Category: Economy

  • MIL-OSI: Baker Hughes Company Announces Third-Quarter 2024 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

     Third-quarter highlights

    • Orders of $6.7 billion, including $2.9 billion of IET orders.
    • RPO of $33.4 billion, including record IET RPO of $30.2 billion.
    • Revenue of $6.9 billion, up 4% year-over-year.
    • Attributable net income of $766 million.
    • GAAP diluted EPS of $0.77 and adjusted diluted EPS* of $0.67.
    • Adjusted EBITDA* of $1,208 million, up 23% year-over-year.
    • Cash flows from operating activities of $1,010 million and free cash flow* of $754 million.
    • Returns to shareholders of $361 million, including $152 million of share repurchases.

    HOUSTON and LONDON, Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Baker Hughes Company (Nasdaq: BKR) (“Baker Hughes” or the “Company”) announced results today for the third quarter of 2024.

    “We delivered another quarter of record EBITDA, highlighted by exceptional operational performance across both segments. Our margins continue to improve at an accelerated pace, with total company EBITDA margins increasing to 17.5%. This marks the highest margin quarter since the company was formed. On the back of our solid third-quarter results and stable outlook, we remain confident in achieving our full-year EBITDA guidance midpoint,” said Lorenzo Simonelli, Baker Hughes Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

    “Orders remain at solid levels, with IET orders of $2.9 billion marking the eighth consecutive quarter at or above these levels. IET continued to demonstrate strong order momentum for gas infrastructure and FPSOs, booking the largest ever ICL compressor award from Dubai Petroleum Establishment for the Margham Gas storage facility and two FPSO awards with separate offshore operators.”

    “Overall, our segments continue to make strong progress on their journey toward 20% EBITDA margins, with both segments achieving high-teen margins during the quarter. Our operational discipline and rigor continue to gain traction.”

    “We are also benefiting from the life-cycle attributes of our service offerings and the breadth of our portfolio. With significant recurring IET service revenue, strong production-levered businesses, untapped market opportunities, and improved cost structure, we are becoming less cyclical and capable of generating more durable earnings and free cash flow across cycles.”

    “We are successfully executing our strategy, and this is a testament to the strength of our people and the culture we are building,” concluded Simonelli.

    * Non-GAAP measure. See reconciliations in the section titled “Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

      Three Months Ended   Variance
    (in millions except per share amounts) September 30,
    2024
    June 30,
    2024
    September 30,
    2023
      Sequential Year-over-year
    Orders $ 6,676 $ 7,526 $ 8,512   (11%)   (22%)  
    Revenue   6,908   7,139   6,641   (3%)   4%  
    Net income attributable to Baker Hughes   766   579   518   32%   48%  
    Adjusted net income attributable to Baker Hughes*   666   568   427   17%   56%  
    Operating income   930   833   714   12%   30%  
    Adjusted operating income*   930   847   716   10%   30%  
    Adjusted EBITDA*   1,208   1,130   983   7%   23%  
    Diluted earnings per share (EPS)   0.77   0.58   0.51   33%   51%  
    Adjusted diluted EPS*   0.67   0.57   0.42   18%   59%  
    Cash flow from operating activities   1,010   348   811   F   25%  
    Free cash flow*   754   106   592   F   27%  

    * Non-GAAP measure. See reconciliations in the section titled “Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

    “F” is used when variance is above 100%. Additionally, “U” is used when variance is below (100)%.

    Certain columns and rows in our tables and financial statements may not sum up due to the use of rounded numbers.

    Quarter Highlights

    Industrial & Energy Technology (“IET”) experienced a strong quarter for its Integrated Compressor Line (“ICL”) technology. In its largest ICL award to-date, and booked under Climate Technology Solutions (“CTS”), Baker Hughes will supply 10 units to Dubai Petroleum Establishment for the Margham Gas storage facility. These ICL units will support gas infrastructure, providing stability to Dubai’s energy supply by strengthening the system’s ability to switch between natural gas and solar power.

    IET’s Gas Technology Equipment (“GTE”) was also awarded a significant contract to supply advanced compression solutions to Saipem for TotalEnergies’ all-electric Kaminho Floating Production Storage and Offloading (“FPSO”) project in Angola. Baker Hughes’ centrifugal BCL compressor and ICL technology were selected because of the capability to minimize greenhouse emissions and eliminate routine flaring by reinjecting associated gas into the reservoir for storage. Separately, IET was selected to provide electric motor-driven process compressors for an FPSO project in Latin America.

    IET’s Gas Technology Services (“GTS”) secured a multi-decade agreement for an LNG facility in the Middle East. The scope encompasses extensive maintenance services and digital solutions, leveraging Baker Hughes’ iCenter™ Remote Monitoring and Diagnostics capabilities.

    Oilfield Services & Equipment (“OFSE”) strengthened the Company’s relationship with Petrobras, receiving contracts to supply 43 miles of flexible pipe systems in Brazil’s Santos Basin. A significant portion of these risers and flowlines will be manufactured in-country at Baker Hughes’ Niteroi plant. The contracts, awarded through an open tender, include multi-year service agreements to support maintenance activities through the life of the project and demonstrate Baker Hughes’ dedication to providing equipment and services critical to help Petrobras achieve its strategic plan to expand operations.

    In OFSE, mature assets solutions (“MAS”) delivered a strong order quarter, illustrating confidence in the Company’s full range of workflows and solutions to accelerate production and total recovery. OFSE won a MAS award to supply Santos Energy’s strategic and historic Cooper Basin Development in Australia with drilling fluids and wireline services, marking Baker Hughes’ return to the basin. Additionally, OFSE signed a multi-year contract extension with a customer in the Middle East for completions and well intervention.

    Baker Hughes saw increased adoption of Leucipa™, the Company’s intelligent automated field production digital solution. A major global operator expanded the use of Leucipa across multiple fields in the Permian Basin, enabling the customer to optimize production through real-time field orchestration to generate lower-carbon, short-cycle barrels. Additionally, a new strategic collaboration was established early in the fourth quarter with Repsol, a major customer of Leucipa, to develop and deploy next-generation artificial intelligence capabilities for this digital solution. The companies will share knowledge and expertise to optimize and enhance production across Repsol’s global portfolio while creating new commercial opportunities for Baker Hughes.

    Baker Hughes continues to innovate new digital technologies to support customers on their decarbonization journey. The Company launched CarbonEdge™, powered by Cordant™, an end-to-end, risk-based digital solution that delivers precise, real-time data and alerts on carbon dioxide (CO2) flows across CCUS infrastructure from subsurface to surface. This solution enables operators to mitigate risk, improve decision-making, enhance operational efficiency, and simplify regulatory reporting across the entire project lifecycle.

    Consolidated Revenue and Operating Income by Reporting Segment

    (in millions) Three Months Ended   Variance
      September 30,
    2024
    June 30,
    2024
    September 30,
    2023
      Sequential Year-over-year
    Oilfield Services & Equipment $ 3,963   $ 4,011   $ 3,951     (1%)   —%  
    Industrial & Energy Technology   2,945     3,128     2,691     (6%)   9%  
    Segment revenue   6,908     7,139     6,641     (3%)   4%  
                 
    Oilfield Services & Equipment   547     493     465     11%   18%  
    Industrial & Energy Technology   474     442     346     7%   37%  
    Corporate(1)   (91 )   (88 )   (95 )   (3%)   4%  
    Restructuring, impairment & other       (14 )   (2 )   F   F  
    Operating income   930     833     714     12%   30%  
    Adjusted operating income*   930     847     716     10%   30%  
    Depreciation & amortization   278     283     267     (2%)   4%  
    Adjusted EBITDA* $ 1,208   $ 1,130   $ 983     7%   23%  

    * Non-GAAP measure. See reconciliations in the section titled “Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

    “F” is used when variance is above 100%. Additionally, “U” is used when variance is below (100)%.

    (1)   Corporate costs are primarily reported in “Selling, general and administrative” in the condensed consolidated statements of income (loss).

    Revenue for the quarter was $6,908 million, a decrease of 3% sequentially and an increase of 4% year-over-year. The increase in revenue year-over-year was driven by IET.

    The Company’s total book-to-bill ratio in the quarter was 1.0; the IET book-to-bill ratio in the quarter was also 1.0.

    Operating income as determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), for the third quarter of 2024 was $930 million. Operating income increased $97 million sequentially and increased $216 million year-over-year.

    Adjusted operating income (a non-GAAP financial measure) for the third quarter of 2024 was $930 million. There were no adjustments to operating income in the third quarter. A list of the adjusting items and associated reconciliation from GAAP has been provided in Table 1a in the section titled “Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Financial Measures.” Adjusted operating income for the third quarter of 2024 was up 10% sequentially and up 30% year-over-year.

    Depreciation and amortization for the third quarter of 2024 was $278 million.

    Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP financial measure) for the third quarter of 2024 was $1,208 million. There were no adjustments to EBITDA in the third quarter. See Table 1b in the section titled “Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Financial Measures.” Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter was up 7% sequentially and up 23% year-over-year.

    The sequential increase in adjusted operating income and adjusted EBITDA was driven by higher pricing in both segments and structural cost-out initiatives, partially offset by lower volume in both segments. The year-over-year increase in adjusted operating income and adjusted EBITDA was driven by higher pricing in both segments, higher volume in IET, and structural cost-out initiatives, partially offset by cost inflation in IET and unfavorable business mix in both segments.

    Other Financial Items

    Remaining Performance Obligations (“RPO”) in the third quarter ended at $33.4 billion, a decrease of $0.1 billion from the second quarter of 2024. OFSE RPO was $3.2 billion, down 5% sequentially, while IET RPO was $30.2 billion, up $44 million sequentially. Within IET RPO, GTE RPO was $11.9 billion and GTS RPO was $14.8 billion.

    Income tax expense in the third quarter of 2024 was $235 million.

    Other non-operating income in the third quarter of 2024 was $134 million. Included in other non-operating income were net mark-to-market gains in fair value for certain equity investments of $99 million.

    GAAP diluted earnings per share was $0.77. Adjusted diluted earnings per share (a non-GAAP financial measure) was $0.67. Excluded from adjusted diluted earnings per share were all items listed in Table 1c in the section titled “Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

    Cash flow from operating activities was $1,010 million for the third quarter of 2024. Free cash flow (a non-GAAP financial measure) for the quarter was $754 million. A reconciliation from GAAP has been provided in Table 1d in the section titled “Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

    Capital expenditures, net of proceeds from disposal of assets, were $256 million for the third quarter of 2024, of which $182 million for OFSE and $62 million for IET.

    Results by Reporting Segment
     

    The following segment discussions and variance explanations are intended to reflect management’s view of the relevant comparisons of financial results on a sequential or year-over-year basis, depending on the business dynamics of the reporting segments.

    Oilfield Services & Equipment

    (in millions) Three Months Ended   Variance
    Segment results September 30,
    2024
    June 30,
    2024
    September 30,
    2023
      Sequential Year-over-year
    Orders $ 3,807   $ 4,068   $ 4,178     (6%)   (9%)  
    Revenue $ 3,963   $ 4,011   $ 3,951     (1%)   —%  
    Operating income $ 547   $ 493   $ 465     11%   18%  
    Operating margin   13.8 %   12.3 %   11.8 %   1.5pts   2pts  
    Depreciation & amortization $ 218   $ 223   $ 206     (2%)   6%  
    EBITDA* $ 765   $ 716   $ 670     7%   14%  
    EBITDA margin*   19.3 %   17.8 %   17.0 %   1.5pts   2.3pts  
    (in millions) Three Months Ended   Variance
    Revenue by Product Line September 30,
    2024
    June 30,
    2024
    September 30,
    2023
      Sequential Year-over-year
    Well Construction $ 1,050 $ 1,090 $ 1,128   (4%)   (7%)  
    Completions, Intervention & Measurements   1,009   1,118   1,085   (10%)   (7%)  
    Production Solutions   983   958   967   3%   2%  
    Subsea & Surface Pressure Systems   921   845   770   9%   20%  
    Total Revenue $ 3,963 $ 4,011 $ 3,951   (1%)   —%  
    (in millions) Three Months Ended   Variance
    Revenue by Geographic Region September 30,
    2024
    June 30,
    2024
    September 30,
    2023
      Sequential Year-over-year
    North America $ 971 $ 1,023 $ 1,064   (5%)   (9%)  
    Latin America   648   663   695   (2%)   (7%)  
    Europe/CIS/Sub-Saharan Africa   933   827   695   13%   34%  
    Middle East/Asia   1,411   1,498   1,497   (6%)   (6%)  
    Total Revenue $ 3,963 $ 4,011 $ 3,951   (1%)   —%  
                 
    North America $ 971 $ 1,023 $ 1,064   (5%)   (9%)  
    International   2,992   2,988   2,887   —%   4%  

    * Non-GAAP measure. See reconciliations in the section titled “Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Financial Measures.” EBITDA margin is defined as EBITDA divided by revenue.

    OFSE orders of $3,807 million for the third quarter decreased by $261 million sequentially. Subsea and Surface Pressure Systems orders were $776 million, down 13% sequentially, and down 23% year-over-year.

    OFSE revenue of $3,963 million for the third quarter was down 1% sequentially, and up $12 million year-over-year.

    North America revenue was $971 million, down 5% sequentially. International revenue was $2,992 million, an increase of $4 million sequentially, driven by growth in Europe/CIS/Sub-Saharan Africa regions partially offset by decline in Middle East/Asia.

    Segment operating income for the third quarter was $547 million, an increase of $54 million, or 11%, sequentially. Segment EBITDA for the third quarter was $765 million, an increase of $49 million, or 7% sequentially. The sequential increase in segment operating income and EBITDA was driven by positive price and productivity, partially offset by pressure from negative business mix and lower volume.

    Industrial & Energy Technology

    (in millions) Three Months Ended   Variance
    Segment results September 30,
    2024
    June 30,
    2024
    September 30,
    2023
      Sequential Year-over-year
    Orders $ 2,868   $ 3,458   $ 4,334     (17%)   (34%)  
    Revenue $ 2,945   $ 3,128   $ 2,691     (6%)   9%  
    Operating income $ 474   $ 442   $ 346     7%   37%  
    Operating margin   16.1 %   14.1 %   12.9 %   2pts   3.2pts  
    Depreciation & amortization $ 54   $ 55   $ 57     (2%)   (6%)  
    EBITDA* $ 528   $ 497   $ 403     6%   31%  
    EBITDA margin*   17.9 %   15.9 %   15.0 %   2pts   2.9pts  
    (in millions) Three Months Ended   Variance
    Orders by Product Line September 30,
    2024
    June 30,
    2024
    September 30,
    2023
      Sequential Year-over-year
    Gas Technology Equipment $ 1,088 $ 1,493 $ 2,813   (27%)   (61%)  
    Gas Technology Services   778   769   724   1%   7%  
    Total Gas Technology   1,866   2,261   3,537   (17%)   (47%)  
    Industrial Products   494   524   477   (6%)   4%  
    Industrial Solutions   293   281   271   4%   8%  
    Total Industrial Technology   787   805   748   (2%)   5%  
    Climate Technology Solutions   215   392   49   (45%)   F  
    Total Orders $ 2,868 $ 3,458 $ 4,334   (17%)   (34%)  
    (in millions) Three Months Ended   Variance
    Revenue by Product Line September 30,
    2024
    June 30,
    2024
    September 30,
    2023
      Sequential Year-over-year
    Gas Technology Equipment $ 1,281 $ 1,539 $ 1,227   (17%)   4%  
    Gas Technology Services   697   691   637   1%   9%  
    Total Gas Technology   1,978   2,230   1,865   (11%)   6%  
    Industrial Products   520   509   520   2%   —%  
    Industrial Solutions   257   262   243   (2%)   6%  
    Total Industrial Technology   777   770   763   1%   2%  
    Climate Technology Solutions   191   128   63   49%   F  
    Total Revenue $ 2,945 $ 3,128 $ 2,691   (6%)   9%  

    * Non-GAAP measure. See reconciliations in the section titled “Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Financial Measures.” EBITDA margin is defined as EBITDA divided by revenue.

    “F” is used when variance is above 100%. Additionally, “U” is used when variance is below (100)%.

    IET orders of $2,868 million for the third quarter decreased by $1,465 million, or 34% year-over-year. The decrease was driven primarily by GTE orders which were down $1,725 million or 61% year-over-year.

    IET revenue of $2,945 million for the quarter increased $254 million, or 9% year-over-year. The increase was driven primarily by Climate Technology Solutions, up favorably year-over-year, and by Gas Technology, up 6% year-over-year.

    Segment operating income for the quarter was $474 million, up 37% year-over-year. Segment EBITDA for the quarter was $528 million, up $125 million, or 31% year-over-year. The year-over-year increase in segment operating income and EBITDA was primarily driven by higher volume, pricing and productivity, partially offset by cost inflation.

    Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Financial Measures
     

    Management provides non-GAAP financial measures because it believes such measures are widely accepted financial indicators used by investors and analysts to analyze and compare companies on the basis of operating performance (including adjusted operating income; EBITDA; EBITDA margin; adjusted EBITDA; adjusted net income attributable to Baker Hughes; and adjusted diluted earnings per share) and liquidity (free cash flow) and that these measures may be used by investors to make informed investment decisions. Management believes that the exclusion of certain identified items from several key operating performance measures enables us to evaluate our operations more effectively, to identify underlying trends in the business, and to establish operational goals for certain management compensation purposes. Management also believes that free cash flow is an important supplemental measure of our cash performance but should not be considered as a measure of residual cash flow available for discretionary purposes, or as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities presented in accordance with GAAP.

    Table 1a. Reconciliation of GAAP and Adjusted Operating Income

      Three Months Ended
    (in millions) September 30,
    2024
    June 30,
    2024
    September 30,
    2023
    Operating income (GAAP) $ 930 $ 833 $ 714
    Restructuring, impairment & other     14   2
    Total operating income adjustments     14   2
    Adjusted operating income (non-GAAP) $ 930 $ 847 $ 716

    Table 1a reconciles operating income, which is the directly comparable financial result determined in accordance with GAAP, to adjusted operating income. Adjusted operating income excludes the impact of certain identified items.

    Table 1b. Reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to Baker Hughes to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

      Three Months Ended
    (in millions) September 30,
    2024
    June 30,
    2024
    September 30,
    2023
    Net income attributable to Baker Hughes (GAAP) $ 766   $ 579   $ 518  
    Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests   8     2     6  
    Provision for income taxes   235     243     235  
    Interest expense, net   55     47     49  
    Other non-operating income, net   (134 )   (38 )   (94 )
    Operating income (GAAP)   930     833     714  
           
    Depreciation & amortization   278     283     267  
    EBITDA (non-GAAP)   1,208     1,116     981  
    Total operating income adjustments(1)       14     2  
    Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) $ 1,208   $ 1,130   $ 983  

    (1)   See Table 1a for the identified adjustments to operating income.

    Table 1b reconciles net income attributable to Baker Hughes, which is the directly comparable financial result determined in accordance with GAAP, to EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA excludes the impact of certain identified items.

    Table 1c. Reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to Baker Hughes to Adjusted Net Income Attributable to Baker Hughes

      Three Months Ended
    (in millions, except per share amounts) September 30,
    2024
    June 30,
    2024
    September 30,
    2023
    Net income attributable to Baker Hughes (GAAP) $ 766   $ 579   $ 518  
    Total operating income adjustments(1)       14     2  
    Other adjustments (non-operating)(2)   (99 )   (19 )   (95 )
    Tax adjustments(3)   (1 )   (6 )   2  
    Total adjustments, net of income tax   (100 )   (11 )   (91 )
    Less: adjustments attributable to noncontrolling interests            
    Adjustments attributable to Baker Hughes   (100 )   (11 )   (91 )
    Adjusted net income attributable to Baker Hughes (non-GAAP) $ 666   $ 568   $ 427  
           
           
    Denominator:      
    Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock outstanding diluted   999     1,001     1,017  
    Adjusted earnings per share – diluted (non-GAAP) $ 0.67   $ 0.57   $ 0.42  

    (1)   See Table 1a for the identified adjustments to operating income.

    (2)   All periods primarily reflect the net gain or loss on changes in fair value for certain equity investments.

    (3)   All periods reflect the tax associated with the other operating and non-operating adjustments.

    Table 1c reconciles net income attributable to Baker Hughes, which is the directly comparable financial result determined in accordance with GAAP, to adjusted net income attributable to Baker Hughes. Adjusted net income attributable to Baker Hughes excludes the impact of certain identified items.

    Table 1d. Reconciliation of Net Cash Flows From Operating Activities to Free Cash Flow

      Three Months Ended
    (in millions) September 30,
    2024
    June 30,
    2024
    September 30,
    2023
    Net cash flows from operating activities (GAAP) $ 1,010   $ 348   $ 811  
    Add: cash used for capital expenditures, net of proceeds from disposal of assets   (256 )   (242 )   (219 )
    Free cash flow (non-GAAP) $ 754   $ 106   $ 592  

    Table 1d reconciles net cash flows from operating activities, which is the directly comparable financial result determined in accordance with GAAP, to free cash flow. Free cash flow is defined as net cash flows from operating activities less expenditures for capital assets plus proceeds from disposal of assets.

    Financial Tables (GAAP)
     
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss)
     
    (Unaudited)
      Three Months Ended
    September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
    (In millions, except per share amounts)   2024     2023     2024     2023  
    Revenue $ 6,908   $ 6,641   $ 20,465   $ 18,671  
    Costs and expenses:        
    Cost of revenue   5,366     5,298     16,155     14,867  
    Selling, general and administrative   612     627     1,873     1,977  
    Restructuring, impairment and other       2     21     161  
    Total costs and expenses   5,978     5,927     18,049     17,005  
    Operating income   930     714     2,416     1,666  
    Other non-operating income, net   134     94     200     638  
    Interest expense, net   (55 )   (49 )   (143 )   (171 )
    Income before income taxes   1,009     759     2,473     2,133  
    Provision for income taxes   (235 )   (235 )   (656 )   (614 )
    Net income   774     524     1,817     1,519  
    Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests   8     6     17     16  
    Net income attributable to Baker Hughes Company $ 766   $ 518   $ 1,800   $ 1,503  
             
    Per share amounts:      
    Basic income per Class A common stock $ 0.77   $ 0.51   $ 1.81   $ 1.49  
    Diluted income per Class A common stock $ 0.77   $ 0.51   $ 1.80   $ 1.48  
             
    Weighted average shares:        
    Class A basic   993     1,009     996     1,010  
    Class A diluted   999     1,017     1,001     1,016  
             
    Cash dividend per Class A common stock $ 0.21   $ 0.20   $ 0.63   $ 0.58  
             
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
     
    (Unaudited)
    (In millions) September 30,
    2024
    December 31,
    2023
    ASSETS
    Current Assets:    
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,664 $ 2,646
    Current receivables, net   6,920   7,075
    Inventories, net   5,254   5,094
    All other current assets   1,730   1,486
    Total current assets   16,568   16,301
    Property, plant and equipment, less accumulated depreciation   5,150   4,893
    Goodwill   6,167   6,137
    Other intangible assets, net   3,995   4,093
    Contract and other deferred assets   1,904   1,756
    All other assets   3,746   3,765
    Total assets $ 37,530 $ 36,945
    LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
    Current Liabilities:    
    Accounts payable $ 4,431 $ 4,471
    Short-term and current portion of long-term debt   52   148
    Progress collections and deferred income   5,685   5,542
    All other current liabilities   2,622   2,830
    Total current liabilities   12,790   12,991
    Long-term debt   5,984   5,872
    Liabilities for pensions and other postretirement benefits   991   978
    All other liabilities   1,422   1,585
    Equity   16,343   15,519
    Total liabilities and equity $ 37,530 $ 36,945
         
    Outstanding Baker Hughes Company shares:    
    Class A common stock   989   998
             
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
     
    (Unaudited)
      Three Months
    Ended
    September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
    (In millions)   2024     2024     2023  
    Cash flows from operating activities:      
    Net income $ 774   $ 1,817   $ 1,519  
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:      
    Depreciation and amortization   278     844     813  
    Stock-based compensation cost   53     154     148  
    Gain on equity securities   (99 )   (171 )   (639 )
    Provision for deferred income taxes   2     35     68  
    Other asset impairments           43  
    Working capital   (21 )   (57 )   19  
    Other operating items, net   23     (480 )   159  
    Net cash flows provided by operating activities   1,010     2,142     2,130  
    Cash flows from investing activities:      
    Expenditures for capital assets   (300 )   (925 )   (868 )
    Proceeds from disposal of assets   44     145     150  
    Proceeds from sale of equity securities       21     372  
    Proceeds from business dispositions           293  
    Net cash paid for acquisitions           (301 )
    Other investing items, net   (13 )   (40 )   (149 )
    Net cash flows used in investing activities   (269 )   (799 )   (503 )
    Cash flows from financing activities:      
    Repayment of long-term debt   (9 )   (134 )    
    Dividends paid   (209 )   (628 )   (586 )
    Repurchase of Class A common stock   (152 )   (476 )   (219 )
    Other financing items, net   6     (55 )   (56 )
    Net cash flows used in financing activities   (364 )   (1,293 )   (861 )
    Effect of currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   3     (32 )   (53 )
    Increase in cash and cash equivalents   380     18     713  
    Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   2,284     2,646     2,488  
    Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 2,664   $ 2,664   $ 3,201  
    Supplemental cash flows disclosures:      
    Income taxes paid, net of refunds $ 397   $ 733   $ 463  
    Interest paid $ 49   $ 199   $ 205  
                       

    Supplemental Financial Information

    Supplemental financial information can be found on the Company’s website at: investors.bakerhughes.com in the Financial Information section under Quarterly Results.

    Conference Call and Webcast

    The Company has scheduled an investor conference call to discuss management’s outlook and the results reported in today’s earnings announcement. The call will begin at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time, 8:30 a.m. Central time on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, the content of which is not part of this earnings release. The conference call will be broadcast live via a webcast and can be accessed by visiting the Events and Presentations page on the Company’s website at: investors.bakerhughes.com. An archived version of the webcast will be available on the website for one month following the webcast.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This news release (and oral statements made regarding the subjects of this release) may contain 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, (each a “forward-looking statement”). Forward-looking statements concern future circumstances and results and other statements that are not historical facts and are sometimes identified by the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “potential,” “intend,” “expect,” “would,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “overestimate,” “underestimate,” “believe,” “could,” “project,” “predict,” “continue,” “target”, “goal” or other similar words or expressions. There are many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are also affected by the risk factors described in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the annual period ended December 31, 2023 and those set forth from time to time in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The documents are available through the Company’s website at: http://www.investors.bakerhughes.com or through the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering and Analysis Retrieval system at: http://www.sec.gov. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements.

    Our expectations regarding our business outlook and business plans; the business plans of our customers; oil and natural gas market conditions; cost and availability of resources; economic, legal and regulatory conditions, and other matters are only our forecasts regarding these matters.

    These forward-looking statements, including forecasts, may be substantially different from actual results, which are affected by many risks, along with the following risk factors and the timing of any of these risk factors:

    • Economic and political conditions – the impact of worldwide economic conditions and rising inflation; the effect that declines in credit availability may have on worldwide economic growth and demand for hydrocarbons; foreign currency exchange fluctuations and changes in the capital markets in locations where we operate; and the impact of government disruptions and sanctions.
    • Orders and RPO – our ability to execute on orders and RPO in accordance with agreed specifications, terms and conditions and convert those orders and RPO to revenue and cash.
    • Oil and gas market conditions – the level of petroleum industry exploration, development and production expenditures; the price of, volatility in pricing of, and the demand for crude oil and natural gas; drilling activity; drilling permits for and regulation of the shelf and the deepwater drilling; excess productive capacity; crude and product inventories; liquefied natural gas supply and demand; seasonal and other adverse weather conditions that affect the demand for energy; severe weather conditions, such as tornadoes and hurricanes, that affect exploration and production activities; Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”) policy and the adherence by OPEC nations to their OPEC production quotas.
    • Terrorism and geopolitical risks – war, military action, terrorist activities or extended periods of international conflict, particularly involving any petroleum-producing or consuming regions, including Russia and Ukraine; and the recent conflict in the Middle East; labor disruptions, civil unrest or security conditions where we operate; potentially burdensome taxation, expropriation of assets by governmental action; cybersecurity risks and cyber incidents or attacks; epidemic outbreaks.

    About Baker Hughes:

    Baker Hughes (Nasdaq: BKR) is an energy technology company that provides solutions for energy and industrial customers worldwide. Built on a century of experience and conducting business in over 120 countries, our innovative technologies and services are taking energy forward – making it safer, cleaner and more efficient for people and the planet. Visit us at bakerhughes.com

    For more information, please contact:

    Investor Relations

    Chase Mulvehill
    +1 346-297-2561
    investor.relations@bakerhughes.com

    Media Relations

    Adrienne Lynch
    +1 713-906-8407
    adrienne.lynch@bakerhughes.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Governments launch largest review of sector since privatisation

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The UK and Welsh Governments have introduced major legislation with new powers to bring criminal charges against water executives and a ban on bonuses.

    An Independent Commission into the water sector and its regulation will be launched by the government tomorrow (Wednesday 23 October), in what is expected to form the largest review of the industry since privatisation.   

    The Commission forms the next stage in the Government’s long-term approach to ensuring we have a sufficiently robust and stable regulatory framework to attract the investment needed to clean up our waterways, speed up infrastructure delivery and restore public confidence in the sector. 

    It follows the Government’s inaugural International Investment Summit last week at which the Prime Minister spoke of the need for regulation and regulators to support growth and investment in the UK.  

    Launched by the UK and Welsh governments, the Commission will report back next year with recommendations to the Government on how to tackle inherited systemic issues in the water sector to restore our rivers, lakes and seas to good health, meet the challenges of the future and drive economic growth. 

    These recommendations will form the basis of further legislation to attract long-term investment and clean up our waters for good – injecting billions of pounds into the economy, speeding up delivery on infrastructure to support house building and addressing water scarcity, given the country needs to source an additional 5 billion litres of water a day by 2050.  

    Former Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, Jon Cunliffe, will chair the Commission. With several decades of economic and regulatory experience, his appointment demonstrates the Government’s serious ambitions.  

    The Commission will draw upon a panel of experts from across the regulatory, environment, health, engineering, customer, investor and economic sectors. It forms part of the Government’s reset of the water sector by establishing a new partnership between government, water companies, customers, investors, and all those who enjoy our waters and work to protect our environment.  

    Launching the review, Secretary of State Steve Reed said:    

    Our waterways are polluted and our water system urgently needs fixing.   

    That is why today we have launched a Water Commission to attract the investment we need to clean up our waterways and rebuild our broken water infrastructure.  

    The Commission’s findings will help shape new legislation to reform the water sector so it properly serves the interests of customers and the environment. 

    Water Commission Chair Sir Jon Cunliffe said:  

    I’m honoured to be appointed as chair of the government’s new Water Commission. It is vital we deliver a better system to attract stable investment and speed up the building of water infrastructure.

    Working over many years in the public sector, in environment, transport and the Treasury, and the Bank of England, I have seen how the regulation of private firms can be fundamental to incentivising performance and innovation, securing resilience and delivering public policy objectives.  

    I am looking forward to working with experts from across the water sector, from environment and customer groups and investors, to help deliver a water sector that works successfully for both customers, investors and our natural environment.

    Huw Irranca Davies, Wales’ Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, added:  

    This vital review couldn’t come at a more urgent time for our water environment and water industry.      

    This shows the fresh approach of our two governments working together on an issue which affects us all as consumers, investors and as stewards of the natural world.   

    Both the Welsh and UK Governments are determined to improve water quality and the resilience of the water sector for future generations. We have clear priorities for reform and a shared sense of the work needed across both countries’ policy and regulatory regimes to make this change happen.

    A set of recommendations will be delivered to the Defra Secretary of State, and Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs next year. The UK Government and Welsh Government will then respond with the proposals they intend to take forward.  

    The objectives of the Commission are to recommend measures to ensure the regulatory system delivers:  

    • Clear Vision: Establishing clear outcomes for the future and a long-term vision for delivering environmental, public health, customer, and economic outcomes.  

    • Strategic Planning: Adopting a collaborative, strategic, catchment approach to managing water, tackling pollution and restoring nature.  

    • Better Regulation: Rationalising and clarifying requirements for companies to secure better customer and environmental outcomes. 

    • Empowered Regulators: Ensuring regulators are effective in holding water companies accountable, for example for illegal pollution.    

    • Improved Delivery: Enhancing the sector’s ability to meet obligations, including clean rivers, lakes, and seas, while driving innovation. 

    • Stable Framework: Ensuring a regulatory environment that attracts investment and supports financial resilience for water companies.  

    • Consumer Protection: Safeguarding consumer interests and affordability through transparent and fair governance.  

    • Resilient Infrastructure: Delivering and maintaining robust infrastructure on time, anticipating future needs and climate challenges.   

    The independent commission is the third stage of the government’s water strategy. In his first week in office, the Secretary of State secured an agreement from water companies and Ofwat to ringfence money for vital infrastructure upgrades so it cannot be diverted to shareholder payouts and bonus payments.   

    In just 70 days, the Government also introduced the Water (Special Measures) Bill, which sets out tough new measures to crack down on water companies failing their customers. This includes:    

    • Bringing criminal charges against persistent lawbreakers, including imprisonment.  

    • Strengthening regulation to ensure water bosses face personal criminal liability for lawbreaking.  

    • Giving the water regulator new powers to ban the payment of bonuses if environmental standards are not met.  

    • Boost accountability for water executives through a new ‘code of conduct’ for water companies, so customers can summon board members and hold executives to account.  

    • Introduce new powers to bring automatic and severe fines.  

    • Require water companies to install real-time monitors at every sewage outlet with data independently scrutinised by the water regulators.  

    In addition, the cost recovery powers of regulators will be expanded to ensure that water companies bear the cost of enforcement action taken in response to their failings. The Environment Agency will undertake a consultation on the implementation of these new powers.

    Further quotes

    Jon Phillips, Chief Executive of the Global Infrastructure Investor Association said:

    The Secretary of State should be congratulated for acting swiftly to put in place this much needed review and reset of the water sector. No parties involved in the sector can be happy with the current arrangements, and that includes investors whose capital is vital to addressing current and future environmental challenges.

    The government has heard loud and clear that the sector needs both a long-term plan and a regulatory framework that places greater emphasis on attracting investment. We look forward to the opportunity to support the Commission’s work and hope that its findings can be put into practice at the earliest opportunity.

    Gail Davies-Walsh, CEO of Afonydd Cymru, said:

    This independent review of Welsh and English water companies is very welcome news and something that we hope will ultimately result in a much needed boost for river health.

    We would like to understand how long-term water company investment can be secured to deliver the environmental performance that we need.

    Afonydd Cymru welcome the collaboration of Welsh Government and the UK Government on this matter, particularly given the current cross-border management issues that hinder river restoration efforts.

    Richard Benwell, CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said:

    The water sector is a perfect example of where stronger, better enforced regulation can drive up investment and drive down pollution.

    We welcome this significant review as the next step in Defra’s work to clean up our water environment. We’ll be looking for strong new rules that tie the industry into environmental investment and improve the way that money is spent in every river catchment to deliver quick, clean results for nature and communities.

    Jamie Cook, CEO of Angling Trust, said:

    The Angling Community has been calling for a root and branch review of Britain’s failing water sector, so we are pleased the Government has moved swiftly to set up an independent commission to deliver this.

    However, there is inevitably going to be a difficult balancing act between economic, consumer and environmental priorities that this review will need to address. We are pleased the views of water users, like the two million anglers, are going to be a key part of this review. 

    The Angling Trust is committed to working with the commission to ensure the health of our rivers, lakes and seas remains front and centre of its work.

    Mark Lloyd, CEO of Rivers Trust, said:

    35 years after water privatisation, this review is long overdue, which makes it even more welcome.  Our rivers have been flatlining for far too long, alongside the failure of our current systems to manage ageing infrastructure and population increase they face huge strategic challenges from climate change and biodiversity decline.

    Incremental policy tweaks will not fix our water system, and the review must look beyond the water industry to include land and water management in both urban and rural areas.  There needs to be much more focus on delivery of cost-effective solutions, through an integrated systems approach. 

    We will be keeping a close eye on the work of the commission to ensure it considers land use, nature, drought, flood and pollution in concert, because they are all intrinsically linked.  We look forward to working closely with Sir Jon Cunliffe and his team on a new system.

    Nicci Russell, CEO of Waterwise, said:

    We welcome this review, its wide scope and the collaborative way the government is approaching it. We agree with the government that now is the time for a reset in the water sector – nothing happens without water, so access to water needs to be at the heart of everything the government does.

    We will aim to put water efficiency at the heart of the Commission’s work, and look forward to working with Sir Jon and his team of experts to do this. The first objective in our Water Efficiency Strategy to 2030 is that governments and regulators show clear, visible leadership for water efficiency and reflect this in their policy and regulatory frameworks. 

    We are also delighted to see that Ministers are placing environmental and social outcomes as equally important to economic ones – because nothing happens without water. This is a great opportunity for the water sector to play a part in the Government’s mission of national renewal – not just in delivering a vital public service, but also in playing a proactive role to ensure a just society and a strong economy.

    Joan Edwards, Director Policy and Public Affairs at The Wildlife Trusts, said:

    This review comes not a moment too soon, given the precarious and polluted state of our waters, and the looming threat of future water shortages.

    It’s crucial that regulation drives companies to invest in the solutions that can best deliver improvements for nature at the same time as limiting bill increases.

    We look forward to supporting the Commission’s work by feeding in on the importance of a healthy environment and the changes needed to get us there.

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Export Market Development Grants open for applications soon

    Source: Minister for Trade

    The next round of the Australian Government’s Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) program will open for applications in early November.

    The EMDG program has been helping Australian businesses go global for almost half a century.

    Recent changes to the program will deliver larger grants to eligible businesses, helping them expand their markets, and export their goods around the world.

    Applications will open on the following dates across the different grant categories:

    • Representative bodies, applications open 10am (AEDT) on 6 November.
    • Tier 1 – ready to export, applications open 10am (AEDT) on 12 November.
    • Tier 2 – exporting within existing markets, applications open 10am (AEDT) on 12 November.
    • Tier 3 – exporting to new key markets, applications open 10am (AEDT) on 12 November.

    Austrade will issue grant agreements to successful applicants for up to 2 years for planned eligible expenditure in 2025-26 and 2026-27, with over $100 million available in each financial year. Austrade will close applications in each tier once the funding is allocated.

    As this is the first time the new guidelines are in place for a round, I encourage businesses and representative bodies to prepare to apply well in advance and have their digital identity ready.

    There are a range of resources available to help businesses get ready to apply. The Grant Guidelines and other program resources are available on the Austrade website to help you understand program eligibility for each tier, and how to apply.

    New to export businesses that wish to apply in Tier 1 can complete a free export readiness test and/or Austrade-recognised export training courses available in the Australian Government’s Go Global Toolkit.

    On October 30th and 31st, Austrade will host public webinars to demonstrate how to complete and submit an application online. These webinars are tailored to each of the specific tiers.

    Register to attend at: Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) webinars – how to submit your online application.

    Questions about the program can also be directed to EMDG.help@austrade.gov.au.

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Note to Correspondents: Joint communiqué of the 8th AU-UN Annual Conference

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    1. On 21 October 2024, the African Union Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat and the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres convened the Eighth African Union-United Nations Annual Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. They noted with deep concern the current state of peace and security globally, including armed conflicts and humanitarian crises, and in some cases profound disregard for international law and the shared principles of the two organizations.

    2. The Chairperson and the Secretary-General reviewed progress in the implementation of the “Joint UN-AU Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security,” the “AU-UN Framework for the Implementation of Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” and the “AU-UN Joint Framework on Human Rights.” They welcomed the progress made in the implementation of the three joint frameworks.

    3. The Chairperson and the Secretary-General welcomed the convening of the HighLevel Strategic Dialogue on Sustainable Development co-chaired by the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, which seeks to advance strategic coordination and alignment within the context of the African Union-United Nations Framework for the Implementation of Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They reiterated their commitment to deliver socio-economic development and prosperity in line with the AU Agenda 2063 and UN 2030 Agenda. They welcomed the formulation of the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063 and emphasized the need for the timely and effective implementation of the Plan, as well as a stronger working relationship between the AU and the UN at the continental, regional and national level in its realization towards Africa’s accelerated socio-economic transformation and development. In this regard, they saluted the decision of the AU-UN High-level Strategic Dialogue to engage the African Women Leaders Network to support the mainstreaming of gender throughout the AU-UN strategic coordination process. The Chairperson and the Secretary-General welcomed the progress made, and called for the full operationalization of mechanisms of the five thematic ‘college–to–college’ formations.

    4. The Chairperson and the Secretary-General noted their concern that the absence of fiscal space in African countries to invest in sustainable development continues to undermine progress in the implementation of Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda and called on Member States to approach the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development with the level of ambition needed to achieve transformative results. They reaffirmed the commitment of the African Union and the United Nations to jointly advocate for urgent measures to generate fiscal space, such as the SDG Stimulus and the reform of the international financial architecture. They reaffirmed the readiness of the two organizations to jointly support African Member States in strengthening their domestic resource mobilization systems to ensure the long-term sustainability of financing for development, including the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) convened by the UN Global Compact in collaboration with UN partner agencies.

    5. The Annual Conference welcomed the African Union’s membership of the G20 and the commitment of the United Nations to work with and support the African Union in ensuring that Africa’s needs, interests and priorities are well articulated and take the center-stage in the processes, agenda, deliberations and outcomes of the G20 meetings.

    6. The Chairperson and the Secretary-General welcomed the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations on 22 September, noting that they open pathways to new possibilities and opportunities towards a more effective, inclusive, networked multilateral system that is better equipped to effectively respond to today’s and tomorrow’s political, economic, environmental and technological challenges. They called for urgent and concerted action to implement all agreed commitments.

    7. The Annual Conference underscored the primacy of political solutions and the need to strengthen the capacities of both organizations in preventive diplomacy and mediation. The Annual Conference emphasized the imperative to prioritize good offices missions, and further strengthen collaboration between Africa Union and United Nations Special Representatives and Envoys deployed in various parts of the continent.

    8. The Annual Conference welcomed the ongoing initiatives in promoting the Women Peace and Security and the Youth Peace and Security agendas, as well as protection of children in conflict situations. They reiterated the importance of consolidating and building on the gains made in promoting inclusive political processes through effective engagement and participation of women and the youth in peace processes at the technical, operational, decision-making and policymaking levels.

    9. The Chairperson and the Secretary-General welcomed the ongoing elaboration of the Common African Position on Climate, Peace and Security, which would represent not only a global precedent, but also an important step for mitigation and adaptation strategies on the continent. They underscored the importance of the Common African Position both as a means of underscoring the effects of climate change on Africa’s peace, security, and development efforts, and as a means to strengthen Africa’s calls for support in its sustainable development and for equity in the name of climate justice. In particular, the Annual Conference highlighted the risks posed by the aggravating water crisis across the continent, and called for greater collaboration between the AU and the UN to overcome the crisis. The Annual Conference also looked forward to the outcome of the Ninth Session of the Africa Regional Platform and the High-Level Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction, scheduled for the 21-24 October in Namibia, and in this context called for the accelerated development of early warning systems, to attain the goal of universal coverage by 2027.

    10.The Chairperson and the Secretary-General welcomed the adoption of United Nations Security Council resolution 2719 (2023) which represents a significant milestone toward ensuring adequate, predictable and sustainable funding for African Union-led peace support operations. They further recognized that the resolution provides opportunities to strengthen the partnership between the two organizations in peace and security under Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, whilst ensuring that peace operations in general adapt to present day realities. The Annual Conference endorsed the joint AU-UN roadmap on the operationalization of resolution 2719 (2023). The Annual Conference reaffirmed the preservation of the comparative advantages and complementarity of the African Union and the United Nations, based on their respective mandates, principles and shared objectives. It underscored the importance of the implementation of the resolution, whilst maintaining an integrated approach in addressing conflict situations comprehensively, by ensuring that capacities, systems, procedures and processes, as well as joint accountability and institutional readiness continue to be strengthened for the delivery and sustainment of African Union-led peace support operations deployed under resolution 2719 (2023).

    11.The Annual Conference expressed grave concern about the stalled political transition processes in Burkina Faso, Gabon, Guinea, Mali, Niger and Sudan, and called for the timely and peaceful return to constitutional order in these countries. The Annual Conference also noted with concern the heightened instability and insecurity, as well as the shrinking civic space in the affected States. The Annual Conference recognized the importance of dialogue and collaboration between affected States and sub-regional, continental, and global organizations in addressing the political, peace, security, development and human rights challenges.

    12.The Chairperson and the Secretary-General considered the final report of the High-Level Independent Panel on Security and Development in the Sahel presented by the Chair of the Panel, former President of the Republic of Niger Mahamadou Issoufou, and agreed to jointly take forward key recommendations through their respective organs and institutional mechanisms. The Annual Conference reaffirmed the commitment of the African Union and the United Nations to enhance their support in advancing democratic transitions in West Africa and the Sahel, working closely with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

    13.On Libya, the Annual Conference welcomed efforts by the United Nations to foster inclusive political dialogue, including recent progress on the governance of the Central Bank. It took note of the persistent political stalemate and entrenched divisions in Libya, which continue to pose challenges for efforts to reunite the country and organize credible presidential and parliamentary elections to put in place unified, representative and legitimate Libyan institutions. The Annual Conference stressed that Libya’s sustainable peace and stability will only be realized through inclusive processes that will bring about legitimate governance and institutions; and in that regard, collective efforts, including of neighbors and international partners, must focus on supporting and encouraging the main Libyan leaders to take ownership of the political process, set aside personal interests and strive to reach political consensus in support for national reconciliation and the conduct of elections without further delays. The Conference expresses full support for the continued engagement of the African Union to promote national reconciliation through the adoption of the Charter on National Reconciliation.

    14.The Annual Conference observed that geopolitical dynamics in the Horn of Africa are becoming increasingly fragile and therefore noted the need for ever more coordinated preventive action and messaging by both organizations and partners on de-escalation and constructive engagement. On Somalia, the Annual Conference reiterated their close collaboration, including on the implementation of Security Council resolution 2748 (2024) to finalize the mission implementation plan for the PSC endorsed African Union Stabilization and Support Mission in Somalia. It also reaffirmed the importance of sustained and full implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in Tigray, Ethiopia. On South Sudan, the Annual Conference agreed to enhance coordination of regional and international support for the process led by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and called on the Transitional Government to sustain momentum in discussions on an agreed updated roadmap and timeline and advance the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement. On Sudan, the Annual Conference expressed grave concerned about the further escalation of fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. They urged the parties to immediately engage in genuine dialogue to reach a permanent ceasefire, while stressing that the protection of civilians should be guaranteed at all times and unhindered and sustained humanitarian access should be ensured. The African Union and the United Nations strongly condemned external interference in Sudan and urged these actors to stop the flow of arms in Sudan, which continues to fuel the conflict. They welcomed the efforts spearheaded by the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development to support the transition to a fully democratic government that fulfils the aspirations of the Sudanese people. The Annual Conference also encouraged the good offices of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General on Sudan and AU High-Level Panel on Sudan and called for strengthened diplomatic push underpinned by the coordination and complementarity of initiatives. They welcomed the establishment of the PSC Presidential Ad Hoc Committee on Sudan, and reaffirmed their commitment to support the Committee in executing its mandate.

    15.On the Great Lakes region, the Annual Conference welcomed the 4 August ceasefire between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, which has contributed to a reduction in hostilities in the North Kivu province of the DRC, while expressing concern about the humanitarian situation in North Kivu and Ituri, where armed groups activities continue to affect civilians and impede activities of humanitarian workers. The Annual Conference commended African Union mediator President João Lourenço of Angola for his steadfast efforts through the Luanda process, and the efforts deployed under the auspices of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), including the deployment of the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (SAMIDRC), aimed at restoring peace and security in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Annual Conference stressed that attaining sustainable peace calls for addressing the root causes, including through full implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region, and in that regard, called for enhanced coordination of regional peace initiatives, including through the Quadripartite Process facilitated by the African Union.

    16.The Annual Conference took note of the expiry of the terms of office of the African Union Commission Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and Commissioners in early 2025. The Secretary-General took the opportunity to commend the African Union Commission leadership for the commitment and support to the partnership during their terms of office. He paid special tribute to Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat for his leadership of the African Union Commission over the last eight years.

    17.The Chairperson and Secretary-General agreed to convene the Ninth African Union – United Nations Annual Conference in 2025 in New York at a mutually convenient date.

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Montgomery County Restaurant Owner Sentenced to 21 Months’ Imprisonment for PPP and RRF Loan Fraud

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Giuseppina “Josephine” Leone, 62, of North Wales, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Gerald A. McHugh to 21 months in prison, one year of supervised release, a $50,000 fine and $300 special assessment for pandemic program fraud. The Court denied the defendant’s request for a non-custodial sentence. The defendant has also paid full restitution in the amount of $972,861.75.

    Leone was charged by indictment on May 16, 2024, with three counts of wire fraud for making false representations in documents relating to the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) and Restaurant Revitalization Fund (“RRF”) program, which provided emergency financial assistance to business owners suffering the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. She pleaded guilty to those charges on May 23.

    Leone and her husband were owners of Ristorante San Marco (“RSM”), an Italian restaurant located in Ambler, Pa. Leone and her husband executed an Agreement for Sale of Real Property dated October 20, 2019, listing themselves as the “Sellers” of the RSM property and a third party as the “Buyer” for a purchase price of $1,575,000. Subsequently, on or about March 18, 2020, Leone posted on the restaurant’s Facebook page informing the public that RSM would be temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. RSM remained closed and never reopened.

    Despite the restaurant not being in operation in April 2020, Leone submitted a fraudulent application for a PPP loan in the amount of $138,000. This application misrepresented that RSM, which had been closed for approximately a month, had 17 employees, and would use the loan for payroll and other operating expenses. The fraudulent application was approved, and the loan funds were deposited into RSM’s bank account later that month. The loan was subsequently forgiven based on further misrepresentations by Leone.

    In January 2021, while the restaurant was still not in operation, Leone submitted another fraudulent application for a PPP loan, this time seeking $120,000. The application made similar misrepresentations and was approved, resulting in the requested funds being deposited into RSM’s bank account in February 2021. Again, the PPP loan was forgiven due to misrepresentations by Leone.

    Finally, Leone defrauded another COVID-19 relief program. While RSM was still not in operation in May 2021, Leone submitted a fraudulent application for a grant under the RRF program, requesting $699,196 for restaurant operations. This RRF application mispresented that RSM, which had not been operating since March 2020, was in operation and that the money would be used to pay employee wages. As a result of this deception, the request was approved, and the funds were deposited into RSM’s bank account later in May 2021. One month later, in June 2021, Leone closed on the sale of RSM. Nonetheless, over a year later, Leone misrepresented to the federal government that the RRF funds had been used for eligible purposes, even though RSM was never reopened by Leone.

    “PPP and the other covid relief programs were meant to provide emergency aid to businesses and employees financially flattened by the pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “My office and our partners won’t stand for opportunists like Mrs. Leone thinking they can defraud the federal government, pocket taxpayers’ money, and get away with it. We’ll continue to aggressively pursue and prosecute anyone foolish enough to do so.”

    The case was investigated by the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, the FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Angella Middleton.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Global: Is conservatism really on the rise in Canada? Blaine Higgs’ big loss in New Brunswick suggests not

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Noah Fry, PhD Candidate, Political Science, McMaster University

    Make no mistake, New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs lost big on Monday night. The province’s voters delivered a forceful rebuke of Higgs’ Progressive Conservatives similar to the 1995 election, when the party won only six seats against Frank McKenna’s Liberals.

    This time, the PCs were reduced to 16 seats while the Liberals won 31. The Greens dropped to two seats.

    This seat count downplays the Liberals’ 13-point popular vote lead in a tough political environment.

    Historically, the Liberals have had inefficient support that’s been concentrated in safe francophone ridings. This time, they made inroads with anglophones beyond Moncton.

    Higgs, among Canada’s most socially conservative premiers, lost his own safe seat of Quispamsis, which was among the province’s most Conservative ridings in the 2020 election.

    The result was a referendum on Higgs’ brand of conservatism. Along with the failure of the resurgent Conservatives in British Columbia to win a clear victory on Oct. 19, Higgs’ loss challenges the narrative that conservatism is on the rise across Canada.




    Read more:
    Move over, Danielle Smith: What Canadians should know about New Brunswick’s Blaine Higgs


    Governing to the (far) right

    Since gaining power in 2018, Higgs embraced a neoconservative social agenda.

    Most notably, he triggered a national conversation on trans children’s recognition in schools. Using the language of “parental rights,” Higgs introduced parent consent restrictions for name and pronoun changes for children under 16.




    Read more:
    New Brunswick’s LGBTQ+ safe schools debate makes false opponents of parents and teachers


    Research shows trans children have high rates of suicidal ideation, especially when they’re not supported in how they identify.

    Over time, Higgs supported anti-trans and anti-sex education protesters, even as many advocates, parents and educators raised concerns about the safety and mental well-being of LGBTQ+ youth. He also refused to deny what’s known as the so-called kitty litter myth that falsely alleges students are allowed to identify as animals and use litter boxes.

    When confronted by parents about a safe-sex presentation slide for a high-school audience, Higgs banned the group that conducted the presentation.

    It didn’t end there. Higgs erroneously suggested an Indigenous nation sought to claim most of the province from property owners. In 2021, his government discouraged land acknowledgements by provincial employees. Higgs also argued that Indigenous people had already ceded their land.

    Taking aim at francophones, social issues

    Higgs’ relationship with francophones was just as bad. He refused to learn French in Canada’s only bilingual province after promising he would. He alleged he was unfairly targeted as an anglophone.

    When coming to power in 2018 with a minority government, Higgs weakened bilingual requirements for paramedic positions. Later, he controversially proposed ending French immersion programs, arguing it was unfair to “English Prime” students in the province.

    When he won a majority in 2020, Higgs lowered taxes on the highest income earners while constraining increases to health care and education.

    Higgs was successful in uniting the right. As a former leadership contender of the linguistic segregationist Confederation of Regions party, Higgs welcomed far-right People’s Alliance representatives to his party.

    But his tenure faced internal opposition. Atlantic conservatism tends to be closer to the political centre. Higgs’ Maritime counterparts, Premiers Dennis King of Prince Edward Island and Tim Houston of Nova Scotia, have largely avoided social issues.

    On the province’s Policy 713, also called the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity policy, six PCs voted with an opposition motion against the proposed changes. Four were cabinet ministers.

    Several ministers resigned from cabinet with letters blasting Higgs’ leadership.

    Almost half of PC riding associations sought a leadership review. They fell just short of the minimum needed to trigger a review.

    Most leaders recognize when their time was up. Not Higgs.

    An embattled campaign

    The PCs’ tumultuous time in government made for an uninspired campaign. Twelve of the 26 winning PC representatives from 2020 did not run again. In their place came more social conservatives who would not oppose Higgs.

    The PCs received bad news early. They were projected to fall short of their 2024-25 balanced budget aims.

    Still, Higgs campaigned on his fiscal management. He offered a two per cent HST cut as a reward. For some, this proposal rang as vote-buying from a government that could have pursued a sales tax cut at any point in its six-year tenure.

    The PCs campaigned on few other commitments. Their two-page platform made generic promises like “respect parents.” They also sought to “compel individuals into drug treatment” and “axe the carbon tax.”

    Meanwhile, the Liberals hammered the PCs on housing, health care and education. All three areas had been stressed by population growth and tight funding. Housing policy was a particular weakness given the PCs’ long-term resistance to rent caps and its record as a housing-starts laggard.

    Higgs’ confidence in his record was misplaced. While his social conservativism has an audience in New Brunswick, few saw it as a priority relative to the cost of living.

    His other campaign efforts made little difference. Higgs sought to make his opponent Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. He also stirred anti-immigration sentiment over federal asylum-seeker plans. Both efforts seemed desperate.

    Rejection of grievance politics?

    The Liberals’ return to power could be attributed to a referendum on Higgs. There is no doubt Higgs had personal defects that cost him his own riding.

    But his loss is more than a personal rejection. It also seems a rejection of a grievance politics that favours anger over substance.

    After repeatedly focusing on social issues over matters like housing, the grievances lost their allure. Even for the most steadfast Conservative voters, Higgs’ targeting of minorities came across as bullying.

    While Higgs may be the worst offender, he is not the only practitioner of grievance conservatism. Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith play the same tune. Will their political fates be any different?

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

    ref. Is conservatism really on the rise in Canada? Blaine Higgs’ big loss in New Brunswick suggests not – https://theconversation.com/is-conservatism-really-on-the-rise-in-canada-blaine-higgs-big-loss-in-new-brunswick-suggests-not-241971

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Landmark UK-Germany defence agreement to strengthen our security and prosperity

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    A landmark defence agreement will be signed by Defence Secretary John Healey MP and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius in London today in a major moment for NATO, and European security and prosperity. It is the first-of-its-kind agreement between the UK and Germany on defence.

    • Defence Secretary John Healey MP and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius will sign the landmark Trinity House Agreement today (Wednesday 23 October), bringing the two nations closer together than ever before.

    • Agreement will boost the economy, investment, and jobs, paving the way for a new artillery gun barrel factory to open in the UK.

    • German aircraft will operate from Scotland as part of the agreement, bolstering European security.

    The signing of the Trinity House Agreement marks a fundamental shift in the UK’s relations with Germany and for European security. This agreement between Europe’s two biggest defence spenders will strengthen national security and economic growth in the face of growing Russian aggression and increasing threats.

    The new partnership will help drive investment into the UK – with the agreement paving the way for a new artillery gun barrel factory to be opened in the UK, supporting more than 400 jobs and nearly half a billion-pounds boost to the British economy. The opening of the Rheinmetall factory will see the UK manufacture artillery gun barrels for the first time in 10 years, using British steel produced by Sheffield Forgemasters.

    The deal will see the UK and Germany work together systemically for years to come on a range of ground-breaking defence projects and across all domains (air, land, sea, space and cyber). This includes working jointly to rapidly develop brand-new extended deep strike weapons that can travel further with more precision than current systems, including Storm Shadow.

    It will bring the two nation’s defence industries closer than ever, including a long-term commitment to manufacturing Boxer armoured vehicles, supporting skilled jobs across the UK. The deal also aims to support and expanded complex weapons development in the UK, laying a path for Sting Ray Torpedoes procurement.

    The Trinity House Agreement includes:

    • New long-range strike weapons – working jointly to rapidly develop a new system that can fire even further and be more precise in its targeting than any current system.

    • New boost for British industry – a new large calibre gun manufacturing facility in the UK, supporting more than 400 jobs, and planned to use British steel, bringing nearly half a billion-pound economic boost to the UK over 10 years.

    • New cooperation to strengthen the Eastern Flank – the armies training and exercising more together, using the front as a catalyst for developing new ways of fighting.

    • Land Industrial Cooperation – cooperation on Boxer armed vehicles and kickstarting collaboration of land-based drones.

    • Protecting critical underwater infrastructure – working together to protect the vital cables in the seabed on the North Sea. This includes exploring new offboard undersea surveillance capabilities to improve detection of adversary activity.

    • German planes in Scotland – German P8 aircraft will periodically operate out of Lossiemouth to help protect the North Atlantic.

    • New drones – working towards drones that could operate alongside our fighter jets, as well as drones that can be used by other military force.

    • Exploration and development of new Maritime Uncrewed Air System capabilities.

    • New Ukraine support – new joint work to enable German Sea King helicopters to be armed with modern missile systems as well as work on capability coalitions.

    • Joint work with partners to integrate air defence systems to better protect European air space against the threat of long-range missiles, building on work agreed at the NATO Defence Ministers meeting just last week.

    The agreement is a key example of the Government delivering on its commitment to reset relations with European allies and bolster national security. It will be signed less than 100 days after the Defence Secretary visited Berlin to kick off negotiations in July and is the first pillar in a wider UK-Germany treaty pledged by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chancellor Olaf Scholz in August.

    Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

    The Trinity House Agreement is a milestone moment in our relationship with Germany and a major strengthening of Europe’s security.

    It secures unprecedented levels of new cooperation with the German Armed Forces and industry, bringing benefits to our shared security and prosperity, protecting our shared values and boosting our defence industrial bases.

    This landmark agreement delivers on the Government’s manifesto commitment to strike a new defence relationship with Germany – less than four months since winning the election in July – and we will build on this new cooperation in the months and years ahead.

    I pay tribute to our negotiating teams who have worked hard at pace to deliver this.

    German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said:

    The UK and Germany are moving closer together. With projects across the air, land, sea, and cyber domains, we will jointly increase our defence capabilities, thereby strengthening the European pillar within NATO. We can only strengthen our ability to act together. This is why our cooperation projects are open to other partners.

    We must not take security in Europe for granted. Russia is waging war against Ukraine, it is increasing its weapons production immensely and has repeatedly launched hybrid attacks on our partners in Eastern Europe.

    With the Trinity House Agreement, we are showing that the NATO Allies have recognised what these times require and are determined to improve their deterrence and defence capabilities. As it lays the foundation for future projects, the Trinity House Agreement is an important contribution to this. It is particularly important to me that we cooperate even more closely to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank and to close critical capability gaps, for instance in the field of long-range strike weapons.

    Armin Papperger, CEO and Chairman of Rheinmetall AG commented that:

    Rheinmetall’s investment in the gun hall reflects a forward-looking approach to innovation, collaboration, and national defence. It ensures the UK remains a leader in developing and manufacturing defence technologies that safeguard both national and global security.

    Gary Nutter, Chief Executive Officer at Sheffield Forgemasters, said:

    I am delighted to confirm that Sheffield Forgemasters will reinstate gun barrels manufacture after a 20-year hiatus, to supply large-calibre gun-barrels to Germany’s Rheinmetall AG, servicing UK defence contracts and exports.

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Statement on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Rule to Boost Consumer Rights and Privacy

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29)

    Houston, TX – Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia (D-TX-29) issued the following statement in response to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s final rule implementing Section 1033 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010:

    “I’m pleased the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is taking this critical step to strengthen consumer rights, privacy, and competition in the financial services industry. By giving Americans greater control over their personal data, this new rule empowers consumers to switch to better providers without facing unnecessary barriers and fees. This will allow families to make better financial choices. 

    “But we must do more to include those who have been historically shut out of the banking system. Our most vulnerable communities, including those who rely on Electronic Benefits Transfer cards to access nutritional assistance, deserve the same protections. Expanding this rule to include Electronic Benefits Transfer card users would ensure that everyone, regardless of their financial situation, benefits from these safeguards. I urge the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to work with all appropriate agencies to expand these protections.”

    The rule requires financial institutions, credit card issuers, and other financial providers to unlock an individual’s personal financial data and transfer it to another provider at the consumer’s request for free. Consumers will be able to more easily switch to providers with superior rates and services. By fueling competition and consumer choice, the rule will help lower prices on loans and improve customer service across payments, credit, and banking markets.

    Today’s rule ensures consumers will be able to access and share data associated with bank accounts, credit cards, mobile wallets, payment apps, and other financial products. It aims to address market concentration that limits consumer choice over financial products and services. Consumers will be able to access, or authorize a third party to access, data such as transaction information, account balance information, information needed to initiate payments, upcoming bill information, and basic account verification information. Financial providers must make this information available without charging fees.

    The rule also establishes strong privacy protections, requiring that personal financial data can only be used for the purposes requested by the consumer. It ensures that third parties cannot use consumer data for other purposes that benefit the third party, but that consumers do not want. It also helps move the industry away from “screen scraping,” a still common but risky practice that typically involves consumers providing their account passwords to third parties who use them to access data indiscriminately through online banking portals.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government to overhaul anti-money laundering regime

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Government will introduce a single supervisor and a new funding model in a major overhaul of New Zealand’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) system, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says.

    “Cabinet has approved an AML/CFT reform work programme which will change the supervisor structure that monitors AML/CFT compliance and introduce a new funding model for the system. These reforms will allow the system to be more responsive to industry and community needs, more agile, and more focused on the real risks posed by anti-money laundering to New Zealand businesses.

    “The changes will deliver a critical Government priority to reform key sectors where the cost of regulation is overly burdensome for businesses and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the AML/CFT system to meet international standards.”

    The Government is introducing the changes following a Financial Action Task Force evaluation of New Zealand’s regulatory regime and a subsequent review of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism Act 2009.

    A single-supervisor model will replace the current three-supervisor model and will establish the Department of Internal Affairs as the sole supervisor of the AML/CFT system.  Currently, supervision of different parts of the AML/CFT system are overseen by the Reserve Bank, Financial Markets Authority, and Internal Affairs.

    “The Government is very aware of the risks money-laundering and financing of terrorism poses to New Zealand businesses and moving to a single supervisor will improve the efficiency of the system, establish a more risk-based approach, and enable more timely provision of guidance and support. I have heard from businesses that this will provide substantive regulatory relief,” Mrs McKee says. 

    “In considering how to improve the supervisory model, I will be focusing on how the positive effects can be felt as soon as possible, such as ensuring work on industry guidance and codes of practice starts promptly.”

    “The Government will also introduce a new sustainable funding model for the AML/CFT system as part of the reforms. The funding model will establish an industry-levy to support a flexible and coordinated system that will deliver sector benefits. The levy will be designed to ensure that costs are equitable and reasonable for the sector and will not place undue burden on small businesses.” 

    An AML/CFT National Strategy and work programme will be introduced as part of the funding model. Legislation will require any amendments to the levy to be informed by the National Strategy and work programme. 

    “This work programme will be developed in partnership with industry and agreed by Cabinet to ensure that the AML/CFT system is focussed on industry priorities. The new funding model will mean better and more efficient regulation, supervision, and support for industry.

    “The changes will ensure New Zealand maintains its international reputation and will align our AML/CFT system with the financial sectors of our key trading partners to support trade, investment and economic growth.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Resetting the Emissions Trading Scheme annual charge for post-1989 forestry participants

    Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

    Your views sought

    We want your feedback on 2 proposals relating to cost recovery settings for forestry Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) participants. We anticipate that changes would be made by early 2025.

    • Proposal 1: A reduced annual charge for post-1989 forestry ETS participants.
    • Proposal 2: Amending the Climate Change (Forestry) Regulations 2022 for the field measurement approach during the 2023–25 reporting period.

    As part of this consultation, we are holding 2 webinars and an online hui.

    Summaries of the proposals are on this page and full details are in the discussion paper.

    Submissions are open from 23 October until 5pm on 13 November 2024.

    About Proposal 1

    If you have post-1989 forest land in the ETS, the per hectare annual charge is calculated for the financial year. It’s based on the amount of land you have in the ETS on 1 July.

    We are proposing to reduce the per hectare annual charge from $30.25 to $14.90, starting in the 2024–25 financial year.

    About Proposal 2

    Forestry participants with at least 100 hectares of post-1989 forest land in the ETS have to use the field measurement approach to calculate carbon stored in their forests for their emissions returns.

    When the previous (2023) cost recovery regulations were enacted, they imposed a service fee. The fee resulted in additional costs for those who could use their existing field measurement approach data or use default carbon tables to calculate carbon stock, during the shorter 2023–25 reporting period.

    To address this issue, we are proposing to update the regulations. This means, that for any emissions return that covers all or part of the shorter 2023–25 reporting period, people using the field measurement approach can calculate carbon stock using:

    • the default carbon tables (in regulations) if they do not have field measurement approach participant specific tables, or
    • existing participant specific tables if they have them.

    Discussion paper

    Resetting the Emissions Trading Scheme annual charge for post-1989 forestry participants [doc: 65715]

    Webinars on the proposals

    To support this consultation, we are running 2 webinars and an online hui. These sessions will provide an opportunity for you to ask questions and discuss the proposals. The online hui is a dedicated session for whenua Māori to give feedback on the proposals. You must register to attend the webinars or hui. 

    Times and dates of the webinars and the hui

    Webinar 1: 4pm on Thursday 31 October 2024.

    Register to attend Webinar 1 – Connect

    Webinar 2: 12pm on Thursday 7 November 2024.

    Register to attend Webinar 2 – Connect

    Online hui: 12pm on Monday 4 November 2024.

    Register to attend the online hui – Connect

    Making your submission

    Send us your feedback on the proposals in the consultation document by 5pm on 13 November 2024.

    We would prefer if you made a submission electronically – either by using the online form or by email. However, we will also accept written submissions sent by post.

    You are welcome to make your submission on the whole discussion document, or you can choose the areas relevant to you. Provide supporting evidence with your submission where possible.

    Online

    Email

    If you are sending us a submission by email, we encourage you to use the submission template which has the same questions as the online form. 

    Submission template [doc: 65718]

    The email address is etsforestrychanges@mpi.govt.nz

    Post

    If you prefer to make your submission in writing, send it to:

    NZ ETS Cost Recovery
    Forestry System Directorate
    Ministry for Primary Industries
    PO Box 2526
    Wellington 6140.

    Submissions are public information

    Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

    People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

    If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

    Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI: Purpose Investments Inc. Announces Risk Rating Change for NVIDIA (NVDA) Yield Shares Purpose ETF

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Purpose Investments Inc. (“Purpose”) announced today that it has changed the risk rating for NVIDIA (NVDA) Yield Shares Purpose ETF (the “Fund”) from “medium-to-high” to “high”. Such change is a result of the risk rating methodology mandated by the Canadian Securities Administrators and the periodic review by Purpose to determine the risk level of its publicly-offered mutual funds.

    No material changes have been made to the investment objective, strategies or management of the Fund as a result. The change of the risk rating will be reflected in the Fund’s offering documents, which will be completed in accordance with applicable securities laws.

    About Purpose Investments

    Purpose Investments is an asset management company with approximately $20 billion in assets under management. Purpose Investments has an unrelenting focus on client-centric innovation and offers a range of managed and quantitative investment products. Purpose Investments is led by well-known entrepreneur Som Seif and is a division of Purpose Unlimited, an independent technology-driven financial services company.

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

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

    This press release is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy the securities referred to herein. This press release is not for dissemination in the United States or for distribution to US news wire services.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: NZ joins UK initiative for AI safety

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Government is joining the UK’s Bletchley Declaration on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Safety, Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, and for Digitising Government Judith Collins says.

    “AI used responsibly can be a game changer for New Zealand, supporting productivity, innovation, and economic development,” Ms Collins says

    “The UK’s Bletchley Declaration is an important international agreement which affirms the potential that AI offers for society and for economies. To achieve this, AI must be designed, developed, deployed and used responsibly and safely, and in a manner that is people-focused and can be trusted. 

    “In May we signed the Seoul Ministerial Statement for Advancing AI Safety which, coupled with the Bletchley Declaration and Cabinet’s confirmed approach to AI being in accordance with the OECD’s AI Principles, solidifies our focus on the responsible use of AI.   

    “Important safety standards and pressure will be applied on the international stage, and New Zealand is proud to be part of global efforts towards responsible AI.” 

    The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has developed an initial cross-portfolio which focuses on policy changes, while the Department of Internal Affairs’ Government Chief Digital Officer is leading work to support public sector agencies to explore safe use of AI for efficiency and service delivery improvements.  

    “The Government will next year consult publicly on a national AI strategy to encourage greater use of AI to deliver better results for New Zealanders,” Ms Collins says.

    “I am confident that all the work under way will form a coherent approach to AI in New Zealand – delivering greater productivity, innovation and growing New Zealand’s economy to benefit all New Zealanders,” Ms Collins says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI Australia: G20 meetings in the United States

    Source: Australian Treasurer

    I will join key economic ministers and central bank governors from the world’s most significant economies at the G20, International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual meetings over the coming days in Washington DC.

    Australia is not immune from the volatility and vulnerability which characterises the global economy.

    The risk of further escalation in the Middle East threatens a resurgence in oil prices and casts a dark shadow over the global outlook.

    Conflict in the Middle East compounds the pressures already coming at us from the war in Ukraine, the slowdown in China, persistent global inflation, tepid global growth and sharp movements on stock markets.

    There is always a premium on responsible economic management and engagement but especially now, with all this uncertainty around the world.

    This is a really critical time to confer with colleagues and counterparts.

    There will be in‑depth discussions on the global economy, the energy transformation, economic security and reform of our multilateral institutions.

    This will include meetings with:

    • New Japanese Finance Minister Katsonobu Kato, who I will meet for the first time;
    • US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, for our sixth bilateral;
    • Chair of the US Federal Reserve Jerome Powell;
    • Director of President Biden’s National Economic Council Lael Brainard;
    • South Korean Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Choi Sang‑Mok; and
    • Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland.

    I will participate in discussions as part of the G20 Taskforce on a Global Mobilisation Against Climate Change. Our focus will be on attracting the capital we need to create new jobs and opportunities in the transformation to cleaner and cheaper energy.

    I’ll also have an opportunity to be briefed on Australia’s interests in the United States by Ambassador Kevin Rudd.

    Responsible economic management is a defining feature of the Albanese Labor Government in these uncertain times.

    Our Budget surpluses aren’t an end in themselves, they help in the fight against inflation, provide room for our priorities and they help build buffers against some of this global volatility.

    Getting inflation down, helping with the cost of living, repairing the Budget and reforming our economy are the essential components of our strategy and we are making welcome progress.

    In a little over two years we have halved inflation, created a million new jobs, got real wages growing again, provided tax relief to every taxpayer, delivered the first back‑to‑back surpluses in two decades, avoided $150 billion of inherited debt and saved tens of billions of dollars in interest costs.

    These meetings will provide important perspectives on the global outlook and allow us to make further progress at home and with our key international partners.

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Time’s Running Out! Louisiana Non-Profits: SBA Deadline for Hurricane Francine Property Damage Aid Nears

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    “As communities across the Southeast continue to recover and rebuild after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the SBA remains focused on its mission to provide support to small businesses to help stabilize local economies, even in the face of diminished disaster funding,” said Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman. “If your business has sustained physical damage, or you’ve lost inventory, equipment or revenues, the SBA will help you navigate the resources available and work with you at our recovery centers or with our customer service specialists, in person and online, so you can fully submit your disaster loan application and be ready to receive financial relief as soon as funds are replenished.” 

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Francisco Sánchez Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration, today reminded Louisiana private nonprofit organizations of the Nov. 22, deadline to apply for an SBA federal disaster loan for property damage caused by Hurricane Francine that occurred Sept. 9-12. Private nonprofits that provide essential services of a governmental nature are eligible for assistance.

    According to Sánchez, eligible private nonprofits of any size may apply for SBA federal disaster loans of up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.

    In addition, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help eligible private nonprofits meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid because of the disaster’s impact. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the private nonprofit suffered any property damage. Private nonprofits have until June 23, 2025, to apply for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan.

    “SBA’s disaster loan program offers an important advantage–the chance to incorporate measures that can reduce the risk of future damage,” Sánchez continued. “Work with contractors and mitigation professionals to strengthen your property and take advantage of the opportunity to request additional SBA disaster loan funds for these proactive improvements.”

    These low-interest federal disaster loans are available in Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington and West Feliciana parishes.

    The interest rate is 3.25 percent with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.

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

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

    Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    ###

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

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: Enterprise Bancorp, Inc. Announces Third Quarter Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LOWELL, Mass., Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Enterprise Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: EBTC), parent of Enterprise Bank, announced its financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2024. Net income amounted to $10.0 million, or $0.80 per diluted common share, for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $9.5 million, or $0.77 per diluted common share, for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and $9.7 million, or $0.79 per diluted common share, for the three months ended September 30, 2023.

    Selected financial results at or for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 compared to June 30, 2024 were as follows:

    • The returns on average assets and average equity were 0.82% and 11.20%, respectively.
    • Tax-equivalent net interest margin (non-GAAP) (“net interest margin”) was 3.22%, an increase of 3 basis points.
    • Total loans amounted to $3.86 billion, an increase of 2.4%.
    • Total deposits amounted to $4.19 billion, a decrease of 1.4%.
    • Wealth assets under management and administration amounted to $1.51 billion, an increase of 8.5%.

    Chief Executive Officer Steven Larochelle commented, “Our team continued to deliver strong results in the third quarter. Loan growth was 2.4% for the quarter and 13.4% over the past twelve months. Customer deposits, which were down slightly during the quarter, have increased 5.3% in 2024 and 3.2% over the last twelve months. We continue to be primarily core funded and had no brokered deposits at September 30, 2024. Total borrowings were down $1.8 million compared to June 30, 2024, and amounted to only $59.9 million, or 1.3% of total assets. Higher deposit costs and the inverted yield curve continued to be a headwind, but net interest margin increased to 3.22% in the third quarter of 2024 from 3.19% in the prior quarter and benefited by 2 basis points from a large seasonal deposit.”

    Mr. Larochelle continued, “We remain committed to our long-term strategy of geographic expansion and customer acquisition through organic growth and investment in our team members, communities, products and technology. We are well positioned with a strong balance sheet, centered around a high-quality loan portfolio and favorable liquidity, core deposit funding and capital, paired with a conservative credit and reserve culture.”

    Executive Chairman & Founder George Duncan stated, “I would like to congratulate Steve, who completed his first quarter as CEO of Enterprise, and the whole team for a very successful quarter. I am particularly impressed that the team has been able to achieve such strong loan and deposit growth while stabilizing our net interest margin and without significant increases in wholesale funding. I firmly believe this is a testament to our relationship based, sales and service culture partnered with our strong commitment to community outreach and involvement.”

    Mr. Duncan added, “On September 5th, we were once again recognized at the Boston Business Journal’s Corporate Citizenship Summit for our significant contributions in employee volunteerism and corporate philanthropy. In particular, I am very proud that we ranked 2nd in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the highest average of volunteer hours per employee.”

    Net Interest Income
    Net interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2024, amounted to $38.0 million, a decrease of $482 thousand, or 1%, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease was due primarily to increases in deposit interest expense of $7.7 million and borrowings interest expense of $646 thousand and a decrease in income on other interest-earning assets of $971 thousand, partially offset by an increase in loan interest income of $9.3 million.

    The increase in interest expense during the period was attributed primarily to an increase in the cost of funds and changes in deposit mix, while the increase in interest income during the period was due primarily to loan growth and higher market interest rates.

    Net Interest Margin
    Net interest margin was 3.22% for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 3.19% for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 3.46% for the three months ended September 30, 2023.

    Asset yields for the third quarter of 2024 were 5.09%, an increase of 8 basis points compared to the second quarter of 2024, due primarily to new loan originations, loans repricing and an increase in the average balance of other interest-earning assets, which resulted mainly from deposit inflows during the period. Average total loans increased $105.3 million, or 3%, and average other interest-earning assets increased $57.6 million, or 46%, compared to the second quarter of 2024.

    The cost of funds for the third quarter of 2024 was 1.99%, an increase of 5 basis points compared to the second quarter of 2024. During the third quarter of 2024, average total deposits increased $128.8 million, or 3%, and the cost of deposits increased 6 basis points, compared to the second quarter of 2024. The increase in average total deposits was comprised of increases in average lower-cost checking account balances of $59.4 million, or 3%, which was driven primarily by a large seasonal deposit, and higher-cost savings, money market and certificate of deposit account balances of $69.4 million, or 3%.

    Provision for Credit Losses
    The provision for credit losses for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023 are presented below:

        Three months ended   Increase / (Decrease)
    (Dollars in thousands)   September 30,
    2024
      September 30,
    2023
    Provision for credit losses on loans – collectively evaluated   $ (663 )   $ (1,518 )   $ 855  
    Provision for credit losses on loans – individually evaluated     2,311       2,512       (201 )
    Provision for credit losses on loans     1,648       994       654  
                 
    Provision for unfunded commitments     (316 )     758       (1,074 )
                 
    Provision for credit losses   $ 1,332     $ 1,752     $ (420 )

    The increase in the provision for credit losses on loans of $654 thousand was due primarily to a net increase in reserves on individually evaluated loans. The increase in reserves on individually evaluated loans for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was driven by one individually evaluated commercial relationship which was downgraded, placed on non-accrual and assigned specific reserves of $3.4 million, partially offset by a reduction of $1.2 million in specific reserves resulting from a commercial relationship that experienced improvement in its collateral valuation during the period. The reduction in the provision for unfunded commitments of $1.1 million was driven primarily by a decrease in off-balance sheet commitments during the period.

    Non-Interest Income
    Non-interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2024, amounted to $6.1 million, an increase of $1.7 million compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in non-interest income was due primarily to increases in gains on equity securities, wealth management fees and deposit and interchange fees.

    Non-Interest Expense
    Non-interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2024, amounted to $29.4 million, an increase of $1.0 million, or 4%, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in non-interest expense was due primarily to an increase in salaries and employee benefits expense of $938 thousand, or 5%.

    Balance Sheet
    Total assets amounted to $4.74 billion at September 30, 2024, compared to $4.47 billion at December 31, 2023, an increase of 6%.

    Total investment securities at fair value amounted to $632.0 million at September 30, 2024, compared to $668.2 million at December 31, 2023. The decrease of 5% during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was largely attributable to principal pay-downs, calls and maturities. Unrealized losses on debt securities amounted to $80.8 million at September 30, 2024, compared to $102.9 million at December 31, 2023, a decrease of 21% that resulted from lower term interest rates.

    Total loans amounted to $3.86 billion at September 30, 2024, compared to $3.57 billion at December 31, 2023. The increase of 8% during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was due primarily to increases in commercial real estate and construction loans of $175.2 million and $89.3 million, respectively.

    Total deposits amounted to $4.19 billion at September 30, 2024, compared to $3.98 billion at December 31, 2023. The increase of 5% during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was due primarily to increases in money market and certificate of deposit balances of $85.5 million and $153.6 million, respectively.

    Total borrowed funds amounted to $59.9 million at September 30, 2024, compared to $25.8 million at December 31, 2023. The increase during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 resulted from a term advance in the first quarter of 2024.

    Total shareholders’ equity amounted to $368.1 million at September 30, 2024, compared to $329.1 million at December 31, 2023. The increase of 12% during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was due primarily to an increase in retained earnings of $19.1 million and a decrease in the accumulated other comprehensive loss of $17.1 million.

    Credit Quality
    Selected credit quality metrics at September 30, 2024, compared to December 31, 2023, were as follows:

    • The ACL for loans amounted to $63.7 million, or 1.65% of total loans, compared to $59.0 million, or 1.65% of total loans.
    • The reserve for unfunded commitments (included in other liabilities) amounted to $4.6 million, compared to $7.1 million.
    • Non-performing loans amounted to $25.9 million, or 0.67% of total loans, compared to $11.4 million, or 0.32% of total loans. The increase in non-performing loans during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 resulted primarily from two individually evaluated commercial construction loans which were placed on non-accrual.

    Net recoveries amounted to $7 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $12 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2023.

    Wealth Management
    Wealth assets under management and administration, which are not carried as assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, amounted to $1.51 billion at September 30, 2024, an increase of $194.9 million, or 15%, compared to December 31, 2023, and resulted primarily from an increase in market values.

    About Enterprise Bancorp, Inc.
    Enterprise Bancorp, Inc. is a Massachusetts corporation that conducts substantially all its operations through Enterprise Bank and Trust Company, commonly referred to as Enterprise Bank, and has reported 140 consecutive profitable quarters. Enterprise Bank is principally engaged in the business of attracting deposits from the general public and investing in commercial loans and investment securities. Through Enterprise Bank and its subsidiaries, the Company offers a range of commercial, residential and consumer loan products, deposit products and cash management services, electronic and digital banking options, as well as wealth management, and trust services. The Company’s headquarters and Enterprise Bank’s main office are located at 222 Merrimack Street in Lowell, Massachusetts. The Company’s primary market area is the Northern Middlesex, Northern Essex, and Northern Worcester counties of Massachusetts and the Southern Hillsborough and Southern Rockingham counties in New Hampshire. Enterprise Bank has 27 full-service branches located in the Massachusetts communities of Acton, Andover, Billerica (2), Chelmsford (2), Dracut, Fitchburg, Lawrence, Leominster, Lexington, Lowell (2), Methuen, North Andover, Tewksbury (2), Tyngsborough and Westford and in the New Hampshire communities of Derry, Hudson, Londonderry, Nashua (2), Pelham, Salem and Windham.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This earnings release contains statements about future events that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by references to a future period or periods or by the use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “assume,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “plan,” and other similar terms or expressions. Forward-looking statements should not be relied on because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the control of the Company. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors may cause the actual results, performance, and achievements of the Company to be materially different from the anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to, the impact on us and our customers of a decline in general economic conditions and any regulatory responses thereto; potential recession in the United States and our market areas; the impacts related to or resulting from bank failures and any uncertainty in the banking industry, including the associated impact to the Company and other financial institutions of any regulatory changes or other mitigation efforts taken by government agencies in response thereto; increased competition for deposits and related changes in deposit customer behavior; the impact of changes in market interest rates, whether due to the current elevated interest rate environment or future reductions in interest rates and a resulting decline in net interest income; the resurgence of elevated levels of inflation or inflationary pressures in our market areas and the United States; the uncertain impacts of ongoing quantitative tightening and current and future monetary policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; increases in unemployment rates in the United States and our market areas; declines in commercial real estate values and prices; uncertainty regarding United States fiscal debt, deficit and budget matters; cyber incidents or other failures, disruptions or breaches of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of our third-party vendors or other service providers, including as a result of cyber-attacks; severe weather, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism, geopolitical instability or other external events, including as a result of changes in U.S. presidential administrations or Congress; competition and market expansion opportunities; changes in non-interest expenditures or in the anticipated benefits of such expenditures; changes in tax laws; the risks related to the development, implementation, use and management of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learnings; potential increased regulatory requirements and costs related to the transition and physical impacts of climate change; and current or future litigation, regulatory examinations or other legal and/or regulatory actions. Therefore, the Company can give no assurance that the results contemplated in the forward-looking statements will be realized and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. For more information about these factors, please see our reports filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q on file with the SEC, including the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Any forward-looking statements contained in this earnings release are made as of the date hereof, and we undertake no duty, and specifically disclaim any duty, to update or revise any such statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

    ENTERPRISE BANCORP, INC.
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (unaudited)

    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)   September 30,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
      September 30,
    2023
    Assets            
    Cash and cash equivalents:            
    Cash and due from banks   $ 60,466     $ 37,443     $ 45,345  
    Interest-earning deposits with banks     28,166       19,149       180,076  
    Total cash and cash equivalents     88,632       56,592       225,421  
    Investments:            
    Debt securities at fair value (amortized cost of $703,311, $763,981 and $806,077, respectively)     622,527       661,113       672,894  
    Equity securities at fair value     9,448       7,058       6,038  
    Total investment securities at fair value     631,975       668,171       678,932  
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock     2,482       2,402       2,403  
    Loans held for sale     1,229       200        
    Loans:            
    Total loans     3,858,940       3,567,631       3,404,014  
    Allowance for credit losses     (63,654 )     (58,995 )     (57,905 )
    Net loans     3,795,286       3,508,636       3,346,109  
    Premises and equipment, net     43,291       44,931       43,391  
    Lease right-of-use asset     24,291       24,820       24,979  
    Accrued interest receivable     20,529       19,233       18,572  
    Deferred income taxes, net     44,067       49,166       55,080  
    Bank-owned life insurance     66,899       65,455       65,106  
    Prepaid income taxes     4,645       1,589       2,548  
    Prepaid expenses and other assets     13,827       19,183       14,177  
    Goodwill     5,656       5,656       5,656  
    Total assets   $ 4,742,809     $ 4,466,034     $ 4,482,374  
    Liabilities and ShareholdersEquity            
    Liabilities            
    Deposits   $ 4,189,461     $ 3,977,521     $ 4,060,403  
    Borrowed funds     59,949       25,768       4,290  
    Subordinated debt     59,736       59,498       59,419  
    Lease liability     24,010       24,441       24,589  
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities     32,116       45,011       31,288  
    Accrued interest payable     9,428       4,678       2,686  
    Total liabilities     4,374,700       4,136,917       4,182,675  
    Commitments and Contingencies            
    ShareholdersEquity            
    Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share; 1,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued                  
    Common stock, $0.01 par value per share; 40,000,000 shares authorized; 12,428,426, 12,272,674 and 12,256,964 shares issued and outstanding, respectively.     124       123       123  
    Additional paid-in capital     110,110       107,377       106,451  
    Retained earnings     320,497       301,380       296,291  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (62,622 )     (79,763 )     (103,166 )
    Total shareholders’ equity     368,109       329,117       299,699  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 4,742,809     $ 4,466,034     $ 4,482,374  

    ENTERPRISE BANCORP, INC.
    Consolidated Statements of Income
    (unaudited)

        Three months ended   Nine months ended
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)   September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      September 30,
    2023
      September 30,
    2024
      September 30,
    2023
    Interest and dividend income:                    
    Other interest-earning assets   $         2,497             $         1,697           $         3,468             $         5,366             $         7,593          
    Investment securities             3,835                       3,943                     4,316                       11,812                       14,356          
    Loans and loans held for sale             53,809                       51,224                     44,501                       153,850                       125,855          
    Total interest and dividend income             60,141                       56,864                     52,285                       171,028                       147,804          
    Interest expense:                    
    Deposits             20,581                       19,172                     12,889                       57,025                       28,568          
    Borrowed funds             674                       664                     28                       2,032                       70          
    Subordinated debt             866                       867                     866                       2,600                       2,600          
    Total interest expense             22,121                       20,703                     13,783                       61,657                       31,238          
    Net interest income             38,020                       36,161                     38,502                       109,371                       116,566          
    Provision for credit losses             1,332                       137                     1,752                       2,091                       6,756          
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses             36,688                       36,024                     36,750                       107,280                       109,810          
    Non-interest income:                    
    Wealth management fees             2,025                       1,970                     1,673                       5,845                       4,933          
    Deposit and interchange fees             2,282                       2,284                     1,987                       6,635                       6,330          
    Income on bank-owned life insurance, net             518                       503                     327                       1,479                       950          
    Net losses on sales of debt securities             (2 )             —                     —                       (2 )             (2,419 )
    Net gains on sales of loans             57                       44                     14                       123                       34          
    Net gains (losses) on equity securities             604                       101                     (181 )             1,170                       (8 )
    Other income             656                       726                     666                       2,013                       2,242          
    Total non-interest income             6,140                       5,628                     4,486                       17,263                       12,062          
    Non-interest expense:                    
    Salaries and employee benefits             20,097                       19,675                     19,159                       58,948                       53,815          
    Occupancy and equipment expenses             2,438                       2,406                     2,433                       7,303                       7,439          
    Technology and telecommunications expenses             2,618                       2,658                     2,626                       8,021                       7,937          
    Advertising and public relations expenses             559                       674                     592                       1,976                       2,077          
    Audit, legal and other professional fees             569                       711                     735                       2,014                       2,157          
    Deposit insurance premiums             900                       862                     654                       2,621                       1,944          
    Supplies and postage expenses             261                       240                     251                       738                       753          
    Other operating expenses             1,911                       1,803                     1,862                       5,669                       5,853          
    Total non-interest expense             29,353                       29,029                     28,312                       87,290                       81,975          
    Income before income taxes             13,475                       12,623                     12,924                       37,253                       39,897          
    Provision for income taxes             3,488                       3,111                     3,225                       9,247                       9,746          
    Net income   $         9,987             $         9,512           $         9,699             $         28,006             $         30,151          
                         
    Basic earnings per common share   $         0.80             $         0.77           $         0.79             $         2.26             $         2.47          
    Diluted earnings per common share   $         0.80             $         0.77           $         0.79             $         2.26             $         2.46          
                         
    Basic weighted average common shares outstanding             12,428,543                       12,389,917                     12,247,892                       12,370,812                       12,210,740          
    Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding             12,438,160                       12,394,463                     12,264,778                       12,379,390                       12,233,861          

    ENTERPRISE BANCORP, INC.
    Selected Consolidated Financial Data and Ratios
    (unaudited)

        At or for the three months ended
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)   September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
      September 30,
    2023
    Balance Sheet Data                    
    Total cash and cash equivalents   $ 88,632     $ 199,719     $ 147,834     $ 56,592     $ 225,421  
    Total investment securities at fair value     631,975       636,838       652,026       668,171       678,932  
    Total loans     3,858,940       3,768,649       3,654,322       3,567,631       3,404,014  
    Allowance for credit losses     (63,654 )     (61,999 )     (60,741 )     (58,995 )     (57,905 )
    Total assets     4,742,809       4,773,681       4,624,015       4,466,034       4,482,374  
    Total deposits     4,189,461       4,248,801       4,106,119       3,977,521       4,060,403  
    Borrowed funds     59,949       61,785       63,246       25,768       4,290  
    Subordinated debt     59,736       59,657       59,577       59,498       59,419  
    Total shareholders’ equity     368,109       340,441       333,439       329,117       299,699  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity     4,742,809       4,773,681       4,624,015       4,466,034       4,482,374  
                         
    Wealth Management                    
    Wealth assets under management   $ 1,212,076     $ 1,129,147     $ 1,105,036     $ 1,077,761     $ 984,647  
    Wealth assets under administration   $ 302,891     $ 267,529     $ 268,074     $ 242,338     $ 211,046  
                         
    Shareholders’ Equity Ratios                    
    Book value per common share   $ 29.62     $ 27.40     $ 26.94     $ 26.82     $ 24.45  
    Dividends paid per common share   $ 0.24     $ 0.24     $ 0.24     $ 0.23     $ 0.23  
                         
    Regulatory Capital Ratios                    
    Total capital to risk weighted assets     13.07 %     13.07 %     13.20 %     13.12 %     13.45 %
    Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets(1)     10.36 %     10.34 %     10.43 %     10.34 %     10.61 %
    Tier 1 capital to average assets     8.68 %     8.76 %     8.85 %     8.74 %     8.59 %
                         
    Credit Quality Data                    
    Non-performing loans   $ 25,946     $ 17,731     $ 18,527     $ 11,414     $ 11,656  
    Non-performing loans to total loans     0.67 %     0.47 %     0.51 %     0.32 %     0.34 %
    Non-performing assets to total assets     0.55 %     0.37 %     0.40 %     0.26 %     0.26 %
    ACL for loans to total loans     1.65 %     1.65 %     1.66 %     1.65 %     1.70 %
    Net (recoveries) charge-offs   $ (7 )   $ (130 )   $ 122     $ 15     $ (12 )
                         
    Income Statement Data                    
    Net interest income   $ 38,020     $ 36,161     $ 35,190     $ 36,518     $ 38,502  
    Provision for credit losses     1,332       137       622       2,493       1,752  
    Total non-interest income     6,140       5,628       5,495       5,547       4,486  
    Total non-interest expense     29,353       29,029       28,908       28,224       28,312  
    Income before income taxes     13,475       12,623       11,155       11,348       12,924  
    Provision for income taxes     3,488       3,111       2,648       3,441       3,225  
    Net income   $ 9,987     $ 9,512     $ 8,507     $ 7,907     $ 9,699  
                         
    Income Statement Ratios                    
    Diluted earnings per common share   $ 0.80     $ 0.77     $ 0.69     $ 0.64     $ 0.79  
    Return on average total assets     0.82 %     0.82 %     0.75 %     0.69 %     0.85 %
    Return on average shareholders’ equity     11.20 %     11.55 %     10.47 %     10.21 %     12.53 %
    Net interest margin (tax-equivalent)(2)     3.22 %     3.19 %     3.20 %     3.29 %     3.46 %

    (1)   Ratio also represents common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets as of the periods presented.
    (2)   Tax-equivalent net interest margin is net interest income adjusted for the tax-equivalent effect associated with tax-exempt loan and investment income, expressed as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.

    ENTERPRISE BANCORP, INC.
    Consolidated Loan and Deposit Data
    (unaudited)

    Major classifications of loans at the dates indicated were as follows:

    (Dollars in thousands)   September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
      September 30,
    2023
    Commercial real estate owner-occupied   $ 660,063     $ 660,478     $ 635,420     $ 619,302     $ 618,903  
    Commercial real estate non owner-occupied     1,579,827       1,544,386       1,524,174       1,445,435       1,413,555  
    Commercial and industrial     415,642       426,976       417,604       430,749       425,334  
    Commercial construction     674,434       622,094       583,711       585,113       501,179  
    Total commercial loans     3,329,966       3,253,934       3,160,909       3,080,599       2,958,971  
                         
    Residential mortgages     424,030       413,323       400,093       393,142       362,514  
    Home equity loans and lines     95,982       93,220       85,144       85,375       74,433  
    Consumer     8,962       8,172       8,176       8,515       8,096  
    Total retail loans     528,974       514,715       493,413       487,032       445,043  
    Total loans     3,858,940       3,768,649       3,654,322       3,567,631       3,404,014  
                         
    ACL for loans     (63,654 )     (61,999 )     (60,741 )     (58,995 )     (57,905 )
    Net loans   $ 3,795,286     $ 3,706,650     $ 3,593,581     $ 3,508,636     $ 3,346,109  

    Deposits are summarized as follows as of the periods indicated:

    (Dollars in thousands)   September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
      September 30,
    2023
    Non-interest checking   $ 1,064,424   $ 1,041,771   $ 1,038,887   $ 1,061,009   $ 1,118,714
    Interest-bearing checking     682,050     788,822     730,819     697,632     727,817
    Savings     279,824     294,566     285,090     294,865     302,381
    Money market     1,488,437     1,504,551     1,469,181     1,402,939     1,434,036
    CDs $250,000 or less     375,055     358,149     337,367     295,789     262,975
    CDs greater than $250,000     299,671     260,942     244,775     225,287     214,480
    Deposits   $ 4,189,461   $ 4,248,801   $ 4,106,119   $ 3,977,521   $ 4,060,403

    ENTERPRISE BANCORP, INC.
    Consolidated Average Balance Sheets and Yields (tax-equivalent basis)
    (unaudited)

    The following table presents the Company’s average balance sheets, net interest income and average rates for the periods indicated:

        Three months ended September 30, 2024   Three Months Ended June 30, 2024   Three months ended September 30, 2023
    (Dollars in thousands)   Average
    Balance
      Interest(1)   Average
    Yield(1)
      Average
    Balance
      Interest(1)   Average
    Yield(1)
      Average
    Balance
      Interest(1)   Average
    Yield(1)
    Assets:                                    
    Other interest-earning assets(2)   $ 181,465   $ 2,497   5.48 %   $ 123,887   $ 1,697   5.51 %   $ 260,475   $ 3,468   5.28 %
    Investment securities(3)(tax-equivalent)     731,815     3,945   2.16 %     750,822     4,057   2.16 %     820,156     4,444   2.17 %
    Loans and loans held for sale(4)(tax-equivalent)     3,813,800     53,956   5.63 %     3,708,485     51,366   5.57 %     3,372,754     44,644   5.25 %
    Total interest-earnings assets (tax-equivalent)     4,727,080     60,398   5.09 %     4,583,194     57,120   5.01 %     4,453,385     52,556   4.69 %
    Other assets     104,284             96,991             82,190        
    Total assets   $ 4,831,364           $ 4,680,185           $ 4,535,575        
                                         
    Liabilities and stockholders’ equity:                                    
    Non-interest checking   $ 1,069,130           $ 1,044,648           $ 1,186,243        
    Interest checking, savings and money market     2,574,439     13,017   2.01 %     2,520,439     12,381   1.98 %     2,491,229     9,185   1.47 %
    CDs     651,614     7,564   4.62 %     601,339     6,791   4.54 %     430,376     3,704   3.41 %
    Total deposits     4,295,183     20,581   1.91 %     4,166,426     19,172   1.85 %     4,107,848     12,889   1.24 %
    Borrowed funds     61,232     674   4.38 %     62,513     664   4.27 %     4,938     28   2.30 %
    Subordinated debt(5)     59,689     866   5.81 %     59,609     867   5.82 %     59,372     866   5.84 %
    Total funding liabilities     4,416,104     22,121   1.99 %     4,288,548     20,703   1.94 %     4,172,158     13,783   1.31 %
    Other liabilities     60,524             60,270             56,414        
    Total liabilities     4,476,628             4,348,818             4,228,572        
    Stockholders’ equity     354,736             331,367             307,003        
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 4,831,364           $ 4,680,185           $ 4,535,575        
                                         
    Net interest-rate spread (tax-equivalent)           3.10 %           3.07 %           3.38 %
    Net interest income (tax-equivalent)         38,277             36,417             38,773    
    Net interest margin (tax-equivalent)           3.22 %           3.19 %           3.46 %
    Less tax-equivalent adjustment         257             256             271    
    Net interest income       $ 38,020           $ 36,161           $ 38,502    
    Net interest margin           3.20 %           3.17 %           3.43 %

    (1)   Average yields and interest income are presented on a tax-equivalent basis, calculated using a U.S. federal income tax rate of 21% for each period presented, based on tax-equivalent adjustments associated with tax-exempt loans and investments interest income.
    (2)   Average other interest-earning assets include interest-earning deposits with banks, federal funds sold and Federal Home Loan Bank stock
    (3)   Average investment securities are presented at average amortized cost.
    (4)   Average loans and loans held for sale are presented at average amortized cost and include non-accrual loans.
    (5)   Subordinated debt is net of average deferred debt issuance costs.

    Contact Info:        Joseph R. Lussier, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (978) 656-5578

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Cooper Urges Western North Carolinians to Enroll in Disaster Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) as Relief Efforts Continue

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Governor Cooper Urges Western North Carolinians to Enroll in Disaster Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) as Relief Efforts Continue

    Governor Cooper Urges Western North Carolinians to Enroll in Disaster Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) as Relief Efforts Continue
    mseets

    As relief efforts continue in Western North Carolina, Governor Cooper is encouraging Western North Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene to enroll in Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) this week by the Thursday deadline. Eligible households can apply for help buying food through D-SNAP.

    “We know many North Carolinians were affected by Helene and D-SNAP is one of the many ways we are taking action to get help to those who need it,” said Governor Cooper. “I encourage all those eligible to apply by Thursday’s deadline. We will continue to support communities and families every step of the way as they recover.”

    The deadline to apply for D-SNAP is Thursday, October 24, 2024. Eligible households may apply for D-SNAP through Thursday, October 24 by phone or in person. More information including a list of application sites by county is available at ncdhhs.gov/dsnap.

    North Carolina National Guard and Military Response

    Over 3,000 Soldiers and Airmen are working in Western North Carolina. Joint Task Force- North Carolina, the task force led by the North Carolina National Guard is made up of Soldiers and Airmen from 12 different states, two different XVIII Airborne Corps units from Ft. Liberty, a unit from Ft. Campbell’s 101st Airborne Division, and numerous civilian entities are working side-by-side to get the much-needed help to people in Western North Carolina.

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is helping to assess water and wastewater plants and dams. Residents can track the status of the public water supply in their area through this website.

    FEMA Assistance

    Approximately $133 million in FEMA Individual Assistance funds have been paid so far to Western North Carolina disaster survivors and approximately 210,000 people have registered for Individual Assistance. Over 6,200 people have been helped through FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance. More than 5,400 registrations for Small Business Administration Loans have been filed.

    Approximately 1,500 FEMA staff are in the state to help with the Western North Carolina relief effort. In addition to search and rescue and providing commodities, they are meeting with disaster survivors in shelters and neighborhoods to provide rapid access to relief resources. They can be identified by their FEMA logo apparel and federal government identification.

    North Carolinians can apply for Individual Assistance by calling 1-800-621-3362 from 7am to 11pm daily or by visiting www.disasterassistance.gov, or by downloading the FEMA app. FEMA may be able to help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs.

    Help from Other States

    More than 1,600 responders from 39 state and local agencies have performed 147 missions supporting the response and recovery efforts through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). This includes public health nurses, emergency management teams supporting local governments, veterinarians, teams with search dogs and more.

    Beware of Misinformation

    North Carolina Emergency Management and local officials are cautioning the public about false Helene reports and misinformation being shared on social media. NCEM has launched a fact versus rumor response webpage to provide factual information in the wake of this storm. FEMA also has a rumor response webpage.

    Efforts continue to provide food, water and basic necessities to residents in affected communities, using both ground resources and air drops from the NC National Guard. Food, water and commodity points of distribution are open throughout Western North Carolina. For information on these sites in your community, visit your local emergency management and local government social media and websites or visit ncdps.gov/Helene.

    Storm Damage Cleanup

    If your home has damages and you need assistance with clean up, please call Crisis Cleanup for access to volunteer organizations that can assist you at 844-965-1386.

    Power Outages

    Across Western North Carolina, approximately 5,200 customers remain without power, down from a peak of more than 1 million. Overall power outage numbers will fluctuate up and down as power crews temporarily take circuits or substations offline to make repairs and restore additional customers.

    Road Closures

    Some roads are closed because they are too damaged and dangerous to travel. Other roads still need to be reserved for essential traffic like utility vehicles, construction equipment and supply trucks. However, some parts of the area are open and ready to welcome visitors which is critical for the revival of Western North Carolina’s economy. If you are considering a visit to the area, consult DriveNC.gov for open roads and reach out to the community and businesses you want to visit to see if they are welcoming visitors back yet.

    NCDOT currently has over 2,000 employees and 900 pieces of equipment working on over 7,400 damaged road sites.

    Fatalities

    Ninety-six storm-related deaths have been confirmed in North Carolina by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner. This number is expected to rise over the coming days. The North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will continue to confirm numbers twice daily. If you have an emergency or believe that someone is in danger, please call 911.

    Volunteers and Donations

    If you would like to donate to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund, visit nc.gov/donate. Donations will help to support local nonprofits working on the ground.

    For information on volunteer opportunities, please visit nc.gov/volunteernc.

    Additional Assistance

    There is no right or wrong way to feel in response to the trauma of a hurricane. If you have been impacted by the storm and need someone to talk to, call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990. Help is also available to anyone, anytime in English or Spanish through a call, text or chat to 988. Learn more at 988Lifeline.org.

    If you are seeking a representative from the North Carolina Joint Information Center, please email ncempio@ncdps.gov or call 919-825-2599.

    For general information, access to resources, or answers to frequently asked questions, please visit ncdps.gov/helene.

    If you are seeking information on resources for recovery help for a resident impacted from the storm, please email IArecovery@ncdps.gov.

    ###

    Oct 22, 2024

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: SECU Members Benefit from Suncoast Credit Union Mobile ATM During Storm Recovery

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RALEIGH, N.C., Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Florida-based Suncoast Credit Union generously provided State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) with a mobile ATM to help support the financial needs of its members and area residents affected by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina (WNC). The mobile ATM offers 24-hour availability and is currently located at SECU’s Asheville-Oak Plaza Branch, which is without a functioning ATM and is operating on a modified schedule until water and other resources are fully restored.

    While most of its area branches and ATMs are operating in some capacity, SECU encourages members to check the online Branch and ATM Locator to determine if their closest location is open or operating on a modified schedule due to ongoing storm recovery.

    “We are very grateful to Suncoast Credit Union for their generosity and swift action in helping us deliver much-needed ATM access to support our members and others in the community who desperately need cash during this difficult time,” said SECU President and CEO Leigh Brady. “Western North Carolina has a long and challenging road ahead, and we will continue to find ways to help our neighbors recover from Helene’s destruction. We also recognize that as our Florida friends are extending helping hands to us, they are also recovering from storm damage, most recently from Hurricane Milton. We are keeping them close to our hearts and are ready to support them as well.”

    “Our goal is to be where we are needed because that is the credit union way,” said Suncoast Credit Union President and CEO Kevin Johnson. “People helping people is part of the Suncoast Credit Union DNA, so our traveling to North Carolina is an act of heartfelt readiness to serve those whose lives have, like many Floridians, been devastated by the fate of nature. Working together, we can create change and expedite restoration.”

    About SECU

    A not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members, and federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), SECU has been providing employees of the state of North Carolina and their families with consumer financial services for 87 years. SECU is the second largest credit union in the United States with $56 billion in assets. It serves more than 2.8 million members through 275 branch offices, over 1,100 ATMs, Member Services Support via phone, http://www.ncsecu.org, and the SECU Mobile App.

    About Suncoast Credit Union

    Suncoast Credit Union is the largest credit union in the state of Florida, the 8th largest in the United States based on membership, and the 10th largest in the United States based on its $18.7 billion in assets. Chartered in 1934 as Hillsborough County Teachers Credit Union, Suncoast Credit Union currently operates 78 full-service branches and serves more than 1.2 million members across Florida. As a community credit union, anyone who lives, works, attends school, or worships in Suncoast Credit Union’s service area is eligible for membership. In 2021, Suncoast Credit Union’s field of membership was expanded to include public K-12 teachers, college educators, and educational support staff from all of Florida’s 67 counties. Suncoast is passionate about community support. Since its founding in 1990, the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation has raised and donated more than $45 million to organizations and initiatives that support the health, education, and emotional well-being of children in the communities that the credit union serves. For more information, visit http://www.suncoast.com or follow us on social media: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

    SECU Contact:  Sandra Jones, SVP – Communications
    Office:  (919) 508-8773 | sandra.jones@ncsecu.org

    Suncoast Contact:  Patti Barrow, Vice President of Media Relations
    Office:  (813) 280-4441 | patti.barrow@suncoastcreditunion.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/be2b89b6-5cac-422a-9af2-a3a3209ec1de

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Scanlon, Casey, Fetterman, Boyle, Evans, Parker Announce $27.5 Million for Philadelphia International Airport

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon(PA-5)

    Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) today joined Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA), Representatives Dwight Evans (PA-03) and Brendan Boyle (PA-02), and Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker in announcing that Philadelphia International Airport is receiving $27,500,000 in new federal infrastructure funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). This funding comes from the Airport Terminal Program (ATP), which was created by the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to revitalize the nation’s aging airports. 

    “I’m proud to see PHL earning the competitive grants we authorized in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, bringing good jobs to our region as PHL upgrades its terminals.” said Rep. Scanlon. “Modernizing our region’s airport infrastructure will improve air travel for passengers and position our local economy for success in an increasingly competitive global economy.”

    “Philadelphia International Airport serves as a vital transportation and economic gateway to the rest of the Commonwealth and the world,” said Senator Casey. “This investment from the infrastructure law will help modernize the airport by upgrading HVAC and electrical systems in Terminals D and E. I will always fight for investments that boost Southeastern Pennsylvania’s economy and keep the region moving.”

    “It’s investments like this that help keep Philadelphia a world-class city with world-class infrastructure. This $27.5 million for terminal energy upgrades guarantees that the commonwealth’s largest airport stays efficient, resilient, and ready for the future. That’s how we keep Philly competitive and connected,” said Senator Fetterman.

    “I’m pleased to see another $27.5 million in federal funding that I voted for coming to Philadelphia! The airport has also received other federal funding for improvements through the Biden-Harris administration’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and this will all benefit people traveling from and to our area, along with our local economy,” said Congressman Evans.

    “It is tremendous news that our Philadelphia International Airport will be receiving $27.5 million from the Federal Aviation Administration to help with important HVAC and energy efficiency projects,” said Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “Every single federal grant or funding allocation coming into Philadelphia is because of the hard work of all our federal partners, including Senator Casey and every member of our delegation, along with the support of the Biden-Harris administration.  It’s another step forward for Philadelphia, and we are profoundly grateful.”

    The funding for Philadelphia International Airport will support improvements to the existing upper levels of portions of Terminals D & E that have reached the end of their useful lives,  including HVAC and electrical efficiency upgrades and improvements. PHL has received a total of $374,545,577 in federal investments since the start of 2021. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: ACT welcomes commonsense change in work rights for migrant families

    Source: ACT Party

    ACT’s Immigration spokesperson Dr Parmjeet Parmar is welcoming today’s announcement that the Government intends to restore open work rights to the partners of skilled migrants, delivering on an ACT coalition commitment.

    “Migrants are vital to address skill shortages in New Zealand,” says Dr Parmar.

    “It never made sense to allow the partners of visa holders to be in New Zealand, consume services, and yet be banned from working and paying taxes.

    “Today’s change is common sense, effectively lifting a ban contributing to New Zealand – something most migrants would be more than happy to do.

    “We saw what happened when our borders were sealed shut. Businesses went to the wall, fruit was left to rot on the ground, the health system struggled to keep up with demand, and families were separated.

    “But many were at risk of leaving due to unworkable rules requiring the partners of Accredited Employer Work Visa holders to also work for accredited employers and be paid the median wage. Making New Zealand a much less attractive place for migrants to live and work.

    “This concern has been raised with me by businesses who are at risk of losing valuable staff. The uncertainty and distress this has caused for migrants and their families has been immense. I am relieved this issue is finally being resolved.

    “ACT’s coalition agreement included a commitment to ‘liberalise the rules to make it easier for family members of visa holders to work in New Zealand, beginning with Skilled Migrant Category visa holders’.

    “We are encouraged by this progress and are eager to see further improvements to our immigration settings to fulfil ACT’s coalition commitments and make our country the preferred destination for ideas, talent and investment.

    “In particular, we look forward to introducing a five year, renewable parent category visa, conditional on that person’s healthcare costs being covered. This will help attract and retain migrants to ensure New Zealand has a competitive edge in the global war for talent. Doing right by migrants does not have to come at the cost of New Zealand’s own standard of living.

    “Labour wrecked the economy and made a complete hash of immigration. ACT is determined to ensure that immigration policy is simple to navigate and welcoming so that migrants can reunite with their families, the economy can grow and more locals can be employed through job creation and investment.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Representatives Auchincloss, Doggett Lead Bipartisan Letter Calling on Biden Administration to Strengthen Russian Oil Sanctions and Question Exception Approval

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jake Auchincloss (Massachusetts, 4)

    October 21, 2024

    Washington, D.C.— U.S. Representatives Jake Auchincloss (D-MA-04) and Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-37) led a bipartisan effort calling on the Biden Administration to pursue more vigorous Russian oil sanctions and questioning an exception granted to a U.S.-based company, Schlumberger (SLB), operating in Russia. Since Vladimir Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine in 2022, SLB has exported nearly $18 billion of equipment to Russia. The bipartisan group of lawmakers is questioning U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken as to why the Biden Administration has permitted SLB to aid Russia’s oil exports and fund Putin’s war economy.

    In the letter the members stated, “It is alarming that SLB, an American company, is still free to help Russia produce and export its oil to fund the war chest of an authoritarian regime. Its investment in the Russian energy sector is so harmful that Ukraine’s National Agency on Corruption Prevention justifiably added SLB to an “international sponsor of war” blacklist. We and our G7 allies can hold SLB accountable for its complicity in Russian war crimes while still preserving stability in the global oil market. We look forward to your prompt answers to our specific questions, as well as the requested documents. We strongly urge further action to effectively restrict Putin’s profits and aid in Ukraine’s defense.”

    “While Ukrainians fight and die on the front lines of freedom, a U.S. oil company is supporting the enemy,” said Rep. Auchincloss. “Oil is the lifeblood of the Russian war economy, which is why the West must stand united in tightening and enforcing oil sanctions. That begins by holding SLB and its collaborators accountable for evading allied sanctions, profiteering from pain, and fueling Putin’s ability to wage war.” 

    “My name is on the first sanctions legislation to become law shortly after the Russian invasion,” said Rep. Doggett. “Implementation of that and similar legislation by our allies has not prevented Putin from earning billions from oil exports. And unfortunately, North Korea and Iran are not the only places providing him help. By permitting his exports and permitting continued American company investments in Russia, Americans, and our European allies, are essentially funding both sides of this war. While well aware of concerns about the price of gasoline at the pump, we must stop oiling the Putin war machine to win this war, secure a just peace, and reparations.”

    Additional signers include Representatives Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL-20), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-9), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05), Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), Wiley Nickel (D-NC-13), Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), Dan Goldman (D-NY-10), Danny K. Davis (D-IL-07), Jim Costa (D-CA-21), Sean Casten (D-IL-06), Steve Cohen (D-TN-09), Adam B. Schiff (D-CA-30), Susan Wild (D-PA-07), Joe Wilson (R-SC-02), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (D-GA-04), Thomas R. Suozzi (D-NY-03), Brad Sherman (D-CA-32), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-18), Nikema Williams (D-GA-05),Gerald E. Connolly (D-VA-11), Mark Pocan (D-WI-02),  Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04), Jamie Raskin (D-MD-08), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-03), Seth Magaziner (D-RI-02), Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17), Patrick Ryan (D-NY-18), Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ-04), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12), Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ-07), Don Bacon (R-NE-02), Juan Vargas (D-CA-52), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-12), Ann McLane Kuster (D-NH-02), Emanuel Cleaver II (D-MO-05), Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ-06), Paul D. Tonko (D-NY-20), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13), Ted W. Lieu (D-CA-36), John B. Larson (D-CT-01), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Jill Tokuda (D-HI-01), Kweisi Mfume (D-MD-07), David J. Trone (D-MD-06), Seth Moulton (D-MA-06), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA-08), Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS-02) and Ro Khanna (D-CA-17).

    The letter in full can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: FEMA May Help Wildfire Survivors Whose Temporary Housing Insurance is Running Out

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: FEMA May Help Wildfire Survivors Whose Temporary Housing Insurance is Running Out

    FEMA May Help Wildfire Survivors Whose Temporary Housing Insurance is Running Out

    Kīhei, MAUI – If you are a wildfire survivor and have an insurance policy that covers your temporary housing, it’s important to verify the terms of that coverage, the amount, and how long it will last. If your insurance coverage is running out, contact FEMA to see how you may qualify for additional assistance. Even if your insurance is still in effect, you are encouraged to find out more about FEMA’s available programs. FEMA options include: The Rental Assistance Program, which may offer financial help towards paying your rent once you have exhausted insurance for additional living expenses or loss of use. The Direct Temporary Housing Assistance Program provides interim housing across Maui through the Direct Lease program. These programs – part of FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program — have been extended to Feb. 10, 2026, giving wildfire survivors more time to recover. The programs were set to expire Feb. 10, 2025.During the extended period, Direct Lease temporary housing occupants will be expected to start paying rent based on their financial ability. The amount will be determined on a case-by-case basis but won’t exceed 100 percent of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Fair Market Rent. Homeowners with insurance temporarily covering living expenses may still be able to participate in FEMA’s Rental Assistance program and Direct Temporary Housing Assistance program. Some are currently in Direct Lease housing units. To begin the process for the Rental Assistance Program, applicants must first appeal to FEMA. The appeal must include the insurance policy page detailing additional living expense/loss of use coverage, proof of exhaustion of insurance funds, the current lease or rental agreement, and rental receipts. If approved, the initial Rental Assistance will provide two months of rent at 100 percent of HUD’s Fair Market Rent for Maui County. After the first two months of Rental Assistance, the applicant may apply for Continued Temporary Housing Assistance. If approved, Rental Assistance would be extended for three months at a time as needed. The amount provided would be up to 175 percent of the HUD Fair Market Rent. To find out if you qualify, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Or you may call the FEMA Housing Hotline at 808-784-1600.For in-person support, visit FEMA at:Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, Kākoʻo Maui Relief & Aid Services Center located at 153 E Kamehameha Ave Ste 101 in Kahului. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. HST Monday to Friday. Maui County’s Office of Recovery at the Lahaina Gateway located at 325 Keawe St. in Lahaina, next to the Ace Hardware Store. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. HST Monday to Friday.For more information about insurance-denial or insurance-settlement matters, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Operators are available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. HST, seven days a week, and they speak many languages. Press 2 for Spanish. Press 3 for an interpreter who speaks your language.For the latest information on the Maui wildfire recovery efforts, visit mauicounty.gov, mauirecovers.org, fema.gov/disaster/4724 and Hawaii Wildfires – YouTube. Follow FEMA on social media: @FEMARegion9 and facebook.com/fema. 
    shannon.carley
    Tue, 10/22/2024 – 20:48

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: Altai Mourns the Passing of Chairman and President Niyazi Kacira, and Announces Election of the Board of Directors, Appointment of New Chairman and President, and Stock Option Grants

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Altai Resources Inc. (ATI, TSX VENTURE; US SEC Rule 12g3-2(b) File # 82-2950) (“Altai” or the “Company”) announces with great sadness the passing of its Chairman and President, Dr. Niyazi Kacira following a short illness. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family.

    The Board and the Altai family will greatly miss his extraordinary passion and devotion to the Company, thoughtful leadership and ability to connect with people. He was a person of great integrity and unparalleled reputation.

    Dr. Kacira took over the helm of the dormant Black Cliff Mines Ltd. (later changed the name to Altai Resources Inc) in 1987, revived it and listed it on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Since 1987, he served as President (except for a short period of time) and Chairman until his passing. He has made an invaluable and immeasurable contribution in nurturing, building and growing Altai with his tremendous geological expertise and foresight and always with the best interest of the Company in mind and in action, and has set the highest standard of integrity for the Company.

    At its annual general meeting of the shareholders held on October 21, 2024 (the “Meeting”) in Toronto, Jeffrey S. Ackert, Maria Au and Eric Yao as described in the Management Information Circular of the Meeting, were elected as Directors of the Company. Due to his passing, Dr. Kacira was not nominated as director in the Meeting. In the Meeting, Kursat Kacira, who has advised that he is willing and able to serve as a Director of Altai if elected, was nominated as permitted in accordance with the Company’s Advance Notice By-laws and was duly elected as a Director of the Company.

    Mr. Kursat Kacira, a resident of Ontario, Canada, is an accomplished finance and investment executive with over 25 years of global experience in investment management, real estate, corporate finance, capital markets, investment banking, and public accounting. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant (Ontario), has a Master of Business Administration (Dean’s Scholarship) from the Stern School of Business at New York University, and a Bachelor of Mathematics (Honours) from the University of Waterloo.

    He is currently the President of Kacira Holdings Ltd., a private family office investment company. Previously, he served as Managing Director, Head of Global Capital Markets in the Private Markets group at Manulife Investment Management, the Global Wealth & Asset Management division of Manulife Financial Corporation. Prior to joining Manulife, he was the CEO and a director of Firm Capital American Realty Partners Corp., a publicly traded real estate company focused on investing in multi-family residential real estate in the United States. He has also previously been the CEO (and Board Trustee) of Maplewood International REIT (a publicly traded REIT focused on investing in commercial real estate in Europe); CFO of NorthWest International Healthcare Properties REIT (a publicly traded REIT focused on investing in healthcare real estate in Europe, South America, and Australasia); CFO of Whiterock REIT, a publicly traded REIT focused on investing in commercial real estate in Canada and the United States, where he was responsible for the ultimate sale of Whiterock to publicly traded Dundee REIT in 2012, for an enterprise value of $1.4 billion (at the time, the 3rd largest Canadian commercial real estate M&A transaction since 2006). Prior to the above, he had been Vice President & Director in the Real Estate Group, Investment Banking at TD Securities Inc. in Toronto, Ontario, in investment banking with Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. in New York, US and in public accounting in Canada and Europe (Price Waterhouse in Toronto and Paris). Through his investment banking career in Canada and the United States, he was responsible for completing over $10 billion of capital raising (equity and debt) and M&A transactions for companies across numerous industries, primarily in the real estate sector.

    Mr. Harold Tan, a director of the Company since 2023, did not stand for renomination as a director in this Meeting, for personal reasons. Altai sincerely thanks him for his contributions to the Company during his directorship and wishes him well in all his future ventures.

    In the Meeting, CAN Partners LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants were appointed as Auditors of the Company.

    On October 21, 2024 and after the Meeting, the Board appointed Kursat Kacira as the Chairman and President of the Company.

    On October 21, 2024, the Company granted to each of the two new directors and a new officer, a stock option of 200,000 shares to purchase common shares of the Company at an exercise price of $0.10 per share and expiring October 19, 2029.

    ABOUT ALTAI
    Altai Resources Inc. is a resource company with a producing oil property in Alberta and an exploration gold property in Quebec.

    For further information, please contact
    Maria Au, Secretary-Treasurer
    Tel: (416) 383-1328 Fax: (416) 383-1686
    Email: info@altairesources.com Internet: http://www.altairesources.com

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

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Transcript of Global Financial Stability Report October 2024 Press Briefing

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    October 22, 2024

    Speakers:

     

    Tobias Adrian, Financial Counselor and Director, Monetary and Capital Markets Department, IMF

    Caio Ferreira, Deputy Division Chief, Monetary and Capital Markets Department, IMF

    Jason Wu, Assistant Director, Monetary and Capital Markets Department, IMF

     

    Moderator: Alexander Müller, Communications Analyst, IMF

     

    Mr. MÜLLER: OK. Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening, depending on where you are joining us from. Welcome to this press briefing on our latest Global Financial Stability Report, titled “Steadying the Course: Uncertainty, Artificial Intelligence, and Financial Stability.”

     

    I am Alex Müller with the Communications Department here at the IMF. I am joined today by Tobias Adrian, the IMF’s Financial Counsellor and Director of the Monetary and Capital Markets Department; to Tobias’s left, Jason Wu, assistant director at the Monetary and Capital Markets Department; and to his left, Caio Ferreira, deputy chief of the Global Markets Analysis Division.

     

    Our latest GFSR is out as of right now, so you can download the full text, our executive summary, and the latest blog on our website at IMF.org/GFSR.

     

    This press briefing is on the record. And we’ll start things off with some opening remarks just to set the stage before opening the floor to your questions. As a reminder we do have simultaneous interpretation into Arabic, French, and Spanish, both in the room and online.

     

    With that, I think we can get started.

     

    Tobias, when we released our last GFSR in April, optimism in financial markets was fueling asset valuations, credit spreads had compressed, and valuations in riskier asset markets had ratcheted up. At the time, you warned of some short‑term risks, like persistent inflation, as well as the tension between these narrowing credit spreads and the deteriorating underlying credit quality in some regions; but you also warned of some more medium‑term risks, like heightened vulnerabilities amidst elevated debt levels globally. So where are we now since then, six months later?

     

    Mr. ADRIAN: Thanks so much. And let me welcome all of to you this launch of the Global Financial Stability Report.

     

    So the themes that you highlight, Alex, have broadly continued.

     

    Let me start with inflation. So global inflation has progressed toward target in most countries. So most central banks continue with a tight stance of policy but have started to cut rates. Now, with inflation heading towards target in many countries, the focus of the central banks has shifted from being primarily focused on inflation toward also considering real activity.

     

    So, concerning real activity, we have seen upward surprises relative to expectations. In financial markets, that has been particularly visible in earnings surprises that have been on the positive side. So as a result, the likelihood of a global recession has continued to recede. So the baseline forecast is one of a soft landing globally. And that is the optimism that we had flagged already in April. That has been reinforced in many ways. And that is fueling optimism in financial markets. So financial conditions globally continue to be accommodative. Credit spreads continue to be tight. Implied volatility, particularly in risky asset markets, such as equity markets, continues to be fairly low.

     

    Now, you know, our main theme in Chapter 1, which was released today, is a tension between this financial market assessment of volatility‑‑i.e. the implied volatility in the equity market is perhaps the best indicator here‑‑which is at fairly low levels by historical standards, relative to measures of global geopolitical uncertainty.

     

    So in the report, we’re showing two measures that are computed not at the Fund but by other institutions. One on geopolitical uncertainty. The other one on economic uncertainty. And those continue to be relatively elevated. So there’s a kind of wedge in between the financial market‑implied volatility and the assessment of political or economic uncertainty. So this tension worries us, as it gives rise to the potential for a sharp readjustment of financial conditions. So we saw a little bit of that in August in a sell‑off that was very brief. So it’s a blip, in retrospect; but it does raise the concern, whether there are some vulnerabilities in the financial system that could be triggered if adverse shocks hit.

     

    Mr. MÜLLER: Thank you, Tobias. That sets the stage nicely for us, I think.

     

    We will turn to your questions now. We do have runners in the room with mics, so please do raise your hand. You can raise your hand both online or in the room, and we’ll come to you. Please do remember to state your name and affiliation. And keep it as brief as possible so we can get to as many questions as possible.

     

    Let’s start over here with the first question.

     

    QUESTION: Thank you so much. I am not asking you to comment on the presidential election in the U.S. But we have a presidential election here in 14 days, and President Trump or Vice President Harris may win the election. And that election will have ramifications not just in the U.S. but around the world.

     

    How does the IMF assess the outlook for the U.S. economy in the lead‑up to the presidential election? And what implications could a potential economic shift have for emerging markets in Africa, particularly regarding investment flows and debt sustainability? Thank you.

     

    Mr. ADRIAN: Thank you so much.

     

    Mr. MÜLLER: Do you want to group some questions? Do we have similar questions on the election or the U.S.? Can we take the question over there, please?

     

    QUESTION: How do you explain the recent backup in U.S. yields? And are you concerned about financial stability in the United States, given the rising projections of federal debt, irrespective of the outcome of the election? Thank you.

     

    Mr. MÜLLER: I think we can start with that for now.

     

    Mr. ADRIAN: OK. Sounds good. Yes.

     

    You know, we don’t comment on specific election outcomes. Of course, this year is an unusual year, in that over half of the population globally either has elected already this year or will elect this year new governments. And so that is certainly part of the reason why this policy uncertainty globally is high. There’s some uncertainty as to, you know, what the policy path for economic policies and broader policies is going to be going forward.

     

    When we look at volatility, as I said, that uncertainty in equity markets is relatively contained. But in interest rates, volatility is somewhat more elevated than it was, say, in the decade after the global financial crisis. So we are back to levels that are more similar to pre‑financial crisis. So interest rate volatility is relatively high. And that answers to some degree the second question.

     

    We have seen volatile longer‑term yields throughout the year, but we don’t think that that volatility is excessive, relative to the fact that monetary policy has become more data dependent. You know, after the global financial crisis, there was this challenge of the zero lower bound for monetary policy; so forward guidance was a very important tool. And that had even been phase in prior to the financial crisis with, you know, forward guidance being a compressor of volatility for interest rates. And that is less the case today. So interest rate volatility has increased.

     

    When we look at the longer‑term yields, we do certainly see that term premia have decompressed to some extent. So after the global financial crisis, we had seen negative term premia at a 10‑year level in the U.S. and many other countries, and some of that has decompressed. And that is, as would be expected, as the interest rate wall is coming up, asset purchases are normalizing, and quantitative tightening is being phased in.

     

    Now turning to Africa. Of course, you know, financial markets are global. So the base level of interest rates is moving across the world in a common fashion. So you can think about sort of like the base level of interest rates and then the spreads in countries, relative to that. So what we see in sub‑Saharan Africa is that countries with market access‑‑so those are the frontier economies‑‑they have seen spreads being compressed, so financial conditions have eased. And you know, relative to, say, 12 months ago, interest rates have certainly declined as a base. And many frontier markets have reissued, sort of accessed international capital markets. So, of course, there are countries that do face debt challenges, that do face liquidity challenges; and we’re actively engaged with the membership to address those.

     

    Mr. WU: Just to quickly add to what Tobias said about Africa.

     

    As he pointed out, the backdrop heading into this year was one of improvement, both in terms of growth, as well as financing conditions and spreads. Inflation is still high in the region, but it is coming down and stabilizing. Debt is an issue, but we have seen several cases this year being resolved. So that is good news.

     

    I think to your broader point, you know, we don’t comment on election outcomes; but we do know that financial markets tend to see, you know, more uncertainty around those outcomes. And this may affect financing conditions around the world, including in Africa. Uncertainty can also bring, you know, some slowdown in investments in the near term or the medium term. And so those are all possible outcomes. I think the key thing is for the macroeconomic framework to remain stable to address domestic situations and for countries that may be facing debt issues to engage with their creditors early, including through the Common Framework and other international setups.

     

    Mr. MÜLLER: Thank you. Can we take other questions? I think we have a question here in the middle, at the center.

     

    QUESTION: I was hoping you could talk about quantitative tightening. The Fed is still doing it. What are the risks now going forward? When do you think they might stop it? Thanks.

     

    Mr. ADRIAN: Thanks so much.

     

    As I mentioned earlier, you know, during the global financial crisis and then in the decade after the global financial crisis and then again with the COVID crisis, central banks‑‑advanced economy central banks around the world engaged in a quantitative easing. So these are asset purchases, called large‑scale asset purchases, in the U.S. that led to an increase in the balance sheet size of the central banks. So in the U.S. case, it grew roughly by a factor of 10. And the Fed has started to move towards a normalization of the balance sheet size. So that is generally referred to as quantitative tightening. And that has proceeded in a very orderly fashion. So when we look at market functioning, we see orderly markets in money markets. We see ample liquidity in core funding markets, including Treasury markets. And that is generally the case in other advanced economies that are doing quantitative tightening, as well.

     

    Of course, there is the question of how far the balance sheet normalization is going to go. And policymakers in the U.S. and other advanced economies have indicated how far this normalization would be going. So what is notable here is that the operational framework of the Federal Reserve changed to a floor system, so having a sufficient amount of reserves in the system to operate that floor system is key. So, you know, looking at funding conditions in money markets and market functioning is absolutely key. Back in 2019, there were some dislocations, and that is certainly something that policymakers are watching out for. But I would say that this balance sheet normalization has proceeded in a satisfactory and very orderly manner.

     

    Mr. FERREIRA: Tobias, just a quick complement.

     

    I think that we have seen a quantitative tightening from all of the major central banks. And I think that from the peak in 2022, of about 28 trillion in terms of assets in their balance sheets, it has come down by about one‑quarter already and, as Tobias was saying, in a very orderly fashion.

     

    The main risk that I think is important to monitor going forward is the potential drain on reserves, as Tobias was saying, to avoid the kind of episodes that we have seen in 2019. But there is also a potential risk for a bounce of increasing volatility, in the sense that we are moving from central banks being one of the main buyers of Treasuries to more price‑sensitive buyers. And this might cause volatility coming from data releases.

     

    Mr. MÜLLER: OK. Let’s take it back as well. We have a question in the front here, in the center, that we can take.

     

    QUESTION: Thank you for taking my question. I want to ask about the U.S. Federal Reserve’s policy and its impact, spillover impact. I think recently, it started to cut rates, and it’s going to cut rates further going forward. And it seems to be allowing other governments, other policymakers to have more room, including the People’s Bank of China. I want to ask Tobias whether he could comment on the latest action by China’s central bank and what’s the IMF’s suggestion going forward. Thank you.

     

    Mr. ADRIAN: Yeah. Absolutely.

     

    What we have seen in China is an easing of monetary policy. So the question is referring to the most recent action, which was a cut in interest rates. And, of course, we have seen PBoC engaging in asset purchases, which has supported the easing of financial conditions. So when we look at financial conditions‑‑so, you know, the cost of funding for households and corporations in China, those financial conditions have eased quite markedly. Equity markets have rallied. Longer‑term bond yields have declined. And we generally welcome that easing. We think that is the appropriate policy for monetary policy.

     

    There have been also some announcements on the fiscal side that are indicating support ‑‑ to the real estate sector, in particular. And, of course, authorities in China had already engaged for some time in terms of addressing the exposure of the banking system to the real estate sector. The real estate sector has cooled off in China, and that has created some risks in the banking sector. So authorities are working actively at addressing those by merging banks and using asset management corporations (AMCs) in an active manner. And we welcome that, as well.

     

    You know, we are watching closely how financial stability policies are going to evolve going forward, relative to the real sector but also the broader economy, and how fiscal policy is evolving going forward.

     

     

    Mr. FERREIRA: Maybe on this last point, Tobias, on financial stability.

     

    Of course, there’s some slowdown in economic activity, and the problems that we are seeing in the property sector are exerting some pressure on the financial system. The good news I think is that particularly the large banks seem to have strong capital buffers and liquidity buffers. The authorities also have the capacity to make target interventions, and this somewhat limits the risks of spillovers.

     

    There are some vulnerabilities that need to be monitored. Right? So one, of course, is this potential pressure on asset deterioration coming from this slowdown in the property market. So far, banks have been quite good in terms of being able to deal with this potential deterioration, particularly using asset management companies to dispose of some of the nonperforming assets. The capacity of these asset management companies to keep absorbing these assets needs to be monitored going forward. It’s also important to monitor the stability of the smaller banks that are not as strong as the larger banks.

     

    And the last point I think that’s important to mention is that the financial sector holds a lot of exposure to local government financing vehicles. And if there is‑‑and there are some pressures on these vehicles, and a potential restructuring of these debts might cause some losses to the banking sector, as well.

     

    Mr. MÜLLER: Thank you, Caio. Do we have any other questions on China before we move to anything else?

     

    So we can turn over to the side.

     

    QUESTION: Thank you. My question will be for Tobias and Jason.

     

    Of course, reading your report, you talked about financial fragilities, so I would like to know what financial fragilities you see in developing economies and what policymakers should do to keep financial markets resilient and stable in the face of high interest rates as a result of high inflation in developing economies like Nigeria, too.

     

    The question I have for Jason would be around, what does vigilance really mean for policymakers? Because in your report, you said that the policymakers need to be vigilant. Because vigilance in European economies or advanced economies is also different vigilance for developing economies. Thank you.

     

    Mr. ADRIAN: Thank you so much. Those are very pertinent questions. And thanks so much for taking a close look at the report.

     

    For developing economies broadly, I would say that there are three priorities. In terms of financial stability, we are engaging with many countries in terms of building capacity on regulatory issues, so making sure that banks are well capitalized, that monetary policy frameworks are sound. And Nigeria is a good example, where the central bank has been moving toward an inflation‑targeting regime, has liberalized the exchange rate. And we welcome that direction.

     

    Secondly‑‑and I think you alluded to that‑‑is, of course, the overall indebtedness. That is a challenge for some countries. As I mentioned earlier, frontier markets are developing economies with market access. And we have seen many frontier markets issue this year. The issuance levels are fairly high. And we think market access is there, though, of course, financing conditions have improved but are still more expensive than they were, say, in 2021, before the run‑up in inflation.

     

    So with inflation coming down and interest rates expected to further normalize, we would also expect that frontier market funding conditions will improve. And as I said, interest rate spreads are fairly tight.

     

    Now, of course, there are some countries a that do not have market access, and many of those countries are in programs with the IMF. And we are working actively with authorities on the debt issue. We do feel we have made good progress within the Common Framework, but there is certainly more to be done.

     

    Now, of course, it remains key to also work on structural issues to enhance the growth outlook. And that is really something that the regional economic briefings are going to address in detail.

     

    Mr. WU: Maybe just a quick word, to add to what Tobias said about Nigeria, in particular. We recognize that many citizens do face difficulty. The flood was quite devastating. Inflation is still very high, at some 30 percent. So in that regard, the central bank’s rate hikes so far this year have been appropriate.

     

    You asked a question about vigilance. I think importantly, macroeconomic conditions within the country should stabilize. Right? And that includes inflation that will provide room to guard against external shocks, which is less controllable, right, for the economy of Nigeria. So when appropriate, the various foreign exchange measures that were taken by authorities earlier this year are also appropriate in improving vigilance, as are the banking sector‑related measures that Tobias has mentioned.

     

    Mr. MÜLLER: All right. Do we have any more questions on that side of the room before we turn it back over here?

     

    QUESTION: Thank you very much.

    So Ghana has just completed its debt restructuring. It’s good news for Ghanians. However, it appears the government is looking at the capital market. What advice do you have for the government at this point? And also because we have an election around the corner.

     

    Mr. ADRIAN: Yeah. As I noted earlier, we don’t really comment on elections in the countries of our membership. You know, these are democratic processes. And the people in each country are‑‑it’s their liberty to vote for the government, so we don’t comment on that.

     

    We are, of course, engaged very closely with Ghana. Ghana is in a program. Ghana did restructure its debt. And we are confident that the outlook is going to improve going forward. The regional economic press briefing on Africa is going to go further into detail on those issues.

     

    Mr. MÜLLER: Thank you, Tobias.

     

    As a reminder these regional press briefings will be on Thursday and Friday. So they’re all going to be here, so you will have the opportunity to ask those specific questions then.

     

    Can we turn it over here to the middle for a question, please? Right in the center. Thank you.

     

    QUESTION: Thank you.

     

    A follow‑up question related to the yields going up for the Treasury. In simple words, do you see them going up as a source of a potential sell‑off in the financial markets?

     

    And a separate question, if possible. For the same token, yields are going up because of the fiscal trajectory in the U.S. that is worrisome for some, at least, although the candidates are not talking about it. For the same token, considering that the Italian debt is only going up, according to the latest estimates from the IMF, does that represent a source of financial instability for the euro zone?

     

    Mr. ADRIAN: Yeah. Thanks so much for this question.

     

    We have, indeed, done work on the interconnection or the nexus between fiscal‑‑or, you know, sovereign debt and financial market debt. So in the euro area, of course, we are watching closely the sovereign‑bank nexus, so the exposure of banks to the sovereign. And you know, in general, we have seen an amelioration there. So, you know, debt‑to‑GDP has been increasing. And that’s very broadly the case around the world. It’s really in the pandemic that we see a sharp upward move in debt‑to‑GDP in both advanced economies and emerging and developing economies. And you know, the fiscal outlook in many countries does imply that debt-to-GDP may continue to rise. So that could‑‑you know, that is certainly a backdrop for the financial system.

     

    Now having said that, governments in advanced economies and major emerging markets have ample room to adjust the fiscal situation going forward through spending measures, through revenue measures. So it is not an immediate financial stability concern in those advanced economies or major emerging markets.

     

    You know, in terms of the pricing of sovereign debt‑‑so, you know, Treasury yields and other benchmark yields around the world‑‑as I said earlier, volatility in those longer‑term yields has increased relative to the decade of the post‑crisis environment, where central banks were constrained at the zero lower bound or the effective lower bound, so had very low interest rates; so they deployed forward guidance and these quantitative asset purchases. So that really compressed longer‑term yields. And that has normalized to some degree, but we don’t think that it is an unusual move. So we are quite comfortable with the kind of levels that we are seeing.

     

    Mr. MÜLLER: Thank you. Let’s bring it back over here. I think we have a few questions. Can we take the one in the middle right at the center? Thank you.

     

    QUESTION: A question for Tobias, if I may.

     

    There has been quite a lot of talk about fragmentation and geopolitical risk. Do you think that, as others have said, the momentum for financial regulation and for completing the job on a lot of areas of that is fading? Is there a risk of complacency there? Thank you.

     

    Mr. ADRIAN: Yeah. So let me note that we are working around the membership on the regulation of banks but also non‑banks, including security markets, insurance companies, pension funds, and other non‑bank financial institutions.

     

    Concerning banking regulation, of course, there was a major initiative after the global financial crisis to improve capital and liquidity in the banks and to improve the supervision of the banks, primarily of internationally active banks. So the members of the Basel Committee‑‑this is, you know, a group of countries that roughly maps into the G‑20‑‑have committed to phasing in Basel III as a standard for capital and liquidity requirements in those banks. And our understanding is that the membership is still committed to that phase‑in.

     

    I would note that it has taken longer than was initially anticipated, but we are very confident for now that, you know, the major advanced economies and major emerging markets that have signed onto this Basel III framework are going to phase that in.

     

    In the broader membership of the IMF, there’s also a substantial improvement in the regulation of banks. And I would note that there has also been quite a bit of progress in terms of regulations of non‑banks, including insurance companies but also security markets, though we do think that more needs to be done going forward.

     

    Mr. FERREIRA: We have seen important progress in the post‑crisis. Our baseline is still that all the internationally agreed standards will be implemented. Although, as Tobias was saying, there are some major jurisdictions that are facing some challenges implementing that.

     

    We see this with some concern because when you see a major jurisdiction not implementing any standard or implementing it with substantial deviations from what has been agreed, it kind of jeopardizes the international standard‑setting process. That seems to be working fine, but we still are concerned with the delays in the implementation of these regulations that are important for the banks but also to maintain trust in the international standard setting process.

     

    Mr. MÜLLER: Thank you. We are coming close on time. So let’s take two or three last questions from this side. Then I think we still have one more question online. Can we do the three over here in the front, on the right?

     

    QUESTION: [Through interpreter]

     

    Good day. Jesus Antonio Vargas. Chucho Lo Sabe Newsletter.

     

    This is the ninth time I come to the Annual Meetings of the IMF and the World Bank. Six times in Washington. I come from Medellín, Colombia. I have also been in Lima, in Bali, last year in Marrakech. And it is a pleasure to see Tobias Adrian here. He has been year in, year out heading the endeavors. Congratulations.

     

    First, a surprise positively since there’s measures to come from the effort to the citizens. In Bogota, they’ve been talking about building a Metro system for 60 years, and they’re attempting it yet again now.

     

    Now, leaving that aside, we have spoken about, it is unlikely there will be a global recession, which is a relief.

     

    I was talking about the risk of a recession. You were talking about a positive surprise in terms of the gains. What do you mean exactly by that? Thank you.

     

    Mr. MÜLLER: If we could take two more questions over here.

     

    QUESTION:

     

    You just mentioned there is a disconnect between market volatility and also market economic uncertainties. Could you please just elaborate a little bit more on these risks. And also, more importantly, how will it affect global financial stability if it persists? Thank you.

     

    Mr. MÜLLER: One last question in the back there.

     

    QUESTION:

     

    I’ve got a question on liquidity mismatch, in the world of DC pensions. The report mentions the U.K.’s desire to shift toward unlisted assets as investments. And our current Chancellor has also expressed an interest in this. What are the risks in this? Should the shift toward these assets be limited? And how should we guard against them?

     

    Mr. ADRIAN: Yeah. Let me perhaps start with the question on macro uncertainty, which was the second question.

     

    So yeah, you know, what we’re seeing is that there is leverage and there are maturity mismatches in the financial sector in many different parts. You know, some of those are contained through prudential regulations, but not all institutions are subject to prudential regulations. So when there’s a sudden burst of uncertainty, some institutions may be forced to unwind their positions. So this includes, say, leveraged trades in fixed‑income markets or in equity markets.

     

    We saw some of that in August, when there was a sharp sell‑off in global equity markets but also in some fixed‑income markets, such as the carry trade across countries. And you know, volatility increased very quickly, leading to this forced deleveraging, and that can amplify downward moves in asset markets.

     

    In August, this episode was very short‑lived. So the sell‑off was followed by a buying of longer‑term investors, such as insurance companies and pension funds. But if such a sell‑off persists for more than‑‑or is more sharp, that could lead to financial stability problems or financial sector distress.

     

    Concerning the U.K. situation and the liquidity mismatches, let me just point out that the Bank of England and the FCA are very focused on those issues. And they do have, you know, broad authorities to regulate those mismatches. And I think they’re actively looking at how to model stress and how to make sure that these investments are sort of balancing risks and returns in an appropriate manner. I think Andrew Bailey made some remarks just this morning in that regard, and we’re fully aligned with his views there.

     

    Mr. MÜLLER: I’ll take one last question we have from WebEx, online on the Mexican central bank lowering interest rates. For future adjustments and to maintain financial stability, what should it take into account more, the movements of the Federal Reserve, internal inflation, or the depreciation of the currency?

     

    Mr. ADRIAN: OK. I don’t want to go too specifically into Mexico. Again, there is the Regional Economic Outlook that will speak more closely to specific country issues. So, you know, in general, in the major emerging markets, such as Mexico, that have open capital markets and have inflation targeting regimes, you know, inflation targeting and monetary policy credibility has proven to be very powerful in terms of generating macroeconomic stability, relative to both domestic and external shocks. And you know, in those frameworks, central banks look at both internal and external conditions and are targeting the medium‑term convergence of inflation back to target rates. That has proven very successful. And I would argue that in the major emerging markets, we really see a great deal of improvement in those monetary policy frameworks. So let me stop here.

     

    Mr. WU: Just to quickly complement.

     

    Hence, this is why we have seen major emerging markets come through this rate hike cycle with reasonable resilience across the board. This inflation‑targeting framework has obviously done work, to an extent. Having said that, we are now on the opposite side of the cycle, where interest rates are being cut. That, in theory, should be conducive to emerging markets. Financial conditions could ease. We just want to point out that, as we said in the report, expectations could change. Volatility could be introduced and suddenly surge. So this may have spillovers to emerging market economies, you know, sentiment, financial market sentiment, as well. So policymakers need to remain vigilant on monetary policy and on other aspects of financial sector policies in order to guard against those risks.

     

    Mr. MÜLLER: All right. Great. Thank you.

     

    Unfortunately, that does bring us to a close because we do have to respect the next press briefing in this room.

     

    If you do have any questions that we weren’t able to address, please do send them over to me or someone from our team. We’ll make sure to get back to you as soon as we can.

     

    Meanwhile, the events here at the IMF do continue. We still have a host of press conferences this week, from our Fiscal Monitor tomorrow at 9 a.m. Eastern Time to the Managing Director’s Global Policy Agenda on Thursday to our five regional briefings that we talked about, on Thursday and Friday, not to mention the seminars. We have the Managing Director joining the debate on the global economy. That is on Thursday afternoon, which is always a hit that you won’t want to miss. On Friday, the First Deputy Managing Director Gita Gopinath will participate in a panel discussion on monetary policy in a shock‑prone world on Friday afternoon. And there’s a whole lot more, so do check the full schedule online at IMFConnect or at meetings.imf.org.

     

    With that, Tobias, Jason, Caio, thank you for your insights. And thank you all for joining us for this event. We look forward to seeing you at the next one. Thank you.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Alexander Muller

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

    @IMFSpokesperson

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Transcript of G24 October 22 Press Briefing

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    October 22, 2024

    Speakers
    Chair: Ralph Recto, Secretary of Finance, Philippines

    First Vice‑Chair: Candelaria Alvarez Moroni, Argentina, representing Ministry of Economy Luis Caputo
    Second Vice‑Chair: Olawale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Nigeria
    Iyabo Masha, G‑24 Secretariat

    Mr. Recto (Philippines): Thank you, all. We had a productive exchange of views and experiences on some of the most pressing issues, confronting the global economy today. We are hard‑pressed on multiple fronts. The suffering costs by conflicts and humanitarian crisis around the world is vast and the affected region’s recovery, the construction, and long‑term development, cannot wait. They demand immediate forceful multilateral action.    

    While the global economy shows signs of stabilization, the outlook for many vulnerable nations, particularly in the global south, remains bleak. These weak economic prospects continue to haunt those already struggling to recover from the pandemic.      

    Inflation may be easing, but rising geopolitical tensions are keeping the threat of commodity price spikes and elevated interest rates alive. These risks impair capital flows, fiscal stability and the very survival of economies on the brink.          

    One thing is clear. Any slowdown in the global economy due to these new economic realities is bound to hit developing countries the hardest. While current circumstances have made it more difficult for us to achieve a sustainable and inclusive future by 2030, we believe that it remains possible with the right priorities and concerted international cooperation.         

    Thus, we continue to call for a more agile and strong will IMF and World Bank. We need heightened development cooperation, scale‑up support, and innovative solutions as we now begin the headwinds to foster peace, stability, and prosperity for all. And the key issue that underpins our discussions is the 80th Anniversary of the Bretton Woods System.         

    We acknowledge the significant evolution of the system over the decades. Yet, we must recognize that rapid transformations are occurring at an unprecedented base. We must therefore critically assess if the Bretton Woods System is adopting fast enough to the rapidly changing and increasingly volatile global environment.         

    To this end, the G‑24 has identified four key reforms that will enhance the system’s effectiveness and empower both the IMF and the World Bank Group to better serve their members.              

    First, the IMF must create a new mechanism to support countries with sound fundamentals during liquidity crisis.

    Second, the immediate submission of eradicating poverty on a livable planet, the World Bank needs more ambitious goals for its concessional and non‑concessional windows, commensurate with the challenges of achieving inclusive and sustainable development by 2030.    

    Third, the sovereign debt resolution framework must be reformed to deliver comprehensive, predictable, swift, and impactful debt relief, addressing the urgent needs of vulnerable economies.               

    Fourth, we must accelerate governance and institutional reforms of the Bretton Woods Institutions, to increase the voice and representation of developing nations. Without improvements and both actions, decades of individual and global efforts to eradicate poverty and inequality, combat climate change, and invest in growth‑enhancing projects will be put to a halt, if not reversed. Thus, we are counting on our recently concluded meeting to set an unprecedented multilateral cooperation and action. All of these points are comprehensively discussed in the communiqué and press release we have prepared for your perusal. With that, we are now ready to take your questions. Thank you.         

    MODERATOR: Thank you, Mr. Chair. So now moving on to the Q&A section, I would like to remind you that when you raise your hand, please identify yourself, your outlet, and please identify the Chair members that you would like to address the question to. Now moving on to the gentleman in the third row, please.       

    QUESTIONER: Thank you so much. I have a question actually for the three of you. Mr. Recto, you talked about the need for liquidity and buffers. The Philippines serves as a really good example. You are one of the fastest growing economies in the developing Asia region. Business process outsourcing, revenues have passed $35 billion. I wanted to find out, what is the Philippines doing so well? Is it a well‑educated workforce or is it constant electricity; what is the secret; and is AI going to disrupt that going forward?        

    For Candelaria Alvarez, reforms have been taking in Argentina. Javier Milei recently, I think it was in the last month, vetoed a bill that was going to increase financing for public universities, and students have been protesting. How patient do you expect the residents of Argentina to be with the reforms that are taking place?               

    And for Mr. Olawale Edun, the CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, at the last monetary policy meeting in Nigeria mentioned that the FAAC allocations, the Federation Account Allocation Committee, are causing—he noted they are causing the naira to depreciate when those disbursements are made. What do you think need to be done to address that?

    Then, two, you recently, I think it was a month or two, you talked about the need for single‑digit interest rates in Nigeria. Do you think that is ever going to happen with inflation being in double digits and a hawkish monetary policy path in Nigeria? Thank you.              

    MODERATOR: Thank you. Let me remind you that I hope that your question will be under the purview of G‑24 discussions but let ask the Chair to respond to the questions.               

    Mr. Recto (Philippines): Thank you very much for your question. Thank you for noticing the Philippines. The Philippines at the second quarter grew by roughly 6.3 percent. For the first 2 years of this administration, we have grown about 6 percent. We are following our macro fiscal framework of reducing the deficit over time. We expect the good debt‑to‑GDP to be way below 60 percent by 2028. Today are roughly at 60 percent.               

    On the expenditure side, we are spending roughly 5 to 6 percent on infrastructure, maybe a similar amount also for human resource development, particularly in health and education.               

    You are correct that the BPO industry is growing by about—well, we collect roughly 35 billion in revenues a year. We also have a robust remittance of roughly the same amount, about $35 billion a year as well. That helps our consumption. 70 percent of the economy is household consumption. And public investments have also generated most of that growth as well.                 

    AI is a challenge, but in the Philippines the BPO industry is already adapting to AI. So thank you for your question. Thank you.               

    MODERATOR: Mr. Edun, would you like to address the question?              

    Mr. Edun (Nigeria): Thank you very much. Let me answer it within the context of the discussions of the G‑24. Fundamentally, of course, foreign exchange and liquidity generally is very difficult. There are countries that are—they are reforming their economies domestically. They key into the rules‑based world trading system. And they do have debt sustainability in terms of debt‑to‑GDP. However, they have liquidity constraints, particularly foreign exchange with relation to debt servicing of the foreign debt but also their domestic debt. And I think to bring that—that is the context within which the questions of how to help. In fact, the IMF is specifically focusing on how to help is sort of a bridge financing that takes a question that does have its fundamentals right, but it gives it enough time for that adjustment and probably helps it with heightened debt servicing, which is just for a period.

    Clearly with regard to Nigeria, the key about the foreign exchange market really is supply. And, of course, as you know we have the—we are an oil‑producing country. We just need to get our oil production up, and that will deal with that issue of foreign exchange supply, and pressure on foreign exchange every time there are large flows.                  

    In terms of single‑digit inflation, of course, the western world, the rich countries, they have effectively defeated inflation. That is why the interest rates can come down. The Governor of the Central Bank in Nigeria, in the context of high inflation, is continuing with monetary tightening. That is the orthodoxy of the day. And it is one which is following. Thank you.               

    MODERATOR: Ms. Moroni on Argentina.          

    Ms. Moroni (Argentina): Thank you. Going back to the question on Argentina, just as an important framework, G‑24 has been working on the need for emerging market and developing economies to try to put their economies in the right place. The Minister mentioned the need for the international financial organizations to give liquidity or to provide access to liquidity for countries like Argentina and others to be able to get back on our feet. For the government of Argentina, it is really relevant. We do think there is a need for a fiscal anchor on that sense. What happened with the education law had to do with the idea to keep the budget where it has to be, and it has not to do with kind of cutting education. It has to do with evaluating costs and expenditure in the right way. I think that is it.          

    MODERATOR: Thank you so much. Going back to the floor. The gentleman in the fourth row, please.            

    QUESTION: Just turning to the U.S. election, obviously we have seen the U.S. follow suit on trade change to a more protectionist stance. We have seen more industrial policy. Regardless of who wins the election, how do you see the U.S. involvement with multilateral organizations represented here and the WTO; and what is the impact of maybe a lessen gauged, more transactional U.S. on the group of countries, the G‑24?           

    MODERATOR: Mr. Chairman, maybe the Secretariat would like to respond?               

    Mr. Edun (Nigeria): We are concerned that there will be a setback on multilateralism, particularly on trade as well. And we know the driver of global growth is more trade. So that is a concern. In the Philippines, we count on our relationship with the United States to do maybe more out‑shoring to the Philippines, and hopefully that will be done also with other members of the G‑24.            

    Ms. Masha (Secretariat): If I can add, if you look at the communiqué, the last paragraph there actually addresses this issue. It is not just about the U.S. it is also about different countries all over the world implementing protectionist policies. And we have seen the impact of that in sectors that continue to build more to growth and development in many countries. So where do we go from here? What we are calling on is for the WTO to become the center of trade discussions, trade negotiations, and for the World Bank and the IMF to rise up to a much more multilaterally‑engaged organization that will be able to at least influence the kind of policies that countries take one way or the other. Thank you.            

    MODERATOR: Thank you. We are going to go online. The question that was just received from Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka as a member of G‑24 is currently making attempts to emerge out of a crisis. What can you tell us about a G‑24 position to support countries like Sri Lanka and also for the island nations to secure financial facilities at reasonable conditions. Mr. Chair, maybe Iyabo?            

    Ms. Masha (Secretariat): Yes. So I would say that Sri Lanka has come a long way from where it was 2 years ago. The last IMF Article IV Consultation assessment does show that growth is picking up, that fiscal buffers are coming up, and also import duties are rising, so that indicates that the countries are making some recovery.           

    As for the position that the G‑24 takes on this issue, the way it affects Sri Lanka most is on the debt sustainability issue. So what we are calling for is that countries, especially middle‑income countries, should also have a framework, a forum where they can negotiate with their debtors. As it is now, the Common Framework only works for low‑income countries. Only low‑income countries are part of the Common Framework, but middle‑income countries can be part of another forum called the Sovereign Debt Resolution Roundtable, which is not really an association—an organization that delivers any form of debt relief. It just fosters common understanding. So that is what we are calling for. We want very timely, very comprehensive reduction in debt for countries, and also for both middle and low‑income countries to qualify. So that is where I see it working out. If things work out and the discussion in that area picks up quite fastly, then we can see the likes of Sri Lanka and maybe Lebanon and a few other countries benefiting from that. Thank you.          

    MODERATOR: Thank you. Back to the floor. Maybe I will take one question from the side and come back to you. I’ve seen your hand, sir, in the third row. Sorry, the fourth row. Yes.               

    QUESTION: Hi, there. Mr. Recto, you said that developing countries would be hit by the hardest by any slowdown. I am going to ask an uncomfortable question, but the U.S. election has two very different results, one of which will likely be much more inflationary and lead to more trade tensions. Could each of you tell me a little bit about how your economies are preparing or thinking about the possibility of a Trump victory and associated trade tensions and inflationary pressures that could be a headwind to growth?              

    MODERATOR: Yes, please.             

    Mr. Recto (Philippines): Well, in the Philippines, we do have a relationship with the U.S. We have a mutual defense treaty. We are hoping to leverage that relationship so that we do not get much affected. We understand that many U.S. companies are also interested to invest in the Philippines. We do have a partnership also, the U.S.-Japan-and the Philippines, with regards to our security arrangements. We expect more investments to take place also in the Philippines.             

    MODERATOR: Anything to add from Mr. Edun or Ms. Moroni?             

    Mr. Edun (Nigeria): Thank you. I think the issues that we are contending with in Africa, in many ways, we are bystanders to this all‑important election. Yes, we do have African Growth and Opportunity Act, which tries to open up the U.S. market to African‑manufactured products. I do not think that will be affected in any way by the results of this election. Generally, what we are finding is that at this particular time, the economies of trade generally, there is a reversal of globalization, of trade. There is a move to protectionism in these countries. There is on‑boarding of production. All these things tend to work against the developing world’s ability to benefit from expanding trade and thereby use that opportunity for investment, for growth, and for job creation and poverty reduction.            

    Overall, I think that we are not that affected specifically or that in general we continue to ask for an improved global financial architecture that provides us with more concessional funding, add skill, particularly for those countries that, as I said earlier, are undertaking the macroeconomic reforms that everybody agrees are sensible and will lead to better lives for their people. Thank you.             

    MODERATOR: Anything to add from the macro, broad perspective?             

    Ms. Moroni (Argentina): Very briefly. What was mentioned by both Ministers is the right sentimenting in the emerging markets. We do think, at least for Argentina, the U.S. is a strategic partner and whatever the elections go, we do think that we need to keep having that channel open. Trade is quite a relevant issue. Financial issues are quite relevant. Governance issues in institutions also will be something sensitive to work with the new administration. We do think it is going to be something quite interesting to see in the short‑term. Thank you.           

    MODERATOR: You, sir, in the second row right here.            

    Question: My question is meant for Mr. Wale. Like Mr. Recto said in his opening remarks, a lot of G‑24 countries are having challenges implementing structural reforms and adjustment programs. I would like you to speak specifically to the case of Nigeria. What are the key lessons to learn from the structural reforms being implemented in Nigeria today. And looking back, are there better ways these reforms would have been implemented to limit the level of disruptions? Also, you met with the IMF MD and the team yesterday. We would like to know some of the discussions on that meeting and how does that relate to debt sustainability for Nigeria. Thank you.           

    MODERATOR: Mr. Edun, would you like to respond?         

    Mr. Edun (Nigeria): Thank you very much. When we talk about—I will take the last one—debt sustainability, and also reforms generally, the G‑24 I think is better to talk within the framework, to talk beyond Nigeria and more about developing countries as a whole. The requirement really for support from the international community, from the development partners, from the multilateral development banks is that you undertake reforms that lead to sustainability at the macro level.             

    The key lesson that I think I would focus on is that in devising these programs and carrying out the reforms, what is particularly important — because the benefits over the longer term and the costs are frontloaded, it is important that the social safety nets that will help the poor and the vulnerable cope with the up‑front costs with a spike in their cost‑of‑living is adequately planned for and dealt with. So, it should not be an issue of it is an afterthought that you decide now that there need to be certain poverty alleviation initiatives. And linked to that, focus on helping the poor and the most vulnerable, [what can] cope with the cost is communication. I think one of the critical things in carrying out these economy reforms that are so fundamental and clearly they are necessary, otherwise they would not be implemented, is that communicating what is being done, what was to be expected, and also the timing as much as possible, the timing of the various activities, and then communicating what actually has been done so if it is a program to give direct benefits, direct transfers of funds to a group of people, then it should be published. There should be a dashboard that people can follow, thereby engendering and building public trust. I think those are the two important things that I would say you need to have for all of us at the G‑24 and developing countries in general. Thank you.         

    MODERATOR: Thank you, Minister. I have time for two more questions. Let me go back to the far end of the room right there. Thank you.

    QUESTION: Thank you. A question on climate change. Do you think the development banks, MDBs, are doing enough to tackle climate change? And especially our shareholders of MDBs, are they doing enough to tackle this issue? Thank you.            

    MODERATOR: Thank you. Mr. Recto, you would like to comment?        

    Mr. Recto (Philippines): The short comment is, it is never enough.     

    MODERATOR: Minister, do you want to chime in or, Ms. Moroni, or Iyabo on climate change.        

    Ms. Masha (Secretariat): Yes, I will say that the ambition is there. They really want to do a lot. The finance is just not commensurate with the level of ambition, so that is also one area where we have called on them to demonstrate the ambition. Thank you.     

    Mr. Edun (Nigeria): Sorry. If I may, since you asked me.     

    MODERATOR: Please.

    Mr. Edun (Nigeria): The thing I would say on climate change, for a poor country such as Nigeria and others that are actually endowed with fossil fuels in particular, must take a realistic approach to climate change because it is the resources that we have that we must use to industrialize, to modernize our economies while being members of the global fight against climate change. We are signatories to the Paris Accord. We have our target for net zero, and while sticking to those, we must take a realistic view that we need to use our fossil fuels to develop our economies. Thank you.        

    Ms. Moroni (Argentina): The recent issue we had been discussing on G‑24, G‑20, and other forums, the need for development banks to keep in mind their core objective. Then as you mentioned, there is a need to kind of—we do have an ambition, a climate agenda, but we do need to respect the emerging markets’ right to develop first. So, there is a need to—for financing for other development issues that are not directly linked to this, thank you.      

    MODERATOR: Last question to the lady up‑front.       

    QUESTION: Thank you. My question will be to Ms. Director and Mr. Olawale. Earlier on the World Economic Outlook, we were told that inflation is almost won, so I would like to know how the Group of Twenty‑Four is actually interpreting that, especially with the fundamentals in the developed world getting a little bit better; and what are the risks that are posed to the Group of 24. Also, to you, Mr. Recto, you rolled out four key reforms that G‑24 is asking from the World Bank and the IMF. Are you looking at timelines for these reforms? Then over to Nigeria’s Finance Minister and the Second Vice Chair. One of the reforms is heightened development support. That reform, what does it mean for African economies? For example, so I would really like you to take a look at that and perhaps what are the timelines that you are expecting? Is there a Nigerian agenda within these four key reforms?         

    MODERATOR: Thank you so much. Also, I would like to invite Iyabo to address on the reforms of the Bretton Woods institutions as well, but first, the Director or Mr. Edun, would you like to respond on inflation?         

    Mr. Recto (Philippines): On inflation, I think for next year, the global inflation rate will still be relatively high, lower than this year, but something like 5.8 percent, thereabouts. I still think that will be high, and because of that, the interest rate, while it is going down, it remains high. That is why we are also calling for the World Bank to reduce cost of borrowing. This will be very beneficial to the developing economies. On the time frame, maybe Iyabo can elaborate more.              

    Ms. Masha (Secretariat): Yes. Yes, the Bretton Woods initiative itself, the reform, they just started, so now they are in the process of consultations, going around countries, going around regions, so I will say that at a minimum, maybe by next Spring Meeting, they will have an update on where they are in the process and maybe some final decision by the Annual Meetings. In any case, these things have to go through the boards of both the IMF and the World Bank for ratification.        

    MODERATOR: Thank you. Mr. Edun.

    Mr. Recto (Philippines): I think I think around this time last year, we were still dealing with heightened levels of inflation, particularly in the developed countries. That means elevated rates of interest as they put as their number one priority, the fight against inflation and tight monetary policy by the central banks. That has changed. And there is now as we are seeing monetary easing or at least easing of rates of interest by central banks, but that is in the developed world.

    In the developing world, rates are still high and that fight against inflation means that the interest rates also will remain high. But as far as the developed world is concerned, lower interest rates translate to more affordability. Nobody wants to borrow. Nobody likes to borrow. But when it becomes necessary. It is something that must be managed as well as possible. So the first port of call is concessional financing; IDA financing, for instance, from the World Bank. And what the developing world continues to call for is larger sums that can really make a difference, not just to be able to help a country cope with its immediate payment needs, but to have funds to grow the economies. That is what the fight against inflation translates to for the developing countries. Victory therefore or success therefore in the developed world means that they should be able to make more resources available. I must note here that the IMF has reduced their charges. 36 percent reduction in the rates and the excess charges is significant, and it is in the right direction to help developing countries get the resources they need to develop and grow.

    MODERATOR: Thank you so much, Minister and

    Secretariat. Thank you so much for the questions. Unfortunately, we are out of time. Thank you so much again for joining this press conference. The G‑24 communique is being posted on IMF.org and the transcript of this press briefing will be made available later. Have a good rest of your day. Thank you.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Pavis Devahasadin

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

    @IMFSpokesperson

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Germany: How climate risk will complicate central bankers’ jobs | Guest contribution in the Financial Times

    Source: Deutsche Bundesbank in English

    It is clear that the effects of climate change have started to influence the monetary policy considerations of several central banks. Unfortunately, such factors will become even more relevant in the future.
    Severe weather events are intensifying, and so too are their economic impacts. Tropical storm Helene in south-eastern US is just the latest reminder of the damage that can be wrought. The annual damages on properties caused by natural catastrophes have more than doubled in real terms over the past two decades, reaching $280bn globally in 2023, according to Swiss Re. The overall impact is much larger, as acute physical effects ripple through the economy, influencing supply, demand and financial flows – and thus also monetary policy.
    A new Network for Greening the Financial System report compellingly illustrates how natural catastrophes such as floods and hurricanes affect the economy. They destroy homes, local infrastructure and production sites, requiring years and enormous amounts of money to rebuild. Waning confidence could prompt companies and households to cut back on spending, further undermining economic growth prospects.
    Price impacts are not spared, as severe weather events, among other factors, damage agricultural production and drive up food prices across regions. These sectoral effects can lead to an increase in overall inflationary pressures, depending on how much a drop in demand balances them out. For instance, droughts tend to exert upward pressure on headline inflation for several years, with developing economies especially affected, because of their higher dependency on agriculture.
    Against this backdrop, central banks might face the complicated task of taming inflationary pressure in a weak economy. Think of a situation when rising inflationary pressure might warrant policy tightening – particularly for central banks, whose primary mandate is price stability – even though this could contribute to economic strain. The State Bank of Pakistan, for instance, in 2022 opted to continue raising policy rates after the devastating floods caused a sharp increase in food prices.
    Climate change – and its uncertain outcomes – mean that central banks must focus on looking ahead and extend their horizon beyond the usual projection period. Estimates of future impacts illustrate what could be in store for the economy and the financial sector. At a global level, climate change could drive up annual food price inflation by between one and three percentage points by 2035, according to a study of the European Central Bank and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research.
    However, most studies still fail to consider the risk of crossing climate tipping points, which can significantly accelerate climate change. According to the OECD, ignoring these critical thresholds results in a severe underestimation of the economic costs. Extreme weather events can also bring us closer to these tipping points. The current drought in the Amazon region – the most severe since systematic recording began in 1950 – exemplifies this risk. With one-fifth of the Amazon rainforest already lost, mostly due to deforestation, concerns are mounting that this carbon sponge is on the brink of collapse. That would trigger a cascade of climate events, leading to higher economic costs globally.
    What is more, uncertainties surrounding the magnitude and duration of severe weather events – coupled with governments’ responses – will make the short-term forecasting of key economic indicators particularly challenging. An example is Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and the subsequent landfalls of hurricanes Rita and Wilma. In the highly dynamic weeks and months that followed, staff of the Federal Reserve adjusted their estimates of output and inflation a few times, as new information trickled in. Throughout the process, the Fed remained predictable in its actions, highlighting that good communication is key.
    Central banks have another side to watch, too, namely the green transition. Inflation and output may become more volatile as we undergo a transformation of the energy sector and supply chains. In the short term, carbon pricing and rising climate investments could reinforce inflationary pressures.
    Intensifying climate change adds to the array of challenges that monetary policy needs to adjust to. As extreme weather events become more frequent, central banks must pay even greater attention to longer-term inflation expectations. Though the reaction of each central bank will depend on its mandate, clear communication is essential to guide market expectations and ensure that policy decisions are well understood.

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI German News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy Announces $13.7 Million for Pipeline Safety from His Infrastructure Law

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) announced Louisiana will receive $13,692,920.00 from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for pipeline safety from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
    “Pipelines play a crucial role in delivering the energy that powers our everyday lives,” said Dr. Cassidy. “This investment from the Infrastructure Law will significantly improve the safety and efficiency of Louisiana’s infrastructure and build our economy for 2050.”

    Grant Awarded
    Recipient
    Project Description

    $3,000,000.00
    Grant Parish Police Jury
    This grant will provide federal funding to replace 36 miles of 2-inch legacy PVC gas mains.

    $2,546,363.00
    Iberville Parish
    This grant will provide federal funding to replace 5.64 miles of existing steel mains with 4-inch polyethylene coiled pipe, 88 steel service lines with 1-inch PE coiled pipe, and 88 aging residential meters.

    $2,330,843.00
    Village of Elizabeth
    This grant will provide federal funding to replace 8 miles of 6-inch legacy steel distribution line with 4-inch high-density polyethylene pipe.

    $1,872,488.00
    Village of Morganza
    This grant will provide federal funding to replace four miles of PVC pipe with modern polyethylene pipe with tracer wire.

    $1,327,022.00
    City of Patterson
    This grant will provide federal funding to replace 3.06 miles of steel main and services with polyethylene.

    $1,176,277.00
    Town of Montgomery
    This grant will provide federal funding to replace five 60+ year old regulator stations.

    $1,059,315.00
    Town of Washington
    This grant will provide federal funding to replace approximately 2.3 miles of service line connections of 3/4-inch & 1-inch steel pipe with modern 1-inch polyethylene pipe with tracer wire. The project includes all connections, service valves, regulators, and fittings for approximately 300 customers.

    $217,212.00
    Village of Moreauville
    This grant will provide federal funding to replace valves.

    $163,400.00
    Town of Basile
    This grant will provide federal funding to perform an extensive leak survey on the distribution system and any area containing abandoned portions of legacy steel pipe.

    Background
    Thanks to IIJA, the Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization is helping communities throughout the country safeguard natural gas pipes. Nearly one billion will be awarded over five years.
    Earlier this year, Cassidy announced over $52 million to municipalities and gas utility districts seeking to replace aging natural gas infrastructure with new pipelines. Additionally, a similar announcement was made last April of over $27 million going to cities and towns in south and central Louisiana, for similar purposes.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Cutting-edge transport projects receive £1.4 million to encourage innovation and deliver growth

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Winners of the Transport Research and Innovation Grant (TRIG) will help make travel cleaner, safer and more efficient for everyone in the UK.

    • 32 pioneering projects granted a share of £1.4 million to drive innovation and revolutionise the UK transport sector
    • visionary designs include an air purification product to tackle pollution and a pedestrian management system to enhance road safety
    • ideas will boost economic growth by creating jobs – sparking further innovation and cementing the UK’s position as a global leader in green transport

    Winners of a £1.4 million competition to transform the transport sector, grow the economy and inspire innovation have been announced by the Department for Transport today (23 October 2024).

    Organisations and academics with innovative ideas were able to win up to £45,000 in funding to offer sustainable, forward-thinking alternatives and contribute to the government’s aim of cleaner, greener and more efficient transport networks.

    Over the last decade, the Transport Research and Innovation Grant (TRIG) programme has invested over £15 million to support industries in the pursuit for new technologies and collaborations – helping deliver key economic growth throughout the country.

    This year sought proposals focused on local transport decarbonisation, maritime decarbonisation and emerging technologies such as AI and drones.

    Aviation, Maritime and Security Minister, Mike Kane, said:  

    Innovation is the driving force behind our transport system and these winning projects are leading the charge by creating cutting-edge solutions that could offer so much benefit for all.

    With sustainability at the core of this year’s competition, we’re helping to shape the future of transport – making travel cleaner, safer and more efficient for everyone.

    Among the groundbreaking projects awarded funding through the government’s TRIG is Vox Aeris, with an invention that hopes to use sound waves and music vibrations from a speaker to reduce harmful pollution across transport networks.

    Selene Sari, founder and CEO of Vox Aeris, said: 

    We are beyond excited to be a TRIG 2024 winner. This support will be pivotal for developing our technology, assessing feasibility with refined prototypes and engaging early stakeholders. We look forward to collaborating with Connected Places Catapult and the Department for Transport.

    The financial backing, expertise, and network support we’re receiving will be crucial for us to advance to the next stage. Having such robust support early in our journey will enable us to move faster and connect with networks that would otherwise be challenging to bring together.

    Previous TRIG winners include OpenSpace – a cutting-edge project using digital twinning and AI to tackle rail station disruption. By using special algorithms, it created the world’s first real-time simulated environment of St Pancras station to help operators manage people flow, improve safety and boost customer experience. 

    TRIG has been running for over a decade, funding more than 430 projects that have ranged from better connecting rural communities with a shuttle bus app to trialling the use of hydrogen to make plane and boat journeys greener. 

    Erika Lewis, Chief Executive Officer at Connected Places Catapult, said:

    Innovation in transport can unlock many benefits for society, the economy and the environment. The Transport Research and Innovation Grants programme has been supporting high-potential innovators for a decade, through funding and dedicated business support, helping them realise their commercial potential.

    This year’s TRIG competition drew a fantastic response from innovators, with the ‘critical and emerging technologies’ challenge proving to be especially popular.

    Today, the Aviation, Maritime and Security Minister is at the Transport Research and Innovation Grant Awards in Birmingham to celebrate last year’s successful winners and see firsthand what the funding can achieve.

    See the complete list of TRIG winners for more information.

    Aviation, Europe and technology media enquiries

    Media enquiries 0300 7777 878

    Switchboard 0300 330 3000

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK Development Minister to push for gender equality at World Bank Annuals

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Anneliese Dodds to outline priorities for gender equality and announce funding to boost women’s economic and social empowerment during visit to Washington D.C.

    • World’s finance and development ministers gather in Washington D.C. to discuss pressing international development issues at Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and IMF.
    • UK Development Minister to announce funding to boost women’s economic and social empowerment in speech on priorities for gender equality.
    • UK to send two female governors to the World Bank Group and IMF Annual Meetings for the first time.

    The UK’s Development Minister Anneliese Dodds will arrive at the World Bank Group and IMF Annual Meetings in Washington D.C. today [23 October] for a series of engagements focused on advancing gender equality.

    It will mark the Minister’s first time attending in her capacity as the UK’s Governor to the World Bank Group. Her visit coincides with Chancellor Reeves attending the IMF Annual Meetings, marking the first time for the UK to send two female governors to the Meetings.

    In a speech at the conference tomorrow [24 October], the Minister will outline her priorities for gender equality and announce a £7.5 million investment over the next two years, and continued support beyond that, in the World Bank’s Umbrella Facility for Gender Equality (UFGE). The facility supports the generation of high-quality data and evidence to address gender inequality and boost women’s economic and social empowerment.

    The UFGE, which has received funding from the UK since 2012, has, for example, benefitted half a million women in Rwanda who were found to be losing rights over land due to not having marriage certificates. In Nigeria, the programme funded research on the benefits of cash transfers, which the government used to inform the expansion of its national livelihoods programme, covering more than 4 million vulnerable households.

    The new funding will enable the UK’s support to the UFGE to expand beyond Africa into Asia and the Pacific and support the development of new methods to collect and use gender data, including through the adoption of AI technology.

    The UK’s Development Minister Anneliese Dodds said: 

    My mission is to help create a world free from poverty, on a livable planet, for all. Women and girls are at the heart of this.

    Britain is back with a voice on the world stage. We are playing a leading role with the World Bank to improve the lives of women and girls around the world.

    The funding announced today will deliver projects that will have an enormous impact on the lives and economic situations of women and girls across the globe and drive economic growth.

    This year’s Meetings come as the World Bank Group and IMF celebrate their 80th founding anniversary and will bring together finance and development ministers from all over the world to agree joint approaches to addressing pressing international development issues.

    Minister Dodds’ attendance follows a keynote speech at Chatham House, in which she outlined her vision for a modern approach to international development.

    Over the course of the Annual Meetings, the Minister will also host an event on conflict prevention, bringing together ministers from the Global South, international financial institutions, humanitarian actors, and academics, to discuss how the World Bank Group and IMF can work better in an increasingly fragile world.

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

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

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Security: Bank Manager Sentenced to 65 Months in Prison for Coordinating Multistate COVID-19 Relief Program Fraud Scheme

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)

    CAMDEN, N.J. – A former branch manager of a national financial institution was sentenced today to 65 months in prison for using his position to organize a conspiracy to help individuals obtain at least 38 fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans totaling approximately $5 million, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.

    Tommy Hawkins, 61, of Philadelphia, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams to one count of bank fraud conspiracy. Judge Williams imposed the sentence on Oct. 18, 2024, in Camden federal court. A codefendant, Sieff Robert Sargeant, 44, of Island Park, New York, previously pleaded guilty before Judge Williams to one count of money laundering and was sentenced on Oct. 2, 2024, to six months in prison and six months of home confinement.

    According to documents filed in these cases and statements made in court: 

    The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a federal law enacted in March 2020 and was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of hundreds of billions of dollars in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through a program referred to as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). To obtain a PPP loan, a qualifying small business was required to apply and provide information on its operations, including the number of employees and expenses. In addition, businesses generally had to provide supporting documentation.

    In 2020 and early 2021, Hawkins worked as the branch manager of the Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, branch of a national bank that was accepting Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)  loan applications. Hawkins worked with Eric Rivera, Lisa Smith, and others to recruit individuals who owned companies with little or no operations to open bank accounts at Hawkins’ branch and apply for PPP loans. Hawkins helped the recruited individuals submit PPP loan applications that contained materially false representations about the companies’ number of employees and payroll expenses. The applications also included false documentation, including tax forms. Based on these applications, Hawkins’ bank approved at least 38 PPP loans and disbursed approximately $5 million. Hawkins received incentive compensation through the bank for opening business bank accounts for the companies that received fraudulent PPP loans and also had an agreement with Rivera and Smith for them to pay Hawkins $5,000 of the loan proceeds for each PPP loan that Hawkins helped to obtain.

    In April 2021, Sargeant’s business received a PPP loan based on a fraudulent application that was submitted through Hawkins’ branch. Sargeant then paid another individual, James Wessels, to create fake payroll checks. Sargeant distributed fake payroll checks to a friend, who cashed the checks and returned the majority of the cash to Sargeant. This was done to conceal that the proceeds actually were being spent on non-payroll expenses.

    In addition the prison term, Judge Williams sentenced Hawkins to three years of supervised release and ordered restitution of $5.3 million.

    Lisa Smith has pleaded guilty to her role in the scheme. Charges remain pending against Rivera and Wessels, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of the Inspector General, New York Region, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Patricia Tarasca; special agents of the FBI’s South Jersey Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs in Philadelphia; special agents of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, Boston-New York Field Division, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Corwin Rattler; and special agents of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General, New York Region, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Mellone, with the investigation.

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel A. Friedman and Attorney-in-Charge Jason M. Richardson of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Camden.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI: TruGolf Announces Guidance for Second Half 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Expects Strong Revenues Driven by Franchising and New Products

    Will Issue Q3 Results in First Half of November

    Salt Lake City, Utah, Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TruGolf Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRUG), a leading provider of golf simulator software and hardware, announced today its financial outlook for the balance of 2024. The Company expects to report strong revenues for the second half of 2024 driven in part by new revenues from its franchising business, TruGolf Links, as well as by market adoption of new products launched earlier this year.

    Chief Executive Officer and Director Chris Jones said, “We have seen strong lift in interest, leads, and closes in Q2 and Q3 which has us excited for the dynamic growth ahead of TruGolf. The launch of our franchise concept has been very well received in the market and we expect it to continue growing in the years ahead. Additionally, our recently launched hardware and software products are finding broad market acceptance as a leading provider of golf simulator equipment. The combination of franchising and growing product sales should lead to strong revenues in the second half of 2024.”

    Outlook:

    • Total sales are expected to grow by 8%-12% by the end of 2024 as compared to 2023 levels.
    • EBITDA for the second half should be greater than $500,000 showing a return to profitability.

    Mr. Jones continued, “We are proud of our team for their hard work in the transition to becoming a public company. In addition we added both an interim Comptroller and additional outside accounting staff to reinforce the team in order to ensure timely monthly closings, audits and filing. As a result, we expect to report our third quarter results in the first half of November, 2024.”

    Disclaimer on Forward Looking Statements

    This news release contains certain statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements that are not of historical fact constitute “forward-looking statements” and accordingly, involve estimates, assumptions, forecasts, judgements and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the Company’s forecasts for total sales and EBITDA discussed above. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those addressed in the forward-looking statements. Such factors are detailed in the Forward Looking Statements and Risk Factors sections of the Company’s S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not undertake an obligation to update our forward-looking statements to reflect future events.

    About TruGolf, Inc.:

    Since 1983, TruGolf has been passionate about driving the golf industry with innovative indoor golf solutions. TruGolf builds products that capture the spirit of golf. TruGolf’s mission is to help grow the game by attempting to make it more Available, Approachable, and Affordable through technology – because TruGolf believes Golf is for Everyone. TruGolf’s team has built award-winning video games (“Links”), innovative hardware solutions, and an all-new e-sports platform to connect golfers around the world with E6 CONNECT. Since TruGolf’s beginning, TruGolf has continued to attempt to define and redefine what is possible with golf technology.

    Contact:
    TruGolf Inc.
    Brenner Adams, Chief Growth Officer
    801-298-1997
    trug@trugolf.com

    The MIL Network