authorisation. The services are not actually offered by SMBC Bank EU AG. This is a case of identity fraud by unknown perpetrators.

    Anyone conducting banking business or providing financial or investment services in Germany may do so only with authorisation from BaFin. However, some companies offer these services without the required authorisation. Information on whether companies have been authorised by BaFin can be found in BaFin’s database of companies.

    The information provided by BaFin is based on section 37 (4) of the German Banking Act (Kreditwesengesetz – KWG).

    Please be aware:

    BaFin, the German Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt – BKA) and the German state criminal police offices (Landeskriminalämter) recommend that consumers seeking to invest money online should exercise the utmost caution and do the necessary research beforehand in order to identify fraud attempts at an early stage.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Supersession of the Board of Directors and Appointment of Administrator – Aviom India Housing Finance Private Limited

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    In exercise of the powers conferred under Section 45-IE(1) of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, and as per recommendation of National Housing Bank (NHB), the Reserve Bank has today superseded the board of directors of Aviom India Housing Finance Private Limited (the company) owing to governance concerns and defaults in meeting various payment obligations, and appointed Shri Ram Kumar, ex-CGM of Punjab National Bank, as the Administrator under Section 45-IE(2) of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. The Reserve Bank intends to shortly initiate the process of resolution of the company under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy (Insolvency and Liquidation Proceedings of Financial Service Providers and Application to Adjudicating Authority) Rules, 2019, and would also apply to the NCLT, New Delhi, for appointing the Administrator as the Insolvency Resolution Professional.

    (Puneet Pancholy)  
    Chief General Manager

    Press Release: 2024-2025/2011

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Executive Board Concludes 2024 Article IV Consultation with Albania

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    January 27, 2025

    Washington, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation[1] with Albania on January 17, 2025.

    The Albanian economy has turned in a strong performance in recent years, underpinned by prudent macroeconomic policies. Output is now well above its pre-pandemic trend thanks to a booming tourism sector. Prudent fiscal policies contributed to a remarkable reduction in public debt while proactive monetary policy, falling global commodity prices, and lek appreciation have facilitated disinflation. External imbalances have shrunk considerably.

    Growth prospects are expected to remain robust. Following an expansion of 3.9 percent in 2023, real GDP growth is projected to average around 3½ percent in 2024–2029, driven by domestic consumption, tourism, and construction activity. End-of-year inflation in 2024 is expected at around 2 percent, below the Bank of Albania’s (BoA) 3 percent target. Although base effects from a significant month-on-month drop in early 2024 will temporarily push up inflation in the first half of 2025, a sustained return to target is not expected before 2026, given the high degree of inertia in the inflation process in Albania.

    The authorities are expected to outperform their 2024 budget target. With revenues on track, thanks to the favorable conjuncture, and capital spending execution lagging, the primary surplus is projected at around 0.5 percent of GDP in 2024, marginally higher than the
    0.3 percent of GDP budget target. The 2025 budget aims for a zero primary balance. The public debt ratio, expected at around 56 percent at end-2024, is expected to decline to around 50 percent in 2029 and is assessed to be sustainable over the medium-term.

    Systemic vulnerabilities in the financial system appear broadly contained. The banking sector remains well-capitalized and liquid with average prudential ratios well above regulatory requirements. However, banks’ large-borrower and sovereign exposures represent sources of risk, as does the rapid expansion of banks’ lending to the real estate sector, which has seen continued price increases and accounts for two-thirds of unhedged FX loans.

    Notwithstanding the upbeat macroeconomic picture, considerable structural challenges remain. GDP per capita stands at just around a quarter of the U.S. and EU-15 levels, amid rapid aging and emigration. Wide-ranging reforms, including to enhance governance and public financial management frameworks, boost human capital and productivity, are needed to catalyze lasting higher growth and convergence. 

    Executive Board Assessment[2]

    Executive Directors agreed with the thrust of the staff appraisal. They welcomed Albania’s recent strong economic performance, underpinned by prudent macroeconomic policies and booming tourism. Directors concurred that the outlook remains favorable with broadly balanced risks, but noted structural challenges related to rapid population aging, emigration, low productivity, and governance shortcomings. They emphasized the importance of preserving macroeconomic stability while advancing reforms to accelerate convergence with the EU and promote sustainable and inclusive growth.

    Directors considered that maintaining a modest annual primary surplus alongside continued efforts to strengthen debt management would reinforce fiscal resilience. While welcoming the progress on the authorities’ medium‑term revenue strategy, they emphasized that sustained revenue administration and tax policy reforms will be needed to address rising spending needs. Directors stressed that public investment and fiscal risk management reforms, especially related to state‑owned enterprises and public‑private partnerships, remain critical to fiscal transparency.

    Directors agreed that uncertainty around the outlook calls for a continued data‑dependent approach to monetary policy. As the sustained lek appreciation is assessed to be largely driven by fundamentals, Directors emphasized that the exchange rate should be allowed to adjust more flexibly, with intervention serving as a complementary tool to address non‑fundamental fluctuations. Carefully weighing the costs and benefits of further reserve accumulation would also be important.

    Directors concurred that continued supervisory vigilance is vital given pockets of vulnerability in the financial sector related to credit growth in the real estate sector as well as banks’ large borrower and sovereign exposures. They encouraged the authorities to ensure strict regulatory compliance and greater alignment with EU standards, and to enhance the macroprudential toolkit. Deepening financial markets and improving oversight of non‑bank financial institutions are key to enhancing resilience and preserving integrity.

    Directors emphasized that deeper reforms are needed to maximize the gains from the EU accession process. Policies should focus on enhancing productivity by fostering global value chain integration, removing barriers to firm growth, and promoting access to bank lending. Further efforts to update education and training programs, advance on the digital agenda, boost female labor force participation, and diversify renewable energy sources would also be important. Directors emphasized that continued infrastructure investments and governance reforms—including the implementation of the 2024–30 Anticorruption Strategy and further implementation of AML/CFT international standards—are key priorities.

     

    Albania: Selected Economic Indicators

    Population: 2.8 million (2023)

    Per capita GDP ($): 8300 (2023)

    Life expectancy (years): 76.8 (2023)

    Literacy rate: 99% (2022)

    Nominal GDP ($bn): 23.0 (2023)

    Poverty rate: 21.7% (2023)

    Quota: SDR 139.3 million (0.03 percent of total)

     

    2023

    2024

    2025

    2026

     

    Proj.

    Output

    Real GDP growth (%)

    3.9

    3.6

    3.5

    3.5

    Output gap (%)

    0.5

    0.3

    0.1

    0.0

    Prices

          Inflation (%, average)

    4.8

    2.2

    2.8

    2.8

          Inflation (%, end-period)

    3.9

    2.0

    2.2

    3.0

    General government finances

    Revenues (% GDP)

    27.2

    28.1

    27.9

    27.9

    Expenditures (% GDP)

    28.5

    29.8

    30.4

    30.5

    Fiscal balance (% GDP)

    -1.3

    -1.7

    -2.5

    -2.6

    Public debt (% GDP) 1/ 2/

    58.4

    56.4

    55.5

    54.5

    Primary balance (% GDP)

    0.7

    0.5

    0.0

    0.0

    Money and credit

    Broad money (% change)

    2.0

    7.1

    5.4

    6.6

    Credit to the private sector (% change)

    5.0

    10.7

    5.4

    6.6

    Balance of payments

    Current account (% GDP)

    -1.2

    -3.4

    -3.7

    -3.9

    FDI (% GDP)

    5.7

    6.0

    6.0

    5.8

    Reserves (months of imports)

    7.3

    6.3

    6.2

    6.3

    External debt (% GDP)

    46.2

    41.0

    39.8

    38.7

    Sources: Albanian authorities, World Bank, UNDP, and IMF staff estimates and projections.

    1/ Public debt refers to the general government and includes all public domestic and external guarantees as well as arrears from central and local government and VAT refund arrears.

    2/ The 2021 SDR allocation equivalent at present to $170 million is recorded with the Bank of Albania and is used as a credit line.
               

    [1] Under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, the IMF holds bilateral discussions with members, usually every year. A staff team visits the country, collects economic and financial information, and discusses with officials the country’s economic developments and policies. On return to headquarters, the staff prepares a report, which forms the basis for discussion by the Executive Board.

    [2] At the conclusion of the discussion, the Managing Director, as Chairman of the Board, summarizes the views of Executive Directors, and this summary is transmitted to the country’s authorities. An explanation of any qualifiers used in summing up can be found here: http://www.IMF.org/external/np/sec/misc/qualifiers.htm.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Eva Graf

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/01/24/pr25016-albania-imf-executive-board-concludes-2024-article-iv-consultation

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Nighteenth International Capacity-building Seminar on Trade and Transport Facilitation and data sharing

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    This event is organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the Government of Turkmenistan, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), with the participation of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), the Organisation for Cooperation of Railways (OSJD), the railway agencies of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Iran, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Eurasian Development Bank, and other partners from the States participating in the UN Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA).

    This event is part of the implementation of the for the Digitalization of Multimodal Data and Document Exchange along the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor Using UN Legal Instruments and Standards, which was adopted by the SPECA Summit on 24 November 2023 in Baku. It follows up on the request of the SPECA Governing Council for capacity-building on the UN/CEFACT standards.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: BNP PARIBAS GROUP: Signing of the share purchase agreement for AXA Investment Managers by BNP Paribas Cardif

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

     

    SIGNING OF THE SHARE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
    FOR AXA INVESTMENT MANAGERS
    BY BNP PARIBAS CARDIF

    Press release
    Paris – 21 December 2024

    After entering into exclusive negotiations on August 1st, AXA and BNP Paribas Cardif announce the signing of the Share Purchase Agreement for AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM).

    This signing follows the completion of the information-consultation procedure on strategic issues with the relevant employee representative bodies of both AXA and BNP Paribas groups.

    “This signing marks an important step in the acquisition process of AXA IM and our long-term partnership with AXA. In anticipation of the closing process, all teams are now working to welcome AXA IM’s employees and customers into the BNP Paribas Cardif Group” said Renaud Dumora, Chairman of BNP Paribas Cardif, Deputy COO of BNP Paribas.

    As previously communicated, the agreed price for the acquisition and the long-term partnership is €5.1 billion, with the closing expected mid-2025 and an anticipated impact on BNP Paribas Group’s CET1 ratio of 25 bps subject to agreements with the relevant authorities.

    Press contacts
    Sandrine ROMANO – sandrine.romano@bnpparibas.com – +33 (0)6 71 18 23 05
    Thomas ALEXANDRE – thomas.alexandre@bnpparibas.com – +33 (0)6 02 19 48 69

    About BNP Paribas
    BNP Paribas is the European Union’s leading bank and key player in international banking. It operates in 63 countries and has nearly 183,000 employees, including more than 145,000 in Europe. The Group has key positions in its three main fields of activity: Commercial, Personal Banking & Services for the Group’s commercial & personal banking and several specialised businesses including BNP Paribas Personal Finance and Arval; Investment & Protection Services for savings, investment and protection solutions; and Corporate & Institutional Banking, focused on corporate and institutional clients. Based on its strong diversified and integrated model, the Group helps all its clients (individuals, community associations, entrepreneurs, SMEs, corporates and institutional clients) to realise their projects through solutions spanning financing, investment, savings and protection insurance. In Europe, BNP Paribas has four domestic markets: Belgium, France, Italy and Luxembourg. The Group is rolling out its integrated commercial & personal banking model across several Mediterranean countries, Turkey, and Eastern Europe. As a key player in international banking, the Group has leading platforms and business lines in Europe, a strong presence in the Americas as well as a solid and fast-growing business in Asia-Pacific. BNP Paribas has implemented a Corporate Social Responsibility approach in all its activities, enabling it to contribute to the construction of a sustainable future, while ensuring the Group’s performance and stability.

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