Category: Canada

  • MIL-OSI: CORRECTION — Real Estate Split Corp. Announces Overnight Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    In a release issued earlier today under the same headline by Real Estate Split Corp. (TSX: RS and RS.PR.A), please note that in the second sentence of the second paragraph, the closing date should be October 30, not October 31. The corrected release follows:

    Not for distribution to U.S. Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States.

    TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Real Estate Split Corp. (TSX: RS and RS.PR.A) (the “Company”), is pleased to announce that the Company is undertaking an overnight treasury offering of class A and preferred shares (the “Class A Shares” and “Preferred Shares”, respectively).

    The sales period for this overnight offering will end at 9:00 a.m. (ET) on Thursday, October 24, 2024. The offering is expected to close on or about October 30, 2024 and is subject to certain closing conditions including approval by the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”).

    The Class A Shares will be offered at a price of $12.90 per Class A Share to yield 12.1% and the Preferred Shares will be offered at a price of $10.10 per Preferred Share to yield 4.4% to maturity. The closing price on the TSX for each of the Class A Shares and Preferred Shares on October 22, 2024 was $13.21 and $10.16, respectively. The Class A Share and Preferred Share offering prices were determined so as to be non-dilutive to the most recently calculated net asset value per unit of the Company (calculated as at October 22, 2024), as adjusted for dividends and certain expenses to be accrued prior to or upon settlement of the offering.

    The Company has been designed to provide investors with a diversified, actively managed, high conviction portfolio comprised of securities of leading North American real estate companies.

    The Company’s investment objectives for the:

    Class A Shares are to provide holders with:

    (i) non-cumulative monthly cash distributions; and
    (ii) the opportunity for capital appreciation through exposure to the portfolio

    Preferred Shares are to:

    (i) provide holders with fixed cumulative preferential quarterly cash distributions; and
    (ii) return the original issue price of $10.00 to holders upon maturity.

    Middlefield Capital Corporation provides investment management advice to the Company.

    The syndicate of agents for the offering is being co-led by CIBC Capital Markets, RBC Capital Markets, and Scotiabank.

    For further information, please visit our website at www.middlefield.com or contact Nancy Tham in our Sales and Marketing Department at 1.888.890.1868.

    A short form base shelf prospectus containing important detailed information about the securities being offered has been filed with securities commissions or similar authorities in each of the provinces and territories of Canada. Copies of the short form base shelf prospectus may be obtained from a member of the syndicate. The Company intends to file a supplement to the short form base shelf prospectus, and investors should read the short form base shelf prospectus and the prospectus supplement before making an investment decision. There will not be any sale or any acceptance of an offer to buy the securities being offered until the prospectus supplement has been filed with the securities commissions or similar authorities in each of the provinces and territories of Canada.

    The MIL Network

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

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

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

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

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

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

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI: Horizon Bancorp, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2024 Results, Including EPS of $0.41 and Continued Profitability Improvement, as well as Accretive Balance Sheet Initiatives

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MICHIGAN CITY, Ind., Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — (NASDAQ GS: HBNC) – Horizon Bancorp, Inc. (“Horizon” or the “Company”), the parent company of Horizon Bank (the “Bank”), announced its unaudited financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024.

    Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was $18.2 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, compared to net income of $14.1 million, or $0.32, for the second quarter of 2024 and compared to net income of $16.2 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2023.

    Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $46.3 million, or $1.05 per diluted share, compared to net income of $53.2 million, or $1.21, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

    Third Quarter 2024 Highlights

    • Net interest income increased for the fourth consecutive quarter to $46.9 million, compared to $45.3 million in the linked quarter of 2024. Net interest margin, on a fully taxable equivalent (“FTE”) basis1, expanded for the fourth consecutive quarter to 2.66%, compared to 2.64% in the linked quarter of 2024.
    • Total loans held for investment (“HFI”) were $4.8 billion at September 30, 2024, relatively unchanged from June 30, 2024 balances. However, consistent with the Company’s stated growth strategy, the commercial portfolio showed continued organic growth momentum during the quarter, which was offset with planned run-off of lower-yielding indirect auto loans in the consumer loan portfolio. 
    • Positive deposit growth of 1.7% during the quarter, to $5.7 billion at period end. The quarter was highlighted by stable non-interest bearing deposit balances and growth in core relationship consumer and commercial portfolios. 
    • Credit quality remains strong, with annualized net charge offs of 0.03% of average loans during the third quarter. Non-performing assets to total assets of 0.32% remains well within expected ranges, with no material change in the loss outlook. Provision for loan losses of $1.0 million reflects continued positive credit performance.

    “Horizon continues to execute well on its key strategic initiatives of consistently improving our operating performance through a more productive balance sheet, growth in non-interest income and continued disciplined in our operating model. As a result, we are optimistic on the positive momentum of the franchise through year-end 2024 and into 2025. During the quarter, our commercial team was able to deliver another quarter of quality loan growth, even coming off a strong end to the second quarter. The strength of Horizon’s core deposit franchise showed solid performance, and our credit metrics remain well managed. These efforts led to a third consecutive quarter of sequential growth in pre-tax pre-provision income,” President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas M. Prame said. “Importantly, we continue our efforts to optimize our business model, and are pleased to announce the repositioning of a portion of our securities portfolio and the intended sale of our mortgage warehouse business during the fourth quarter. These shareholder accretive actions are expected to yield sustainable improvement in the profitability of our business that will be evident in the fourth quarter, and positively impact Horizon’s financial performance in 2025.”

    _________________________
    1
    Non-GAAP financial metric. See non-GAAP reconciliation included herein for the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

    Accretive Fourth Quarter 2024 Strategic Actions

    Horizon announced strategic actions taking place in the fourth quarter of 2024, which are designed to simplify its business, strengthen the balance sheet and improve long-term structural profitability. In October, the Company completed the repositioning of about $325 million of available-for-sale securities. Additionally, the Company has signed a letter of intent to sell its mortgage warehouse business, which is expected to generate a gain-on-sale. Details on these actions, the use of proceeds, and the expected financial impact are available in the Company’s third quarter 2024 investor presentation published at investor.horizonbank.com.

     
    Financial Highlights
    (Dollars in Thousands Except Share and Per Share Data and Ratios, Unaudited)
      Three Months Ended
      September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,   September 30,
      2024   2024   2024   2023   2023
    Income statement:                  
    Net interest income $ 46,910     $ 45,279     $ 43,288     $ 42,257     $ 42,090  
    Credit loss expense   1,044       2,369       805       1,274       263  
    Non-interest income   11,511       10,485       9,929       (20,449 )     11,830  
    Non-interest expense   39,272       37,522       37,107       39,330       36,168  
    Income tax expense   (75 )     1,733       1,314       6,419       1,284  
    Net income $ 18,180     $ 14,140     $ 13,991     $ (25,215 )   $ 16,205  
                       
    Per share data:                  
    Basic earnings per share $ 0.42     $ 0.32     $ 0.32     $ (0.58 )   $ 0.37  
    Diluted earnings per share   0.41       0.32       0.32       (0.58 )     0.37  
    Cash dividends declared per common share   0.16       0.16       0.16       0.16       0.16  
    Book value per common share   17.27       16.62       16.49       16.47       15.89  
    Market value – high   16.57       12.74       14.44       14.65       12.68  
    Market value – low   11.89       11.29       11.75       9.33       9.90  
    Weighted average shares outstanding – Basic   43,712,059       43,712,059       43,663,610       43,649,585       43,646,609  
    Weighted average shares outstanding – Diluted   44,112,321       43,987,187       43,874,036       43,649,585       43,796,069  
    Common shares outstanding (end of period)   43,712,059       43,712,059       43,726,380       43,652,063       43,648,501  
                       
    Key ratios:                  
    Return on average assets   0.92 %     0.73 %     0.72 %   (1.27)        %     0.81 %
    Return on average stockholders’ equity   9.80       7.83       7.76       (14.23 )     8.99  
    Total equity to total assets   9.52       9.18       9.18       9.06       8.71  
    Total loans to deposit ratio   83.92       85.70       82.78       78.01       76.52  
    Allowance for credit losses to HFI loans   1.10       1.08       1.09       1.13       1.14  
    Annualized net charge-offs of average total loans(1)   0.03       0.05       0.04       0.07       0.07  
    Efficiency ratio   67.22       67.29       69.73       180.35       67.08  
                       
    Key metrics (Non-GAAP)(2):                  
    Net FTE interest margin   2.66 %     2.64 %     2.50 %     2.43 %     2.41 %
    Return on average tangible common equity   12.65       10.18       10.11       (18.76 )     11.79  
    Tangible common equity to tangible assets   7.58       7.22       7.20       7.08       6.72  
    Tangible book value per common share $ 13.46     $ 12.80     $ 12.65     $ 12.60     $ 12.00  
                       
                       
    (1) Average total loans includes loans held for investment and held for sale.
    (2) Non-GAAP financial metrics. See non-GAAP reconciliation included herein for the most directly comparable GAAP measures.
     

    Income Statement Highlights

    Net Interest Income

    Net interest income was $46.9 million in the third quarter of 2024, compared to $45.3 million in the second quarter of 2024, driven by net growth in average interest earning assets of $117.5 million and continued net FTE interest margin expansion during the quarter. Horizon’s net FTE interest margin1 was 2.66% for the third quarter of 2024, compared to 2.64% for the second quarter of 2024, attributable to the favorable mix shift in average interest earning assets toward higher-yielding loans and in the average funding mix toward lower-cost deposit balances. Interest accretion from the fair value of acquired loans did not contribute significantly to the third quarter net interest income, or net FTE interest margin.

    Provision for Credit Losses

    During the third quarter of 2024, the Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $1.0 million. This compares to a provision for credit losses of $2.4 million during the second quarter of 2024, and $0.3 million during the third quarter of 2023. The decrease in the provision for credit losses during the third quarter of 2024 when compared with the second quarter of 2024 was primarily attributable to less total loan growth in the current quarter relative to the prior quarter.

    For the third quarter of 2024, the allowance for credit losses included net charge-offs of $0.4 million, or an annualized 0.03% of average loans outstanding, compared to net charge-offs of $0.6 million, or an annualized 0.05% of average loans outstanding for the second quarter of 2024, and net charge-offs of $0.7 million, or an annualized 0.07% of average loans outstanding, in the third quarter of 2023.

    The Company’s allowance for credit losses as a percentage of period-end loans HFI was 1.10% at September 30, 2024, compared to 1.08% at June 30, 2024 and 1.14% at September 30, 2023.

    Non-Interest Income

    For the Quarter Ended September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,   September 30,
    (Dollars in Thousands) 2024
      2024
      2024
      2023   2023
    Non-interest Income                  
    Service charges on deposit accounts $ 3,320     $ 3,130     $ 3,214     $ 3,092     $ 3,086  
    Wire transfer fees   123       113       101       103       120  
    Interchange fees   3,511       3,826       3,109       3,224       3,186  
    Fiduciary activities   1,394       1,372       1,315       1,352       1,206  
    Gains (losses) on sale of investment securities                     (31,572 )      
    Gain on sale of mortgage loans   1,622       896       626       951       1,582  
    Mortgage servicing income net of impairment   412       450       439       724       631  
    Increase in cash value of bank owned life insurance   349       318       298       658       1,055  
    Other income   780       380       827       1,019       964  
    Total non-interest income $ 11,511     $ 10,485     $ 9,929     $ (20,449 )   $ 11,830  
                                           

    Total non-interest income was $11.5 million in the third quarter of 2024, compared to $10.5 million in the second quarter of 2024, due primarily to higher realized gains on sale of mortgage loans and increased other income.

    _________________________
    1
    Non-GAAP financial metric. See non-GAAP reconciliation included herein for the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

    Non-Interest Expense

    For the Quarter Ended September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,   September 30,
    (Dollars in Thousands) 2024
      2024
      2024
      2023
      2023
    Non-interest Expense                  
    Salaries and employee benefits $ 21,829     $ 20,583     $ 20,268     $ 21,877     $ 20,058  
    Net occupancy expenses   3,207       3,192       3,546       3,260       3,283  
    Data processing   2,977       2,579       2,464       2,942       2,999  
    Professional fees   676       714       607       772       707  
    Outside services and consultants   3,677       3,058       3,359       2,394       2,316  
    Loan expense   1,034       1,038       719       1,345       1,120  
    FDIC insurance expense   1,204       1,315       1,320       1,200       1,300  
    Core deposit intangible amortization   844       844       872       903       903  
    Other losses   297       515       16       508       188  
    Other expense   3,527       3,684       3,936       4,129       3,294  
    Total non-interest expense $ 39,272     $ 37,522     $ 37,107     $ 39,330     $ 36,168  
                                           

    Total non-interest expense was $39.3 million in the third quarter of 2024, compared with $37.5 million in the second quarter of 2024. The increase in non-interest expense during the third quarter of 2024 was primarily driven by a $1.2 million increase in salaries and employee benefits expense, which is partially attributable to a legacy benefits program expense, and a $0.6 million increase in outside services and consultants expense related to strategic initiatives.

    Income Taxes

    Horizon’s effective tax rate was -0.4% for the third quarter of 2024, as compared to 10.9% for the second quarter of 2024. The decrease in the effective tax rate during the third quarter was primarily due to an increase in net realizable tax credits for the current year, which reduced the Company’s estimated annual effective tax rate.

    Balance Sheet

    Total assets increased by $14.9 million, or 0.2%, to $7.93 billion as of September 30, 2024, from $7.91 billion as of June 30, 2024. The increase in total assets is primarily due to increases in federal funds sold of $79.5 million, or 230.6%, to $113.9 million as of September 30, 2024, compared to $34.5 million as of June 30, 2024. The increase in federal funds sold during the period was partially offset by a decrease in other assets of $46.6 million, or 28.1%, to $119.0 million as of September 30, 2024, from $165.7 million as of June 30, 2024.

    Total investment securities remained unchanged, at $2.4 billion as of September 30, 2024, compared to June 30, 2024, as the positive market impact to available for sale securities was offset by normal pay-downs and maturities. There were no purchases of investment securities during the third quarter of 2024.

    Total loans HFI and loans held for sale were relatively consistent at $4.8 billion as of September 30, 2024 compared to $4.8 billion as of June 30, 2024, as growth in commercial loans of $9.5 million were offset by a decline in consumer loans of $43.3 million.

    Total deposit balances increased by $96.9 million, or 1.7%, to $5.7 billion as of September 30, 2024 when compared to balances as of June 30, 2024. Non-interest bearing deposit balances were essentially unchanged during the quarter.

    Total borrowings decreased by $86.4 million, or 7.0%, to $1.1 billion as of September 30, 2024, primarily related to the repayment of a portion of Federal Home Loan Bank advances, when compared to balances as of June 30, 2024.

    Capital

    The following table presents the consolidated regulatory capital ratios of the Company for the previous three quarters:

    For the Quarter Ended September 30,   June 30,   March 31, December 31,
      2024*   2024   2024** 2023**
    Consolidated Capital Ratios            
    Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)   13.52 %     13.41 %     13.75 %   14.04 %
    Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)   11.70 %     11.59 %     11.89 %   12.13 %
    Common equity tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)   10.74 %     10.63 %     10.89 %   11.11 %
    Tier 1 capital (to average assets)   9.01 %     9.02 %     8.91 %   8.61 %
    *Preliminary estimate – may be subject to change  
    **Prior periods were previously revised (see disclosure in Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ending June 30, 2024)  
       

    As of September 30, 2024, the ratio of total stockholders’ equity to total assets is 9.52%. Book value per common share was $17.27, increasing $0.65 during the third quarter of 2024.

    Tangible common equity1 totaled $588.5 million at September 30, 2024, and the ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets1 was 7.58% at September 30, 2024, up from 7.22% at June 30, 2024. Tangible book value, which excludes intangible assets from total equity, per common share1 was $13.46, increasing $0.66 during the third quarter of 2024.

    Credit Quality

    As of September 30, 2024, total non-accrual loans increased by $5.3 million, or 29.0%, from June 30, 2024, to 0.49% of total loans HFI. Total non-performing assets increased $5.1 million, or 25.0%, to $25.6 million, compared to $20.5 million as of June 30, 2024. The ratio of non-performing assets to total assets increased to 0.32% compared to 0.26% as of June 30, 2024.

    As of September 30, 2024, net charge-offs decreased by $0.2 million to $0.4 million, compared to $0.6 million as of June 30, 2024 and remain just 0.03% annualized of average loans.

    _________________________
    1
    Non-GAAP financial metric. See non-GAAP reconciliation included herein for the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

    Earnings Conference Call

    As previously announced, Horizon will host a conference call to review its third quarter financial results and operating performance.

    Participants may access the live conference call on October 24, 2024 at 7:30 a.m. CT (8:30 a.m. ET) by dialing 833-974-2379 from the United States, 866-450-4696 from Canada or 1-412-317-5772 from international locations and requesting the “Horizon Bancorp Call.” Participants are asked to dial in approximately 10 minutes prior to the call.

    A telephone replay of the call will be available approximately one hour after the end of the conference through November 1, 2024. The replay may be accessed by dialing 877-344-7529 from the United States, 855-669-9658 from Canada or 1–412–317-0088 from other international locations, and entering the access code 9847279.

    About Horizon Bancorp, Inc.

    Horizon Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ GS: HBNC) is the $7.9 billion-asset commercial bank holding company for Horizon Bank, which serves customers across diverse and economically attractive Midwestern markets through convenient digital and virtual tools, as well as its Indiana and Michigan branches. Horizon’s retail offerings include prime residential and other secured consumer lending to in-market customers, as well as a range of personal banking and wealth management solutions. Horizon also provides a comprehensive array of in-market business banking and treasury management services, as well as equipment financing solutions for customers regionally and nationally, with commercial lending representing over half of total loans. More information on Horizon, headquartered in Northwest Indiana’s Michigan City, is available at horizonbank.com and investor.horizonbank.com.

    Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    Certain information set forth in this press release refers to financial measures determined by methods other than in accordance with GAAP. Specifically, we have included non-GAAP financial measures relating to net income, diluted earnings per share, pre-tax, pre-provision net income, net interest margin, tangible stockholders’ equity and tangible book value per share, efficiency ratio, the return on average assets, the return on average common equity, and return on average tangible equity. In each case, we have identified special circumstances that we consider to be non-recurring and have excluded them. We believe that this shows the impact of such events as acquisition-related purchase accounting adjustments and swap termination fees, among others we have identified in our reconciliations. Horizon believes these non-GAAP financial measures are helpful to investors and provide a greater understanding of our business and financial results without giving effect to the purchase accounting impacts and one-time costs of acquisitions and non–recurring items. These measures are not necessarily comparable to similar measures that may be presented by other companies and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related GAAP measure. See the tables and other information below and contained elsewhere in this press release for reconciliations of the non-GAAP information identified herein and its most comparable GAAP measures.

    Forward Looking Statements

    This press release may contain forward–looking statements regarding the financial performance, business prospects, growth and operating strategies of Horizon Bancorp, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively, “Horizon”). For these statements, Horizon claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements in this press release should be considered in conjunction with the other information available about Horizon, including the information in the filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Forward-looking statements provide current expectations or forecasts of future events and are not guarantees of future performance. The forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. We have tried, wherever possible, to identify such statements by using words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “will” and similar expressions in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance.

    Although management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially include: current financial conditions within the banking industry; changes in the level and volatility of interest rates, changes in spreads on earning assets and changes in interest bearing liabilities; increased interest rate sensitivity; the aggregate effects of elevated inflation levels in recent years; loss of key Horizon personnel; increases in disintermediation; potential loss of fee income, including interchange fees, as new and emerging alternative payment platforms take a greater market share of the payment systems; estimates of fair value of certain of Horizon’s assets and liabilities; changes in prepayment speeds, loan originations, credit losses, market values, collateral securing loans and other assets; changes in sources of liquidity; macroeconomic conditions and their impact on Horizon and its customers; legislative and regulatory actions and reforms; changes in accounting policies or procedures as may be adopted and required by regulatory agencies; litigation, regulatory enforcement, and legal compliance risk and costs; rapid technological developments and changes; cyber terrorism and data security breaches; the rising costs of cybersecurity; the ability of the U.S. federal government to manage federal debt limits; climate change and social justice initiatives; the inability to realize cost savings or revenues or to effectively implement integration plans and other consequences associated with mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures; acts of terrorism, war and global conflicts, such as the Russia and Ukraine conflict and the Israel and Hamas conflict; and supply chain disruptions and delays. These and additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements are discussed in Horizon’s reports (such as the Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K) filed with the SEC and available at the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov). Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward–looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Horizon does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to publicly release the result of any revisions that may be made to update any forward-looking statement to reflect the events or circumstances after the date on which the forward–looking statement is made, or reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except to the extent required by law.

       
      Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
      (Dollars in Thousands Except Per Share Data, Unaudited)
      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
      September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,   September 30,   September 30,   September 30,
      2024   2024
      2024
      2023   2023
      2024
      2023
    Interest Income                          
    Loans receivable $ 75,488     $ 71,880     $ 66,954     $ 65,583     $ 63,003     $ 214,322     $ 178,961  
    Investment securities – taxable   8,133       7,986       7,362       8,157       8,788       23,481       26,253  
    Investment securities – tax-exempt   6,310       6,377       6,451       6,767       7,002       19,138       21,617  
    Other   957       738       4,497       3,007       1,332       6,192       1,960  
    Total interest income   90,888       86,981       85,264       83,514       80,125       263,133       228,791  
    Interest Expense                          
    Deposits   30,787       28,447       27,990       27,376       24,704       87,224       58,481  
    Borrowed funds   11,131       11,213       11,930       11,765       11,224       34,274       30,713  
    Subordinated notes   830       829       831       870       880       2,490       2,641  
    Junior subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts   1,230       1,213       1,225       1,246       1,227       3,668       3,469  
    Total interest expense   43,978       41,702       41,976       41,257       38,035       127,656       95,304  
    Net Interest Income   46,910       45,279       43,288       42,257       42,090       135,477       133,487  
    Provision for loan losses   1,044       2,369       805       1,274       263       4,218       1,185  
    Net Interest Income after Provision for Loan Losses   45,866       42,910       42,483       40,983       41,827       131,259       132,302  
    Non-interest Income                          
    Service charges on deposit accounts   3,320       3,130       3,214       3,092       3,086       9,664       9,135  
    Wire transfer fees   123       113       101       103       120       337       345  
    Interchange fees   3,511       3,826       3,109       3,224       3,186       10,446       9,637  
    Fiduciary activities   1,394       1,372       1,315       1,352       1,206       4,081       3,728  
    Gains (losses) on sale of investment securities                     (31,572 )                 (480 )
    Gain on sale of mortgage loans   1,622       896       626       951       1,582       3,144       3,372  
    Mortgage servicing income net of impairment   412       450       439       724       631       1,301       1,984  
    Increase in cash value of bank owned life insurance   349       318       298       658       1,055       965       3,051  
    Other income   780       380       827       1,019       964       1,987       1,675  
    Total non-interest income   11,511       10,485       9,929       (20,449 )     11,830       31,925       32,447  
    Non-interest Expense                          
    Salaries and employee benefits   21,829       20,583       20,268       21,877       20,058       62,680       58,932  
    Net occupancy expenses   3,207       3,192       3,546       3,260       3,283       9,945       10,095  
    Data processing   2,977       2,579       2,464       2,942       2,999       8,020       8,684  
    Professional fees   676       714       607       772       707       1,997       1,873  
    Outside services and consultants   3,677       3,058       3,359       2,394       2,316       10,094       7,548  
    Loan expense   1,034       1,038       719       1,345       1,120       2,791       3,635  
    FDIC insurance expense   1,204       1,315       1,320       1,200       1,300       3,839       2,680  
    Core deposit intangible amortization   844       844       872       903       903       2,560       2,709  
    Other losses   297       515       16       508       188       828       543  
    Other expense   3,527       3,684       3,936       4,129       3,294       11,147       10,255  
    Total non-interest expense   39,272       37,522       37,107       39,330       36,168       113,901       106,954  
    Income /(Loss) Before Income Taxes   18,105       15,873       15,305       (18,796 )     17,489       49,283       57,795  
    Income tax expense   (75 )     1,733       1,314       6,419       1,284       2,972       4,599  
    Net Income /(Loss) $ 18,180     $ 14,140     $ 13,991     $ (25,215 )   $ 16,205     $ 46,311     $ 53,196  
    Basic Earnings /(Loss) Per Share $ 0.42     $ 0.32     $ 0.32     $ (0.58 )   $ 0.37     $ 1.06     $ 1.22  
    Diluted Earnings/(Loss) Per Share   0.41       0.32       0.32       (0.58 )     0.37       1.05       1.21  
                                                           
      Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
      (Dollars in Thousands)
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
      September 30,
    2023
    Assets                  
    Interest earning assets                  
    Federal funds sold $ 113,912     $ 34,453     $ 161,704     $ 401,672     $ 71,576  
    Interest earning deposits   12,107       4,957       9,178       12,071       4,718  
    Interest earning time deposits   735       1,715       1,715       2,205       2,207  
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock   53,826       53,826       53,826       34,509       34,509  
    Investment securities, available for sale   541,170       527,054       535,319       547,251       865,168  
    Investment securities, held to maturity   1,888,379       1,904,281       1,925,725       1,945,638       1,966,483  
    Loans held for sale   2,069       2,440       922       1,418       2,828  
    Gross loans held for investment (HFI)   4,803,996       4,822,840       4,618,175       4,417,630       4,359,002  
    Total Interest earning assets   7,416,194       7,351,566       7,306,564       7,362,394       7,306,491  
    Non-interest earning assets                  
    Allowance for credit losses   (52,881 )     (52,215 )     (50,387 )     (50,029 )     (49,699 )
    Cash   108,815       106,691       100,206       112,772       98,843  
    Cash value of life insurance   37,115       36,773       36,455       36,157       149,212  
    Other assets   119,026       165,656       160,593       177,061       152,280  
    Goodwill   155,211       155,211       155,211       155,211       155,211  
    Other intangible assets   11,067       11,910       12,754       13,626       14,530  
    Premises and equipment, net   93,544       93,695       94,303       94,583       94,716  
    Interest receivable   39,366       43,240       40,008       38,710       37,850  
    Total non-interest earning assets   511,263       560,961       549,143       578,091       652,943  
    Total assets $ 7,927,457     $ 7,912,527     $ 7,855,707     $ 7,940,485     $ 7,959,434  
    Liabilities                  
    Savings and money market deposits $ 3,420,827     $ 3,364,726     $ 3,350,673     $ 3,369,149     $ 3,322,788  
    Time deposits   1,220,653       1,178,389       1,136,121       1,179,739       1,250,606  
    Borrowings   1,142,744       1,229,165       1,219,812       1,217,020       1,214,016  
    Repurchase agreements   122,399       128,169       139,309       136,030       142,494  
    Subordinated notes   55,703       55,668       55,634       55,543       59,007  
    Junior subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts   57,423       57,369       57,315       57,258       57,201  
    Total interest earning liabilities   6,019,749       6,013,486       5,958,864       6,014,739       6,046,112  
    Non-interest bearing deposits   1,085,535       1,087,040       1,093,076       1,116,005       1,126,703  
    Interest payable   11,400       11,240       7,853       22,249       16,281  
    Other liabilities   55,951       74,096       74,664       68,680       76,969  
    Total liabilities   7,172,635       7,185,862       7,134,457       7,221,673       7,266,065  
    Stockholders’ Equity                  
    Preferred stock                            
    Common stock                            
    Additional paid-in capital   358,453       357,673       356,599       356,400       355,478  
    Retained earnings   454,050       442,977       435,927       429,021       461,325  
    Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   (57,681 )     (73,985 )     (71,276 )     (66,609 )     (123,434 )
    Total stockholders’ equity   754,822       726,665       721,250       718,812       693,369  
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 7,927,457     $ 7,912,527     $ 7,855,707     $ 7,940,485     $ 7,959,434  
                                           
      Loans and Deposits        
      (Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)        
      September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,   September 30,   % Change
      2024   2024   2024   2023   2023   Q3’24 vs Q2’24   Q3’24 vs Q3’23
    Commercial:                          
    Commercial real estate $ 2,105,459     $ 2,117,772     $ 1,984,723     $ 1,962,097     $ 1,916,056       (1 )%     10 %
    Commercial & Industrial   808,600       786,788       765,043       712,863       673,188       3 %     20 %
    Total commercial   2,914,059       2,904,560       2,749,766       2,674,960       2,589,244       %     13 %
    Residential Real estate   801,356       797,956       782,071       681,136       675,399       %     19 %
    Mortgage warehouse   80,437       68,917       56,548       45,078       65,923       17 %     22 %
    Consumer   1,008,144       1,051,407       1,029,790       1,016,456       1,028,436       (4 )%     (2 )%
    Total loans held for investment   4,803,996       4,822,840       4,618,175       4,417,630       4,359,002       %     10 %
    Loans held for sale   2,069       2,440       922       1,418       2,828       (15 )%     (27 )%
    Total loans $ 4,806,065     $ 4,825,280     $ 4,619,097     $ 4,419,048     $ 4,361,830       %     10 %
                               
    Deposits:                          
    Interest bearing deposits                          
    Savings and money market deposits $ 3,420,827     $ 3,364,726     $ 3,350,673     $ 3,369,149     $ 3,322,788       2 %     3 %
    Time deposits   1,220,653       1,178,389       1,136,121       1,179,739       1,250,606       4 %     (2 )%
    Total Interest bearing deposits   4,641,480       4,543,115       4,486,794       4,548,888       4,573,394       2 %     1 %
    Non-interest bearing deposits                          
    Non-interest bearing deposits   1,085,535       1,087,040       1,093,076       1,116,005       1,126,703       %     (4 )%
    Total deposits $ 5,727,015     $ 5,630,155     $ 5,579,870     $ 5,664,893     $ 5,700,097       2 %     %
                                                           
      Average Balance Sheet
      (Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)
      Three Months Ended
      September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   September 30, 2023
      Average
    Balance
    Interest(4) Average
    Rate(4)
      Average
    Balance
    Interest(4) Average
    Rate(4)
      Average
    Balance
    Interest(4) Average
    Rate(4)
    Assets
    Interest earning assets                      
    Federal funds sold $ 64,743   $ 860     5.28 %   $ 47,805   $ 645     5.43 %   $ 92,305   $ 1,247     5.36 %
    Interest earning deposits   8,781     97     4.39 %     7,662     93     4.88 %     8,018     85     4.21 %
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock   53,826     1,607     11.88 %     53,827     1,521     11.36 %     34,509     618     7.10 %
    Investment securities – taxable (1)   1,301,830     6,526     1.99 %     1,309,305     6,465     1.99 %     1,650,081     8,170     1.96 %
    Investment securities – non-taxable (1)   1,125,295     7,987     2.82 %     1,132,065     8,072     2.87 %     1,220,998     8,863     2.88 %
    Total investment securities   2,427,125     14,513     2.38 %     2,441,370     14,537     2.39 %     2,871,079     17,033     2.35 %
    Loans receivable (2) (3)   4,775,788     75,828     6.32 %     4,662,124     72,208     6.23 %     4,280,700     63,254     5.89 %
    Total interest earning assets $ 7,330,263   $ 92,905     5.04 %   $ 7,212,788   $ 89,004     4.96 %   $ 7,286,611   $ 82,237     4.59 %
    Non-interest earning assets                      
    Cash and due from banks $ 108,609         $ 108,319         $ 100,331      
    Allowance for credit losses   (52,111 )         (50,334 )         (49,705 )    
    Other assets   471,259           508,555           587,514      
    Total average assets $ 7,858,020         $ 7,779,328         $ 7,924,751      
                           
    Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
    Interest bearing liabilities                      
    Interest bearing deposits $ 3,386,177   $ 18,185     2.14 %   $ 3,334,490   $ 16,814     2.03 %   $ 3,267,594   $ 12,661     1.54 %
    Time deposits   1,189,148     12,602     4.22 %     1,134,590     11,633     4.12 %     1,271,104     12,043     3.76 %
    Borrowings   1,149,952     10,221     3.54 %     1,184,172     10,278     3.49 %     1,180,452     10,399     3.50 %
    Repurchase agreements   123,524     910     2.93 %     125,144     935     3.00 %     136,784     825     2.39 %
    Subordinated notes   55,681     830     5.93 %     55,647     829     5.99 %     58,983     880     5.92 %
    Junior subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts   57,389     1,230     8.53 %     57,335     1,213     8.51 %     57,166     1,227     8.52 %
    Total interest bearing liabilities $ 5,961,871   $ 43,978     2.93 %   $ 5,891,378   $ 41,702     2.85 %   $ 5,972,083   $ 38,035     2.53 %
    Non-interest bearing liabilities
    Demand deposits $ 1,083,214         $ 1,080,676         $ 1,159,241      
    Accrued interest payable and other liabilities   74,563           80,942           77,942      
    Stockholders’ equity   738,372           726,332           715,485      
    Total average liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 7,858,020         $ 7,779,328         $ 7,924,751      
    Net FTE interest income (non-GAAP) (5)   $ 48,927         $ 47,302         $ 44,202    
    Less FTE adjustments (4)     2,017           2,023           2,112    
    Net Interest Income   $ 46,910         $ 45,279         $ 42,090    
    Net FTE interest margin (Non-GAAP) (4)(5)       2.66 %         2.64 %         2.41 %
     
    (1) Securities balances represent daily average balances for the fair value of securities. The average rate is calculated based on the daily average balance for the amortized cost of securities.
    (2) Includes fees on loans held for sale and held for investment. The inclusion of loan fees does not have a material effect on the average interest rate.
    (3) Non-accruing loans for the purpose of the computation above are included in the daily average loan amounts outstanding. Loan totals are shown net of unearned income and deferred loan fees.
    (4) Management believes fully taxable equivalent, or FTE, interest income is useful to investors in evaluating the Company’s performance as a comparison of the returns between a tax-free investment and a taxable alternative. The Company adjusts interest income and average rates for tax-exempt loans and securities to an FTE basis utilizing a 21% tax rate
    (5) Non-GAAP financial metric. See non-GAAP reconciliation included herein for the most directly comparable GAAP measure.
     
      Credit Quality        
      (Dollars in Thousands Except Ratios, Unaudited)        
      Quarter Ended        
      September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,   September 30,   % Change
      2024   2024   2024   2023   2023   3Q24 vs 2Q24   3Q24 vs 3Q23
    Non-accrual loans                          
    Commercial $ 6,830     $ 4,321     $ 5,493     $ 7,362     $ 6,919       58 %     (1 )%
    Residential Real estate   9,529       8,489       8,725       8,058       7,644       12 %     25 %
    Mortgage warehouse                                 %     %
    Consumer   7,208       5,453       4,835       4,290       4,493       32 %     60 %
    Total non-accrual loans   23,567       18,263       19,053       19,710       19,056       29 %     24 %
    90 days and greater delinquent – accruing interest   819       1,039       108       559       392       (21 )%     109 %
    Total non-performing loans   24,386       19,302       19,161       20,269       19,448       26 %     25 %
                               
    Other real estate owned                          
    Commercial $ 1,158     $ 1,111     $ 1,124     $ 1,124     $ 1,287       4 %     (10 )%
    Residential Real estate                     182       32       %     (100 )%
    Mortgage warehouse                                 %     %
    Consumer   36       57       50       205       72       (37 )%     (50 )%
    Total other real estate owned $ 1,194     $ 1,168     $ 1,174     $ 1,511     $ 1,391       2 %     (14 )%
                               
    Total non-performing assets $ 25,580     $ 20,470     $ 20,335     $ 21,780     $ 20,839       25 %     23 %
                               
    Loan data:                          
    Accruing 30 to 89 days past due loans $ 18,087     $ 19,785     $ 15,154     $ 16,595     $ 13,089       (9 )%     38 %
    Substandard loans   59,775       51,221       47,469       49,526       47,563       17 %     26 %
    Net charge-offs (recoveries)                          
    Commercial   (55 )     57       (57 )     233       142       (196 )%     (139 )%
    Residential Real estate   (9 )     (4 )     (5 )     21       (39 )     (125 )%     77 %
    Mortgage warehouse                                 %     %
    Consumer   439       534       488       531       619       (18 )%     (29 )%
    Total net charge-offs   375       587       426       785       722       (36 )%     (48 )%
                               
    Allowance for credit losses                          
    Commercial   32,854       31,941       30,514       29,736       29,472       3 %     11 %
    Residential Real estate   2,675       2,588       2,655       2,503       2,794       3 %     (4 )%
    Mortgage warehouse   862       736       659       481       714       17 %     21 %
    Consumer   16,490       16,950       16,559       17,309       16,719       (3 )%     (1 )%
    Total allowance for credit losses $ 52,881     $ 52,215     $ 50,387     $ 50,029     $ 49,699       1 %     6 %
                               
    Credit quality ratios                          
    Non-accrual loans to HFI loans   0.49 %     0.38 %     0.41 %     0.45 %     0.44 %        
    Non-performing assets to total assets   0.32 %     0.26 %     0.26 %     0.27 %     0.26 %        
    Annualized net charge-offs of average total loans   0.03 %     0.05 %     0.04 %     0.07 %     0.07 %        
    Allowance for credit losses to HFI loans   1.10 %     1.08 %     1.09 %     1.13 %     1.14 %        
                                                   
    Non–GAAP Reconciliation of Net Fully-Taxable Equivalent (“FTE”) Interest Margin
    (Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)
        Three Months Ended
        September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,   September 30,
        2024   2024   2024   2023   2023
    Interest income (GAAP) (A) $ 90,888     $ 86,981     $ 85,264     $ 83,514     $ 80,125  
    Taxable-equivalent adjustment:                    
    Investment securities – tax exempt (1)     1,677       1,695       1,715       1,799       1,861  
    Loan receivable (2)     340       328       353       314       251  
    Interest income (non-GAAP) (B)   92,905       89,004       87,332       85,627       82,237  
    Interest expense (GAAP) (C)   43,978       41,702       41,976       41,257       38,035  
    Net interest income (GAAP) (D) =(A) – (C)   46,910       45,279       43,288       42,257       42,090  
    Net FTE interest income (non-GAAP) (E) = (B) – (C)   48,927       47,302       45,356       44,370       44,202  
    Average interest earning assets (F)   7,330,263       7,212,788       7,293,559       7,239,034       7,286,611  
    Net FTE interest margin (non-GAAP) (G) = (E*) / (F)   2.66 %     2.64 %     2.50 %     2.43 %     2.41 %
                         
    (1) The following represents municipal securities interest income for investment securities classified as available-for-sale and held-to-maturity
    (2) The following represents municipal loan interest income for loan receivables classified as held for sale and held for investment
    *Annualized
     
    Non–GAAP Reconciliation of Return on Average Tangible Common Equity
    (Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)
        Three Months Ended
        September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,   September 30,
        2024   2024   2024   2023   2023
                         
    Net income (loss) (GAAP) (A) $ 18,180     $ 14,140     $ 13,991     $ (25,215 )   $ 16,205  
                         
    Average stockholders’ equity (B)   738,372       726,332       725,083       702,793       715,485  
    Average intangible assets (C)   166,819       167,659       168,519       169,401       170,301  
    Average tangible equity (Non-GAAP) (D) = (B) – (C) $ 571,553     $ 558,673     $ 556,564     $ 533,392     $ 545,184  
    Return on average tangible common equity (“ROACE”) (non-GAAP) (E) = (A*) / (D)   12.65 %     10.18 %     10.11 %   (18.76 )%     11.79 %
    *Annualized                    
                         
    Non–GAAP Reconciliation of Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets
    (Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)
        Three Months Ended
        September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,   September 30,
        2024   2024   2024   2023   2023
    Total stockholders’ equity (GAAP) (A) $ 754,822     $ 726,665     $ 721,250     $ 718,812     $ 693,369  
    Intangible assets (end of period) (B)   166,278       167,121       167,965       168,837       169,741  
    Total tangible common equity (non-GAAP) (C) = (A) – (B) $ 588,544     $ 559,544     $ 553,285     $ 549,975     $ 523,628  
                         
    Total assets (GAAP) (D)   7,927,457       7,912,527       7,855,707       7,940,485       7,959,434  
    Intangible assets (end of period) (B)   166,278       167,121       167,965       168,837       169,741  
    Total tangible assets (non-GAAP) (E) = (D) – (B) $ 7,761,179     $ 7,745,406     $ 7,687,742     $ 7,771,648     $ 7,789,693  
                         
    Tangible common equity to tangible assets (Non-GAAP) (G) = (C) / (E)   7.58 %     7.22 %     7.20 %     7.08 %     6.72 %
                                             
    Non–GAAP Reconciliation of Tangible Book Value Per Share
    (Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)
        Three Months Ended
        September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,   September 30,
        2024
      2024
      2024
      2023
      2023
    Total stockholders’ equity (GAAP) (A) $ 754,822     $ 726,665     $ 721,250     $ 718,812     $ 693,369  
    Intangible assets (end of period) (B)   166,278       167,121       167,965       168,837       169,741  
    Total tangible common equity (non-GAAP) (C) = (A) – (B) $ 588,544     $ 559,544     $ 553,285     $ 549,975     $ 523,628  
    Common shares outstanding (D)   43,712,059       43,712,059       43,726,380       43,652,063       43,648,501  
                         
    Tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP) (E) = (C) / (D) $ 13.46     $ 12.80     $ 12.65     $ 12.60     $ 12.00  
                                             
    Contact: John R. Stewart, CFA
      EVP, Chief Financial Officer
    Phone: (219) 814–5833
    Fax: (219) 874–9280
    Date: October 23, 2024
       

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Environment – First global gathering of Food and Plastics Networks to prevent devastating environmental impacts

    Source: WRAP

    Pact Network Connect 2025 – First global gathering of Food and Plastics Networks share actions to cut food and plastic waste and prevent devastating effects on planet.

    Representatives from 15 countries met in Mexico this week for Pact Network Connect 2025, a three-day programme focussed on addressing the issue of our broken food systems, and the spiralling environmental cost of plastic pollution and waste.

    Convened by global environmental action NGO WRAP, Pact Network Connect 2025 was the first time the two networks – 13 international Plastics Pacts run in conjunction with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation – and 11 Food Pacts met as one to share experiences and strategies to strengthen collaborative efforts on the two environmental crises.

    The Pacts represent collaborative action initiatives formed in country by private and public sector organisations, charities and NGOs. Representatives from the Pact Secretariats joined investors and philanthropic organisations to co-design solutions to key food and plastics triggers. Focus was on generating practical steps and actions to tackle plastics pollution within the 19 countries comprising the Plastics Pact Network – and share more widely, and address food waste and loss in the 10 countries encompassing the first Food Pact Network.

    Harriet Lamb, CEO WRAP, “The numerous Pacts are the engine rooms driving forward a new circular economy for plastics and food. They give me hope that we can correct the failures of our food and plastic systems. They show that ahead of securing global inter-governmental agreements at scale, companies, ngos and governments can get behind voluntary action as an agile and effective front runner along the road to transformation. We’re delighted to be in Mexico, bringing together leaders from the food and plastics Pacts for the first ever joint global meeting to share solutions and accelerate change.”

    Pact Network Connect 2025 built on the learnings and progress achieved in the first Plastic Pact Network meeting, held in South Africa in 2024 inspiring the move to bring together both Food and Plastics Pacts to amplify impact. The Plastics Pact Network meeting had an added sense of urgency this year, given the lack of agreement on key elements for a global treaty to end plastic pollution at INC5 negotiations in Busan 2024. To achieve this, we need ambitious regulation to complement and accelerate voluntary efforts and create a level playing field for all businesses. The Plastics Pacts are uniquely placed to inform and enable policymaking and treaty implementation through the Network’s large repository of tools, insights, guidance, and standardised definitions.

    Marta Longhurst, Pacts and Field-building Lead Ellen MacArthur Foundation, “The Plastics Pacts have proved that such a network can deliver real impact towards eliminating plastic waste and pollution. Thanks to Plastics Pacts, tens of billions of problematic or unnecessary plastic items have been eliminated; design for reusability, recyclability, and composability in practice and at scale has increased by 23%; and incorporation of recycled content back into packaging has increased by 44%. We are pleased to see the tangible impact of the Plastics Pacts, and to see this knowledge shared and applied to other sectors to accelerate the transition to a circular economy worldwide.”

    The Plastics Pact Network is a global coordinated response to the hazards plastics pose to people and the planet. Managed through a partnership between WRAP and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, in just six years the Plastic Pacts have led work tackling pollution and delivering impact on national and global scales. The Network includes over 900 local and global organisations across a 19-country membership. Its members have eliminated more than 360,000 tonnes of problematic and unnecessary plastics and increased recycled content in their packaging by 44% – reducing virgin plastic by 2.2 million tonnes by 2022. All Plastics Pacts align in a common vision to create a circular economy for plastics and eliminate waste and pollution.

    Alejandra Kopaitic, Directora Consumo y Producción Sustentable y Pacto Chileno de los Plásticos, “Pact Network Connect is a key event when many countries can share experiences, foster regional collaboration, and strengthen our global partnerships. It will enrich the Chilean Plastics Pact as part of this international network committed to systemic change. We are here to listen, learn, and collaborate, while showcasing the work we are doing in Chile and aligning our goals with international experience and best practices.”

    Ninel Escobar, Director of Climate Change WWF Mexico, “In México, between 38% and 58% of plastic waste is mismanaged. Resolving this problem requires us to work along the whole life cycle of plastic, using a systemic approach. We are pleased to join our Pact partners at Pact Network Connect to share our experiences of resolving these complex problems.”

    The Food Pact Network connects collaborative action initiatives within individual countries to a global community dedicated to reducing food loss and waste. This is the first time the group has joined forces in person as the Food Pact Network, and through the universal adoption of the principles of Target-Measure-Act the Pacts are changing how food is produced and consumed to support the UN Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 to halve global food waste by 2030.

    Notes

    The Plastics Pact Network includes: ANZPAC Plastics Pact, The Canada Plastics Pact, Polski Pakt Plastikowy – The Polish Plastics Pact, The U.S. Plastics Pact, Pacto Português para os Plásticos- The Portuguese Plastics Pact, The South African Plastics Pact, UK Plastics Pact, Pacte National sur les emballages plastiques – French Plastics Pact, Circula El Plástico – The Chilean Plastics Pact, The Kenya Plastics Pact (KPP), Colombia Plastics Pact, India Plastics Pact and Mexico Plastics Pact.

    The Food Pact Network includes: Courtauld Commitment 2030 (UK), South Africa Food Loss and Waste Initiative, Pacific Coast Food Waste Commitment, Pacto Por La Comida (Mexico), GRASP 2030 (Indonesia), Brasil Sem Desperdisio  (Brazil, launching in 2025), U.S. Food Waste Pact, Samen Tegen Voedselverspilling (Netherlands) , Kai Commitment (New Zealand) and the International Food Waste Coalition.

    WRAP is a global environmental action NGO catalysing policy makers, businesses and individuals to transform the systems that create our food, textiles and manufactured products. Together these account for nearly 50% of global greenhouse emissions. Our goal is to enable the world to transition from the old take-make-dispose model of production to more sustainable approaches that will radically reduce waste and carbon emissions from everyday products. To do so we examine sustainability challenges through the lens of people’s day-to-day lives and create solutions that can transform entire systems to benefit the planet, nature and people.

    Our work includes: UK Plastics Pact, Courtauld Commitment 2030, Textiles 2030 and the campaigns Love Food Hate Waste and Recycle Now. We run Food Waste Action Week and Recycle Week.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News

  • MIL-OSI: Purpose Investments Inc. Announces Final Annual 2024 Capital Gains Distributions for Purpose Fund Corp.

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Purpose Investments Inc. (“Purpose”) is pleased to announce the final annual 2024 capital gain distributions for Purpose Fund Corp. The distributions represent capital gains realized by Purpose Fund Corp. during the year.

    Shareholders of record at the close of business on January 30, 2025, will receive the 2024 annual capital gains distribution on February 5, 2025, and such gains will be applicable for the 2025 tax year. The final year-end capital gain distribution for Purpose Fund Corp. will be paid in cash.

    Details of the per-unit distribution amounts are as follows:

    Fund Name Ticker
    Symbol
    Exchange Final Annual
    Capital Gains
    Distribution
    Per Share
    NAV Per
    Share (as of
    Jan 23, 2025)
    Final Distribution
    (% of Jan 23,
    2025 NAV)
    Purpose Core Dividend Fund – ETF
    Series
    PDF TSX $0.1800 $33.85 0.53%
    Purpose Tactical Hedged Equity Fund
    – ETF Series
    PHE TSX $0.0800 $36.72 0.22%
    Purpose Tactical Hedged Equity Fund
    – Non-Currency Hedged – ETF Series
    PHE.B TSX $0.6700 $42.83 1.56%
    Purpose Diversified Real Asset Fund
    – ETF Series
    PRA TSX $0.2100 $30.15 0.70%
    Purpose Best Ideas Fund – ETF
    Series
    PBI TSX $1.5700 $48.09 3.26%
    Purpose Best Ideas Fund – Non-
    Currency Hedged – ETF Series
    PBI.B TSX $2.5700 $64.21 4.00%
    Purpose International Tactical
    Hedged Equity Fund – ETF Series
    PHW TSX $0.3500 $19.73 1.77%
    Purpose Canadian Financial Income
    Fund – ETF Series
    BNC TSX $1.2000 $29.24 4.10%
    Purpose Enhanced Dividend Fund –
    ETF Series
    PDIV TSX $0.0150 $9.46 0.16%
    Purpose Core Equity Income Fund –
    ETF Series
    RDE Cboe
    Canada
    $0.1600 $27.40 0.58%
    Purpose Tactical Asset Allocation
    Fund – ETF Series
    RTA Cboe
    Canada
    $0.9500 $31.31 3.03%
    Purpose Tactical Thematic Fund –
    ETF Series
    RTT Cboe
    Canada
    $0.7000 $24.81 2.82%

    Purpose confirms that Big Banc Split Corp. will not declare a 2024 annual capital gain distribution.

    About Purpose Investments Inc.

    Purpose Investments is an asset management company with more than $23 billion in assets under management. Purpose Investments has an unrelenting focus on client-centric innovation and offers a range of managed and quantitative investment products. Purpose Investments is led by well-known entrepreneur Som Seif and is a division of Purpose Financial, an independent technology-driven financial services company.

    For further information, please contact:
    Keera Hart
    Keera.Hart@kaiserpartners.com
    905-580-1257

    Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees, and expenses may all be associated with investment fund investments. Please read the prospectus and other disclosure documents before investing. Investment funds are not covered by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government deposit insurer. There can be no assurance that the full amount of your investment in a fund will be returned to you. If the securities are purchased or sold on a stock exchange, you may pay more or receive less than the current net asset value. Investment funds are not guaranteed; their values change frequently, and past performance may not be repeated.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Security: Yarmouth — Missing person: Help the RCMP find Rose Gaudet (Stark)

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Yarmouth Town RCMP Detachment is asking for the public’s assistance to locate 47-year-old Rose Marie Gaudet (Stark).

    Gaudet is described as 5-foot-6, 150 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen on January 22 walking near Vaughne Crt. and Brunswick St. in Yarmouth wearing dark clothing and a dark jacket. She was carrying a small beige bag.

    When someone goes missing, it has deep and far-reaching impacts for the person and those who know them. We ask that people spread the word through social media respectfully.

    Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Rose Marie Gaudet (Stark) is asked to contact Yarmouth Town RCMP at 902-742-8777. To remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at http://www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Alberta tourism shines on the national stage

    The eyes of the nation are once again on Alberta as the province’s tourism sector garners recognition for its industry-leading innovation and dedication to excellence. Several Albertans and Albertan businesses were nominated and won Canadian Tourism Awards for outstanding success, innovation and leadership in Canada’s tourism industry.

    The accolades highlight Alberta as a top-tier tourism destination and recognize the outstanding Albertans that elevate the province’s reputation nationally and internationally. As an advocate for Canada’s tourism sector, the Tourism Industry Association of Canada presents the Canadian Tourism Awards annually.

    “We are incredibly proud of the achievements of Alberta’s tourism operators, whose passion and innovation continue to set new standards of excellence. The individuals and businesses nominated reflect the rich variety of experiences that make Alberta unique. Their dedication and innovation are at the heart of our thriving tourism sector, and their recognition on the national stage reflects the world-class experiences Alberta offers visitors each day.”

    Joseph Schow, Minister of Tourism and Sport

    The following Alberta-based organizations and individuals received Canadian Tourism Awards:

    • Business of the Year Award: CanaDream RV, Rocky View County
    • Business Event of the Year Award: National Gathering of Elders, Edmonton
    • Culinary Tourism Experience Award: Bar OA Farms, Strathcona County
    • Lifetime Achievement Award: Cindy Ady, former CEO of Tourism Calgary and former Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation
    • Under-30 Tourism Trailblazer Award: Sierra Murray, Leduc County

    Notably, former Tourism Calgary CEO and former Alberta Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation, Cindy Ady received a lifetime achievement award for her commitment to Alberta’s tourism sector. As CEO of Tourism Calgary, Cindy positioned Calgary as a year-round, globally competitive destination, and as Alberta’s Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation, Cindy sponsored the Travel Alberta Act, establishing Travel Alberta as a provincial agency in 2009.

    “Alberta’s tourism community is remarkable, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute to its success. I am truly humbled to have received this Lifetime Achievement Award, but it’s not just about me – it’s a testament to the hard work and vision of an entire community, one that has come together to position this province as a leader in the global tourism landscape.”

    Cindy Ady, former CEO of Tourism Calgary and former Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation

    In addition, Travel Alberta received recognition for its film Sky Painter, which won gold in Brand Building at the 2024 Canadian Marketing Awards and second place in the Tourism Products category at the World Tourism Film Awards. The Travel Alberta film To be Albertan won first place in the Region Promotion category at the World Tourism Film Awards. 

    In the past year, Alberta has received global recognition with a nomination for the Most Desirable Region (Rest of the World) category in the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards 2024, and Skift IDEA awards in industry innovation and travel technology. In addition, Travel Alberta films won awards at the Japan’s World Tourism Festival and in the Cannes Corporate Media and TV Awards.

    These achievements build on Alberta’s rich tradition of tourism excellence and highlight the significant contributions of the industry to the province’s economy. Alberta’s government remains committed to supporting its tourism operators as they continue to shape the future of Canadian tourism.

    Quick facts

    • The following Alberta organizations, events and individuals received nominations for the Canadian Tourism Awards:
      • Culinary Tourism Experience Award: Bar OA Farms, Strathcona County
      • Indigenous Tourism Award: Dragonfly Spirit CreeAtions Ltd, Spruce Grove
      • Indigenous Tourism Award: Métis Crossing, Smoky Lake
      • Innovator of the Year Award: Rural Rivers, Sturgeon County
      • Tourism Employer of the Year Award: Indigenous Box, Leduc County

    Related information

    • The Canadian Tourism Awards 2024
    • World Tourism Film Awards 2024
    • Canadian Marketing Association Awards 2024

    Multimedia

    • “To Be Albertan” video entry by Travel Alberta
    • “Sky Painter” video entry by Travel Alberta

    Related news

    • Global recognition for Alberta’s tourism sector (Sept. 27, 2024)
    • Alberta’s tourism soars to new heights (Sept. 25, 2024)
    • Alberta films captivate the world (March 18, 2024)
    • Growing Alberta’s visitor economy (Feb. 14, 2024)

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Gander — Missing elderly man located safely; Gander RCMP thanks all involved in search

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Following a frigid night spent outside in a cabin area between Gander and George’s Point, a 73-year-old man, was safely located by searchers.

    Gander RCMP received the report of the missing man on the evening of January 22, 2025. The man and his family dog became lost while walking in a cabin area near Weir’s Pond, which is located off Route 330. Family and local residents contacted police for assistance after they were unable to locate the missing man.

    Ground Search and Rescue teams from Triple Bay Eagles Ground Search and Rescue and Exploits Search and Rescue attended the area and searched for the missing man and his dog throughout the night, along with RCMP Police Dog Services. RCMP Traffic Services Central also responded and assisted in the search with the use of a drone. Aerial searches were conducted overnight and continued into the morning. A second RCMP Police Service Dog team joined in on the search.

    At approximately 11:00 am. on January 23, the man and his dog were safely located walking out of a wooded area, several kilometers away from his cabin. A local resident had led searchers to an area that had not yet been searched. The missing man and his dog appeared in good spirits. The man, who was cold and dehydrated, was assessed by Emergency Medical Services at the scene and was further transported to the hospital. The family was also happily reunited with their dog, who remained a loyal partner to the elderly man throughout the night.

    Gander RCMP thanks all involved in this successful search, including local residents and family, Triple Bay Eagles Ground Search and Rescue, Exploits Search and Rescue, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, 103 SAR Helicopter crew, Universal Helicopters, RCMP Police Dog Services from Clarenville and Grand-Falls Windsor, and RCMP Traffic Services Central.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI: Brompton Funds Special Year End Distribution Update

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — (TSX: KNGC, KNGU, KNGX) – On December 13, 2024, Brompton Funds announced special year end estimated distributions for Brompton Canadian Cash Flow Kings ETF, Brompton U.S. Cash Flow Kings ETF and Brompton International Cash Flow Kings ETF (the “ETFs”). The actual unit distribution amounts were as follows:

      Ticker Amount
    Per Unit
    Brompton Canadian Cash Flow Kings ETF KNGC Cdn$0.73150
    Brompton U.S. Cash Flow Kings ETF KNGU Cdn$0.42257
    Brompton International Cash Flow Kings ETF KNGX Cdn$0.09671
         

    Immediately following the issuance, the units of the ETFs were automatically consolidated and as a result, unitholders hold the same number of units after the distribution as they did before. The adjusted cost base of a unitholder’s units increased by the amount of the distribution reinvested in units as of December 31, 2024.

    About Brompton Funds
    Founded in 2000, Brompton is an experienced investment fund manager with income and growth focused investment solutions including exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and other Toronto Stock Exchange traded investment funds. For further information, please contact your investment advisor, call Brompton’s investor relations line at 416-642-6000 (toll-free at 1-866-642-6001), email info@bromptongroup.com or visit our website at http://www.bromptongroup.com.

    Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with exchange-traded fund investments.  Please read the prospectus before investing.  Exchange-traded funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

    Certain statements contained in this document constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to matters disclosed in this document and to other matters identified in public filings relating to the ETFs, to the future outlook of the ETFs and anticipated events or results and may include statements regarding the future financial performance of the ETFs. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terms such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “continue” or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Actual results may vary from such forward-looking information. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Security: Dartmouth — Nova Scotia RCMP release annual provincial impaired statistics for 2024

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    As Nova Scotia’s Provincial Police, road safety is a top priority. To keep citizens informed about enforcement on our roadways, the Nova Scotia RCMP is releasing statistics for all RCMP detachments in Nova Scotia for 2024 on drivers charged for driving impaired by drugs or alcohol.

    In 2024, Nova Scotia RCMP charged 1398 drivers with impaired related offences:

    • 695 charged with Impaired Operation of a Conveyance by Alcohol
    • 40 charged with Impaired Operation of a Conveyance by Drug (18 more awaiting lab results)
    • 166 charged with Refusal of a Demand Made by a Peace Officer
    • 479 issued driving suspensions for Impaired Operation.

    “Public education and awareness campaigns have been ongoing for many years, and still almost 1400 people were caught committing impaired driving offences in 2024,” says Constable Bryan Martell with the RCMP’s Southeast Traffic Services.

    Every year the Nova Scotia RCMP participates in MADD Canada’s Candlelight Vigil, remembering and honouring the victims and survivors of impaired driving.

    “I encourage everyone to visit MADD Canada’s memorial and tribute website (Tributes – MADD Canada Tributes) to look at the pictures and read the stories,” says Constable Martell. “It is a sobering reminder that these are family members, friends, coworkers – real people whose lives were cut short or otherwise affected by someone’s choice to drive impaired.”

    Remember too that road safety is a shared responsibility. The public is asked to call 911 immediately if you see a driver who is driving erratically or unsafely. Here are some signs of an impaired driver:

    • Driving unreasonably fast, slow or at an inconsistent speed
    • Drifting in and out of lanes
    • Tailgating and changing lanes frequently
    • Making exceptionally wide turns
    • Changing lanes or passing without sufficient clearance
    • Overshooting or stopping well before stop signs or stop lights
    • Disregarding signals and lights
    • Approaching signals or leaving intersections too quickly or slowly
    • Driving without headlights, failing to lower high beams or leaving turn signals on
    • Driving with windows open in cold or inclement weather

    Once you call 911, you will be asked to provide the following, if possible:

    • Your location
    • A description of the vehicle, including the license plate number, colour, make and model
    • The direction of travel for the vehicle
    • A description of the driver if visible.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Export of asbestos banned in the EU – P-002866/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Regulation (EU) No 649/2012[1] implements the United Nations Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure for certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides in international trade.

    The export notification is built on the principle that it is for importing countries to decide whether to consent to the import of certain chemicals ( including asbestos ) and that exporting countries must respect those decisions.

    According to the Commission’s information, in the past 5 years Chrysotile was exported in 2021 from France to India in a quantity of 0.001 tonnes in the form of articles containing the fibre (contained in aircrafts).

    As regards exports of asbestos fibres ( Actinolite, Amosite, Anthophyllite, Chrysotile, Crocidolite, Tremolite) in the past 5 years, according to the database on export notifications[2], exports from EU Member States had only been planned in 2020 (to Australia, Canada, China, Israel, Switzerland, Singapore, Taiwan, United States) and in 2022 (to the United Kingdom).

    These exports are exempted from the scope of the PIC Regulation as the chemicals are ‘exported for the purpose of research or analysis in quantities that are unlikely to affect human health or the environment and that in any event do not exceed 10 kg from each exporter to each importing country per calendar year’[3]. But the Commission does not know whether these exports took place and in which quantity below 10 kg.

    In parallel, the Chemicals strategy for sustainability[4] states that the EU will, in line with international commitments, ensure that hazardous chemicals banned in the EU are not produced for export, including by amending relevant legislation if and as needed. A study on this initiative is ongoing and will inform about the available options.

    • [1] Regulation (EU) No 649/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2012 concerning the export and import of hazardous chemicals (recast), OJ L 201, 27.7.2012, p. 60-106.
    • [2] https://echa.europa.eu/fr/information-on-chemicals/pic/export-notifications
    • [3] Article 2(3) of the PIC Regulation.
    • [4] https://environment.ec.europa.eu/strategy/chemicals-strategy_en

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – The EU’s new bilateral security and defence partnerships – 24-01-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    The Strategic Compass, adopted by the 27 EU Member States in March 2022 – only weeks after the onset of Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked aggression on Ukraine –emphasised the need for robust partnerships, for the EU to be able to achieve its objectives in the area of security and defence. Alongside ‘acting’ (operations), ‘securing’ (resilience) and ‘investing’, ‘partnering’ is one of the four main pillars of the Compass. The document itself outlines specific targets and deadlines to measure progress in this area. While the EU has partnered with other security and defence actors (essentially states and international organisations) in the past, a new model of tailored security and defence partnership was launched shortly after the adoption of the Compass, as a reinforced framework for enhanced partnership. To date, the EU has signed six such partnerships – with (by date of signature) Norway, Moldova, South Korea, Japan, Albania and North Macedonia, and more are envisaged. While the partnerships vary in content, depending on the assessed mutual interests of the EU and each individual partner, some ten areas of cooperation are common to all six. The European Parliament has highlighted the significance of the Strategic Compass’s partnership dimension and, in particular, the value of security and defence dialogues with partners from the Western Balkans, the Eastern Partnership, as well as with key partners in strategic maritime areas such as the Southern Neighbourhood and the Indo-Pacific. Parliament has underlined that cooperation with countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, Ukraine, Georgia, the Western Balkans, Japan, Australia and certain African countries serves as a key element of the common security and defence policy. In 2023, it called for deeper military and defence cooperation with Japan and South Korea, and for closer cooperation with partners in Latin America and the Caribbean.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Tantallon — Update: RCMP continue search for Murdock “Kyle” MacKinnon

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment continues its search to locate 42-year-old Murdock “Kyle” MacKinnon.

    This morning, RCMP officers received information that MacKinnon’s vehicle, a black Ford Flex with a white top and an Ontario licence plate, may’ve been observed in the Colchester area. When officers arrived at the scene, the vehicle had already left the area.

    MacKinnon, who’s from Tantallon, is described as 6-foot-0 with brown hair.

    With the support from his loved ones, investigators are releasing additional photos of MacKinnon and a stock photo of the Ford Flex. The vehicle driven by MacKinnon also has a silver rack on the roof.

    When someone goes missing, it has deep and far-reaching impacts for the person and those who know them. We ask that people spread the word through social media respectfully.

    Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Murdock “Kyle” MacKinnon is asked to contact the RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment at 902-490-5020 or the police of jurisdiction. To remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at http://www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app.

    Note to media: A stock photo of the vehicle and photos of MacKinnon are attached.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Prime Minister announces a change to the Ministry

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced a change to the Ministry:

    • Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, will serve concurrently as Leader of the Government in the House of Commons.

    Minister MacKinnon previously served as Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and accumulated a wealth of experience building consensus and working with partners to pass legislation. With this renewed mandate, he will bring a collaborative and effective approach to deliver results for Canadians.

    Minister MacKinnon replaces Karina Gould, who had been serving as Leader of the Government in the House of Commons since 2023.

    Associated Link

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI: Ninepoint Partners Announces January 2025 Cash Distributions for ETF Series Securities

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ninepoint Partners LP (“Ninepoint Partners”) today announced the January 2025 cash distributions for its ETF Series securities. The record date for the distributions is January 31, 2025. All distributions are payable on February 7, 2025.

    The per-unit January distributions are detailed below:

    About Ninepoint Partners

    Based in Toronto, Ninepoint Partners LP is one of Canada’s leading alternative investment management firms overseeing approximately $7 billion in assets under management and institutional contracts. Committed to helping investors explore innovative investment solutions that have the potential to enhance returns and manage portfolio risk, Ninepoint offers a diverse set of alternative strategies spanning Equities, Fixed Income, Alternative Income, Real Assets, F/X and Digital Assets.

    For more information on Ninepoint Partners LP, please visit http://www.ninepoint.com or for inquiries regarding the offering, please contact us at (416) 943-6707 or (866) 299-9906 or invest@ninepoint.com.

    Ninepoint Partners LP is the investment manager to the Ninepoint Funds (collectively, the “Funds”). Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees, performance fees (if any), and other expenses all may be associated with investing in the Funds. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer or solicitation by anyone in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. Prospective investors who are not resident in Canada should contact their financial advisor to determine whether securities of the Fund may be lawfully sold in their jurisdiction.

    Please note that distribution factors (breakdown between income, capital gains and return of capital) can only be calculated when a fund has reached its year-end. Distribution information should not be relied upon for income tax reporting purposes as this is only a component of total distributions for the year. For accurate distribution amounts for the purpose of filing an income tax return, please refer to the appropriate T3/T5 slips for that particular taxation year. Please refer to the prospectus or offering memorandum of each Fund for details of the Fund’s distribution policy.

    The payment of distributions and distribution breakdown, if applicable, is not guaranteed and may fluctuate. The payment of distributions should not be confused with a Fund’s performance, rate of return, or yield. If distributions paid by the Fund are greater than the performance of the Fund, then an investor’s original investment will shrink. Distributions paid as a result of capital gains realized by a Fund and income and dividends earned by a Fund are taxable in the year they are paid. An investor’s adjusted cost base will be reduced by the amount of any returns of

    capital. If an investor’s adjusted cost base goes below zero, then capital gains tax will have to be paid on the amount below zero.

    Sales Inquiries:

    Ninepoint Partners LP
    Neil Ross
    416-945-6227
    nross@ninepoint.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Northrim BanCorp Earns $10.9 Million, or $1.95 Per Diluted Share, in Fourth Quarter 2024, and $37.0 Million, or $6.62 Per Diluted Share, for the Year Ended December 31, 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Northrim BanCorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:NRIM) (“Northrim” or the “Company”) today 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. The increase in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2024 is primarily due to an increase in purchased receivable income due to the Company’s acquisition of Sallyport Commercial Finance, LLC (“Sallyport”), which was completed on October 31, 2024. Sallyport and its direct and indirect subsidiaries provide services and products related to factoring and asset-based lending in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Additionally, in the fourth quarter of 2024 the Company had an increase in mortgage banking income, primarily as a result of an increase in the fair value of a mortgage servicing portfolio that the Company purchased from another financial institution in the fourth quarter. The increase profitability in the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared to the same quarter of the prior year was largely driven by an increase in mortgage banking income and higher net interest income, as well as an increase in purchased receivable income as noted above, which was only partially offset by higher other operating expenses and an increase in the provision for credit losses.

    Net income for the full year of 2024 increased 46% to $37.0 million, or $6.62 per diluted share, compared to $25.4 million, or $4.49 per diluted share, for the full year of 2023. Increased net interest income resulting from loan and deposit growth supported 2024 earnings in the Community Banking segment but were offset by increases in other operating expenses, primarily in salaries and other personnel expense as the Company continued to expand its branch network into new markets in Alaska. An increase in mortgage originations and an increase in the fair value of mortgage servicing rights resulted in net income of $4.4 million in the Home Mortgage Lending segment in 2024 compared to a $2.5 million loss in 2023.

    Dividends per share in the fourth quarter of 2024 remained consistent with the third quarter of 2024 at $0.62 per share and increased from $0.60 per share in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    “Northrim reported record core earnings in 2024 and record earnings per share in the fourth quarter,” said Mike Huston, Northrim’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are pleased with our results as we continue to focus on profitable growth. In the last five years Northrim’s deposit market share in Alaska has increased from 11% to 16%, loans and deposits have increased by almost 100%, and net interest income has increased by 60%.”

    “2024 results were also supported by an improvement in mortgage banking income,” continued Mr. Huston. “We believe the acquisition of Sallyport in the fourth quarter will further diversify fee income and provide attractive risk-adjusted returns to Northrim shareholders.”

    Fourth Quarter 2024 Highlights:

    • Net interest income in the fourth quarter of 2024 increased 7% to $30.8 million compared to $28.8 million in the third quarter of 2024 and increased 15% compared to $26.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • Net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis (“NIMTE”)* was 4.47% for the fourth quarter of 2024, a 12-basis point increase from the third quarter of 2024 and a 35-basis point increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • Return on average assets (“ROAA”) was 1.43% and return on average equity (“ROAE”) was 16.32% for the fourth quarter of 2024.
    • Portfolio loans were $2.13 billion at December 31, 2024, up 6% from the preceding quarter and up 19% from a year ago, primarily due to new customer relationships, expanding market share, and to retaining certain mortgage loans originated by Residential Mortgage, a subsidiary of Northrim Bank (the “Bank”), in the loan portfolio.
    • Total deposits were $2.68 billion at December 31, 2024, up 2% from the preceding quarter, and up 8% from $2.49 billion a year ago. Noninterest bearing demand deposits represented 27% of total deposits at December 31, 2024, down from 29% at September 30, 2024 and 31% at December 31, 2023.
    • Total assets at December 31, 2024 exceeded $3 billion for the first time.
    • The average cost of interest-bearing deposits was 2.15% in the fourth quarter of 2024, down from 2.24% in the third quarter of 2024 and up from 2.00% in the fourth quarter a year ago.
    • Acquired Sallyport for approximately $53.9 million (approximately $47.9 million in cash and $6 million in an earn-out payable over 3 years) on October 31, 2024.
       
    Financial Highlights Three Months Ended
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) December 31,
    2024
    September 30,
    2024
    June 30, 2024 March 31, 2024 December 31,
    2023
    Total assets $3,041,869   $2,963,392   $2,821,668   $2,759,560   $2,807,497  
    Total portfolio loans $2,129,263   $2,007,565   $1,875,907   $1,811,135   $1,789,497  
    Total deposits $2,680,189   $2,625,567   $2,463,806   $2,434,083   $2,485,055  
    Total shareholders’ equity $267,116   $260,050   $247,200   $239,327   $234,718  
    Net income $10,927   $8,825   $9,020   $8,199   $6,613  
    Diluted earnings per share $1.95   $1.57   $1.62   $1.48   $1.19  
    Return on average assets 1.43 % 1.22 % 1.31 % 1.19 % 0.93 %
    Return on average shareholders’ equity 16.32 % 13.69 % 14.84 % 13.84 % 11.36 %
    NIM 4.41 % 4.29 % 4.24 % 4.16 % 4.06 %
    NIMTE* 4.47 % 4.35 % 4.30 % 4.22 % 4.12 %
    Efficiency ratio 66.96 % 66.11 % 68.78 % 68.93 % 72.21 %
    Total shareholders’ equity/total assets 8.78 % 8.78 % 8.76 % 8.67 % 8.36 %
    Tangible common equity/tangible assets* 7.23 % 8.28 % 8.24 % 8.14 % 7.84 %
    Book value per share $48.41   $47.27   $44.93   $43.52   $42.57  
    Tangible book value per share* $39.17   $44.36   $42.03   $40.61   $39.68  
    Dividends per share $0.62   $0.62   $0.61   $0.61   $0.60  
    Common shares outstanding 5,518,210   5,501,943   5,501,562   5,499,578   5,513,459  
                         

    * References to NIMTE, tangible book value per share, and tangible common equity to tangible common assets, (all of which exclude intangible assets) represent non-GAAP financial measures. Management has presented these non-GAAP measurements in this earnings release, because it believes these measures are useful to investors. Please refer to the end of this release for reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP financial measures.

    Alaska Economic Update
    (Note: sources for information in this section are listed on page 13.)

    The Alaska Department of Labor (“DOL”) has reported Alaska’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in November 2024 was 4.6% compared to the U.S. rate of 4.2%. The total number of payroll jobs in Alaska, not including uniformed military, increased 2.4% or 7,700 jobs between November 2023 and November 2024.

    According to the DOL, Construction had the largest growth in new jobs in Alaska through November compared to the prior year. The Construction sector added 2,100 positions for a year over year growth rate of 12.7% in November 2024. The larger Health Care sector grew by 1,500 jobs for an annual growth rate of 3.7%. The Oil & Gas sector increased by 9.2% or 700 new direct jobs. Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities added 1,000 jobs for a 4.5% growth rate. Professional and Business Services increased 700 jobs year over year through November 2024, up 2.5%.

    The Government sector grew by 1,200 jobs for 1.5% growth, adding 100 Federal jobs, 800 State and 300 Local government positions in Alaska over the same period. Declining sectors between November 2023 and November 2024 were Manufacturing (primarily seafood processing) shrinking 500 jobs (-6.6%), Information, down 100 jobs (-2.2%), and Retail lost 100 jobs (-0.3%).

    Alaska’s Gross State Product (“GSP”) in the third quarter of 2024, exceeded $70 billion for the first time, and is estimated to be $70.1 billion in current dollars, according to the Federal Bureau of Economic Analysis (“BEA”). Alaska’s inflation adjusted “real” GSP increased 6.5% in 2023, placing Alaska fifth best of all 50 states. In the third quarter of 2024 Alaska GSP increased at an annualized rate of 2.2%, compared to the average U.S. growth rate of 3.1%. Alaska’s real GSP improvement in the third quarter of 2024 was primarily caused by growth in the Health Care, Trade, Transportation and Warehousing sectors.

    The BEA also calculated Alaska’s seasonally adjusted personal income at $55.7 billion in the third quarter of 2024. This was an annualized improvement in the third quarter of 3.3% for Alaska, compared to the national average of 3.2%. Alaska enjoyed an annual personal income improvement of 3.8% in 2023. The $445 million increase in personal income in the third quarter in Alaska came from a $310 million increase in net earnings from wages, $145 million growth in government transfer receipts (which grew in all 50 states), and a $10 million decrease in investment income.

    The monthly average price of Alaska North Slope (“ANS”) crude oil was at an annual high of $89.05 in April 2024 and most recently averaged $72.50 in November 2024. The Alaska Department of Revenue (“DOR”) calculated ANS crude oil production was 461 thousand barrels per day (“bpd”) in Alaska’s fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 and is projected to increase to 467 thousand bpd in Alaska’s fiscal year 2025. The DOR expects production to continue to grow rapidly to 657 thousand bpd by fiscal year 2034. This is primarily a result of new production coming on-line in and around the NPR-A region west of Prudhoe Bay. A partnership between Santos and Repsol is constructing the new Pikka field and ConocoPhillips is reportedly developing the large new Willow field. There are also a number of smaller new fields in Alaska’s North Slope that are contributing to the State of Alaska’s production growth estimates.

    According to the Alaska Multiple Listing Services, the average sales price of a single family home in Anchorage rose 6.2% in 2024 to $509,994, following a 5.2% increase in 2023. This was the seventh consecutive year of price increases.

    The average sales price for single family homes in the Matanuska Susitna Borough rose 3.9% in 2024 to $412,907, after increasing 4% in 2023. This continues a trend of average price increases for more than a decade in the region. These two markets represent where the vast majority of the Bank’s residential lending activity occurs.

    The Alaska Multiple Listing Services reported a 3.4% increase in the number of units sold in Anchorage when comparing 2024 to 2023. There was virtually no change in the number of homes sold in the Matanuska Susitna Borough, with only four fewer homes sold in 2024 than in 2023 or 0.2%.

    Northrim Bank sponsors the Alaskanomics blog to provide news, analysis, and commentary on Alaska’s economy. Join the conversation at Alaskanomics.com, or for more information on the Alaska economy, visit: http://www.northrim.com and click on the “Business Banking” link and then click “Learn.” Information from our website is not incorporated into, and does not form, a part of this earnings release.

    Review of Income Statement

    Consolidated Income Statement

    In the fourth quarter of 2024, Northrim generated a ROAA of 1.43% and a ROAE of 16.32%, compared to 1.22% and 13.69%, respectively, in the third quarter of 2024 and 0.93% and 11.36%, respectively, in the fourth quarter a year ago. For the year 2024, Northrim generated a ROAA of 1.29% and a ROAE of 14.70%, compared to 0.94% and 11.17% for 2023.

    Net Interest Income/Net Interest Margin

    Net interest income increased 7% to $30.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to $28.8 million in the third quarter of 2024 and increased 15% compared to $26.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Interest expense on deposits increased to $10.6 million in the fourth quarter compared to $10.1 million in the third quarter of 2024 and $8.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    NIMTE* was 4.47% in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to 4.35% in the preceding quarter and 4.12% in the fourth quarter a year ago. NIMTE* increased 12 basis points in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the prior quarter and 35 basis points compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 primarily due to a favorable change in the mix of earning-assets towards higher loan balances as a percentage of total earning-assets, higher earning-assets, and higher yields on those assets which were only partially offset by an increase in costs on interest-bearing deposits. The weighted average interest rate for new loans booked in the fourth quarter of 2024 was 7.23% compared to 7.24% in the third quarter of 2024 and 7.74% in the fourth quarter a year ago. The yield on the investment portfolio increased to 2.84% from 2.80% in the third quarter of 2024 and increased from 2.48% in the fourth quarter of 2023. “We are beginning to see improvements in our net interest margin as a result of lower deposit costs from the recent Fed interest rate cuts, in addition to the benefit of new loan volume and loan repricing driving our net interest margin to 4.47% for the fourth quarter,” said Jed Ballard, Chief Financial Officer. Northrim’s NIMTE* continues to remain above the peer average of 3.16% posted by the S&P U.S. Small Cap Bank Index with total market capitalization between $250 million and $1 billion as of September 30, 2024.

    Provision for Credit Losses

    Northrim recorded a provision for credit losses of $1.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, which includes a $125,000 provision for credit losses on purchased receivables, $107,000 benefit to the provision for credit losses on unfunded commitments, and a provision for credit losses on loans of $1.2 million. This compares to a provision for credit losses of $2.1 million in the third quarter of 2024, and a provision for credit losses of $885,000 in the fourth quarter a year ago. The $1.2 million provision for credit losses in the fourth quarter of 2024 is largely attributable to increases in loan and purchased receivable balances.

    Nonperforming loans, net of government guarantees, increased during the quarter to $7.5 million at December 31, 2024, compared to $5.0 million at both September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

    The allowance for credit losses was 292% of nonperforming loans, net of government guarantees, at the end of the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 394% three months earlier and 345% a year ago.

    Other Operating Income

    In addition to home mortgage lending, Northrim has interests in other businesses that complement its core community banking activities, including purchased receivables financing and wealth management. Other operating income contributed $13.0 million, or 30% of total fourth quarter 2024 revenues, as compared to $11.6 million, or 29% of revenues in the third quarter of 2024, and $6.5 million, or 20% of revenues in the fourth quarter of 2023. The increase in other operating income in the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared to the preceding quarter and the fourth quarter of 2023 is largely the result of higher purchased receivable income due to the acquisition of Sallyport. Additionally, other operating income in the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared to the fourth quarter a year ago increased due to an increase in mortgage banking income arising from higher volume of mortgage activity and an increase in the value of mortgage servicing rights. The changes in mortgage banking are discussed further in the Home Mortgage Lending section below.

    Other Operating Expenses

    Operating expenses were $29.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $26.7 million in the third quarter of 2024, and $24.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. The increase in other operating expenses in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2024 and the fourth quarter a year ago is primarily due to an increase in salaries and other personnel expense, as well as increases in professional fees from one-time deal costs associated with the acquisition of Sallyport and insurance expense due to higher FDIC insurance costs due to the Company’s asset and net income growth.

    Income Tax Provision

    In the fourth quarter of 2024, Northrim recorded $2.4 million in state and federal income tax expense for an effective tax rate of 17.8%, compared to $2.8 million, or 24.2% in the third quarter of 2024 and $1.7 million, or 20.7% in the fourth quarter a year ago. For the year, Northrim recorded $10.0 million in state and federal income tax expense in 2024 for an effective tax rate of 21.3%, compared to $6.2 million, or 19.7% in 2023. The decrease in the tax rate in the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared to the third quarter of 2024 and the fourth quarter a year ago is primarily the result of increased tax benefits related to the Company’s investment in low income housing tax credits and the purchase of renewable energy tax credits.

    Community Banking

    In the most recent deposit market share data from the FDIC, Northrim’s deposit market share in Alaska increased to 15.66% of Alaska’s total deposits as of June 30, 2024 compared to 15.04% of Alaska’s total deposits as of June 30, 2023. This represents 62 basis points of growth in market share percentage for Northrim during that period while, according to the FDIC, the total deposits in Alaska were up 2.3% during the same period. Northrim opened a branch in Kodiak in the first quarter of 2023, a loan production office in Homer in the second quarter of 2023, a permanent branch in Nome in the third quarter of 2023, and a branch in Homer in the first quarter of 2024. See below for further discussion regarding the Company’s deposit movement for the quarter.

    Northrim is committed to meeting the needs of the diverse communities in which it operates. As a testament to that support, the Bank has branches in four regions of Alaska identified by the Federal Reserve as “distressed or underserved non-metropolitan middle-income geographies”.

    Net interest income in the Community Banking segment totaled $27.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $25.9 million in the third quarter of 2024 and $24.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Net interest income increased in the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared to the third quarter of 2024 and the fourth quarter a year ago mostly due to increased interest income on loans that was only partially offset by higher interest expense on deposits.

    The following table provides highlights of the Community Banking segment of Northrim:

       
      Three Months Ended
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) December
    31, 2024
    September 30,
    2024
    June 30, 2024 March 31,
    2024
    December
    31, 2023
    Net interest income $27,643   $25,928   $24,318   $24,215   $24,221  
    Provision (benefit) for credit losses 771   1,492   (184 ) 197   885  
    Other operating income 2,535   3,507   2,450   2,468   2,741  
    Other operating expense 19,116   18,723   18,068   17,177   18,158  
    Income before provision for income taxes 10,291   9,220   8,884   9,309   7,919  
    Provision for income taxes 1,474   2,133   1,786   1,966   1,604  
    Net income Community Banking segment $8,817   $7,087   $7,098   $7,343   $6,315  
    Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted 5,597,889   5,583,055   5,558,580   5,554,930   5,578,491  
    Diluted earnings per share $1.58   $1.26   $1.27   $1.32   $1.14  
                         
      Year Ended
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) December
    31, 2024
    December
    31, 2023
    Net interest income $102,104   $95,555  
    Provision for credit losses 2,276   3,842  
    Other operating income 10,960   9,130  
    Other operating expense 73,085   69,253  
    Income before provision for income taxes 37,703   31,590  
    Provision for income taxes 7,359   6,175  
    Net income Community Banking segment $30,344   $25,415  
    Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted 5,583,983   5,661,460  
    Diluted earnings per share $5.43   $4.49  
             

    Home Mortgage Lending

    During the fourth quarter of 2024, mortgage loans funded for sale decreased to $162.5 million, of which 89% was for home purchases, compared to $210.0 million and 94% of loans funded for home purchases in the third quarter of 2024, and increased as compared to $79.7 million, of which 96% was for home purchases in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Bank purchased Residential Mortgage-originated mortgage loans to hold on the Bank’s balance sheet of $23.4 million of which roughly two-thirds were jumbos and one-third were mortgages for second homes, with a weighted average interest rate of 6.30%, down from $38.1 million and 6.59% in the third quarter of 2024, and down from $27.1 million and 7.05% in the fourth quarter of 2023. Mortgage loans funded for investment has increased net interest income in the Home Mortgage Lending segment. Net interest income contributed $3.3 million to total revenue in the fourth quarter of 2024, up from $2.9 million in the prior quarter, and up from $2.3 million in the fourth quarter a year ago.

    The Arizona, Colorado, and the Pacific Northwest mortgage expansion markets were responsible for 19% of Residential Mortgage’s $186 million total production in the fourth quarter of 2024, 20% of the $248 million total production in the third quarter of 2024, and 11% of the $107 million in total production in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    The net change in fair value of mortgage servicing rights increased mortgage banking income by $873,000 during the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to a decrease of $968,000 for the third quarter of 2024 and a decrease of $1.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the Bank purchased an Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) servicing portfolio from another financial institution for $2.3 million. At December 31, 2024, this servicing portfolio was valued at $3.1 million resulting in a $750,000 increase in fair value. Mortgage servicing revenue increased to $2.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 from $2.6 million in the prior quarter and increased from $2.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 due to an increase in production of AHFC mortgages, which contribute to servicing revenues at origination. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company’s mortgage servicing portfolio increased to $294.1 million, which includes the purchase of the AHFC servicing portfolio of $235.6 million, $86.3 million in new mortgage loans, net of amortization and payoffs of $27.8 million as compared to a net increase of $64.8 million in the third quarter of 2024 and $62.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    As of December 31, 2024, Northrim serviced 6,378 loans in its $1.46 billion home mortgage servicing portfolio, a 25% increase compared to the $1.17 billion serviced as of the end of the third quarter of 2024, and a 40% increase from the $1.04 billion serviced a year ago.

    The following table provides highlights of the Home Mortgage Lending segment of Northrim:

       
      Three Months Ended
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) December
    31, 2024
    September 30,
    2024
    June 30, 2024 March 31,
    2024
    December
    31, 2023
    Mortgage loan commitments $32,299   $77,591   $88,006   $56,208   $22,926  
               
    Mortgage loans funded for sale $162,530   $209,960   $152,339   $84,324   $79,742  
    Mortgage loans funded for investment 23,380   38,087   29,175   17,403   27,114  
    Total mortgage loans funded $185,910   $248,047   $181,514   $101,727   $106,856  
    Mortgage loan refinances to total fundings 11 % 6 % 6 % 4 % 4 %
    Mortgage loans serviced for others $1,460,720   $1,166,585   $1,101,800   $1,060,007   $1,044,516  
               
    Net realized gains on mortgage loans sold $3,747   $5,079   $3,188   $1,980   $1,462  
    Change in fair value of mortgage loan commitments, net (665 ) 60   391   386   (296 )
    Total production revenue 3,082   5,139   3,579   2,366   1,166  
    Mortgage servicing revenue 2,847   2,583   2,164   1,561   2,180  
    Change in fair value of mortgage servicing rights:          
    Due to changes in model inputs of assumptions1 1,372   (566 ) 239   289   (707 )
    Other2 (499 ) (402 ) (320 ) (314 ) (301 )
    Total mortgage servicing revenue, net 3,720   1,615   2,083   1,536   1,172  
    Other mortgage banking revenue 238   293   222   129   99  
    Total mortgage banking income $7,040   $7,047   $5,884   $4,031   $2,437  
               
    Net interest income $3,280   $2,941   $2,775   $2,232   $2,276  
    Provision (benefit) for credit losses 305   571   64   (48 )  
    Mortgage banking income 7,040   7,047   5,884   4,031   2,437  
    Other operating expense 7,198   7,643   6,697   6,086   5,477  
    Income before provision for income taxes 2,817   1,774   1,898   225   (764 )
    Provision for income taxes 842   497   532   63   (215 )
    Net (loss) income Home Mortgage Lending segment $1,975   $1,277   $1,366   $162   ($549 )
               
    Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted 5,597,889   5,583,055   5,558,580   5,554,930   5,769,415  
    Diluted (loss) earnings per share $0.35   $0.23   $0.25   $0.03   ($0.10 )
    1Principally reflects changes in discount rates and prepayment speed assumptions, which are primarily affected by changes in interest rates.
    2Represents changes due to collection/realization of expected cash flows over time.
                         
       
      Year Ended
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) December
    31, 2024
    December
    31, 2023
    Mortgage loans funded for sale $609,153   $376,154  
    Mortgage loans funded for investment 108,045   146,258  
    Total mortgage loans funded $717,198   $522,412  
    Mortgage loan refinances to total fundings 7 % 4 %
         
    Net realized gains on mortgage loans sold $13,994   $7,828  
    Change in fair value of mortgage loan commitments, net 172   (102 )
    Total production revenue 14,166   7,726  
    Mortgage servicing revenue 9,155   7,368  
    Change in fair value of mortgage servicing rights:    
    Due to changes in model inputs of assumptions1 1,334   (922 )
    Other2 (1,535 ) (1,765 )
    Total mortgage servicing revenue, net 8,954   4,681  
    Other mortgage banking revenue 882   356  
    Total mortgage banking income $24,002   $12,763  
         
    Net interest income $11,228   $7,298  
    Provision for credit losses 892    
    Mortgage banking income 24,002   12,763  
    Other operating expense 27,624   23,497  
    Income before provision for income taxes 6,714   (3,436 )
    Provision for income taxes 1,934   (943 )
    Net (loss) income Home Mortgage Lending segment $4,780   ($2,493 )
         
    Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted 5,583,983   5,661,460  
    Diluted (loss) earnings per share $0.86   ($0.44 )
    1Principally reflects changes in discount rates and prepayment speed assumptions, which are primarily affected by changes in interest rates. 
    2Represents changes due to collection/realization of expected cash flows over time.
     

    Specialty Finance

    On October 31, 2024, the Company completed the acquisition of Sallyport Commercial Finance, LLC in an all cash transaction valued at approximately $53.9 million. Sallyport Commercial Finance, LLC is a leading provider of factoring, asset based lending and alternative working capital solutions to small and medium sized enterprises in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The Company determined that a new Specialty Finance segment was appropriate for the Company upon the completion of the acquisition. The Specialty Finance segment also includes Northrim Funding Services, a division of Northrim Bank that has offered factoring solutions to small businesses since 2004. The composition of revenues for the Specialty Finance segment are primarily purchased receivable income, but also include interest income and other fee income.

    The acquisition of Sallyport included $1.13 million in one-time deal related costs which are reflected in other operating expenses for the fourth quarter and full year of 2024 in the tables below. Total pre-tax income for Sallyport for two months of operations, excluding transaction costs was $945,000.

    The following table provides highlights of the Specialty Finance segment of Northrim:

       
      Three Months Ended
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) December
    31, 2024
    September 30,
    2024
    June 30, 2024 March 31,
    2024
    December
    31, 2023
    Purchased receivable income $3,526   $1,033   $1,243   $1,345   $1,307  
    Other operating income (68 )        
    Interest income 407   158   170   212   235  
    Total revenue 3,865   1,191   1,413   1,557   1,542  
    Provision for credit losses 125          
    Other operating expense 3,063   362   429   374   358  
    Interest expense 489   185   210   212    
    Total expense 3,677   547   639   586   358  
    Income before provision for income taxes 188   644   774   971   1,184  
    Provision for income taxes 53   183   218   276   337  
    Net income Specialty Finance segment $135   $461   $556   $695   $847  
    Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted 5,597,889   5,583,055   5,558,580   5,554,930   5,578,491  
    Diluted earnings per share $0.02   $0.08   $0.10   $0.13   $0.15  
                         
      Year Ended
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) December
    31, 2024
    December
    31, 2023
    Purchased receivable income $7,147   $4,482  
    Other operating income (68 )  
    Interest income 947   403  
    Total revenue 8,026   4,885  
    Provision for credit losses 125    
    Other operating expense 4,228   1,431  
    Interest expense 1,096    
    Total expense 5,449   1,431  
    Income before provision for income taxes 2,577   3,454  
    Provision for income taxes 730   982  
    Net income Specialty Finance segment $1,847   $2,472  
    Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted 5,583,983   5,661,460  
    Diluted earnings per share $0.33   $0.44  
             

    Balance Sheet Review

    Northrim’s total assets were $3.04 billion at December 31, 2024, up 3% from the preceding quarter and up 8% from a year ago. Northrim’s loan-to-deposit ratio was 79% at December 31, 2024, up from 76% at September 30, 2024, and 72% at December 31, 2023.

    At December 31, 2024, our liquid assets and investments and loans maturing within one year were $1.01 billion and our funds available for borrowing under our existing lines of credit were $566.8 million. Given these sources of liquidity and our expectations for customer demands for cash and for our operating cash needs, we believe our sources of liquidity to be sufficient for the foreseeable future.

    Average interest-earning assets were $2.79 billion in the fourth quarter of 2024, up 4% from $2.67 billion in the third quarter of 2024 and up 7% from $2.61 billion in the fourth quarter a year ago. The average yield on interest-earning assets was 6.02% in the fourth quarter of 2024, up from 5.92% in the preceding quarter and 5.51% in the fourth quarter a year ago.

    Average investment securities decreased to $565.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $619.0 million in the third quarter of 2024 and $690.7 million in the fourth quarter a year ago. The average net tax equivalent yield on the securities portfolio was 2.84% for the fourth quarter of 2024, up from 2.80% in the preceding quarter and up from 2.48% in the year ago quarter. The average estimated duration of the investment portfolio at December 31, 2024, was approximately 2.4 years down from approximately 2.8 years a year ago. As of December 31, 2024, $79.0 million of available for sale securities are scheduled to mature in the next six months, $55.8 million are scheduled to mature in six months to one year, and $189.3 million are scheduled to mature in the following year, representing a total of $324.0 million or 12% of earning assets that are scheduled to mature in the next 24 months.

    Total unrealized losses, net of tax, on available for sale securities increased by $678,000 in the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared to the prior quarter, and decreased by $9.1 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, resulting in a total unrealized loss of $8.3 million at December 31, 2024 compared to $7.6 million at September 30, 2024 and $17.4 million a year ago. The average maturity of the available for sale securities with the majority of the unrealized loss is 1.5 years at the end of 2024. Total unrealized losses on held to maturity securities were $1.0 million at December 31, 2024, compared to $2.1 million at September 30, 2024, and $3.3 million a year ago.

    Average interest bearing deposits in other banks increased to $72.2 million in the fourth quarter from $28.4 million in the third quarter of 2024 due to higher deposit balances and maturing portfolio investments. Average interest bearing deposits in other banks decreased in the fourth quarter of this year compared to $126.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 as cash was used to fund the growing loan portfolio.

    Portfolio loans were $2.13 billion at December 31, 2024, up 6% from the preceding quarter and up 19% from a year ago. Portfolio loans, excluding consumer mortgage loans, were $1.86 million at December 31, 2024, up 6% or $99.9 million from $1.76 billion in the preceding quarter and up 14% from a year ago. This increase was diversified throughout the loan portfolio including commercial real estate nonowner-occupied and multi-family loans increasing by $35.1 million, construction loans increasing by $28.7 million, commercial loans increasing $24.9 million, and commercial real estate owner-occupied loans increasing $7.2 million from the preceding quarter. Average portfolio loans in the fourth quarter of 2024 were $2.07 billion, which was up 7% from the preceding quarter and up 18% from a year ago. Yields on average portfolio loans in the fourth quarter of 2024 increased slightly to 6.93% from 6.91% in the third quarter of 2024 and increased from 6.55% in the fourth quarter of 2023. The increase in the yield on portfolio loans in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2024 and the fourth quarter a year ago is primarily due to loan repricing due to the increases in interest rates and new loans booked at higher rates due to changes in the interest rate environment. The yield on new portfolio loans, excluding consumer mortgage loans, was 7.40% in the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared to 7.43% in the third quarter of 2024 and 8.07% in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Alaskans continue to account for substantially all of Northrim’s deposit base. Total deposits were $2.68 billion at December 31, 2024, up 2% from $2.63 billion at September 30, 2024, and up 8% from $2.49 billion a year ago. “Our bankers are working hard to continue to bring over new relationships to the Bank, which is helping to magnify normal increases in deposit balances from our customers’ business cycles,” said Ballard. At December 31, 2024, 73% of total deposits were held in business accounts and 27% of deposit balances were held in consumer accounts. Northrim had approximately 34,000 deposit customers with an average balance of $61,000 as of December 31, 2024. Northrim had 26 customers with balances over $10 million as of December 31, 2024, which accounted for $612.9 million, or 24%, of total deposits. Demand deposits decreased by 8% from the prior quarter and decreased 6% year-over-year to $706.2 million at December 31, 2024. Demand deposits decreased to 27% of total deposits at December 31, 2024 compared to 29% at September 30, 2024 and 31% of total deposits at December 31, 2023. Average interest-bearing deposits were up 9% to $1.95 billion with an average cost of 2.15% in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $1.80 billion and an average cost of 2.24% in the third quarter of 2024, and up 13% compared to $1.72 billion and an average cost of 2.00% in the fourth quarter of 2023. Uninsured deposits totaled $1.08 billion or 40% of total deposits as of December 31, 2024 compared to $1.1 billion or 46% of total deposits as of December 31, 2022. As interest rates continued to increase in 2022, Northrim has taken a proactive, targeted approach to increase deposit rates.

    Shareholders’ equity was $267.1 million, or $48.41 book value per share, at December 31, 2024, compared to $260.1 million, or $47.27 book value per share, at September 30, 2024 and $234.7 million, or $42.57 book value per share, a year ago. Tangible book value per share* was $39.17 at December 31, 2024, compared to $44.36 at September 30, 2024, and $39.68 per share a year ago. The increase in shareholders’ equity in the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared to the third quarter of 2024 was largely the result of earnings of $10.9 million which was partially offset by dividends paid of $3.4 million and a decrease in the fair value of the available for sale securities portfolio, which decreased $678,000, net of tax. The Company did not purchase any shares of common stock in the fourth quarter of 2024 and had 110,000 shares remaining under the current share repurchase program as of December 31, 2024. Tangible common equity to tangible assets* was 7.23% as of December 31, 2024, compared to 8.28% as of September 30, 2024 and 7.84% as of December 31, 2023. The decrease in tangible common equity to tangible assets* was primarily due to $35.0 million of Goodwill booked as part of the acquisition of Sallyport. Northrim continues to maintain capital levels in excess of the requirements to be categorized as “well-capitalized” with Tier 1 Capital to Risk Adjusted Assets of 9.76% at December 31, 2024, compared to 11.53% at September 30, 2024, and 11.43% at December 31, 2023.

    Asset Quality

    Northrim believes it has a consistent lending approach throughout the economic cycles, which emphasizes appropriate loan-to-value ratios, adequate debt coverage ratios, and competent management.

    Nonperforming assets (“NPAs”) net of government guarantees were $11.6 million at December 31, 2024, up from $5.3 million at September 30, 2024 and from $5.8 million a year ago. Of the NPAs at December 31, 2024, $3.0 million, or 26% are nonaccrual loans related to three commercial relationships, $2.8 million, or 24% is related to a Sallyport nonaccrual loan, and $3.3 million, or 28% is related to one purchased receivable relationship.

    Net adversely classified loans were $9.6 million at December 31, 2024, as compared to $6.5 million at September 30, 2024, and $7.1 million a year ago. Adversely classified loans are loans that Northrim has classified as substandard, doubtful, and loss, net of government guarantees. Net loan recoveries were $51,000 in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to net loan recoveries of $96,000 in the third quarter of 2024, and net loan charge-offs of $96,000 in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Northrim had $138.0 million, or 6% of total portfolio loans, in the Healthcare sector; $117.0 million, or 5% of portfolio loans, in the Tourism sector; $104.3 million, or 5% in the Accommodations sector; $87.4 million, or 4% in Retail loans; $84.6 million, or 4% of portfolio loans, in the Aviation (non-tourism) sector; $76.5 million, or 4% in the Fishing sector; and $55.1 million, or 3% in the Restaurants and Breweries sector as of December 31, 2024.

    Northrim estimates that $99.7 million, or approximately 5% of portfolio loans, had direct exposure to the oil and gas industry in Alaska, as of December 31, 2024, and $1.6 million of these loans are adversely classified. As of December 31, 2024, Northrim has an additional $45.8 million in unfunded commitments to companies with direct exposure to the oil and gas industry in Alaska, and none of these unfunded commitments are considered to be adversely classified loans. Northrim defines direct exposure to the oil and gas sector as loans to borrowers that provide oilfield services and other companies that have been identified as significantly reliant upon activity in Alaska related to the oil and gas industry, such as lodging, equipment rental, transportation and other logistics services specific to this industry.

    About Northrim BanCorp

    Northrim BanCorp, Inc. is the parent 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.

    http://www.northrim.com

    Forward-Looking Statement
    This release may contain “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined for purposes of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are, in effect, management’s attempt to predict future events, and thus are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s views only as of the date hereof. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, regarding our financial position, business strategy, management’s plans and objectives for future operations are forward-looking statements. When used in this report, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” and “intend” and words or phrases of similar meaning, as they relate to Northrim and its management are intended to help identify forward-looking statements. Although we believe that management’s expectations as reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure readers that those expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements, are subject to various risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to differ materially and adversely from our expectations as indicated in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include: descriptions of Northrim’s and Sallyport’s financial condition, results of operations, asset based lending volumes, asset and credit quality trends and profitability and statements about the expected financial benefits and other effects of the acquisition of Sallyport by Northrim Bank; expected cost savings, synergies and other financial benefits from the acquisition of Sallyport by Northrim Bank might not be realized within the expected time frames and costs or difficulties relating to integration matters might be greater than expected; the ability of Northrim and Sallyport to execute their respective business plans; potential further increases in interest rates; the value of securities held in our investment portfolio; the impact of the results of government initiatives on the regulatory landscape, natural resource extraction industries, and capital markets; the impact of declines in the value of commercial and residential real estate markets, high unemployment rates, inflationary pressures and slowdowns in economic growth; changes in banking regulation or actions by bank regulators; inflation, supply-chain constraints, and potential geopolitical instability, including the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East; financial stress on borrowers (consumers and businesses) as a result of higher rates or an uncertain economic environment; the general condition of, and changes in, the Alaska economy; our ability to maintain or expand our market share or net interest margin; the sufficiency of our provision for credit losses and the accuracy of the assumptions or estimates used in preparing our financial statements, including those related to current expected credit losses accounting guidance; our ability to maintain asset quality; our ability to implement our marketing and growth strategies; our ability to identify and address cyber-security risks, including security breaches, “denial of service attacks,” “hacking,” and identity theft; disease outbreaks; and our ability to execute our business plan. Further, actual results may be affected by competition on price and other factors with other financial institutions; customer acceptance of new products and services; the regulatory environment in which we operate; and general trends in the local, regional and national banking industry and economy. In addition, there are risks inherent in the banking industry relating to collectability of loans and changes in interest rates. Many of these risks, as well as other risks that may have a material adverse impact on our operations and business, are identified in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, and from time to time are disclosed in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. However, you should be aware that these factors are not an exhaustive list, and you should not assume these are the only factors that may cause our actual results to differ from our expectations. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this release, and Northrim does not undertake any obligation to release revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or conditions after the date of this release.

    References:

    https://www.bea.gov/

    http://almis.labor.state.ak.us/

    http://www.tax.alaska.gov/programs/oil/prevailing/ans.aspx

    http://www.tax.state.ak.us/

    http://www.mba.org

    https://www.alaskarealestate.com/MLSMember/RealEstateStatistics.aspx

    https://www.capitaliq.spglobal.com/web/client?auth=inherit&overridecdc=1&#markets/indexFinancials

                 
    Income Statement            
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) Three Months Ended   Year-to-date
    (Unaudited) December 31, September 30, December 31,   December 31, December 31,
      2024 2024 2023   2024 2023
    Interest Income:            
    Interest and fees on loans $37,059   $34,863   $29,508     $134,739   $108,612  
    Interest on investments 3,844   4,164   4,677     16,838   18,695  
    Interest on deposits in banks 883   389   1,743     2,342   4,644  
    Total interest income 41,786   39,416   35,928     153,919   131,951  
    Interest Expense:            
    Interest expense on deposits 10,568   10,123   8,676     39,347   26,511  
    Interest expense on borrowings 377   451   520     1,389   2,184  
    Total interest expense 10,945   10,574   9,196     40,736   28,695  
    Net interest income 30,841   28,842   26,732     113,183   103,256  
                 
    Provision for credit losses 1,201   2,063   885     3,293   3,842  
    Net interest income after provision for            
    loan losses 29,640   26,779   25,847     109,890   99,414  
                 
    Other Operating Income:            
    Mortgage banking income 7,040   7,047   2,437     24,002   12,763  
    Purchased receivable income 3,526   1,033   1,307     7,146   4,482  
    Bankcard fees 1,148   1,196   946     4,366   3,862  
    Service charges on deposit accounts 622   605   532     2,348   2,044  
    Gain on sale of securities 112         112    
    Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable equity securities (364 ) 576   565     465   120  
    Other income 949   1,130   698     3,602   3,104  
    Total other operating income 13,033   11,587   6,485     42,041   26,375  
                 
    Other Operating Expense:            
    Salaries and other personnel expense 18,254   17,549   15,417     67,847   61,741  
    Data processing expense 3,108   2,618   2,500     10,986   9,821  
    Occupancy expense 1,893   1,911   1,783     7,609   7,394  
    Professional and outside services 1,967   903   802     4,351   3,128  
    Marketing expense 965   860   933     3,028   2,929  
    Insurance expense 894   596   675     2,961   2,519  
    OREO expense, net rental income and gains on sale 2   2   (28 )   (385 ) (794 )
    Intangible asset amortization expense     6       17  
    Other operating expense 2,294   2,289   1,905     8,540   7,426  
    Total other operating expense 29,377   26,728   23,993     104,937   94,181  
                 
    Income before provision for income taxes 13,296   11,638   8,339     46,994   31,608  
    Provision for income taxes 2,369   2,813   1,726     10,023   6,214  
    Net income $10,927   $8,825   $6,613     $36,971   $25,394  
                 
    Basic EPS $1.99   $1.60   $1.19     $6.72   $4.53  
    Diluted EPS $1.95   $1.57   $1.19     $6.62   $4.49  
    Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic 5,509,078   5,501,943   5,513,041     5,502,797   5,601,471  
    Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted 5,597,889   5,583,055   5,578,491     5,583,983   5,661,460  
                           
    Balance Sheet      
    (Dollars in thousands)      
    (Unaudited) December 31, September 30, December 31,
      2024 2024 2023
           
    Assets:      
    Cash and due from banks $42,101   $42,805   $27,457  
    Interest bearing deposits in other banks 20,635   60,071   91,073  
    Investment securities available for sale, at fair value 478,617   545,210   637,936  
    Investment securities held to maturity 36,750   36,750   36,750  
    Marketable equity securities, at fair value 8,719   12,957   13,153  
    Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock 5,331   4,318   2,980  
    Loans held for sale 59,957   97,937   31,974  
    Portfolio loans 2,129,263   2,007,565   1,789,497  
    Allowance for credit losses, loans (22,020 ) (19,528 ) (17,270 )
    Net portfolio loans 2,107,243   1,988,037   1,772,227  
    Purchased receivables, net 74,078   23,564   36,842  
    Mortgage servicing rights, at fair value 26,439   21,570   19,564  
    Premises and equipment, net 37,757   39,625   40,693  
    Operating lease right-of-use assets 7,455   7,616   9,092  
    Goodwill and intangible assets 50,968   15,967   15,967  
    Other assets 85,819   66,965   71,789  
    Total assets $3,041,869   $2,963,392   $2,807,497  
           
    Liabilities:      
    Demand deposits $706,225   $763,595   $749,683  
    Interest-bearing demand 1,108,404   979,238   927,291  
    Savings deposits 250,900   245,043   255,338  
    Money market deposits 196,290   201,821   221,492  
    Time deposits 418,370   435,870   331,251  
    Total deposits 2,680,189   2,625,567   2,485,055  
    Other borrowings 23,045   13,354   13,675  
    Junior subordinated debentures 10,310   10,310   10,310  
    Operating lease liabilities 7,487   7,635   9,092  
    Other liabilities 53,722   46,476   54,647  
    Total liabilities 2,774,753   2,703,342   2,572,779  
           
    Shareholders’ Equity:      
    Total shareholders’ equity 267,116   260,050   234,718  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $3,041,869   $2,963,392   $2,807,497  
           

    Additional Financial Information
    (Dollars in thousands)
    (Unaudited)

    Composition of Portfolio Loans                        
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30, 2024   March 31, 2024   December 31,
    2023
      Balance % of
    total
      Balance % of
    total
      Balance % of
    total
      Balance % of
    total
      Balance % of
    total
    Commercial loans $518,148   24 %   $492,414   24 %   $495,781   26 %   $475,220   26 %   $486,057   27 %
    Commercial real estate:                            
    Owner occupied properties 420,060   20 %   412,827   20 %   383,832   20 %   372,507   20 %   368,357   20 %
    Nonowner occupied and multifamily properties 619,431   29 %   584,302   31 %   551,130   30 %   529,904   30 %   519,115   30 %
    Residential real estate:                            
    1-4 family properties secured by first liens 270,535   13 %   248,514   12 %   222,026   12 %   218,552   12 %   203,534   11 %
    1-4 family properties secured by junior liens & revolving secured by first liens 48,857   2 %   45,262   2 %   41,258   2 %   35,460   2 %   33,783   2 %
    1-4 family construction 39,789   2 %   39,794   2 %   29,510   2 %   27,751   2 %   31,239   2 %
    Construction loans 214,068   10 %   185,362   9 %   154,009   8 %   153,537   8 %   149,788   8 %
    Consumer loans 7,562   %   7,836   %   6,679   %   6,444   %   6,180   %
    Subtotal 2,138,450       2,016,311       1,884,225       1,819,375       1,798,053    
    Unearned loan fees, net (9,187 )     (8,746 )     (8,318 )     (8,240 )     (8,556 )  
    Total portfolio loans $2,129,263       $2,007,565       $1,875,907       $1,811,135       $1,789,497    
                                 
    Composition of Deposits                        
      December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   March 31, 2024   December 31, 2023
      Balance % of
    total
      Balance % of
    total
      Balance % of
    total
      Balance % of
    total
      Balance % of
    total
    Demand deposits $706,225   27 %   $763,595   29 %   $704,471   29 %   $714,244   29 %   $749,683   31 %
    Interest-bearing demand 1,108,404   41 %   979,238   37 %   906,010   36 %   889,581   37 %   927,291   37 %
    Savings deposits 250,900   9 %   245,043   9 %   238,156   10 %   246,902   10 %   255,338   10 %
    Money market deposits 196,290   7 %   204,821   8 %   195,159   8 %   209,785   9 %   221,492   9 %
    Time deposits 418,370   16 %   435,870   17 %   420,010   17 %   373,571   15 %   331,251   13 %
    Total deposits $2,680,189       $2,628,567       $2,463,806       $2,434,083       $2,485,055    
                                           

    Additional Financial Information
    (Dollars in thousands)
    (Unaudited)

    Asset Quality
    December 31, September 30, December 31,
        2024 2024 2023
      Nonaccrual loans $7,516   $4,944   $6,069  
      Loans 90 days past due and accruing 17   17    
      Total nonperforming loans 7,533   4,961   6,069  
      Nonperforming loans guaranteed by government     (1,067 )
      Net nonperforming loans 7,533   4,961   5,002  
      Repossessed assets 297   297    
      Nonperforming purchased receivables 3,768     808  
      Net nonperforming assets $11,598   $5,258   $5,810  
      Nonperforming loans, net of government guarantees / portfolio loans 0.35 % 0.25 % 0.28 %
      Nonperforming loans, net of government guarantees / portfolio loans, net of government guarantees 0.38 % 0.26 % 0.30 %
      Nonperforming assets, net of government guarantees / total assets 0.38 % 0.18 % 0.21 %
      Nonperforming assets, net of government guarantees / total assets net of government guarantees 0.40 % 0.19 % 0.21 %
                   
      Adversely classified loans, net of government guarantees $9,636   $6,503   $7,057  
      Special mention loans, net of government guarantees $19,769   $9,641   $6,580  
      Loans 30-89 days past due and accruing, net of government guarantees / portfolio loans 0.03 % 0.08 % 0.03 %
      Loans 30-89 days past due and accruing, net of government guarantees / portfolio loans, net of government guarantees 0.03 % 0.09 % 0.03 %
                   
      Allowance for credit losses – loans / portfolio loans 1.03 % 0.97 % 0.97 %
      Allowance for credit losses – loans / portfolio loans, net of government guarantees 1.10 % 1.04 % 1.02 %
      Allowance for credit losses – loans / nonperforming loans, net of government guarantees 292 % 394 % 345 %
                   
      Allowance for credit losses – purchased receivables / purchased receivables 4.69 % % %
      Allowance for credit losses – purchased receivables / nonperforming purchased receivables 97 % % %
                   
      Gross loan charge-offs for the quarter $149   $15   $281  
      Gross loan recoveries for the quarter ($200 ) ($111 ) ($185 )
      Net loan (recoveries) charge-offs for the quarter ($51 ) ($96 ) $96  
      Net loan (recoveries) charge-offs year-to-date ($215 ) ($164 ) ($38 )
      Net loan (recoveries) charge-offs for the quarter / average loans, for the quarter 0.00 % 0.00 % 0.01 %
      Net loan (recoveries) charge-offs year-to-date / average loans, year-to-date annualized (0.01 )% (0.01 )% 0.00 %
                   

    Additional Financial Information
    (Dollars in thousands)
    (Unaudited)

    Average Balances, Yields, and Rates                            
      Three Months Ended
      December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   December 31, 2023
        Average     Average     Average
      Average Tax
    Equivalent
      Average Tax
    Equivalent
      Average Tax
    Equivalent
      Balance Yield/Rate   Balance Yield/Rate   Balance Yield/Rate
    Assets              
    Interest bearing deposits in other banks $72,212   4.72 %   $28,409   5.28 %   $126,174   5.40 %
    Portfolio investments 565,785   2.84 %   619,012   2.80 %   690,659   2.48 %
    Loans held for sale 83,304   5.97 %   93,689   6.20 %   45,732   6.55 %
    Portfolio loans 2,066,216   6.93 %   1,933,181   6.91 %   1,749,732   6.55 %
    Total interest-earning assets 2,787,517   6.02 %   2,674,291   5.92 %   2,612,297   5.51 %
    Nonearning assets 251,364       196,266       214,934    
    Total assets $3,038,881       $2,870,557       $2,827,231    
                   
    Liabilities and Shareholders Equity              
    Interest-bearing deposits $1,954,495   2.15 %   $1,796,107   2.24 %   $1,724,409   2.00 %
    Borrowings 29,251   3.95 %   43,555   4.07 %   47,964   4.25 %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities 1,983,746   2.18 %   1,839,662   2.29 %   1,772,373   2.06 %
                   
    Noninterest-bearing demand deposits 738,911       722,000       760,566    
    Other liabilities 49,815       52,387       63,321    
    Shareholders’ equity 266,409       256,508       230,971    
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $3,038,881       $2,870,557       $2,827,231    
    Net spread   3.84 %   3.63 %     3.45 %
    NIM   4.41 %   4.29 %     4.06 %
    NIMTE*   4.47 %   4.35 %     4.12 %
    Cost of funds   1.59 %   1.64 %     1.44 %
    Average portfolio loans to average interest-earning assets 74.12 %     72.29 %     66.98 %  
    Average portfolio loans to average total deposits 76.71 %     76.77 %     70.41 %  
    Average non-interest deposits to average total deposits 27.43 %     28.67 %     30.61 %  
    Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities 140.52 %     145.37 %     147.39 %  
                           

    Additional Financial Information
    (Dollars in thousands)
    (Unaudited)

    Average Balances, Yields, and Rates          
      Year-to-date
      December 31, 2024   December 31, 2023
        Average     Average
      Average Tax Equivalent   Average Tax Equivalent
      Balance Yield/Rate   Balance Yield/Rate
    Assets          
    Interest bearing deposits in other banks $44,913   5.09 %   $91,161   5.02 %
    Portfolio investments 623,756   2.82 %   715,367   2.43 %
    Loans held for sale 68,790   6.08 %   41,769   6.19 %
    Portfolio loans 1,910,156   6.87 %   1,643,943   6.49 %
    Total interest-earning assets 2,647,615   5.86 %   2,492,240   5.36 %
    Nonearning assets 213,397       198,107    
    Total assets $2,861,012       $2,690,347    
               
    Liabilities and Shareholders Equity          
    Interest-bearing deposits $1,802,286   2.18 %   $1,614,386   1.64 %
    Borrowings 33,799   3.81 %   51,038   4.24 %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities 1,836,085   2.21 %   1,665,424   1.72 %
               
    Noninterest-bearing demand deposits 718,163       749,859    
    Other liabilities 55,265       47,820    
    Shareholders’ equity 251,499       227,244    
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $2,861,012       $2,690,347    
    Net spread   3.65 %     3.64 %
    NIM   4.28 %     4.14 %
    NIMTE*   4.33 %     4.21 %
    Cost of funds   1.59 %     1.19 %
    Average portfolio loans to average interest-earning assets 72.15 %     65.96 %  
    Average portfolio loans to average total deposits 75.79 %     69.53 %  
    Average non-interest deposits to average total deposits 28.49 %     31.72 %  
    Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities 144.20 %     149.65 %  
                   

    Additional Financial Information
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)

    Capital Data (At quarter end)          
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30, 2024   December 31,
    2023
    Book value per share $48.41     $47.27     $42.57  
    Tangible book value per share* $39.17     $44.36     $39.68  
    Total shareholders’ equity/Total assets 8.78 %   8.78 %   8.36 %
    Tangible common equity/Tangible assets* 7.23 %   8.28 %   7.84 %
    Tier 1 capital / Risk adjusted assets 9.76 %   11.53 %   11.43 %
    Total capital / Risk adjusted assets 10.94 %   12.50 %   12.35 %
    Tier 1 capital / Average assets 7.68 %   9.08 %   8.72 %
    Common shares outstanding 5,518,210     5,501,943     5,513,459  
    Unrealized gain on AFS debt securities, net of income taxes ($8,295 )   ($7,617 )   ($17,415 )
    Unrealized (loss) on derivatives and hedging activities, net of income taxes $1,272     $863     $978  
                     
    Profitability Ratios                            
      December 31,
    2024
      September
    30, 2024
      June 30, 2024   March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    For the quarter:                            
    NIM 4.41 %   4.29 %   4.24 %   4.16 %   4.06 %
    NIMTE* 4.47 %   4.35 %   4.30 %   4.22 %   4.12 %
    Efficiency ratio 66.96 %   66.11 %   68.78 %   68.93 %   72.21 %
    Return on average assets 1.43 %   1.22 %   1.31 %   1.19 %   0.93 %
    Return on average equity 16.32 %   13.69 %   14.84 %   13.84 %   11.36 %
                                 
      December 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    Year-to-date:          
    NIM 4.28 %   4.14 %
    NIMTE* 4.33 %   4.21 %
    Efficiency ratio 67.60 %   72.64 %
    Return on average assets 1.29 %   0.94 %
    Return on average equity 14.70 %   11.17 %
               

    *Non-GAAP Financial Measures
    (Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)

    Non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations, are not required to be uniformly applied, and are not audited. Although we believe these non-GAAP financial measures are frequently used by stakeholders in the evaluation of the Company, they have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of results as reported under GAAP.

    Net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis

    Net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis (“NIMTE”) is a non-GAAP performance measurement in which interest income on non-taxable investments and loans is presented on a tax equivalent basis using a combined federal and state statutory rate of 28.43% in both 2023 and 2022. The most comparable GAAP measure is net interest margin and the following table sets forth the reconciliation of NIMTE to net interest margin.

       
      Three Months Ended
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30, 2024   March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    Net interest income $30,841     $28,842     $27,053     $26,447     $26,732  
    Divided by average interest-bearing assets 2,787,517     2,674,291     2,568,266     2,558,558     2,612,297  
    Net interest margin (“NIM”)2 4.41 %   4.29 %   4.24 %   4.16 %   4.06 %
                       
    Net interest income $30,841     $28,842     $27,053     $26,447     $26,732  
    Plus: reduction in tax expense related to tax-exempt interest income 379     385     378     379     374  
      $31,220     $29,227     $27,431     $26,826     $27,106  
    Divided by average interest-bearing assets 2,787,517     2,674,291     2,568,266     2,558,558     2,612,297  
    NIMTE2 4.47 %   4.35 %   4.30 %   4.22 %   4.12 %
                                 
      Year-to-date
      December 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    Net interest income $113,183     $103,256  
    Divided by average interest-bearing assets 2,647,615     2,492,240  
    Net interest margin (“NIM”)3 4.28 %   4.14 %
           
    Net interest income $113,183     $103,256  
    Plus: reduction in tax expense related to tax-exempt interest income 1,521     1,576  
      $114,704     $104,832  
    Divided by average interest-bearing assets 2,647,615     2,492,240  
    NIMTE3 4.33 %   4.21 %
               
    2Calculated using actual days in the quarter divided by 366 for the quarters ended in 2024 and 365 for the quarters ended in 2023, respectively.
               
    3Calculated using actual days in the year divided by 366 for year-to-date period in 2024 and 365 for year-to-date period in 2023, respectively.
               

    *Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    (Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)

    Tangible Book Value

    Tangible book value is a non-GAAP measure defined as shareholders’ equity, less intangible assets, divided by common shares outstanding. The most comparable GAAP measure is book value per share and the following table sets forth the reconciliation of tangible book value per share and book value per share.

                       
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30, 2024   March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
                       
    Total shareholders’ equity $267,116     $260,050     $247,200     $239,327     $234,718  
    Divided by common shares outstanding 5,518     5,502     5,502     5,500     5,513  
    Book value per share $48.41     $47.26     $44.93     $43.52     $42.57  
                                 
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30, 2024   March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
                       
    Total shareholders’ equity $267,116     $260,050     $247,200     $239,327     $234,718  
    Less: goodwill and intangible assets 50,968     15,967     15,967     15,967     15,967  
      $216,148     $244,083     $231,233     $223,360     $218,751  
    Divided by common shares outstanding 5,518     5,502     5,502     5,500     5,513  
    Tangible book value per share $39.17     $44.36     $43.52     $40.61     $39.68  
                                 

    Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets

    Tangible common equity to tangible assets is a non-GAAP ratio that represents total equity less goodwill and intangible assets divided by total assets less goodwill and intangible assets. The most comparable GAAP measure of shareholders’ equity to total assets is calculated by dividing total shareholders’ equity by total assets and the following table sets forth the reconciliation of tangible common equity to tangible assets and shareholders’ equity to total assets.

                       
    Northrim BanCorp, Inc. December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
                       
    Total shareholders’ equity $267,116     $260,050     $247,200     $239,327     $234,718  
    Total assets 3,041,869     2,963,392     2,821,668     2,759,560     2,807,497  
    Total shareholders’ equity to total assets 8.78 %   8.78 %   8.76 %   8.67 %   8.36 %
                                 
    Northrim BanCorp, Inc. December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30, 2024   March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    Total shareholders’ equity $267,116     $260,050     $247,200     $239,327     $234,718  
    Less: goodwill and other intangible assets, net 50,968     15,967     15,967     15,967     15,967  
    Tangible common shareholders’ equity $216,148     $244,083     $231,233     $223,360     $218,751  
                       
    Total assets $3,041,869     $2,963,392     $2,821,668     $2,759,560     $2,807,497  
    Less: goodwill and other intangible assets, net 50,968     15,967     15,967     15,967     15,967  
    Tangible assets $2,990,901     $2,947,425     $2,805,701     $2,743,593     $2,791,530  
    Tangible common equity ratio 7.23 %   8.28 %   8.24 %   8.14 %   7.84 %
                                 

    Note Transmitted on GlobeNewswire on January 24, 2025, at 12:15 pm Alaska Standard Time.

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

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Interfield Global Software Inc. Announces Completion of Funding for Implementation of Proposed Joint Venture With Abhi

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Interfield Global Software Inc. (CBOE CA: IFSS) (the “Company”) announces that its wholly owned subsidiary, Interfield Software Solutions LLC (“Interfield Solutions” or “Borrower”) has secured the financing necessary to implement its previously announced joint venture with Abhi (the “Abhi JV”) and to restructure the business of the Company in preparation for the Abhi JV.

    The financing comprises an unsecured one year term (“Term”) loan of US$500,000 (“Loan”) from an arms-length private investor (“Lender”), with non-compounded interest payable at 5% per year. Repayment of the Loan together with accrued interest is due upon expiry of the Term and may be in cash (“Cash Payment”), or at the option of the Borrower, by the issuance and transfer to the Lender, or its nominee, of a six percent (6%) equity interest in the Borrower (“Equity Payment”).

    At any time during the Term, the Lender has the option to increase the loan amount by a further US$500,000 upon the same terms and conditions. Should the Lender exercise its right to do so, the amount of interest payable will be adjusted accordingly and the Equity Payment will be increased from 6% to 13%.

    In further preparation for the implementation of the Abhi JV, the board of directors of the Company is evaluating further strategic alternatives, which may involve a migration of its current listing to a growth equity market, subject to the Company receiving necessary approvals. No definitive decisions have been reached regarding strategic alternatives and there is no assurance if or when such alternatives may be implemented. The Company will provide further updates, as necessary, at the appropriate time.

    About Abhi

    Abhi is a prominent fintech company, earning recognition as one of the Future 100 companies in the UAE. It was also the first to receive the Technology Pioneer 2023 Award by the World Economic Forum, making fintech history in the MENAP region. Abhi offers a comprehensive suite of products and services, including EWA, payroll solutions, and SME financing.

    About Interfield Global Software Inc.

    The Company is a publicly listed company, with its common shares listed on Cboe Canada. (Cboe CA: IFSS) and operates out of Dubai, U.A.E through its wholly owned subsidiary, Interfield Solutions.

    Interfield Solutions is a software company that services numerous industrial segments worldwide including oil and gas, mining and renewables. Interfield Solutions has two operating divisions, E-commerce and Software as a Service. Equipment Hound, the company’s flagship product of its E-commerce division, is an industrial equipment marketplace that connects buyers and suppliers around the globe. Equipment Hound manages a catalogue of equipment from various suppliers and provides procurement solutions for buyers. It includes features such as requests for quotes, logistics support and third-party verification. ToolSuite, the company’s flagship product of its Software as a Service division, is a cloud based data collection and management platform that digitizes industrial processes and provides real-time auditable data for clients.

    For more information about the Company, please refer to the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at http://www.sedarplus.ca.

    ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

    “Harold Hemmerich”

    Harold Hemmerich, Chief Executive Officer & Director
    Phone: +971 50 558 8349

    Bruce Nurse, Investor Relations
    Phone: +1 303 919 2913

    Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer and Reader Advisory

    This news release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance often using phrases such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “forecasts”, “estimates”, “believes” or “intends”, or variations of such words and phrases, or stating that certain actions, events or results “may” or “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken to occur or be achieved, are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements in this release include: (i) the anticipated implementation of Abhi JV and restructuring in preparation for the Abhi JV; (ii) the anticipated use of the proceeds from the Loan; and (iii) the anticipated strategic alternatives involving a migration to a growth equity market.

    Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to receive any necessary board, shareholder or regulatory approvals, including the approval of any applicable regulatory authority; and that factors may occur which impede or prevent the Company’s future business plans. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements, whether they change as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

    Neither Cboe Canada Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of Cboe Canada Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: TC Energy to issue fourth quarter 2024 results on Feb. 14

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — News Release – TC Energy Corporation (TSX, NYSE: TRP) (TC Energy or the Company) will hold a teleconference and webcast on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, to discuss its fourth quarter financial results.

    François Poirier, TC Energy President and Chief Executive Officer, Sean O’Donnell, Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer, and other members of the executive leadership team will discuss the financial results and Company developments at 6:30 a.m. MST / 8:30 a.m. EST.

    Members of the investment community and other interested parties are invited to participate by calling 1-844-763-8274 (Canada/U.S. toll free) or 1-647-484-8814 (International toll). No passcode is required. Please dial in 15 minutes prior to the start of the call. Alternatively, participants may pre-register for the call here. Upon registering, you will receive a calendar booking by email with dial in details and a unique PIN. This process will bypass the operator and avoid the queue. Registration will remain open until the end of the conference call.

    A live webcast of the teleconference will be available on TC Energy’s website at TC Energy — Events and presentations or via the following URL: https://www.gowebcasting.com/13928. The webcast will be available for replay following the meeting.

    A replay of the teleconference will be available two hours after the conclusion of the call until midnight EST on Feb. 21, 2025. Please call 1-855-669-9658 (Canada/U.S. toll free) or 1-412-317-0088 (International toll) and enter passcode 6438166.

    About TC Energy
    We’re a team of 6,500+ energy problem solvers connecting the world to the energy it needs. Our extensive network of natural gas infrastructure assets is one-of-a-kind. We seamlessly move, generate and store energy and deliver it to where it is needed most, to homes and businesses in North America and across the globe through LNG exports. Our natural gas assets are complemented by our strategic ownership and low-risk investments in power generation.

    TC Energy’s common shares trade on the Toronto (TSX) and New York (NYSE) stock exchanges under the symbol TRP. To learn more, visit us at TCEnergy.com.

    FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
    This release contains certain information that is forward-looking and is subject to important risks and uncertainties (such statements are usually accompanied by words such as “anticipate”, “expect”, “believe”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “estimate”, “intend” or other similar words). Forward-looking statements in this document are intended to provide TC Energy security holders and potential investors with information regarding TC Energy and its subsidiaries, including management’s assessment of TC Energy’s and its subsidiaries’ future plans and financial outlook. All forward-looking statements reflect TC Energy’s beliefs and assumptions based on information available at the time the statements were made and as such are not guarantees of future performance. As actual results could vary significantly from the forward-looking information, you should not put undue reliance on forward-looking information and should not use future-oriented information or financial outlooks for anything other than their intended purpose. We do not update our forward-looking information due to new information or future events, unless we are required to by law. For additional information on the assumptions made, and the risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from the anticipated results, refer to the most recent Quarterly Report to Shareholders and Annual Report filed under TC Energy’s profile on SEDAR+ at http://www.sedarplus.ca and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at http://www.sec.gov.

    -30-

    Media Inquiries:
    Media Relations
    media@tcenergy.com
    403-920-7859 or 800-608-7859

    Investor & Analyst Inquiries:
    Gavin Wylie / Hunter Mau
    investor_relations@tcenergy.com
    403-920-7911 or 800-361-6522

    PDF available: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/d8ba0121-2767-4138-8a53-8ecb31b5199c

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Symphony Floating Rate Senior Loan Fund Announces Distributions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — (TSX: SSF.UN) – Brompton Funds (the “Manager”) announces monthly distributions for record dates from January to March 2025 for the class A units (the “Class A Units”) and class U units (the “Class U Units”) of Symphony Floating Rate Senior Loan Fund (the “Fund”):

      Ticker Amount Per
    Class A Unit
    Symphony Floating Rate Senior Loan Fund (Class A Unit) SSF.UN $0.045
         

    Record Dates and Payment Dates are as follows:

    Record Date Payment Date
    January 31, 2025 February 14, 2025
    February 28, 2025 March 14, 2025
    March 31, 2025 April 14, 2025
       

    The new distribution rate for the Class A Units of the Fund amounts to $0.54 per annum, or a 7.8% yield based on the TSX closing price of $6.95 on January 23, 2025. The Manager believes that the new distribution level is still very attractive and better reflects the current environment for senior loans and fixed income more broadly. Income earned from senior loans in the Fund’s portfolio is impacted by changes to the secured overnight financing rate (SOFR), a reference rate for interest payments on floating rate senior loans, which has declined by 1.03% from 5.38% on September 16, 2024 to 4.35% on January 23, 2025.

    The Fund announces a distribution in the amount of US$0.045 per Class U Unit for the above noted record and payment dates, representing a distribution rate of 7.7% of net asset value (“NAV”) per annum based on a NAV of US$7.04 on January 23, 2025.

    Senior loans continue to deliver high levels of current income while insulating investors from traditional interest rate risk. In 2024, the Class A Units returned 11.5%, and the Class U Units returned 11.8% outperforming the Credit Suisse Leveraged Loan Index by 2.4% and 2.7%, respectively.

    The Class A Units have paid 158 consecutive monthly distributions since inception on November 1, 2011 for total distributions of $8.07 per Class A Unit. The Class U Units have paid 158 consecutive monthly distributions since inception on November 1, 2011 for total distributions of US$7.99 per Class U Unit. Unitholders are reminded that the Fund offers a distribution reinvestment plan (“DRIP”) on the Class A Units and Class U Units which provide unitholders with the ability to automatically reinvest distributions, commission free, and realize the benefits of compound growth. Unitholders can enroll in a DRIP program by contacting their investment advisor.

    About Brompton Funds
    Founded in 2000, Brompton is an experienced investment fund manager with income and growth focused investment solutions including exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and other TSX traded investment funds. For further information, please contact your investment advisor, call Brompton’s investor relations line at 416-642-6000 (toll-free at 1-866-642-6001), email info@bromptongroup.com or visit our website at http://www.bromptongroup.com.

    Annual Compound Returns

    1-year

    3-year

    5-year

    10-year

    Since
    Inception
    Symphony Floating Rate Senior Loan Fund – Class A Units 11.5% 5.0% 4.8% 4.4% 5.3%
    Symphony Floating Rate Senior Loan Fund – Class U Units 11.8% 5.2% 5.0% 4.6% 5.3%
    Credit Suisse Leveraged Loan Index 9.1% 6.8% 5.7% 5.1% 5.2%
               

    Returns are for the periods ended December 31, 2024 and are unaudited.   Inception date November 1, 2011. The table shows the Fund’s compound return for each period indicated compared with the Credit Suisse Leveraged Loan Index (“Loan Index”). The Loan Index is an appropriate benchmark as it is designed to mirror the investable universe of US dollar denominated leveraged loan market in which the Fund also invests. The Loan Index is not leveraged, whereas the Fund employs leverage. The Fund is actively managed; therefore, its performance is not expected to mirror that of the Loan Index. Furthermore, the Loan Index’s performance is calculated without the deduction of fees, fund expenses and trading commissions. Past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. The performance information shown is based on net asset value per Class A and Class U unit and assumes that cash distributions made by the Fund during the periods shown were reinvested at net asset value per Class A and Class U unit in additional units of the Fund.

    You will usually pay brokerage fees to your dealer if you purchase or sell units of the investment fund on the Toronto Stock Exchange or other alternative Canadian trading system (an “exchange”). If the units are purchased or sold on an exchange, investors may pay more than the current net asset value when buying units of the investment fund and may receive less than the current net asset value when selling them.

    There are ongoing fees and expenses associated with owning units of an investment fund. An investment fund must prepare disclosure documents that contain key information about the Fund. You can find more detailed information about the Fund in the public filings available at http://www.sedar.com. The indicated rates of return are the historical annual compounded total returns including changes in the unit value and reinvestment of all distributions and do not take into account certain fees such as redemption costs or income taxes payable by any securityholder that would have reduced returns.  Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. The amount of distributions may fluctuate from month to month and there can be no assurance that the Fund will make any distribution in any particular month.  

    Certain statements contained in this document constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to matters disclosed in this document and to other matters identified in public filings relating to the Fund, to the future outlook of the Fund and anticipated events or results and may include statements regarding the future financial performance of the Fund. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terms such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “continue” or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Actual results may vary from such forward-looking information. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Ninepoint Partners Announces Estimated January 2025 Cash Distributions for Ninepoint Cash Management Fund – ETF Series

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ninepoint Partners LP (“Ninepoint Partners”) today announced the estimated January 2025 cash distribution for the ETF Series of Ninepoint Cash Management Fund (the “Fund”). Ninepoint Partners expects to issue a press release on or about January 30, 2025, which will provide the final distribution rate. The record date for the cash distribution is January 31, 2025, payable on February 7, 2025.

    All estimates in this document are based on the accounting data as of January 24, 2025. Due to subscriptions and/or redemptions and/or other factors, the final January 2025 distribution may differ from these estimates and the difference could be material. The information included in this letter is for reference purposes only. Please reconcile all information against your official client statements. This is not intended to be a statement for official tax reporting purposes or any form of tax advice.

    The actual taxable amounts of distributions for 2025, including the tax characteristics of the distributions, will be reported to CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc. in early 2026. Securityholders can contact their brokerage firm for this information.

    The per-unit estimated January distribution is detailed below:

    Ninepoint ETF Series Ticker Cash Distribution per
    unit
    Notional Distribution
    per unit
    CUSIP
    Ninepoint Cash Management Fund NSAV $0.13608 $0.00000 65443X105
             

    About Ninepoint Partners

    Based in Toronto, Ninepoint Partners LP is one of Canada’s leading alternative investment management firms overseeing approximately $7 billion in assets under management and institutional contracts. Committed to helping investors explore innovative investment solutions that have the potential to enhance returns and manage portfolio risk, Ninepoint offers a diverse set of alternative strategies spanning Equities, Fixed Income, Alternative Income, Real Assets, F/X and Digital Assets.

    For more information on Ninepoint Partners LP, please visit http://www.ninepoint.com or for inquiries regarding the offering, please contact us at (416) 943-6707 or (866) 299-9906 or invest@ninepoint.com.

    Ninepoint Partners LP is the investment manager to the Ninepoint Funds (collectively, the “Funds”). Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees, performance fees (if any), and other expenses all may be associated with investing in the Funds. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer or solicitation by anyone in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. Prospective investors who are not residents in Canada should contact their financial advisor to determine whether securities of the Fund may be lawfully sold in their jurisdiction.

    Please note that distribution factors (breakdown between income, capital gains and return of capital) can only be calculated when a fund has reached its year-end. Distribution information should not be relied upon for income tax reporting purposes as this is only a component of total distributions for the year. For accurate distribution amounts for the purpose of filing an income tax return, please refer to the appropriate T3/T5 slips for that particular taxation year. Please refer to the prospectus or offering memorandum of each Fund for details of the Fund’s distribution policy.

    The payment of distributions and distribution breakdown, if applicable, is not guaranteed and may fluctuate. The payment of distributions should not be confused with a Fund’s performance, rate of return, or yield. If distributions paid by the Fund are greater than the performance of the Fund, then an investor’s original investment will shrink. Distributions paid as a result of capital gains realized by a Fund and income and dividends earned by a Fund are taxable in the year they are paid. An investor’s adjusted cost base will be reduced by the amount of any returns of capital. If an investor’s adjusted cost base goes below zero, then capital gains tax will have to be paid on the amount below zero.

    Sales Inquiries:

    Ninepoint Partners LP
    Neil Ross
    416-945-6227
    nross@ninepoint.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Alberta holds Ottawa accountable for its responsibilities: Ministers McIver and Nixon

    Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI China: Global sci-fi writers celebrate Chinese New Year with original stories

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Sci-fi writers from various countries will debut original stories themed around the number “10” at the 2025 Science Fiction New Year Gala, which will celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year.

    A poster for the 2025 Science Fiction New Year Gala. [Image courtesy of the Future Affairs Administration]

    This year marks the 10th anniversary of the gala, and the theme of “10” was selected to reflect this milestone, according to the Future Affairs Administration, the event’s organizer and a company dedicated to producing and promoting sci-fi works while supporting new writers in China.

    This year is significant as it is the first since UNESCO added the Spring Festival – a traditional celebration of the Chinese New Year – to its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage last December.

    The number 10 is significant for numerous reasons. The organizers point out that both Eastern and Western cultures embrace the ouroboros – a symbol of a serpent eating its own tail that aligns with China’s Year of the Snake in the Chinese Zodiac – suggesting that the number 10 signifies the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. Additionally, in decimal notation, 10 is seen as a node, while in binary, the numbers 1 and 0 represent foundational elements of code. The organizers also note that visually, the number 10 resembles a person standing before a stargate, poised to embark on a new journey.

    Twelve authors from four countries have submitted works inspired by the theme of “10.” These stories will be published daily from Jan. 24 to Feb. 4 on new media platforms operated by the Future Affairs Administration, including Xiaohongshu, WeChat, Weibo and Bilibili.

    The participating writers include China’s Han Song, Yang Ping, Jiang Bo, and Cheng Jingbo, as well as Canada’s Derek Künsken and Jiang Ai, Australia’s Samantha Murray and Japan’s Taiyo Fujii. They are a mix of award-winning authors and emerging stars in the global sci-fi literary scene.

    A tribute video is also being produced to commemorate the anniversary of the Science Fiction New Year Gala. Nearly 50 writers, artists, scholars, translators, readers, fans, critics and gala participants will share their memories and congratulations in the video.

    Over the past 10 years, the Science Fiction New Year Gala has invited 63 sci-fi authors from 10 countries across five continents to contribute to 145 novels, amassing an impressive 500 million views within the Chinese sci-fi community. The stories created for the event have garnered multiple awards both domestically and internationally, appearing in multilingual sci-fi collections and top magazines such as Clarkesworld, Asimov’s Science Fiction, and Lightspeed. Additionally, more than 10 artists have produced over 70 pieces of visual art, while 25 podcasts have collectively featured over 70 hours of programming. More than 150 partners have also given readers Chinese New Year gifts and benefits valued at over 170,000 yuan ($23,300).

    The writings showcased at the gala include sci-fi stories that explore themes such as homeward journeys reflecting the Chinese tradition of family reunions, reimaginings of China’s extensive transportation system, and various social issues. Some stories draw inspiration from the Chinese dragon, a mythical and auspicious creature in Chinese legend and the Zodiac.

    The gala also promotes cultural exchanges, allowing foreign writers to share their perspectives on China while gaining deeper insights into the emotions and experiences of the Chinese people.

    “Why are we celebrating Chinese New Year with sci-fi literature? This idea may seem crazy, but we believe that through sci-fi – a genre that expands human emotions – the atmosphere of the year will become richer between the lines and words,” said Ji Shaoting, founder and CEO of the Future Affairs Administration.

    Ji emphasized the challenge of maintaining focus on one project for 10 years. “The pain involved in pursuing what you love might be the most bearable. Ten years ago, we hoped this could become a fresh New Year tradition for our sci-fi enthusiasts. Perhaps we have achieved that now. However, the road ahead is still long, and we hope that one day everyone will recognize how deeply sci-fi is woven into life and into our very essence,” she said.

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI: Matador Technologies Adds Gold to Balance Sheet Ahead of Product Launch

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Matador Technologies Inc. (“Matador” or the “Company”) (TSXV: MATA) has announced an additional purchase of gold to its balance sheet, supporting the development of its gold product set to launch in early 2025. Matador purchased 1 kilogram of gold for approximately USD$89,208, inclusive of fees and expenses, bringing Matador’s gold balance to 2 kilograms.

    This allocation is aligned with Matador’s vision of pairing traditional assets like gold with cutting-edge blockchain technologies. By sourcing high-quality physical gold from the Royal Canadian Mint through its trusted partnership with Kitco Metals Inc., Matador ensures both the reliability and security of its gold reserves. All physical gold holdings will remain securely stored at the Royal Canadian Mint. This decision also supports Matador’s long-term capital preservation and corporate treasury strategy in holding USD-denominated assets.

    “Gold is a cornerstone of Matador’s first product, not just as a financial asset but as the foundation for our digital gold products,” said Deven Soni, CEO of Matador Technologies. “This move reflects our commitment to combining the timeless appeal of gold with the modern engagement opportunities presented by blockchain technology.”

    The Company’s upcoming gold product is designed to breathe new life into the gold market, targeting those intrigued by the potential of blockchain and digital assets. By leveraging Bitcoin as part of the platform for its digital gold products, Matador ensures the highest standards of security, stability, and trust for its users.

    Matador’s continued efforts to bridge traditional assets like gold and new technologies reflect its commitment to delivering a secure, accessible platform for users of all backgrounds.

    For additional information, please contact:

    Media Contact:
    Sunny Ray
    President
    Email: sunny@matador.network

    Phone: 647-932-2668

    About Matador Technologies Inc.
    Matador Technologies Inc. is a digital gold platform leveraging blockchain technology to digitize real-world assets like gold. Focused on building innovative financial solutions, Matador is at the forefront of integrating blockchain technology to preserve and grow value. Matador’s digital gold platform aims to democratize the gold buying experience, combining the best of modern technology and time-proven assets, to create an app that will allow users to buy, sell, and store gold 24/7 in a fun and engaging way.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

    NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

    This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction.

    Forward Looking Statements – Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with the implementation of the Company’s treasury management strategy and the launch of its mobile application as currently proposed or at all. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company, including with respect to the potential acquisition of Bitcoin and/or US dollars, the pricing of such acquisitions and the timing of future operations. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: AGF Investments Announces January 2025 Cash Distributions for AGF Enhanced U.S. Equity Income Fund, AGF Total Return Bond Fund and AGF Systematic Global Infrastructure ETF

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    AGF Investments Inc. (AGF Investments) today announced the January 2025 cash distributions for AGF Enhanced U.S. Equity Income Fund*, AGF Total Return Bond Fund* and AGF Systematic Global Infrastructure ETF, which pay monthly distributions. Unitholders of record on January 31, 2025 will receive cash distributions payable on February 6, 2025.

    Details regarding the final “per unit” distribution amounts are as follows:

    ETF Ticker Exchange  Cash Distribution Per Unit ($)
    AGF Enhanced U.S. Equity Income Fund* AENU Cboe Canada Inc.  $0.139916
    AGF Total Return Bond Fund* ATRB Cboe Canada Inc.  $0.131000
    AGF Systematic Global Infrastructure ETF QIF Cboe Canada Inc.  $0.141593


    *AGF Enhanced U.S. Equity Income Fund and AGF Total Return Bond Fund are mutual funds with an ETF series option.

    Further information about the AGF ETFs can be found at AGF.com.

    This information is not intended to provide legal, accounting, tax, investment, financial, or other advice, and should not be relied upon for providing such advice. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investment fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently, and past performance may not be repeated.

    AGF ETFs are ETFs offered by AGF Investments Inc. ETFs are listed and traded on organized Canadian exchanges and may only be bought and sold through licensed dealers.

    About AGF Management Limited

    Founded in 1957, AGF Management Limited (AGF) is an independent and globally diverse asset management firm. Our companies deliver excellence in investing in the public and private markets through three business lines: AGF Investments, AGF Capital Partners and AGF Private Wealth.

    AGF brings a disciplined approach, focused on incorporating sound, responsible and sustainable corporate practices. The firm’s collective investment expertise, driven by its fundamental, quantitative and private investing capabilities, extends globally to a wide range of clients, from financial advisors and their clients to high-net worth and institutional investors including pension plans, corporate plans, sovereign wealth funds, endowments and foundations.

    Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, AGF has investment operations and client servicing teams on the ground in North America and Europe. With nearly $53 billion in total assets under management and fee-earning assets, AGF serves more than 815,000 investors. AGF trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol AGF.B.

    About AGF Investments

    AGF Investments is a group of wholly owned subsidiaries of AGF Management Limited, a Canadian reporting issuer. The subsidiaries included in AGF Investments are AGF Investments Inc. (AGFI), AGF Investments America Inc. (AGFA), AGF Investments LLC (AGFUS) and AGF International Advisors Company Limited (AGFIA). The term AGF Investments may refer to one or more of these subsidiaries or to all of them jointly. This term is used for convenience and does not precisely describe any of the separate companies, each of which manages its own affairs.

    AGF Investments entities only provide investment advisory services or offers investment funds in the jurisdiction where such firm and/or product is registered or authorized to provide such services.

    AGF Investments Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGF Management Limited and conducts the management and advisory of mutual funds in Canada.

    Media Contact

    Amanda Marchment
    Director, Corporate Communications
    416-865-4160
    amanda.marchment@agf.com  

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Purpose Investments Announces Expansion of Its Yield Shares Suite with the Filling of the Preliminary Prospectus for 8 New ETFs

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Purpose Investments Inc. (“Purpose Investments”) is pleased to announce that it has filed and received a preliminary prospectus with the Canadian securities regulators for the proposed launch of eight new yield-focused single-stock ETFs, expanding its acclaimed Yield Shares suite. These ETFs are designed to provide investors with monthly income while maintaining exposure to leading global companies.

    The new Yield Shares ETFs include:

    Yield Shares ETF Ticker Underlying Company
    Costco (COST) Yield Shares Purpose ETF YCOS Costco
    Palantir (PLTR) Yield Shares Purpose ETF YPLT Palantir
    UnitedHealth (UNH) Yield Shares Purpose ETF YUNH UnitedHealth Group
    JPMorgan (JPM) Yield Shares Purpose ETF YJPM JPMorgan
    Coinbase (COIN) Yield Shares Purpose ETF YCON Coinbase
    Netflix (NFLX) Yield Shares Purpose ETF YNET Netflix
    Broadcom (AVGO) Yield Shares Purpose ETF YAVG Broadcom
    Tech Innovators Yield Shares Purpose ETF YMAG Broadcom, Amazon, Tesla, Microsoft, Meta, Alphabet, Apple, and Nvidia

    “Since launching in 2022, Purpose Yield Shares has become a leading choice for investors seeking monthly income while maintaining growth exposure to the world’s top companies. In response to strong client demand, we are excited to expand our lineup to include high-growth technology and innovation leaders while also diversifying into market pioneers within the consumer staples, financial, and healthcare sectors. These new ETFs enhance the breadth of the Yield Shares suite, offering investors a wider range of opportunities to generate monthly income from industry giants while participating in their long-term growth,” said Yuan Gao, Vice President of Product. “The Yield Shares lineup remains dedicated to providing investors with access to high-quality companies with strong fundamentals and long-term growth potential. These new ETFs enable investors to continue benefiting from exposure to market leaders driving innovation and economic progress while earning monthly income. Whether in technology, consumer staples, financial services, or healthcare, our Yield Shares suite delivers a compelling mix of income and capital appreciation potential, allowing investors to share in the success of industry leaders.”

    Each ETF seeks to provide shareholders with (i) long-term capital appreciation through purchasing and holding common stock of the underlying companies, including by using leverage through cash borrowing to purchase common stock of the underlying companies and (ii) distributions by writing covered call options and/or cash covered put options on a portion of the fund’s portfolio.

    The Tech Innovators Yield Shares Purpose ETF (Ticker: YMAG) intends to provide investors with exposure to a basket of leading global technology and innovation-driven companies while generating income by writing covered call options and/or cash-covered put options on a portion of the portfolio.

    YMAG provides investors with a one-ticket solution to gain exposure to the Nasdaq trillion-dollar market cap club while generating monthly income. Known as “BATMMAAN,” this select group of industry leaders—Broadcom, Amazon, Tesla, Microsoft, Meta, Alphabet, Apple, and Nvidia—is driving technological innovation across artificial intelligence, cloud computing, digital services, and next-generation infrastructure, positioning themselves as key players in the future of technology and economic growth.

    Building on the success of the Yield Shares lineup, these new ETFs will aim to offer investors monthly cash distributions alongside exposure to the long-term growth potential of industry-leading companies.

    About Purpose Investments Inc.
    Purpose Investments is an asset management company with more than $23 billion in assets under management. Purpose Investments has an unrelenting focus on client-centric innovation and offers a range of managed and quantitative investment products. Purpose Investments is led by well-known entrepreneur Som Seif and is a division of Purpose Unlimited, an independent technology-driven financial services company.

    For further information, please contact:
    Keera Hart
    Keera.Hart@kaiserpartners.com
    905-580-1257

    A preliminary long-form prospectus relating to the ETFs (the “Preliminary Prospectus”) has been filed with the Canadian securities commissions or similar authorities. You cannot buy securities of the ETFs until the relevant securities commissions or similar authorities issue receipts for the final prospectus of the ETFs. Important information about the ETFs is contained in the Preliminary Prospectus. Copies of the Preliminary Prospectus may be obtained from Purpose, or at http://www.purposeinvest.com.

    Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investment fund investments. Please read the prospectus and other disclosure documents before investing. There can be no assurance that the full amount of your investment in a fund will be returned to you. If the securities are purchased or sold on a stock exchange, you may pay more or receive less than the current net asset value. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Fund distribution levels and frequencies are not guaranteed and may vary at the manager’s sole discretion.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Abaxx Announces Closing of Final Tranche of C$2,756,000 Private Placement

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

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

    TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Abaxx Technologies Inc. (CBOE CA:ABXX) (“Abaxx” or the “Company”), a financial software and market infrastructure company, majority shareholder of Abaxx Singapore Pte. Ltd., the owner of Abaxx Commodity Exchange and Clearinghouse (individually, “Abaxx Exchange” and “Abaxx Clearing”), and producer of the SmarterMarkets™ Podcast, is pleased to announce it has today closed its final tranche (the “Final Tranche”) of a non-brokered private placement financing (the “Financing”). The Final Tranche consisted of the issuance of 50,000 common shares (the “Shares”) of the Company at a price of C$13.00 per Share for aggregate gross proceeds of C$650,000. The Financing, which consisted of the Final Tranche and a tranche which closed on November 22, 2024, consisted of the issuance of 212,000 Shares at a price of C$13.00 per Share for aggregate gross proceeds of C$2,756,000.

    The proceeds of the Financing are expected to be used for general corporate and working capital requirements, including to fund ongoing operations and/or working capital and minimum regulatory requirements for Abaxx Exchange and Abaxx Clearing. No finder’s fees or commissions were paid in connection with the Final Tranche.

    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities issuable under the Financing have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold to or for the account or benefit of persons in the “United States” or “U.S. persons” (as such terms are defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

    About Abaxx Technologies
    Abaxx is building Smarter Markets — markets empowered by better financial technology and market infrastructure to address our biggest challenges, including the energy transition. In addition to developing and deploying financial technologies that make communication, trade, and transactions easier and more secure, Abaxx is a majority-owner of Abaxx Exchange and Abaxx Clearing, subsidiaries recognized by the Monetary Authority of Singapore as “recognized market operator” and “approved clearinghouse”, respectively.

    Abaxx Exchange and Abaxx Clearing are a Singapore-based commodity futures exchange and clearinghouse, introducing centrally cleared, physically deliverable commodities futures and derivatives to provide better price discovery and risk management tools for the commodities critical to our transition to a lower-carbon economy.

    For more information please visit abaxx.tech, abaxx.exchange and smartermarkets.media.

    For more information about this press release, please contact:

    Steve Fray, CFO
    Tel: 647-490-1590

    Media and investor inquiries:

    Abaxx Technologies Inc.
    Investor Relations Team
    Tel: +1 647 490 1590
    E-mail: ir@abaxx.tech

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

    This press release includes certain “forward-looking statements” which do not consist of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe Abaxx’s future plans, objectives, or goals, including words to the effect that Abaxx expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as “seeking”, “should”, “intend”, “predict”, “potential”, “believes”, “anticipates”, “expects”, “estimates”, “may”, “could”, “would”, “will”, “continue”, “plan” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Since forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to Abaxx, Abaxx does not provide any assurance that actual results will meet respective management expectations. Risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information.

    Forward-looking information related to Abaxx in this press release includes but is not limited to, Abaxx’s objectives, goals or future plans and intended use of proceeds from the Financing. Such factors impacting forward-looking information include, among others: risks relating to the global economic climate; dilution; Abaxx’s limited operating history; future capital needs and uncertainty of additional financing; the competitive nature of the industry; currency exchange risks; the need for Abaxx to manage its planned growth and expansion; the effects of product development and need for continued technology change; protection of proprietary rights; the effect of government regulation and compliance on Abaxx and the industry; the ability to list Abaxx’s securities on stock exchanges in a timely fashion or at all; network security risks; the ability of Abaxx to maintain properly working systems; reliance on key personnel; global economic and financial market deterioration impeding access to capital or increasing the cost of capital; and volatile securities markets impacting security pricing unrelated to operating performance. In addition, particular factors which could impact future results of the business of Abaxx include but are not limited to: operations in foreign jurisdictions, protection of intellectual property rights, contractual risk, third-party risk; clearinghouse risk, malicious actor risks, third-party software license risk, system failure risk, risk of technological change; dependence of technical infrastructure; and changes in the price of commodities, capital market conditions, restriction on labor and international travel and supply chains. Abaxx has also assumed that no significant events occur outside of Abaxx’s normal course of business.

    Abaxx cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. In addition, although Abaxx has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. When relying on forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors, the risk factors in the Company’s most recent management’s discussion and analysis and other uncertainties and potential events. Abaxx has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraphs will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release represents the expectations of Abaxx as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Abaxx undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements and information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and information. CBOE Canada does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Learn about Kindergarten registration in the Yukon

    Learn about Kindergarten registration in the Yukon
    jlutz

    The Department of Education is hosting a Zoom webinar to provide information about Kindergarten registration and Early French Immersion Kindergarten programs for the 2025–2026 school year.

    The session will be held on Wednesday, January 22, at 7 pm.

    All Yukon parents and guardians are invited to attend this information session to learn about the registration process, program details and to have their questions answered by department staff.

    Yukon children who will be five years old by December 31, 2025, are eligible to start Kindergarten this coming school year.

    Kindergarten registration details:

    • Whitehorse Schools: Online registration opens Tuesday, February 4, 2025. This includes French Immersion Kindergarten programs (at École Selkirk Elementary and École Whitehorse Elementary), First Nation School Board schools (Takhini Elementary and Grey Mountain Primary) and Catholic schools (Christ the King Elementary and Holy Family Elementary)
    • Registration for all Whitehorse schools is online at yukon.ca/register-child-school.
    • French Immersion Kindergarten programs: The deadline to register is Sunday, February 16, 2025.
    • Rural Schools: Registration is in person at the school and can be done at any time before the school year starts.
       

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Yukon issues special warrant to meet critical funding needs

    Government of Yukon issues special warrant to meet critical funding needs
    jlutz

    The Government of Yukon has issued a special warrant to ensure that essential government programs and operations can continue without disruption until the Supplementary Estimates No. 2 for the 2024–25 fiscal year can be introduced and debated in the Yukon Legislative Assembly.

    The special warrant provides budgetary authorization for up to $70.2 million in additional government spending for the 2024–25 fiscal year. These funds address urgent and immediate requirements across key departments.

    The Special Warrant (No. 1) 2024–25 has been issued as an Order-in-Council under the Financial Administration Act. This funding ensures that the departments of Energy, Mines and Resources, Highways and Public Works and Community Services have the financial resources to continue delivering on their mandates.

    Specific funding included in this special warrant is as follows:

    • $51.8 million in operations and maintenance funding in the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources to ensure that the department can continue to deliver on major commitments during this fiscal year. This includes payments included as part of the loan to the Receiver for Victoria Gold.
    • $10 million in capital funding in the Department of Community Services to ensure that the department can continue to advance land-development work, which has seen higher-than-expected productivity across the construction sector this fiscal year.
    • $8.4 million in operations and maintenance for the Department of Highways and Public Works. This funding is essential to maintaining service levels and ensuring the safe, reliable operation of the Yukon’s transportation infrastructure and government-owned buildings. It will help cover rising utility costs and sustain key services for roads and highways following landslides and washouts earlier this year, as well as other critical infrastructure that supports the territory’s transportation network.

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Statement from Premier Pillai on the meeting of First Ministers

    Statement from Premier Pillai on the meeting of First Ministers
    zaburke

    Premier Ranj Pillai has issued the following statement: 

    “Yesterday, I met with the Prime Minister and Premiers to reaffirm Canada’s commitment to a unified approach to Canada-U.S. relations.

    “Our message remains clear, while Canada and the U.S. are neighbours and we are friends, any tariffs imposed by the United States will harm the citizens of both nations.

    “In our discussions, we focused on strengthening the Canada-U.S. border, advancing internal trade priorities and continuing meaningful engagement with key U.S. Administration, Congressional and business leaders. We are resolute in our determination to protect Canadians, their jobs and our economies in the wake of President Trump’s tariff tax threat.

    “This includes putting Canada first by buying Canadian products, reducing barriers to internal trade within Canada and fostering economic reconciliation through partnerships with Indigenous Peoples.

    “As Premier of the Yukon, I will continue to amplify the voices of northerners in these national discussions. While we have made significant progress in ensuring Yukon businesses have access to markets, investors and procurement opportunities across Canada, there is still work to be done.

    “I will continue to urge the federal government to increase defence spending in the North, invest in dual-use infrastructure and strengthen Arctic partnerships for long-term security and prosperity.

    “I thank the Prime Minister and fellow Premiers for their collective effort to defend Canadian values and protect the best interests of Canadians.”
     

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI: New way to earn cryptocurrencies: Earn Bitcoin BTC, DOGE, ETH with BitconeMine Best Free Cloud Mining

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Many people find that despite hard work, they don’t get the income they want. Since November 2024, the cryptocurrency market has skyrocketed and created multiple millionaires in a short period of time. People are beginning to realize that cryptocurrency is a financial asset that can create their own wealth in the short term, more than any other investment opportunity.

    The era of cryptocurrency has arrived, especially the rise of the mining industry. Understand the birth and rise of blockchain technology, the importance of digital currency to our economy, and the current market conditions. “BitconeMine” takes you in depth to understand how to earn fixed income through remote monitoring mining. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced veteran, you will learn how to make a profit in cloud mining in this guide. Take advantage of this opportunity and benefit from this comprehensive guide.

    About BitconeMine:

    BitconeMine is a leader in the global cloud mining industry. The company was established in London, UK in December 2017. It is officially authorized and regulated by the UK Financial Services Authority and strictly abides by laws and regulations. After years of vigorous development, BitconeMine has dozens of large mining farms in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Norway, South Africa and other countries, with members in 197 countries and regions, and is trusted by 3 million users worldwide.

    Advantages of BitconeMine:

    ⦁ Low threshold and easy operation platform
    Get a $10 instant bonus after registration.
    ⦁ High profit level and enjoy daily income.
    ⦁ No other service fees or management fees.
    ⦁ The platform uses more than a variety of cryptocurrencies for settlement, including USDT-TRC20, BTC, ETH, LTC, USDC, BNB, USDT-ERC20, BCH, DOGE, SOL (Solana) and XRP
    ⦁ The company’s affiliate program allows you to refer your friends and earn up to 3%-4.5% of the

    How to start participating:

    (1) Create a BitconeMine account.
    (2) Choose a mining package that suits you
    (3) Sign a contract – the system automatically starts mining.
    (4) Just wait every day. Interest is automatically settled every 24 hours

    BitconeMine offers free mining contract options and a variety of mining investment options, such as:

    Contract Price Contract duration Daily income Total revenue
    $100 2 $4.5 $100+$9
    $500 5 $6.25 $500+$31.25
    $1000 15 $13.3 $1000+$199.5
    $3000 21 $42.6 $3000+$894.6
    $5000 30 $77.5 $5000+$2325

    Each contract has a unique ROI and a specific contract period.

    Security and sustainability:

    BitconeMine takes user security very seriously and uses ⦁McAfee®, Cloudflare® and SSL encryption protection. And the company has long-term cooperation with Legal & General Insurance Company. BitconeMine is committed to transparency and legality. You don’t need to invest in equipment in advance, huge electricity bills, so you can focus more on getting returns. BitconeMine uses AI intelligent management to integrate mining equipment and uses new energy and renewable energy to protect the environment from pollution, greatly reducing operating costs, and is a benchmark for sustainable development.

    Conclusion:

    BitconeMine provides a simple package purchase contract method that even beginners can quickly understand. If you are looking for ways to increase passive income, BitconeMine is an excellent choice. If used properly, these opportunities can help you “automatically” increase your crypto wealth with minimal time investment and earn more than $1,000-100,000 per day.

    To learn more about BitconeMine, visit its official website: https://bitconemine.com

    Contact:
    Lily Tanoria
    info@bitconemine.com

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by BitconeMine. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The content of this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency mining, including through platforms like BitconeMine, involves risks such as market volatility, regulatory changes, and potential financial losses. Prospective users are encouraged to conduct thorough research and consult with a professional advisor before making any decisions. BitconeMine’s performance, profitability, and rewards are not guaranteed and may vary based on individual circumstances, market conditions, and computational power. The author and publisher of this article are not responsible for any losses or damages arising from the use of the information provided. Always invest and participate responsibly.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f2d7343f-0790-4f97-8c96-d896799dac86
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f34ecdcb-d6cb-446d-812d-c4913d46c902

    The MIL Network