Category: Commerce

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Landmark economic deal with United States saves thousands of jobs for British car makers and steel industry
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

Landmark economic deal with United States saves thousands of jobs for British car makers and steel industry

Thousands of jobs have been saved as the Prime Minister secured a first-of-a-kind trade agreement with the US.
Britain secures the first US trade deal protecting British business and British jobs, the second landmark deal in Britain’s national interest in a matter of days following the India deal

Prime Minister delivers on his promise to save UK steel and British car makers – saving thousands of jobs across the country

US tariffs on automotives immediately slashed from 27.5%, with steel and aluminium reduced to zero

Unprecedented market access for British farmers with protections on food standards maintained

Thousands of jobs have been saved as the Prime Minister secured a first-of-a-kind trade agreement with the US.

It is the second major trade announcement this week – following the India Free Trade Agreement on Tuesday, this historic agreement with the US to slash tariffs delivers for UK carmakers, steelworks and farmers – protecting jobs and providing stability for exporters.

Car export tariffs will reduce from 27.5% to 10% – saving hundreds of millions a year for Jaguar Land Rover alone. This will apply to a quota of 100,000 UK cars, almost the total the UK exported last year.

The Prime Minister visited Jaguar Land Rover last month announcing greater freedom for car manufacturers to back British industry in the face of global headwinds. During this visit he told workers he would accelerate trade deals to protect their jobs, their livelihoods, and to champion British business worldwide.

The UK steel industry – which was on the brink of collapse just weeks ago – will no longer face tariffs thanks to today’s deal. The Prime Minister negotiated the 25% tariff down to zero, meaning UK steelmakers can carry on exporting to the US. This follows last month’s intervention from the Prime Minister to take control of British Steel to save thousands of jobs in Scunthorpe.

In a win for both nations, we have agreed new reciprocal market access on beef – with UK farmers given a tariff free quota for 13,000 metric tonnes. There will be no weakening of UK food standards on imports.

We will also remove the tariff on ethanol – which is used to produce beer – coming into the UK from the US, down to zero.

It is one of many international deals that the Government is landing to boost our economy – following an Indian trade deal which will add £4.8 billion to the UK economy and £2.2 billion in wages every year.

Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, said:

The new global era demands a government that steps up, not stands aside.

This historic deal delivers for British business and British workers protecting thousands of British jobs in key sectors including car manufacturing and steel.

My government has put Britain at the front of the queue because we want to work constructively with allies for mutual benefit rather than turning our back on the world.

As VE Day reminds us, the UK has no greater ally than the United States, so I am delighted that eight decades on, under President Trump the special relationship remains a force for economic and national security.

This is jobs saved, jobs won but not job done and our teams will continue to work to build on this agreement.

My Government is determined to go further and faster to strengthen the UK’s economy, putting more money in working people’s pockets as part of our Plan for Change.

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

I am delighted our calm approach and proactive engagement with the US has resulted in this deal which cuts tariffs for UK industry and cuts costs for businesses.

Businesses across the country will be glad to see our approach working, but this is only the beginning. We look forward to strengthening our trading relationship with the US through a wider economic deal, which will help us to deliver on our Plan for Change to provide economic stability and make this country fit for the future.

Adrian Mardell, Chief Executive Officer, JLR said:

The car industry is vital to the UK’s economic prosperity, sustaining 250,000 jobs. We warmly welcome this deal which secures greater certainty for our sector and the communities it supports. We would like to thank the UK and US Governments for agreeing this deal at pace and look forward to continued engagement over the coming months.

Work will continue on the remaining sectors – such as pharmaceuticals and remaining reciprocal tariffs. But – in an important move – the US has agreed that the UK will get preferential treatment in any further tariffs imposed as part of Section 232 investigations. The deal opens the way to a future UK US technology partnership through which our science-rich nations will collaborate in key areas of advanced technology, for example biotech, life sciences, quantum computing, nuclear fusion, aerospace and space.

The Digital Services Tax remains unchanged as part of today’s deal. Instead the two nations have agreed to work on a digital trade deal that will strip back paperwork for British firms trying to export to the US – opening the UK up to a huge market that will put rocket boosters on the UK economy.

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Published 8 May 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
May 9, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: FDA Announces Completion of First AI-Assisted Scientific Review Pilot and Aggressive Agency-Wide AI Rollout Timeline

Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

For Immediate Release:
May 08, 2025

In a historic first for the agency, FDA Commissioner Martin A. Makary, M.D., M.P.H., today announced an aggressive timeline to scale use of artificial intelligence (AI) internally across all FDA centers by June 30, 2025, following the completion of a new generative AI pilot for scientific reviewers.
“I was blown away by the success of our first AI-assisted scientific review pilot. We need to value our scientists’ time and reduce the amount of non-productive busywork that has historically consumed much of the review process. The agency-wide deployment of these capabilities holds tremendous promise in accelerating the review time for new therapies,” said Dr. Makary.
The generative AI tools allow FDA scientists and subject-matter experts to spend less time on tedious, repetitive tasks that often slow down the review process.
“This is a game-changer technology that has enabled me to perform scientific review tasks in minutes that used to take three days,” said Jinzhong (Jin) Liu, Deputy Director, Office of Drug Evaluation Sciences, Office of New Drugs in FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER).
To reflect the urgency of this effort, Dr. Makary has directed all FDA centers to begin deployment immediately, with the goal of full integration by the end of June. Work will continue to expand use cases, improve functionality and adapt to the evolving needs of each center after June 30. By that date, all centers will be operating on a common, secure generative AI system integrated with FDA’s internal data platforms.
“There have been years of talk about AI capabilities in frameworks, conferences and panels but we cannot afford to keep talking. It is time to take action. The opportunity to reduce tasks that once took days to just minutes is too important to delay,” said Dr. Makary.
Next Steps
Looking ahead, the FDA plans to expand generative AI capabilities—across all centers using a secure, unified platform. Future enhancements will focus on improving usability, expanding document integration, and tailoring outputs to center-specific needs, while maintaining strict information security and compliance with FDA policy.
The agency-wide rollout is being coordinated by Jeremy Walsh, the FDA’s newly appointed Chief AI Officer and Sridhar Mantha. Walsh previously led enterprise-scale technology deployments across federal health and intelligence agencies and Mantha recently led the Office of Business Informatics in CDER.
The agency will continue to assess performance, gather user feedback and refine features to support the evolving needs of FDA staff and advance its public health mission. Additional details and updates on the initiative will be shared publicly in June.
###

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The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, radiation-emitting electronic products, and for regulating tobacco products.

Inquiries

Consumer:
888-INFO-FDA

Content current as of:
05/08/2025

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MIL OSI USA News –

May 9, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Governor Stein Announces PPG Will Establish Cleveland County Manufacturing Center Creating 110 Jobs

Source: US State of North Carolina

Headline: Governor Stein Announces PPG Will Establish Cleveland County Manufacturing Center Creating 110 Jobs

Governor Stein Announces PPG Will Establish Cleveland County Manufacturing Center Creating 110 Jobs
lsaito
Thu, 05/08/2025 – 10:28

Raleigh, NC

Today Governor Josh Stein announced that PPG will create 110 jobs in the City of Shelby. The company reports it will invest $380 million to establish a new manufacturing center in Cleveland County, marking the return of the PPG brand name to Shelby, where the company first established a facility in the 1950s.

“PPG knows what I know: North Carolina is the #1 state for manufacturing in the Southeast,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Our state’s workforce is our greatest asset, and I will continue to advocate for more training and education programs so that employees can build a career and employers have the well-trained people they need to get to work.”

PPG (NYSE: PPG) is an American Fortune 500 company and global supplier of paints, coatings, and specialty materials. The company operates in more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $15.8 billion in 2024. PPG’s aerospace business is a leading provider of innovative solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and aftermarket customers, such as airlines and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities for commercial, general aviation, and military segments. The company’s aerospace portfolio includes advanced coatings, sealants, transparencies, packaging, chemical services, engineered materials, and specialty products designed to enhance the performance, durability, and safety of aircraft. The company’s new project in Shelby will establish a modern manufacturing facility to produce the full line of PPG’s aerospace coatings and sealants.

“PPG’s investment in this new manufacturing facility demonstrates the significant demand growth for our world-class technologies and our continued commitment to serving our aerospace customers,” said Tim Knavish, PPG chairman and chief executive officer. “By modernizing and digitizing our facilities, PPG will continue to embody our purpose – to protect and beautify the world – while contributing to the growth and innovation of the aerospace sector.”

“It’s great to see another top manufacturing company select North Carolina as a place to do business,” said Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “It’s also gratifying to see a company like PPG, with its historical ties to the region, once again become part of the strong and vibrant community of Shelby. I look forward to the great things to come from this renewed partnership.”

Although wages will vary depending on the position, the average salary for the new jobs will be $66,861. The average wage in Cleveland County at the time of the company’s grant application was $48,310.

A performance-based grant of $300,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will help facilitate PPG’s project into Cleveland County, based on a company investment of $221.8 million and the creation of 62 jobs. The OneNC Fund provides financial assistance to local governments to help attract economic investment and to create jobs. Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for payment. All OneNC grants require a matching grant from local governments and any award is contingent upon that condition being met.

“PPG is a name held in high regard in our area, and we’re all excited to open the next chapter of this partnership for our region and for our state,” said Representative Kelly Hastings. “We welcome these new jobs and investment to our region, and I am especially proud that my mom is a PPG retiree.”

“Bringing PPG back to Cleveland County and Shelby took a lot of effort by many people and organizations working behind the scenes,” said Senator Ted Alexander. “Our community looks forward to supporting the company as they re-establish operations in our area.”

Partnering with the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina on this project were the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, the Commerce Department’s Division of Workforce Solutions, Cleveland Community College, Cleveland County, the City of Shelby, and the Cleveland County Economic Development Partnership.

May 8, 2025

MIL OSI USA News –

May 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: Tech CU Expands Executive Leadership Team with Strategic Appointments

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

SAN JOSE, Calif. , May 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Technology Credit Union (Tech CU) today welcomed two new leaders to its executive team: Terri Giannetti as Chief Marketing Officer and Josh Bluhm as Chief Lending Officer. These hires underscore Tech CU’s continued focus on growth, innovation, and delivering a strong member experience.

As Chief Marketing Officer, Giannetti will be responsible for developing and executing strategies to drive lead generation, sales conversion, market share growth, member retention, and brand awareness. She brings over 27 years of leadership experience across the financial services and retail industries, most recently serving as Chief Experience Officer at Seattle Credit Union. There, she led a 72-person team spanning marketing, brand, retail, contact center, and facilities.

“Terri’s extensive background in marketing, customer segmentation, data analytics and member experience, paired with her leadership at both credit unions and well-known retail brands, makes her an ideal fit to lead our marketing strategy,” said Todd Harris, CEO of Tech CU. “Her ability to align marketing and operational goals will be essential as we continue building momentum toward our current and future goals.”

Additionally, Josh Bluhm has been promoted to Chief Lending Officer and officially joined Tech CU’s Executive Team. In this role, he will continue overseeing Consumer and Strategic Lending while focusing on growth and operational excellence.

Bluhm brings over 27 years of banking and financial services leadership experience, with expertise spanning consumer lending, credit risk, and operations. Prior to becoming Chief Lending Officer, he served as Senior Vice President and Head of Retail Credit Risk and Operations at Tech CU, where he played a key role in creating operational efficiencies, implementing a strong consumer credit risk strategy, and driving lending growth. Earlier in his career, he held leadership positions at Peoples Bank and Whatcom Educational Credit Union.

“Josh has demonstrated outstanding leadership and vision, particularly in executing a thoughtful structure for our new lending division,” said Harris. “His commitment to performance and collaboration has made a big impact, and I’m confident he will continue to elevate our lending programs as part of the executive team.”

Bluhm was promoted to Chief Lending Officer in late 2024 and has since led the integration of new reporting lines, roles, and process redesign to support Tech CU’s evolving lending strategy.

For more information about Tech CU, visit www.techcu.com.

About Tech CU
Tech CU is a $4.7 billion Bay Area credit union. As a federally insured not-for-profit organization, Tech CU has invested its resources to deliver superior rates, lower fees, and outstanding service and member benefits for more than 60 years while also supporting quality of life in local communities. It serves more than 200,000 members throughout the United States and provides financial products for all stages of its members’ lives, including personal banking, wealth management, private banking, commercial lending, and business banking. To learn more, please visit www.techcu.com.

Contact:
Linden Kohtz
Public Relations, Tech CU
lkohtz@techcu.com

The MIL Network –

May 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Supervisory divisions set out engagement programmes
Source: Isle of Man

Published on: 08 May 2025
The Isle of Man Financial Services Authority has set out its two-year programme of supervisory engagement to be delivered by its Prudential, Portfolio and HMI Divisions.

A document published on the Authority’s website highlights the supervisory priorities for 2025-27 under the three broad themes of:

Culture, Governance and Risk Management

Financial and Operational Resilience

Quality of Supervisory Data

The priorities will support the Authority’s ongoing supervision at firm and sector level, with work taking place in line with the engagement model published as part of the Supervisory Methodology Framework.

The Prudential, Portfolio and HMI initiatives will also complement the supervisory, policy and outreach work focused on Countering Financial Crime being conducted by the AML/CFT Division.

The Supervisory Priorities 2025-27 document includes a continuation of projects that have already started, as well as further development of areas that have been previously highlighted to Island firms.

Direct communications will be sent to all firms by the relevant supervisory division to provide further insight into the planned workstreams.

Work will be delivered through a suite of supervisory activities including engagement meetings, inspections, thematic reviews, data requests and other stakeholder communication.

The three themes link to the Frameworks and Infrastructure pillars in the Authority’s Strategic Plan 2024-2027 and will cover matters such as:

Consumer value, fairness and outcomes

Quality of oversight and assurance (including business model change/complexity)

Managing financial pressures and shocks

Ensuring continuity of services for consumers

Topics and approximate timelines will be included as part of the At-A-Glance calendar, which provides advance notice of the Authority’s future activities and key milestones.

Andrew Kermode, Head of Prudential Supervision, said: ‘The Isle of Man is home to a large and diverse population of firms and the Authority’s supervisory divisions work closely to deliver a risk and impact-led programme of engagement. We expect firms to embed the right culture to effectively manage conduct risk. This includes having robust governance and risk management structures in place and ensuring that consumers obtain fair value, and do not suffer from poor outcomes.’

He added: ‘We will also continue to monitor firms’ financial resilience and health and seek to enhance the quality and integrity of supervisory data that informs our understanding of risk at firm and sector level.’
MIL OSI Economics –
May 9, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Carbajal, House Democrats Lead Fight Against Republican Cuts to Medicaid and Food Assistance

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)

As Republicans push an extreme budget that hands $7 trillion in giveaways to billionaires and big corporations, U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) joined House Democrats in introducing legislation to block the extreme and unprecedented cuts to Medicaid and food assistance in the Republican budget.

“The Republican budget is harmful to the Central Coast’s working families—threatening to gut Medicaid, SNAP, and food assistance just to hand out more tax breaks to billionaires like Elon Musk,” said Rep. Carbajal. “I’m proud to stand with my Democratic colleagues to introduce the Hands Off Medicaid and SNAP Act, because no family should have to forgo medical care or go hungry while the ultra-wealthy get another tax giveaway.”

While Republican leaders claim they won’t cut Medicaid benefits, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office confirmed that the Republican budget would result in the largest Medicaid cuts in U.S. history (see fact sheet here). The Republican proposal demands slashing at least $880 billion from programs under the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which is impossible without devastating cuts to Medicaid, a critical program that provides essential health care to nearly one in three Americans.

The Republican budget also demands at least $230 billion in cuts to programs under the House Agriculture Committee, threatening the largest-ever cut to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps over 42 million Americans afford groceries. These cuts to food and health assistance come as grocery and health care costs remain high—and as Donald Trump advances a new wave of tariffs that would amount to the largest middle-class tax increase in 50 years, costing households an estimated $3,800 annually.

Meanwhile, the proposed cuts would be used to help pay for tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans. According to the nonpartisan Yale Budget Lab, nearly 70 percent of the benefits of the major policies in the Republican budget would go to the top 5 percent of earners. While the top 0.1 percent gets an annual tax cut of $314,266, working and middle-class families would be left to bear the burden of higher costs and reduced access to health care and food assistance.

The Hands Off Medicaid and SNAP Act would protect families by prohibiting Republicans from weaponizing the reconciliation process to cut benefits or remove individuals from Medicaid and SNAP. This would help ensure that tens of millions of Americans continue to have access to essential health care and food assistance (district-level data is available here).

The text of the Hands Off Medicaid and SNAP Act is available here.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: The Victory Bank to Celebrate Grand Opening of New Horsham Branch with an Exclusive CD Special, Business Offers, and Grand Prize Trip to Maui, Hawaii
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

HORSHAM, Pa., May 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Victory Bank will celebrate the grand opening of its second retail branch, located at 100 Gibraltar Road, Horsham, PA 19044, with a week-long series of events from June 2 through June 6, 2025. The celebration features daily prize giveaways, family entertainment, business seminars, and exclusive offers—including a CD Special of 4.5% APY* for 22 weeks and special promotions for new business accounts opened in person at the Horsham location.

Special Promotions and Contests

Starting June 2, participants can text “Victory” to 527-955-7422 to receive a unique “Game” code. When they visit the Horsham branch during the week of June 2–6, they’ll have their code decoded on-site to reveal an instant prize—which could include a KitchenAid Mixer, Samsung Smart TV, Phillies tickets, propane grill, and more.

All codes must be redeemed by 4 PM EST on Friday, June 6. Click here for full Game rules.

The week culminates with a separate Grand Prize “Sweepstakes” Drawing for a trip for two to Maui, Hawaii. To be eligible, participants must open an account** and submit their entry by 3 PM EST on June 6. The winner will be announced at 5:45 PM, and must be present to win. Click here for full Sweepstakes rules.

Available All Week
- CD Special: 4.5% APY* for 22 weeks (opened in person at Horsham branch)
- New Business Account Offers: Special incentives available exclusively for businesses opening accounts in person at the Horsham branch
- Money Machine: One turn per guest to grab as much cash as possible
- Popcorn Machine: Free fresh popcorn served daily
- Sweet Treats: Cool off with complimentary frozen treats (available all summer!)
- Hospitality Tent: Open daily with refreshments and opportunities to meet bank staff
- The Victory Bank Foundation: Learn more about the Foundation’s mission and community initiatives
Daily Schedule of Events

Monday, June 2 – Opening Day Kickoff!
- Big Prize Giveaway: KitchenAid Mixer
- 12:00 PM: Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony with the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce
- 1:00 – 4:00 PM: Family entertainment including a visit from Bluey, face painting, balloon artist, and goody bags
Tuesday, June 3 – Phillies Day
- Big Prize Giveaway: Two tickets to four Phillies games with parking
- 4:00 PM: Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony with the Greater Bucks-Mont Chamber of Commerce
Wednesday, June 4 – Financial Wellness Focus
- Big Prize Giveaway: Samsung – 55″ Class Q60D Series QLED 4K UHD Smart Tizen TV
- 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM: Adult Financial Literacy Course with lunch, presented by Bill Vitiello and Rosalia Hoffman of The Victory Bank (registration required). Space is limited.
Thursday, June 5 – Business Owner Spotlight
- Big Prize Giveaway: 3-Burner Propane Grill
- 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM: Business Seminar with Alan Scholnick, PCC, CPC, CPA, CGMA, MST, MAOL, ELI-MP. Includes lunch (registration required). Space is limited.
- 2:00 PM: Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony with the Chamber of Greater Montgomery County
Friday, June 6 – Grand Finale!
- Grand Prize Drawing: Trip for Two to Maui, Hawaii (5:45 PM – must be present to win)
- 4:00 – 6:00 PM: Food from Nick’s Roast Beef Food Truck
- 5:00 PM: Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony with the Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce
- Bluey returns, along with face painting and balloon artistry
*The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) provided is accurate as of 06/02/2025 and is subject to change. This offer expires on 06/06/2025. Early withdrawal may incur a substantial penalty. Fees associated with the account could reduce actual earnings.

A minimum deposit of $500.00 required to open. All rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change without prior notice. Call 610-948-9000 for current rates. Accounts must be opened in person at the Horsham branch.

Valid for both regular and IRA certificates of deposit.

**No purchase necessary. For full sweepstakes and game details, and event registration, visit www.victorybank.com/grand-opening-celebration-horsham-pa.

FDIC-Insured – Equal Housing Lender

CONTACT:

Owen Magers
Administrative Assistant to the CEO, Investor Relations
610-948-9000

The MIL Network –
May 9, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO: Ricketts Promotes Renewable Fuels and Nebraska’s Farmers During Press Call

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Pete Ricketts (Nebraska)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) highlighted his efforts to promote renewable fuels and Nebraska’s farmers during his weekly press call. Ricketts recently led a resolution declaring May 2025 as Renewable Fuels Month in America. He spoke with members of Nebraska press about the resolution:
“Nebraska farmers fuel the world through the production of renewable fuels like ethanol and biodiesel,” said Ricketts. “Renewable fuels save consumers money at the pump and support Nebraska agriculture. They clean our environment and support American energy security.”
Ricketts also underscored the cost savings renewable fuels provide Nebraskan families.
“Biofuels save consumers money at the pump,” continued Ricketts. “Last time I filled up at Hy-Vee, I saved 55 cents per gallon with E10 compared to the regular 89 octane. That’s saving money at the pump. That’s real relief.”
In addition, Ricketts described the economic benefits of biofuels for Nebraska’s farmers. Nebraska’s 25 ethanol plants have capacity to make nearly 2.2 billion gallons of biofuel each year. These plants provide more than 1,300 good-paying jobs with an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion.
TRANSCRIPT:
Senator Ricketts: “Thank you very much for joining this press call today.
“Nebraska farmers fuel the world through the production of renewable fuels like ethanol and biodiesel.
“Renewable fuels save consumers money at the pump and support Nebraska agriculture.
“They clean our environment and support American energy security.
“That’s why I introduced a bipartisan resolution designating May 2025 as Renewable Fuels Month in America.
“As Governor, you may recall I did that a lot for the state of Nebraska. We’re doing it for America now.
“My resolution celebrates Nebraska’s farmers, rural communities, and home-grown energy.
“Biofuels save consumers money at the pump.
“Nebraska drivers saved at least $325 million last year by using ethanol blends like E10 and E15.
“During the summer months, drivers can save more than 30 cents per gallon.
“Owners of flex fuel vehicles, which can run on blends up to E85, can save even more.
“Last time I filled up at Hy-Vee, I saved 55 cents per gallon when I filled up with E10 compared to the regular 89 octane.
“That’s saving money at the pump.
“That’s real relief.
“Biofuels support Nebraska agriculture.
“Our state is America’s second-largest ethanol producer.
“Our 25 ethanol plants have capacity to make nearly 2.2 billion gallons each year.
“These plants support more than 1,300 good-paying jobs.
“They bring an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion dollars.
“Biofuels help local farmers get better prices for their corn and soybeans.
“A typical dry mill ethanol plant adds nearly 50% more value to every bushel of corn processed last year.
“That’s value-added agriculture.
“These fuels help drive our economy forward.
“Biofuels can help clean our environment.
“Ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 44% to 52% compared to regular gasoline.
“E15 also reduces other pollutants like carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulates.
“That means cleaner air for our communities.
“Biofuels also support American energy security.
“The Renewable Fuels Association estimates that U.S.-produced ethanol displaced the need for 630 million barrels of imported oil in 2024.
“Using home-grown fuels means we rely less on authoritarian countries like Venezuela.
“Authoritarian countries don’t share our values.
“We should never depend on them for energy when we have proven solutions right here in Nebraska.
“This resolution is one of my many ways I’m supporting renewable fuels.
“I led the fight against Biden’s EV mandate.
“I introduced the Flex Fuel Fairness Act to expand access to flex fuel vehicles.
“I’m pushing to pass Senator Deb Fischer’s bill to allow year-round E15 sales nationwide.
“I introduced the Renewable Fuel for Ocean-Going Vessels Act with Democrat Senator Amy Klobuchar.
“That bipartisan bill helps biofuels power cargo ships and other large vessels.
“I also support the Farm to Fly Act, which will develop the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
“Consumers, producers, and industry would all benefit from these expanded opportunities.
“Nebraska’s biofuels producers help fuel America and the world.
“Every day is a good day to choose biofuels.
“As you get ready to hit the road this summer, consider filling up on E15.
“You’ll be supporting local producers, helping clean our environment, and promoting American energy security.
“You’ll also be saving money at the pump!
“Now that’s a win for everybody.”

MIL OSI USA News –

May 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: Parker Announces Retirement of Filtration Group President Rob Malone, Elects Matt Jacobson as Successor

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

CLEVELAND, May 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Parker Hannifin Corporation (NYSE: PH), the global leader in motion and control technologies, today announced that Robert W. Malone, Vice President and President – Filtration Group, will retire on August 31, 2025, after 12 years of dedicated service to the company.

Parker’s Board of Directors has elected Matthew A. Jacobson, currently Vice President of Operations – Motion Systems Group, to succeed Mr. Malone as Vice President and President – Filtration Group, effective July 1, 2025.

Mr. Malone was elected as Vice President and President – Filtration Group in 2014. He joined Parker in 2013 as Vice President of Operations for the Filtration Group. Previously, he spent 15 years in the filtration industry in various leadership roles. He led Parker’s Filtration Group through a period of significant growth and transformation and was a strong advocate for The Win Strategy™ to optimize the performance of the Group. He also led the successful integration of CLARCOR, which was acquired in 2017, and at the time was Parker’s largest acquisition, doubling the size of the Filtration Group. Mr. Malone will continue to serve as a Parker Vice President from July 1, 2025 through his retirement date, to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities.

“My thanks to Rob for his significant contributions to Parker’s success over many years and congratulations on his distinguished career,” said Jenny Parmentier, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. “Rob has firmly established Parker as a global leader in this important growth market. Our robust succession planning process allows us to identify and develop outstanding leaders like Matt to seamlessly step into higher leadership roles and ensure the group’s continued success. Matt’s many years of experience as an operational leader within Parker will allow him to build on the strong foundation Rob has put in place.”

Mr. Jacobson has a long track record of successful operational leadership over his two decades at Parker. He joined the company in 2005 as Manufacturing Engineer for the Integrated Hydraulics Division. In 2007, he became Operations Manager and in 2008 Division Supply Chain Manager for the Hydraulic Cartridge Systems Division. He continued to progress through operational leadership roles as business unit manager and general manager across three different divisions within the Motion Systems Group. In 2020, he was named Group Vice President of Supply Chain for Motion Systems Group, and in 2021, was named to his current role as Vice President of Operations – Motion Systems Group.

Mr. Jacobson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University. He also has a Master of Business Administration from DePaul University.

About Parker Hannifin
Parker Hannifin is a Fortune 250 global leader in motion and control technologies. For more than a century the company has been enabling engineering breakthroughs that lead to a better tomorrow. Learn more at www.parker.com or @parkerhannifin.

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The MIL Network –

May 9, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Support available for start-up businesses

Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

New businesses are being encouraged to apply for funding through a grant scheme.

Sole traders, partnerships or limited companies who have set up within the Aberdeen City Council boundary since 1 October 2024 can apply to the Business Start-Up Grant Scheme, with one grant per business permitted.

Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “This scheme is an example of partnership working that offers help and encouragement to the private sector. The funding available can make a real difference to support emerging businesses.”

Finance and Resources convener Councillor Alex McLellan said: said: “This grant scheme will continue to support new businesses to grow and thrive in Aberdeen.

“I encourage all eligible businesses to apply and help support the region’s economic growth.”

Home-based start-ups can apply for funding of £1,000, while those taking on a relatable commercial premise within Aberdeen may be eligible for £3,000.

All applicants must be engaged with the Business Gateway service and have an allocated business advisor. This scheme has been funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Through the Business Start-Up Grant Scheme 2024/25, 167 new businesses have been supported across the city, including in animal services, education, hair and beauty and technology sectors.

Details and eligibility can be found online.

Applications will be accepted until 28 February 2026 or until the funding has been fully allocated. 

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

May 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: TAB Bank Named ‘Best Community Bank’ in the Utah Best of State Awards for the Third Consecutive Year
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

OGDEN, Utah, May 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — For the third consecutive year, TAB Bank has been named ‘Best Community Bank’ in the 2025 Utah Best of State Awards. TAB will be honored at the Best of State Gala on Tuesday, June 10, at the Salt Palace Grand Ballroom in Salt Lake City.

Best of State celebrates Utah’s most outstanding individuals, businesses and organizations that demonstrate excellence in their fields, embrace innovation and contribute to the state’s quality of life. TAB Bank was recognized by Best of State judges for its commitment to community and social responsibility and for delivering exceptional financial products and solutions to businesses, families and individuals nationwide.

TAB Bank recently unveiled a refreshed vision: “Building value in all we do.” With this renewed focus, the bank aims to advance its mission of “Unlocking dreams with bold financial solutions that lift and empower.” In alignment with this vision, the bank achieved several milestones in the past year:
- Launched TAB Spend, a checking account offering high-yield interest and cash back rewards on everyday purchases, resulting in a 37% increase in Total Consumer Deposits from 2023.
- Offered TAB Save, one of the most competitive high-yield savings accounts available, peaking at 5.27% APY (Annual Percentage Yield) and currently offering 4.26% APY, 10x the national average.
- More than doubled the Small Business Lending Portfolio over the past two years.
- Surpassed 2023’s revenue by 11%.
- Recognized as a Top 10 Best Online Bank for 2025 by GOBankingRates.
- Produced a Super Bowl LIX ad for TAB Spend, reaching 1.2 million viewers, driving a 103% surge in Google searches and a 343% spike in website traffic.
- Provided $65 million in community development loans, investments and grants.
- Donated over $80,000 to community organizations.
- Supported more than 30 local foundations/non-profit organizations.
- Host and Title Sponsor of the Ogden Rescue Mission Charity Golf Tournament which has raised $540,000 since its inception in 2001 to provide 185,000 meals and other critical services for individuals in need across Northern Utah.
- Contributed nearly 2,000 hours of community service.
“We’re incredibly excited about our third win as Utah’s Best Community Bank,” said Austin Strong, CEO of TAB Bank. “This recognition results from TAB’s extraordinary people, excellent operations and exceptional customer experience. We remain dedicated to building the best financial products and services and are deeply grateful to the individuals, families and businesses across Utah who trust TAB Bank every day.”

About TAB Bank
At TAB Bank, our mission is to unlock dreams with bold financial solutions that empower individuals and businesses nationwide. We are committed to making financial success accessible to everyone through our innovative banking products. Our dedication drives us to continuously improve, ensuring that we meet the evolving needs of our clients with excellence and agility. For over 25 years, we have remained steadfast in offering tailored, technology-enabled solutions designed to simplify and enhance the banking experience.

For more information about how we can help you achieve your financial dreams, visit www.TABBank.com.

Contact Information:
Trevor Morris
Director of Marketing
801-710-6318
trevor.morris@tabbank.com

The MIL Network –
May 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Banking: Samsung Launches Galaxy F56, its Slimmest F Series Smartphone in India

Source: Samsung

Samsung, India’s largest consumer electronics brand, today announced the launch of Galaxy F56 5G, the slimmest smartphone in the F-Series portfolio. The smartphone is only 7.2mm slim and stands out with several segment-leading features such as flagship grade camera, 6 generations of Android upgrade cycle, Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection on both front and back and advanced AI editing tools.

“With the launch of Galaxy F56 5G, Samsung is reaffirming its commitment to bringing meaningful innovation to empower customers’ lives through powerful, future-ready technology. Galaxy F56 5G brings a perfect blend of design and functionality to deliver top tier experiences to the young consumers looking for a smartphone that complements their lifestyle,” said Akshay S Rao, Director, MX Business, Samsung India.

Flagship Grade Camera
Galaxy F56 5G comes with a flagship-grade 50MP OIS triple camera to shoot high-resolution and shake-free videos and photos. The smartphone also features a stunning 12MP HDR front camera for rich and vibrant selfies. The cameras on Galaxy F56 5G are designed for vivid photos and videos—even in low light, thanks to its Big Pixel Technology, Low Noise Mode and AI ISP, taking its Nightography to a different level. It also features Portrait 2.0 with 2X zoom on the rear camera which enables crisp and natural bokeh effect. Users will also be able to record 4K 30 FPS videos in 10-bit HDR, capturing a wide range of colours for true-to-life output. Galaxy F56 5G will also feature advanced AI-powered editing tools like Object Eraser, Edit Suggestions that make every shot social-ready.

All new Design, Display and Unmatched Durability
Galaxy F56 5G is only 7.2mm slim and features Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus® protection on both front and back—making it extremely tough as well as ergonomic. It features a 6.7” Full HD+ Super AMOLED+ display with 1200 nits of High Brightness Mode (HBM) and Vision Booster technology ensuring that users effortlessly enjoy their favourite content even under bright sunlight. The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling through social media feed a breeze. A glass back and a metal camera deco on Galaxy F56 5G brings a refreshing and premium design upgrade to the immensely popular Galaxy F series. The smartphone will come in two vibrant and flaunt worthy colours – Green and Violet.

Powerful Performance
Powered by Exynos 1480 processor with LPDDR5X, Galaxy F56 5G is extremely fast and power-efficient. With the ultimate speed and connectivity of 5G, users can stay fully connected wherever they go, experiencing faster downloads, smoother streaming, and uninterrupted browsing. The processor delivers a swift mobile gaming experience with its flagship level vapor cooling chamber and high-quality audio and visuals.

Galaxy F56 5G packs in 5000mAh battery that enables long sessions of browsing, gaming and binge watching. The massive battery allows users to stay, connected, entertained and productive without interruption. Additionally, the 45W super-fast charging support ensures that the device quickly regains power, keeping you connected and productive throughout the day.

Galaxy Experiences
Galaxy F56 5G is set to rewrite industry benchmarks by offering segment’s best 6 generations of Android upgrades and 6 years of security updates, ensuring a future-ready experience. The smartphone will come with One UI 7 out of the box.

One UI 7 comes with a simple, impactful and emotive design, bringing streamlined and cohesive experience to Galaxy users. A simplified home screen, redesigned One UI widgets and lock screen allow users to intuitively and seamlessly customize their devices. For added convenience, Now Bar provides real-time updates that matter most right on the lock screen. So, during a morning run, users can easily check their progress and see what song is playing in their Galaxy Buds — all with a simple swipe, without unlocking their phone. Additionally, with deeper Google Gemini integration, controlling the device is as easy as speaking to a friend.

Galaxy F56 5G will also feature one of Samsung’s most innovative security features: Samsung Knox Vault. The hardware-based security system offers comprehensive protection against both hardware and software attacks. Samsung has also introduced its innovative Tap & Pay feature with Samsung Wallet with Galaxy F56 5G, allowing consumers to make secure payments effortlessly.

Product
Variant
Introductory Price
Offers

Galaxy F56 5G
8GB+128GB
INR 25999
Including INR 2000 Instant Bank Discount
8GB+256GB
INR 28,999
Including INR 2000 Instant Bank Discount

Starting today, Galaxy F56 5G will be available in 2 storage variants. Customers can own Galaxy F56 5G with easy EMI options starting at INR 1556 per month through Samsung Finance+ and all leading NBFC partners.

MIL OSI Global Banks –

May 9, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China’s inbound consumption rises on back of eased tax refund processes

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

China witnessed a vibrant surge in inbound tourist consumption during the recent May Day holiday as more foreign visitors flocked to Chinese attractions and left with full shopping bags, driven by the country’s recently optimized tax refund policies.

Central bank data has revealed that the number of transactions made by inbound visitors and processed through card payment giant China UnionPay or NetsUnion Clearing Corporation, a Chinese online payment clearing house, increased nearly 245 percent over the five-day holiday that ended on Monday, with the total transaction value up over 128 percent year on year.

On mobile platforms, popular Chinese payment app Alipay reported a 180 percent rise in inbound tourist spending between May 1 and 3, while WeChat Pay recorded nearly tripled foreign user transaction volume and value figures in China compared to the same period last year.

This rise in inbound consumption is the fruit of China’s latest push to encourage foreign tourist spending. In late April, the country introduced a package of measures to optimize its departure tax refund policy, including lowering the minimum purchase threshold for refunds, raising the cash refund ceiling, expanding the network of participating stores, and widening the range of products available.

Overseas travelers in China can now claim a tax refund if they spend at least 200 yuan (about 27.75 U.S. dollars) at a single store in a single day and meet other relevant requirements, with refunds available in multiple forms, including mobile, bank and cash payments. The upper limit for cash refunds has been raised to 20,000 yuan.

China’s metropolises led the shopping surge. From May 1 to 5, Beijing welcomed some 104,000 inbound tourists — up 42.4 percent year on year — whose spending saw a 48 percent year-on-year increase.

In Shanghai, tax-refund-on-departure sales jumped 120 percent in value during the holiday, and the amount of tax refunded increased 130 percent. So far, 1,013 enterprises have registered for departure tax refund services, covering more than 3,300 branded stores.

China’s streamlined tax refund process has also had an impact on figures. Right before this year’s May Day holiday, taxation authorities in Shanghai introduced self-service machines that allow foreign shoppers to submit most of their transaction details for their tax refund applications by scanning their passport and receipts.

In the southwestern city of Chengdu, a refund-upon-purchase service which allows eligible tourists to receive tax refunds instantly at retail outlets rather than waiting until they leave the country, has benefited many foreign tourists during the holiday.

“It’s so convenient, and I’m planning to buy more,” said a tourist from Singapore who received a refund of over 4,000 yuan when he bought two pieces of luggage at Chengdu IFS, one of the biggest shopping malls in the city.

“Providing overseas travelers with a greater variety of shopping options and more convenient tax refund services will stimulate inbound consumption and support China’s high-standard opening-up and economic growth,” said Chen Binkai, vice president of the Central University of Finance and Economics.

China introduced its departure tax refund policy for overseas travelers in 2015. Inbound tourist spending has increased over the years as China opens wider to global visitors by facilitating visas, payments and accommodation.

The country now grants unilateral visa-free entry to people from 38 countries, and has extended its visa-free transit period to 240 hours for travelers from 54 countries. About 380,000 foreigners entered China under these arrangements during the May Day holiday, a year-on-year increase of 72.7 percent.

China is also accelerating its development of international consumption center cities to stimulate inbound spending further. The country is working to transform five cities — Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Tianjin and Chongqing — into major shopping centers.

In 2024, the number of inbound foreign travelers to the five cities doubled compared to the previous year. Together, they now account for nearly 70 percent of the country’s departure tax refund stores and more than half of imported consumer goods.

“China’s inbound consumption holds great growth potential,” said Vice Commerce Minister Sheng Qiuping, noting that last year, spending by overseas visitors contributed about 0.5 percent of the country’s GDP, compared to 1 to 3 percent in major economies.

MIL OSI China News –

May 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: Brag House Holdings, Inc. Files Form 10-K and Reaffirms Strategic Vision for Gen Z Engagement Through Gaming
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

NEW YORK, May 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Brag House Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: TBH) (“Brag House” or the “Company”), a media-tech company at the intersection of gaming, college sports, and digital brand engagement, today announced the filing of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.

The Company reaffirmed its confidence in the execution of its strategic plan to redefine digital engagement for casual college gamers and brands seeking to connect with the Gen Z demographic. As outlined in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Brag House continues to develop a first-of-its-kind digital platform where casual college gamers can compete, support their schools, engage in spirited banter, and win prizes in a safe, inclusive environment.

“We are creating more than a platform—we are building a new sports medium,” said Lavell Juan Malloy II, CEO and Co-Founder of Brag House. “By merging gameplay with school spirit, our student-led tournaments, proprietary Bragging Functionality, and interactive experiences offer Gen Z an entirely new way to engage with college rivalries.”

The Company highlighted its landmark strategic partnership with Learfield, which launched in April 2025 in collaboration with Florida Gators Athletics. The partnership represents a significant revenue-generating opportunity and marks the first step in a nationwide rollout designed to scale across Learfield’s network of over 200 collegiate institutions.

The Company reaffirmed its strategic focus by highlighting the launch of a landmark initiative with Florida Gators Athletics and Learfield’s Florida Gators Sports Properties, as announced in its April 28, 2025 press release titled “Brag House, Florida Gators Athletics, and Learfield Announce Strategic Partnership to Create New Digital Sports Medium for Gen Z.” This innovative collaboration introduces a new digital sports medium for Gen Z—merging school spirit, gaming, and live sports into immersive experiences, as detailed below.

The debut activation, known as the Brag Gator Gauntlet, kicks off in May 2025 at the University of Florida. This flagship series introduces:
- Live and digital gaming activations aligned with real-world sporting events;
- NIL-integrated content featuring student-athletes to amplify authenticity and school pride;
- Branded loyalty tokens and cross-channel sponsorship opportunities across digital and on-campus platforms.
By uniting Brag House’s gamified platform with Learfield’s nationwide network of collegiate institutions, this initiative redefines how fans and students engage with college sports. It also opens up high-impact, measurable opportunities for brands to reach Gen Z through student-led tournaments, influencer-driven campaigns, and serialized content. The Company believes this model will generate high-ROI advertising opportunities and serve as a foundation for future data-driven insights, enabling brands to engage Gen Z with greater precision, authenticity, and scale.

“Our development and marketing strategy is laser-focused on high-impact, revenue-producing milestones,” added Malloy. “We are investing strategically in infrastructure while maintaining disciplined cost controls expected of a public company.”

The Company’s near-term strategic goals include:
- Scaling Learfield-based activations across multiple universities;
- Deploying digital rewards through Loyalty Tokens and Bragging Functionality;
- Advancing key platform technology modules to operational beta;
- Leveraging proprietary data for brand-focused SaaS revenue generation.
Brag House remains confident in its long-term growth trajectory and will continue providing shareholders with updates as key milestones are reached.

About Brag House
Brag House is a leading media technology gaming platform dedicated to transforming casual college gaming into a vibrant, community-driven experience. By seamlessly merging gaming, social interaction, and cutting-edge technology, the Company provides an inclusive and engaging environment for casual gamers while enabling brands to authentically connect with the influential Gen Z demographic. The platform offers live-streaming capabilities, gamification features, and custom tournament services, fostering meaningful engagement between users and brands. For more information, please visit www.braghouse.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined within Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements in this press release, include, but are not limited to statements relating to the ability to generate revenue from strategic partnership with Learfield; the ability to generate any revenue, return on investment, or any specific outcomes related to scheduled or unscheduled activations or immersive experiences; the ability to deliver anticipated platform growth, including through anticipated development roadmap or scalable model; the timeliness of any anticipated beta versions; the ability to generate revenue from anonymized behavioral insights or other proprietary data; the effectiveness of marketing strategies and strategic investments on revenue; the availability or value of any digital rewards and functionality; the feasibility of near-term strategic goals; or the impact on growth of near or long-term trajectories. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “may,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “could,” “intends,” “target,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “potential,” “continue,” “assumption” or “judgment” or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions that concern our expectations, strategy, plans or intentions. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable when made, the Company cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements. There are a number of important factors that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated by the Company’s forward-looking statements, which include, but are not limited to: the Company’s history of recurring losses and anticipated expenditures raises substantial doubts about its ability to continue as a going concern; the Company’s loss of or a substantial reduction in activity by one or more of its largest clients, vendors and/or sponsors could materially and adversely affect its business, financial condition and results of operations; the Company’s revenue model may not remain effective, and the Company cannot guarantee that its future monetization strategies will be successfully implemented or generate sustainable revenues and profit; technology changes rapidly in the Company’s business and if it fails to anticipate or successfully implement new technologies or adopt new business strategies, technologies or methods, the quality, timeliness and competitiveness of the Company’s amateur tournaments or competitions may suffer; the Company relies on information technology and other systems and platforms, and any failures, errors, defects or disruptions in the Company’s systems or platforms could diminish its brand and reputation, subject it to liability, disrupt its business, affect its ability to scale its technical infrastructure and adversely affect its operating results and growth prospects..

Additional factors include those described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, including under the captions “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and “Business,” in the Company’s subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, including under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and in our subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A forward-looking statement is neither a prediction nor a guarantee of future events or circumstances. You should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Unless required by federal securities laws, the Company assumes no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated, to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the statements are made.

Investor Relations Contact:
Adele Carey
VP, Investor Relations
ir@thebraghouse.com

Media Contact:
Fatema Bhabrawala
Director of Media Relations
fbhabrawala@allianceadvisors.com

The MIL Network –
May 9, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China to continue efforts in joining CPTPP amid global trade challenges

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

BEIJING, May 8 — China remains committed to advancing its accession process to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said Thursday.

Since formally applying to join the CPTPP in September 2021, China has analyzed the agreement’s provisions in depth and engaged in multi-level exchanges with member economies through various channels, while also launching pilot programs in domestic qualified free trade zones and ports, MOC spokesperson He Yadong said at a press conference.

These moves demonstrate China’s determination, capability and concrete actions in seeking to meet the agreement’s high standards, He added.

“No matter how the international landscape evolves, China will only open its door wider to the world,” the spokesperson said.

Moving forward, China will steadily expand institutional opening up, proactively align with high-standard international economic and trade rules, and advance the CPTPP accession process, He added.

MIL OSI China News –

May 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: EXL to participate in upcoming investor conferences
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

NEW YORK, May 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ExlService Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXLS), a leading data and AI company, today announced Maurizio Nicolelli, executive vice president, chief financial officer, and John Kristoff, vice president, head investor relations, are expected to participate at the following investor conferences:
- 20th Annual Needham Technology, Media, & Consumer 1×1 Conference, Monday, May 12, 2025, Virtual
- TD Cowen 53^nd Annual Technology, Media & Telecom Conference, Thursday, May 29, 2025, New York, NY, (presentation at 10:50 AM EDT)
- Baird 2025 Global Consumer, Technology & Services Conference, Thursday, June 5, 2025, New York, NY (presentation at 2:00 PM EDT)
- Live audio webcasts of company presentations will available on the events page of EXL’s investor website.
About ExlService Holdings, Inc.
EXL (NASDAQ: EXLS) is a global data and AI company that offers services and solutions to reinvent client business models, drive better outcomes and unlock growth with speed. EXL harnesses the power of data, AI, and deep industry knowledge to transform businesses, including the world’s leading corporations in industries including insurance, healthcare, banking and capital markets, retail, communications and media, and energy and infrastructure, among others. EXL was founded in 1999 with the core values of innovation, collaboration, excellence, integrity and respect. We are headquartered in New York and have approximately 60,000 employees spanning six continents. For more information, visit www.exlservice.com.

Contacts:
Investor Relations
John Kristoff
+1 212 209 4613
ir@exlservice.com

Media
Keith Little
+1 703 598 0980
media.relations@exlservice.com

The MIL Network –
May 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: Instant Loans Online Guaranteed Approval Direct Lenders No Credit Check – IOnline Payday Loans
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

SHERIDAN, Wyo., May 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Instant loans are short-term loans that are processed and funded rapidly, enabling borrowers to access funds within minutes or hours, offering quick cash loans. This article explores what an instant loan is, how to apply for an instant personal loan online, the advantages and disadvantages of instant loans online guaranteed approval, emergency loans, and how to select the right lender.

>> Click Here to Apply for No Credit Check Loans >>

We will specifically highlight the offerings of IOnline Payday, a lender that specializes in instant loans. Topics will include payday loans with instant funding to debit cards in California and loans of up to $5,000 with instant approval.

>> Click Here to Apply for No Credit Check Loans >>

What is an Instant Loan Guaranteed Approval?

An instant loan is a type of loan that can be obtained quickly, often with fast approval, although the term “instant loan” may also refer to the speed of funding, such as instant payday loans guaranteed approval direct lenders. These loans can be utilized for various personal needs and are particularly helpful in urgent financial situations such as emergency loans no credit check.

>> Click Here to Apply for No Credit Check Loans >>

Instant loans encompass a wide range of loan types, including payday loans, which must be repaid quickly; personal loans for bad credit, which may not require a credit check; small payday loans; and secured loans, which are backed by collateral.

This article explores the different types of instant loans, highlighting their benefits and drawbacks.

How to Get an Instant Loan Online Guaranteed Approval?

Securing an instant loan online guaranteed approval has become easier than ever, thanks to the emergence and growth of digital lending platforms that simplify the application process and provide faster funding solutions, including best personal loans no credit check.

Borrowers looking to obtain an instant loan typically start by researching lenders that offer online payday loans and IOnline Payday, ensuring they understand the terms and conditions before applying. The application process for these loans is often quick and requires minimal documentation, making them accessible even to individuals with poor credit who seek personal loans with no credit check.

After submitting their applications, many lenders provide same-day feedback, allowing borrowers to receive the funds they need—often via direct deposit into their bank accounts—within just a few hours.

What are the Requirements for an Instant Payday Loan?

To qualify for an instant loan, applicants must meet several basic requirements, which are generally consistent across most lenders and loan types, including bad credit applicants. Most lenders stipulate that applicants must be at least 18 years old and legal residents of the United States.

Income verification is essential, as lenders need to assess how borrowers will repay their loans and their repayment ability. While traditional loans consider credit history and scores, many instant loans, particularly payday loans, are designed for individuals with poor credit and often come with flexible terms and guaranteed approval in many cases.

Here are the basic requirements for instant loans, including $255 payday loans and unsecured personal loans:
- Age: Most lenders require applicants to be at least 18 years old, as those below this age cannot legally enter into a loan contract.
- Income: Lenders typically prefer applicants to have a stable income, which is usually verified through paychecks. However, many lenders also accept other forms of income, such as rental income, pension income, and government assistance.
- Residency: Some lenders may require proof of residency, as they generally prefer borrowers who are established in their communities.
- Financial Documentation: Providing documentation such as bank statements or pay stubs can increase the likelihood of approval.
Instant loan options are intentionally inclusive, allowing individuals with below-average credit histories to access the assistance they need, including installment loans. This approach enables even the most financially challenged individuals to receive crucial support.

Instant Loan Options Offered by IOnline Payday

IOnline Payday offers a diverse range of instant loan options, including short term loans, enabling borrowers to find the right solution for their financial needs. These options include online payday loans, instant cash loans, and even a $100 loan through an instant app.

IOnline Payday specializes in providing instant loans in various amounts, from small to large, featuring a simple application process accessible to borrowers with good, fair, or even poor credit.

Instant Personal Loan Online Guaranteed Approval

The instant personal loan offered online by IOnline Payday is designed to provide borrowers with quick access to funds for various personal financial needs, whether for emergency expenses or planned purchases and investments.

These loans typically feature a streamlined application process, ensuring a hassle-free experience and rapid funding upon approval. Available for a wide range of financial purposes, instant personal loans offer borrowers flexible terms and quick solutions.

The advantages of these loans arise from their easy approval process and straightforward eligibility requirements, which enable many individuals to secure the financial support they need. Most consumers find the requirements manageable and can conveniently apply for their loan online from the comfort of their homes.

Instant personal loans online usually offer three key benefits:
- They expedite the funding process, often requiring little to no paperwork.
- They can be utilized for various needs, such as medical emergencies, home improvements, or debt consolidation.
- Lenders can provide competitive interest rates tailored to each individual’s financial situation.
This user-friendly lending model enables borrowers to better manage their expenses and navigate financial challenges.

Payday Loan Instant Funding to Debit Card in California with Loan Approval

In California, the option for instant funding of payday loans to debit cards offers residents immediate access to cash, effectively addressing urgent financial needs with convenience and speed. Borrowers can apply online and have funds directly deposited into their debit accounts, ensuring a seamless experience.

This service is particularly beneficial for individuals facing unexpected expenses, allowing them to manage their finances without prolonged waiting periods.

Designed with accessibility in mind, this financial service enables individuals, including those from various U.S. states, to navigate their emergencies effortlessly. The straightforward application process allows them to fill out a form in just a few minutes, significantly reducing the barriers often associated with traditional banking loans. Additionally, the approval criteria are typically more lenient, which can help those with less-than-perfect credit scores.

With instant funding, borrowers can expect to see their funds reflected in their debit accounts within hours, making it an ideal solution for urgent needs such as medical bills, car repairs, or unexpected travel expenses. Many lenders offer 24/7 support, ensuring that assistance is available whenever necessary. Ultimately, this option promotes financial well-being, enabling individuals to quickly regain control over their circumstances.

Instant Cash Loan with Quick Application

An instant cash loan is a financial product that provides borrowers with quick access to cash, making it easy to apply for and rapidly funded. This type of unsecured loan is popular in U.S. states for its efficiency. This type of loan is an effective solution for individuals who need immediate financial support, as it can help cover urgent expenses such as medical bills, car repairs, or other unexpected costs. The convenience and speed of obtaining an instant cash loan make it a popular choice for those who struggle to secure traditional financing options.

The benefits of instant cash loans extend beyond mere convenience; users in London find this especially beneficial; the ability to quickly access funds during a financial crisis offers borrowers a sense of security and relief. Most instant cash loan applications, approvals, and disbursements are conducted online, allowing borrowers to complete the entire process virtually.

Loan Features and Benefits of Instant Cash Loans:
- Fast Approval: Most requests are processed instantly, with many lending platforms providing decisions in three minutes or less.
- Flexible Repayment Options: Lenders offer various repayment plans that allow borrowers to choose a schedule that best fits their financial situation, easing additional stress.
- No Collateral Required: These loans do not necessitate any assets to be pledged, making them accessible to a wider audience, including those with low credit finance.
By utilizing these financial products, individuals can address their immediate needs while also taking steps to restore their financial well-being through platforms like CreditNinja.

$100 Loan Instant App – Powered by IOnline Payday

The $100 loan instant app offered by IOnline Payday exemplifies a mobile platform that provides small, short-term loans to borrowers in need with minimal complications. Users can complete a quick application directly from their mobile devices, enabling them to access funds whenever necessary. The convenience of instant approval through the app means that funds are often made available almost immediately, helping borrowers cover short-term expenses and manage immediate cash flow needs more effectively.

This mobile app is designed to streamline the borrowing experience, making it easy and beneficial for those who require financial assistance, including those facing a credit inquiry.

Its features facilitate a significantly quicker borrowing process compared to traditional lenders, who often impose time-consuming procedures. With the app, users can:
- Provide their information in just a few minutes
- Receive real-time notifications regarding their approval status
- Access funds directly in their bank accounts without any waiting period
The app not only simplifies the loan acquisition process but also offers crucial support for individuals seeking rapid financial assistance without excessive paperwork. It allows consumers to address urgent expenses quickly and easily, whether related to unexpected medical bills or car repairs. The ability to obtain small loans swiftly has transformed how people handle financial emergencies, providing them with a sense of enablement when facing cash flow issues.

With the rapid growth of mobile banking, this app demonstrates how technology can deliver essential solutions while prioritizing user convenience and efficiency.

$5,000 Loan Instant Approval – Offered by IOnline Payday Loans

The $5,000 loan instant approval option through IOnline Payday enables borrowers to access larger amounts of money for essential expenses without the delays typically associated with traditional lending.

This type of loan usually features a simplified application process, allowing approved applicants to receive their funds quickly and easily. Flexible terms are often available, enabling borrowers to choose repayment options that best suit their needs.

Many lenders provide the $5,000 loan instant approval option online, leveraging modern technology to allow applicants to complete the process in minutes rather than days, as is common with traditional banks. One key characteristic of this loan option is its accessibility; obtaining it is generally straightforward. The application process is streamlined, requiring minimal documentation and avoiding lengthy background checks.

This ease of access can be particularly beneficial for individuals facing unexpected expenses, such as medical bills or home repairs, where immediate access to funds is crucial. Big Buck Loans also offers similar services.

The quick turnaround time for disbursement helps individuals address urgent financial needs without prolonged stress.
Overall, the convenience of the $5,000 loan instant approval option aligns well with the fast-paced demands of today’s economy.

$255 Payday Loan Instant Funding to Debit Card – Provided by IOnline Payday Loans

The $255 payday loan with instant funding to a debit card is a financial product designed to provide borrowers with quick access to funds that are deposited directly into their debit cards. This feature is particularly beneficial for those facing financial emergencies, such as unexpected medical bills or car repairs. With minimal requirements and immediate availability, this payday loan serves as a rapid source of cash.

Pros:
- Speed: Funds are available almost immediately following a brief approval process.
- Accessibility: It is easy to qualify for, even for individuals without established credit histories.
- Convenience: Funds are delivered instantly to a debit card, ensuring easy access.
Cons:
- High Rates: Lenders often impose higher-than-average fees.
- Debt Cycle: Frequent reliance on payday loans can lead to a cycle of borrowing that is challenging to escape.
How Long Does it Take to Get an Instant Loan?

The time it takes to obtain an instant loan varies depending on the lender and the type of loan. Many online payday loans, however, offer some of the fastest funding options available, including same-day funding. Most borrowers can complete the application in under an hour, and if approved, funds can be made available on the same day.

Some lenders even provide 1-hour payday loans for situations where borrowers urgently need cash due to unforeseen circumstances. Understanding the processing times for different loan products can help borrowers plan effectively. Generally, the average loan processing time ranges from one to three business days.

Several factors influence this timeline, including lender policies, the complexity of the application, and the type of loan being sought. Traditional banks typically take longer due to their thorough verification processes, while online lenders often expedite approval timelines to assist borrowers facing emergencies.

The following are examples of processing times that borrowers should be aware of:
- Same-Day Loans: Many lenders offer same-day approval and funding, which can be especially valuable for borrowers in emergencies.
- Expedited Processing: Some lenders allow borrowers to pay an extra fee for faster loan processing.
- Loan Types: Personal loans and payday loans may have different timelines for availability.
Being aware of the timing associated with each of these options can help borrowers make informed decisions and select the best loan options to meet their immediate needs.

What are the Benefits of an Instant Loan?

Instant loans offer numerous benefits that cater to the diverse needs of borrowers, making them an increasingly popular choice for those seeking quick financial solutions.

The streamlined application process allows individuals to apply from the comfort of their homes. Unlike traditional loans, which often require extensive paperwork, instant loans typically demand only a few essential documents.

Additionally, many instant loans come with flexible terms, enabling borrowers to customize repayment options to fit their financial capabilities. Furthermore, these loans often provide no credit check options, making them accessible to a wider range of applicants, including those with poor credit histories.

Ultimately, instant loans grant borrowers quick access to cash, helping them address emergency financial needs.

Quick and Easy Application Process

One of the main advantages of instant loans is the straightforward application process, which makes borrowing easy for those facing emergencies. Unlike traditional loans that often involve extensive paperwork and lengthy approval times, online payday loans enable borrowers to complete a short application form in just a few minutes.

This efficiency allows applicants to bypass unnecessary steps, resulting in quick funding that addresses urgent financial needs as soon as possible. The user-friendly design of online platforms enhances accessibility, ensuring that borrowers can easily navigate the necessary steps without feeling overwhelmed.

For individuals who may not have much experience with borrowing, online payday loans feature intuitive interfaces with clear instructions and support options that enhance the user experience and provide transparent fees.

Several factors contribute to the ability for individuals to receive funds almost instantly, including rapid turnaround times, secure application processes, and flexible repayment options. This timely access to cash reduces stress and enables borrowers to regain their financial stability without prolonged uncertainty.

No Credit Check Loans Required

The availability of no credit check loans guaranteed approval offers a significant advantage for many borrowers, particularly those with poor credit who may find it challenging to secure financing through traditional means, including bad credit loans.

Instant loans, especially payday loans, typically do not require a credit check, making them more accessible to individuals facing urgent financial needs. This feature enables borrowers to obtain the funds they require quickly, without the burden of their credit history affecting their chances of approval.

This approach not only alleviates financial pressure but also promotes responsible borrowing by providing opportunities to rebuild credit over time. For individuals caught in a cycle of financial instability, these loans can serve as a lifeline, allowing them to address immediate expenses such as medical bills or unexpected car repairs.

The implications of no credit checks, often seen in payday loans no credit check options, broaden access to essential funds, supporting borrowers in their efforts to regain control over their finances. This practice reduces barriers to entry for individuals who have been denied traditional loans, helps borrowers manage unforeseen economic challenges, and promotes financial inclusion by addressing the needs of underserved populations.

By facilitating this form of immediate assistance, lenders, including those in the lender network, foster a sense of hope and possibility for those who have previously been marginalized by conventional lending practices.

Instant Approval and Funding

Instant loans offer quick approval and funding, making them a preferred choice for borrowers in need of immediate cash compared to traditional lending options and providing a quick online process. Many lenders in the payday loan sector can provide same-day funding as long as the application is approved.

Whether to cover a medical bill, a car repair, or a broke appliance, the instant availability of funds is often cited as the primary benefit of these loans. For borrowers, particularly those with low incomes and little to no savings, the ability to access funds during a financial crisis is invaluable.

While many consumer loan providers can deliver funding by the next business day, some lenders can facilitate same-day funding. These include payday lenders, who may disburse funds in cash, via money order, prepaid debit card, or through direct deposit into the borrower’s checking account.

Rapid approval and funding provide borrowers with the means to handle urgent financial situations, such as medical emergencies, car repairs, overdue bills, and unexpected expenses, all of which can cause significant distress. Research from the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) revealed that 70% of individuals using instant loan services feel less stressed after quickly resolving their financial issues.

Parents, for instance, can access instant cash loans to manage unexpected expenses related to their children. For example, if a child has an accident while playing and requires immediate medical attention, parents often need to pay for parking and medical bills before they can file an insurance claim, which may involve payday loans online.

To illustrate the differences between a traditional loan and an instant loan, consider the following scenario: You need $1,500 for a family medical bill and approach your bank, where you have an excellent account history, for a traditional personal loan.

The Traditional Loan Process: as seen in many financial institutions.
- You submit a loan application.
- Approval may take two to three business days, though it could be quicker if you have an existing account with the lender.
- The lender’s underwriting process may take an additional one to two business days.
- You receive your funds, which could take another business day, depending on the time of day you applied.
Total Time for the Traditional Loan Process: 4-6 business days.

The Instant Cash Loan Process:

In contrast, the steps and timelines for an instant loan are as follows:
- You submit a loan application.
- The lender may approve it within an hour, provided you have accurately filled in all required fields and submitted the necessary documents.
- Although instant loans are generally for smaller amounts (often a few hundred dollars) or short-term loans with higher interest rates, the lender may take some time to verify your information due to the increased risk of fraud.
- The lender can transfer the funds electronically to your account or provide them via a prepaid debit card, offering flexible loan terms.
Total Time for the Instant Cash Loan Process: A few hours.

In summary, instant loans, including same day feedback options, deliver a significantly faster and more convenient solution for those in urgent financial need compared to traditional loans.

Flexible Repayment Options, Including Loan Alternatives

Flexible repayment options are a significant advantage of instant loans, enabling borrowers to customize their repayment plans based on their individual financial situations. Many lenders provide a variety of terms that cater to different budgets and repayment capacities, offering alternatives suitable for both experienced borrowers and those with poor credit.

Whether choosing short-term repayment schedules or longer installment loans, these flexible terms help ensure that borrowers are not overwhelmed by their obligations, resulting in a more manageable repayment experience.

The availability of tailored repayment options allows individuals to select plans that align with their income cycles and cash flow patterns. This increased adaptability greatly enhances the financial stability of borrowers by alleviating the stress associated with rigid payment schedules.

For instance, some lenders may offer the option of bi-weekly payments instead of the standard monthly schedule, which can be more convenient for those who receive paychecks at varying intervals. Others may permit borrowers to choose longer loan terms, resulting in lower monthly payments and increased affordability.

Ultimately, these diverse loan terms not only accommodate a range of financial situations but also enable borrowers to take control of their repayment processes, leading to improved overall financial well-being.

What Are the Risks of an Instant Loan for Bad Credit?

While instant loans offer several advantages, it is crucial for borrowers to understand the associated risks of this type of financing. The most significant risks of instant loans include the fact that their interest rates are often very high, resulting in substantial repayment amounts over time.

Additionally, the short repayment terms typically associated with payday loans can lead borrowers who are unable to repay their loans quickly into a cycle of debt, which may cause further financial difficulties. By being aware of these risks, individuals can make informed decisions before accepting an instant loan.

High Interest Rates

The primary risk associated with instant loans is the potential for high interest rates, which can significantly increase the total amount owed. Many payday loans, designed for quick access to cash, come with very high interest rates that may not be immediately apparent to borrowers.

As individuals navigate their financial needs, it is crucial for them to understand the implications of these elevated rates in order to avoid the risk of further financial hardship and escalating debt.

The high interest rates on instant loans typically result from a combination of the lender’s risk assessment and the borrower’s financial situation. Borrowers often seek these loans due to urgent financial needs and limited alternatives, which creates an environment where lenders can impose excessive fees.

Research indicates that the average annual percentage rate (APR) for payday loans can exceed 400%, dramatically increasing the repayment amount. For instance, a $500 loan at a 400% APR, if paid in full within 30 days, would require a repayment of nearly $750, highlighting the potential for hidden fees.

Before taking out these loans, borrowers should be aware not only of the short-term benefits but also of the long-term risks associated with accumulating debt. Knowledge and awareness are essential for individuals to make informed decisions for themselves and their families.

Short Repayment Terms

Short repayment terms pose a significant risk associated with instant loans, particularly payday loans and their payday borrowing options, which often require repayment within just a few weeks. This limited timeframe can pressure borrowers to quickly gather the necessary funds for repayment, leading to financial strain if they are unable to meet their obligations on time.

It is essential for anyone considering these borrowing options to fully understand the dangers of short repayment terms and to assess their ability to repay quickly. The urgency of such deadlines can compel borrowers to resort to high-interest financing options or roll over their loans, both of which can result in an inescapable debt spiral.

To avoid falling into this precarious situation, borrowers can take several prudent steps, including exploring options like online personal loans, to mitigate the challenges posed by short repayment terms.
- First, they should create a detailed budget that prioritizes monthly expenses, allowing them to plan their spending to ensure sufficient funds for loan repayment.
- Additionally, exploring repayment options with lenders that offer a gradual repayment plan can be beneficial.
- Lastly, building an emergency fund by setting aside a small amount each month— even as little as $5— can provide some savings to cover unexpected expenses.
By taking these steps, borrowers can better manage their repayment schedules and reduce the risks associated with short-term loans.

Potential for Debt Cycle

The potential for a debt cycle poses a significant risk associated with instant loans, particularly for borrowers who are not adequately prepared to repay their loans on time. If individuals are unable to repay instant loans promptly, they may resort to taking out new loans to cover their existing debts, leading to a perilous borrowing chain as debts accumulate and financial strain escalates. This is a risk that borrowers must recognize to avoid becoming trapped in a cycle that can be difficult to escape and detrimental to their long-term financial health.

It is crucial for borrowers to be aware of the signs of a debt cycle, which may include increased reliance on loans for everyday expenses, frequently changing due dates, missed payments, and accumulating late fees. To prevent falling into this trap, individuals should establish a strict budget that accounts for all expenses and repayments, ensuring they never borrow more than they can realistically afford to repay.

If they are struggling to manage their debts, seeking financial counseling from experts like CreditNinja or David Jones can be beneficial.

Awareness and proactive measures can help individuals evade the pitfalls of a debt cycle.

How to Choose the Right Instant Loan Lender for Big Buck Loans?

Choosing the right instant loan lender for your fund finance needs is a crucial step to ensure you receive the financial assistance you need while minimizing potential risks.

With many lenders available in the instant loan market, it is vital to evaluate your options by considering several factors, including interest rates, repayment terms, and the lender’s reputation within the lending network.

Reviewing testimonials and feedback from previous borrowers can provide valuable insights into the lender’s reliability and quality of service, helping you select a lender that best meets your needs.

Research and Compare Lenders with Low Credit Finance

Researching and comparing lenders is a crucial step in obtaining an instant loan, especially in cities like London, as it enables borrowers to identify options that best suit their needs. In today’s digital world, numerous tools and resources are available to assist individuals in exploring different lenders and their offerings, such as interest rates, fees, and loan terms. Investing time in research can lead to more favorable loan terms and help borrowers avoid predatory lending practices.

Understanding the nuances of various lender offerings is essential, especially in the often complex realm of personal finance. Online comparison tools can significantly simplify this process by consolidating key elements from multiple lenders into an easy-to-read format.

Here are some important points to keep in mind:
- Exploring Customer Reviews: Past borrowers frequently share their experiences with lenders, and analyzing overall trends in customer satisfaction can provide valuable insight into whether a particular company is worth considering.
- Checking Licensing and Accreditation: Always ensure that the lender is licensed to operate in your state and verify any relevant accreditations.
- Analyzing Transparency in Terms: Seek out lenders who are upfront about their fees, terms, and penalties.
By being as transparent as possible with lenders about their financial situations, consumers can build a more secure future for themselves.

Read Reviews and Testimonials

Reading reviews and testimonials is one of the most effective ways to choose an instant loan lender, as it offers insight into the experiences of other borrowers. Numerous online platforms and review sites provide individuals with access to feedback about specific lenders, highlighting their customer service, loan processes, and overall satisfaction. This information is invaluable for potential borrowers to assess a lender’s reputation within the lending network and determine whether they can trust the institution with their financial needs.

Researching these evaluations not only promotes well-considered choices but also enables those seeking financial assistance to identify lenders that align with their expectations and values. Customer feedback serves as a compass, guiding users through the vast array of options available in the lending landscape. By exploring a diverse range of opinions, individuals can identify trends and patterns, revealing which lenders consistently meet or exceed borrower expectations.

Consulting multiple sources enhances the reliability of the information gathered, fostering a comprehensive understanding of each lender’s offerings. Suggested methods for gathering reviews include:
- Visiting reputable review websites
- Participating in online forums
- Consulting friends or family for personal experiences
Leveraging customer testimonials can significantly enrich any borrower’s search for the right lending partner.

Check for Proper Licensing and Regulations

Ensuring that the immediate loan lender is credentialed and compliant is one of the most important ways to protect yourself financially. The modern financial landscape offers a multitude of options, and understanding the nuances of lenders requires careful discernment.

Verifying a lender’s credentials is crucial, as it helps borrowers distinguish between reputable and unscrupulous lenders. Unscrupulous lenders often target individuals who may be financially inexperienced or desperate for quick financing. Engaging with uncredentialed or non-compliant lenders can lead to predatory practices, including exorbitantly high interest rates and abusive fees.

Borrowers should begin by consulting their state’s licensing board or regulatory financial authority to verify a lender’s credentials. This typically involves one of the following steps:
- Visiting the website of the relevant state agency, which maintains a list of licensed lenders;
- Calling the regulatory office to inquire about a specific lender’s credentials;
- Searching online for consumer reviews or warnings regarding particular lenders.
If a lender lacks proper credentials and compliance, it is essential to question the reasons behind this.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an instant loan online guaranteed approval?

An instant loan online guaranteed approval is a type of loan that is approved and disbursed within a short period of time, usually within 24 hours. These loans are guaranteed to be approved as long as the borrower meets the minimum eligibility requirements.

What is the difference between an instant loan and a traditional loan?

The main difference between an instant loan and a traditional loan is the time it takes for the loan to be approved and disbursed. Traditional loans can take weeks or even months to be approved and disbursed, while instant loans can be approved and disbursed within 24 hours.

How do I apply for an instant loan online guaranteed approval?

To apply for an instant loan online guaranteed approval, you can visit the website of a reputable lender and fill out their application form. You will need to provide some basic personal and financial information and submit any required documents.

Can I get an instant loan online with bad credit?
Yes, you can still get an instant loan online with bad credit. Many lenders offer instant loans to individuals with less than perfect credit. However, keep in mind that the interest rates and loan terms may be higher for those with bad credit.

What is the maximum amount I can borrow with an instant loan online? Can it be processed in 1 hour payday loans?

The maximum amount you can borrow with an instant loan online varies depending on the lender and your financial situation. Some lenders offer small instant loans, such as $100 loans, while others may offer larger loans up to $5,000.

How quickly can I receive the funds from an instant loan?

If you are approved for an instant loan online, the funds will typically be deposited into your bank account within one business day. In some cases, you may be able to receive the funds on the same day if you apply and are approved early in the morning.

Media Contact:
Company Name: IOnline Payday Loans
Registered Office Address: 1095 Sugar View Dr Ste 500 Sheridan, WY 82801
Company Website: https://ionlinepaydayloans.com/
Email: mria@ionlinepaydayloans.com
Phone: 307-777-7311
Contact person name: Mria

Disclaimer: This announcement contains general information about IOnline payday loan services and should not be considered financial advice. Ionline Payday Loans does not guarantee loan approval, and loan terms may vary by applicant and lender requirements. Loans are available to U.S. residents only.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/07213980-370a-491b-a3af-a6643b1d5234

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The MIL Network –
May 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: China’s Ministry of Commerce Comments on Anti-Dumping Investigation into EU Brandy

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

BEIJING, May 8 (Xinhua) — Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yadong on Thursday commented on the anti-dumping investigation of brandy produced in the European Union (EU), saying China is open to resolving economic and trade differences through dialogue and consultation.

In this way, the department’s representative, at the latest departmental press briefing, answered a question from media representatives about China’s expectations from the upcoming economic and trade negotiations between Vice Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China He Lifeng and representatives of France, in particular regarding the import of brandy.

According to He Yadong, at the request of the China Alcoholic Beverage Industry Association, which acted on behalf of domestic enterprises in the industry, China launched an anti-dumping investigation on brandy imported from the EU on January 5, 2024. Given the complex circumstances of the case, the ministry decided to extend the investigation until July 5, 2025.

The investigating authorities are currently reviewing the price commitment applications submitted by EU exporters, as well as the comments and opinions submitted by all parties after the preliminary ruling, He added.

He promised that the authorities would make a final decision within the prescribed time frame and based on the facts of the case, as well as through an investigation process conducted in accordance with laws and regulations.

Meanwhile, China is open to resolving economic and trade differences through consultation and dialogue, the ministry spokesman added. -0-

MIL OSI Russia News –

May 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: Fluent, Inc. and Rebuy Partner to Unlock Post-Purchase Advertising for Shopify Merchants

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

NEW YORK, May 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fluent, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLNT), a leading provider of commerce media solutions, and Rebuy Engine, a leading ecommerce personalization platform for Shopify brands, have announced a strategic partnership to launch Rebuy Ads powered by Fluent, a new product offering designed to help merchants further engage their customers while unlocking additional revenue at no cost.

Unparalleled Scale and Insights

Rebuy Engine is uniquely positioned to drive impact at scale, generating over $1 billion in new revenue for its 12,000+ active merchants each year. The partnership leverages Fluent’s AI-powered advertiser marketplace and extensive expertise in demand generation, and pairs that with Rebuy Engine’s deep integration with the Shopify ecosystem and growing partner network.

Rebuy Ads powered by Fluent is revenue-positive for merchants—no investment in new tools or services required. It’s a unique offering that pays merchants for adoption rather than charging them, ensuring a high-value, risk-free opportunity while also providing Fluent access to new audiences via Rebuy Engine’s extensive merchant network. This innovative approach is expected to drive rapid adoption and engagement within the Rebuy Engine merchant community and Shopify platform.

“We’re excited to launch a solution that gives our merchants new revenue opportunities,” said Rebuy Co-Founder, James Van Erck. “With this new offering, merchants can monetize the thank-you page and get paid through Rebuy Ads powered by Fluent. Fluent’s competitive positioning in commerce media and commitment to partner success make them an ideal partner for this new endeavor. We believe this partnership strengthens our focus on helping brands deliver personalized experiences, convert more traffic, and grow faster.”

Tim Lukens, President of Commerce Media at Fluent, stated, “Our proficiency in performance marketing drives measurable growth for our partners. We are thrilled to collaborate with Rebuy to bring an integrated and unique solution to the Shopify ecosystem—leveraging our expertise in customer acquisition and engagement to create a seamless, high-value opportunity for merchants. Rebuy’s expansive partner network and merchant-first approach align seamlessly with Fluent’s mission to deliver high-impact commerce media solutions at scale.”

Looking Ahead

The Fluent and Rebuy partnership marks a significant step in expanding monetization opportunities for merchants while reinforcing the companies’ mutual commitment to design-led innovation and growth. With the combined expertise of both companies, Rebuy Ads powered by Fluent is set to redefine how Shopify merchants engage with performance-driven advertising. For more information on Rebuy Ads powered by Fluent and partnership opportunities, visit https://www.rebuyengine.com/product/ads.

About Rebuy
Rebuy empowers Shopify stores of all sizes to deliver personalized shopping experiences designed to increase conversions, boost order values, and retain more customers using intelligent upsells, cross-sells, and post-purchase follow-ups. More than 12,000 of the fastest-growing brands on Shopify use Rebuy, including Olipop, Aviator Nation, Momofuku, Tecovas, and DIME Beauty.

About Fluent, Inc.
Fluent, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLNT) is a commerce media solutions provider connecting top-tier brands with highly engaged consumers. Leveraging exclusive ad inventory, robust first-party data, and proprietary machine learning, Fluent unlocks additional revenue streams for partners and empowers advertisers to acquire their most valuable customers at scale. Founded in 2010, Fluent uses its deep expertise in performance marketing to drive monetization and increase engagement at key touchpoints across the customer journey. For more insights, visit https://www.fluentco.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements,” as that term is defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA), which statements may be identified by words such as “expects,” “plans,” “projects,” “will,” “may,” “anticipate,” “believes,” “should,” “intends,” “estimates,” and other words of similar meaning. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that are often difficult to predict, are beyond our control and which may cause results to differ materially from expectations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are based on our expectations as of the date of this press release and speak only as of the date of this press release. Readers are also advised to consider the factors under the heading “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as may be supplemented or amended by the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other SEC filings. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Contact Information
Walter Frank
IMS Investor Relations
fluent@imsinvestorrelations.com

The MIL Network –

May 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: Consumer Portfolio Services Deploys AI-Powered Servicing Platform from Salient to Advance Collections Strategy

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

LAS VEGAS, NV, May 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Consumer Portfolio Services, Inc. (Nasdaq: CPSS) (“CPS” or the “Company”), a leader in providing indirect automobile financing to consumers, today announced the deployment of a next-generation AI-powered servicing and collections platform developed in partnership with Salient, a leading provider of AI voice agent solutions tailored for the automotive industry.

As Consumer Portfolio Services continues to scale its loan portfolio and optimize servicing operations, Salient’s AI platform is expected to play a key role in accelerating collections and improving repayment consistency, which should improve credit performance over time. The platform leverages conversational AI voice agents to automate borrower outreach across key servicing functions, including payment collection, due date adjustments, payoff management, and insurance verification, allowing CPS to redeploy human agents to focus on more complex cases. Salient’s platform has demonstrated a more than 60% reduction in handle times and improved customer response rates in previous implementations, positioning CPS to benefit from similar efficiency gains as it integrates the technology in 2025.

“Our progress in scaling efficiently is supported by strategic investments in advanced AI automation,” said Mike Lavin, Chief Operating Officer of CPS. “By leveraging Salient’s voice AI agents to handle routine servicing tasks, we can free up our human agents to focus on higher-value and more complex customer interactions, strengthening our overall servicing and collections strategy. Salient’s technology enables us to execute collections strategies with greater precision and speed, improving repayment consistency, which should strengthen cash flow and credit performance over time. As we continue to expand our portfolio and originations, this integration reinforces the strength of our servicing platform while ensuring strict regulatory compliance.”

Salient’s AI platform has processed over $1 billion in transactions and is built specifically for the automotive lending industry. The platform ensures compliance with key lending regulations, including FDCPA, FCRA, UDAAP, and CFPB guidelines, while maximizing customer outreach effectiveness. By automating outreach and borrower interactions, the platform enhances customer responsiveness and regulatory adherence.

CPS recently reported strong loan origination growth, with a 52% year-over-year increase in new auto loan originations for the fourth quarter of 2024 and a total portfolio balance reaching a company record $3.6 billion. As CPS enters 2025 with momentum, leveraging AI-driven servicing solutions is expected to support continued efficiency gains and may contribute to further improvements in loan performance, reductions in servicing costs, and enhancements in overall portfolio profitability.

About Consumer Portfolio Services:
Consumer Portfolio Services, Inc. is an independent specialty finance company that provides indirect automobile financing to individuals with past credit problems or limited credit histories. We purchase retail installment sales contracts primarily from franchised automobile dealerships secured by late model used vehicles and, to a lesser extent, new vehicles. We fund these contract purchases on a long-term basis primarily through the securitization markets and service the contracts over their lives.

About Salient
Designed specifically for the consumer finance sector, Salient is a cutting-edge generative AI platform crafted to revolutionize customer-lender interactions. With its innovative technology solutions, Salient seamlessly automates vital operational processes across voice, text, and email channels, delivering a more streamlined and efficient communication experience for clients. Launched in 2023, Salient has interacted millions of US consumer, collected over $1 billion, and is backed by top tier venture capital firms, including Andreessen Horowitz, Y Combinator, Matrix Partners, and General Catalyst, alongside leaders from Tesla, Stripe, and Airtable. This platform promises to set new standards in the way automotive finance is approached and managed.

Company Contact
Danny Bharwani
Chief Financial Officer
949-753-6811

Investor Relations Contact
Tom Colton and Alec Wilson
Gateway Group, Inc.
949-574-3860
CPSS@gateway-grp.com

The MIL Network –

May 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: Scality named a 2025 Stevie Award winner

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

SAN FRANCISCO, May 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Scality, a global leader in cyber-resilient storage software for the AI era, announced today that its ARTESCA 3.0 solution earned a Gold Stevie^® Award in the Cloud Storage & Backup Solution category, the highest award level, as part of The 23rd Annual American Business Awards^®.

The American Business Awards — a.k.a. “The Stevies” — is a premier business awards program in the US. All organizations operating in the country are eligible to submit nominations – public and private, for-profit and nonprofit, large and small.

Launched nearly a year ago, ARTESCA 3.0 introduced groundbreaking CORE5 API-to-Architecture cyber resilience. CORE5 is a reference to the five levels of ransomware protection: 1) API, 2) data, 3) storage, 4) geography, and 5) architecture. ARTESCA 3.0 is the first object storage solution of any kind to offer such a comprehensive level of protection.

Since then, the company has released an all-flash version of the ARTESCA hardware appliance and a pay-as-you-go service offering for Veeam cloud service providers. Last week, Scality unveiled another industry first: the ARTESCA+ Veeam unified software appliance, which combines Veeam Backup & Replication™ software with ARTESCA object storage software in a single, streamlined software appliance.

With a variety of deployment models, ARTESCA provides midsize enterprises and companies that lack deep technical resources enterprise-grade cyber-resilient storage without the need for deep storage or OS expertise. ARTESCA has become a critical offering — and a cash cow — for channel partners, who have found that the product uniquely meets the needs of this customer segment.

“Where the industry had previously been focused on immutability, ARTESCA raised the bar significantly over the past year with its five-level end-to-end cyber resilience,” said Eric LeBlanc, GM, ARTESCA and Channel Chief, Scality. “Its fast deployment and easy maintenance has put industry-standard cybersecurity within the reach of smaller companies, which is why ARTESCA continues to garner recognition from independent third parties.”

Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word meaning “crowned,” The American Business Awards garnered more than 3,600 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry across a wide range of categories. More than 250 professionals worldwide participated in the judging process to select this year’s Stevie Award winners.

“Organizations across the United States continue to demonstrate resilience and innovation,” said Stevie Awards president Maggie Miller. “The 2025 Stevie winners have helped drive that success through their innovation, persistence, and hard work. We congratulate all of the winners in the 2025 ABAs and look forward to celebrating their achievements during our June 10 gala event in New York.”

Details about The American Business Awards and the list of 2025 Stevie winners are available at www.StevieAwards.com/ABA. For more information about ARTESCA, visit the product line’s microsite.

About the Stevie Awards
Stevie Awards are conferred in nine programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards^®, The International Business Awards^®, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service, and the Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com.

About Scality
Scality solves organizations’ biggest data storage challenges — growth, security, performance, and cost. Designed for end-to-end cyber resilience, only Scality S3 object storage with CORE5 safeguards data at every level of the system, from API to architecture. Its patented MultiScale Architecture enables limitless, independent scalability in all critical dimensions to meet the unpredictable demands of modern workloads. The world’s most discerning companies depend on Scality to accelerate high-performance AI initiatives, optimize cloud deployments, and defend their data with confidence. Recognized as a leader by Gartner, Scality software is reliable, secure, and sustainable. Follow us on LinkedIn. Visit www.scality.com and our blog.

Media Contact:
Jon Lavietes
A3 Communications
+1 415-572-4408
jon.lavietes@a3communicationspr.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/92069d27-1be4-4653-aed9-6dca964cb48f

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3a34a1c9-36f3-4c09-b2c6-eb46f902fdb7

The MIL Network –

May 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: Angry Shrimp Media Now ‘Go-To’ Growth Engine Builder for Founders and CEOs Scaling Smarter
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Cape Coral, Florida, May 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Angry Shrimp Media is redefining what smart scale looks like for today’s B2B leaders. Built for SaaS founders & CEOs, VC portfolio companies, and legacy brand owners tired of bloated ads budgets & inefficient funnels; Angry Shrimp delivers lean, high-performing growth systems that actually convert. With customer acquisition costs rising and performance pressure mounting, their proven frameworks are helping Founders and CEOs plug revenue leaks, automate sales pipelines, and scale profitably—without adding unnecessary headcount or overhead.

Angry Shrimp Media

Working at the intersection of marketing automation, strategic business development, and high-ticket sales enablement, Angry Shrimp Media tailors solutions to each client’s customer journey to deliver higher conversion rates and lower customer acquisition costs (CAC). By identifying funnel leaks and building scalable growth architecture, the firm accelerates market adoption while providing companies with predictable revenue paths.

“At Angry Shrimp Media, we believe that sustainable growth comes from aligning sales, marketing, and operations through intelligent, scalable systems—not guesswork,” said Mandy Gartrell, Founder and CEO. “Our mission is to empower brands to break through their growth ceilings with proven frameworks that blend automation, AI, and strategic insight.”

Gartrell, a marketing and sales powerhouse with over 16 years of hands-on industry experience; leads a team focused on performance-driven results, not extra costs. The firm’s flexible engagement models—including flat-fee projects, strategic retainers, and revenue-share partnerships—make it an attractive growth partner for companies seeking fast, efficient scale without the burden of expanding internal teams.

Growth Solutions for a New Era & Leaders Who Want Results

Angry Shrimp Media’s services are specifically designed for high-growth companies facing challenges in scaling revenue effectively. The firm’s offerings include:
- Strategic funnel audits and conversion optimization
- Market Adoption, Architecture, and AI-powered business scaling
- Full-funnel buildouts and conversion tracking
- B2B SaaS and legacy brand transformation initiatives
- Marketing automation systems customized for scalable, repeatable success that also frees up teams and improves efficiency
- Executive partnership models for CEOs needing senior-level growth strategy without full-time hires
- Executive & Founder Growth Leadership Coaching
- Strategic go-to-market consulting for venture capital backed and legacy businesses
Angry Shrimp’s impact speaks for itself:
- A B2B SaaS company saw a 33% increase in qualified leads and a 25% jump in demo-to-close rates after a full-funnel audit and targeted optimization.
- A PE-backed legacy brand achieved 22% revenue growth in 6 months by implementing a streamlined sales pipeline and automated nurture systems, cutting CAC by 15%.
- A DTC eCommerce brand scaled to 7-figure revenue while maintaining lean internal operations, thanks to a growth architecture built for efficiency and repeatability.
By combining AI integration with decades of strategic growth experience, Angry Shrimp Media positions itself as a new kind of partner—one capable of delivering the velocity and precision that today’s competitive market demands.

About Angry Shrimp Media

Angry Shrimp Media is a revenue-focused growth consultancy co-founded by Mandy Gartrell, a seasoned Growth Architect and Fractional CMO, and Ryan Gartrell, a sought-after Revenue Operations strategist with over two decades of experience optimizing operational systems and scaling performance. The firm partners with high-growth B2B SaaS companies, venture-backed portfolios, and legacy business owners to engineer smarter scale—driving sustainable revenue through funnel optimization, scalable growth architecture, and sales enablement systems. With a bold name and an even bolder approach, Angry Shrimp Media is the force behind some of today’s most compelling B2B growth stories.

Learn more at https://angryshrimp.com.

The MIL Network –
May 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: Obra Capital Announces Promotion of Peter Polanskyj to Chief Investment Officer

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

NEW YORK, May 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Obra Capital, Inc. (along with its affiliated registered investment advisors, collectively “Obra”), an asset management firm with a specialized approach to alternative investing, today announced that Peter Polanskyj, Senior Managing Director and Head of Structured Credit, has been promoted to Chief Investment Officer.

Since joining Obra in 2022, Mr. Polanskyj has been a key member of the leadership team, supporting the guidance and execution of the firm’s growth strategy and the development of both its platform and enhanced product set. In April 2024, he supported the launch of Obra’s first ETFs, creating investment options with access to a wide variety of securitized products. In December 2024, Mr. Polanskyj helped lead a $400 million close of Obra’s inaugural Collateralized Loan Obligation offering (“CLO”), further diversifying the firm’s strategies in alternative assets and structured credit to provide a range of solutions aimed at delivering long-term value for investors.

In addition to new product launches, Mr. Polanskyj has demonstrated a proven track record of prudent capital stewardship, leveraging over 28 years of experience investing in a variety of structured investments to achieve a net growth rate for Obra’s insurance special situations strategy that has outpaced the firm’s initial expectations. In his new role, he will chair Obra’s Investment Committee, with oversight of the firm’s operations across its portfolio.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Peter to fill this role on Obra’s leadership team,” said Blair Wallace, President and Chief Executive Officer. “He has contributed to the rapid growth of our platform by adeptly navigating a nuanced area of the market, launching unique products and providing strong performance for our investors. His specialized experience and skillset will be critical as we look to build on our momentum across credit and insurance investment opportunities.”

Mr. Polanskyj added, “I am proud of the work we have done developing the capabilities that our investors are looking to access across insurance and credit. As I step into this new role as CIO, I look forward to continuing to work with Blair and the team to develop our platform and deliver for investors.”

In addition, Matt Roesler has been promoted to Senior Managing Director and Head of Multi-Sector Credit. He continues to lead the management of Obra’s multi-sector credit, liability-driven and other insurance portfolios. Greg Nicolls has been promoted to Senior Managing Director and Head of Business Development and Investor Relations.

Prior to joining Obra, Mr. Polanskyj was a Managing Director and Head of U.S. CLO Management at Sculptor Capital (formerly known as Och-Ziff), where he oversaw the creation, securitization and management of CLOs and similarly structured products. In his time with the firm, he grew this business from inception in 2012 to approximately $15 billion in assets in 2022. Prior to that role, he worked at Morgan Stanley in a variety of capacities, including as a strategist focused on credit, structured credit, equity derivatives and capital structure arbitrage. Previously, Mr. Polanskyj was a reinsurance actuary with a focus on property and casualty. Mr. Polanskyj holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Mathematics from Rutgers University, where he was named a Henry Rutgers scholar, and a Master of Business Administration from Columbia Business School.

About Obra Capital

Obra is a specialized alternative asset management firm with approximately $5.6 billion in capital under management as of March 31, 2025. Obra provides investment products and solutions across insurance, multi-sector credit, asset-based finance and longevity investment strategies. Obra aims to generate long-term value and attractive returns for investors through a variety of funds and separate accounts. With capabilities in investing, originating, structuring and servicing, Obra strives to provide differentiated investment opportunities and capital solutions for investors worldwide. Obra owns and operates a CLO management business, a commercial real estate lending platform and an auto finance company. For more information about Obra and its registered investment advisors, please visit www.obra.com.

Media Contact:
Dan Gagnier
Gagnier Communications
Obra@gagnierfc.com
646-569-5897

The MIL Network –

May 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: BermudAir Partners with Zero Hash to Launch First-of-Its-Kind Stablecoin Payments in Air Travel

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

HAMILTON, Bermuda, May 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BermudAir, Bermuda’s first homegrown airline, today announced a groundbreaking partnership with Zero Hash to let customers purchase flights with stablecoins as part of the standard booking flow by the end of 2025. The new feature, which makes BermudAir the world’s first airline to offer native stablecoin payments for tickets during online booking on its website and mobile app, will go live by the end of 2025. The collaboration is being showcased today at the inaugural Bermuda Digital Finance Forum, underscoring the event’s focus on empowering local Bermudian businesses through cutting-edge digital finance innovation.

This partnership will allow BermudAir passengers to natively pay with stablecoins – digital currencies pegged to fiat value – directly on the airline’s website, just as easily as using a credit card. Once live, travelers can select from over a dozen stablecoin options at checkout, enabling seamless payments that settle nearly instantly across borders.

“By accepting stablecoins, we’re eliminating the friction of currency exchange and foreign transaction fees for our international passengers,” said Adam Scott, Founder and CEO of BermudAir. “As Bermuda’s home airline, we are proud to lead the charge in crypto and stablecoin adoption within aviation. Allowing customers to pay for flights with stablecoins isn’t just about embracing the future of travel – it’s about making the experience faster, cheaper, and more inclusive for travelers worldwide.”

International visitors represent the majority of Bermuda’s 200,000+ annual air arrivals, many of whom currently face 1–3% foreign transaction fees on credit card bookings.¹² By offering a direct stablecoin payment option, BermudAir will offer the opportunity to eliminate those costs and deliver a smoother booking experience for its globally diverse clientele. Stablecoin payments also process 24/7, ensuring ticket purchases can be confirmed in minutes without banking delays, a clear win for travelers and tourism operators.

Zero Hash, the leading crypto, stablecoin and tokenization infrastructure provider, will power the conversion and settlement of these transactions. Zero Hash Worldwide Ltd., which holds a Class F license issued by the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA) under the Digital Asset Business Act, will enable BermudAir to accept digital dollar payments in a compliant, secure manner.

Zero Hash views stablecoins as a core Alternative Payment Method (APM) poised for mass adoption in everyday transactions. The numbers support this shift: over the past 24 months, nearly 750 million people have gained access to stablecoins and crypto via a primary account on platforms like Revolut, NuBank, Robinhood, PayPal, Stripe, and Venmo. In just the last 30 days, 29.2 million unique wallets processed 705 million stablecoin transactions – totaling $3.3 trillion in volume.³

The travel industry is uniquely positioned to lead this adoption – an early mover in loyalty programs, digital wallets, and cross-border innovation, it has a proven track record of embracing financial infrastructure before the mainstream.

“Zero Hash is thrilled to power this first-of-its-kind stablecoin payment offering in the airline industry,” said Edward Woodford, Founder and CEO of Zero Hash. “This partnership with BermudAir exemplifies the convergence of digital finance innovation. By leveraging our stablecoin payments infrastructure, BermudAir can deliver the seamless payments and global accessibility that customers expect in the future of travel. It’s a shining example of stablecoins making a real-world impact, and we’re excited to help empower Bermudian businesses through compliant, cutting-edge technology.”

The announcement comes amid a broader movement to onboard Bermudian businesses into digital finance. Bermuda’s government has cultivated a robust regulatory framework for fintech, making the island a hub for crypto adoption and innovation.

The Bermuda Digital Finance Forum, hosted by Penrose Partners, SALT and The Decentralized AI Society (DAIS), is bringing community leaders together to empower local businesses and residents to leverage digital finance.

This effort builds on BermudAir’s track record of innovation in digital finance, including a prior issuance of stablecoin bond tokens in partnership with crypto custodian XBTO.

BermudAir’s stablecoin payment feature will be accessed by booking on flybermudair.com and the airline’s mobile app. Travelers will simply choose the stablecoin payment option during checkout, and Zero Hash will seamlessly handle the crypto-to-fiat settlement in real time. Both companies anticipate that this convenience will appeal to overseas travelers and business flyers, who can avoid exchanging currencies or incurring bank fees by paying directly in digital dollars.

About Zero Hash
Zero Hash is the leading infrastructure provider for crypto, stablecoin, and tokenized assets. Its API and embeddable dev-kit enables innovators to easily launch solutions across cross-border payments, commerce, trading, remittance, payroll, tokenization and on/off-ramps.

Zero Hash powers solutions for some of the largest and innovative companies including Interactive Brokers, Stripe, Shift4, Franklin Templeton, Felix Pago, Kalshi and LightSpark. Zero Hash Holdings is backed by investors, including Point72 Ventures, Bain Capital Ventures, and NYCA.

Zero Hash Worldwide Ltd. holds a Class F license issued by the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA) under the Digital Asset Business Act 2018 of Bermuda.

Zero Hash Trust Company LLC has been approved by the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks as a non-depository trust company.

Zero Hash LLC is a FinCen-registered Money Service Business and a regulated Money Transmitter that can operate in 51 U.S. jurisdictions. Zero Hash LLC and Zero Hash Liquidity Services LLC are licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the New York State Department of Financial Services. In Canada, Zero Hash LLC is registered as a Money Service Business with FINTRAC.

Zero Hash Australia Pty Ltd. is registered with AUSTRAC as a Digital Currency Exchange Provider, with DCE registered provider number DCE100804170-001. Zero Hash Australia Pty Ltd. is registered on the New Zealand register of financial service providers, with Financial Service Provider (FSP) number FSP1004503. Zero Hash Europe B.V. is registered as a Virtual Asset Services Provider (VASP) by the Dutch Central Bank (Relation number: R193684). Zero Hash Europe Sp. Zoo is registered as a VASP by the Tax Administration Chamber of Poland in Katowice (Registration number RDWW – 1212).

Learn more by visiting zerohash.com or following us on X @ZeroHashX

About BermudAir
BermudAir is Bermuda’s airline, committed to redefining the travel experience. With a fleet of Embraer E175 and E190 aircraft renowned for exceptional performance and passenger comfort, BermudAir exemplifies its commitment to excellence. Operating convenient flights to and from Westchester Country Airport, Boston Logan International Airport, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Orlando International Airport, Charleston International Airport, Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Bradley International Airport and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport, and Richmond International Airport. BermudAir enhances connectivity to the U.S. East Coast, contributing to the growth and prosperity of Bermuda. BermudAir also operates flights to Toronto Pearson International Airport, Halifax Stanfield International Airport, and Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport in Canada. With a dedication to exceptional service and curated onboard offerings that showcase the island’s renowned hospitality and varied food and beverages available locally, BermudAir provides an unparalleled travel experience. For more information, and to book flights, please visit www.flybermudair.com.

^¹gotobermuda 2024 Visitor Arrivals Report
^²bankrate.com
^³Artemis Terminal

The MIL Network –

May 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: India and Japan drive revenue growth among top 20 APAC banks as Chinese giants slow down, reveals GlobalData

Source: GlobalData

India and Japan drive revenue growth among top 20 APAC banks as Chinese giants slow down, reveals GlobalData

Posted in Business Fundamentals

The top 20 Asia-Pacific (APAC) banks saw a modest 6.5% increase in combined revenue from $1.6 trillion in 2023 to $1.75 trillion in 2024, driven by exceptional growth from Indian and Japanese banks. On the other hand, several Chinese banks faced stagnation or declines amid tighter regulations and slowing credit demand. This shift highlights evolving regional dynamics and signals changing leadership in APAC’s banking landscape, reveals GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

Murthy Grandhi, Company Profiles Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “APAC banking landscape witnessed a striking shift in momentum in 2024, as Indian and Japanese banks delivered powerful revenue growth, some of the China’s traditionally dominant institutions recorded either marginal gains or outright declines. It also reveals not just a reshuffling of leaders, but also deeper structural signals driven by macroeconomic realignments, domestic policy shifts, and evolving capital flows.”

Only three banks achieved revenue growth exceeding 40% in 2024: India’s HDFC Bank led with an impressive 89.5% year-on-year (YoY) increase, while Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Financial and Mizuho Financial followed with growth rates of 42.8% and 41.6%, respectively

Grandhi explains: “HDFC Bank’s rise can be attributed to its merger with HDFC Ltd., robust retail lending growth, and digital banking expansion. Likewise, State Bank of India recorded a 19.4% jump to $72 billion, fueled by rising credit demand in infrastructure, manufacturing, and rural segments.

“Japanese banks staged a strong comeback after years of modest performance. This surge is underpinned by enhanced cross-border M&A advisory, corporate lending in Southeast Asia, and increased activity in the green finance space.”

Japan-based Mitsubishi UFJ Financial posted an 11.7% increase to $81.7 billion, reflecting stronger domestic lending and strategic international acquisitions.

Chinese banks continued to dominate the revenue leaderboard, securing 11 of the top 20 positions. ICBC led with $227.9 billion in revenue, though it posted a slight YoY contraction of -0.6%. Similarly, China Construction Bank ($198.1 billion, -2%), Postal Savings Bank of China ($81.7 billion, -0.7%), and Shanghai Pudong Development Bank ($49.2 billion, -4.4%) reflected a slowdown. The declines stem from reduced credit demand, property sector headwinds, and the cautious lending stance amid tighter regulatory controls.

Nevertheless, Bank of China showed resilience with a 2.6% increase in revenue to $177.6 billion, supported by strong offshore financing operations and currency settlements, benefiting from the yuan’s expanding role in trade settlements.

Grandhi concludes: “As the global financial system braces for a volatile 2025, APAC banks are navigating a complex matrix of geopolitical tensions, tariff escalations, and tightening liquidity. The US-China trade recalibration, semiconductor export restrictions, and ongoing regional disputes could dampen cross-border capital flows and increase regulatory compliance costs.

“However, banks with strong domestic franchises, digital agility, and diversified international exposure, especially in India, Japan, and Australia, are better positioned to weather uncertainty and tap into structural growth trends, including fintech adoption, infrastructure financing, and ESG-related lending. The year ahead will test these institutions not just on balance sheet strength but on their ability to adapt strategically in an evolving global order.”

MIL OSI Economics –

May 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HK hosts 6G summit

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The 6G Global Summit opened in Hong Kong today, marking the first time for the summit to be held in the Asia-Pacific region.

The two-day summit is being hosted by the Communications Authority and has attracted hundreds of representatives of regulatory bodies, telecommunications operators and corporations from more than 80 countries to explore the potential of sixth-generation (6G) mobile communications technology in shaping the future.

In his keynote speech, Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau said that Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to play a leading role in 6G development, with the Government committed to fostering a conducive environment for technological advancement and preparing for the 6G era.

He noted that major mobile network operators in the city have actively commenced testing and successfully validating the 5G-Advanced network in various applications such as large-scale drone shows, world class sports events and more.

As regards the Government’s efforts in the relevant areas, Mr Yau said: “We are also proactively exploring further facilitation measures from a telecommunications perspective to support the development of a low-altitude economy.”

He also pointed out that the Government is conducting a study to streamline relevant licensing procedures for Low Earth Orbit satellites.

For his part, Director-General of Communications Chaucer Leung noted at the summit’s opening ceremony that Hong Kong is the first economy in the world to have auctioned a radio spectrum in the upper six gigahertz band.

The spectrum is suitable for the provision of 5G services now and 6G services in the future, he said, adding that the first set of technical standards for 6G is expected to be finalised in 2029 so that a commercial service can be introduced in the following year.

The summit features discussions on 6G developments, including standardisation, technological innovations, sustainability and potential applications as well as the strategic role of the Asia-Pacific region and the opportunities presented by a more connected and intelligent global network.

First held in 2022, this is the summit’s fourth edition. The previous two editions were held in Bahrain in 2023 and the UK in 2024.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

May 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: China’s Ministry of Commerce: China is ready to cooperate with all countries to promote healthy development of cross-border e-commerce

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

BEIJING, May 8 (Xinhua) — China is willing to work with all countries to strengthen cooperation and promote the healthy and sustainable development of cross-border e-commerce, Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yadong said at a regular press conference on Thursday.

Cross-border e-commerce meets the individual needs of consumers around the world with advantages such as high efficiency, fast delivery and cost savings, the department official said.

The comments came after the United States formally ended duty-free treatment for small packages from China on May 2.

“Abolishing the duty-free treatment for small parcels from China will harm the interests of enterprises and consumers in both countries,” He Yadong said, adding that China firmly opposes it.

He stressed that this move by the US will not change the trend of rapid development of cross-border e-commerce.

China is willing to work with all countries to strengthen cooperation, jointly create a fair and predictable policy environment, and promote the healthy and sustainable development of cross-border e-commerce, the MOC spokesman said. -0-

MIL OSI Russia News –

May 9, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China ready to work with all countries on healthy cross-border e-commerce development: commerce ministry

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

China ready to work with all countries on healthy cross-border e-commerce development: commerce ministry

BEIJING, May 8 — China is willing to work with all countries to strengthen cooperation and promote the healthy and sustainable development of cross-border e-commerce, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

Cross-border e-commerce satisfies the personalized needs of consumers worldwide, boasting advantages such as high efficiency, fast delivery, and cost savings, said commerce ministry spokesperson He Yadong at a regular press conference.

The remarks were made after the United States canceled its tariff exemption policy for small parcels from China on May 2.

The cancellation will harm the interests of businesses and consumers in both countries, said the spokesperson, noting, “We firmly oppose it.”

He emphasized that the U.S. policy move will not impede the rapid development momentum of cross-border e-commerce.

China is willing to work with all countries to strengthen cooperation, jointly create a fair and predictable policy environment, and promote the healthy and sustainable development of cross-border e-commerce, according to the spokesperson.

MIL OSI China News –

May 8, 2025
MIL-OSI: Willis Lease Finance Corporation Moves its Consultancy and Advisory Arm to Willis Mitsui & Co. Engine Support Limited

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

COCONUT CREEK, Fla., May 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) (“WLFC” or the “Company”), the leading lessor of commercial aircraft engines and global provider of aviation services, today announced it has entered into an agreement to sell Bridgend Asset Management Limited, the consultancy and advisory arm of WLFC, to Willis Mitsui & Co. Engine Support Limited (“WMES”), its longstanding joint venture with Mitsui & Co., Ltd (“Mitsui”). This strategic move reflects WLFC’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with its partners and enhancing this joint venture’s capabilities in aviation services. Together, WLFC and Mitsui will focus on significantly expanding WMES’s services offerings and aviation asset portfolio. The completion of the transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions.

Established in 2011 and headquartered in Dublin, WMES currently owns and manages assets totaling approximately $360 million. The integration of WLFC’s technical consultancy and record management services will further expand the joint venture’s service offerings, leveraging the combined expertise, global reach and operational efficiencies of both partners. As a 50% owner of WMES, WLFC plans to continue utilizing WMES for its services and to leverage synergistic benefits.

“We think this transaction is a real win for our shareholders,” said Austin C. Willis, Chief Executive Officer of WLFC. “Not only does the expansion of WMES allow for a premium return on equity when considering earnings plus fees, but the transaction itself unlocks fresh capital that can be reinvested to accelerate WLFC’s portfolio growth.

“We see tremendous opportunity in the commercial aviation space, and this transaction provides us the substance to drive growth for our global platform,” said Yuichi Nagata, General Manager of Aerospace Business Division of Mitsui & Co. “This transaction will continue to strengthen Mitsui’s and WLFC’s long-term relationship.”

Willis Lease Finance Corporation

Willis Lease Finance Corporation (“WLFC”) leases large and regional spare commercial aircraft engines, auxiliary power units and aircraft to airlines, aircraft engine manufacturers and maintenance, repair, and overhaul providers worldwide. These leasing activities are integrated with engine and aircraft trading, engine lease pools and asset management services through Willis Asset Management Limited, as well as various end-of-life solutions for engines and aviation materials provided through Willis Aeronautical Services, Inc. Through Willis Engine Repair Center®, Jet Centre by Willis, and Willis Aviation Services Limited, the Company’s service offerings include Part 145 engine maintenance, aircraft line and base maintenance, aircraft disassembly, parking and storage, airport FBO and ground and cargo handling services. Willis Sustainable Fuels intends to develop, build and operate projects to help decarbonize aviation.

Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Do not unduly rely on forward-looking statements, which give only expectations about the future and are not guarantees. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update them to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which the forward-looking statement is based, except as required by law. Our actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to: the effects on the airline industry and the global economy of events such as war, terrorist activity and the COVID-19 pandemic; changes in oil prices, rising inflation and other disruptions to world markets; trends in the airline industry and our ability to capitalize on those trends, including growth rates of markets and other economic factors; risks associated with owning and leasing jet engines and aircraft; our ability to successfully negotiate equipment purchases, sales and leases, to collect outstanding amounts due and to control costs and expenses; changes in interest rates and availability of capital, both to us and our customers; our ability to continue to meet changing customer demands; regulatory changes affecting airline operations, aircraft maintenance, accounting standards and taxes; the market value of engines and other assets in our portfolio; and risks detailed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other continuing and current reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It is advisable, however, to consult any further disclosures the Company makes on related subjects in such filings. These statements constitute the Company’s cautionary statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

CONTACT: Lynn Mailliard Kohler

Director, Global Corporate Communications

(415) 328-4798

The MIL Network –

May 8, 2025

MIL-OSI: BigCommerce Announces First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

AUSTIN, Texas, May 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BigCommerce Holdings, Inc. (“BigCommerce” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: BIGC), an open SaaS, composable ecommerce platform for fast-growing and established B2C and B2B brands, retailers, manufacturers and distributors, today announced financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2025.

“Our transformation efforts are leading to encouraging signs of progress, including positive increases in pipeline and leads in the three months ended March 31, 2025,” said Travis Hess, CEO of BigCommerce. “We have acted decisively to transform the Company, brought in top leaders with SaaS and commerce expertise, and invested strategically to strengthen our core offerings for B2B and B2C businesses across all three of our products, BigCommerce, Feedonomics and Makeswift. Reaccelerating growth remains our top priority for the remainder of this year.”

First Quarter Financial Highlights:

Total revenue was $82.4 million, up 3% compared to the first quarter of 2024.
Total annual revenue run-rate (“ARR”) as of March 31, 2025 was $350.8 million, up 3% compared to March 31, 2024.
Subscription solutions revenue was $62.1 million, up 2% compared to the first quarter of 2024.
ARR from accounts with at least one enterprise plan (“Enterprise Accounts”) was $263.8 million as of March 31, 2025, up 6% from March 31, 2024.
ARR from Enterprise Accounts as a percent of total ARR was 75% as of March 31, 2025, compared to 73% as of March 31, 2024.
GAAP gross margin was 79%, compared to 77% in the first quarter of 2024. Non-GAAP gross margin was 80%, compared to 78% in the first quarter of 2024.

Other Key Business Metrics

Number of enterprise accounts was 5,825, down 2% compared to the first quarter of 2024.
Average revenue per account (“ARPA”) of enterprise accounts was $45,290, up 9% compared to the first quarter of 2024.
Revenue in the United States grew by 2% compared to the first quarter of 2024.
Revenue in EMEA grew by 8% and revenue in APAC declined by 5% compared to the first quarter of 2024.

Loss from Operations and Non-GAAP Operating Income (Loss)

GAAP loss from operations was ($2.4) million, compared to ($8.2) million in the first quarter of 2024.
Included in GAAP loss from operations was a restructuring charge of $1.9 million.
Non-GAAP operating income was $7.6 million, compared to $3.2 million in the first quarter of 2024.

Net Income (Loss) and Earnings Per Share

GAAP net loss was ($0.4) million, compared to ($6.4) million in the first quarter of 2024.
Non-GAAP net income was $5.7 million or 7% of revenue, compared to $5.0 million or 6% of revenue in the first quarter of 2024.
GAAP basic net loss per share was ($0.00) based on 78.8 million shares of common stock, compared to ($0.08) based on 76.6 million shares of common stock in the first quarter of 2024.
Non-GAAP basic net income per share was $0.07 based on 78.8 million shares of common stock, compared to $0.07 based on 76.6 million shares of common stock in the first quarter of 2024.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA was $8.8 million, compared to $4.2 million in the first quarter of 2024.

Cash

Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and marketable securities totaled $121.9 million as of March 31, 2025.
For the three months ended March 31, 2025, net cash provided by operating activities was $401 thousand, compared to ($3.4) million used in operating activities for the same period in 2024. We reported free cash flow of ($2.9) million in the three months ended March 31, 2025, which included a one-time charge related to the cash paid for the website domain name.

Business Highlights:

Corporate Highlights

In February, the Company announced the addition of Rob Walter as its Chief Revenue Officer. Walter is a seasoned revenue leader with 20 years of ecommerce experience leading sales and go-to-market teams at successful companies including Salesforce, Ebay, ChannelAdviser and Amplience.
Michelle Suzuki also joined BigCommerce as the Company’s Chief Marketing Officer. Suzuki brings more than 25 years of experience scaling and transforming high-growth companies, including renowned technology companies such as EMC, Ancestry and Ivanti.
In April, Vipul Shah joined the Company as its new Chief Product Officer, bringing over two decades of experience building innovative products and business models at PayPal, Google, J.P. Morgan and Wells Fargo. Shah leads product management, product design and product strategy groups across all three of the Company’s products – BigCommerce, Feedonomics and Makeswift.
BigCommerce also added SaaS and ecommerce veteran Andrew Norman as senior vice president and general manager for EMEA to lead BigCommerce’s go-to-market strategy in EMEA. He has 25 years’ experience executing international expansion plans for SaaS technology companies, including 15 years’ experience in the ecommerce market.
In March, BigCommerce hosted its 2025 Investor Day, where members of the Company’s leadership team discussed the Company’s strategic vision, product offerings, financial performance and long-term growth opportunities, followed by a live Q&A session.

Product Highlights

BigCommerce announced updates to Catalyst, its next generation storefront technology. With one click from the Control Panel, marketers can now launch and design a new store that comes optimized for high performance out of the box, making it so that they no longer have to sacrifice marketing usability for modern technology. Catalyst’s differentiator is its fully integrated marketing-friendly visual editor, Makeswift, which sets a new standard for creating fast, modern ecommerce storefronts without the limits of rigid templates or heavy development costs.
The Company unveiled innovative enhancements to its B2B products designed to help sales teams operate more efficiently and streamline processes so they can respond quickly to market demands and focus on growth. These updates, Configure-Price-Quote (CPQ) and Multi-Company Account Hierarchy and Advanced Permissioning, enable faster quote conversion and minimize redundant account management processes so that merchants can respond dynamically to market demands and scale without being bogged down by manual tasks.
BigCommerce also announced a three-pronged product launch that strengthens the app-building experience for developers, extending the BigCommerce platform’s overall functionality.

Customer Highlights

Kittery Trading Post, whose Maine brick-and-mortar location has been an outdoor sporting goods destination for over 80 years, migrated from Salesforce Commerce Cloud to BigCommerce with an implementation led by BigCommerce partner Mira Commerce that took them live in three months.
Champion Sports, a 60-year-old manufacturer of high-quality sports, fitness and physical education equipment, launched a new B2B store with BigCommerce agency partner MoJo Active and an integration with Sage 100.
Crew Clothing, the iconic 30-year-old British casual clothing brand, launched a new B2C storefront for its Ben Sherman brand in the US, featuring integrations with Retail247 and Global-e. The company plans to roll out four more new websites for additional brands throughout the year.
EuroOptic, an online retailer specializing in high-quality sporting optics and performance gear, launched a new headless store using Vercel and Makeswift and integrated with Feedonomics, Netsuite and Payment Putty. BigCommerce partner MoJo Active led the implementation, which also uses BigCommerce’s Multi-Storefront functionality.
EGO, a UK-based fashion brand specializing in trendy women’s footwear, clothing, and accessories, migrated from Magento to BigCommerce with international stores in Europe, North America and Australia and an additional UK storefront in progress. BigCommerce agency partner TakeFortyTwo assisted Ego’s in-house team with the Multi-Storefront headless implementation hosted by Alokai.

Partner Highlights

In May, BigCommerce announced that Klarna, the AI-powered payments and commerce network, has become a global preferred payments partner. As a global preferred partner, Klarna brings its flexible, interest-free payment options to merchants worldwide, enhancing the shopping experience and driving growth with one single integration.
In April, the Company announced the launch of Distributed Ecommerce Hub, a new joint solution with systems integrator and digital commerce agency Silk Commerce. Distributed Ecommerce Hub empowers manufacturers, brands and franchisors to rapidly create and centrally manage branded ecommerce storefronts for their dealer, distributor or franchise networks.
In April, Feedonomics announced its new integration with Amazon Vendor Central, expanding its comprehensive solutions for B2B clients and enterprise brands. Feedonomics customers can now tap into Amazon’s powerful fulfillment network, offering shoppers fast and reliable delivery through Prime eligibility.
In April, BigCommerce announced discussions regarding a potential expansion of its commercial partnership with Noibu, a leading ecommerce intelligence platform that helps brands detect, prioritize, and resolve revenue-impacting issues while delivering seamless customer experiences. The partnership, if finalized, would reflect the joint value of “curated composability,” enabling brands, retailers, manufacturers and distributors of all sizes to leverage best-in-class solutions without the procurement delays or complex integrations.
BigCommerce also announced its corporate partnership with the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED), reinforcing BigCommerce’s commitment to driving digital transformation and growth in the electrical distribution industry.
The Company also announced a transformational partnership with Pipe17, a leading provider of AI-powered composable order operations. This partnership reimagines how modern merchants manage orders in an increasingly complex digital commerce ecosystem.

Q2 and 2025 Financial Outlook:

For the second quarter of 2025, we currently expect:

Total revenue between $82.5 million to $83.5 million.
Non-GAAP operating income is expected to be between $2.7 million to $3.7 million.

For the full year 2025, we currently expect:

Total revenue between $335.1 million and $351.1 million.
Non-GAAP operating income between $16 million and $28 million.

Our second quarter and 2025 financial outlook is based on a number of assumptions that are subject to change and many of which are outside our control. If actual results vary from these assumptions, our expectations may change. There can be no assurance that we will achieve these results.

We do not provide guidance for loss from operations , the most directly comparable GAAP measure to Non-GAAP operating income, and similarly cannot provide a reconciliation between its forecasted Non-GAAP operating income and Non-GAAP income per share and these comparable GAAP measures without unreasonable effort due to the unavailability of reliable estimates for certain items. These items are not within our control and may vary greatly between periods and could significantly impact future financial results.

Conference Call Information

The financial results and business highlights will be discussed on a conference call and webcast scheduled at 7:00 a.m. CT (8:00 a.m. ET) on Thursday, May 8, 2025. The conference call can be accessed by dialing (833) 634-1254 from the United States and Canada or (412) 317-6012 internationally and requesting to join the “BigCommerce conference call.” The live webcast of the conference call can be accessed from BigCommerce’s investor relations website at http://investors.bigcommerce.com.

Following the completion of the call through 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 15, 2025, a telephone replay will be available by dialing (877) 344-7529 from the United States, (855) 669-9658 from Canada or (412) 317-0088 internationally with conference ID 2980116. A webcast replay will also be available at http://investors.bigcommerce.com for 12 months.

About BigCommerce
BigCommerce (Nasdaq: BIGC) is a leading open SaaS and composable ecommerce platform that empowers brands, retailers, manufacturers and distributors of all sizes to build, innovate and grow their businesses online. BigCommerce provides its customers sophisticated professional-grade functionality, customization and performance with simplicity and ease-of-use. Tens of thousands of B2C and B2B companies across 150 countries and numerous industries rely on BigCommerce, including Coldwater Creek, Harvey Nichols, King Arthur Baking Co., MKM Building Supplies, United Aqua Group and Uplift Desk. For more information, please visit www.bigcommerce.com or follow us on X and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “outlook,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “project,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “can,” “predict,” “potential,” “strategy,” “target,” “explore,” “continue,” or the negative of these terms, and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. However, not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These statements may relate to our market size and growth strategy, our estimated and projected costs, margins, revenue, expenditures and customer and financial growth rates, our Q2 and fiscal 2025 financial outlook, our plans and objectives for future operations, growth, initiatives or strategies. By their nature, these statements are subject to numerous uncertainties and risks, including factors beyond our control, that could cause actual results, performance or achievement to differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. These assumptions, uncertainties and risks include that, among others, our business would be harmed by any decline in new customers, renewals or upgrades, our limited operating history makes it difficult to evaluate our prospects and future results of operations, we operate in competitive markets, we may not be able to sustain our revenue growth rate in the future, our business would be harmed by any significant interruptions, delays or outages in services from our platform or certain social media platforms, and a cybersecurity-related attack, significant data breach or disruption of the information technology systems or networks could negatively affect our business. Additional risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements are included under the caption “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and the future quarterly and current reports that we file with the SEC. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements are made and are based on information available to BigCommerce at the time those statements are made and/or management’s good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events. BigCommerce assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, except as required by law.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We have provided in this press release certain financial information that has not been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). Our management uses these Non-GAAP financial measures internally in analyzing our financial results and believes that use of these Non-GAAP financial measures is useful to investors as an additional tool to evaluate ongoing operating results and trends and in comparing our financial results with other companies in our industry, many of which present similar Non-GAAP financial measures. Non-GAAP financial measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP and should be read only in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of our historical Non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures has been provided in the financial statement tables included in this press release, and investors are encouraged to review these reconciliations.

Annual Revenue Run-Rate

We calculate annual revenue run-rate at the end of each month as the sum of: (1) contractual monthly recurring revenue at the end of the period, which includes platform subscription fees, invoiced growth adjustments, feed management subscription fees, recurring professional services revenue, and other recurring revenue, multiplied by twelve to prospectively annualize recurring revenue, and (2) the sum of the trailing twelve-month non-recurring and variable revenue, which includes one-time partner integrations, one-time fees, payments revenue share, and any other revenue that is non-recurring and variable.

Enterprise Account Metrics

To measure the effectiveness of our ability to execute against our growth strategy, we calculate ARR attributable to Enterprise Accounts. We define Enterprise Accounts as accounts with at least one unique Enterprise plan subscription or an enterprise level feed management subscription (collectively “Enterprise Accounts”). These accounts may have more than one Enterprise plan or a combination of Enterprise plans and non-enterprise plans.

Average Revenue Per Account

We calculate average revenue per account for accounts in the Enterprise cohort at the end of a period by including customer-billed revenue and an allocation of partner and services revenue, where applicable. We allocate partner revenue, where applicable, primarily based on each customer’s share of GMV processed through that partner’s solution. For partner revenue that is not directly linked to customer usage of a partner’s solution, we allocate such revenue based on each customer’s share of total platform GMV. Each account’s partner revenue allocation is calculated by taking the account’s trailing twelve-month partner revenue, then dividing by twelve to create a monthly average to apply to the applicable period in order to normalize ARPA for seasonality.

Adjusted EBITDA

We define Adjusted EBITDA as our net loss, excluding the impact of stock-based compensation expense and related payroll tax costs, amortization of intangible assets, acquisition related costs, restructuring charges, depreciation, gain on convertible notes extinguishment, interest income, interest expense, other expense, and our provision or benefit for income taxes.

Acquisition related costs include contingent compensation arrangements entered into in connection with acquisitions and achieved earnout related to an acquisition.

Restructuring charges include severance benefits, right-of-use asset impairments, lease termination gain, software impairments, accelerated depreciation and amortization, and professional services costs.

Depreciation includes depreciation expenses related to the Company’s fixed assets.

The most directly comparable GAAP measure is net loss.

Non-GAAP Operating Income (Loss)

We define Non-GAAP Operating Income (Loss) as our GAAP Loss from operations, excluding the impact of stock-based compensation expense and related payroll tax costs, amortization of intangible assets, acquisition related costs, and restructuring charges. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is our loss from operations.

Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss)

We define Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss) as our GAAP net loss, excluding the impact of stock-based compensation expense and related payroll tax costs, amortization of intangible assets, acquisition related costs, restructuring charges, and gain on convertible notes extinguishment. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is our net loss.

Non-GAAP Basic and Dilutive Net Income (Loss) per Share

We define Non-GAAP Basic and Dilutive Net Income (Loss) per Share as our Non-GAAP net income (loss), defined above, divided by our basic and diluted GAAP weighted average shares outstanding. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is our basic net loss per share.

Free Cash Flow

We define Free Cash flow as our GAAP cash flow provided by (used in) operating activities less our cash paid for website domain name and GAAP purchases of property, equipment, leasehold improvements and capitalized internal-use software (Capital Expenditures). The most directly comparable GAAP measure is our cash flow provided by (used in) operating activities.


BigCommerce Holdings, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands)

	March 31,			December 31,
	2025			2024
	(unaudited)
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	52,084		$	88,877
Restricted cash		1,164			1,479
Marketable securities		68,628			89,283
Accounts receivable, net		44,164			48,117
Prepaid expenses and other assets, net		18,575			14,641
Deferred commissions		8,065			8,822
Total current assets		192,680			251,219
Property and equipment, net		8,128			9,128
Operating lease, right-of-use-assets		7,447			1,993
Prepaid expenses and other assets, net of current portion		4,299			3,146
Deferred commissions, net of current portion		4,381			5,559
Intangible assets, net		17,426			17,317
Goodwill		51,927			51,927
Total assets	$	286,288		$	340,289
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	7,822		$	7,018
Accrued liabilities		2,760			3,194
Deferred revenue		48,658			46,590
Operating lease liabilities		2,006			2,438
Other liabilities		21,006			28,766
Total current liabilities		82,252			88,006
Convertible notes		157,788			216,466
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion		6,994			1,680
Other liabilities, net of current portion		1,179			768
Total liabilities		248,213			306,920
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock		7			7
Additional paid-in capital		659,985			654,905
Accumulated other comprehensive income		124			145
Accumulated deficit		(622,041	)		(621,688	)
Total stockholders’ equity		38,075			33,369
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	286,288		$	340,289


BigCommerce Holdings, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands, except per share amounts) (unaudited)

	For the three months ended March 31,
	2025			2024
Revenue	$	82,370		$	80,360
Cost of revenue ⁽¹⁾		16,984			18,439
Gross profit		65,386			61,921
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing⁽¹⁾		30,366			32,432
Research and development⁽¹⁾		19,206			19,988
General and administrative⁽¹⁾		13,644			14,929
Amortization of intangible assets		2,335			2,467
Acquisition related costs		333			333
Restructuring charges		1,912			0
Total operating expenses		67,796			70,149
Loss from operations		(2,410	)		(8,228	)
Gain on convertible note extinguishment		3,931			0
Interest income		1,300			3,178
Interest expense		(2,543	)		(720	)
Other expense		(107	)		(332	)
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes		171			(6,102	)
Provision for income taxes		(524	)		(290	)
Net loss	$	(353	)	$	(6,392	)
Basic net loss per share	$	(0.00	)	$	(0.08	)
Shares used to compute basic net loss per share		78,835			76,626

⁽¹⁾ Amounts include stock-based compensation expense and associated payroll tax costs, as follows:

	For the three months ended March 31,
	2025			2024
Cost of revenue	$	746		$	656
Sales and marketing		1,775			1,867
Research and development		3,042			3,476
General and administrative		(144	)		2,592


BigCommerce Holdings, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands) (unaudited)

	Three months ended March 31,
	2025			2024

Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss	$	(353	)	$	(6,392	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense		4,281			3,486
Amortization of discount on convertible notes		187			497
Amortization of premium on convertible notes		(402	)		0
Stock-based compensation expense		5,209			8,388
Provision for expected credit losses		930			863
Gain on convertible notes extinguishment		(3,931	)		0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		3,020			(2,588	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(5,084	)		(4,960	)
Deferred commissions		1,935			211
Accounts payable		678			(889	)
Accrued and other liabilities		(8,137	)		(4,601	)
Deferred revenue		2,068			2,568
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		401			(3,417	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash paid for website domain name		(2,444	)		0
Purchase of property, equipment, leasehold improvements and capitalized internal-use software		(825	)		(806	)
Maturity of marketable securities		28,579			29,440
Purchase of marketable securities		(7,945	)		(35,565	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		17,365			(6,931	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		1,096			974
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of stock options		(1,225	)		(1,325	)
Payment of convertible note issuance costs		(217	)	0
Repayment of convertible notes and financing obligation		(54,528	)		(134	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(54,874	)		(485	)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash		(37,108	)		(10,833	)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period		90,356			72,845
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	$	53,248		$	62,012
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	$	5,685		$	439
Cash paid for taxes	$	220		$	140
Right-of-use asset obtained in exchange for new operating lease liability	$	5,516		$	0
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Capital additions, accrued but not paid	$	205		$	0


BigCommerce Holdings, Inc. Disaggregation of Revenue

Disaggregated Revenue:

	Three months ended March 31,
*(in thousands)*	2025		2024
Subscription solutions	$	62,114	$	60,959
Partner and services		20,256		19,401
Revenue	$	82,370	$	80,360


Revenue by Geography:

	Three months ended March 31,
*(in thousands)*	2025		2024
Revenue:
United States	$	62,621	$	61,138
EMEA		9,965		9,192
APAC		5,925		6,254
Rest of World		3,859		3,776
Revenue	$	82,370	$	80,360


BigCommerce Holdings, Inc Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Results (in thousands, except per share amounts) (unaudited)

Reconciliation of loss from operations to Non-GAAP operating income:

	Three months ended March 31,
	2025			2024
*(in thousands)*
Revenue	$	82,370		$	80,360

Loss from operations	$	(2,410	)	$	(8,228	)
Plus:
Stock-based compensation expense and associated payroll tax costs		5,419			8,591
Amortization of intangible assets		2,335			2,467
Acquisition related costs		333			333
Restructuring charges		1,912			0
Non-GAAP operating income	$	7,589		$	3,163
Non-GAAP operating income as a percentage of revenue		9.2	%		3.9	%


Reconciliation of net loss & basic net loss per share to Non-GAAP net income & Non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per share:

	Three months ended March 31,
	2025			2024
*(in thousands)*
Revenue	$	82,370		$	80,360

Net loss	$	(353	)	$	(6,392	)
Plus:
Stock-based compensation expense and associated payroll tax costs		5,419			8,591
Amortization of intangible assets		2,335			2,467
Acquisition related costs		333			333
Restructuring charges		1,912			0
Gain on convertible notes extinguishment		(3,931	)		0
Non-GAAP net income	$	5,715		$	4,999
Basic net loss per share	$	(0.00	)	$	(0.08	)
Non-GAAP basic net income per share	$	0.07		$	0.07
Non-GAAP diluted net income per share	$	0.07		$	0.06
Shares used to compute basic net loss per share and basic Non-GAAP net income per share		78,835			76,626
Shares used to compute diluted Non-GAAP net income per share		80,464			78,521
Non-GAAP net income as a percentage of revenue		6.9	%		6.2	%


Reconciliation of net loss to adjusted EBITDA:

	Three months ended March 31,
	2025			2024
*(in thousands)*
Revenue	$	82,370		$	80,360

Net loss	$	(353	)	$	(6,392	)
Plus:
Stock-based compensation expense and associated payroll tax costs		5,419			8,591
Amortization of intangible assets		2,335			2,467
Acquisition related costs		333			333
Restructuring charges		1,912			0
Depreciation		1,244			1,019
Gain on convertible notes extinguishment		(3,931	)		0
Interest income		(1,300	)		(3,178	)
Interest expense		2,543			720
Other expenses		107			332
Provision for income taxes		524			290
Adjusted EBITDA	$	8,833		$	4,182
Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue		10.7	%		5.2	%


Reconciliation of Cost of revenue to Non-GAAP cost of revenue:

	Three months ended March 31,
	2025			2024
*(in thousands)*
Revenue	$	82,370		$	80,360

Cost of revenue	$	16,984		$	18,439
Less:
Stock-based compensation expense and associated payroll tax costs		746			656
Non-GAAP cost of revenue	$	16,238		$	17,783
As a percentage of revenue		19.7	%		22.1	%


Reconciliation of Sales and marketing expense to Non-GAAP sales and marketing expense:

	Three months ended March 31,
	2025			2024
*(in thousands)*
Revenue	$	82,370		$	80,360

Sales and marketing	$	30,366		$	32,432
Less:
Stock-based compensation expense and associated payroll tax costs		1,775			1,867
Non-GAAP sales and marketing	$	28,591		$	30,565
As a percentage of revenue		34.7	%		38.0	%


Reconciliation of Research and development expense to Non-GAAP research and development expense:

	Three months ended March 31,
	2025			2024
*(in thousands)*
Revenue	$	82,370		$	80,360

Research and development	$	19,206		$	19,988
Less:
Stock-based compensation expense and associated payroll tax costs		3,042			3,476
Non-GAAP research and development	$	16,164		$	16,512
As a percentage of revenue		19.6	%		20.5	%


Reconciliation of General and administrative expense to Non-GAAP general and administrative expense:

	Three months ended March 31,
	2025			2024
*(in thousands)*
Revenue	$	82,370		$	80,360

General & administrative	$	13,644		$	14,929
Less:
Stock-based compensation expense and associated payroll tax costs		(144	)		2,592
Non-GAAP general & administrative	$	13,788		$	12,337
As a percentage of revenue		16.7	%		15.4	%


Reconciliation of net cash provided by (used in) operating activities to free cash flow:
	Three months ended March 31,
	2025			2024
*(in thousands)*
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	401		$	(3,417	)
Cash paid for website domain name		(2,444	)		0
Purchase of property, equipment, leasehold improvements and capitalized internal-use software		(825	)		(806	)
Free cash flow	$	(2,868	)	$	(4,223	)

The MIL Network –

May 8, 2025

CONTACT:	Lynn Mailliard Kohler
	Director, Global Corporate Communications
	(415) 328-4798

Category: Commerce

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