Category: Economy

  • MIL-OSI Security: Los Angeles Man Sentenced for Money Laundering

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Daniel Hooker, 36, of Los Angeles, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dena Coggins to 27 months in prison, for his role in a money laundering conspiracy, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.

    According to court documents, from August 2023 through March 2024, Hooker and three co‑conspirators conducted multiple financial transactions involving funds they believed to be proceeds of cocaine trafficking. Their belief as to the nature of the funds was based on representations of an individual working at the direction of law enforcement. On two different occasions in 2023 and 2024, Hooker met the individual in a parking lot in Rancho Cordova and accepted a total of $100,000 in cash to be laundered. After those meetings in Rancho Cordova, Hooker wired funds from a bank account he controlled into a bank account designated by the individual in an effort to complete the laundering. In total, the conspirators received approximately $940,000 in purported drug trafficking proceeds. Of that amount, the conspirators laundered approximately $811,000.

    This case was the product of an investigation by the IRS Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Thuesen and Whitnee Goins prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Filed 135 Border-Related Cases This Week

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN DIEGO – Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of California filed 135 border-related cases this week, including charges of transportation of illegal aliens, bringing in aliens for financial gain, reentering the U.S. after deportation, deported alien found in the United States, and importation of controlled substances.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California is the fourth-busiest federal district, largely due to a high volume of border-related crimes. This district, encompassing San Diego and Imperial counties, shares a 140-mile border with Mexico. It includes the San Ysidro Port of Entry, the world’s busiest land border crossing, connecting San Diego (America’s eighth largest city) and Tijuana (Mexico’s second largest city).

    In addition to reactive border-related crimes, the Southern District of California also prosecutes a significant number of proactive cases related to terrorism, organized crime, drugs, white-collar fraud, violent crime, cybercrime, human trafficking and national security. Recent developments in those and other significant areas of prosecution can be found here.

    A sample of border-related arrests this week:

    • On April 15, Jesus Manuel Zuniga Huerta and Jose Alberto Flores Avalos of Mexico were arrested at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry and charged with importing deadly fentanyl into the U.S. According to a complaint, Customs and Border Protection officers discovered 148 pounds of fentanyl in the rear frame well of a tractor-trailer driven by Zuniga Huerta.
    • On April 15, Brian Jaime Sanchez, a Mexican national, was arrested and charged with Bringing in Aliens for Financial Gain. According to a complaint, Customs and Border Protection officers found an undocumented immigrant concealed in the trunk of Sanchez’s car as he attempted to cross the border at the Tecate Port of Entry.
    • On April 17, Sergio Villalba-Serrano, a Mexican national, was arrested and charged with Departed Alien Found in the United States. According to a complaint, Villalba-Serrano was taken into custody near the Tecate Port of Entry after his Cadillac was stopped by U.S. Border Patrol agents. Villalba-Serrano had previously been deported on October 26, 2019, from Laredo, Texas.

    Also this week, a number of defendants with criminal records were convicted by a jury or sentenced for border-related crimes such as illegally re-entering the U.S. after previous deportation. Here are a few of those cases:

    • On April 10, 2025, following a three-day trial, a federal jury convicted seven-time felon Miguel Rolon of conspiring to bring in aliens and bringing in two aliens for financial gain.  During trial, the evidence showed that Rolon picked up two Guatemalan nationals at a stash house in Tijuana, Mexico, coached the aliens to weave a fictious backstory to customs officers, and attempted to smuggle the same aliens into the United States using others’ U.S. passports at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. Rolon is scheduled to be sentenced on July 7, 2025.
    • On April 18, 2024, Javier Gracia-Meza, a Mexican national, who was previously convicted of a felony illegal reentry offense, was sentenced in federal court to 15 months in custody for again entering the United States illegally.
    • On April 18, 2025, Cruz Torres-Gonzalez, a Mexican national who was previously convicted of five felony immigration offenses, was sentenced in federal court to 54 months in custody for again entering the U.S illegally.
    • On April 18, 2025, Pablo Lazcano-Quinonez, a Mexican national who was previously convicted of felony conspiracy to distribute marijuana, felony possession/use of drug paraphernalia, and two illegal reentry offenses, was sentenced in federal court to 15 months in custody for again entering the U.S illegally.
    • On April 18, 2025, Jesus Eduardo Morga-Ceballos – a Mexican national who was previously convicted of a felony controlled substance offense in 2014, a misdemeanor criminal threat with intent to terrorize in 2014, and a felony illegal reentry in 2023 – was sentenced in federal court to 101 days in custody for again entering the U.S illegally.

    Pursuant to the Department’s Operation Take Back America priorities, federal law enforcement has focused immigration prosecutions on undocumented aliens who are engaged in criminal activity in the U.S., including those who commit drug and firearms crimes, who have serious criminal records, or who have active warrants for their arrest. Federal authorities have also been prioritizing investigations and prosecutions against drug, firearm, and human smugglers and those who endanger and threaten the safety of our communities and the law enforcement officers who protect the community.

    The immigration cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with the support and assistance of state and local law enforcement partners.

    Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI: OptimizeRx Corporation Announces Plan for Additional Board of Directors Refreshment

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WALTHAM, Mass., April 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OptimizeRx Corp. (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: OPRX), a leading provider of healthcare technology solutions helping life sciences companies reach and engage healthcare professionals (HCPs) and patients, today announced that, as part of OptimizeRx’s ongoing process to refresh and expand its board of directors (the “Board”), it intends to appoint a new independent director to its Board of Directors during the second half of this year. 

    With the appointment of a new independent director in 2025, OptimizeRx will have refreshed its Board, which is currently comprised of five directors, with three new directors since 2020, including Catherine Klema who was added in 2024 and Gregory D. Wasson who was added in 2020. As it begins its process of identifying a new independent director, the Board will be seeking an individual who has relevant expertise and experience that complements the current Board members and furthers the execution of the Company’s strategy and value creation plans.

    “We remain very excited about the progress we are making in executing our strategy to build new market share and drive profitable revenue growth under the leadership of our new CEO Steve Silvestro as we leverage OptimizeRx’s industry leadership position in addressing pharma’s most critical commercial challenges: improving brand visibility in an increasingly digital healthcare environment, reducing script abandonment rates, enhancing interoperability at the point of care, and supporting the shift toward complex specialty medications,” stated Lynn Vos, Chairperson of OptimizeRx’s Board of Directors. “As we strategically plan for our next phase of growth, we are committed to recruiting new independent and highly-qualified directors who have perspectives, insights, experiences, and skills that expand the depth and breadth of our Board and contribute to our ability to execute our value creation plans and support key initiatives.”

    About OptimizeRx

    OptimizeRx is a leading healthcare technology company that’s redefining how life science brands connect with patients and healthcare providers. Our platform combines innovative AI-driven tools like the Dynamic Audience Activation Platform (DAAP) and Micro-Neighborhood Targeting (MNT) to deliver timely, relevant, and hyper-local engagement. By bridging the gap between HCP and DTC strategies, we empower brands to create synchronized marketing solutions that drive faster treatment decisions and improved patient outcomes.

    Our commitment to privacy-safe, patient-centric technology ensures that every interaction is designed to make a meaningful impact, delivering life-changing therapies to the right patients at the right time. Headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, OptimizeRx partners with some of the world’s leading pharmaceutical and life sciences companies to transform the healthcare landscape and create a healthier future for all.

    Important Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimates”, “expects”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “plans”, “projects”, “targets”, “designed”, “could”, “may”, “should”, “will” or other similar words and expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. All statements in this press release that reflect the Company’s expectations, assumptions, projections, beliefs or opinions about the future, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements relating to OptimizeRx’s commitment to recruiting independent and highly-qualified directors who have perspectives, insights, experiences, and skills that expand the depth and breadth of the Board and the Company’s plans to build new market share and drive profitable revenue growth under the leadership of its new CEO Steve Silvestro and other statements relating to future performance, plans, and expectations. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon the Company’s current expectations and involve assumptions regarding the Company’s business, the economy, and other future conditions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted, or quantified. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the Company’s ability to identify and appoint a new independent director, the effect of government regulation, seasonal trends, dependence on a concentrated group of customers, cybersecurity incidents that could disrupt operations, the ability to keep pace with growing and evolving technology, the ability to maintain contracts with electronic prescription platforms and electronic health records networks, competition, and other factors discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and in other filings the Company has made and may make with the SEC in the future. One should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as may be required by law.

    OptimizeRx Contact 
    Andy D’Silva, SVP Corporate Finance   
    adsilva@optimizerx.com
      
    Investor Relations Contact
    Sandya von der Weid
    LifeSci Advisors, LLC
    svonderweid@lifesciadvisors.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: RBAZ Bancorp, Inc. Announces Unaudited Financial Results For the Quarter Ending March 31, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PHOENIX, April 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — RBAZ Bancorp, Inc. (OTCIQ: RBAZ) (the “Company”), parent company of Republic Bank of Arizona (the “Bank” or “RBAZ”), announced a consolidated net income of $1,064,000, or $0.59 per share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 as compared to a consolidated net income of $713,000, or $0.40 per share, for the quarter ended March, 31, 2024.

    President and CEO Brian Ruisinger stated “I am proud to report strong earnings in our final reporting quarter as RBAZ reflecting a 49% increase from the year ago quarter bolstered by net interest margin at 4.61% and expense control. Solid loan yields coupled with static cost of funds resulted in a 15% net interest margin improvement while expenses remained consistent reflecting a decrease of 1%.”

    Mr. Ruisinger continued, “As an update to our May 16, 2024 announcement of our intent to join forces with Pima Federal Credit Union, the Company’s shareholders approved the transaction on August 22, 2024 and regulatory applications were approved during Q1. We have announced a closing date of May 2, 2025, at which time the Company intends for its common stock to no longer trade or be quoted on the OTC Pink Market. As we approach the end of our 18-year history as RBAZ, we are extremely proud of ending as the top performing bank headquartered in the state. We look forward to continuing to serve our valued customers with expanded products and resources as Pima Federal Credit Union.”

    March 31, 2025 Company Highlights Include:

    • Total loans of $223,962,000 increased $1,231,000, or 0.6%, from December 31, 2024. This increase consisted of $8,245,000 in new loan originations and advances on construction lines of credit, offset by $6,625,000 in loan maturities. Advances and repayments on commercial lines of credit and normal payment attrition comprised the balance of the loan activity in Q1.
    • Total deposits of $240,864,000 decreased $9,337,000, or 3.7%, from December 31, 2024. This decrease consisted of known outflows from existing customers for capital expenditures and other business purposes, partially offset by funds from new banking relationships during the quarter totaling $8,956,000.
    • Total borrowings of $15,965,000 at March 31, 2025 included $10,000,000 in short-term advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank to offset known deposit outflows during the quarter.
    • Total interest income increased $277,000 to $4,485,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 outpacing total interest income of $4,208,000 for the same period of the prior year equating to an increase of 6.6%.
    • Cost of deposits was 2.13% for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, which was consistent with the prior quarter as the Bank made nominal changes to its deposit rates during the period in line with the Federal Reserve’s decision to hold rates steady during the first quarter of 2025.

    The Bank remains “Well Capitalized” under the Community Bank Leverage Ratio (CBLR) framework as follows:

      March 31, 2025
    (%)
      Ratio to be Well
    Capitalized (%)
    CBLR ratio 11.62   9.00
           

    About the Company
    RBAZ Bancorp, Inc. was established on June 10, 2021 as a single-bank holding company for its Arizona state-chartered bank subsidiary, Republic Bank of Arizona. The Company is traded over-the-counter as RBAZ.

    About the Bank
    Republic Bank of Arizona is a locally owned, community bank in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Gilbert, Arizona. RBAZ is a full service, community bank providing deposit and loan products and convenient, online and mobile banking to individuals, businesses and professionals. The Bank was established in April 2007 and is headquartered at 645 E. Missouri Avenue, Suite 108, Phoenix, AZ. Additional branches are located at 7373 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite A-195, Scottsdale, AZ and 1417 W. Elliot Road, Gilbert, AZ. The Bank is the wholly-owned subsidiary of RBAZ Bancorp, Inc. For further information, please visit our web site: www.republicbankaz.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release may include forward-looking statements about the Company and the Bank (collectively referred to herein as the “Company”), for which the Company claims the protection of safe harbor provisions contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s knowledge and belief as of today and include information concerning the Company’s possible or assumed future financial condition and its results of operations and business. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. Several important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Those factors include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in interest rates, government policies and regulations (including monetary and fiscal policies), legislation, economic conditions, borrower capacity to repay, operational factors and competition in the geographic and business areas in which the Company conducts its operations. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based on information available at the time of the release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

                    Summary Company Financial Information (unaudited)
      For the three months 
    ended March 31,
    For the twelve months 
    ended December 31,
       2025   2024  2024  2023 
      (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
    Summary Income Data:        
    Interest income $4,485 $4,208 $17,935 $14,208
    Interest expense 1,404 1,557 5,923 4,742
    Net interest income 3,081 2,651 12,012 9,466
    Provision for credit losses 627
    Non-interest income 230 220 967 820
    Non-interest expense 1,921 1,943 7,907 7,142
    Income before provision for income tax 1,390 928 4,445 3,144
    Provision for income tax 326 215 1,066 684
    Net income $1,064 $713 $3,379 $2,460
    Per Share Data:        
    Shares outstanding end-of-period 1,790 1,778 1,790 1,795
    Earnings per common share $0.59 $0.40 $1.90 $1.36
    Diluted earnings per common share $0.55 $0.38 $1.77 $1.33
    Book value per share $14.57 $12.12 $13.81 $11.77
    Selected Balance Sheet Data:        
    Total assets $284,250 $279,134 $282,511 $272,044
    Securities available-for-sale, at fair value 30,848 40,079 32,731 40,998
    Securities held-to-maturity 9,860 10,650 9,855 10,648
    Loans 223,962 199,714 222,731 201,829
    Allowance for credit losses 2,437 2,116 2,428 2,116
    Deposits 240,864 249,661 250,201 228,172
    Other borrowings 15,965 5,936 5,958 20,929
    Shareholders’ equity 26,085 21,541 24,723 21,128
    Performance Ratios:        
    Return on average shareholders’ equity (annualized) (%) 16.32 13.24 13.67 11.64
    Net interest margin (%) 4.61 4.01 4.32 3.68
    Average assets $284,315 $280,444 $289,763 $264,488
    Return on average assets (annualized) (%) 1.50 1.02 1.17 0.93
    Shareholders’ equity to assets (%) 9.18 7.72 8.75 7.77
    Efficiency ratio (%) 58.02 67.68 60.92 69.43
    Asset Quality Data:        
    Nonaccrual loans $246 $190 $418 $209
    Loan modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty $- $- $- $-
    Other real estate owned $- $- $- $-
    Nonperforming loans $246 $190 $418 $209
    Nonperforming loans to total assets (%) 0.09 0.07 0.15 0.08
    Nonperforming loans to total loans (%) 0.11 0.10 0.19 0.10
    Allowance for credit losses to total loans (%) 1.09 1.06 1.09 1.05
    Allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans (%) 990.65 1,113.68 580.86 1,012.44
    Net charge-offs (recoveries) for period ($9) $- $190 ($352)
    Average loans $223,665 $205,904 $208,799 $176,146
    Ratio of net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans (%) (0.00) n/a 0.09 (0.20)

    Contact:  Brian Ruisinger
    President and Chief Executive Officer
    Phone:  602.280.9404
    Email:  bruisinger@republicaz.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Risch Advocates for Western Water, Local Management

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho James E Risch
    BOISE, Idaho – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Jim Risch emphasized the importance of local water resource management and his commitment to advancing the priorities of Idaho farmers, ranchers, and water users in a recent feature by Irrigation Leader Magazine.
    Senator Jim Risch: Advocating for Western Water Needs and Local Water Management
    Excerpts from the feature:
    “Q: In Idaho, we have long considered you a water champion. Your office regularly takes the lead on water issues important to our state. Why do you believe you are drawn to water issues?
    Senator Risch: I know firsthand that difficult problems—especially those relating to natural resources—are best addressed when local stakeholders come together to develop creative and tailored solutions. Unfortunately, it seems that the federal government is increasingly trying to impose one-size-fits-all mandates that do not work for Idaho and certainly do not work for Idaho water. As a senator for Idaho and a member of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, it is my job to ensure that Idahoans have a seat at the table and to maintain our right to manage Idaho’s natural resources.
    As a rancher, I recognize the critical role agriculture plays in Idaho’s economy and identity. Water is at the heart of our agriculture industry. When it comes to the issues that matter most, keeping Idaho’s farmers and ranchers in the driver’s seat is my top priority.”
    “Q: Being in Congress gives you a special perspective on not only the challenges that water managers are facing in the West but also the politics of addressing those challenges. What do you see as the biggest issues affecting water use and management in the West?
    Senator Risch: People outside the West struggle to understand the distinctive challenges we face. This is especially apparent when it comes to western water management. Idaho has been a leader in water innovation and conservation, employing aquifer recharge, surface water infrastructure upgrades, and other water-conserving technologies to ensure that our most valuable resource, water, remains available to future generations. Unfortunately, continuous overreach and regulation from the federal government, even on matters about which agencies have received clear direction from Congress, disrupt these tailored and effective efforts. Local stakeholders have the best ability to solve these difficult problems, and the federal government needs to leave states room to manage their water.”

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Colleagues Reintroduce Bill to Lower Prescription Drug Costs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper

    Bill would streamline FDA approval process for generic drugs

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper, Maggie Hassan, Rand Paul, and Mike Lee reintroduced the bipartisan Increasing Transparency in Generic Drug Applications Act to lower prescription drug prices for patients by streamlining the approval process for generic drugs to enter the market more quickly. Last Congress, Hickenlooper voted the bill out of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP).

    “More generic drugs means lower health care costs for Americans. Unnecessary and unclear FDA approval processes delay them from reaching the shelves,” said Hickenlooper. “Our bill speeds up the process to help Americans save more.”

    “Skyrocketing prescription drug prices are forcing too many Granite Staters to choose between their health and their financial security,” said Hassan. “This commonsense, bipartisan legislation will help address a critical obstacle in the generic drug approval process that keeps affordable alternatives off of pharmacy shelves. By requiring more transparency from the FDA and streamlining the drug approval process, this bill will help deliver lower-cost medications to Americans faster.”

    “No one should have to play a complicated guessing game with the FDA simply to bring a safe, effective, and affordable drug to market. The Increasing Transparency in Generic Drug Applications Act will help low-cost generics get to American consumers faster,” said Paul.

    “Generic drugs have made the prescription drug market much more competitive, offering cheaper alternatives to their brand name counterparts. Streamlining the generic drug approval process by eliminating the pointless guessing game manufacturers are forced to play would eliminate red tape and bring down costs for American families,” said Lee.

    Current FDA policy requires certain generic drug manufacturers to demonstrate that their medication has the same levels of active and inactive ingredients as a brand name drug. If the generic drug contains the wrong amount of inactive ingredient, the FDA is not allowed to disclose how the generic comes up short. As a result, manufacturers end up playing a time-consuming guessing game until they reach the right formula. This legislation would require the FDA to clearly identify the formulaic differences between a generic and brand name drug to streamline the approval process.

     “S. 1302 expedites generic submission by creating process efficiencies for FDA and Industry. These efficiencies will enhance patient access to lower-cost medicine. When generic medicines become available, they bring immediately lower prices for lifesaving and life changing medications. We are thankful for the work done thus far by Senators Hassan, Paul, Hickenlooper, and Lee,” said John Murphy, III, President & CEO for the Association for Accessible Medicines.

    Full text of the bill is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Blumenthal, DeLauro, Governor Lamont Announce Start of Bridge Replacement and Traffic Flow Improvement Project on I-95 in West Haven

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    April 17, 2025

    WEST HAVEN—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) on Thursday joined U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.-03) and Governor Ned Lamont to announce that the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has begun construction on a major project on Interstate 95 in West Haven to replace two aging bridges and improve traffic flow in the area.

    The bridges, which are each more than 70 years old, carry I-95 over 1st Avenue and the Metro-North Railroad train tracks. The new structures are designed to have a minimum service life of 75 years, significantly improving long-term safety and reliability.

    In addition to replacing the bridges, the project includes extending the southbound lane from Exit 44 to create a continuous travel lane, which will ultimately serve as an exit-only lane for Exit 43. The goal of these improvements is to reduce congestion, enhance traffic flow, and improve safety in the region. The $136.5 million project is funded by a mix of 90% federal funds and 10% state funds. This project has a labor force of approximately 100 workers. Construction is expected to be completed in phases by year-end 2027.

    “Replacing these 70-year-old bridges is long overdue, and I’m glad to see this project finally moving forward,” said Murphy. “This is a smart federal investment that will make I-95 safer, reduce commutes, and boost Connecticut’s economy, all while creating good-paying jobs in West Haven.”

    “Over $122 million in federal funding will help replace two decaying, deteriorating and undersized bridges in West Haven, providing relief to the tens of thousands of commuters who drive across them every day,” said Blumenthal. “These projects reduce congestion, improve traffic flow on I-95, and most importantly, enhance commuter safety. I’ll continue fighting to deliver investments that make Connecticut’s roads more secure.”

    “Today marks a major step forward not just for West Haven, but for every traveler who depends on I-95 to get to work, to school, or home to their families,” said DeLauro. “These bridge replacements are more than concrete and steel – they are the result of years of hard work, advocacy, and persistent efforts that I’ve championed to bring critical federal resources back to our community. I fought for this investment because I believe in safer roads, smarter infrastructure, and a better quality of life for our residents. By widening and modernizing this vital interchange, we’re not only easing the daily burden of traffic, but we’re also laying the foundation for a stronger, more resilient transportation network that will support economic growth for generations. I’m proud to have led the charge in securing this funding and delivering real results for our region’s future.”

    “This project is a long-term investment in public safety and mobility, not only for West Haven but for the entire region,” said Lamont. “Beyond improving infrastructure, it’s also creating good-paying jobs that support local families and strengthen Connecticut’s workforce. Thank you to Connecticut Department of Transportation crews and contractors who are delivering on these critical projects across the state.”

    “Replacing these aging bridges and revamping the interchange will ease the daily commute for more than 142,000 drivers on I-95,” said CTDOT Deputy Commissioner Laoise King. “By tackling this now, we’re avoiding future disruptions to highway and rail travel. Thanks to support from Governor Lamont, Metro-North Railroad, and our federal and state partners, we’re making significant progress modernizing Connecticut’s bridge infrastructure.”

    For most of 2025, traffic is not expected to be disrupted from this project because the initial work includes construction on the foundation for the new bridges on the ground level at 1st Avenue and at the railroad crossing underneath the highway. Later in 2025, the northbound entrance ramp at Interchange 43 will close, with a detour routed through nearby state roads. The project will progress in stages through 2027, with three lanes of traffic maintained in each direction during daytime hours.

    For detailed information on this project and to subscribe to construction updates via email, visit i95westhaven.com.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: SR 302 fish barrier removal work begins April 28 in Mason County near Victor

    Source: Washington State News 2

    Reduced speed limit, lane closures needed for project prep work

    VICTOR – Work to replace two undersized culverts that carry Victor Creek under State Route 302 in Mason County will start Monday, April 28, and travelers should prepare for delays.

    Construction crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation are correcting barriers to fish migration in Victor Creek. The creek runs under SR 302 just north and west of East Highlander Drive. The older, smaller culverts block access to salmon, steelhead and bull trout. Replacing the culverts helps safeguard the state’s fish population, the environment and the economy and helps satisfy a federal court injunction. The new culverts also make the roadway more resilient to flooding.

    Keeping people moving during construction

    Starting Monday, April 28, crews will begin building a temporary single-lane bypass road to keep travelers moving while they build the new 42-foot-long bridge over the creek. The bypass lane will help keep traffic flowing once the culvert work begins this summer.

    Two signals will alternate directions of traffic through the work zone, including both drivers and bicyclists. The current 40 mph speed limit will be temporarily reduced to 25 mph between milepost 4.0 and milepost 4.3 during construction.

    Travelers are advised to add travel time to reach their destinations.

    This project is expected to be complete in fall 2025.

    Travelers can receive email updates about roadwork on state highways in Mason County. Real-time information is available via the WSDOT app and WSDOT Travel Center Map.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: Chemung Financial Corporation Reports First Quarter 2025 Net Income of $6.0 million, or $1.26 per share

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ELMIRA, N.Y., April 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Chemung Financial Corporation (the “Corporation”) (Nasdaq: CHMG), the parent company of Chemung Canal Trust Company (the “Bank”), today reported net income of $6.0 million, or $1.26 per share, for the first quarter of 2025, compared to $5.9 million, or $1.24 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2024, and $7.1 million, or $1.48 per share, for the first quarter of 2024.

    “First quarter results demonstrate steady ongoing delivery of the Corporation’s strategic plan,” said Anders M. Tomson, President and CEO of Chemung Financial Corporation. “Attentive balance sheet management has allowed us to effectively reduce funding costs while growing our asset base. Loan growth in our newer Canal Bank division during the quarter underscores its strategic importance to operations,” Tomson added.

    “Our community banking model serves as a source of strength, consistency, and dependability for our communities, clients, and employees, regardless of the external environment. We are confident these stakeholders will continue to meaningfully drive our Corporation’s success,” concluded Tomson.

    First Quarter Highlights:

    • The Corporation announced a $0.01 dividend increase, representing a 3.2% increase compared to the prior quarter. Dividends declared during the first quarter 2025 were $0.32 per share.
    • Net interest margin expanded four basis points compared to the prior quarter, from 2.92% in the fourth quarter 2024 to 2.96% in the first quarter 2025.1 Interest rate spread increased 11 basis points compared to the prior quarter, from 2.06% in the fourth quarter 2024 to 2.17% in the first quarter 2025.
    • Annualized loan growth totaled 5.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2025, including annualized commercial loan growth of 10.5%.
    • Loan growth in the Western New York Canal Bank division totaled 14.9% compared to prior-year end and deposit growth totaled 82.0% compared to prior year-end.

    1 See the GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliations.

    1st Quarter 2025 vs 4th Quarter 2024

    Net Interest Income:
    Net interest income for the first quarter of 2025 totaled $19.8 million, in line with the prior quarter, driven by a decrease of $1.0 million in interest expense on deposits, and offset by decreases of $0.7 million in interest income on loans and $0.1 million in each of interest income on taxable securities and interest income on interest-earning deposits, and an increase of $0.1 million in interest expense on borrowed funds.

    Interest expense on deposits decreased primarily due to a decrease of 19 basis points in the average cost of interest-bearing deposits, and despite an increase of $8.7 million in average balances of total interest-bearing deposits, compared to the prior quarter. The average cost of customer time deposits decreased 42 basis points compared to the prior quarter, mainly due to maturities of higher cost CDs associated with campaigns during 2023 and 2024, many of which were renewed at a lower cost. Average balances of customer time deposits decreased $25.9 million compared to the prior quarter. Customer time deposits comprised 21.1% of total average deposits in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 22.1% in the prior quarter. The average cost of brokered deposits decreased 19 basis points, while average balances of brokered deposits increased $38.0 million compared to the prior quarter. The cost of brokered deposits decreased largely due to the short term nature of the Corporation’s brokered deposits coupled with lower market interest rates in the current quarter, while average balances of brokered deposits increased primarily to offset the decrease of $39.0 million in average balances of total customer deposits, or 1.6%, compared to the prior quarter. Additionally, average balances of interest-bearing demand deposits increased $8.9 million while the average cost of interest-bearing demand deposits decreased 12 basis points, and average balances of savings and money market deposits decreased $12.3 million while the average cost of savings and money market deposits decreased 12 basis points, compared to the prior quarter.

    Interest income on loans, including fees, decreased primarily due to a decrease of 16 basis points in the average yield on commercial loans, partially offset by an increase of $43.0 million in average balances of commercial loans, compared to the prior quarter. The decrease in average yield on commercial loans was partially due to the recognition of $0.3 million in interest income on the payoff of a nonaccrual construction loan in the prior quarter, as well as decreases in interest rates on existing variable rate loans, as benchmark indexes repriced lower during the current quarter. The increase in average balances of commercial loans was largely concentrated in commercial real estate. Average balances of residential mortgage loans increased $0.8 million while the average yield on residential mortgage loans decreased one basis point, compared to the prior quarter. Origination yields of residential mortgages remained strong in the first quarter of 2025 despite the overall declining rate environment. Average balances of consumer loans decreased $12.4 million and the average yield on consumer loans decreased seven basis points, compared to the prior quarter, due to net runoff of the indirect auto portfolio, decreases in interest rates on variable rate home equity products, and home equity lines of credit originated in the first quarter of 2025 at a 4.99% introductory rate.

    The decrease in interest income on taxable securities was primarily due to a decrease of $10.1 million in average balances, largely due to paydowns of mortgage-backed and SBA pooled loan securities. The decrease in interest income on interest-earning deposits was mainly due to a decrease in the interest rate paid on deposit balances at the Federal Reserve during the fourth quarter of 2024. The increase in interest expense on borrowed funds was due to an increase in average balances of total FHLBNY advances in the first quarter of 2025, compared to the prior quarter.

    Fully taxable equivalent net interest margin was 2.96% for the current quarter, compared to 2.92% for the prior quarter. Average interest-earning assets increased $17.7 million, while average interest-bearing liabilities increased $25.1 million during the first quarter, compared to the prior quarter. The average yield on interest-earning assets decreased seven basis points to 4.72%, while the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased 18 basis points to 2.55%, compared to the prior quarter. Total cost of funds was 1.92% for the current quarter, compared to 2.04% for the prior quarter, a decrease of 12 basis points.

    Provision for Credit Losses:
    Provision for credit losses was $1.1 million for the first quarter of 2025, compared to $0.6 million in the prior quarter, an increase of $0.5 million, or 83.3%. The increase was primarily due to the annual loss driver update to the Bank’s CECL model, which is implemented in the first quarter of each year, as well as deterioration in FOMC forecasts for the economic variables on which the Bank’s CECL model is based. Partially offsetting these increases were lower net charge-offs in the current quarter, compared to the prior quarter.

    Non-Interest Income:
    Non-interest income for the first quarter of 2025 was $5.9 million, compared to $6.1 million for the prior quarter, a decrease of $0.2 million, or 3.3%, driven by decreases of $0.2 million in wealth management group fee income and $0.1 million in interchange revenue from debit card transactions, partially offset by an increase of $0.1 million in other non-interest income.

    Wealth management group fee income decreased compared to the prior quarter largely due to a decrease in total assets under management, due to a broad decline in financial markets during the first quarter of 2025. Interchange revenue from debit card transactions decreased primarily due to a decline in transaction volume, partially due to the seasonality of holiday spending, compared to the prior quarter. Other non-interest income increased mainly due to recognition of debit card support incentives in the first quarter of 2025.

    Non-Interest Expense:
    Non-interest expense for the first quarter of 2025 was $16.9 million, compared to $17.8 million for the prior quarter, a decrease of $0.9 million, or 5.1%, driven by decreases of $0.4 million in pension and other employee benefits, $0.2 million in salaries and wages, and $0.1 million in each of data processing, loan expense, and furniture and equipment expense.

    Pension and other employee benefits decreased compared to the prior quarter primarily due to a decrease in employee healthcare-related expenses. The decrease in salaries and wages was largely due to higher quarterly incentive compensation expense recognized in the prior quarter. Data processing decreased mainly due to a decrease in card-related expenses, partially attributable to procurement expenses relating to the Canal Bank division in the prior quarter. The decrease in loan expenses was primarily due to a decrease in legal fees in the current quarter, compared to the prior quarter. The decrease in furniture and equipment expense was partially due to branch equipment and non-capitalized fixtures purchased in the prior quarter.

    Income Tax Expense:
    Income tax expense for the first quarter of 2025 was $1.7 million, compared to $1.6 million for the prior quarter, an increase of $0.1 million. The effective tax rate for the current quarter increased to 21.6% from 21.2% in the prior quarter. The increase in income tax expense was primarily due to an increase in pretax income.

    1st Quarter 2025 vs 1st Quarter 2024

    Net Interest Income:
    Net interest income for the first quarter of 2025 totaled $19.8 million, compared to $18.1 million for the same period in the prior year, an increase of $1.7 million, or 9.4%, driven by decreases of $1.0 million in interest expense on deposits and $0.3 million in interest expense on borrowed funds, and an increase of $0.9 million in interest income on loans, partially offset by a decrease of $0.5 million in interest income on taxable securities.

    Interest expense on deposits decreased primarily due to a decrease of 27 basis points in the average cost of total interest-bearing deposits, which was comprised of decreases of 21 basis points in the average cost of customer interest-bearing deposits and 82 basis points in the average cost of brokered deposits, both largely due to decreases in benchmark interest rates and the Corporation’s balance sheet structure favoring shorter-term liabilities. Average balances of customer interest-bearing deposits increased $55.0 million and average balances of brokered deposits decreased $8.6 million, compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase in average balances of customer interest-bearing deposits was primarily due to an increase of $32.9 million in average balances of customer time deposits. The average cost of customer time deposits decreased 38 basis points compared to the same period in the prior year, due to the Corporation’s focus on shorter-term CD campaigns during 2024, and a decrease in interest rates on campaign offerings in the current period. Customer time deposits comprised 21.1% of average total deposits for the first quarter of 2025, compared to 20.1% for the same period in the prior year. Additionally, an increase of $28.3 million in average balances of interest-bearing demand deposits positively benefited the average cost of interest-bearing deposits, as the 1.57% average cost was lower than other types of interest-bearing deposits.

    The decrease in interest expense on borrowed funds was partially due to a decline in borrowing rates between the first quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025, as well as a shift in the composition of borrowed funds between these periods. The average cost of total borrowings decreased 69 basis points, compared to the same period in the prior year, comprised of decreases of 91 basis points and 32 basis points in the average cost of FHLBNY overnight advances and other advances and debt, which includes FHLBNY term advances, respectively. The composition of borrowings in the first quarter of 2025 was primarily comprised of FHLBNY term advances and FHLBNY overnight advances, while the composition of borrowings in the same period in the prior year was primarily comprised of a Federal Reserve Bank Term Funding Program (BTFP) advance and FHLBNY overnight advances.

    Interest income on loans, including fees, increased largely due to an increase in average total loan balances of $88.6 million compared to the same period in the prior year, which was concentrated in the commercial loan portfolio. The average yield on total loans was relatively stable compared to the same period in the prior year, declining two basis points to 5.49% in the first quarter of 2025. Average balances of commercial loans increased $122.1 million compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily due to growth in commercial real estate balances, while the average yield on commercial loans declined 15 basis points, largely due to repricing of benchmark indexes and $0.3 million in interest income recognized on the payoff of a nonaccrual commercial real estate loan in the same period of the prior year. Average balances of residential mortgage loans and consumer loans each decreased compared to the same period in the prior year, decreasing $2.1 million and $31.4 million, respectively. The decrease in average balances of residential mortgage loans was partially due to relatively low levels of housing inventory across the Bank’s footprint resulting in lower origination volume, which was comparable to the prior year, as well as a continued election to sell a significant portion of conforming mortgages into the secondary market. The decrease in average balances of consumer loans was primarily due to net runoff of indirect auto loans between the first quarters of 2024 and 2025. The average yield on residential mortgage loans and consumer loans each increased in the first quarter of 2025, compared to the same period in the prior year, increasing 24 and 27 basis points, respectively, each due to strong origination yields in recent periods, and normal runoff of older and typically lower yielding originations. Interest income on interest-earning deposits increased mainly due to a $11.2 million increase in average balances of interest-earning deposits, compared to the same period in the prior year, and despite a decrease of six basis points in the average yield on interest-earning deposits, due to a decrease in the interest rate paid on deposit balances at the Federal Reserve.

    The decrease in interest income on taxable securities was largely due to paydowns and maturities of available for sale securities between the first quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025, totaling $55.9 million, primarily on SBA pooled loan and mortgage-backed securities, as well as a decrease in the interest rates of variable rate SBA pooled loan securities, partially offset by purchases of available for sale securities totaling $5.0 million between these periods.

    Fully taxable equivalent net interest margin was 2.96% for the first quarter of 2025, compared to 2.73% for the same period in the prior year. Average interest-earning assets increased $48.6 million, while average interest-bearing liabilities increased $34.8 million, compared to the same period in the prior year. The average yield on interest-earning assets increased two basis points to 4.72%, while the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased 30 basis points to 2.55%, compared to the same period in the prior year. Total cost of funds was 1.92% for the current quarter, compared to 2.13% for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of 21 basis points.

    Provision for Credit Losses:
    Provision for credit losses was $1.1 million for the first quarter of 2025, compared to a credit of $2.0 million for the same period in the prior year, an increase of $3.1 million, or 155.0%. The increase was largely driven by the directionality of the annual loss driver update applied to the Bank’s CECL model in the first quarter of the current year, compared to the loss driver update applied in the first quarter of the prior year. The current year update resulted in higher modeled baseline loss rates, while the update in the prior year resulted in lower baseline loss rates.

    Non-Interest Income:
    Non-interest income for the first quarter of 2025 was $5.9 million, compared to $5.7 million for the same period in the prior year, an increase of $0.2 million, or 3.5%, driven by increases of $0.2 million in wealth management group fee income, $0.2 million in service charges on deposit accounts, and $0.1 million in other non-interest income, partially offset by a decrease of $0.1 million in the change in fair value of equity investments. Both the increase in wealth management group fee income and service charges on deposit accounts were primarily due to fee rate increases which were implemented in the second half of 2024. The increase in other non-interest income was largely due to an increase in interest rate swap fee income in the first quarter of 2025, compared to the same period in the prior year. The decrease in the change in fair value of equity investments was primarily due to a decrease in the market value of assets held for the Corporation’s deferred compensation plan, largely due to declines in financial markets during the current quarter.

    Non-Interest Expense:
    Non-interest expense for the first quarter of 2025 was $16.9 million, compared to $16.7 million for the same period in the prior year, an increase of $0.2 million, or 1.2%, driven by increases of $0.2 million in salaries and wages and $0.2 million in other non-interest expense, partially offset by decreases of $0.2 million in pension and other employee benefits and $0.1 million in FDIC insurance.

    Salaries and wages increased largely due to an increase in base salaries, including merit-based increases and additional staffing for the Corporation’s newly opened Western New York regional banking center. The increase in other non-interest expense was primarily due to net recoveries of multiple large altered check charge-offs during the same period in the prior year as well as higher operational losses on the sale of repossessed vehicles during the first quarter of 2025, compared to the same period in the prior year. The decrease in pension and other employee benefits expense was largely due to lower employee healthcare-related expenses compared to the same period in the prior year. The decrease in FDIC insurance was primarily due to a decrease in the Bank’s assessment rate, due to an improvement in evaluated metrics.

    Income Tax Expense:
    Income tax expense for the first quarter of 2025 was $1.7 million, compared to $2.0 million for the first quarter of 2024, a decrease of $0.3 million. The effective tax rate for the current quarter decreased to 21.6%, compared to 22.4% for the same period in the prior year. The decrease in income tax expense was primarily due to a decrease in pretax income.

    Asset Quality
    Non-performing loans totaled $9.9 million as of March 31, 2025, or 0.47% of total loans, compared to $9.0 million, or 0.43% of total loans as of December 31, 2024. The increase in non-performing loans was largely due to increases in non-performing consumer loans and residential mortgage loans of $0.7 million and $0.3 million, respectively. The increase in non-performing consumer loans was mainly driven by one well-secured home equity loan being placed into nonaccrual status during the quarter. Similarly, the increase in non-performing residential mortgage loans was driven by one loan being placed into nonaccrual status during the quarter. Non-performing commercial loans decreased $0.1 million, primarily due to the payoff of a $0.3 million previously nonaccrual commercial real estate loan, offset by the addition of $0.2 million in nonaccrual commercial and industrial loans. Non-performing assets, which are comprised of non-performing loans, other real estate owned, and repossessed vehicles, were $10.3 million, or 0.37% of total assets as of March 31, 2025, compared to $9.6 million, or 0.35% of total assets as of December 31, 2024. The increase in non-performing assets was largely due to an increase in non-performing loans. Other real estate owned was $0.2 million and repossessed vehicles was $0.2 million as of March 31, 2025.

    Total loan delinquencies as of March 31, 2025 increased compared to December 31, 2024, primarily driven by an increase in commercial loan delinquencies. Annualized net charge-offs to total average loans for the first quarter of 2025 were 0.05%, compared to 0.12% for the fourth quarter of 2024, a decrease of seven basis points. Net charge-off experience in the first quarter of 2025 was concentrated almost entirely in indirect auto loans. Total annualized consumer net charge-offs were 0.40% of average consumer loan balances for the first quarter of 2025, compared to 0.45% of average consumer loan balances for the fourth quarter of 2024. Commercial loans and residential mortgage loans each had net recovery ratios in the first quarter of 2025, compared to an annualized net charge off ratio of 0.07% of average commercial loan balances and a net recovery ratio of average residential mortgage loan balances in the fourth quarter of 2024.

    The allowance for credit losses on loans was $22.5 million as of March 31, 2025 compared to $21.4 million as of December 31, 2024. The allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments, a component of other liabilities, was $0.5 million as of March 31, 2025 and $0.8 million as of December 31, 2024. The increase in the allowance for credit losses on loans was largely due to the annual review and update to loss drivers used in the Bank’s CECL model, which is implemented each year in the first quarter. The update resulted in higher baseline loss rates for most of the Bank’s loan portfolio segments, and was partially due to the introduction of new periods of data into the analysis. Additionally, the economic variables used as loss drivers for commercial and industrial loans was adjusted as part of the annual update. FOMC forecasts for both national unemployment and U.S. GDP growth deteriorated as of March 31, 2025 compared to December 31, 2024, as the FOMC incorporated elevated levels of economic uncertainty into their forecasts. Provision for credit losses as a percentage of period-end loan balances was 0.05% for the first quarter of 2025, compared to 0.03% for the fourth quarter of 2024. The allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans was 1.07% as of March 31, 2025 and 1.03% as of December 31, 2024 while the allowance for credit losses on loans was 227.93% of non-performing loans as of March 31, 2025 and 238.87% as of December 31, 2024.

    Balance Sheet Activity
    Total assets were $2.797 billion as of March 31, 2025, compared to $2.776 billion as of December 31, 2024, an increase of $20.6 million, or 0.7%. This increase was driven by increases of $26.2 million in loans, net of deferred origination fees and costs and $6.4 million in cash and cash equivalents, partially offset by decreases of $4.2 million in total investment securities and $6.7 million in accrued interest receivable and other assets.

    Loans, net of deferred origination fees and costs increased mainly due to growth in commercial loan balances, which was concentrated in commercial real estate. Total commercial loan balances increased $39.5 million, or 2.6%, compared to the prior year-end. Commercial real estate balances grew $43.3 million while commercial and industrial balances contracted $3.8 million, both compared to the prior year-end. Over half of total growth in commercial loan balances was attributable to the Bank’s new Canal Bank division in Western New York. Residential mortgages increased $0.5 million, or 0.2%, compared to the prior year-end, as the Corporation continued to elect to sell a portion of originations into the secondary market and low levels of housing inventory persisted across the Bank’s footprint. Consumer loans decreased $13.7 million, or 4.9%, compared to the prior-year end, largely due to lower levels of indirect auto loan origination activity, and a relatively fast turnover rate in the portfolio.

    The increase in cash and cash equivalents was primarily due to an increase of $36.5 million in total deposits compared to the prior year-end and $13.6 million in net paydowns and maturities of available for sale securities in the current period. Partially offsetting this increase were a decrease of $24.2 million in total advances and other debt and an increase of $26.2 million in loans, net of deferred origination fees and costs.

    Total investment securities decreased primarily due to a decrease of $3.1 million in securities available for sale, compared to the prior year-end. Net paydowns and maturities of securities available for sale for the current year totaled $13.6 million, mainly due to paydowns on mortgage-backed securities and SBA pooled loan securities. The market value of securities available for sale increased $11.0 million, due to favorable changes in market interest rates during the current year. Also contributing to the decrease in total investment securities was a decrease of $1.1 million in FHLB and FRB stock, at cost, mainly due to a decrease in total borrowing through the FHLBNY as of March 31, 2025, compared to the prior year-end. The decrease in accrued interest receivable and other assets was largely due to decreases in interest rate swap assets and deferred tax assets.

    Total liabilities were $2.568 billion as of March 31, 2025, compared to $2.561 billion as of December 31, 2024, an increase of $7.6 million, or 0.3%. This increase was driven by an increase of $36.5 million in total deposits, partially offset by decreases of $24.2 million in advances and other debt and $4.6 million in accrued interest payable and other liabilities.

    Total deposits increased $36.5 million, or 1.5%, compared to the prior year-end, largely due to increases of $33.3 million in interest-bearing demand deposits and $30.4 million in money market deposits. Increases in these deposit types were partially attributable to seasonal inflows of municipal deposits. Total time deposits decreased $25.0 million, consisting of decreases of $13.6 million in customer time deposits and $11.4 million in brokered deposits. The Bank’s CD campaign in the current year primarily consisted of a continuation of six and 15 month offerings, as well as the introduction of a 36 month offering. Additionally, savings deposits increased $4.0 million and non interest-bearing demand deposits decreased $6.1 million. Non interest-bearing deposits comprised 25.5% and 26.1% of total deposits as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.

    Advances and other debt decreased mainly due to an increase in total deposits. Advances and other debt as of March 31, 2025 largely consisted of staggered three-month term advances from the FHLBNY, whereas the composition of advances and other debt as of the prior year-end consisted primarily of FHLBNY overnight advances. The decrease in accrued interest payable and other liabilities was mainly due to a decrease in interest rate swap liabilities.

    Total shareholders’ equity was $228.3 million as of March 31, 2025, compared to $215.3 million as of December 31, 2024, an increase of $13.0 million, or 6.0%, driven by a decrease of $8.1 million in accumulated other comprehensive loss and an increase of $4.5 million in retained earnings. The decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss was largely due to an increase in the fair value of securities available for sale, due to favorable changes in market interest rates. The increase in retained earnings was mainly due to net income of $6.0 million, offset by dividends declared of $1.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2025.

    The total equity to total assets ratio was 8.16% as of March 31, 2025, compared to 7.76% as of December 31, 2024, and the tangible equity to tangible assets ratio was 7.44% as of March 31, 2025, compared to 7.02% as of December 31, 2024.1 Book value per share and tangible book value per share increased to $47.49 and $42.95, respectively as of March 31, 2025 from $45.13 and $40.55, respectively as of December 31, 2024.1 As of March 31, 2025, the Bank’s capital ratios were in excess of those required to be considered well-capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.

    1 See the GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliations

    Liquidity
    The Corporation uses a variety of resources to manage its liquidity, and management believes it has the necessary liquidity to allow for flexibility in meeting its various operational and strategic needs. These include short-term investments, cash flow from lending and investing activities, core-deposit growth and non-core funding sources, such as time deposits of $250,000 or greater, brokered deposits, FHLBNY overnight and term advances, and FRB advances. Borrowings may be used on a short-term basis for liquidity purposes or on a long-term basis to fund asset growth. As of March 31, 2025, the Corporation’s cash and cash equivalents balance was $53.4 million. The Corporation also maintains an investment portfolio of securities available for sale, comprised primarily of US Government treasury securities, SBA loan pools, mortgage-backed securities, and municipal bonds. Although this portfolio generates interest income for the Corporation, it also serves as an available source of liquidity and capital if the need should arise. As of March 31, 2025, the Corporation’s investment in securities available for sale was $528.3 million, $341.2 million of which was not pledged as collateral. Additionally, as of March 31, 2025, the Bank’s total advance line capacity at the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York was $222.3 million, $85.0 million of which was utilized and $137.3 million of which was available as additional borrowing capacity.

    As of March 31, 2025, uninsured deposits totaled $690.3 million, or 28.4% of total deposits, including $167.6 million of municipal deposits collateralized by pledged assets, when required. As of December 31, 2024, uninsured deposits totaled $652.3 million, or 27.2% of total deposits, including $145.6 million of municipal deposits collateralized by pledged assets. Due to their fluidity, the Corporation closely monitors uninsured deposit levels when considering liquidity management strategies.

    The Corporation considers brokered deposits to be an element of its deposit strategy, and anticipates it may continue utilizing brokered deposits as a secondary source of funding in support of growth. As of March 31, 2025, all brokered deposits carried terms of three months, with staggered maturities, totaling $80.8 million. Excluding brokered deposits, total deposits increased $47.9 million compared to December 31, 2024.

    Other Items
    The market value of total assets under management or administration in our Wealth Management Group was $2.203 billion as of March 31, 2025, including $305.5 million of assets under management or administration for the Corporation, compared to $2.212 billion as of December 31, 2024, including $301.9 million of assets under management or administration for the Corporation, a decrease of $9.5 million, or 0.4%. Excluding assets under management or administration for the Corporation, total market value of Wealth Management Group assets decreased $13.1 million, or 0.7%, largely due to declines in financial markets during the first quarter of 2025.

    As previously announced on January 8, 2021, the Corporation’s Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program. Under the repurchase program, the Corporation may repurchase up to 250,000 shares of its common stock, or approximately 5% of its then outstanding shares. The repurchase program permits shares to be repurchased in open market or privately negotiated transactions, through block trades, and pursuant to any trading plan that may be adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. As of March 31, 2025, a total of 49,184 shares of common stock at a total cost of $2.0 million were repurchased by the Corporation under its share repurchase program. No shares were repurchased in the first quarter of 2025. The weighted average cost was $40.42 per share repurchased. Remaining buyback authority under the share repurchase program was 200,816 shares as of March 31, 2025.

    About Chemung Financial Corporation

    Chemung Financial Corporation is a $2.8 billion financial services holding company headquartered in Elmira, New York and operates 30 retail offices through its principal subsidiary, Chemung Canal Trust Company, a full service community bank with trust powers. Established in 1833, Chemung Canal Trust Company is the oldest locally-owned and managed community bank in New York State. Chemung Financial Corporation is also the parent of CFS Group, Inc., a financial services subsidiary offering non-traditional services including mutual funds, annuities, brokerage services, tax preparation services, and insurance.

    This press release may be found at: www.chemungcanal.com under Investor Relations.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Corporation intends its forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements in this press release. All statements regarding the Corporation’s expected financial position and operating results, the Corporation’s business strategy, the Corporation’s financial plans, forecasted demographic and economic trends relating to the Corporation’s industry and similar matters are forward-looking statements. These statements can sometimes be identified by the Corporation’s use of forward-looking words such as “may,” “will,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” or “intend.” The Corporation cannot guarantee that its expectations in such forward-looking statements will turn out to be correct. The Corporation’s actual results could be materially different from expectations because of various factors, including changes in economic conditions or interest rates, credit risk, inflation, tariffs, cybersecurity risks, changes in FDIC assessments, bank failures, difficulties in managing the Corporation’s growth, competition, changes in law or the regulatory environment, and changes in general business and economic trends.

    Information concerning these and other factors, including Risk Factors, can be found in the Corporation’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K. These filings are available publicly on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov, on the Corporation’s website at http://www.chemungcanal.com or upon request from the Corporate Secretary at (607) 737-3746. Except as otherwise required by law, the Corporation undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

     
    Chemung Financial Corporation
    Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
        March 31,   Dec. 31,   Sept. 30,   June 30,   March 31,
    (in thousands)   2025   2024   2024   2024   2024
    ASSETS                    
    Cash and due from financial institutions   $ 32,087     $ 26,224     $ 36,247     $ 23,184     $ 22,984  
    Interest-earning deposits in other financial institutions     21,348       20,811       44,193       47,033       71,878  
    Total cash and cash equivalents     53,435       47,035       80,440       70,217       94,862  
                                             
    Equity investments     3,249       3,235       3,244       3,090       3,093  
                                             
    Securities available for sale     528,327       531,442       554,575       550,927       566,028  
    Securities held to maturity     808       808       657       657       785  
    FHLB and FRB stock, at cost     8,040       9,117       4,189       5,506       4,071  
    Total investment securities     537,175       541,367       559,421       557,090       570,884  
                                             
    Commercial     1,555,988       1,516,525       1,464,205       1,445,258       1,425,437  
    Residential mortgage     275,448       274,979       274,099       271,620       277,246  
    Consumer     266,200       279,915       290,650       294,594       300,927  
    Loans, net of deferred loan fees     2,097,636       2,071,419       2,028,954       2,011,472       2,003,610  
    Allowance for credit losses     (22,522 )     (21,388 )     (21,441 )     (21,031 )     (20,471 )
    Loans, net     2,075,114       2,050,031       2,007,513       1,990,441       1,983,139  
                                             
    Loans held for sale     284                   381       96  
    Premises and equipment, net     16,222       16,375       14,915       14,731       14,183  
    Operating lease right-of-use assets     5,332       5,446       5,637       5,827       6,018  
    Goodwill     21,824       21,824       21,824       21,824       21,824  
    Accrued interest receivable and other assets     84,090       90,834       81,221       92,212       90,791  
    Total assets   $ 2,796,725     $ 2,776,147     $ 2,774,215     $ 2,755,813     $ 2,784,890  
                                             
    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                    
    Deposits:                    
    Non interest-bearing demand deposits   $ 619,645     $ 625,762     $ 616,126     $ 619,192     $ 656,330  
    Interest-bearing demand deposits     339,790       306,536       349,383       328,370       315,154  
    Money market deposits     625,505       595,123       630,870       613,131       631,350  
    Savings deposits     249,541       245,550       242,911       248,528       248,578  
    Time deposits     598,915       623,912       611,831       606,700       629,360  
    Total deposits     2,433,396       2,396,883       2,451,121       2,415,921       2,480,772  
                                             
    Advances and other debt     88,701       112,889       53,757       83,835       52,979  
    Operating lease liabilities     5,516       5,629       5,820       6,009       6,197  
    Accrued interest payable and other liabilities     40,806       45,437       42,863       48,826       47,814  
    Total liabilities     2,568,419       2,560,838       2,553,561       2,554,591       2,587,762  
                                             
    Shareholders’ equity                  
    Common stock   53       53       53       53       53  
    Additional paid-in capital   48,157       48,783       48,457       48,102       47,794  
    Retained earnings   252,195       247,705       243,266       239,021       235,506  
    Treasury stock, at cost   (15,180 )     (16,167 )     (15,987 )     (16,043 )     (16,147 )
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (56,919 )     (65,065 )     (55,135 )     (69,911 )     (70,078 )
    Total shareholders’ equity   228,306       215,309       220,654       201,222       197,128  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 2,796,725     $ 2,776,147     $ 2,774,215     $ 2,755,813     $ 2,784,890  
                                           
    Period-end shares outstanding     4,807       4,771       4,774       4,772       4,768  
                         
     
    Chemung Financial Corporation
    Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
        Three Months Ended March 31,   Percent
    Change
    (in thousands, except per share data)   2025   2024  
    Interest and dividend income:            
    Loans, including fees   $ 28,099     $ 27,198     3.3  
    Taxable securities     3,023       3,557     (15.0 )
    Tax exempt securities     251       258     (2.7 )
    Interest-earning deposits     325       206     57.8  
    Total interest and dividend income     31,698       31,219     1.5  
                 
    Interest expense:            
    Deposits     11,156       12,145     (8.1 )
    Borrowed funds     725       985     (26.4 )
    Total interest expense     11,881       13,130     (9.5 )
                 
    Net interest income     19,817       18,089     9.6  
    Provision (credit) for credit losses     1,092       (2,040 )   153.5  
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses     18,725       20,129     (7.0 )
                 
    Non-interest income:            
    Wealth management group fee income     2,867       2,703     6.1  
    Service charges on deposit accounts     1,120       949     18.0  
    Interchange revenue from debit card transactions     1,037       1,063     (2.4 )
    Change in fair value of equity investments     (47 )     101     N/M  
    Net gains on sales of loans held for sale     40       32     25.0  
    Net gains (losses) on sales of other real estate owned     (11 )         N/M  
    Income from bank owned life insurance     8       9     (11.1 )
    Other     875       800     9.4  
    Total non-interest income     5,889       5,657     4.1  
                 
    Non-interest expense:            
    Salaries and wages     7,209       7,016     2.8  
    Pension and other employee benefits     1,922       2,082     (7.7 )
    Other components of net periodic pension and postretirement benefits     (113 )     (232 )   51.3  
    Net occupancy     1,533       1,493     2.7  
    Furniture and equipment     373       398     (6.3 )
    Data processing     2,534       2,573     (1.5 )
    Professional services     638       559     14.1  
    Marketing and advertising     339       345     (1.7 )
    Other real estate owned expense     11       49     N/M  
    FDIC insurance     439       577     (23.9 )
    Loan expense     278       255     9.0  
    Other     1,764       1,583     11.4  
    Total non-interest expense     16,927       16,698     1.4  
                 
    Income before income tax expense     7,687       9,088     (15.4 )
    Income tax expense     1,664       2,038     (18.4 )
    Net income   $ 6,023     $ 7,050     (14.6 )
                 
    Basic and diluted earnings per share   $ 1.26     $ 1.48      
    Cash dividends declared per share   $ 0.32     $ 0.31      
    Average basic and diluted shares outstanding     4,791       4,764      
                 
                 
    N/M – Not Meaningful
     
         
    Chemung Financial Corporation   As of or for the Three Months Ended
    Consolidated Financial Highlights (Unaudited)   March 31,   Dec. 31,   Sept. 30,   June 30,   March 31,
    (in thousands, except per share data)   2025   2024   2024   2024   2024
    RESULTS OF OPERATIONS                    
    Interest income   $ 31,698     $ 32,597     $ 32,362     $ 31,386     $ 31,219  
    Interest expense     11,881       12,776       13,974       13,625       13,130  
    Net interest income     19,817       19,821       18,388       17,761       18,089  
    Provision (credit) for credit losses     1,092       551       564       879       (2,040 )
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses     18,725       19,270       17,824       16,882       20,129  
    Non-interest income     5,889       6,056       5,919       5,598       5,657  
    Non-interest expense     16,927       17,823       16,510       16,219       16,698  
    Income before income tax expense     7,687       7,503       7,233       6,261       9,088  
    Income tax expense     1,664       1,589       1,513       1,274       2,038  
    Net income   $ 6,023     $ 5,914     $ 5,720     $ 4,987     $ 7,050  
                                             
    Basic and diluted earnings per share   $ 1.26     $ 1.24     $ 1.19     $ 1.05     $ 1.48  
    Average basic and diluted shares outstanding     4,791       4,774       4,773       4,770       4,764  
    PERFORMANCE RATIOS                    
    Return on average assets     0.88 %     0.85 %     0.83 %     0.73 %     1.04 %
    Return on average equity     10.96 %     10.73 %     10.81 %     10.27 %     14.48 %
    Return on average tangible equity (a)     12.15 %     11.92 %     12.07 %     11.56 %     16.29 %
    Efficiency ratio (unadjusted) (e)     65.85 %     68.88 %     67.92 %     69.43 %     70.32 %
    Efficiency ratio (adjusted) (a)     65.64 %     68.64 %     67.69 %     69.19 %     70.07 %
    Non-interest expense to average assets     2.47 %     2.57 %     2.39 %     2.38 %     2.47 %
    Loans to deposits     86.20 %     86.42 %     82.78 %     83.26 %     80.77 %
    YIELDS RATES – Fully Taxable Equivalent                    
    Yield on loans     5.49 %     5.61 %     5.65 %     5.52 %     5.51 %
    Yield on investments     2.26 %     2.29 %     2.21 %     2.27 %     2.35 %
    Yield on interest-earning assets     4.72 %     4.79 %     4.78 %     4.69 %     4.70 %
    Cost of interest-bearing deposits     2.48 %     2.67 %     2.88 %     2.86 %     2.75 %
    Cost of borrowings     4.54 %     4.74 %     5.08 %     5.04 %     5.15 %
    Cost of interest-bearing liabilities     2.55 %     2.73 %     2.97 %     2.94 %     2.85 %
    Cost of funds     1.92 %     2.04 %     2.24 %     2.20 %     2.13 %
    Interest rate spread     2.17 %     2.06 %     1.81 %     1.75 %     1.85 %
    Net interest margin, fully taxable equivalent     2.96 %     2.92 %     2.72 %     2.66 %     2.73 %
    CAPITAL                    
    Total equity to total assets at end of period     8.16 %     7.76 %     7.95 %     7.30 %     7.08 %
    Tangible equity to tangible assets at end of period (a)     7.44 %     7.02 %     7.22 %     6.56 %     6.34 %
    Book value per share   $ 47.49     $ 45.13     $ 46.22     $ 42.17     $ 41.34  
    Tangible book value per share (a)     42.95       40.55       41.65       37.59       36.77  
    Period-end market value per share     47.57       48.81       48.02       48.00       42.48  
    Dividends declared per share     0.32       0.31       0.31       0.31       0.31  
    AVERAGE BALANCES                    
    Loans and loans held for sale (b)   $ 2,077,739     $ 2,046,270     $ 2,020,280     $ 2,009,823     $ 1,989,185  
    Interest-earning assets     2,729,661       2,711,995       2,699,968       2,699,402       2,681,059  
    Total assets     2,784,414       2,761,875       2,751,392       2,740,967       2,724,391  
    Deposits     2,445,597       2,446,662       2,410,735       2,419,169       2,402,215  
    Total equity     222,802       219,254       210,421       195,375       195,860  
    Tangible equity (a)     200,978       197,430       188,597       173,551       174,036  
    ASSET QUALITY                    
    Net charge-offs   $ 262     $ 594     $ 78     $ 306     $ 182  
    Non-performing loans (c)     9,881       8,954       10,545       8,195       7,835  
    Non-performing assets (d)     10,282       9,606       11,134       8,872       8,394  
    Allowance for credit losses     22,522       21,388       21,441       21,031       20,471  
    Annualized net charge-offs to average loans     0.05 %     0.12 %     0.02 %     0.06 %     0.04 %
    Non-performing loans to total loans     0.47 %     0.43 %     0.52 %     0.41 %     0.39 %
    Non-performing assets to total assets     0.37 %     0.35 %     0.40 %     0.32 %     0.30 %
    Allowance for credit losses to total loans     1.07 %     1.03 %     1.06 %     1.05 %     1.02 %
    Allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans     227.93 %     238.87 %     203.33 %     256.63 %     261.28 %
    (a) See the GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliations.
    (b) Loans and loans held for sale do not reflect the allowance for credit losses.
    (c) Non-performing loans include non-accrual loans only.
    (d) Non-performing assets include non-performing loans plus other real estate owned and repossessed vehicles.
    (e) 
    Efficiency ratio (unadjusted) is non-interest expense divided by the total of net interest income plus non-interest income.
     
     
    Chemung Financial Corporation
    Average Consolidated Balance Sheets & Net Interest Income Analysis and Rate/Volume Analysis of Net Interest Income (Unaudited)
               
      Three Months Ended
    March 31, 2025
      Three Months Ended
    March 31, 2024
      Three Months Ended
    March 31, 2025 vs. 2024
    (in thousands) Average
    Balance
      Interest   Yield/
    Rate
      Average
    Balance
      Interest   Yield/
    Rate
      Total
    Change
      Due to
    Volume
      Due to
    Rate
                                                                       
    Interest-earning assets:                                                                  
    Commercial loans $ 1,529,028     $ 21,696     5.75 %   $ 1,406,950     $ 20,642     5.90 %   $ 1,054     $ 1,620     $ (566 )
    Residential mortgage loans   275,524       2,701     3.98 %     277,661       2,597     3.74 %     104       (24 )     128  
    Consumer loans   273,187       3,751     5.57 %     304,574       4,016     5.30 %     (265 )     (449 )     184  
    Taxable securities   584,614       3,026     2.10 %     633,294       3,560     2.26 %     (534 )     (278 )     (256 )
    Tax-exempt securities   37,758       279     3.00 %     40,266       282     2.82 %     (3 )     (19 )     16  
    Interest-earning deposits   29,550       325     4.46 %     18,314       206     4.52 %     119       122       (3 )
    Total interest-earning assets   2,729,661       31,778     4.72 %     2,681,059       31,303     4.70 %     475       972       (497 )
                                       
    Non interest-earning assets:                                  
    Cash and due from banks   26,055               25,255                      
    Other assets   50,256               40,665                      
    Allowance for credit losses   (21,558 )             (22,588 )                    
    Total assets $ 2,784,414             $ 2,724,391                      
                               
    Interest-bearing liabilities:                          
    Interest-bearing checking $ 336,162     $ 1,303   1.57 % $ 307,895     $ 1,335   1.74 % $ (32 )   $ 109     $ (141 )
    Savings and money market   858,937       3,866   1.83 %   865,113       4,266   1.98 %   (400 )     (34 )     (366 )
    Time deposits   514,884       4,704   3.71 %   481,965       4,904   4.09 %   (200 )     298       (498 )
    Brokered deposits   112,840       1,283   4.61 %   121,405       1,640   5.43 %   (357 )     (114 )     (243 )
    FHLBNY overnight advances   20,781       236   4.61 %   34,875       487   5.52 %   (251 )     (178 )     (73 )
    FRB advances and other debt   43,950       489   4.51 %   41,465       498   4.83 %   (9 )     27       (36 )
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   1,887,554       11,881   2.55 %   1,852,718       13,130   2.85 %   (1,249 )     108       (1,357 )
                               
    Non interest-bearing liabilities:                          
    Demand deposits   622,774           625,837                  
    Other liabilities   51,284           49,976                  
    Total liabilities   2,561,612           2,528,531                  
    Shareholders’ equity   222,802           195,860                  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 2,784,414         $ 2,724,391                  
                                                   
    Fully taxable equivalent net interest income       19,897           18,173     $ 1,724     $ 864     $ 860  
    Net interest rate spread (1)       2.17 %       1.85 %          
    Net interest margin, fully taxable equivalent (2)           2.96 %           2.73 %          
    Taxable equivalent adjustment       (80 )           (84 )              
    Net interest income     $ 19,817         $ 18,089              
                                       
    (1)  Net interest rate spread is the difference in the average yield on interest-earning assets less the average rate on interest-bearing liabilities.
    (2)  Net interest margin is the ratio of fully taxable equivalent net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
     

    Chemung Financial Corporation

    GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliations (Unaudited)

    The Corporation prepares its Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP. See the Corporation’s unaudited consolidated balance sheets and statements of income contained within this press release. That presentation provides the reader with an understanding of the Corporation’s results that can be tracked consistently from period-to-period and enables a comparison of the Corporation’s performance with other companies’ GAAP financial statements.

    In addition to analyzing the Corporation’s results on a reported basis, management uses certain non-GAAP financial measures, because it believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide information to investors about the underlying operational performance and trends of the Corporation and, therefore, facilitate a comparison of the Corporation with the performance of other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures used by the Corporation may not be comparable to similarly named non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies.

    The SEC has adopted Regulation G, which applies to all public disclosures, including earnings releases, made by registered companies that contain “non-GAAP financial measures.” Under Regulation G, companies making public disclosures containing non-GAAP financial measures must also disclose, along with each non-GAAP financial measure, certain additional information, including a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure to the closest comparable GAAP financial measure and a statement of the Corporation’s reasons for utilizing the non-GAAP financial measure as part of its financial disclosures. The SEC has exempted from the definition of “non-GAAP financial measures” certain commonly used financial measures that are not based on GAAP. When these exempted measures are included in public disclosures, supplemental information is not required. The following measures used in this Report, which are commonly utilized by financial institutions, have not been specifically exempted by the SEC and may constitute “non- GAAP financial measures” within the meaning of the SEC’s rules, although we are unable to state with certainty that the SEC would so regard them.

    Fully Taxable Equivalent Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

    Net interest income is commonly presented on a tax-equivalent basis. That is, to the extent that some component of the institution’s net interest income, which is presented on a before-tax basis, is exempt from taxation (e.g., is received by the institution as a result of its holdings of state or municipal obligations), an amount equal to the tax benefit derived from that component is added to the actual before-tax net interest income total. This adjustment is considered helpful in comparing one financial institution’s net interest income to that of other institutions or in analyzing any institution’s net interest income trend line over time, to correct any analytical distortion that might otherwise arise from the fact that financial institutions vary widely in the proportions of their portfolios that are invested in tax- exempt securities, and that even a single institution may significantly alter over time the proportion of its own portfolio that is invested in tax-exempt obligations. Moreover, net interest income is itself a component of a second financial measure commonly used by financial institutions, net interest margin, which is the ratio of net interest income to average interest-earning assets. For purposes of this measure as well, fully taxable equivalent net interest income is generally used by financial institutions, as opposed to actual net interest income, again to provide a better basis of comparison from institution to institution and to better demonstrate a single institution’s performance over time. The Corporation follows these practices.

                         
        As of or for the Three Months Ended
    (in thousands, except ratio data)   March 31,
    2025
      Dec. 31,
    2024
      Sept. 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
    NET INTEREST MARGIN – FULLY TAXABLE EQUIVALENT                                        
    Net interest income (GAAP)   $ 19,817     $ 19,821     $ 18,388     $ 17,761     $ 18,089  
    Fully taxable equivalent adjustment     80       88       83       81       84  
    Fully taxable equivalent net interest income (non-GAAP)   $ 19,897     $ 19,909     $ 18,471     $ 17,842     $ 18,173  
                                             
    Average interest-earning assets (GAAP)   $ 2,729,661     $ 2,711,995     $ 2,699,968     $ 2,699,402     $ 2,681,059  
                                             
    Net interest margin – fully taxable equivalent (non-GAAP)     2.96 %     2.92 %     2.72 %     2.66 %     2.73 %
                                             

    Efficiency Ratio

    The unadjusted efficiency ratio is calculated as non-interest expense divided by total revenue (net interest income and non-interest income). The adjusted efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure which represents the Corporation’s ability to turn resources into revenue and is calculated as non-interest expense divided by total revenue (fully taxable equivalent net interest income and non-interest income), adjusted for one-time occurrences and amortization. This measure is meaningful to the Corporation, as well as investors and analysts, in assessing the Corporation’s productivity measured by the amount of revenue generated for each dollar spent.

         
        As of or for the Three Months Ended
    (in thousands, except ratio data)   March 31,
    2025
      Dec. 31,
    2024
      Sept. 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
    EFFICIENCY RATIO                                        
    Net interest income (GAAP)   $ 19,817     $ 19,821     $ 18,388     $ 17,761     $ 18,089  
    Fully taxable equivalent adjustment     80       88       83       81       84  
    Fully taxable equivalent net interest income (non-GAAP)   $ 19,897     $ 19,909     $ 18,471     $ 17,842     $ 18,173  
                                             
    Non-interest income (GAAP)   $ 5,889     $ 6,056     $ 5,919     $ 5,598     $ 5,657  
                                             
    Non-interest expense (GAAP)   $ 16,927     $ 17,823     $ 16,510     $ 16,219     $ 16,698  
                                             
    Efficiency ratio (unadjusted)     65.85 %     68.88 %     67.92 %     69.43 %     70.32 %
    Efficiency ratio (adjusted)     65.64 %     68.64 %     67.69 %     69.19 %     70.07 %
                                             

    Tangible Equity and Tangible Assets (Period-End)

    Tangible equity, tangible assets, and tangible book value per share are each non-GAAP financial measures. Tangible equity represents the Corporation’s stockholders’ equity, less goodwill and intangible assets. Tangible assets represents the Corporation’s total assets, less goodwill and other intangible assets. Tangible book value per share represents the Corporation’s tangible equity divided by common shares at period-end. These measures are meaningful to the Corporation, as well as investors and analysts, in assessing the Corporation’s use of equity.

         
        As of or for the Three Months Ended
    (in thousands, except per share and ratio data)   March 31,
    2025
      Dec. 31,
    2024
      Sept. 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
    TANGIBLE EQUITY AND TANGIBLE ASSETS                    
    (PERIOD END)                                        
    Total shareholders’ equity (GAAP)   $ 228,306     $ 215,309     $ 220,654     $ 201,222     $ 197,128  
    Less: intangible assets     (21,824 )     (21,824 )     (21,824 )     (21,824 )     (21,824 )
    Tangible equity (non-GAAP)   $ 206,482     $ 193,485     $ 198,830     $ 179,398     $ 175,304  
                                             
    Total assets (GAAP)   $ 2,796,725     $ 2,776,147     $ 2,774,215     $ 2,755,813     $ 2,784,890  
    Less: intangible assets     (21,824 )     (21,824 )     (21,824 )     (21,824 )     (21,824 )
    Tangible assets (non-GAAP)   $ 2,774,901     $ 2,754,323     $ 2,752,391     $ 2,733,989     $ 2,763,066  
                                             
    Total equity to total assets at end of period (GAAP)     8.16 %     7.76 %     7.95 %     7.30 %     7.08 %
    Book value per share (GAAP)   $ 47.49     $ 45.13     $ 46.22     $ 42.17     $ 41.34  
                                             
    Tangible equity to tangible assets at end of period (non-GAAP)     7.44 %     7.02 %     7.22 %     6.56 %     6.34 %
    Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP)   $ 42.95     $ 40.55     $ 41.65     $ 37.59     $ 36.77  
                                             

    Tangible Equity (Average)

    Average tangible equity and return on average tangible equity are each non-GAAP financial measures. Average tangible equity represents the Corporation’s average stockholders’ equity, less average goodwill and intangible assets for the period. Return on average tangible equity measures the Corporation’s earnings as a percentage of average tangible equity. These measures are meaningful to the Corporation, as well as investors and analysts, in assessing the Corporation’s use of equity.

                         
        As of or for the Three Months Ended
    (in thousands, except ratio data)   March 31,
    2025
      Dec. 31,
    2024
      Sept. 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
    TANGIBLE EQUITY (AVERAGE)                                        
    Total average shareholders’ equity (GAAP)   $ 222,802     $ 219,254     $ 210,421     $ 195,375     $ 195,860  
    Less: average intangible assets     (21,824 )     (21,824 )     (21,824 )     (21,824 )     (21,824 )
    Average tangible equity (non-GAAP)   $ 200,978     $ 197,430     $ 188,597     $ 173,551     $ 174,036  
                                             
    Return on average equity (GAAP)     10.96 %     10.73 %     10.81 %     10.27 %     14.48 %
    Return on average tangible equity (non-GAAP)     12.15 %     11.92 %     12.07 %     11.56 %     16.29 %
                         

    Adjustments for Certain Items of Income or Expense

    In addition to disclosures of certain GAAP financial measures, including net income, EPS, ROA, and ROE, we may also provide comparative disclosures that adjust these GAAP financial measures for a particular period by removing from the calculation thereof the impact of certain transactions or other material items of income or expense occurring during the period, including certain nonrecurring items. The Corporation believes that the resulting non-GAAP financial measures may improve an understanding of its results of operations by separating out any such transactions or items that may have had a disproportionate positive or negative impact on the Corporation’s financial results during the particular period in question. In the Corporation’s presentation of any such non-GAAP (adjusted) financial measures not specifically discussed in the preceding paragraphs, the Corporation supplies the supplemental financial information and explanations required under Regulation G.

         
        As of or for the Three Months Ended
    (in thousands, except per share and ratio data)   March 31,
    2025
      Dec. 31,
    2024
      Sept. 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
    NON-GAAP NET INCOME                                        
    Reported net income (GAAP)   $ 6,023     $ 5,914     $ 5,720     $ 4,987     $ 7,050  
    Net (gains) losses on security transactions (net of tax)                              
    Net income (non-GAAP)   $ 6,023     $ 5,914     $ 5,720     $ 4,987     $ 7,050  
                                             
    Average basic and diluted shares outstanding     4,791       4,774       4,773       4,770       4,764  
                                             
    Reported basic and diluted earnings per share (GAAP)   $ 1.26     $ 1.24     $ 1.19     $ 1.05     $ 1.48  
    Reported return on average assets (GAAP)     0.88 %     0.85 %     0.83 %     0.73 %     1.04 %
    Reported return on average equity (GAAP)     10.96 %     10.73 %     10.81 %     10.27 %     14.48 %
                                             
    Basic and diluted earnings per share (non-GAAP)   $ 1.26     $ 1.24     $ 1.19     $ 1.05     $ 1.48  
    Return on average assets (non-GAAP)     0.88 %     0.85 %     0.83 %     0.73 %     1.04 %
    Return on average equity (non-GAAP)     10.96 %     10.73 %     10.81 %     10.27 %     14.48 %
                                             

    Category: Financial

    Source: Chemung Financial Corp

    For further information contact:
    Dale M. McKim, III, EVP and CFO
    dmckim@chemungcanal.com
    Phone: 607-737-3714

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Shapiro Administration, Local Leaders Outline How Governor’s Public Transit Proposal Would Help Washington County

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    April 17, 2025Washington, PA

    Shapiro Administration, Local Leaders Outline How Governor’s Public Transit Proposal Would Help Washington County

    Following a public transit stakeholder meeting today in Washington, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Mike Carroll and officials from Freedom Transit and UPMC Washington outlined how Governor Josh Shapiro’s public transit budget proposal is a commonsense way to create good-paying jobs, spur economic development, and help Pennsylvanians reach their destinations safely.

    After securing $80.5 million in additional public transit funding in the 2024-25 budget, the Governor’s Budget proposes an additional $292.5 million investment for transit this year – the first of its kind in over a decade. This would be achieved with an additional 1.75 percent of the Pennsylvania Sales Tax being deposited into the Public Transportation Trust Fund. The proposal would invest nearly $470,000 more in Freedom Transit in the 2025-26 fiscal year.

    “To grow our economy and our communities, our infrastructure and public transit systems must both be properly funded, which is why Governor Shapiro proposed the first major new investment in public transit in a decade,” Carroll said. “The Governor’s proposal has advanced three times in the House without Senate action. We need our legislature to meet Pennsylvanians’ current and future public transit needs just like we improve roads and bridges in every community.”

    List of Speakers:
    Sheila Gombita, executive director of Freedom Transit
    Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Mike Carroll
    Terry Wiltrout, VP for Operations, UPMC Washington

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: WATCH: Rep. Gabe Vasquez Celebrates Reintroduction of Gila Wild & Scenic River Legislation with Local Advocates in Silver City

    Source: US Representative Gabe Vasquez’s (NM-02)

    SILVER CITY, NM –Today, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) joined members of the Wild Gila River Coalition in Silver City to celebrate the re-introduction of the M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act—a major milestone in the ongoing effort to permanently protect New Mexico’s last free-flowing river and the communities that depend on it. The legislation is led by U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) in the Senate.

    “The Gila River is a symbol of everything we love about New Mexico—wild, beautiful, and full of life,” said Vasquez. “This legislation is about protecting that legacy for future generations, and I’m proud to stand alongside so many New Mexicans who have fought for years to make this legislation possible.”

    WATCH: Silver City Press Conference

    The bill would designate approximately 450 miles of the Gila and San Francisco Rivers and their tributaries as Wild and Scenic. This would ensure that the rivers remain free-flowing while maintaining public access and existing water and land uses. U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján and U.S. Reps. Stansbury and Leger Fernandez are original cosponsors of the legislation.

    Rep. Vasquez gathered with local conservationists, business owners, and outdoor advocates at a community celebration to recognize the grassroots momentum behind the bill. The event was organized in partnership with the Wild Gila River Coalition, a broad alliance of stakeholders working to protect the ecological, cultural, and economic values of the watershed.

    The Gila Wild and Scenic River Act is endorsed by the Wild Gila River Coalition, which includes Gila Resources Information Project (GRIP), Heart of the Gila, Upper Gila Watershed Association, New Mexico Wild, American Rivers, Center for Biological Diversity, Conservation Lands Foundation, the Wilderness Society, the New Mexico Wildlife Federation, the Pew Charitable Trusts, Trout Unlimited, and American Whitewater.

    “The Gila Wild and Scenic designation will pay tribute to our rich natural heritage and boost Grant County’s outdoor recreation economy,” said Grant County Commissioner Nancy Stephens.

    “The free-flowing Gila River is the true cornerstone of the Gila Wilderness Area.  This river remaining free-flowing state, in perpetuity, greatly benefits outdoor recreation-centric businesses like ours in the present, and into the future.  We strongly support a Wild and Scenic Designation for the Gila River,” said Eric Payne, co-owner of Gila Hike & Bike in Silver City. 

    “Wild and Scenic for the Gila River is one of the most important pieces of legislation for my lifetime,” said Brett Myric, a 5th-generation New Mexican who served in Seal Team 5. He continued, “I will go to my grave with a smile on my face knowing the Gila River is protected this way in perpetuity.”

    Alexa Tubbs, CEO of Open Space Brewing in Santa Clara, NM, said, “Wild and Scenic is vital for our business and the future of our community. The Gila River is where we play and why we live here. Let’s finally protect the river that gives us so much.”

    “Each member of this community has a different story of their experience and connection to the forest and the river, but protection of the Gila is extremely important to all of us. As our community continues to grow and evolve, our love of the Gila is the one thing that stays the same,” said Guadalupe Cano, Silver City Councilor, District 4 and Mayor Pro Tem. She continued, “The reintroduction of the Gila Wild and Scenic legislation will protect the land while still providing access for everyone to enjoy the outdoors responsibly. As we continue to welcome visitors who also contribute immensely to our local economy, we will ensure this incredible public land will be protected for many generations to come.”  

    “I have been recreating on the Gila River since I was a small child; the river means more to me than I can explain in two sentences,” said Cindy “Renee” Provencio, Grant County resident and local community organizer. “The Gila River has a value to so many in our community that cannot be monetized, and it should be protected with the highest level of protection for future generations to come.”

    “A Wild and Scenic designation is important to our area’s preservation. The Gila River is to be left alone. Keeping it for the next generation is important. Not only is recreation one aspect, but is habitat and healing waters for those in need,” said Frances Gonzales, Bayard City Councilor. She added that, “as Steve Erwin once said, ‘If we save our wild places, we will ultimately save ourselves.’”

    “As a 43-year resident of Glenwood, New Mexico, I know that the incredible natural beauty that surrounds us here is what makes this area so unique. Wild, free-flowing rivers are a part of that. Protecting these rivers for future generations is one of the best things we can do for this special place,” said Beth Menzcer, a Catron County resident. 

    “After 45 years of living on the western slope of the Gila Mountains, I have experienced a connection with and concern for our water and air factory reliant on the 5 vegetative zones and natural flowing tributaries,” said Stanley King, Owner Operator at Silver Creek Inn in Mogollon, NM. “Because of the unique Southwest location of this watershed, the fragile environment, and endangered residents, our obligation is to protect this ecosystem from human interference.” 

    “The Gila River has been an inspiration to me and has taught me many things about the heritage and history of New Mexico. Keeping the Gila untamed is important in the conservation of such history,” said Anthony Canari, student at WNMU in Silver City

    “As a student attending WNMU from Oregon, I am all too aware of dams and the harm they can cause,” said WNMU student Aidin Wilson. “That’s why I see protecting the Gila River with great importance. Let’s keep rivers free.”

    “Thanks to the vision and bipartisan leadership of Rep. Vasquez, the Gila is closer than ever to getting the protection it deserves,” said Ángel Peña, Executive Director of the Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project. “The Gila River serves as the lifeblood of our region, sustaining wildlife, recreation, and local economies. Nuestra Tierra applauds leaders like Rep. Vasquez who work hard to safeguard these waters as they continue nourishing our communities and cultural connections for future generations.”

    “The reintroduction of the Gila Wild and Scenic River Act represents a critical opportunity to protect a key watershed connected to our trail system,” said Teresa Martinez, Executive Director of the Continental Divide Trail Coalition. “The protection of the CDT and its surrounding landscapes has never been more important, not just for today’s users but for generations to come.”

    Background:

    • The Gila Watershed has the last major free-flowing river segments in the Southwest, providing critical wildlife habitat, cultural heritage, and recreational opportunities.
    • The Wild and Scenic designation does not impact existing grazing rights or irrigation rights and preserves traditional land uses. in the Gila. It does not impact recreational uses on the Gila.
    • The proposal has been shaped by more than a decade of local stakeholder input and enjoys widespread support across Grant, Catron, and Hidalgo counties.
    • Designation is expected to boost outdoor recreation and tourism, a key part of the region’s economy.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India Reaffirms Commitment to Sustainable Agriculture at 15th BRICS Meet

    Source: Government of India

    India Reaffirms Commitment to Sustainable Agriculture at 15th BRICS Meet

    Agriculture for India is not merely an economic activity but a source of livelihood, food, and dignity for millions of families : Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan

    Global food security and rural development goals would remain incomplete unless small farmers are protected and empowered : Shri Chouhan

    We cannot leave smallholders to fight climate change, price volatility and resource scarcity challenges alone; they need our policy support : Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh

    For India, empowering women socially, economically and politically is a mission: Shri Chouhan

    BRICS Agriculture Ministers launches the “BRICS Land Restoration Partnership” to address land degradation, desertification and soil fertility loss

    Shri Chouhan invites BRICS nations to participate in World Food India 2025 and World Audio-Visual Entertainment Summit 2025

    Posted On: 18 APR 2025 7:43PM by PIB Delhi

     At the 15th meeting of BRICS Agriculture Ministers, India reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive, equitable, and sustainable agriculture. Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasized the need to place the welfare of small and marginal farmers at the centre of global agricultural strategies and clarified that agriculture, for India, is not merely an economic activity, but a source of livelihood, food, and dignity for millions of families. He underscored that global food security and rural development goals would remain incomplete unless small farmers are protected and empowered.

    Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan highlighted that the world’s 510 million smallholder farmers are the backbone of the global food system and are also the most vulnerable in the face of climate change, price volatility, and resource scarcity. Shri Chouhan stated that we cannot leave smallholders to fight these challenges alone; they need our policy support. He presented cluster-based farming, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), cooperative models, and natural farming as effective approaches for the collective empowerment of small farmers and improving their market access.

    The meeting underlined the need to make agricultural trade fair, control global price volatility, and ensure remunerative prices for small farmers. He reiterated the importance of public food stockholding systems, minimum support prices (MSP), and value chains that connect smallholders directly to consumers. Shri Chouhan cited India’s food storage and distribution capacity during the COVID-19 crisis as a case in point, through which free rations were distributed to over 800 million people.

    Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan shared its technological initiatives – Digital Agriculture Mission, AgriStack, drone technology, and Climate-Resilient Villages – and explained how these innovations have significantly improved service delivery, transparency and farmer incomes. Union  Minister also mentioned initiatives like Lakhpati Didi and Drone Didi as examples of India’s commitment to the social and economic empowerment of rural women, stating, “For India, empowering women socially, economically, and politically is a mission.”

    During the meeting, He called for deeper collaboration to combat climate change by sharing its key programs – National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA), Waste to Wealth, Circular Economy, bio-fertilizers, and traditional farming practices. In this context, the BRICS Agriculture Ministers launched the “BRICS Land Restoration Partnership” to address land degradation, desertification, and soil fertility loss. He supported this initiative, highlighting that it would benefit small farmers, tribal communities, and local cultivators through the convergence of traditional knowledge and scientific innovation.

    In the Joint Declaration, BRICS nations collectively reiterated their resolve to make the global agri-food system fair, inclusive, innovative, and sustainable. The declaration emphasized commitments to food security, climate adaptation, empowerment of women and youth, sustainable fisheries and livestock development, soil and land restoration, digital agriculture certification, and promotion of financial and trade mechanisms for the agricultural economies of the Global South. The formal announcement of the BRICS Land Restoration Partnership further reinforced the group’s collective commitment to halting land degradation and desertification.

    Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan also invited BRICS nations to participate in World Food India 2025 and the World Audio-Visual Entertainment Summit 2025, positioning these platforms as avenues for innovation, partnership, and global collaboration. Concluding his address with India’s ancient Vedic values, the Shri Chouhan offered a universal benediction; May all be happy, may all be healthy, may there be welfare and well-being for all. This vision reflects not only India’s national priorities but also its leadership role on the international stage.

    ****

    PSF/KSR/AR

    (Release ID: 2122764) Visitor Counter : 15

    Read this release in: Hindi

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI: XRP News: XploraDEX Presale Nears Deadline as XRP’s First AI Decentralized Exchange Prepares for Launch

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ZURICH, Switzerland, April 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The final countdown is officially on. With only 3 days remaining until the XploraDEX $XPL Presale closes, the race is heating up fast. Traders across the XRPL ecosystem are moving swiftly to secure what’s left of the allocation before the window slams shut. The presale has already crossed the 80% mark, and with demand at an all-time high, the remaining supply is vanishing by the hour.

    XploraDEX isn’t just another token launch, it’s the dawn of a new trading experience for XRP users. As the first AI-powered decentralized exchange built on XRPL, XploraDEX brings intelligent automation, real-time data analysis, and predictive execution to the DeFi landscape. It’s a major leap forward for traders who demand speed, strategy, and smarter tools.

    JOIN $XPL Presale Now

    Designed from the ground up with machine learning integration, XploraDEX empowers users to:

    • Analyze markets in real-time with AI-generated trade signals
    • Automate strategies based on personal trading preferences and market behavior
    • Access tailored volatility alerts and risk assessments
    • Participate in a fully decentralized launchpad and staking program

    The $XPL token is the engine powering this innovation. Holding $XPL gives users access to the platform’s core features, including advanced analytics, trading fee discounts, early staking pools, and governance rights. It’s not just a utility—it’s a passport to the most sophisticated trading protocol on XRPL.

    Since the start of the presale, momentum has accelerated exponentially. Whale wallets have steadily accumulated significant $XPL positions, and community participation has surged across Twitter and Telegram. As the final 72-hour countdown begins, latecomers are racing to claim their spot before launch.

    Participate in $XPL Presale

    Once the presale concludes, $XPL will be listed on XRPL-based DEXs at a higher valuation. With platform deployment, staking rewards, and AI dashboard features rolling out in phases shortly after, early participants will be the first to benefit from the full capabilities of the ecosystem.

    This is more than a presale—it’s your opportunity to be early to the most advanced DeFi project to launch on XRPL. XploraDEX has the tech, the timing, and the traction. And now, with 3 days left, the door is closing fast.

    If you’re reading this, you still have a chance. But in 72 hours, this chapter will be over—and those who acted will be the ones shaping what comes next.

    Join the $XPL Presale While You Still Can: https://sale.xploradex.io

    Stay connected and Join the XploraDEX AI Revolution

    Website | $XPL Token Presale | X | Telegram

    Contact:
    Oliver Muller
    oliver@xploradex.io
    contact@xploradex.io

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by the XploraDEX. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.

    Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.

    Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2eed35d3-2094-4423-8621-972b9b5fa255

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Economics: New OCS Leasing Program Brings Certainty and Momentum to Gulf of America

    Source: National Ocean Industries Association – NOIA

    Headline: New OCS Leasing Program Brings Certainty and Momentum to Gulf of America

    For Immediate Release: Friday, April 18, 2025NOIA .org
    New OCS Leasing Program Brings Certainty and Momentum to Gulf of America
    Washington, D.C. – National Ocean Industries Association President Erik Milito issued the following statement after Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum announced the next steps in a new offshore oil and gas leasing program:
    “We applaud Secretary Burgum and the administration for taking decisive action to launch the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil & Gas Leasing Program—a critical step toward restoring long-term certainty and stability for the Gulf of America’s offshore energy sector.
    “The Gulf of America—and the broader American offshore—plays an essential role in powering the nation, contributing nearly $33 billion to the U.S. economy each year, supporting close to 400,000 jobs, and reinforcing our energy security. A robust leasing program ensures continued investment, innovation, and global leadership in safe, responsible offshore energy production.
    “We look forward to working closely with policymakers to advance this process and secure a strong, reliable energy future for all Americans.”
    ##
    About NOIA The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) represents and advances a dynamic and growing offshore energy industry, providing solutions that support communities and protect our workers, the public and our environment.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to California Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by the Marysville Hotel Fire and Road Closures

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in California of the May 19, deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the Marysville Hotel fire and road closures which occurred June 15, 2024.

    The disaster declaration covers the California counties of Butte, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sierra, Sutter and Yuba.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and PNPs impacted by financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the small business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. They may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “SBA loans help eligible small businesses cover operating expenses after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These loans not only help business owners get back on their feet but also play a key role in sustaining local economies in the aftermath of a disaster.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online, visit 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.

    Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than May 19.

    ###

    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 www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: AMMO, Inc. Completes Sale of Ammunition Manufacturing Assets to Olin Winchester

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Sale Transitions AMMO to an E-commerce-Focused Company Accelerating Growth Through GunBroker.com, the Largest Online Marketplace for Firearms, Hunting and Related Products

    Sale Allows Company to Center its Attention on Innovation, Profitability, and Long-term Value Creation

    SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., April 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AMMO, Inc. (Nasdaq: POWW, POWWP) (“AMMO,” “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company”), the owner of GunBroker.com, the largest online marketplace for firearms, hunting, and related products, today announced it has completed the sale of its ammunition manufacturing assets to Olin Winchester, LLC (“Olin Winchester”), a subsidiary of Olin Corporation.

    This transaction represents a pivotal milestone in AMMO’s transformation into a high-margin, tech-enabled e-commerce company centered around GunBroker.com. The Company intends to focus resources on scaling its digital platform, improving user experience, and unlocking additional value for shareholders.

    “This transaction marks a defining moment in AMMO’s evolution,” said Christos Tsentas, Chair of the Board’s M&A Committee. “After a thorough strategic review and collaboration with our financial and legal advisors, we are confident this sale will unlock significant value and enable AMMO to accelerate growth as a pure-play e-commerce platform. GunBroker.com is already the leader in the online firearms marketplace, and we expect this streamlined focus will allow us to double down on innovation, user engagement, and long-term profitability.”

    GunBroker.com: Positioned for Scalable Growth

    GunBroker.com becomes AMMO’s remaining core business and a high-potential growth engine. Recent initiatives—including enhancements to the checkout experience and expanded offerings in outdoor gear and experiences—have led to improved customer engagement and conversion. The Company anticipates that a simplified business structure and a fortified balance sheet will further fuel targeted investments, operational efficiency, and disciplined capital allocation.

    Transaction Details

    As part of the transaction, Olin Winchester acquired AMMO’s 185,000-square-foot manufacturing and ballistic testing facility in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

    Entering into the transaction, which was unanimously approved by AMMO’s Board and its M&A Committee, was the culmination of a comprehensive strategic review process beginning in February 2024, during which the Company worked with a team of independent advisors to engage with an array of prospective buyers. That comprehensive strategic review process included: establishing an M&A Committee comprised solely of independent directors; evaluating multiple investment banks to assist the Board and the M&A Committee, which ultimately led to the engagement of Baird; pursuing a thorough and competitive sale process that involved 15 potential buyers; selecting Lake Street Capital Markets (“Lake Street”), from among a group of firms evaluated by the M&A Committee, to conduct an independent analysis of the transaction in connection with the rendering of a fairness opinion to the Board, which opinion was sought from Lake Street regardless of whether its ultimate conclusions were favorable or unfavorable; Lake Street’s determination that the transaction was fair from a financial point of view, and that it fell within a range of possible values; and engaging in a thorough and deliberate evaluation process by the M&A Committee and the entire Board, which considered the merits and risks of the multiple bids and the proposed transaction with Olin Winchester, as well as strategic alternatives to the proposed transaction with Olin Winchester.

    As previously disclosed, we believe the Company has significant opportunities to grow and scale GunBroker.com, as the e-commerce space for the firearms and shooting sports industries continues expanding. Among other reasons, as a result of higher supply costs relative to our larger manufacturing competitors, challenges in securing larger government contracts due to our manufacturing capacity, industry headwinds, and historical operating losses in the ammunition segment diverting our resources from growth opportunities, we believe the sale of the ammunition manufacturing assets will enable us to capitalize on e-commerce growth opportunities, while allowing the Company to become a more focused, streamlined and profitable organization. Moving forward, the Company expects to focus on growing and prioritizing the profitable, high-margin GunBroker.com marketplace. The successful completion of this transaction is expected to further simplify the business, while reinforcing AMMO’s cash position to support expansion and thoughtful capital allocation. The Company expects to use the proceeds from the transaction for general corporate purposes, although the Board may evaluate other uses in the future when and as appropriate.

    AMMO was advised by Baird and represented by Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP in connection with the transaction. Lake Street Capital Markets provided a fairness opinion to the Board.

    Rebranding and Next Phase

    In conjunction with the sale, AMMO is beginning a formal rebranding process, including a corporate name change to Outdoor Holding Company, to better reflect its e-commerce identity and broader vision in the outdoor lifestyle and sporting goods sectors.

    Additional Company Updates

    Nasdaq Listing Compliance

    As disclosed in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 25, 2025, the Company received an additional deficiency notification letter from The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”), requiring the Company to submit an updated plan by no later than March 6, 2025 concerning its efforts to regain compliance with Nasdaq’s listing requirements. The Company timely submitted the updated compliance plan to Nasdaq and will provide additional details to investors as appropriate.

    About GunBroker

    GunBroker is the largest online marketplace dedicated to firearms, hunting, shooting and related products. Third-party sellers list items on the site and Federal and state laws govern the sale of firearms and other restricted items. Ownership policies and regulations are followed using licensed firearms dealers as transfer agents. Launched in 1999, the GunBroker.com website is an informative, secure and safe way to buy and sell firearms, ammunition, shooting accessories, and outdoor gear online. GunBroker promotes responsible ownership of guns and firearms. For more information, visit: www.gunbroker.com.

    Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

    Statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact are considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws and are presented pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “target,” “believe,” “expect,” “will,” “may,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “would,” “positioned,” “future,” and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements about the expected benefits of the transaction and statements about the Company’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions for its business following consummation of the transaction. These statements are based only on Company management’s current beliefs, expectations and assumptions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of the Company’s control. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, risks associated with pending or threatened litigation related to the transaction; unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the transaction; risks related to disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the transaction; failure to realize the benefits expected from the transaction; and effects of the completion of the transaction on the ability of the parties to retain customers and retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with their counterparties, and on their operating results and businesses generally. Therefore, investors should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements and should review the risks and uncertainties described under the caption “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on June 13, 2024, and additional disclosures the Company makes in its other filings with the SEC, which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K, and except as provided by law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to any update forward-looking statements.

    Contacts

    For media:
    Longacre Square Partners
    Rebecca Kral
    AMMO@longacresquare.com

    For investors:
    CoreIR
    Phone: (212) 655-0924
    IR@ammo-inc.com

    Source: AMMO, Inc.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Texas Businesses, Nonprofits and Residents Affected by the Welder Complex Fire

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible businesses, nonprofits, and residents in Texas of the May 19, deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset physical damage caused by the Welder Complex Fire occurring March 4–9.

    The disaster declaration covers Aransas, Bee, Jim Wells, Live Oak, Nueces, Refugio and San Patricio counties.

    Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

    Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.

    Applicants may also be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include retrofitting structures to protect against high winds, flood, wildfires, or other physical disasters.

    “One distinct advantage of SBA’s disaster loan program is the opportunity to fund upgrades reducing the risk of future damage,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “I encourage businesses and homeowners to work with contractors and mitigation professionals to improve their disaster readiness while taking advantage of SBA’s physical damage loans.”

    SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is also available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations impacted by financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for businesses, 3.625% for nonprofits and 2.75% for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online, visit 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.

    The deadline to return for physical damage applications is May 19. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Dec. 19.

    ###

    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 www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Texas Businesses, Nonprofits, and Residents Affected by March Storms

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible businesses, nonprofits, and residents in Texas of the May 19, deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset physical damage caused by the thunderstorms, straight‑line winds and tornadoes occurring March 4.

    The disaster declaration covers the Texas counties of Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Kaufman, Rockwall and Tarrant.

    Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

    Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.

    Applicants may also be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include strengthening structures to protect against high wind damage, upgrading to wind rated garage doors, and installing a safe room or storm shelter to help protect property and occupants from future damage.

    “One distinct advantage of SBA’s disaster loan program is the opportunity to fund upgrades reducing the risk of future storm damage,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “I encourage businesses and homeowners to work with contractors and mitigation professionals to improve their storm readiness while taking advantage of SBA’s physical damage loans.”

    SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is also available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations impacted by financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.

    Interest rates can be as low as 4% for businesses, 3.625% for nonprofits and 2.75% for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online, visit 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.

    The deadline to return for physical damage applications is May 19. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Dec. 19.

    ###

    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 www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: $30 Million More Now Available For Electric Vehicles

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced $30 million is now available for consumers to lease or purchase new electric vehicles (EVs) in New York through the State’s Drive Clean Rebate program, which provides point-of-sale rebates for more than 60 new EVs. In addition, incentives for EV chargers through the Charge Ready NY 2.0 program have been updated to expand consumer access to convenient, easy charging at multifamily buildings and workplaces, including hotels. Today’s announcement helps to make driving electric more affordable, increases the number of chargers available, and reduces pollution from the transportation sector in New York State.

    “New York’s leadership in driving the adoption of electric vehicles is helping consumers stay within their budget when purchasing or leasing a new electric car,” Governor Hochul said. “Along with increased savings, we are building out the infrastructure needed to provide hard-working New Yorkers convenient access to charging, helping to reduce range anxiety and make it easier to drive electric. These investments are key to building a cleaner future, lowering emissions and creating good-paying jobs.”

    The Drive Clean Rebate Program, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), offers a point-of-sale rebate up to $2,000 off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of an EV at participating car dealerships in New York State. The rebate is available in all 62 counties, with higher rebates available for longer range, all-electric vehicles.

    New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “Converting to EVs reduces the total cost of vehicle ownership through lower fuel and vehicle maintenance costs and NYSERDA is proud to help provide New Yorkers with more purchasing power through these rebates. And by supporting organizations seeking to install charging stations at their place of business, the State is ensuring that more new and existing drivers have a variety of options to power up their vehicle at easy-to-access locations for longer periods of time.”

    Also announced today to help make EV charging more accessible to New Yorkers, NYSERDA’s Charge Ready NY 2.0 program, which helps reduce equipment installation costs for Level 2 chargers, is increasing the incentive amount available to install EV chargers at multifamily buildings and workplaces, including hotels, from $2,000 to $3,000 per port. For locations in disadvantaged communities as defined by the Climate Justice Working Group, the amount has also increased to $4,000 per port.

    Additionally, $3 million is being dedicated to locations that hold educational “ride and drive” community events, purchase or lease EVs, or offer free charging. The program also accepts new equipment and network eligibility applications from EV charger vendors.

    New York Department of Public Service CEO Rory M. Christian said, “Promoting electric car ownership and use is a win for consumers and a win for the environment. Congratulations to Governor Hochul for supporting the installation of charging stations and helping to ensure drivers have increased options to charge their vehicles.”

    The Drive Clean Rebate program has issued over 190,000 rebates to consumers since 2017, contributing to the more than 280,000 EVs on the road statewide. In the last year alone, Charge Ready NY 2.0 has supported the installation of more than 1,000 Level 2 chargers. There are more than 17,000 public chargers installed statewide – more public chargers than any other state except for California – and more than 4,000 semi-public charging stations at workplaces and multifamily buildings across the state.

    New York Power Authority President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, “New York State has made significant progress in developing the infrastructure to enable the electric vehicle transition, promoting cleaner transportation and reducing emissions statewide. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, this effort is being done with a focus on affordability and reliability. The Power Authority supports this work by aiding in fleet vehicle transitions and expanding the EVolve NY fast charging network, which currently offers 240 charging stations with more to come later this year.”

    Additionally, the New York Power Authority (NYPA) has undertaken significant efforts to build out high-speed chargers along New York State’s major travel corridors through its EVolve NY network, which include:

    • EVolve NY Fast Charging Network. The New York Power Authority’s EVolve NY fast charging network offers 240 chargers at 56 locations along major corridors and routes (I-87, I81, I-384, I-90, I-88, and I-86) and in all 10 economic development regions of the state. NYPA has surpassed the halfway mark of its goal to install 400 EVolve NY fast chargers by 2026. Battery-powered EVs equipped with fast charging capability can power up in as little as 20 minutes at EVolve NY fast chargers. See map here for locations throughout New York State.
    • Fast Chargers Coming to LaGuardia. Construction is beginning this month on NYPA’s largest EVolve NY site – LaGuardia Airport. The station, which will have 12 high-speed chargers, will be in a parking lot between terminals A and B, just off the Grand Central Parkway, and is expected to be completed by August. The site is for use by the public as well as rideshare vehicles. The airport currently has 13 public Level 2 chargers at Terminal B and C.
    • Federal Funding Allows Further Expansion. New York has completed eleven four-charger EVolve NY sites with National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program funding with two more to be completed this month. Nine more will be constructed over the next year. NEVI support to states is meant to close gaps between existing stations and the EVolve NY team has been steadily closing those range anxiety gaps.
    • New York City Adds Fast Charging Sites. NYPA is working with the state and city Department of Transportation to install hundreds of fast charging and Level 2 ports in New York City. Five new EVolve NY sites at municipal parking lots are expected to go into construction in 2025 and six more in 2026. The hubs will offer a total of 70 fast chargers and electrical connections for 280 future Level 2 chargers. NYPA is also supporting the construction of five fast charging hubs for the PlugNYC program, with two of these projects currently in construction in the Bronx and Brooklyn.

    Today’s announcement comes as the 2025 New York International Auto Show kicks off in New York City, which runs from April 18 through April 27 at the Javits Center. Visitors can stop by the NYSERDA and NYPA booth, located on level 1, to learn about incentives for purchasing EVs and programs that support charger growth throughout New York.

    In addition, the New York State Office of General Services (OGS), in collaboration with its GreenNY Council partners, is leading the way on converting the state fleet and building out the electric charging infrastructure that will support this transformation. Today, there are nearly 600 charging ports on state owned property, with another 600 in the pipeline.

    New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy said, “The OGS team is proud to be leading the implementation of Governor Hochul’s mandate to convert the state’s fleet to 100 percent zero-emission vehicles. The investment announced by the Governor today will increase New Yorkers’ access to EVs and EV chargers and contribute to creating a greener, cleaner, and healthier future for our state.”

    New York State is investing nearly $3 billion in electrifying its transportation sector and rapidly advancing measures to ensure that all new passenger cars and trucks sold are zero-emission vehicles, along with all school buses being zero emissions. There are a range of initiatives to grow access to EVs and improve clean transit for all New Yorkers including EV Make Ready, EVolve NY, the New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program (NYTVIP), the New York School Bus Incentive Program, and the Direct Current Fast Charger Program.

    The Drive Clean Rebate and Charge Ready NY 2.0 programs are funded through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and the State’s Clean Energy Fund.

    New York State’s Climate Agenda
    New York State’s climate agenda calls for an affordable and just transition to a clean energy economy that creates family-sustaining jobs, promotes economic growth through green investments and directs a minimum of 35 percent of the benefits to disadvantaged communities. New York is advancing a suite of efforts to achieve an emissions-free economy by 2050, including in the energy, buildings, transportation, and waste sectors.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Keolis Assistant Chief Engineer Sentenced to More Than Five Years in Prison for Defrauding Keolis Computer Services

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – The former Assistant Chief Engineer of Facilities for Keolis Commuter Services (Keolis) was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for defrauding Keolis of over $8.5 million and for defrauding the IRS of over $2.6 million.

    John P. Pigsley, 59, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to 70 months in prison, three months of supervised release, $8,580,311 restitution to Keolis and $2,689,206 to the Internal Revenue Service, forfeiture of three real properties and a $7,687,083.70 money judgment. In January 2025, Pigsley pleaded guilty to five counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, six counts of tax evasion, one count of filing a false tax return and four counts of structuring financial transactions to evade reporting requirements. Pigsley and his co-conspirator John Rafferty were charged in April 2023.

    Keolis has operated the MBTA commuter rail system since 2014 under an annual contract of $291–$349 million. Between 2014 and November 2021, Pigsley was employed as Keolis’ Assistant Chief Engineer of Facilities and was responsible for the maintenance of MBTA Commuter Rail Facilities and their engineering operations, including corrective repair and project management for assets and maintenance and ordering and approving his subordinates’ orders of electrical supplies from outside vendors for Keolis. Pigsley also operated a separate construction company called Pigman Group. Rafferty was the general manager of LJ Electric, Inc., an electrical supply vendor to which Keolis paid over $17 million between 2014 through 2021.

    Between July 2014 and November 2021, Pigsley and Rafferty defrauded Keolis of over $4 million through a false LJ Electric invoicing scheme. Specifically, Rafferty purchased vehicles, construction equipment, construction supplies and other items for Pigsley, Pigman Group and others, and Pigsley directed Rafferty to recover the cost of these items by submitting false and fraudulent LJ Electric invoices to Keolis. Rafferty spent more than $3 million on items for Pigsley and others – including: at least nine trucks; construction equipment including at least seven Bobcat machines; at least $1 million in home building supplies and services; and a $54,000 camper– for which Keolis paid Rafferty more than $4 million based on false LJ Electric invoices.  

    In addition to the false invoicing scheme, Pigsley directed Keolis to purchase copper wire which he then stole and sold to scrap metal businesses, keeping the cash proceeds for himself. To conceal the theft, Pigsley personally picked up the copper wire orders from vendors or had the orders delivered to his Beverly home. Pigsley then personally transported the wire to scrap yards where he traded it for thousands of dollars in cash several times a month and sometimes more than once a day. Pigsley obtained more than $4.5 million in cash by stealing and scrapping the copper wire.  

    In addition, Pigsley defrauded the IRS by failing to withhold and pay federal income taxes on income he received from the LJ Electric invoicing scheme and from scrapping copper wire. Pigsley also filed a false tax return for the tax year 2016. Additionally, Pigsley deposited over $1.9 million in cash into his bank accounts between 2014 and 2021 and structured some of those deposits to evade currency transaction reporting requirements applicable to financial institutions.

    In June 2023, Rafferty pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 15, 2025.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; James Crowley, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office; and Christopher A. Scharf, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristina E. Barclay of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorney Raquelle Kaye of the Asset Recovery Unit are prosecuting the cases.
     

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Statement on Trump Undermining USDA-Rural Development

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, released the following statement on the Trump Administration’s efforts to reduce the workforce of U.S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development (USDA-RD) offices in Vermont and New Hampshire through buyouts and early retirement offers:
    “Across America, and especially in Vermont, USDA-RD is critical to the success of our rural economy. This small but talented office makes the impossible, possible—providing services, grants, loans, and technical assistance to help strengthen rural communities. Their expertise is far-ranging, and goes well-beyond the field—from disaster recovery, to affordable housing support and health care access, to business development, to funding new energy and infrastructure projects.
    “President Trump’s actions to undermine USDA-RD is a clear indicator that he is willing to abandon rural America. In our region, USDA-RD was already understaffed, operating full-stream-ahead but with only 50-70% of the necessary workforce. President Trump and Elon Musk’s DOGE have now put the department on life-support. What the Trump Administration is doing to Vermont and New Hampshire to farmers, families, and rural communities is happening nationwide and every one of my colleagues should be outraged.”

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: Best Crypto Casino 2025 – JACKBIT | Rated Top Bitcoin Online Casino

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LARNACA, Cyprus , April 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As crypto gambling continues to grow, finding a reliable and rewarding online casino can be a challenge. After reviewing dozens of platforms, JACKBIT Casino stood out as one of the best crypto casinos in 2025.

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    Whether you’re into slots, live casino games, or crypto sports betting, JACKBIT delivers a premium real-money experience. In this review, we’ll cover what makes JACKBIT a top choice, including its features, pros and cons, how to join, available games, and supported payment methods.

    A Closer Look at the Best Online Crypto Casino : JACKBIT Casino

    What sets JACKBIT apart? It’s not just the sleek design or the massive 7,000+ game selection. It’s the unmatched crypto-friendly environment—featuring instant deposits and lightning-fast withdrawals, no KYC requirements, and a powerful VIP system offering up to 30% rakeback.

    With $10,000 weekly giveaways, 10,000 free spins, and access to the most comprehensive crypto sportsbook in the industry, JACKBIT has redefined what it means to gamble online with crypto. Find out our detailed breakdown below.

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    The platform emphasizes security, privacy, and fairness, with all games running on provably fair algorithms and using state-of-the-art SSL encryption. Most importantly, there’s no KYC requirement, so players can gamble privately with their crypto.

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    JACKBIT doesn’t just excel as a casino—it also features the most advanced crypto sportsbook on the market. Here’s why it’s a game-changer in 2025:

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    Responsible Gambling at JACKBIT Casino

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    Best Online Casino Games

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    Blackjack

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    FAQs About JACKBIT Casino

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    Final Verdict: Why JACKBIT Casino Is the Best Crypto Casino in 2025

    JACKBIT Casino combines privacy, power, and promotions in a way few other sites can. Whether you want to hit the slots, crush the live casino, or place crypto bets on global sports, JACKBIT is your one-stop gaming hub.

    From 30% rakeback to 10,000+ free spins weekly, a world-class sportsbook, and 7,000+ casino games, JACKBIT stands out as the ultimate destination for crypto players in 2025.

    Media Contact:
    Company name: Jackbit
    Full Company address: Patrikiou Loumoumpa, 7 BLOCK A, Flat/Office A13 Pervolia, 7560, Larnaca, Cyprus
    Company website: https://jackbit.com/
    Contact Name: Laura Luis
    email: support@jackbit.com

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by the Jackbit. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.

    Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.

    Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    Affiliate Disclosure
    Some links in this article are affiliate links. We may earn a commission—at no extra cost to you—if you sign up or make a purchase. Our recommendations are based on independent research and are not influenced by affiliate partnerships.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3e71c820-5a82-4f1e-bd5b-9bd970914eda

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Reaching across the Pacific to expand our markets

    Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI USA: $16.6M Pavement Project Along Key Long Island Roadways

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced that work is getting started on road resurfacing projects that will enhance safety and improve mobility along key stretches of five Long Island roadways, including the Meadowbrook State Parkway and Sunrise Highway. A total of 55 lane miles will be resurfaced, representing a $16.6 million investment in Long Island’s road network that will improve durability and provide smoother rides for motorists. Additionally, new crosswalks, pavement markings and curb ramps will enhance safety and improve access for pedestrians.

    “With the onset of warmer weather, we are delivering on our promise to modernize Long Island’s infrastructure and invest in safer, smoother travel for all New Yorkers,” Governor Hochul said. “These roadway improvements will help reduce congestion, enhance safety and strengthen the connections that keep our communities and economy moving forward. From daily commuters to local businesses, this investment supports the people who rely on these roads every single day.”

    Major construction, which is getting underway now and will continue through the summer, will consist of milling away deteriorated asphalt and replacing it with a new, smooth riding surface at these Nassau and Suffolk County locations:

    • State Route 454 (Veterans Memorial Highway) between State Route 25 (Jericho Turnpike) and Old Willets Path in the Town of Smithtown;
    • Meadowbrook State Parkway between State Route 27 (Sunrise Highway) and Merrick Road in the Town of Hempstead;
    • State Route 110 between High Street and Prime Avenue in the Town of Huntington;
    • State Route 27 (Sunrise Highway) at the interchange of William Floyd Parkway (Suffolk County Route 46) in the Town of Brookhaven; and
    • State Route 106 (Newbridge Road) between State Route 105 (Jerusalem Avenue) and State Route 24 (Hempstead Turnpike) in the Town of Hempstead.

    New highly reflective lane markings and pedestrian crosswalks will also be installed to further enhance safety and over 120 sidewalk curb ramps will be upgraded to comply with standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on State Route 106, State Route 110 and Meadowbrook State Parkway.

    Consistent with New York State’s Drivers First Initiative, most work will occur during off peak hours to minimize traffic impacts. Work is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

    These pavement renewal projects build on Governor Hochul’s accomplishments in renewing Long Island’s vital roadways. Pavement projects have previously been completed on stretches of the Long Island Expressway (Interstate 495) in Suffolk County, the Meadowbrook State Parkway in Nassau County, the Northern State Parkway, State Route 109, and the entire Southern State Parkway in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

    Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “Thanks to Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York State is making historic investments in infrastructure that will ensure the long-term prosperity and well-being of our local communities. By resurfacing these five roadways, we are literally paving the way towards easier commutes and improved quality of life for tens of thousands of Long Islanders.”

    About the Department of Transportation
    It is the mission of the New York State Department of Transportation to provide a safe, reliable, equitable, and resilient transportation system that connects communities, enhances quality of life, protects the environment, and supports the economic well-being of New York State.

    Lives are on the line; slow down and move over for highway workers!

    Follow New York State DOT on Twitter: @NYSDOT and @NYSDOT_NYC. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/NYSDOT.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Oklahoma Private Nonprofits Affected by November Storms

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Oklahoma of the the May 19, deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset physical damage caused by the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding occurring Nov. 2–5, 2024.

    The disaster declaration covers the Oklahoma counties of Adair, Garvin, Jefferson, Lincoln, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Stephens and Washita.

    Under this declaration, PNPs providing non-critical services of a governmental nature are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans. Eligible PNPs may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

    Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase of up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements might include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows to help protect property and occupants from future damage caused by any disaster. 

    “One distinct advantage of SBA’s disaster loan program is the opportunity to fund upgrades reducing the risk of future storm damage,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “I encourage businesses and homeowners to work with contractors and mitigation professionals to improve their storm readiness while taking advantage of SBA’s mitigation loans.”

    PNPs are also eligible to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the PNP suffered any physical property damage. 

    Interest rates can be as low as 3.625%, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online, visit 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.

    The deadline to return applications for physical property damage is May 19. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Dec. 18.

    ###

    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 www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Serial Bank Robber Sentenced to More than 11 Years in Prison

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

    TOLEDO, Ohio – Hershel Winbush, 68, of Toledo, Ohio, was sentenced to prison by U.S. District Judge Jack Zouhary after he pleaded guilty to four counts of bank robbery in Lucas County, Ohio, and for violating the conditions of his supervised release for a prior conviction. Imprisonment will be for a total term of 140 months (more than 11 years) for each count to run concurrently and pay $8,210 in restitution. Upon release from imprisonment, the defendant was also ordered to serve two years of supervised release.

    According to court documents and court records, Winbush entered several financial institutions in the Toledo, Ohio, area from 2019 through 2024 and threatened bank employees with violence by presenting notes such as “I have a gun, give me all the cash available,” and “This is a hold up. I have a gun.” Federally insured banking institutions that were affected included:

    • Woodforest National Bank, Glendale Ave., Oct. 24, 2019
    • Woodforest National Bank, Glendale Ave., Nov. 5, 2019
    • Jeep Federal Credit Union, Manhattan Blvd., April 8, 2024
    • Key Bank, Secor Rd., April 22, 2024

    During the investigation, authorities discovered that Winbush had a decades-long pattern of bank robberies and had multiple incarcerations and prior convictions for crimes of violence in Michigan. Winbush was classified as a Career-Offender by Judge Jack Zouhary.

    This case was investigated by the FBI Toledo Field Office and the Toledo Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Simko for the Northern District of Ohio.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI: Kevin Vilkin Joins Conservation International Board of Directors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    AUSTIN, Texas, April 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kevin Vilkin, co-founder of Emergent Strategic Partners, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Conservation International, a leading global nonprofit dedicated to protecting nature for the benefit of people and the planet. As a board member, Vilkin will contribute his expertise in sustainable innovation and strategic partnerships to support the organization’s mission of advancing conservation efforts worldwide.

    “I have know Kevin for close to a decade,” said Peter Seligmann, Chairman of the Board of Conservation International. “He brings the needed boldness of youth, as well as integrity, intelligence and humanity, to the great challenges that CI and all of our partners must overcome.”

    “Joining the board of Conservation International is a privilege,” said Vilkin. “The organization’s work in preserving our planet’s natural resources is more critical than ever. I am excited to help drive initiatives that create lasting environmental and economic impact.”

    About Conservation International

    Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, for biodiversity and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples and local communities to help people and nature thrive together. Go to Conservation.org for more, and follow our work on Conservation News, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.

    About Kevin Vilkin

    Before launching Emergent, Vilkin founded and successfully exited his first business—a music events company—at the age of 21, helping shape the careers of global artists such as Mumford & Sons and the Zac Brown Band. He founded the Vanguard Program for Summit Series, connecting the world’s most influential leaders, including Richard Branson, Ray Dalio, and Jeff Bezos.

    Vilkin currently serves as a Senior Advisor to Redaptive, ID.me, and GoodLeap. He sits on the Board of Directors at Conservation International, is a member of Business Executives for National Security (BENS), and has been recognized as a Milken Young Leaders Circle and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree. Additionally, he previously served as a Senior Advisor to TPG Growth.

    About Emergent Strategic Partners

    Emergent develops strategic partnerships that scale sustainable innovations for large enterprises. By connecting leading companies with emerging businesses, Emergent drives cost efficiencies and revenue growth while providing family offices with access to high-potential investment opportunities. Emergent partners’ impact includes $2.2B in revenue generated, $2.8B in enterprise value created, and $1.3B in capital raised.

    Media Contact:
    Paul Orszag
    Emergent Strategic Partners
    porszag@esp.co
    (661) 803-6617

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Ageas announces the Ordinary and Extraordinary General Meetings of Shareholders of ageas SA/NV

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Ageas announces the Ordinary and Extraordinary General Meetings of Shareholders of ageas SA/NV

    As the quorum required for the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of Wednesday 23 April 2025 will not be attained, ageas SA/NV is organising the Ordinary and Extraordinary Meetings of Shareholders (the “Meeting”) on Wednesday 21 May 2025 at 10:30 a.m. The Meeting is being held at the Auditorium of AG Insurance, AG Campus, in 1000 Brussels, Rue du Pont Neuf 17.

    The general conditions for attending the Meeting as well as the below documents are available on the Ageas website:

    • the convening notice, together with the agenda containing the items:
      • the approval of the annual report and accounts for 2024,
      • the approval of the 2024 dividend,
      • the discharge of liability,
      • the approval of the remuneration report,
      • the approval of the proposal for the reappointments of Board members,
      • the confirmation of the appointment of the statutory auditor for the audit of the non-financial reporting (CSRD),
      • the approval of proposed amendment to the Articles of Association (authorized capital), and
      • the authorisation for the company to acquire ageas SA/NV shares.
    • the special report by the Board of Directors on the use and purpose of the authorized capital prepared in accordance with article 7:199 of the Companies and Associations Code,
    • the proxy model,
    • the annual report 2024 of ageas SA/NV.

    Shareholders will be able to register, vote and ask questions at the Meeting if, on the date of registration, they hold the number of shares for which they have indicated their intention to exercise their voting rights, irrespective of the number of shares they hold on the day of the Meeting. The registration date has been set at Wednesday 7 May 2025 at midnight (CET).

    Shareholders who wish to attend the Meeting must make their intentions known no later than Thursday 15 May 2025 by communicating their instructions to the company, their bank or their financial institution. The proxies with which shareholders can pass on their voting instructions must be in the company’s possession no later than Thursday 15 May 2025.

    Questions about this Meeting can be e-mailed to general.meeting@ageas.com.

    Ageas is a listed international insurance Group with a heritage spanning of 200 years. It offers Retail and Business customers Life and Non-Life insurance products designed to suit their specific needs, today and tomorrow, and is also engaged in reinsurance activities. As one of Europe’s larger insurance companies, Ageas concentrates its activities in Europe and Asia, which together make up the major part of the global insurance market. It operates successful insurance businesses in Belgium, the UK, Portugal, Türkiye, China, Malaysia, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Singapore, and the Philippines through a combination of wholly owned subsidiaries and long-term partnerships with strong financial institutions and key distributors. Ageas ranks among the market leaders in the countries in which it operates. It represents a staff force of about 50,000 people and reported annual inflows of EUR 18.5 billion in 2024.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Staff Completes 2025 Article IV Mission to Nigeria

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    April 18, 2025

    End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF’s Executive Board for discussion and decision.

    • The Nigerian authorities have taken important steps to stabilize the economy, enhance resilience, and support growth. These reforms have put Nigeria in a better position to navigate the external environment.
    • The macroeconomic outlook is marked by significant uncertainty. Elevated global risk sentiment and lower oil prices impact the Nigerian economy.
    • Macroeconomic policies need to further strengthen buffers and resilience, reduce inflation, and support private sector-led growth.

    Washington, DC: An International Monetary Fund team, led by Axel Schimmelpfennig, IMF mission chief for Nigeria, visited Lagos and Abuja on April 2–15 to hold discussions for the 2025 Article IV Consultations with Nigeria. The team met with Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Abubakar Kyari, Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Yemi Cardoso, senior government and central bank officials, the Ministry of the Environment, the private sector, academia, labor unions, and civil society. At the end of the visit, Mr. Axel Schimmelpfennig, issued the following statement:

    “The Nigerian authorities have taken important steps to stabilize the economy, enhance resilience, and support growth. The financing of the fiscal deficit by the central bank has ceased, costly fuel subsidies were removed, and the functioning of the foreign exchange market has improved. Gains have yet to benefit all Nigerians as poverty and food insecurity remain high.

    ”The outlook is marked by significant uncertainty. Elevated global risk sentiment and lower oil prices impact the Nigerian economy. The reforms since 2023 have put the Nigerian economy in a better position to navigate this external environment. Looking ahead, macroeconomic policies need to further strengthen buffers and resilience, while creating enabling conditions for private sector-led growth.

    “The authorities communicated to the mission that they will implement the 2025 budget in a manner that is responsive to the decline in international oil prices. A neutral fiscal stance would support monetary policy to bring down inflation. To safeguard key spending priorities, it is imperative that fiscal savings from the fuel subsidy removal are channeled to the budget. In particular, adjustments should protect critical, growth-enhancing investment, while accelerating and broadening the delivery of cash transfers under the World Bank-supported program to provide relief to those experiencing food insecurity.

    “A tight monetary policy stance is required to firmly guide inflation down. The Monetary Policy Committee’s data-dependent approach has served Nigeria well and will help navigate elevated macroeconomic uncertainty. Announcing a disinflation path to serve as an intermediate target can help anchor inflation expectations.”

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Julie Ziegler

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

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/04/18/pr-25114-nigeria-imf-staff-completes-2025-article-iv-mission

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI: Toobit Launches Convert, Now Offers Instant Zero-Fee Crypto Swaps

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands, April 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Award-winning digital asset trading platform Toobit today announces the launch of Toobit Convert, a new crypoasset management tool that allows users to instantly swap between supported cryptocurrencies—without trading fees or the need to place manual buy or sell orders.

    With Toobit Convert, traders can exchange one asset for another at real-time market rates, simplifying portfolio management and enabling fast responses to market shifts. Unlike traditional spot trading, there’s no need to deal with order books, set price limits, or use trading strategies. Toobit Convert offers a clean, easy-to-use interface that provides zero slippage for supported token amounts, with prices coming from several market makers, so traders always get the most competitive rates.

    Traders can take 3 simple steps to Convert their crypto

    1. Choose crypto:
      Pick cryptocurrency to convert from, and the one to get in return.
    2. Get a live quote:
      Toobit shows real-time prices based on the current market. This quote is valid for a few seconds, and is refreshed in real-time.
    3. Confirm and convert:
      Once the price is suitable, just click to confirm. The swap happens instantly, and the converted crypto shows up in the account right away.

    “Whether you’re rebalancing your portfolio or moving between coins, Toobit Convert takes the friction out of the process,” said Mike Williams, Chief Communication Officer at Toobit. “We’re focused on building intuitive tools that enhance the user experience without compromising speed, security, or transparency.”

    Available now on both desktop and the Toobit trading app, Toobit Convert supports a wide range of digital assets, with minimum and maximum limits clearly displayed before each conversion. Most transactions are completed instantly, and users can track their conversion history directly from the Convert page.

    With Convert, new users can now swap assets in seconds with no extra charges. Experienced traders can also use Convert to move fast in changing markets or explore new options with ease. Whether adjusting a portfolio or dealing with price swings, Toobit Convert is a quick, easy tool for efficient cryptoasset management.

    This launch follows Toobit’s growing suite of user-focused tools, including Toobit Earn, which offers staking rewards of up to 250,000 USDT.

    For more details, visit the Toobit Convert page: https://www.toobit.com/en-US/convert

    About Toobit

    Toobit is where the future of crypto trading unfolds—an award-winning cryptocurrency derivatives exchange built for those who thrive exploring new frontiers. With deep liquidity and cutting-edge technology, Toobit empowers traders worldwide to navigate the digital asset markets with confidence. We offer a fair, secure, seamless, and transparent trading experience, ensuring every trade is an opportunity to discover what’s next.

    For more information about Toobit, visit: Website | X | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Instagram

    Contact: Davin C.

    Email: market@toobit.com

    Website: www.toobit.com

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by the Toobit. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.
    Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/42f03f51-5920-4091-8fec-8bea7225af12

    The MIL Network