Category: Finance

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Business and Renewables – Fonterra announces electrification plans to future-proof operations

    Source: Fonterra

    Fonterra is taking another significant step toward its climate goals and operational resilience with $150 million in investments in electrification projects across the North Island over the next 18 months.

    Investments into electric boilers at the Co-operative’s Whareroa, Edgecumbe and Waitoa sites, along with further fleet decarbonisation, marks further steps in renewable energy supporting the Co-operative’s sustainability targets* while future-proofing operations.

    Fonterra aims to build enduring, cost-efficient assets while enhancing energy security across its manufacturing operations and ensuring a sustainable energy supply.  

    Fonterra’s Chief Operating Officer, Anna Palairet, says the investments are a significant step for the Co-operative’s future operations.

    “Last year we turned off the last coal boiler in the North Island, meaning manufacturing operations in the North Island are now coal-free. These investments are the next step in creating enduring assets that are fit for the future, as we look to reduce our reliance on gas.

    “Choosing the right energy solutions is about striking a balance between affordability, security of energy supply and reducing our environmental footprint, and the new electric boilers are crucial to navigating this challenge.”

    “These electrification projects are at the heart of ensuring efficient operations with a reliable energy supply for our manufacturing sites and to support the long-term sustainability of our business. It also represents a commitment to our farmer owners that we are building a resilient, future-ready Co-operative.”

    Investments announced are:

    Whareroa: The site will undergo a staged energy transformation with the first stage including the installation of two electrode boilers. The $64 million investment is expected to reduce the site’s annual emissions by an estimated 51,000 tonnes – the equivalent of removing around 21,000 cars from New Zealand roads – and contribute a 3% reduction** towards Fonterra’s overall 2030 Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions reduction target.

    Edgecumbe: The site will transition from the use of steam and electricity generated through a co-generation plant, to a reliable source of renewable energy with the installation of a new electrode boiler. The $57 million investment is expected to reduce the site’s annual emissions by an estimated 28,000 tonnes – equivalent to removing around 11,000 cars from New Zealand roads – and contribute a 1.5% reduction** towards Fonterra’s overall 2030 Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions reduction target and reduce the Co-op’s overall natural gas reliance by approximately 8%***.

    Waitoa and Waitoa UHT: Following the closure of its last coal boiler in November 2024, the Co-op is investing a further $18 million in installing two Resistive Element Boilers to boost heat production, while providing a secure and reliable energy source allowing for future growth in UHT processing.

    Fleet decarbonisation: The next step in looking for more economical solutions for the future includes a pilot of six EV tankers and associated infrastructure later in the year, expected to provide an approximately 60% annual reduction in fuel costs per tanker, along with environmental benefits.

    *The Co-operative’s target is 50.4% absolute reduction of Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions by 2030 from a 2018 baseline.

    ** From a 2018 baseline.

    *** An approximate 8% reduction from the Co-op’s average annual natural gas usage from FY23 and FY24.

    About Fonterra

    Fonterra is a co-operative owned and supplied by thousands of farming families across Aotearoa New Zealand. Through the spirit of co-operation and a can-do attitude, Fonterra’s farmers and employees share the goodness of our milk through innovative consumer, foodservice and ingredients brands. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re committed to leaving things in a better way than we found them. We are passionate about supporting our communities by Doing Good Together.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Nigerian Man Extradited to the U.S. After Being Indicted for Sextortion Scheme That Caused Death of South Carolina Teen

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

    COLUMBIA, S.C. — Hassanbunhussein Abolore Lawal (luh-wall), 24, of Osun State, Nigeria, has been extradited to the United States from Nigeria to face prosecution in a partially unsealed indictment for the sextortion of a South Carolina minor, which led to the victim’s death.

    This investigation was launched after Gavin Guffey, a 17-year-old from Rock Hill, died by suicide in July 2022 after being victimized by Lawal’s scheme. Lawal allegedly posed as a young woman on social media and coerced the teen into sending compromising photos. He then extorted and sent harassing messages to the teen threatening to leak the photos and ruin his reputation unless the teen sent him money. Lawal later did the same to members of his family.

    The five-count federal indictment charges Lawal with child exploitation resulting in death, the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material, coercion and enticement of a minor, cyberstalking resulting in death, interstate threats with intent to extort, and aiding/abetting. In addition to victimizing the teen in every count, the indictment alleges Lawal targeted the minor victim’s family in the stalking and extortion charges.

    Lawal faces up to life in prison, and mandatory minimum prison sentences on multiple counts. The child exploitation resulting in death count carries a mandatory 30-year sentence. He also faces mandatory restitution, where the court may order Lawal to pay for losses incurred by the family as a result of his scheme.

    The indictment was returned by a federal Grand Jury in South Carolina in October 2023. On Jan. 24, following extradition proceedings in Nigeria, agents with the FBI Columbia Field Office took custody of Lawal in Lagos, Nigeria and executed the removal with assistance from Nigerian law enforcement.

    “We will not allow predators who target our children to hide behind a keyboard or across the ocean. Today we honor Gavin’s life and continue our fight against sextortion by holding this defendant accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Adair Ford Boroughs for the District of South Carolina. “This investigation and extradition are the result of tremendous law enforcement coordination both in the United States and Nigeria. We’re grateful to the many agencies who helped make this day possible.”

    “This indictment represents the culmination of countless hours of dedicated work done by our investigators both here and abroad,” said Steve Jensen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Columbia Field Office. “The defendant’s alleged actions are reprehensible resulting in the tragic loss of a young man’s life. We remain steadfast in our commitment to holding criminals accountable, especially those who target our children and endanger their lives, no matter where they are.”

    U.S. Attorney Boroughs and SAC Jensen thanked the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs (OIA), and U.S. State Department for their help in facilitating the arrest and extradition of Lawal.

    Nigerian law enforcement provided critical assistance in the identification, investigation, arrest, and extradition of Lawal. U.S. Attorney Boroughs and SAC Jensen extend their appreciation and thanks to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigerian Attorney General’s Office – Ministry of Justice, and all other involved Nigerian authorities for their important partnership in this case.

    This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, county prosecutor’s offices, the Internet Crimes Against Children task force (ICAC), federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement are working closely together to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children. The partners in Project Safe Childhood work to educate local communities about the dangers of online child exploitation, and to teach children how to protect themselves. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit the following website: www.projectsafechildhood.gov. Individuals with information or concerns about possible child exploitation should contact local law enforcement officials.

    If someone you know is being victimized by sextortion, please report to local law enforcement and to the FBI. Learn more about sextortion and find resources for parents, caregivers, and teachers.

    The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office, the FBI’s Violent Crimes Against Children Section and International Operations Division, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and the York County Sheriff’s Office. 

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elliott B. Daniels, Lothrop Morris, and Michael Shedd are prosecuting the case. 

    All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and that defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI: Heartland BancCorp Earns $5.7 Million, or $2.63 Per Diluted Share, in the Fourth Quarter of 2024, and a Record $20.3 Million, or $9.75 Per Diluted Share, for the Year

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WHITEHALL, Ohio, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Heartland BancCorp (“Heartland” and “the Company”) (OTCQX: HLAN), parent company of Heartland Bank (“Bank”), today reported net income increased 7.2% to $5.7 million, or $2.63 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $5.3 million, or $2.61 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2023, and increased 28.0% compared to $4.4 million, or $2.12 per diluted share, in the preceding quarter. For the year 2024, net income increased 3.8% to a record $20.3 million, or $9.75 per diluted share, compared to $19.5 million, or $9.62 per diluted share, in 2023.

    On July 29, 2024, Heartland announced that it had entered into a definitive merger agreement with German American Bancorp (“German American”). Upon completion of the transaction, Heartland’s subsidiary bank, Heartland Bank, will be merged into German American’s subsidiary bank, German American Bank, and operate under a co-branded name within the Ohio markets.

    With the shareholders of Heartland and German American having each approved the Merger at special meetings held on November 19, 2024, Heartland and German American anticipate that the Merger will become effective as of February 1, 2025, subject to satisfaction of certain customary closing conditions contained in the Merger Agreement.

    “Heartland produced strong net income for the fourth quarter, and record net income for the year, as we continue to deliver value to our clients and expand our market outreach,” stated G. Scott McComb, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our record earnings in 2024 were fueled by moderate loan growth and strong deposit growth generated in our Columbus and Greater Cincinnati market footprint, and our future growth opportunities will only be enhanced by our pending merger with German American. This strategic partnership allows us to partner with another like-minded, larger community bank that enables us to continue our strong brand and growth trajectory within the markets we serve. Strategically and culturally, Heartland and German American are exceptionally well-aligned with a strong commitment to the community banking business model. That model is centered on delivering an exceptional customer experience and the willingness to invest in local communities that Ohio has come to know and love from Heartland. I would like to thank our dedicated team of associates for all they do to support our loyal clients and communities as we look forward to continued success in 2025.”

    Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights (at or for the three months ended December 31, 2024)

    • Net income was $5.7 million, or $2.63 per diluted share, compared to $5.3 million, or $2.61 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • Heartland recorded no provision for credit losses during the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $550,000 for the fourth quarter a year ago.
    • Net interest margin was 3.19%, compared to 3.27% in the preceding quarter and 3.49% in the fourth quarter a year ago.
    • Fourth quarter revenues (net interest income plus noninterest income) were $18.5 million, compared to $18.6 million in the fourth quarter a year ago.
    • Annualized return on average assets was 1.14%, compared to 1.13% in the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • Annualized return on average tangible common equity was 13.90%, compared to 15.05% in the fourth quarter a year ago.
    • Net loans increased $5.6 million during the quarter to $1.54 billion at December 31, 2024, compared to three months earlier.
    • Demand deposits increased 2.8% during the quarter to $443.8 million, compared to $431.6 million three months earlier.
    • Credit quality remains strong with nonperforming loans to gross loans of 0.54% and nonperforming assets to total assets of 0.43% at December 31, 2024.
    • Tangible book value was $80.02 per share at December 31, 2024, compared to $74.23 per share a year ago.
    • Paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.759 per share on December 30, 2024.

    2024 Full Year Financial Highlights (at or for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024)

    • Net income for 2024 increased 3.8% to a record $20.3 million, compared to $19.5 million in 2023.
    • Net interest margin was 3.28% for the year, compared to 3.62% for 2023.
    • Annualized return on average assets was 1.06% for 2024, compared to 1.09% for 2023.
    • Annualized return on average tangible equity was 13.02% for 2024, compared to 14.15% for 2023.
    • Net loans increased $10.2 million year-over-year to $1.54 billion, compared to $1.53 billion a year ago.
    • Total deposits increased $108.1 million, or 6.6%, to $1.75 billion, compared to $1.64 billion a year ago.

    Balance Sheet Review
    Assets
    Total assets increased 4.7% to $1.97 billion at December 31, 2024, compared to $1.88 billion a year earlier, and increased 1.6% compared to three months earlier. Heartland’s loan-to-deposit ratio was 88.0% at December 31, 2024, compared to 90.0% at September 30, 2024, and 93.2% at December 31, 2023.

    Securities increased 5.3% to $222.4 million at December 31, 2024, compared to $211.1 million a year earlier, and decreased 3.3% compared to $229.9 million three months earlier. Securities comprise 11.3% of total assets at December 31, 2024, compared to 11.8% three months earlier and 11.2% a year ago.

    Average earning assets increased to $1.87 billion in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $1.82 billion in the third quarter of 2024, and $1.75 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023. The average yield on interest-earning assets was 5.82% in the fourth quarter of 2024, down 13 basis points from 5.95% in the preceding quarter, and up 11 basis points from 5.71% in the fourth quarter a year ago.

    Loan Portfolio
    “Loan growth was muted during the fourth quarter, as we remain disciplined with new loan pricing amid stiff competition in our markets,” said Ben Babcanec, EVP and Chief Operating Officer.

    Net loans totaled $1.54 billion at December 31, 2024, and increased modestly compared to $1.53 billion at September 30, 2024, and $1.52 billion at December 31, 2023. Commercial loans increased 7.8% from year ago levels to $186.2 million and comprise 11.9% of the total loan portfolio at December 31, 2024. Owner occupied commercial real estate loans (CRE) decreased 7.5% to $273.8 million at December 31, 2024, compared to a year ago, and comprise 17.6% of the total loan portfolio. Nonowner occupied CRE loans increased modestly to $503.2 million, compared to a year ago, and comprise 32.3% of the total loan portfolio at December 31, 2024. 1-4 family residential real estate loans increased 1.0% from year-ago levels to $513.2 million and represent 32.9% of total loans. Home equity loans increased 25.9% from year-ago levels to $65.1 million and represent 4.2% of total loans, while consumer loans decreased 5.6% from year-ago levels to $17.9 million and represent 1.1% of the total loan portfolio at December 31, 2024.

    Deposits
    Total deposits were $1.75 billion at December 31, 2024, a $45.0 million, or 2.6% increase, compared to $1.71 billion at September 30, 2024, and a $108.1 million, or 6.6% increase, compared to $1.64 billion at December 31, 2023. “Average deposits increased $61.6 million, or 3.6%, to $1.75 billion in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the preceding quarter, with good growth in all deposit categories,” said Babcanec.

    At December 31, 2024, noninterest bearing demand deposit accounts decreased 9.0% compared to a year ago and represent 25.3% of total deposits; savings, NOW and money market accounts remained relatively unchanged compared to a year ago and represent 40.7% of total deposits; and CDs increased 33.8% compared to a year ago and comprise 33.9% of total deposits. The average cost of deposits was 2.73% in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 2.75% in the third quarter of 2024 and 2.21% in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Shareholders’ Equity
    Shareholders’ equity was $175.4 million at December 31, 2024, compared to $175.9 million three months earlier and increased 7.9% compared to $162.5 million a year earlier. At December 31, 2024, Heartland’s tangible book value was $80.02 per share compared to $80.61 at September 30, 2024, and $74.23 at December 31, 2023.

    Heartland continues to maintain capital levels in excess of the requirements to be categorized as “well-capitalized” with tangible equity to tangible assets of 8.30% at December 31, 2024, compared to 8.46% at September 30, 2024, and 8.00% at December 31, 2023.

    Operating Results
    In the fourth quarter of 2024, Heartland generated a ROAA of 1.14% and a ROATCE of 13.90%, compared to 0.91% and 11.10%, respectively, in the third quarter of 2024 and 1.13% and 15.05%, respectively, in the fourth quarter a year ago.

    Net Interest Income/Net Interest Margin
    Net interest income, before the provision for credit losses, decreased 2.5% to $15.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $15.4 million in the fourth quarter a year ago, and increased modestly compared to $14.9 million in the preceding quarter. For the year ended December 31, 2024, net interest income decreased 2.4% to $59.6 million, compared to $61.0 million in 2023.

    Total revenues (net interest income, before the provision for credit losses, plus noninterest income) were $18.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, a 1.0% decrease compared to $18.6 million in the fourth quarter a year ago, and a 2.8% increase compared to $18.0 million in the preceding quarter. For the year 2024, total revenues were $72.4 million, compared to $73.5 million in 2023.

    Heartland’s net interest margin was 3.19% in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 3.27% in the preceding quarter and 3.49% in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    “The interest rate reductions during the third and fourth quarters of 2024 put temporary pressure on our net interest margin due to a lag in the maturity and downward repricing of some higher cost deposits,” said Carrie Almendinger, EVP and Chief Financial Officer.

    Provision for Credit Losses
    Due to strong credit quality, minimal net loan charge-offs, modest loan growth and economic forecast improvements within the CECL model, Heartland recorded no provision for credit losses in the fourth quarter of 2024. This compared to no provision for credit losses in the third quarter of 2024 and a $550,000 provision for credit losses in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Noninterest Income
    Noninterest income increased 7.9% to $3.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $3.2 million in the fourth quarter a year ago, and increased 14.7% compared to $3.0 million in the preceding quarter. “Higher title insurance income and increases in income from life insurance contributed to gains in noninterest income during the fourth quarter,” said Almendinger.

    Gains on sale of loans and originated mortgage servicing rights decreased 16.1% to $616,000 in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $734,000 in the fourth quarter a year ago, and decreased 10.6% compared to $689,000 in the preceding quarter. For the year 2024, noninterest income increased 3.1% to $12.8 million, compared to $12.4 million in 2023.

    Noninterest Expense
    Noninterest expense was $11.6 million during the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $12.4 million in the preceding quarter and $11.6 million in the fourth quarter a year ago. Salary and employee benefits expense, the largest component of noninterest expense, was $6.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $7.2 million in the preceding quarter and $7.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. For the year 2024, noninterest expense totaled $47.5 million, compared to $47.1 million in 2023.

    One-time merger related expenses totaled $278,000 in the fourth quarter of 2024 and $671,000 in the third quarter of 2024.

    The efficiency ratio for the fourth quarter of 2024 was 62.7%, compared to 69.1% for the preceding quarter and 62.5% for the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Income Tax Provision
    In the fourth quarter of 2024, Heartland recorded $1.2 million in state and federal income tax expense for an effective tax rate of 17.7%, compared to $1.1 million, or 20.2%, in the third quarter of 2024 and $1.1 million, or 17.7%, in the fourth quarter a year ago.

    Credit Quality
    “Our credit quality metrics continue to remain stable, despite an increase in nonaccrual loans during the quarter,” said McComb. “Overall, we are seeing minimal signs of stress in the loan portfolio, and we hold strong collateral positions with all our loans.”

    At December 31, 2024, the allowance for credit losses plus unfunded commitment liability (ACL + UCL) was $19.0 million, or 1.22% of total loans, compared to $19.1 million, or 1.23% of total loans, at September 30, 2024, and $19.4 million, or 1.25% of total loans, a year ago. As of December 31, 2024, the ACL represented 367% of nonaccrual loans, compared to 949% three months earlier and 1,106% one year earlier.

    Nonaccrual loans were $4.9 million at December 31, 2024, compared to $1.9 million at September 30, 2024, and $1.6 million at December 31, 2023. At December 31, 2024, nonaccrual loans totaled 12 loans with an average balance of approximately $406,000. There was $3.6 million in loans past due 90 days and still accruing at December 31, 2024, compared to $5,000 at September 30, 2024, and $468,000 at December 31, 2023. Net loan charge-offs totaled $71,000 at December 31, 2024, compared to $32,000 in net loan recoveries at September 30, 2024, and $318,000 in net loan charge-offs at December 31, 2023.

    There was no other real estate owned (“OREO”) and other nonperforming assets on the books at December 31, 2024. This compared to OREO of $30,000 at September 30, 2024, and $10,000 at December 31, 2023. Nonperforming assets (NPAs), consisting of nonperforming loans and loans past due 90 days or more, were $8.4 million, or 0.43% of total assets, at December 31, 2024, compared to $1.9 million, or 0.10%, at September 30, 2024, and $2.1 million, or 0.11% of total assets, at December 31, 2023.

    About Heartland BancCorp
    Heartland BancCorp is a registered Ohio bank holding company and the parent of Heartland Bank, which operates 20 full-service banking offices and TransCounty Title Agency, LLC. Heartland Bank, founded in 1911, provides full-service commercial, small business and consumer banking services; professional financial planning services; and other financial products and services. Heartland Bank is a member of the Federal Reserve, a member of the FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender. Heartland BancCorp is currently quoted on the OTC Markets (OTCQX) under the symbol HLAN. Learn more about Heartland Bank at Heartland.Bank.

    Safe Harbor Statement
    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about (i) Heartland’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts; and (ii) other statements identified by words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “targets,” “projects,” or words of similar meaning generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Heartland’s management and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of Heartland. In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change. Actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results discussed in these forward-looking statements because of the following factors, among others: (1) the assumptions and estimates used by Heartland’s management include both assumptions as to certain business decisions that are subject to change and, in many respects, subjective judgment, and thus is susceptible to multiple interpretations and periodic revisions based on actual experience and business developments, and thus, may not be realized; (2) legislative or regulatory changes, including changes in accounting standards, may adversely affect the businesses in which Heartland is engaged; (3) changes in the interest rate environment may adversely affect net interest income; (4) results may be adversely affected by continued diversification of assets and adverse changes to credit quality; (5) competition from other financial services companies in Heartland’s markets could adversely affect operations; and (6) the current economic slowdown could adversely affect credit quality and loan originations.

    Heartland cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. Heartland does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made, except as required by law.

    Additional Information
    Communications in this press release do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any proxy vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. The proposed merger will be submitted to both the German American and Heartland shareholders for their consideration. In connection with the proposed merger, German American will file a Registration Statement on Form S-4 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) that will include a joint proxy statement for German American and Heartland and a prospectus for German American and other relevant documents concerning the proposed merger. INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THE CORRESPONDING JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS REGARDING THE PROPOSED MERGER WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE, AS WELL AS ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC, TOGETHER WITH ALL AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS, AS THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. You will be able to obtain a copy of the joint proxy statement/prospectus once filed, as well as other filings containing information about German American, without charge, at the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov) or by accessing German American’s website (http://www.germanamerican.com) under the tab “Investor Relations” and then under the heading “Financial Information”. Copies of the joint proxy statement/prospectus and the filings with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference in the joint proxy statement/prospectus can also be obtained, without charge, by directing a request to Bradley C. Arnett, Investor Relations, German American Bancorp, Inc., 711 Main Street, Box 810, Jasper, Indiana 47546, telephone 812-482-1314 or to Jennifer Eckert, Investor Relations, Heartland BancCorp, 430 North Hamilton Road, Whitehall, Ohio 43213, telephone 614-337-4600.

    German American and Heartland and certain of their directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of German American and Heartland in connection with the proposed merger. Information about the directors and executive officers of German American is set forth in the proxy statement for German American’s 2024 annual meeting of shareholders, as filed with the SEC on Schedule 14A on March 21, 2024, which information has been updated by German American from time to time in subsequent filings with the SEC. Information about the directors and executive officers of Heartland will be set forth in the joint proxy statement/prospectus relating to the proposed merger. Additional information about the interests of those participants and other persons who may be deemed participants in the transaction may also be obtained by reading the joint proxy statement/prospectus relating to the proposed merger when it becomes available. Free copies of this document may be obtained as described above.

     
    Heartland BancCorp
    Quarterly Financial Summary
                           
        Three Months Ended
    Earnings and dividends: Dec. 31, 2024 Sep. 30, 2024 Jun. 30, 2024 Mar. 31, 2024 Dec. 31, 2023
      Interest income $ 27,334   $ 27,233   $ 26,190   $ 25,626   $ 25,195  
      Interest expense   12,334     12,288     11,408     10,764     9,807  
      Net interest income   15,000     14,945     14,782     14,862     15,388  
      Provision for credit losses                   550  
      Noninterest income   3,470     3,026     3,212     3,119     3,217  
      Noninterest expense   11,580     12,420     11,753     11,775     11,632  
      Provision for income taxes   1,222     1,123     1,154     1,124     1,135  
      Net income   5,668     4,428     5,087     5,082     5,288  
                           
    Share data:                    
      Basic earnings per share $ 2.80   $ 2.19   $ 2.52   $ 2.52   $ 2.62  
      Diluted earnings per share   2.63     2.12     2.50     2.51     2.61  
      Dividends declared per share   0.76     0.76     0.76     0.76     0.76  
      Book value per share   86.31     86.95     83.19     81.28     80.66  
      Tangible book value per share   80.02     80.61     76.81     74.88     74.23  
                           
      Common shares outstanding, 20,000,000 authorized   2,123,355     2,113,153     2,106,879     2,105,737     2,105,737  
      Treasury shares   (90,612 )   (90,612 )   (90,612 )   (90,612 )   (90,612 )
      Common shares, net   2,032,743     2,022,541     2,016,267     2,015,125     2,015,125  
      Average common shares outstanding, net   2,024,267     2,018,442     2,015,627     2,015,125     2,015,125  
                           
    Balance sheet – average balances:                    
      Loans receivable, net $ 1,541,814   $ 1,533,219   $ 1,524,818   $ 1,519,946   $ 1,520,331  
      Earning assets   1,869,509     1,820,509     1,795,555     1,776,073     1,749,160  
      Goodwill & intangible assets   12,805     12,846     12,888     12,934     12,982  
      Total assets   1,974,165     1,926,237     1,899,413     1,878,171     1,854,191  
      Demand deposits   442,599     423,555     437,524     453,581     476,992  
      Deposits   1,751,452     1,689,877     1,670,394     1,639,911     1,622,335  
      Borrowings   29,508     47,792     47,225     58,938     60,857  
      Shareholders’ equity   175,050     171,562     164,744     163,283     152,393  
                           
    Ratios:                    
      Return on average assets   1.14 %   0.91 %   1.08 %   1.09 %   1.13 %
      Return on average equity   12.88 %   10.27 %   12.42 %   12.52 %   13.77 %
      Return on average tangible common equity   13.90 %   11.10 %   13.47 %   13.59 %   15.05 %
      Yield on earning assets   5.82 %   5.95 %   5.87 %   5.80 %   5.71 %
      Cost of deposits   2.73 %   2.75 %   2.61 %   2.45 %   2.21 %
      Cost of funds   2.76 %   2.81 %   2.67 %   2.55 %   2.31 %
      Net interest margin   3.19 %   3.27 %   3.31 %   3.37 %   3.49 %
      Efficiency ratio   62.70 %   69.11 %   65.33 %   65.49 %   62.52 %
                           
    Asset quality:                    
      Net loan charge-offs to average loans   0.02 %   -0.01 %   0.08 %   0.01 %   0.08 %
      Nonperforming loans to gross loans   0.54 %   0.12 %   0.13 %   0.13 %   0.13 %
      Nonperforming assets to total assets   0.43 %   0.10 %   0.11 %   0.10 %   0.11 %
      Allowance for credit losses to gross loans   1.15 %   1.15 %   1.15 %   1.17 %   1.16 %
      ACL + UCL to gross loans   1.22 %   1.23 %   1.23 %   1.27 %   1.25 %
                           
    Heartland BancCorp
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
                 
                                   
    Assets Dec. 31, 2024   Sep. 30, 2024   Jun. 30, 2024   Mar. 31, 2024   Dec. 31, 2023
      Cash and due from $ 15,783     $ 35,186     $ 14,292     $ 18,314     $ 16,750  
      Interest bearing deposits   87,077       32,585       31,419       15,717       19,932  
      Interest bearing time deposits                            
      Available-for-sale securities   222,351       229,907       233,270       222,609       211,130  
      Held-to-maturity securities   0       0       0       0       0  
                                   
      Loans held for sale   1,462       2,854       2,855       2,210       1,145  
                                   
      Commercial   186,156       183,739       179,961       166,413       172,658  
      CRE (Owner occupied)   273,764       287,261       291,107       293,542       295,996  
      CRE (Non Owner occupied)   503,223       489,483       495,466       489,709       501,056  
      1-4 Family   513,223       510,587       504,959       507,374       508,826  
      Home Equity   65,098       63,184       59,011       54,178       51,697  
      Consumer   17,902       19,436       18,916       18,859       18,974  
      Allowance for credit losses   (17,902 )     (17,845 )     (17,813 )     (17,897 )     (17,928 )
      Net Loans   1,541,464       1,535,845       1,531,607       1,512,178       1,531,279  
                                   
      Premises and equipment   32,115       32,548       33,039       33,298       33,649  
      Nonmarketable equity securities   6,949       6,946       6,943       6,941       6,866  
      Mortgage servicing rights, net   3,638       3,545       3,473       3,384       3,373  
      Foreclosed assets held for sale   0       30       0       0       10  
      Goodwill   12,388       12,388       12,388       12,388       12,388  
      Intangible Assets   392       433       475       517       565  
      Deferred income taxes   7,375       6,007       7,213       6,662       7,087  
      Life insurance assets   20,614       20,809       20,675       20,545       20,315  
      Accrued interest receivable and other assets   20,128       21,520       22,483       22,429       18,661  
      Total assets $ 1,971,736     $ 1,940,603     $ 1,920,132     $ 1,877,192     $ 1,883,150  
                                   
    Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity                            
    Liabilities                            
      Deposits                            
      Demand $ 443,754     $ 431,582     $ 414,829     $ 419,864     $ 487,631  
      Saving, NOW and money market   713,060       686,221       673,674       705,942       711,198  
      Time   593,876       587,927       556,690       502,848       443,772  
      Total deposits   1,750,690       1,705,730       1,645,193       1,628,654       1,642,601  
      Repurchase agreements   4,975       5,590       6,295       4,472       4,583  
      FHLB Advances   0       10,000       59,000       38,000       31,000  
      Subordinated debt   24,076       24,065       24,055       24,044       24,034  
      Interest payable and other liabilities   16,555       19,352       17,849       18,228       18,400  
      Total liabilities   1,796,296       1,764,737       1,752,392       1,713,398       1,720,618  
                                   
    Shareholders’ Equity                            
      Common stock, without par value   64,986       63,899       63,002       62,797       62,725  
      Retained earnings   134,193       130,069       127,174       123,617       120,064  
      Accumulated other comprehensive income (expense)   (18,745 )     (13,108 )     (17,442 )     (17,626 )     (15,263 )
      Treasury stock at Cost, Common   (4,994 )     (4,994 )     (4,994 )     (4,994 )     (4,994 )
      Total shareholders’ equity   175,440       175,866       167,740       163,794       162,532  
      Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 1,971,736     $ 1,940,603     $ 1,920,132     $ 1,877,192     $ 1,883,150  
                                   
    Heartland BancCorp
    Consolidated Statements of Income
                                       
        Three Months Ended
    Interest Income Dec. 31, 2024   Sep. 30, 2024   Jun. 30, 2024   Mar. 31, 2024   Dec. 31, 2023
      Loans $ 23,943     $ 24,194     $ 23,381     $ 23,015     $ 22,850  
      Securities                                
      Taxable   1,756       1,870       1,744       1,637       1,374  
      Tax-exempt   683       686       677       657       629  
      Other   952       483       388       317       342  
      Total interest income   27,334       27,233       26,190       25,626       25,195  
    Interest Expense                                
      Deposits   12,005       11,687       10,832       10,006       9,017  
      Borrowings   329       601       576       758       790  
      Total interest expense   12,334       12,288       11,408       10,764       9,807  
    Net Interest Income   15,000       14,945       14,782       14,862       15,388  
    Provision for Credit Losses                           550  
    Net Interest Income After Provision for Credit Losses   15,000       14,945       14,782       14,862       14,838  
    Noninterest income                                
      Service charges   977       1,005       1,011       952       1,002  
      Gains on sale of loans and originated MSR   616       689       645       518       734  
      Loan servicing fees, net   370       416       396       494       354  
      Title insurance income   292       120       231       210       214  
      Increase in cash value of life insurance   637       134       130       230       175  
      Other   578       662       799       715       738  
      Total noninterest income   3,470       3,026       3,212       3,119       3,217  
    Noninterest Expense                                
      Salaries and employee benefits   6,764       7,181       7,064       7,300       7,430  
      Net occupancy and equipment expense   1,079       1,133       1,145       1,106       1,052  
      Software and data processing fees   1,187       1,230       1,158       1,156       1,163  
      Professional fees   702       1,125       496       233       242  
      Marketing expense   228       213       303       310       320  
      State financial institution tax   327       292       293       292       260  
      FDIC insurance premiums   229       214       234       284       299  
      Other   1,064       1,032       1,060       1,094       866  
      Total noninterest expense   11,580       12,420       11,753       11,775       11,632  
    Income before Income Tax   6,890       5,551       6,241       6,206       6,423  
    Provision for Income Taxes   1,222       1,123       1,154       1,124       1,135  
    Net Income $ 5,668     $ 4,428     $ 5,087     $ 5,082     $ 5,288  
    Basic Earnings Per Share $ 2.80     $ 2.19     $ 2.52     $ 2.52     $ 2.62  
    Diluted Earnings Per Share $ 2.63     $ 2.12     $ 2.50     $ 2.51     $ 2.61  
                                       
    Heartland BancCorp
    Consolidated Statements of Income
                     
        Twelve Months Ended
    Interest Income Dec. 31, 2024   Dec. 31, 2023
      Loans $ 94,533     $ 84,424  
      Securities            
      Taxable   7,007       4,320  
      Tax-exempt   2,703       2,442  
      Other   2,140       1,200  
      Total interest income   106,383       92,386  
    Interest Expense            
      Deposits   44,530       28,690  
      Borrowings   2,264       2,662  
      Total interest expense   46,794       31,352  
    Net Interest Income   59,589       61,034  
    Provision for Credit Losses         2,600  
    Net Interest Income After Provision for Credit Losses 59,589       58,434  
    Noninterest income              
      Service charges   3,945       4,012  
      Gains on sale of loans and originated MSR   2,468       2,372  
      Loan servicing fees, net   1,676       1,530  
      Title insurance income   853       892  
      Increase in cash value of life insurance   1,131       526  
      Other   2,754       3,108  
      Total noninterest income   12,827       12,440  
    Noninterest Expense              
      Salaries and employee benefits   28,309       29,558  
      Net occupancy and equipment expense   4,463       4,231  
      Software and data processing fees   4,731       4,462  
      Professional fees   2,556       1,021  
      Marketing expense   1,054       1,199  
      State financial institution tax   1,204       1,039  
      FDIC insurance premiums   961       1,166  
      Other   4,250       4,376  
      Total noninterest expense   47,528       47,052  
    Income before Income Tax   24,888       23,822  
    Provision for Income Taxes   4,623       4,306  
    Net Income $ 20,265     $ 19,516  
    Basic Earnings Per Share $ 10.04     $ 9.69  
    Diluted Earnings Per Share $ 9.75     $ 9.62  
                     
    Heartland BancCorp
    ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
    (Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)(Unaudited)
                         
    Asset Quality Ratios and Data:    
        Dec. 31, 2024   Sep. 30, 2024   Jun. 30, 2024   Mar. 31, 2024   Dec. 31, 2023
    Nonaccrual loans (excluding restructured loans)   $ 4,872     $ 1,881     $ 1,569     $ 1,817     $ 1,621  
    Nonaccrual restructured loans                              
    Loans past due 90 days and still accruing     3,559       5       513       149       468  
    Total non-performing loans     8,431       1,886       2,082       1,966       2,089  
                         
    OREO and other non-performing assets           30                   10  
    Total non-performing assets   $ 8,431     $ 1,916     $ 2,082     $ 1,966     $ 2,099  
                         
    Nonperforming loans to gross loans     0.54 %     0.12 %     0.13 %     0.13 %     0.13 %
    Nonperforming assets to total assets     0.43 %     0.10 %     0.11 %     0.10 %     0.11 %
    Allowance for credit losses to gross loans     1.15 %     1.15 %     1.15 %     1.17 %     1.16 %
    Unfunded commitment liability to gross loans     0.07 %     0.08 %     0.08 %     0.10 %     0.09 %
    ACL + UCL to gross loans     1.22 %     1.23 %     1.23 %     1.27 %     1.25 %
                         
    Contact: G. Scott McComb, Chairman, President & CEO
      Heartland BancCorp 614-337-4600

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Qorvo® Announces Fiscal 2025 Third Quarter Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GREENSBORO, N.C., Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Qorvo® (Nasdaq:QRVO), a leading global provider of connectivity and power solutions, today announced financial results for the Company’s fiscal 2025 third quarter ended December 28, 2024.

    On a GAAP basis, revenue for Qorvo’s fiscal 2025 third quarter was $916.3 million, gross margin was 42.7%, operating income was $53.0 million, and diluted earnings per share was $0.43. On a non-GAAP basis, gross margin was 46.5%, operating income was $177.9 million, and diluted earnings per share was $1.61.

    Bob Bruggeworth, president and chief executive officer of Qorvo, said, “Qorvo is executing on a broad set of strategic initiatives to expand margin, generate strong free cash flow, and increase shareholder value. During the December quarter, we continued to successfully support our largest customer, who represented approximately 50% of sales. Within our Android 5G product portfolio, we are narrowing our focus to the higher-value flagship and premium tiers, where customers value Qorvo’s differentiated products. In HPA, we had record Defense & Aerospace quarterly revenue and expect continued strength in the March quarter. As we continue to execute on our growth and diversification strategy, we expect HPA and CSG to deliver double-digit growth in fiscal 2025 and next fiscal year.”

    Financial Commentary and Outlook

    Grant Brown, chief financial officer of Qorvo, said, “Qorvo exceeded the midpoint of our December quarter non-GAAP guidance in revenue, gross margin, and EPS. During the quarter, we took proactive steps to change how we support our Android business. These actions will reduce operating expense and are expected to benefit gross margin in our fiscal 2026. Subsequent to the quarter, we divested our silicon carbide business. These actions, in aggregate, are expected to support a high-40%’s gross margin in seasonally strong quarters of fiscal 2026 and additional gross margin improvement in fiscal 2027.”

    Qorvo’s current outlook for the March 2025 quarter is:

    • Quarterly revenue of approximately $850 million, plus or minus $25 million1
    • Non-GAAP gross margin between 43% and 44%
    • Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share between $0.90 and $1.10

    1 Includes immaterial silicon carbide revenue, versus silicon carbide revenue of approximately $9 million in the December 2024 quarter

    See “Forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures” below. Qorvo’s actual quarterly results may differ from these expectations and projections, and such differences may be material.

    Selected Financial Information

    The following tables set forth selected GAAP and non-GAAP financial information for Qorvo for the periods indicated. See the more detailed financial information for Qorvo, including reconciliations of GAAP and non-GAAP financial information, attached.

    SELECTED GAAP RESULTS
    (In millions, except for percentages and EPS)
    (Unaudited)
                           
      Q3 Fiscal 2025   Q2 Fiscal 2025   Q3 Fiscal 2024   Sequential Change   Year-over-Year Change
    Revenue $ 916.3     $ 1,046.5     $ 1,073.9     $ (130.2 )   $ (157.6 )
    Gross profit $ 391.4     $ 445.3     $ 387.9     $ (53.9 )   $ 3.5  
    Gross margin   42.7 %     42.6 %     36.1 %   0.1 ppt   6.6 ppt
    Operating expenses $ 338.4     $ 435.6     $ 429.4     $ (97.2 )   $ (91.0 )
    Operating income (loss) $ 53.0     $ 9.7     $ (41.6 )   $ 43.3     $ 94.6  
    Net income (loss) $ 41.3     $ (17.4 )   $ (126.9 )   $ 58.7     $ 168.2  
    Weighted-average diluted shares   95.0       94.9       97.2       0.1       (2.2 )
    Diluted EPS (loss per share) $ 0.43     $ (0.18 )   $ (1.31 )   $ 0.61     $ 1.74  
                           
                           
    SELECTED NON-GAAP RESULTS(1)
    (In millions, except for percentages and EPS)
    (Unaudited)
                           
      Q3 Fiscal 2025   Q2 Fiscal 2025   Q3 Fiscal 2024   Sequential Change   Year-over-Year Change
    Revenue $ 916.3     $ 1,046.5     $ 1,073.9     $ (130.2 )   $ (157.6 )
    Gross profit $ 426.3     $ 492.0     $ 470.5     $ (65.7 )   $ (44.2 )
    Gross margin   46.5 %     47.0 %     43.8 %   (0.5) ppt   2.7 ppt
    Operating expenses $ 248.4     $ 279.8     $ 234.0     $ (31.4 )   $ 14.4  
    Operating income $ 177.9     $ 212.2     $ 236.5     $ (34.3 )   $ (58.6 )
    Net income $ 152.8     $ 179.8     $ 205.9     $ (27.0 )   $ (53.1 )
    Weighted-average diluted shares   95.0       95.8       97.8       (0.8 )     (2.8 )
    Diluted EPS $ 1.61     $ 1.88     $ 2.10     $ (0.27 )   $ (0.49 )

    (1) Adjusted for stock-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets, restructuring-related charges, acquisition and integration-related costs, goodwill and other asset impairments, net adjustments related to a terminated capacity reservation agreement, gain or loss on assets, other expense or income, gain or loss on investments, and an adjustment of income taxes.

    SELECTED GAAP RESULTS BY OPERATING SEGMENT
    (In millions, except percentages)
    (Unaudited)
      Q3 Fiscal 2025   Q2 Fiscal 2025   Q3 Fiscal 2024   Sequential Change   Year-over-Year Change
    Revenue                  
    HPA $ 171.7     $ 148.3     $ 118.9     15.8 %   44.4 %
    CSG   109.5       146.8       108.9     (25.4 )%   0.6 %
    ACG   635.1       751.4       846.1     (15.5 )%   (24.9 )%
    Total revenue $ 916.3     $ 1,046.5     $ 1,073.9     (12.4 )%   (14.7 )%
    Operating income (loss)                  
    HPA $ 32.6     $ 13.1     $ 1.6     148.9 %   1,937.5 %
    CSG   (11.7 )     (9.0 )     (25.6 )   (30.0 )%   54.3 %
    ACG   161.2       215.1       263.8     (25.1 )%   (38.9 )%
    All other(1)   (129.1 )     (209.5 )     (281.4 )   38.4 %   54.1 %
    Total operating income (loss) $ 53.0     $ 9.7     $ (41.6 )   446.4 %   227.4 %
    Operating income (loss) as a % of revenue                      
    HPA   19.0 %     8.8 %     1.3 %   10.2 ppt   17.7 ppt
    CSG   (10.7 )     (6.1 )     (23.5 )   (4.6) ppt   12.8 ppt
    ACG   25.4       28.6       31.2     (3.2) ppt   (5.8) ppt
    Total operating income (loss) as a % of revenue   5.8 %     0.9 %   (3.9 )%   4.9 ppt   9.7 ppt

    (1) Includes stock-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets, restructuring-related charges, acquisition and integration-related costs, goodwill and other asset impairments, net adjustments related to a terminated capacity reservation agreement, gain or loss on assets, other expense or income, costs associated with upgrading certain of the Company’s core business systems and other miscellaneous corporate overhead expenses.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    In addition to disclosing financial results calculated in accordance with United States (U.S.) generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), this earnings release contains some or all of the following non-GAAP financial measures: (i) non-GAAP gross profit and gross margin, (ii) non-GAAP operating expenses, operating income and operating margin, (iii) non-GAAP net income, (iv) non-GAAP net income per diluted share, (v) free cash flow, (vi) EBITDA, (vii) non-GAAP return on invested capital (ROIC), and (viii) net debt or positive net cash. Each of these non-GAAP financial measures is either adjusted from GAAP results to exclude certain expenses or derived from multiple GAAP measures, which are outlined in the “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures” tables, attached, and the “Additional Selected Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliations” tables, attached.

    In managing Qorvo’s business on a consolidated basis, management develops an annual operating plan, which is approved by our Board of Directors, using non-GAAP financial measures. In developing and monitoring performance against this plan, management considers the actual or potential impacts on these non-GAAP financial measures from actions taken to reduce costs with the goal of increasing gross margin and operating margin. In addition, management relies upon these non-GAAP financial measures to assess whether research and development efforts are at an appropriate level, and when making decisions about product spending, administrative budgets, and other operating expenses. Also, we believe that non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information to investors and enable investors to analyze the results of operations in the same way as management. We have chosen to provide this supplemental information to enable investors to perform additional comparisons of our operating results, to assess our liquidity and capital position and to analyze financial performance excluding the effect of expenses unrelated to operations, and stock-based compensation expense, which may obscure trends in Qorvo’s underlying performance.

    We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures offer an additional view of Qorvo’s operations that, when coupled with the GAAP results and the reconciliations to corresponding GAAP financial measures, provide a more complete understanding of Qorvo’s results of operations and the factors and trends affecting Qorvo’s business. However, these non-GAAP financial measures should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, the corresponding measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.

    Our rationale for using these non-GAAP financial measures, as well as their impact on the presentation of Qorvo’s operations, are outlined below:

    Non-GAAP gross profit and gross margin. Non-GAAP gross profit and gross margin exclude amortization of intangible assets, stock-based compensation expense, restructuring-related charges, acquisition and integration-related costs, and certain other expense (income). We believe that exclusion of these costs in presenting non-GAAP gross profit and gross margin facilitates a useful evaluation of our historical performance and projected costs and the potential for realizing cost efficiencies.

    We view amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, such as the amortization of the cost associated with an acquired company’s research and development efforts, trade names, and customer relationships, as items arising from pre-acquisition activities, determined at the time of an acquisition, rather than ongoing costs of operating Qorvo’s business. While these intangible assets are continually evaluated for impairment, amortization of the cost of purchased intangible assets is a static expense, which is not typically affected by operations during any particular period. Although we exclude the amortization of purchased intangible assets from these non-GAAP financial measures, management believes that it is important for investors to understand that such intangible assets were recorded as part of purchase price accounting and contribute to revenue generation.

    We believe that presentation of non-GAAP gross profit and gross margin and other non-GAAP financial measures that exclude the impact of stock-based compensation expense assists management and investors in evaluating the period-over-period performance of Qorvo’s ongoing operations because (i) the expenses are non-cash in nature, and (ii) although the size of the grants is within our control, the amount of expense varies depending on factors such as short-term fluctuations in stock price volatility and prevailing interest rates, which can be unrelated to the operational performance of Qorvo during the period in which the expense is incurred and generally are outside the control of management. Moreover, we believe that the exclusion of stock-based compensation expense in presenting non-GAAP gross profit and gross margin and other non-GAAP financial measures is useful to investors to understand the impact of the expensing of stock-based compensation to Qorvo’s gross profit and gross margins and other financial measures in comparison to prior periods. We also believe that the adjustments to profit and margin related to restructuring-related charges, and acquisition and integration-related costs do not constitute part of Qorvo’s ongoing operations and therefore the exclusion of these items provides management and investors with better visibility into the actual costs required to generate revenues over time and facilitates a useful evaluation of our historical and projected performance. We believe disclosure of non-GAAP gross profit and gross margin has economic substance because the excluded expenses do not represent continuing cash expenditures and, as described above, we have little control over the timing and amount of the expenses in question.

    Non-GAAP gross profit and gross margin also exclude net adjustments related to a terminated capacity reservation agreement. In October 2023, a long-term capacity reservation agreement with a foundry supplier was amended. Pursuant to the amendment, Qorvo is no longer obligated to order silicon wafers from the foundry supplier and the agreement was terminated effective December 31, 2023. Included in the net adjustments to our cost of goods sold for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 is a contract termination fee which we paid during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024. We believe these net adjustments are not reflective of the performance of our ongoing business.

    Non-GAAP operating expenses, operating income and operating margin. Non-GAAP operating expenses, operating income and operating margin exclude stock-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets, acquisition and integration-related costs, goodwill and other asset impairments, restructuring-related charges, net adjustments related to a terminated capacity reservation agreement, (gain) loss on assets and certain other expense (income). We believe that presentation of a measure of operating expenses, operating income and operating margin that excludes amortization of intangible assets and stock-based compensation expense is useful to both management and investors for the same reasons as described above with respect to our use of non-GAAP gross profit and gross margin. We believe that acquisition and integration-related costs, goodwill and other asset impairments, restructuring-related charges, net adjustments related to a terminated capacity reservation agreement, (gain) loss on assets and certain other expense (income) do not constitute part of Qorvo’s ongoing operations and therefore, the exclusion of these costs provides management and investors with better visibility into the actual costs required to generate revenues over time and facilitates a useful evaluation of our historical and projected performance. We believe disclosure of non-GAAP operating expenses, operating income and operating margin has economic substance because the excluded expenses are either unrelated to ongoing operations or do not represent current cash expenditures.

    Non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per diluted share. Non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per diluted share exclude the effects of stock-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets, acquisition and integration-related costs, goodwill and other asset impairments, restructuring-related charges, net adjustments related to a terminated capacity reservation agreement, (gain) loss on assets, certain other expense (income), gain or loss on investments, and also reflect an adjustment of income taxes. The income tax adjustment primarily represents the use of research and development tax credit carryforwards, deferred tax expense (benefit) items not affecting taxes payable, adjustments related to the deemed and actual repatriation of historical foreign earnings, non-cash expense (benefit) related to uncertain tax positions and other items unrelated to the current fiscal year or that are not indicative of our ongoing business operations. We believe that presentation of measures of net income and net income per diluted share that exclude these items is useful to both management and investors for the reasons described above with respect to non-GAAP gross profit and gross margin and non-GAAP operating expenses, operating income and operating margin. We believe disclosure of non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per diluted share has economic substance because the excluded expenses are either unrelated to ongoing operations or do not represent current cash expenditures.

    Free cash flow. Qorvo defines free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities during the period minus property and equipment expenditures made during the period, and free cash flow margin is calculated as free cash flow as a percentage of revenue. We use free cash flow as a supplemental financial measure in our evaluation of liquidity and financial strength. Management believes that this measure is useful as an indicator of our ability to service our debt, meet other payment obligations and make strategic investments. Free cash flow should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, net income as a measure of our performance and net cash provided by operating activities as a measure of our liquidity. Additionally, our definition of free cash flow is limited, in that it does not represent residual cash flows available for discretionary expenditures due to the fact that the measure does not deduct the payments required for debt service and other contractual obligations. Therefore, we believe it is important to view free cash flow as a measure that provides supplemental information to our entire statement of cash flows.

    EBITDA. Qorvo adjusts GAAP net income for interest expense, interest income, income tax expense (benefit), depreciation and intangible amortization expense, stock-based compensation and other charges that are not representative of Qorvo’s ongoing operations (including goodwill and other asset impairments, investment activity, acquisition-related costs and restructuring-related costs and certain net adjustments related to a terminated capacity reservation agreement) when presenting EBITDA. Management believes that this measure is useful to evaluate our ongoing operations and as a general indicator of our operating cash flow (in conjunction with a cash flow statement which also includes among other items, changes in working capital and the effect of non-cash charges).

    Non-GAAP ROIC. Return on invested capital (ROIC) is a non-GAAP financial measure that management believes provides useful supplemental information for management and the investor by measuring the effectiveness of our operations’ use of invested capital to generate profits. We use ROIC to track how much value we are creating for our shareholders. Non-GAAP ROIC is calculated by dividing annualized non-GAAP operating income, net of an adjustment for income taxes (as described above), by average invested capital. Average invested capital is calculated by subtracting the average of the beginning balance and the ending balance of equity plus net debt, less certain goodwill.

    Net debt or positive net cash. Net debt or positive net cash is defined as unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments minus any borrowings under our credit facility and the principal balance of our senior unsecured notes. Management believes that net debt or positive net cash provides useful information regarding the level of Qorvo’s indebtedness by reflecting cash and investments that could be used to repay debt.

    Inventory days on hand. Inventory days on hand is defined as (a) average net inventory for the period, divided by (b) the result of non-GAAP cost of goods sold for the period divided by the number of days in the period.

    Forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures. Our earnings release contains forward-looking free cash flow, gross margin, income tax rate and diluted earnings per share. We provide these non-GAAP measures to investors on a prospective basis for the same reasons (set forth above) that we provide them to investors on a historical basis. We are unable to provide a reconciliation of the forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP financial measures without unreasonable effort due to variability and difficulty in making accurate projections for items that would be required to be included in the GAAP measures, such as stock-based compensation, acquisition and integration-related costs, restructuring-related charges, gain or loss on assets, goodwill and other asset impairments, gain or loss on investments and the provision for income taxes, which could have a potentially significant impact on our future GAAP results.

    Limitations of non-GAAP financial measures. The primary material limitations associated with the use of non-GAAP financial measures as an analytical tool compared to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are these non-GAAP financial measures (i) may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies in our industry, and (ii) exclude financial information that some may consider important in evaluating our performance, thus limiting their usefulness as a comparative tool. We compensate for these limitations by providing full disclosure of the differences between these non-GAAP financial measures and the corresponding GAAP financial measures, including a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to the corresponding GAAP financial measures, to enable investors to perform their own analysis of our gross profit and gross margin, operating expenses, operating income, net income, net income per diluted share and net cash provided by operating activities. We further compensate for the limitations of our use of non-GAAP financial measures by presenting the corresponding GAAP measures more prominently.

    Qorvo will conduct a conference call at 4:30 p.m. ET today to discuss today’s press release. The conference call will be broadcast live over the Internet and can be accessed by any interested party at the following URL: https://ir.qorvo.com (under “Events & Presentations”). A telephone playback of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after the call’s completion and can be accessed by dialing 1-412-317-0088 and using the passcode 8143934. The playback will be available through the close of business February 4, 2025.

    About Qorvo

    Qorvo (Nasdaq:QRVO) supplies innovative semiconductor solutions that make a better world possible. We combine product and technology leadership, systems-level expertise and global manufacturing scale to quickly solve our customers’ most complex technical challenges. Qorvo serves diverse high-growth segments of large global markets, including automotive, consumer, defense & aerospace, industrial & enterprise, infrastructure and mobile. Visit www.qorvo.com to learn how our diverse and innovative team is helping connect, protect and power our planet.

    Qorvo is a registered trademark of Qorvo, Inc. in the U.S. and in other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

    This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives, representations and contentions, and are not historical facts and typically are identified by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue” and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. You should be aware that the forward-looking statements included herein represent management’s current judgment and expectations as of the date the statement is first made, but our actual results, events and performance could differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. We caution you not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements. We do not intend to update any of these forward-looking statements or publicly announce the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements, other than as is required under U.S. federal securities laws. Our business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including those relating to fluctuations in our operating results on a quarterly and annual basis; our substantial dependence on developing new products and achieving design wins; our dependence on several large customers for a substantial portion of our revenue; a loss of revenue if defense and aerospace contracts are canceled or delayed; our dependence on third parties; risks related to sales through distributors; risks associated with the operation of our manufacturing facilities; business disruptions; poor manufacturing yields; increased inventory risks and costs, due to timing of customers’ forecasts; our inability to effectively manage or maintain relationships with chipset suppliers; our ability to continue to innovate in a very competitive industry; underutilization of manufacturing facilities; unfavorable changes in interest rates, pricing of certain precious metals, utility rates and foreign currency exchange rates; our acquisitions, divestitures and other strategic investments failing to achieve financial or strategic objectives; our ability to attract, retain and motivate key employees; warranty claims, product recalls and product liability; changes in our effective tax rate; enactment of international or domestic tax legislation, or changes in regulatory guidance; changes in the favorable tax status of certain of our subsidiaries; risks associated with social, environmental, health and safety regulations, and climate change; risks from international sales and operations; economic regulation in China; changes in government trade policies, including imposition of tariffs and export restrictions; we may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our debt; restrictions imposed by the agreements governing our debt; our reliance on our intellectual property portfolio; claims of infringement of third-party intellectual property rights; security breaches, failed system upgrades or regular maintenance and other similar disruptions to our IT systems; theft, loss or misuse of personal data by or about our employees, customers or third parties; provisions in our governing documents and Delaware law may discourage takeovers and business combinations that our stockholders might consider to be in their best interests; and volatility in the price of our common stock. These and other risks and uncertainties, which are described in more detail under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 30, 2024, and Qorvo’s subsequent reports and statements that we file with the SEC, could cause actual results and developments to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any of these forward-looking statements.

    # # #

    Financial Tables to Follow

    QORVO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
    (In thousands, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)
     
      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
      December 28, 2024   December 30, 2023   December 28, 2024   December 30, 2023
    Revenue $ 916,317     $ 1,073,861     $ 2,849,497     $ 2,828,518  
                   
    Costs and expenses:              
    Cost of goods sold   524,901       685,983       1,680,471       1,721,880  
    Research and development   179,126       164,329       567,778       502,366  
    Selling, general and administrative   90,360       86,914       313,043       296,033  
    Other operating expense   68,905       178,204       220,899       246,516  
    Total costs and expenses   863,292       1,115,430       2,782,191       2,766,795  
                   
    Operating income (loss)   53,025       (41,569 )     67,306       61,723  
    Interest expense   (18,655 )     (17,581 )     (58,343 )     (51,963 )
    Other income, net   14,526       15,359       41,713       34,286  
                   
    Income (loss) before income taxes   48,896       (43,791 )     50,676       44,046  
    Income tax expense   (7,625 )     (83,147 )     (26,426 )     (117,103 )
    Net income (loss) $ 41,271     $ (126,938 )   $ 24,250     $ (73,057 )
                   
    Net income (loss) per share:              
    Basic $ 0.44     $ (1.31 )   $ 0.26     $ (0.75 )
    Diluted $ 0.43     $ (1.31 )   $ 0.25     $ (0.75 )
                   
    Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding:              
    Basic   94,341       97,152       94,942       97,905  
    Diluted   95,031       97,152       95,808       97,905  
     
    QORVO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
    (In thousands, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)
     
      Three Months Ended
      December 28, 2024   September 28, 2024   December 30, 2023
               
    GAAP operating income (loss) $ 53,025     $ 9,675     $ (41,569 )
    Stock-based compensation expense   28,384       38,181       21,755  
    Amortization of intangible assets   26,085       29,482       29,787  
    Restructuring-related charges   68,072       34,396       6,075  
    Acquisition and integration-related costs   1,382       1,211       2,529  
    Goodwill impairment         96,458       173,414  
    Net adjustments related to a terminated capacity reservation agreement   (1,253 )     885       51,864  
    Other expense (income)   2,216       1,926       (7,333 )
    Non-GAAP operating income $ 177,911     $ 212,214     $ 236,522  
               
    GAAP net income (loss) $ 41,271     $ (17,435 )   $ (126,938 )
    Stock-based compensation expense   28,384       38,181       21,755  
    Amortization of intangible assets   26,085       29,482       29,787  
    Restructuring-related charges   68,072       34,396       6,075  
    Acquisition and integration-related costs   1,382       1,211       2,529  
    Goodwill impairment         96,458       173,414  
    Net adjustments related to a terminated capacity reservation agreement   (1,253 )     885       51,864  
    Other expense (income)   600       (506 )     (12,252 )
    (Gain) loss on investments   (1,721 )     780       464  
    Adjustment of income taxes   (10,067 )     (3,611 )     59,161  
    Non-GAAP net income $ 152,753     $ 179,841     $ 205,859  
               
    GAAP weighted-average outstanding diluted shares   95,031       94,886       97,152  
    Dilutive stock-based awards         867       666  
    Non-GAAP weighted-average outstanding diluted shares   95,031       95,753       97,818  
               
    Non-GAAP net income per share, diluted $ 1.61     $ 1.88     $ 2.10  
     
    QORVO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
    (Unaudited)
     
      Three Months Ended
    (in thousands, except percentages) December 28, 2024   September 28, 2024   December 30, 2023
    GAAP gross profit/margin $ 391,416   42.7 %   $ 445,306   42.6 %   $ 387,878   36.1 %
    Stock-based compensation expense   5,742   0.6       6,047   0.6       5,575   0.5  
    Amortization of intangible assets   23,462   2.6       25,523   2.4       25,457   2.4  
    Restructuring-related charges   6,931   0.7       15,414   1.4       (250 )  
    Acquisition and integration-related costs   1         636   0.1       1    
    Net adjustments related to a terminated capacity reservation agreement   (1,253 ) (0.1 )     (885 ) (0.1 )     51,864   4.8  
    Non-GAAP gross profit/margin $ 426,299   46.5 %   $ 492,041   47.0 %   $ 470,525   43.8 %
     
      Three Months Ended
    Non-GAAP Operating Income December 28, 2024
    (as a percentage of revenue)  
       
    GAAP operating income 5.8 %
    Stock-based compensation expense 3.1  
    Amortization of intangible assets 2.8  
    Restructuring-related charges 7.4  
    Acquisition and integration-related costs 0.2  
    Net adjustments related to a terminated capacity reservation agreement (0.1 )
    Other expense 0.2  
    Non-GAAP operating income 19.4 %
      Three Months Ended
    Free Cash Flow(1) December 28, 2024
    (in millions)  
       
    Net cash provided by operating activities $ 214.1  
    Purchases of property and equipment   (37.8 )
    Free cash flow $ 176.3  

    (1) Free Cash Flow is calculated as net cash provided by operating activities minus property and equipment expenditures.

    QORVO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    ADDITIONAL SELECTED NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES AND RECONCILIATIONS
    (In thousands)
    (Unaudited)
     
      Three Months Ended
      December 28, 2024   September 28, 2024   December 30, 2023
    GAAP research and development expense $ 179,126   $ 201,050   $ 164,329  
    Less:          
    Stock-based compensation expense   13,650     13,468     11,830  
    Acquisition and integration-related costs   1     2     2  
    Non-GAAP research and development expense $ 165,475   $ 187,580   $ 152,497  
               
      Three Months Ended
      December 28, 2024   September 28, 2024   December 30, 2023
    GAAP selling, general and administrative expense $ 90,360   $ 107,760   $ 86,914  
    Less:          
    Stock-based compensation expense   8,985     18,488     4,336  
    Amortization of intangible assets   2,623     3,959     4,330  
    Acquisition and integration-related costs       1      
    Non-GAAP selling, general and administrative expense $ 78,752   $ 85,312   $ 78,248  
               
      Three Months Ended
      December 28, 2024   September 28, 2024   December 30, 2023
    GAAP other operating expense $ 68,905   $ 126,821   $ 178,204  
    Less:          
    Stock-based compensation expense   7     178     14  
    Restructuring-related charges   61,141     18,982     6,325  
    Acquisition and integration-related costs   1,380     572     2,526  
    Goodwill impairment       96,458     173,414  
    Other expense (income)   2,216     3,696     (7,333 )
    Non-GAAP other operating expense $ 4,161   $ 6,935   $ 3,258  
               
      Three Months Ended
      December 28, 2024   September 28, 2024   December 30, 2023
    GAAP total operating expense $ 338,391   $ 435,631   $ 429,447  
    Less:          
    Stock-based compensation expense   22,642     32,134     16,180  
    Amortization of intangible assets   2,623     3,959     4,330  
    Restructuring-related charges   61,141     18,982     6,325  
    Acquisition and integration-related costs   1,381     575     2,528  
    Goodwill impairment       96,458     173,414  
    Other expense (income)   2,216     3,696     (7,333 )
    Non-GAAP total operating expense $ 248,388   $ 279,827   $ 234,003  
     
    QORVO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (In thousands)
    (Unaudited)
     
      December 28, 2024   March 30, 2024
    ASSETS      
    Current assets:      
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 769,432   $ 1,029,258
    Accounts receivable, net   427,863     412,960
    Inventories   656,216     710,555
    Other current assets   126,917     133,983
    Assets of disposal group held for sale   116,435     159,278
    Total current assets   2,096,863     2,446,034
           
    Property and equipment, net   820,874     870,982
    Goodwill   2,437,234     2,534,601
    Intangible assets, net   332,338     509,383
    Long-term investments   25,692     23,252
    Other non-current assets   250,095     170,383
    Total assets $ 5,963,096   $ 6,554,635
           
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY      
    Current liabilities:      
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 551,676   $ 589,760
    Current portion of long-term debt       438,740
    Other current liabilities   227,110     113,215
    Liabilities of disposal group held for sale   29,075     88,372
    Total current liabilities   807,861     1,230,087
           
    Long-term debt   1,549,230     1,549,272
    Other long-term liabilities   225,572     218,904
    Total liabilities   2,582,663     2,998,263
           
    Stockholders’ equity   3,380,433     3,556,372
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 5,963,096   $ 6,554,635
     

    At Qorvo®
    Doug DeLieto
    VP, Investor Relations
    1.336.678.7968

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Micron Announces Investor Event

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BOISE, Idaho, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Micron Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: MU) announced today that company executives will participate at the Wolfe Research Auto, Auto Tech and Semiconductor Conference in New York, New York on Wednesday, February 12, at 6:50 a.m. Mountain time.

    Live webcasts and subsequent replays of presentations can be accessed from Micron’s Investor Relations website at investors.micron.com/.

    About Micron Technology, Inc.  
    We are an industry leader in innovative memory and storage solutions transforming how the world uses information to enrich life for all. With a relentless focus on our customers, technology leadership, and manufacturing and operational excellence, Micron delivers a rich portfolio of high-performance DRAM, NAND and NOR memory and storage products through our Micron® and Crucial® brands. Every day, the innovations that our people create fuel the data economy, enabling advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and compute-intensive applications that unleash opportunities — from the data center to the intelligent edge and across the client and mobile user experience. To learn more about Micron Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: MU), visit micron.com.

    © 2025 Micron Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Information, products, and/or specifications are subject to change without notice. Micron, the Micron logo, and all other Micron trademarks are the property of Micron Technology, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

    Micron Media Relations Contact
    Mark Plungy
    Micron Technology, Inc.
    +1 (408) 203-2910
    mplungy@micron.com

    Micron Investor Relations Contact
    Satya Kumar
    Micron Technology, Inc.
    +1 (408) 450-6199
    satyakumar@micron.com  

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Springfield Advises Caution in Online Relationships

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

    As Valentine’s Day approaches, FBI Springfield takes the opportunity to remind the public that online relationships are not always as they appear. While many people find authentic rewarding relationships online, far too many fall prey to romance scams. In this type of scam, a criminal adopts a fake online identity to gain a victim’s affection and trust with the illusion of a romantic or close relationship in order to steal the victim’s money, personal or financial information, or even items of value.

    Scammers use well-rehearsed scripts that have been used repeatedly and successfully, typically targeting victims via dating websites or apps, with the intention of establishing a relationship as quickly as possible. Some even keep journals on their victims to better understand how to manipulate and exploit them.

    In 2023, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center reported that Illinoisians lost almost $19 million in romance scams, a slight increase from the previous year. Nationwide, the dollar loss has declined slightly every year from 2021 to 2023; however, victims still lost $652.5 million in 2023.

    “If someone has already sent money, the FBI will make every effort to see that the funds are returned to the victim by working with other law enforcement agencies and financial institutions, but oftentimes it can be difficult to investigate. That’s why the FBI relies on education and awareness to deter individuals from falling victim to these scams,” said Springfield Field Office Special Agent in Charge Christopher Johnson. “Proceed carefully and stay alert to warning signs from the very beginning to avoid the emotional and financial fall-out that accompanies romance scams.”

    Romance scammers actively search dating websites, apps, chat rooms, and social networking sites in their efforts to build a relationship with an unwitting victim. Here are some red flags that might indicate you are headed for heartbreak.

    • You are asked to leave the dating website where you met to communicate solely through email or instant messaging.
    • The individual sends you a photo that looks like a glamour shot out of a magazine.
    • The individual professes love quickly.
    • The individual tries to isolate you from friends and family.
    • The individual claims to be working and living far away.
    • Plans made to visit you always cancel because of an emergency.
    • You are asked to send money, personal and financial information, items of value, or to launder money.
    • The individual uses stories of severe life circumstances, tragedies, deaths in the family, injuries to themselves, or other hardships to keep their victims concerned and involved.
    • A claim they have knowledge of cryptocurrency investments or trading opportunities that will result in substantial profits.

    FBI Springfield offers the following tips to avoid becoming a victim.

    • Go slow and ask questions.
    • If you suspect an online relationship is a scam, stop all contact immediately.
    • Never send money to someone you met online and have not met in person.
    • Never share your Social Security number or other personally identifiable information.
    • Research the individual’s picture and profile using other online search tools.
    • If you are planning to meet someone in person, proceed with caution, especially if you plan to travel to a foreign country.
    • Be careful what you post and make public online as scammers can use details shared on social media and dating sites to better understand and target you.
    • If you haven’t met the individual in person after a few months, you have good reason to be suspicious.

    Many times, victims may feel embarrassed, ashamed, or humiliated and be reluctant to share their victimization with anyone, let alone report it to law enforcement. However, the FBI encourages anyone who has been victimized by this fraud or unsuccessfully targeted to contact FBI Springfield at 217-522-9675 and file a complaint with the FBI’s IC3. Coming forward will provide law enforcement with the necessary information to ensure online imposters are stopped and brought to justice.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Career Felon Caught with Fentanyl, Firearm Sentenced to 17 Years

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

    Ryan Partridge had a pending arrest warrant when pulled over by Augusta police officers

    BANGOR, Maine: An Augusta man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for distributing and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and possessing a gun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

    U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Ryan Partridge, 35, to 204 months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release.

    According to court records, in July 2023, Partridge was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by officers from the Augusta Police Department. During a search of the vehicle, investigators recovered a backpack with approximately 125 grams of fentanyl and a 9mm pistol inside, and Partridge admitted to investigators that the backpack and its contents belonged to him. At the time of the stop, Partridge, a career criminal with 12 prior convictions including two drug felonies, was on probation for a 2019 conviction for aggravated trafficking of fentanyl. He also had a pending arrest warrant for failing to report a change of address.

    The FBI and U.S. Border Patrol investigated the case with assistance from the Augusta Police Department.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI: Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 28.01.2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Nokia Corporation
    Stock Exchange Release
    28 January 2025 at 22:30 EET

    Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 28.01.2025

    Espoo, Finland – On 28 January 2025 Nokia Corporation (LEI: 549300A0JPRWG1KI7U06) has acquired its own shares (ISIN FI0009000681) as follows:

    Trading venue (MIC Code) Number of shares Weighted average price / share, EUR*
    XHEL 872,093 4.32
    CEUX
    BATE
    AQEU
    TQEX
    Total 872,093 4.32

    * Rounded to two decimals

    On 22 November 2024, Nokia announced that its Board of Directors is initiating a share buyback program to offset the dilutive effect of new Nokia shares issued to the shareholders of Infinera Corporation and certain Infinera Corporation share-based incentives. The repurchases in compliance with the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 (MAR), the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 and under the authorization granted by Nokia’s Annual General Meeting on 3 April 2024 started on 25 November 2024 and end by 31 December 2025 and target to repurchase 150 million shares for a maximum aggregate purchase price of EUR 900 million.

    Total cost of transactions executed on 28 January 2025 was EUR 3,763,605. After the disclosed transactions, Nokia Corporation holds 233,414,712 treasury shares.

    Details of transactions are included as an appendix to this announcement.

    On behalf of Nokia Corporation

    BofA Securities Europe SA

    About Nokia
    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

    As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

    With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

    Inquiries:

    Nokia Communications
    Phone: +358 10 448 4900
    Email: press.services@nokia.com
    Maria Vaismaa, Global Head of External Communications

    Nokia Investor Relations
    Phone: +358 931 580 507
    Email: investor.relations@nokia.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Discount Doctor to Visit United Kingdom in Support of Investment Trusts

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RYE, N.Y., Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — David Schachter, Senior Vice President of GAMCO Investors, Inc., will visit the United Kingdom to convey support for the British investment trust industry.

    With over 40 years of experience exclusively with retail, long term, closed-end fund investors, Mr. Schachter, a most senior and experienced veteran of the U.S. Closed End Fund industry, was recently given the title of Discount Doctor by the Trustees of The GAMCO Natural Resources, Gold & Income Trust (GNT), which trades on the NYSE.

    Mr. Schachter said, “The way I see it, the United States owes a debt to the British Investment Trust Industry, which helped build our railroads in the 1800s. Last week in his inauguration speech, President Trump spoke of America’s achievements stating, ‘In America, the impossible is what we do best…Together they laid down the railroads …and triumphed over every single challenge that they faced.’”

    During the 19th century, capital was raised through closed-end funds. These funds helped build the railroads, which linked the American continent from sea to sea and led to the nation’s economic success.

    Today, in the early 21st century, closed-end funds are being threatened for elimination by hedged activists for short-term and short-sighted value extraction.

    “Closed-end funds are a metaphor for long-term, patient capital, but they also represent freedom for investors who, in a sector where mass redemptions could force portfolio managers to sell, is an essential ability to those who may not want to be herded into selling.”

    Mr. Schachter plans to visit the offices of the Association of Investment Companies (AIC) and speak with the press and interested U.K. investors.

    He remarked that recent activism is emblematic of short-termism and notes activist claims of being aligned with “Mom and Pop” investors as being absurd. “When it comes to activism, the playing field isn’t level at all…unlike Mom and Pop, sophisticated activists are hedged on a fund’s underlying portfolio.” Schachter commented, “As the Discount Doctor, it is critical to cure the ill without killing the patient in the process.”

    Financial professionals and investors are invited to contact Mr. Schachter directly at (914) 921-5057 or (800) GABELLI.

    Gabelli Funds, LLC is the adviser to thirteen closed-end funds which trade on the NYSE: Gabelli Equity Trust (NYSE: GAB), Gabelli Convertible & Income Securities Fund (NYSE: GCV), Gabelli Multimedia Trust (NYSE: GGT), Gabelli Utility Trust (NYSE: GUT), Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust (NYSE: GDV), Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust (NYSE American: GLU), GAMCO Global Gold Natural Resources & Income Trust (NYSE American: GGN), The GDL Fund (NYSE: GDL), Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRX Trust (NYSE: GRX), GAMCO Natural Resources, Gold & Income Trust (NYSE: GNT), Gabelli Global Small and Mid-Cap Value Trust (NYSE: GGZ), Bancroft Fund (NYSE American: BCV) and Ellsworth Growth & Income Fund (NYSE American: ECF). As of December 31, 2024, the thirteen Gabelli closed-end funds had total assets of $7.3 billion.

    Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of a Fund before investing. For more information regarding the Funds, call:

    David Schachter
    (914) 921-5057

    A Fund’s NAV per share will fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. Stocks are subject to market, economic, and business risks that cause their prices to fluctuate. Investors acquire shares of the Fund on a securities exchange at market value, which fluctuates according to the dynamics of supply and demand. When Fund shares are sold, they may be worth more or less than their original cost. Consequently, you can lose money by investing in a Fund.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Security: Crime spree sends young carjacker to prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 19-year-old Houston resident has been sentenced for stealing a car that was later used in an alien smuggling scheme, announced acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

    Jesus Jonathan Rodriguez pleaded guilty to carjacking Sept. 23, 2024.

    U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos has now ordered Rodriguez to serve 42 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard that Rodriguez stole the car in order to use it in an alien smuggling attempt. In handing down the sentence, Judge Ramos noted the seriousness of the offense.

    On May 19, 2024, Rodriguez and Christian Hardy arranged to steal a Ford Fiesta in order to carry out an alien smuggling scheme. Outside a convenience store in Edinburg, they approached the driver of the car, and while Rodriguez spoke to the driver, Hardy climbed into the car. Rodriguez brandished a gun and threatened the owner of the car and both men drove away in the Ford.  

    The following day, Rodriguez and Hardy approached the Falfurrias Border Patrol checkpoint driving the Ford. Authorities had discovered the vehicle had been reported stolen and referred them to secondary inspection. There, they found two illegal aliens in the trunk. Law enforcement also found  a firearm on Rodriguez upon his arrest.

    Hardy, 18, Richmond, also pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.

    Rodriguez will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

    Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol and the Edinburg Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Martin prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Albany Woman Indicted for Money Laundering

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBANY, NEW YORK – Drasana Johnson, age 27, of Albany, has been indicted for laundering over $850,000 in stolen government funds, approximately $200,000 of which she used to purchase a residential property.

    United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Charmeka Parker, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG) Northeast Region, made the announcement.

    The indictment alleges that from May 25, 2023, through June 30, 2023, Johnson conducted seven monetary transactions each of a value greater than $10,000 and derived from the theft of government property.

    According to a previously filed criminal complaint, Johnson laundered federal funds that Asjid Parvez stole from a U.S. Department of Agriculture program that helped struggling farmers pay off their loans. The charges in the indictment and complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    The money laundering charges carry a maximum term of 10 years in prison, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

    Parvez, of Albany, was sentenced in May 2024 to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to theft of federal funds.

    The FBI has already seized $516,974.54 traceable to the federal funds that Parvez stole, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Asset Recovery Unit has filed a civil action seeking the forfeiture of a residential property in Albany that Johnson is accused of purchased using approximately $202,675 in stolen funds.

    The case is being investigated by the FBI and the USDA Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Paulbeck is prosecuting the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Conger is representing the United States in the asset forfeiture action.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Global: Commerce oversees everything from weather and salmon to trade and census − here are 3 challenges awaiting new secretary

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Linda J. Bilmes, Daniel Patrick Moynihan Senior Lecturer in Public Policy and Public Finance, Harvard Kennedy School

    Howard Lutnick, left, is President Donald Trump’s nominee to run the Commerce Department. AP Photo/Evan Vucci

    The U.S. secretary of commerce oversees the smallest but arguably most complex of all Cabinet-level departments.

    Established as a distinct entity in 1913, it has evolved into a sprawling organization with 13 bureaus spanning a wide variety of critical areas that include weather forecasting, conducting the census, estimating gross domestic product, managing fisheries, promoting U.S. exports, setting standards for new technology and allocating radio frequency spectrum. It is even home to one of America’s eight uniformed military services, the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps with its own fleet of ships, aircraft and 321 commissioned officers. Its main mission is to monitor oceans, waterways and the atmosphere in support of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration.

    As a result, there is no other Cabinet position that has to engage with lawmakers in Congress across so many disparate technical issues, committees and stakeholders. This medley reflects both the historical evolution of the U.S. economy and a degree of political happenstance.

    I served at the Commerce Department in several roles, including as chief financial officer and assistant secretary for administration, management and budget, and have watched several administrations attempt to craft an overarching strategic narrative around this diverse set of missions.

    Besides the difficult job of formulating a unifying strategy for the department’s many activities, I believe there are three specific challenges in particular that await the next secretary, a position that requires Senate confirmation.

    The Commerce Department manages salmon as part of its National Marine Fisheries Service.
    AP Photo/Manuel Valdes

    Commerce: A sprawling bureauocracy

    From its earliest days, the Commerce Department has collected trade statistics, overseen lighthouses and issued patents and trademarks. But since then, its portfolio has expanded significantly.

    In 1970, NOAA was placed inside Commerce, partly as a result of a feud between President Richard Nixon and his interior secretary, Wally Hickel, over the Vietnam War. NOAA now accounts for more than half the department’s US$11 billion budget and has created some peculiar departmental overlaps.

    As President Barack Obama joked in his 2011 State of the Union speech, “The Interior Department is in charge of salmon while they’re in freshwater, but the Commerce Department handles them when they’re in saltwater.”

    While the joke wasn’t quite accurate – a division of Commerce manages salmon in both fresh and saltwater, though Interior does restore their habitat – it does reflect some odd situations. For example, when it comes to sea turtles, Interior oversees their nests on shore, whereas Commerce protects them in the open sea.

    Due to the department’s broad interests, the commerce secretary has a role in nearly every important issue facing the country.

    He or she needs to be a quick study who is able to multitask, respond to congressional inquiries on a myriad of topics, as well as manage a 50,000-strong workforce including economists, scientists, statisticians, meteorologists and other experts.

    One example of the caliber of experts Commerce oversees is the National Institute for Standards and Technology, which does cutting-edge research in bioscience, artificial intelligence, materials science and industrial measurement standards. The institute currently has five Nobel laureates in physics and chemistry on its staff and is on the front lines on cybersecurity and national defense.

    While it’s unclear how Trump nominee Howard Lutnick plans to unify Commerce’s work, the previous secretary, Gina Raimondo, outlined five strategic goals for her department, including driving U.S. global competitiveness, using data to find new opportunities and modernizing its services and capabilities.

    The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation is holding a hearing on Jan. 29, 2025, to consider Lutnick’s nomination.

    Challenge No. 1: Another census is just around the corner

    The incoming secretary’s biggest challenge will be the decennial census due on April 1, 2030.

    The census counts every person living in the U.S. and five U.S. territories. Census data is used to apportion the number of seats each state has in the House of Representatives and to adjust or redraw electoral districts, as well as to apportion federal funding allotted to each district. Consequently, the census receives huge attention in Congress. It will be an especially hot topic because the data collected in the 2020 census had errors due to the pandemic.

    Conducting the census is highly labor intensive and takes many years of planning and preparation, which ramp up now.

    The Commerce Department must hire 500,000 temporary workers, open local offices and run large-scale field tests, award billions of dollars in contracts, and work with every state, local, county and tribal government in the country to map where people live. This includes dorms, homeless shelters, nursing homes, prisons, oil rigs, boats, tents, hospitals and mobile homes as well as houses and apartments.

    The Census Bureau says it began planning for 2030 as far back as 2019 and is preparing to do a test census in 2026.

    Trump administration policies, such as ongoing efforts to round up and deport undocumented migrants, will make it even more challenging to count immigrants and other historically hard-to-reach groups. During his first term, President Donald Trump sought to prevent unauthorized immigrants from being counted at all – but ran out of time.

    A NOAA crew on a reconnaissance flight into the eye of Hurricane Milton in October 2024.
    Sim Aberson/NOAA via AP

    Challenge No. 2: NOAA on the front lines of climate change fight

    Second, NOAA is likely to be in the political crosshairs, due to its role as a global leader in studying oceans, climate and coastal ecosystems.

    It tracks rising sea levels, ocean acidification and extreme weather events, and forecasts their impact on fisheries, shipping, marine protected areas and habitats. It also runs the National Weather Service and issues severe storm warnings. These and many other NOAA activities are vital to monitoring the pace of climate change and helping Americans adapt.

    NOAA’s mission and its budget are sure to be scrutinized by the Trump administration, which has already reversed a variety of policies meant to slow the pace of climate change. Trump himself has called climate change a “hoax.” That and policy proposals that seek to break up or privatize NOAA suggest many of NOAA’s climate-related activities could be under threat.

    Challenge No. 3: The patent problem

    A third challenge the incoming secretary will face is an ongoing crisis at the Patent and Trademark Office.

    Unlike most federal agencies, the Patent and Trademark Office is funded by user fees collected from applicants rather than from tax revenue. This is supposed to make it more efficient and easier to hire staff quickly, but the model is under stress due to a shortage of patent examiners with skills in assessing science, technology, engineering and math applications. The agency currently has a backlog of over 800,000 unexamined patent applications – near an all-time high.

    The backlog is likely to continue to grow as artificial intelligence and other state-of-the-art technologies accelerate the discovery cycle, but the slow process of patent approval – two years on average – can throw a wrench in it.

    Patents and trademarks are critical to U.S. competitiveness because they reward innovation and discovery and help inventors attract investors.

    The Trump administration’s broad federal hiring freeze is likely to worsen the Patent and Trademark Office’s staffing issues, while the back-to-office mandate may make it harder to recruit patent examiners, who often work remotely.

    On top of this, Elon Musk, whose companies hold large numbers of patents and who already holds tremendous sway in the Trump administration, says “patents are for the weak” and compared them with landmines in warfare. “They don’t actually help advance things,” he said. “They just stop others from following you.”

    In addition to these three areas, Commerce’s roles in international trade, telecommunications, industrial security and other matters could also become epicenters of any global crisis.

    This all adds up to an uncomfortable mix of political and operational challenges for the next secretary.

    This story is part of a series of profiles explaining Cabinet and high-level administration positions.

    Linda J. Bilmes is affiliated with the Harvard Kennedy School. She served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US Department of Commerce from 1997-1998 and as CFO and Assistant Secretary for Management, Budget and Administration from 1999-2001.

    ref. Commerce oversees everything from weather and salmon to trade and census − here are 3 challenges awaiting new secretary – https://theconversation.com/commerce-oversees-everything-from-weather-and-salmon-to-trade-and-census-here-are-3-challenges-awaiting-new-secretary-248087

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: New Permanent Representative of Nauru Presents Credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    Frederick W. Pitcher, the new Permanent Representative of Nauru to the United Nations Office at Geneva, today presented his credentials to Tatiana Valovaya, the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva.

    Prior to his appointment to Geneva, Mr. Pitcher had been serving as the Chief Executive Officer for the Nauru Maritime and Port Authority and the Nauru Shipping Line since 2023.

    He was a member of Parliament from 2004 to 2013, served as Nauru’s Minister for Commerce, Industry and Environment from 2004 to 2010, and was elected briefly as President in 2011.  Prior, Mr. Pitcher held the position of Nauru’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York from 2000 to 2004.

    Mr. Pitcher began his career in Nauru’s Public Service in 1993, where he held several positions, including as the Director of the Bureau of Statistics (1993-1995); Private Secretary to the President (1995-1996); and Secretary for Finance (1996–1997).  

    Since 2013, he had been working mainly in the private sector.

    Mr. Pitcher obtained a Postgraduate Certificate in Management and Business Administration from the Edinburgh School of Management in Scotland (1997-2000); a Graduate Certificate and United Nations Fellowship in Statistical Analysis from the Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific, in Tokyo, (1992-1993); and a Bachelor of Arts in Pacific Studies from Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia (1988-1991), among other professional certificates.  He was born on Nauru in February 1967 and is married with three adult children.

    ________

    CR.12.048E

    Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the information media; not an official record.

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Olathe Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Fentanyl Trafficking

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Olathe, Kansas man has been sentenced in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, which resulted in an overdose death.

    Jacob A. Block, 27, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips on Monday, Jan. 27, to 20 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Block to forfeit to the government $10,000, which represents the proceeds of illegal drug trafficking.

    On Feb. 1, 2024, Block pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and to one count of distributing fentanyl. Block admitted that he delivered 10 M-30 pills (containing fentanyl) to a confidential informant. Block possessed an additional 150 to 300 M-30 pills (containing fentanyl) at the time of this transaction.  Block also admitted he sold a co-defendant approximately seven grams of powder fentanyl and 50 M-30 pills (containing fentanyl) five to seven days a week, for six or seven months.

    All 13 defendants in this case have pleaded guilty. Block is the ninth defendant to be sentenced.

    Co-defendant Dmitry Cattell, 25, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced on May 2, 2024, to 21 years in federal prison without parole for leading the drug-trafficking conspiracy and for illegally possessing a firearm. Evidence was presented at Cattell’s sentencing hearing related to the delivery of fentanyl, the use of which caused the death of another person on May 18, 2020. The victim of the fatal overdose is not identified in court documents.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maureen Brackett and Stephanie Bradshaw. It was investigated by the FBI, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Platte County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Clay County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Kearney, Mo., Police Department, the Olathe, Kan., Police Department, Lenexa, Kan., Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Riverside, Mo., Police Department.

    KC Metro Strike Force

    This prosecution was brought as a part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Co-located Strike Forces Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations against a continuum of priority targets and their affiliate illicit financial networks. These prosecutor-led co-located Strike Forces capitalize on the synergy created through the long-term relationships that can be forged by agents, analysts, and prosecutors who remain together over time, and they epitomize the model that has proven most effective in combating organized crime. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations, and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Kansas man sentenced for assault on federal officer

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to 72 months in prison for deliberately ramming his vehicle into a federal law enforcement officer who was attempting to take the passenger of the vehicle into custody.

    According to court documents, Diego Almaguer, 19, of Kansas City, Kansas, pleaded guilty to one count of forcible assault of a federal officer.

    On February 23, 2024, members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force went to a home in Kansas City, Kansas, to execute an arrest warrant. They watched the person they were seeking and Almaguer get into a vehicle that had been backed into the driveway with Almaguer in the driver’s seat. Agents pulled up in their law enforcement vehicles with emergency lights flashing. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation officer, wearing a ballistic vest with police markings, positioned himself in front of the vehicle. Almaguer struck the officer causing him to bounce over the windshield before hitting the ground.

    Almaguer led law enforcement on a high-speed chase across the state line into Missouri, at times reaching speeds over 100 miles per hour. He and the second person were ultimately arrested in Kansas City, Missouri, hiding in an outbuilding behind a residence.

    The Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Faiza Alhambra prosecuted the case.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Arizona Man Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison For Distribution Of Fentanyl Resulting In Death

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

     SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Davon Anthony Beckford, age 30, of Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced on January 24, 2025, by United States District Judge Robert D. Mariani to 240 months’ imprisonment to be followed by five years of supervised release for the distribution of fentanyl resulting in death.

    According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Beckford relocated from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania to Phoenix, Arizona in or about January 2020. Once settled in Arizona, Beckford developed a relationship with an Arizona source of supply for fentanyl pills. Beckford then established a drug trafficking network with drug associates formerly known to him throughout Luzerne County.  He began to distribute hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills via the U.S. Postal Service to those drug associates.  In February of 2021, a 27-year-old female ingested one pill, overdosed, and died. The fentanyl pill ingested by the female had been distributed by Beckford to one of his drug associates in Wilkes-Barre, who sold it to the female.

    Beckford was indicted by a grand jury in Scranton on February 15, 2022. He appeared in federal court in Scranton on March 1, 2023, and plead guilty to the distribution of fentanyl resulting in death.

    The charges stem from a joint investigation involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Scranton, and the Wilkes-Barre Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski prosecuted the case.

    This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin and fentanyl. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.

    This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Budget will be delivered on 22 May

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Finance Minister Nicola Willis has announced Budget 2025 – the Growth Budget – will be delivered on Thursday 22 May. 

    “This year’s Budget will drive forward the Government’s plan to grow our economy to improve the incomes of New Zealanders now and in the years ahead.

    “Budget 2025 will build on our efforts to secure New Zealand’s future prospects, continuing the fiscal repair job made necessary by Labour’s era of wasteful spending.

    “We take seriously our responsibility to chart a path out of a spiral of deficits and debt left to us by the last government.

    “The Budget will also contain bold steps to support economic growth, including measures to address New Zealand’s long-standing productivity challenges.

    “These measures will go beyond the traditional Budget focus on spending and savings initiatives.

    “The Government intends to introduce several legislative and regulatory measures at the Budget focused on removing barriers that hold back job and wealth creation for New Zealanders.

    “We will build on the work of Budget 2024 to address the cost of living, deliver effective health and education services and restore laws and order.

    “We will advance new social investment measures to improve the lives of New Zealanders in the greatest need by getting better results from taxpayer-funded social services after six years of Labour Budgets focused almost exclusively on agencies spending more.

    “Budget 2025 will be squarely focused on ensuring New Zealanders can earn more in the years ahead by growing our economy.

    “Budget 2025 will be the responsible futured focused Budget New Zealand needs to secure better incomes and opportunities in the years ahead.”

    Notes to editors: The Government’s Budget priorities can be found in the Budget Policy Statement 2025 released on 17 December.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Empowering Tribal Entrepreneurs: Symposium on Building a Startup Ecosystem for Scheduled Tribes

    Source: Government of India

    Empowering Tribal Entrepreneurs: Symposium on Building a Startup Ecosystem for Scheduled Tribes

    Venture Capital Meets Grassroots: Boosting Tribal Entrepreneurship in India

    Posted On: 28 JAN 2025 8:29PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), Government of India, organized a landmark Symposium on the Development of Startup Ecosystem among Scheduled Tribes, bringing together major Venture Capitalists and Impact Investors to discuss strategies for empowering tribal entrepreneurs and fostering inclusive growth.

    The Government of India remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering tribal communities. Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has consistently emphasized building an Atma Nirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) and Atma Nirbhar Tribals. As part of this vision, the development of a robust startup ecosystem among Scheduled Tribes is a key initiative under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs’ 100-day agenda.

    To kickstart this transformative initiative, MoTA has undertaken extensive brainstorming sessions with premier institutions such as IIM Calcutta, IIT Delhi, IFCI Venture Capital Funds Limited, Delhi and industry associations to ensure a grassroot-level impact. A significant step in this direction was the initiation of a Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Tribes with an initial corpus of ₹50 crore, aimed at promoting entrepreneurship among Scheduled Tribes and fostering innovation at the community level.

     

                         

    In alignment with this vision, the symposium, held in Delhi on 28th January 2025, provided a platform for thought leaders and stakeholders to explore approaches for uplifting tribal entrepreneurs and catalyzing investments in tribal-led startups.

    The discussion was chaired by Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Shri Vibhu Nayar, and saw participation from renowned industry leaders, including:

    • Mr.  B.N. Prasad, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs
    • Mr. Alok Mittal (Indian Angel Network)
    • Mr. Rakesh Rewari (Ex-DMD, SIDBI)
    • Mr. Sanjeev Bikhchandani (Info Edge)
    • Mr. Rajat Tandon (Indian Private Equity & Venture Capital Association – IVCA)
    • Ms. Sowmya Suryanarayanan (Aavishkaar Capital)
    • Mr. Pratekk Agarwaal (GrowthCap Ventures)
    • Mr. Srinivas Ramanujam (Villgro)
    • Mr. Manick Wadhwa (SKI Capital)
    • Mr. Ajay kumar kapur (Ex CEO SIDBI Venture, Ex. DMD @SIDBI.)
    • Mr. V. Anish Babu (MD, IFCI Venture)
    • Mr. Arindam Roy (IFCI Venture)

    Shri Vibhu Nayar, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, said, “This initiative is a step toward fostering inclusivity and creating opportunities for Scheduled Tribes at the grassroots level. By building a robust ecosystem that supports tribal entrepreneurs, we aim to promote innovation and bring tribal talent to the forefront of India’s entrepreneurial landscape. The insights from today’s symposium will help shape future policies and programs to drive sustainable development in tribal communities.”

    Hon’ble Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Shri Jual Oram,  vision for the initiative, “The Government of India is dedicated to empowering our tribal communities and nurturing their entrepreneurial spirit. With collective efforts, we can unlock the immense potential of tribal entrepreneurs and make them key contributors to the vision of Atma Nirbhar Bharat.”

    Key Recommendations from the Symposium:

    1. Strengthen Supply Chains: Build quality tribal enterprises that are investment-ready.
    2. Grassroot Training Programs: Conduct targeted capacity-building programs at the village level.
    3. Institutional Frameworks: Develop streamlined, inclusive, and institutionalized frameworks for startups to thrive.
    4. Public Market Access: Create pathways for tribal enterprises to access public markets.
    5. Inclusive Business Models: Encourage partnerships between tribal and metro entrepreneurs, ensuring no restrictions on holding patterns.
    6. Microfund Support: Establish micro funds for incubation-stage startups and collaborate with smaller VCs for scaling.
    7. Sectoral Focus: Identify specific industries with high potential for tribal empowerment and innovation, such as agriculture, handicrafts, and sustainable development.
    8. Support for Sunrise Sectors: Promote Fund of Funds (FOF) models to channel investments into innovative and impactful sectors.

     

    Venture Capital emphasized the importance of investing in sunrise sectors while ensuring impact and innovation remain at the core of tribal entrepreneurship initiatives.

    This symposium marks a significant step in fulfilling the Government of India’s vision of empowering Scheduled Tribes and creating an inclusive and self-reliant startup ecosystem. Through these collective efforts, tribal communities will gain greater access to resources, mentorship, and market opportunities, further driving innovation and sustainable development across the nation.

    PSF/DK

    (Release ID: 2097154) Visitor Counter : 35

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India-Oman Joint Commission Meeting held; leaders focus on enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, technology, food security and renewable energy

    Source: Government of India (2)

    India-Oman Joint Commission Meeting held; leaders focus on enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, technology, food security and renewable energy

    Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri Piyush Goyal concludes successful visit to Oman

    Posted On: 28 JAN 2025 5:03PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal concluded a successful visit to the Sultanate of Oman from 27-28 January 2025.

    During the visit, Shri Goyal co-chaired the 11th Session of the India-Oman Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) with H.E. Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion of Sultanate of Oman. The JCM saw productive discussions on enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, technology, food security, renewable energy and other key areas. The Minister held a productive bilateral meeting with Minister Qais during which he undertook a detailed review of the bilateral trade and economic relations between India and Oman and identified concrete steps to further strengthen the mutually beneficial business ties.

    The two Ministers also exchanged views on a bilateral India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which is under advanced stages of negotiations. Both Ministers agreed to expedite the discussions for an early signing of the CEPA which will be a new milestone in bilateral trade relations and has the potential to significantly scale-up two-way trade and investments.

    On the sidelines of the visit, both sides signed the Protocol to amend the India-Oman Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), aligning it with international standards on cross-border taxation, simplifying tax procedures, and promoting greater cooperation in tax matters.

    Minister Goyal called-on His Highness Sayyid Asa’ad bin Tarik Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Affairs and Special Representative of His Majesty on January 28, 2025. HH Sayyid Asaad had led the Omani delegation to India for the G-20 Summit in September 2023.

    Shri Goyal also held bilateral meetings with H.E. Sultan bin Salem Al Habsi, Minister of Finance, and H.E. Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidy, Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ), to deepen economic ties.

    The Minister participated in the India-Oman Joint Business Council (JBC) meeting which was hosted by the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), with support and participation of a delegation from FICCI. The JBC, which is traditionally held on the sidelines of the India-Oman JCM, provided an excellent platform for wide ranging discussions among the two business communities and provided exposure to investment opportunities and incentives of both India and Oman.

    Shri Goyal met with a select group of CEOs and business leaders of Oman at a Business Roundtable hosted by the Ambassador of India at the Indian Embassy premises. This interaction provided an opportunity for the Minister to directly engage with key business leaders of Oman to apprise them of the India opportunity and seek their suggestions for bilateral cooperation.

    Minister Goyal also addressed the Future Leaders Programme at the Royal Academy of Management, Oman, highlighting India’s growth story and sharing insights on leadership and its role in shaping a better world.

    The Commerce Minister visited the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat which is an icon of cultural and architectural heritage of Oman. He will also offer prayers at the historic Shiva Temple in old Muscat, later this evening, underscoring the deep-rooted cultural and people-to-people ties between India and Oman.

    The successful visit of the Shri Goyal reinforced the strong foundations of India-Oman relations, paving the way for enhanced collaboration in trade and investment.

    ***

    Abhisekh Dayal/Abhijith Narayanan/Asmitabha Manna

    (Release ID: 2097043) Visitor Counter : 37

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Announces New Regional Human Trafficking Task Force in Sacramento

    Source: US State of California

    Tuesday, January 28, 2025

    Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

    SACRAMENTO – California Attorney General Rob Bonta together with Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho, Sacramento Police Chief Kathy Lester and the Unites States Department of Homeland Security today announced the official launch of the Sacramento Regional Human Trafficking Task Force (SR HTTF). This announcement signifies the formation of the third team within the California Department of Justice (DOJ) dedicated to combating human trafficking. These teams are situated in the greater San Diego and Fresno areas, and now in Sacramento. They have already made significant strides across the state, collaborating with law enforcement to disrupt human trafficking operations and protect children from criminal exploitation, resulting in 707 arrests and assistance extended to nearly 800 victims.
     
    “The objective of this task force is to use our shared intelligence to increase the total number of human trafficking investigations and prosecutions within the Sacramento area, to hold perpetrators of human trafficking accountable, and support survivors along the way,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “It is vital that we carry out our goal in a manner that is trauma-informed and culturally competent. That’s why our task force members receive specialized training and experience to appropriately handle these cases with the sensitivity, compassion, and the care they deserve. I am thankful for these strong partnerships in Sacramento and look forward to all that we can accomplish when we work together.”

    “As we recognize National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, I’m proud to announce the new Sacramento Regional Human Trafficking Task Force to protect children and young adults from human trafficking and sex exploitation in our community,” said Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho. “This collaborative effort with the California Attorney General’s Office, Sacramento Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations is based on our shared mission that no child or adult will live in fear of being a victim of sexual or labor exploitation.”
     
    “The Sacramento Police Department stands unwavering in the fight against human trafficking—a crime that strips victims of their freedom, dignity, and humanity,” said Sacramento Police Chief Kathy Lester. “This is why our partnership with the Sacramento Regional Human Trafficking Task Force is so critical. By working alongside our local, state, and federal partners, we are attacking this crisis from every angle—relentlessly pursuing traffickers, rescuing and empowering survivors, and making our communities safer.”

    “When law enforcement agencies unite and focus their collective strength to investigate human trafficking it sends a strong message – we will uncover hidden truths and will bring those responsible for these horrific acts to face justice,” said Tatum King, special agent in charge for HSI San Fransisco. “HSI San Fransisco is a proud member of this newly formed human trafficking taskforce and we look forward to working alongside our partners.”
     
    The DOJ is proud to be a partner with the Sacramento Police Department, Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations in this task force. The mission of SR HTTF is to effectively enforce state and federal laws against all forms of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of children and adults. Human Trafficking is the exploitation by force, fraud, fear, or coercion of vulnerable people, for mandatory labor, domestic servitude, or commercial sex operations.
     
    The CA DOJ Victims’ Services Unit (VSU) works in conjunction with victim service providers and all across the state to provide victim-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally-sensitive support services to all crime victims, including underserved, at-risk, underrepresented, and vulnerable populations. More information about VSU is available at oag.ca.gov/victimservices or by calling (877) 433-9069 or visiting  oag.ca.gov/victimservices/contact.
     
    If you or someone you know is being forced to engage in any activity and cannot leave, you can call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 to access help and services. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1. Additional information and resources to support survivors of human trafficking is available here.
     

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: DIAGNOS to Present at The Microcap Conference 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BROSSARD, Quebec, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Diagnos Inc. (“DIAGNOS” or the “Corporation”) (TSX Venture: ADK, OTCQB: DGNOF, FWB: 4D4A), a pioneer in early detection of critical health issues through the use of its FLAIRE platform based on Artificial Intelligence (AI), is pleased to announce its participation in The Microcap Conference 2025, the premier event for growth-focused companies and investors. The conference will take place January 28-30, 2025, at the Borgata Hotel Spa & Casino in Atlantic City, NJ.

    Details of the presentation:

    Event: The Microcap Conference
    Date and Time: January 29, 2025, at 4:30 p.m., ET
    Location: Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Studio C, Atlantic City, NJ
    Presenter: André Larente, Chief Executive Officer

    DIAGNOS will engage in one-on-one meetings with institutional and individual investors to discuss the Company’s recent developments, growth strategy, and investment opportunities. This event provides a unique platform to highlight DIAGNOS’ AI technology and its vision for disrupting medical detection landscape.

    “Our Investor Relations strategy is to connect with U.S. investors who recognize the importance of innovation in healthcare. This event provides an excellent opportunity to increase awareness with family offices, wealth management advisors, and high-net-worth individuals. With expected deployments with customers, as well as a partnership with the largest eyecare company in the world that validated our technology and will commercialize to its customer base, 2025 could be a milestone year for DIAGNOS,” said André Larente, CEO of DIAGNOS.

    To register for the conference or one-on-one meeting, visit

    https://themicrocapconference.com/tickets/

    About The Microcap Conference 2025

    The Microcap Conference is the largest independent microcap event in the U.S., bringing together top-tier investors and executives from microcap companies. The event offers a platform for companies to showcase their value propositions through presentations, one-on-one meetings, and networking opportunity.

    The 2025 event will feature:

    Keynote Speakers: Renowned industry figures, including Jon Ledecky, Co-Owner of the New York Islanders, who will engage in a fireside chat with CNBC’s Bob Pisani, and Tom Gardner, CEO of Motley Fool, who will share insights on investing, market trends, and entrepreneurial success.

    Expert Panels and Presentations: Financial commentators Ron Insana (CNBC) and Charlie Gasparino (FOX Business) will cover critical topics for the US equity markets, from capital formation to regulatory updates and market trends.

    Entertainment Headliner: A special performance by Tom Papa, celebrated comedian and host of Netflix specials, ensuring a memorable evening for attendees.

    Hosted by DealFlow Events, The Microcap Conference is renowned for its blend of high-quality content, engaging networking, and exceptional entertainment.

    About DIAGNOS
    DIAGNOS is a publicly traded Canadian corporation dedicated to early detection of critical health problems based on its FLAIRE Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform. FLAIRE allows for quick modifying and developing of applications such as CARA (Computer Assisted Retina Analysis). CARA’s image enhancement algorithms provide sharper, clearer and easier-to-analyze retinal images. CARA is a cost-effective tool for real-time screening of large volumes of patients.

    Additional information is available at www.diagnos.ca  and www.sedarplus.com.

    This news release contains forward-looking information. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in these statements. DIAGNOS disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

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

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – BUDG-ECON – Debate with Elena Flores, InvestEU Steering Board Chair – 03.02.25 – Committee on Budgets

    Source: European Parliament

    Ms Flores, Chair of the InvestEU Steering Board, will attend a joint BUDG-ECON meeting for an exchange of views with Members on the performance of InvestEU, in accordance with Article 27 of the InvestEU Regulation.

    InvestEU is an important investment tool for the European Union, which is expected to mobilise EUR 372 billion in investment by 2027. The Steering Board is a key part of the governance of the programme and – amongst other tasks – oversees its implementation.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Latest news – Meeting of the DLAT Delegation on 27 January 2025 – Delegation to the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly

    Source: European Parliament

    The last meeting of the Delegation to the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (DLAT) took place on 27 January 2025.

    It included an Exchange of views on the implementation of the Global Gateway Investment Agenda in the area of digital transition in Latin America and the Digital Alliance with the participation of Felix Fernández-Shaw (DG INTPA), Carla Fernández-Durán (BID) and José Ignacio Torreblanca (ECFR), among others.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Netherlands: Royal Schiphol Group enters into a loan agreement with the EIB for infrastructure investments

    Source: European Investment Bank

    Royal Schiphol Group and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have entered into a loan agreement to the value of EUR 175 million. This represents the first installment of a total financing of EUR 400 million. The loan contributes to the financial stability of Schiphol and is an important milestone in the realisation of the major EUR 6 million investment programme.

    CFO Robert Carsouw: ’The largest investment programme in the airport’s history asks for robust finances and healthy cashflows. Additional financial resources are necessary in order to realise the infrastructure investments. We are very pleased with the support of the EIB and look forward to continuing our longstanding relationship. This loan contributes to ensuring our financial foundation.’

    EIB Vice-President Robert de Groot added: ‘Our relationship with Schiphol goes back more than two decades, and we are committed to supporting them in these efficiency improvements, to the benefit of both staff and travelers. The EIB finances projects that matter to people, and align with the strategic priorities of the EU, this is a great example of both.’

    New baggage basement

    This loan will be used primarily for the construction of a new baggage basement. The new baggage basement will provide the necessary capacity to replace and upgrade the existing baggage system, which will improve working conditions for baggage handlers. The preparations for construction started recently.

    Investment portfolio: EUR 6 billion in 5 years

    Schiphol is investing EUR 6 billion over the next 5 years in the improvement of airport facilities including the maintenance and renovation of aviation infrastructure, renovation of passenger and employee facilities and implementation of innovative improvements to working conditions. Read more here.

    Ongoing EIB support

    Apart from previous financing for Schiphol’s infrastructure projects, in 2023, the EIB supported the airport’s electrification of airside equipment, which helped to lower emissions in line with Schiphol’s sustainability targets. With the planned investments related to this new loan, Schiphol will enhance its operational capabilities and contribute to the critical civilian infrastructure. The loan therefore falls under the EIB’s Strategic European Security Initiative (SESI).

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: New Human Rights Toolkit for financial institutions

    Source: European Investment Bank

    Dutch-based electrical data analytics company Samotics has signed a €20 million financing agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to accelerate its research and development activities. The EIB’s investment will enhance the company’s solutions regarding the monitoring of machine health and energy efficiency, while accelerating work on its next-generation integrated solution, planned for launch this year. The funding aligns with Samotics’ mission to make industries more reliable, efficient, and sustainable.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Cybersecurity in Italy and the effectiveness of NRRP investments in cybersecurity – E-002269/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Strengthening Member States’ cyber resilience capabilities, coordinating national cyber efforts and securing critical infrastructures are top priorities for the Commission, which monitors closely cyber threats and incidents affecting the EU’s critical infrastructure.

    The directive on measures for a high common level of cybersecurity across the Union (NIS 2 Directive)[1] requires from entities in 18 critical sectors, including public administration, to take risk-based cybersecurity risk-management measures and report significant cyber incidents.

    The NIS 2 Directive transposition deadline for the Member States was 17 October 2024. The Commission is now assessing the Italian transposition legislation that was notified on time.

    In addition, Regulation on digital operational resilience for the financial sector (DORA)[2] requires financial entities to develop capabilities to detect, prevent, limit the impact of information and communication technologies-related incidents, to respond and recover from them, and report major incidents. To assess the effectiveness of the entities’ capabilities, DORA introduces testing requirements.

    Investment 1.5 ‘Cybersecurity’[3], worth EUR 623 million, from Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) spans from creating a Cybersecurity Agency to the implementation of actions boosting Italy’s cyber resilience capabilities.

    In the context of Italy’s fifth payment request, five milestones and targets were assessed as satisfactorily fulfilled: (i) creating the National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN), (ii) defining the national cybersecurity architecture, (iii) the start-up of a network of cybersecurity laboratories, (iv) activating a central audit unit within the ACN (v) completing five strengthening interventions.

    • [1] http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2022/2555/oj
    • [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/2554/oj/eng
    • [3] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:52024PC0509

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Security: James C. Thompson Sentenced to 20 Years for Transportation of a Minor in Interstate Commerce with the Intent to Engage in Sexual Activity

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

    CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – On January 24, 2025, James C. Thompson, 72, formerly of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, was sentenced to 240 months by the Honorable Travis R. McDonough, District Court Judge, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Tennessee.  Thompson was also ordered to pay a $250,000 fine and to serve three years on supervised release.  In addition, Thompson will be required to register with state sex offender registries and comply with special sex offender conditions during his supervised release.

    As part of the plea agreement filed with the court, Thompson agreed to plead guilty to an information charging him with four counts of transportation of a minor in interstate commerce with the intent to engage in sexual activity in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2423(a).

    According to court filed documents, in 2000, Thompson traveled on separate occasions with three different boys and sexually molested them.  Thompson was 48 years old at the time and the young boys were less than 18 years old.  Thompson drove them from the community where they lived, Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, to different out-of-state locations.  When Thompson’s conduct was discovered, an agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation confronted Thompson and he confessed.

    U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III, of the Eastern District of Tennessee and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Joseph E. Carrico, made the announcement. 

    The criminal indictment was the result of an investigation by the Jackson County Alabama Sheriff’s Office and the FBI.  This investigation was led by FBI Special Agent Samuel Moore.

    Assistant United States Attorney James T. Brooks and Special Assistant United States Attorney Charlie Minor represented the United States.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006, by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, PSC marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about PSC, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

    For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc/resources.html and click on the tab “resources.”

                                                                                                                 ###

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Columbia County Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material

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

    Jacksonville, FL – Chief U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced William Ervin Daniels (45, Lake City) to 20 years in federal prison for distributing child sex abuse material. He pleaded guilty on September 24, 2024.

    According to court documents, on November 16, 2023, Daniels distributed two videos containing child sex abuse material (CSAM) in a group called “Da Litl Kidz Gc” on a social media application. He identified his name and phone number in his account profile on the app. Daniels was also listed as an administrator for the group to which he distributed the videos. Moreover, his phone contained a cache of thousands of videos and images of CSAM. During the sentencing hearing, the government presented evidence that Daniels had abused a minor in his care on at least two occasions.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelly S. Milliron.

    This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.   

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI: C&F Financial Corporation Announces Net Income for 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TOANO, Va., Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — C&F Financial Corporation (the Corporation) (NASDAQ: CFFI), the holding company for C&F Bank, today reported consolidated net income of $6.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $5.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. The Corporation reported consolidated net income of $19.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $23.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The following table presents selected financial performance highlights for the periods indicated:

                                   
        For The Quarter Ended   For the Year Ended  
    Consolidated Financial Highlights (unaudited)   12/31/2024     12/31/2023   12/31/2024     12/31/2023  
    Consolidated net income (000’s)   $ 6,029     $ 5,088   $ 19,918     $ 23,746  
                                   
    Earnings per share – basic and diluted   $ 1.87     $ 1.50   $ 6.01     $ 6.92  
                                   
    Annualized return on average equity     10.60 %     10.06 %   9.02 %     11.68 %
    Annualized return on average tangible common equity1     12.17 %     11.74 %   10.37 %     13.58 %
    Annualized return on average assets     0.94 %     0.85 %   0.80 %     0.99 %

    _________________
    1 For more information about these non-GAAP financial measures, which are not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), please see “Use of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures,” below.

    “While the past year’s financial performance reflected the challenges of a dynamic interest rate environment, our fourth quarter earnings were solid, and we are optimistic of earnings momentum heading into the coming year,” commented Tom Cherry, President and Chief Executive Officer of C&F Financial Corporation. “Our net interest margin was down for 2024, however, it stabilized in the fourth quarter, and we are cautiously optimistic about margin performance in 2025. The community banking segment delivered solid loan and deposit growth across all markets. Despite facing headwinds from higher mortgage rates and a low inventory of homes for sale, the mortgage banking segment increased its loan production and net income over 2023. While higher charge-offs weighed on profitability at the consumer finance segment, we were able to achieve significant operational efficiencies during 2024. Despite obstacles and adversities that continually confront the banking industry in general, we believe C&F is well-positioned for the future.”

    Key highlights for the fourth quarter and the year ended December 31, 2024 are as follows.

    • Community banking segment loans grew $21.5 million, or 6.0 percent annualized, and $180.0 million, or 14.1 percent, compared to September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively;
    • Consumer finance segment loans decreased $10.5 million, or 8.8 percent annualized, and $1.7 million, or less than one percent, compared to September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively;
    • Deposits increased $35.0 million, or 6.6 percent annualized, and $104.7 million, or 5.1 percent, compared to September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively;
    • Consolidated annualized net interest margin was 4.13 percent for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to 4.17 percent for the fourth quarter of 2023 and 4.13 percent in the third quarter of 2024. Consolidated net interest margin was 4.12 percent for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to 4.31 percent for the year ended December 31, 2023;
    • The community banking segment recorded no provision for credit losses for the fourth quarter of 2024 and $75,000 for the fourth quarter of 2023, and recorded provision for credit losses of $1.7 million and $1.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively;
    • The consumer finance segment recorded provision for credit losses of $3.5 million and $2.4 million for the fourth quarters of 2024 and 2023, respectively, and recorded provision for credit losses of $11.6 million and $6.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively;
    • The consumer finance segment experienced net charge-offs at an annualized rate of 3.40 percent of average total loans for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 2.72 percent for the fourth quarter of 2023. Net charge-offs as a percentage of average total loans were 2.62 percent for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 1.99 percent for the year ended December 31, 2023; and
    • Mortgage banking segment loan originations increased $32.2 million, or 32.8 percent, to $130.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 and increased $29.0 million, or 5.8 percent, to $527.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023.

    Community Banking Segment. The community banking segment reported net income of $6.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $5.2 million for the same period of 2023, due primarily to:

    • higher interest income resulting from higher average balances of loans and the effects of higher interest rates on asset yields, offset in part by lower average balances of securities;
    • higher other income from bank owned life insurance policies; and
    • lower salaries and employee benefits expense due primarily to a reduction in headcount through attrition;

    partially offset by:

    • higher interest expense due primarily to higher rates on deposits and higher average balances of interest-bearing deposits, offset in part by lower average balances of borrowings.

    The community banking segment reported net income of $20.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $22.9 million for the same period of 2023, due primarily to:

    • higher interest expense resulting from higher rates on deposits and higher average balances of interest-bearing deposits, partially offset by lower average balances of borrowings;
    • higher data processing and consulting costs related to investments in operational technology to improve resilience, efficiency and customer experience;
    • higher occupancy expense related to branch network improvements, including the relocation of a branch and the opening of a new branch; and
    • higher salaries and employee benefits expense, which have generally increased in line with market conditions, offset in part by a reduction in headcount through attrition;

    partially offset by:

    • higher interest income resulting from higher average balances of loans and the effects of higher interest rates on asset yields, offset in part by lower average balances of securities;
    • higher wealth management services income due primarily to higher assets under management;
    • higher other income from bank owned life insurance policies; and
    • higher investment income from other equity investments.

    Average loans increased $180.8 million, or 14.4 percent, for the fourth quarter of 2024 and increased $164.0 million, or 13.5 percent, for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the same periods in 2023, due primarily to growth in the construction, commercial real estate, and residential mortgage segments of the loan portfolio. Average deposits increased $140.2 million, or 6.9 percent, for the fourth quarter of 2024 and increased $110.8 million, or 5.5 percent, for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the same periods in 2023, due primarily to higher balance of time deposits, partially offset by decreases in savings and interest-bearing demand deposits and noninterest-bearing demand deposits amid increased competition for deposits and the higher interest rate environment.

    Average loan yields and average costs of interest-bearing deposits were higher for the fourth quarter and the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the same periods of 2023, due primarily to the effects of the higher interest rate environment.

    The community banking segment’s nonaccrual loans were $333,000 at December 31, 2024 compared to $406,000 at December 31, 2023. The community banking segment recorded no provision for credit losses for the fourth quarter of 2024 and $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $75,000 and $1.6 million for the same periods of 2023. At December 31, 2024, the allowance for credit losses increased to $17.4 million, compared to $16.1 million at December 31, 2023. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans decreased to 1.20 percent at December 31, 2024 from 1.26 percent at December 31, 2023. The increases in provision and allowance for credit losses are due primarily to growth in the loan portfolio. Management believes that the level of the allowance for credit losses is adequate to reflect the net amount expected to be collected.

    Mortgage Banking Segment. The mortgage banking segment reported net income of $87,000 and $1.1 million for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024, respectively, compared to a net loss of $103,000 and net income of $465,000 for the same periods of 2023, due primarily to:

    • higher gains on sales of loans and higher mortgage banking fee income due to higher volume of mortgage loan originations; and
    • lower occupancy expenses due to an effort to reduce overhead costs;

    partially offset by:

    • higher variable expenses tied to mortgage loan origination volume such as commissions and bonuses, reported in salaries and employee benefits; and
    • lower reversal of provision for indemnifications.

    The sustained elevated level of mortgage interest rates, combined with higher home prices and lower levels of inventory, led to a level of mortgage loan originations in 2024 and 2023 for the industry that is lower than recent historical averages. Mortgage loan originations for the mortgage banking segment were $130.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, comprised of $15.9 million refinancings and $114.5 million home purchases, compared to $98.2 million, comprised of $12.5 million refinancings and $85.7 million home purchases, for the same period in 2023. Mortgage loan originations for the mortgage banking segment were $527.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, comprised of $50.2 million refinancings and $477.6 million home purchases, compared to $498.8 million, comprised of $52.7 million refinancings and $446.1 million home purchases, for the same period in 2023. Mortgage loan originations in the fourth quarter of 2024 decreased $26.6 million compared to the third quarter of 2024 due in part to normal industry seasonal fluctuations. Mortgage loan segment originations include originations of loans sold to the community banking segment, at prices similar to those paid by third-party investors. These transactions are eliminated to reach consolidated totals.

    During the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024, the mortgage banking segment recorded a reversal of provision for indemnification losses of $85,000 and $460,000, respectively, compared to a reversal of provision for indemnification losses of $150,000 and $585,000 in the same periods of 2023. The mortgage banking segment increased reserves for indemnification losses during 2020 based on widespread forbearance on mortgage loans and economic uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The release of indemnification reserves in 2024 and 2023 was due primarily to improvement in the mortgage banking segment’s assessment of borrower payment performance, lower volume of mortgage loan originations in recent years and other factors affecting expected losses on mortgage loans sold in the secondary market, such as time since origination. Management believes that the indemnification reserve is sufficient to absorb losses related to loans that have been sold in the secondary market.

    Consumer Finance Segment. The consumer finance segment reported net income of $272,000 and $1.4 million for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024, respectively, compared to net income of $618,000 and $2.9 million for the same periods in 2023. The decreases in consumer finance segment net income were due primarily to:

    • higher provision for credit losses due primarily to increased net charge-offs; and
    • higher interest expense on variable rate borrowings from the community banking segment as a result of higher interest rates and higher average balances of borrowings;

    partially offset by:

    • higher interest income resulting from the effects of higher interest rates on loan yields and higher average balances of loans;
    • lower salaries and employee benefits expense due to an effort to reduce overhead costs; and
    • lower loan processing and collection expenses due primarily to efficiency initiatives within the collections department.

    Average loans increased $2.5 million, or one percent, for the fourth quarter of 2024 and increased $2.9 million, or one percent, for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the same periods in 2023. The consumer finance segment experienced net charge-offs at a rate of 2.62 percent of average total loans for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 1.99 percent for the year ended December 31, 2023, due primarily to an increase in the number of delinquent loans, the number of repossessions, and the average amount charged-off when a loan was uncollectable. Higher amounts charged-off per loan resulted in part from larger loan amounts, generally purchased in 2020 and 2021 when automobile values were higher, being charged-off in the current year, with the wholesale values of automobiles having declined since then. At December 31, 2024, total delinquent loans as a percentage of total loans was 3.90 percent, compared to 4.09 percent at December 31, 2023, and 3.49 percent at September 30, 2024.

    The consumer finance segment, at times, offers payment deferrals as a portfolio management technique to achieve higher ultimate cash collections on select loan accounts. A significant reliance on deferrals as a means of managing collections may result in a lengthening of the loss confirmation period, which would increase expectations of credit losses inherent in the portfolio. Average amounts of payment deferrals of automobile loans on a monthly basis, which are not included in delinquent loans, were 2.11 percent and 1.80 percent of average automobile loans outstanding during the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024, respectively, compared to 2.02 percent and 1.87 percent during the same periods during 2023. The allowance for credit losses was $22.7 million at December 31, 2024 and $23.6 million at December 31, 2023. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans decreased to 4.86 percent at December 31, 2024 from 5.03 percent at December 31, 2023, primarily as a result of growth in loans with stronger credit quality while balances of loans with lower credit quality declined. Management believes that the level of the allowance for credit losses is adequate to reflect the net amount expected to be collected. If loan performance deteriorates resulting in further elevated delinquencies or net charge-offs, the provision for credit losses may increase in future periods.

    Liquidity. The objective of the Corporation’s liquidity management is to ensure the continuous availability of funds to satisfy the credit needs of our customers and the demands of our depositors, creditors and investors. Uninsured deposits represent an estimate of amounts above the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance coverage limit of $250,000. As of December 31, 2024, the Corporation’s uninsured deposits were approximately $640.2 million, or 29.5 percent of total deposits. Excluding intercompany cash holdings and municipal deposits, which are secured with pledged securities, amounts uninsured were approximately $455.2 million, or 21.0 percent of total deposits as of December 31, 2024. The Corporation’s liquid assets, which include cash and due from banks, interest-bearing deposits at other banks and nonpledged securities available for sale, were $288.1 million and borrowing availability was $606.2 million as of December 31, 2024, which in total exceed uninsured deposits, excluding intercompany cash holdings and secured municipal deposits, by $439.1 million as of December 31, 2024.

    In addition to deposits, the Corporation utilizes short-term and long-term borrowings as sources of funds. Short-term borrowings from the Federal Reserve Bank and the Federal Home loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLB) may be used to fund the Corporation’s day-to-day operations. Short-term borrowings also include securities sold under agreements to repurchase. Total borrowings increased to $122.6 million at December 31, 2024 from $109.5 million at December 31, 2023 due primarily to higher long-term borrowings from the FHLB used in part to fund loan growth.

    Additional sources of liquidity available to the Corporation include cash flows from operations, loan payments and payoffs, deposit growth, maturities, calls and sales of securities and the issuance of brokered certificates of deposit.

    Capital and Dividends. The Corporation declared cash dividends during the year ended December 31, 2024 totaling $1.76 per share, including a quarterly cash dividend of 44 cents per share during the fourth quarter of 2024, which was paid on January 1, 2025. These dividends represent a payout ratio of 23.5 percent of earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2024 and 29.3 percent of earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2024. The Board of Directors of the Corporation continually reviews the amount of cash dividends per share and the resulting dividend payout ratio in light of changes in economic conditions, current and future capital requirements, and expected future earnings.

    Total consolidated equity increased $9.5 million at December 31, 2024, compared to December 31, 2023, due primarily to net income and lower unrealized losses in the market value of securities available for sale, which are recognized as a component of other comprehensive income, partially offset by share repurchases and dividends paid on the Corporation’s common stock. The Corporation’s securities available for sale are fixed income debt securities and their unrealized loss position is a result of rising market interest rates since they were purchased. The Corporation expects to recover its investments in debt securities through scheduled payments of principal and interest. Unrealized losses are not expected to affect the earnings or regulatory capital of the Corporation or C&F Bank. The accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the Corporation’s securities available for sale, net of deferred income taxes, decreased to $23.7 million at December 31, 2024 compared to $25.0 million at December 31, 2023 due primarily to fluctuations in debt security market interest rates and a decrease in the balance of securities available for sale.

    As of December 31, 2024, the most recent notification from the FDIC categorized the C&F Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized under regulations applicable at December 31, 2024, C&F Bank was required to maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, CET1 risk-based and Tier 1 leverage ratios. In addition to the regulatory risk-based capital requirements, C&F Bank must maintain a capital conservation buffer of additional capital of 2.5 percent of risk-weighted assets as required by the Basel III capital rules. The Corporation and C&F Bank exceeded these ratios at December 31, 2024. For additional information, see “Capital Ratios” below. The above mentioned ratios are not impacted by unrealized losses on securities available for sale. In the event that all of these unrealized losses became realized into earnings, the Corporation and C&F Bank would both continue to exceed minimum capital requirements, including the capital conservation buffer, and be considered well capitalized.

    In December 2023, the Board of Directors authorized a program, effective January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024, to repurchase up to $10.0 million of the Corporation’s common stock (the 2024 Repurchase Program). During the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024, the Corporation repurchased 11,100 shares, or $679,000, and 160,694 shares, or $7.9 million, of its common stock under the 2024 Repurchase Program, respectively. In December 2024, the Board of Directors authorized a new program, effective January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025, to repurchase up to $5.0 million of the Corporation’s common stock through December 31, 2025 (the 2025 Repurchase Program).

    About C&F Financial Corporation. The Corporation’s common stock is listed for trading on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol CFFI. The common stock closed at a price of $75.40 per share on January 27, 2025. At December 31, 2024, the book value per share of the Corporation was $70.00 and the tangible book value per share was $61.86. For more information about the Corporation’s tangible book value per share, which is not calculated in accordance with GAAP, please see “Use of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures,” below.

    C&F Bank operates 31 banking offices and four commercial loan offices located throughout eastern and central Virginia and offers full wealth management services through its subsidiary C&F Wealth Management, Inc. C&F Mortgage Corporation and its subsidiary C&F Select LLC provide mortgage loan origination services through offices located in Virginia and the surrounding states. C&F Finance Company provides automobile, marine and recreational vehicle loans through indirect lending programs offered primarily in the Northeastern, Midwestern and Southern United States from its headquarters in Henrico, Virginia.

    Additional information regarding the Corporation’s products and services, as well as access to its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), are available on the Corporation’s website at http://www.cffc.com.

    Use of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures. The accounting and reporting policies of the Corporation conform to GAAP in the United States and prevailing practices in the banking industry. However, certain non-GAAP measures are used by management to supplement the evaluation of the Corporation’s performance. These include adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per share, adjusted return on average equity, adjusted return on average assets, return on average tangible common equity (ROTCE), adjusted ROTCE, tangible book value per share, price to tangible book value ratio, and the following fully-taxable equivalent (FTE) measures: interest income on loans-FTE, interest income on securities-FTE, total interest income-FTE and net interest income-FTE.

    Management believes that the use of these non-GAAP measures provides meaningful information about operating performance by enhancing comparability with other financial periods, other financial institutions, and between different sources of interest income. The non-GAAP measures used by management enhance comparability by excluding the effects of balances of intangible assets, including goodwill, that vary significantly between institutions, and tax benefits that are not consistent across different opportunities for investment. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered an alternative to GAAP-basis financial statements, and other bank holding companies may define or calculate these or similar measures differently. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures used by the Corporation to evaluate and measure the Corporation’s performance to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is presented below.

    Forward-Looking Statements. This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of the Corporation’s management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Corporation’s management, and reflect management’s current views with respect to certain events that could have an impact on the Corporation’s future financial performance. These statements, including without limitation statements made in Mr. Cherry’s quote and statements regarding future interest rates and conditions in the Corporation’s industries and markets, relate to expectations concerning matters that are not historical fact, may express “belief,” “intention,” “expectation,” “potential” and similar expressions, and may use the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “intend,” “target,” “should,” “could,” or similar expressions. These statements are inherently uncertain, and there can be no assurance that the underlying assumptions will prove to be accurate. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated or implied by such statements. Forward-looking statements in this release may include, without limitation, statements regarding expected future operations and financial performance, expected trends in yields on loans, expected future recovery of investments in debt securities, future dividend payments, deposit trends, charge-offs and delinquencies, changes in cost of funds and net interest margin and items affecting net interest margin, strategic business initiatives and the anticipated effects thereof, changes in interest rates and the effects thereof on net interest income, mortgage loan originations, expectations regarding C&F Bank’s regulatory risk-based capital requirement levels, technology initiatives, our diversified business strategy, asset quality, credit quality, adequacy of allowances for credit losses and the level of future charge-offs, market interest rates and housing inventory and resulting effects in mortgage loan origination volume, sources of liquidity, adequacy of the reserve for indemnification losses related to loans sold in the secondary market, the effect of future market and industry trends, the effects of future interest rate fluctuations, cybersecurity risks, and inflation. Factors that could have a material adverse effect on the operations and future prospects of the Corporation include, but are not limited to, changes in:

    • interest rates, such as volatility in short-term interest rates or yields on U.S. Treasury bonds, increases in interest rates following actions by the Federal Reserve and increases or volatility in mortgage interest rates
    • general business conditions, as well as conditions within the financial markets
    • general economic conditions, including unemployment levels, inflation rates, supply chain disruptions and slowdowns in economic growth
    • general market conditions, including disruptions due to pandemics or significant health hazards, severe weather conditions, natural disasters, terrorist activities, financial crises, political crises, war and other military conflicts (including the ongoing military conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East) or other major events, or the prospect of these events
    • average loan yields and average costs of interest-bearing deposits
    • financial services industry conditions, including bank failures or concerns involving liquidity
    • labor market conditions, including attracting, hiring, training, motivating and retaining qualified employees
    • the legislative/regulatory climate, regulatory initiatives with respect to financial institutions, products and services, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the CFPB) and the regulatory and enforcement activities of the CFPB
    • monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the FDIC, U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the effect of these policies on interest rates and business in our markets
    • demand for financial services in the Corporation’s market area
    • the value of securities held in the Corporation’s investment portfolios
    • the quality or composition of the loan portfolios and the value of the collateral securing those loans
    • the inventory level, demand and fluctuations in the pricing of used automobiles, including sales prices of repossessed vehicles
    • the level of automobile loan delinquencies or defaults and our ability to repossess automobiles securing delinquent automobile finance installment contracts
    • the level of net charge-offs on loans and the adequacy of our allowance for credit losses
    • the level of indemnification losses related to mortgage loans sold
    • demand for loan products
    • deposit flows
    • the strength of the Corporation’s counterparties
    • the availability of lines of credit from the FHLB and other counterparties
    • the soundness of other financial institutions and any indirect exposure related to the closing of other financial institutions and their impact on the broader market through other customers, suppliers and partners, or that the conditions which resulted in the liquidity concerns experienced by closed financial institutions may also adversely impact, directly or indirectly, other financial institutions and market participants with which the Corporation has commercial or deposit relationships
    • competition from both banks and non-banks, including competition in the non-prime automobile finance markets and marine and recreational vehicle finance markets
    • services provided by, or the level of the Corporation’s reliance upon third parties for key services
    • the commercial and residential real estate markets, including changes in property values
    • the demand for residential mortgages and conditions in the secondary residential mortgage loan markets
    • the Corporation’s technology initiatives and other strategic initiatives
    • the Corporation’s branch expansions and consolidations plans
    • cyber threats, attacks or events
    • C&F Bank’s product offerings
    • accounting principles, policies and guidelines, and elections by the Corporation thereunder

    These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating the forward-looking statements contained herein, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. For additional information on risk factors that could affect the forward-looking statements contained herein, see the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and other reports filed with the SEC. The Corporation undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

     
    C&F Financial Corporation

    Selected Financial Information
    (dollars in thousands, except for per share data)
    (unaudited)

     
    Financial Condition   12/31/2024   12/31/2023  
    Interest-bearing deposits in other banks   $ 49,423   $ 58,777  
    Investment securities – available for sale, at fair value     418,625     462,444  
    Loans held for sale, at fair value     20,112     14,176  
    Loans, net:              
    Community Banking segment     1,436,226     1,257,557  
    Consumer Finance segment     444,085     444,931  
    Total assets     2,563,385     2,438,498  
    Deposits     2,170,860     2,066,130  
    Repurchase agreements     28,994     30,705  
    Other borrowings     93,615     78,834  
    Total equity     226,970     217,516  
                                     
        For The     For The  
        Quarter Ended     Year Ended  
    Results of Operations   12/31/2024     12/31/2023     12/31/2024     12/31/2023  
    Interest income   $ 36,443     $ 32,408     $ 139,594     $ 124,137  
    Interest expense     11,343       8,466       42,819       26,430  
    Provision for credit losses:                                
    Community Banking segment           75       1,650       1,625  
    Consumer Finance segment     3,500       2,400       11,600       6,650  
    Noninterest income:                                
    Gains on sales of loans     1,250       850       6,064       5,780  
    Other     5,700       6,953       24,474       23,835  
    Noninterest expenses:                                
    Salaries and employee benefits     11,953       14,035       53,578       54,876  
    Other     9,363       9,038       36,352       35,007  
    Income tax expense     1,205       1,109       4,215       5,418  
    Net income     6,029       5,088       19,918       23,746  
                                     
    Fully-taxable equivalent (FTE) amounts1                                
    Interest income on loans-FTE     33,122       29,147       127,288       111,146  
    Interest income on securities-FTE     3,046       3,121       12,079       12,710  
    Total interest income-FTE     36,731       32,677       140,741       125,101  
    Net interest income-FTE     25,388       24,211       97,922       98,671  

    _________________
    For more information about these non-GAAP financial measures, please see “Use of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

                                       
        For the Quarter Ended  
        12/31/2024   12/31/2023  
        Average   Income/   Yield/   Average   Income/   Yield/  
    Yield Analysis   Balance   Expense   Rate   Balance   Expense   Rate  
    Assets                                  
    Securities:                                  
    Taxable   $ 321,796     $ 1,898   2.36 % $ 392,368     $ 2,093   2.13 %
    Tax-exempt     120,119       1,148   3.82     118,263       1,028   3.48  
    Total securities     441,915       3,046   2.76     510,631       3,121   2.44  
    Loans:                                  
    Community banking segment     1,438,195       20,036   5.54     1,257,418       16,813   5.30  
    Mortgage banking segment     30,674       486   6.30     22,288       383   6.82  
    Consumer finance segment     473,816       12,600   10.58     471,355       11,951   10.06  
    Total loans     1,942,685       33,122   6.78     1,751,061       29,147   6.60  
    Interest-bearing deposits in other banks     58,212       563   3.85     42,114       409   3.85  
    Total earning assets     2,442,812       36,731   5.98     2,303,806       32,677   5.63  
    Allowance for credit losses     (40,930 )               (40,614 )            
    Total non-earning assets     159,082                 142,252              
    Total assets   $ 2,560,964               $ 2,405,444              
                                       
    Liabilities and Equity                                  
    Interest-bearing deposits:                                  
    Interest-bearing demand deposits   $ 331,156       601   0.72   $ 341,243       556   0.65  
    Money market deposit accounts     299,321       1,136   1.51     299,712       896   1.19  
    Savings accounts     176,106       26   0.06     194,476       33   0.07  
    Certificates of deposit     811,224       8,325   4.08     635,702       5,665   3.54  
    Total interest-bearing deposits     1,617,807       10,088   2.48     1,471,133       7,150   1.93  
    Borrowings:                                  
    Repurchase agreements     30,673       131   1.71     33,418       126   1.51  
    Other borrowings     93,765       1,124   4.79     98,875       1,190   4.81  
    Total borrowings     124,438       1,255   4.03     132,293       1,316   3.98  
    Total interest-bearing liabilities     1,742,245       11,343   2.59     1,603,426       8,466   2.10  
    Noninterest-bearing demand deposits     547,890                 554,321              
    Other liabilities     43,379                 45,462              
    Total liabilities     2,333,514                 2,203,209              
    Equity     227,450                 202,235              
    Total liabilities and equity   $ 2,560,964               $ 2,405,444              
    Net interest income         $ 25,388             $ 24,211      
    Interest rate spread               3.39 %             3.53 %
    Interest expense to average earning assets               1.85 %             1.46 %
    Net interest margin               4.13 %             4.17 %
                                       
        For the Year Ended  
        12/31/2024   12/31/2023  
        Average   Income/   Yield/   Average   Income/   Yield/  
    Yield Analysis   Balance   Expense   Rate   Balance   Expense   Rate  
    Assets                                  
    Securities:                                  
    Taxable   $ 335,647     $ 7,563   2.25 % $ 428,895     $ 9,110   2.12 %
    Tax-exempt     119,978       4,516   3.76     108,006       3,600   3.33  
    Total securities     455,625       12,079   2.65     536,901       12,710   2.37  
    Loans:                                  
    Community banking segment     1,378,131       75,707   5.49     1,214,143       62,188   5.12  
    Mortgage banking segment     30,737       1,897   6.17     25,598       1,695   6.62  
    Consumer finance segment     476,775       49,684   10.42     473,885       47,263   9.97  
    Total loans     1,885,643       127,288   6.75     1,713,626       111,146   6.49  
    Interest-bearing deposits in other banks     37,238       1,374   3.69     35,351       1,245   3.52  
    Total earning assets     2,378,506       140,741   5.92     2,285,878       125,101   5.47  
    Allowance for loan losses     (40,736 )               (41,047 )            
    Total non-earning assets     156,726                 148,666              
    Total assets   $ 2,494,496               $ 2,393,497              
                                       
    Liabilities and Equity                                  
    Interest-bearing deposits:                                  
    Interest-bearing demand deposits   $ 327,700       2,170   0.66   $ 354,643       2,134   0.60  
    Money market deposit accounts     296,278       4,313   1.46     317,601       3,017   0.95  
    Savings accounts     180,429       111   0.06     209,033       124   0.06  
    Certificates of deposit     767,721       31,465   4.10     541,252       15,112   2.79  
    Total interest-bearing deposits     1,572,128       38,059   2.42     1,422,529       20,387   1.43  
    Borrowings:                                  
    Repurchase agreements     27,754       456   1.64     32,393       399   1.23  
    Other borrowings     91,713       4,304   4.69     116,908       5,644   4.83  
    Total borrowings     119,467       4,760   3.98     149,301       6,043   4.05  
    Total interest-bearing liabilities     1,691,595       42,819   2.53     1,571,830       26,430   1.68  
    Noninterest-bearing demand deposits     536,828                 575,452              
    Other liabilities     45,217                 42,954              
    Total liabilities     2,273,640                 2,190,236              
    Equity     220,856                 203,261              
    Total liabilities and equity   $ 2,494,496               $ 2,393,497              
    Net interest income         $ 97,922             $ 98,671      
    Interest rate spread               3.39 %             3.79 %
    Interest expense to average earning assets               1.80 %             1.16 %
    Net interest margin               4.12 %             4.31 %
                       
        12/31/2024
    Funding Sources   Capacity   Outstanding   Available
    Unsecured federal funds agreements   $ 75,000   $   $ 75,000
    Borrowings from FHLB     257,734     40,000     217,734
    Borrowings from Federal Reserve Bank     313,499         313,499
    Total   $ 646,233   $ 40,000   $ 606,233
                   
    Asset Quality   12/31/2024   12/31/2023  
    Community Banking              
    Total loans   $ 1,453,605   $ 1,273,629  
    Nonaccrual loans   $ 333   $ 406  
                   
    Allowance for credit losses (ACL)   $ 17,379   $ 16,072  
    Nonaccrual loans to total loans     0.02 %   0.03 %
    ACL to total loans     1.20 %   1.26 %
    ACL to nonaccrual loans     5,218.92 %   3,958.62 %
    Year-to-date net charge-offs to average loans     0.01 %   0.01 %
                   
    Consumer Finance              
    Total loans   $ 466,793   $ 468,510  
    Nonaccrual loans   $ 614   $ 892  
    Repossessed assets   $ 779   $ 646  
    ACL   $ 22,708   $ 23,579  
    Nonaccrual loans to total loans     0.13 %   0.19 %
    ACL to total loans     4.86 %   5.03 %
    ACL to nonaccrual loans     3,698.37 %   2,643.39 %
    Year-to-date net charge-offs to average loans     2.62 %   1.99 %
                             
        For The   For The
        Quarter Ended   Year Ended
    Other Performance Data   12/31/2024   12/31/2023   12/31/2024   12/31/2023
    Net Income (Loss):                        
    Community Banking   $ 6,364     $ 5,186     $ 20,284     $ 22,928  
    Mortgage Banking     87       (103 )     1,108       465  
    Consumer Finance     272       618       1,414       2,879  
    Other1     (694 )     (613 )     (2,888 )     (2,526 )
    Total   $ 6,029     $ 5,088     $ 19,918     $ 23,746  
                             
    Net income attributable to C&F Financial Corporation   $ 6,037     $ 5,068     $ 19,834     $ 23,604  
                             
    Earnings per share – basic and diluted   $ 1.87     $ 1.50     $ 6.01     $ 6.92  
    Weighted average shares outstanding – basic and diluted     3,226,999       3,367,931       3,299,574       3,411,995  
                             
    Annualized return on average assets     0.94 %     0.85 %     0.80 %     0.99 %
    Annualized return on average equity     10.60 %     10.06 %     9.02 %     11.68 %
    Annualized return on average tangible common equity2     12.17 %     11.74 %     10.37 %     13.58 %
    Dividends declared per share   $ 0.44     $ 0.44     $ 1.76     $ 1.76  
                             
    Mortgage loan originations – Mortgage Banking   $ 130,426     $ 98,238     $ 527,750     $ 498,797  
    Mortgage loans sold – Mortgage Banking     154,552       109,387       522,001       498,852  

    _________________
    1 Includes results of the holding company that are not allocated to the business segments and elimination of inter-segment activity.
    2 For more information about these non-GAAP financial measures, please see “Use of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

                   
    Market Ratios   12/31/2024     12/31/2023
    Market value per share   $ 71.25     $ 68.19
    Book value per share   $ 70.00     $ 64.28
    Price to book value ratio     1.02       1.06
    Tangible book value per share1   $ 61.86     $ 56.40
    Price to tangible book value ratio1     1.15       1.21
    Price to earnings ratio (ttm)     11.86       9.87

    _________________
    1 For more information about these non-GAAP financial measures, please see “Use of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

                   
                   
                Minimum Capital
    Capital Ratios   12/31/2024   12/31/2023   Requirements3
    C&F Financial Corporation1              
    Total risk-based capital ratio   14.1%   14.8%   8.0%  
    Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio   11.9%   12.6%   6.0%  
    Common equity tier 1 capital ratio   10.7%   11.3%   4.5%  
    Tier 1 leverage ratio   9.8%   10.1%   4.0%  
                   
    C&F Bank2              
    Total risk-based capital ratio   13.6%   14.1%   8.0%  
    Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio   12.3%   12.9%   6.0%  
    Common equity tier 1 capital ratio   12.3%   12.9%   4.5%  
    Tier 1 leverage ratio   10.1%   10.3%   4.0%  

    _________________
    1 The Corporation, a small bank holding company under applicable regulations and guidance, is not subject to the minimum regulatory capital regulations for bank holding companies. The regulatory requirements that apply to bank holding companies that are subject to regulatory capital requirements are presented above, along with the Corporation’s capital ratios as determined under those regulations.
    2 All ratios at December 31, 2024 are estimates and subject to change pending regulatory filings. All ratios at December 31, 2023 are presented as filed.
    3 The ratios presented for minimum capital requirements are those to be considered adequately capitalized.

                             
        For The Quarter Ended   For The Year Ended
        12/31/2024   12/31/2023   12/31/2024   12/31/2023
    Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures                
    Return on Average Tangible Common Equity                        
    Average total equity, as reported   $ 227,450     $ 202,235     $ 220,856     $ 203,261  
    Average goodwill     (25,191 )     (25,191 )     (25,191 )     (25,191 )
    Average other intangible assets     (1,183 )     (1,439 )     (1,273 )     (1,538 )
    Average noncontrolling interest     (518 )     (515 )     (649 )     (675 )
    Average tangible common equity   $ 200,558     $ 175,090     $ 193,743     $ 175,857  
                             
    Net income   $ 6,029     $ 5,088     $ 19,918     $ 23,746  
    Amortization of intangibles     64       69       260       273  
    Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest     8       (20 )     (84 )     (142 )
    Net tangible income attributable to C&F Financial Corporation   $ 6,101     $ 5,137     $ 20,094     $ 23,877  
                             
    Annualized return on average equity, as reported     10.60 %     10.06 %     12.02 %     15.58 %
    Annualized return on average tangible common equity     12.17     11.74     10.37     13.58
                                   
        For The Quarter Ended     For The Year Ended
        12/31/2024     12/31/2023     12/31/2024     12/31/2023
    Fully Taxable Equivalent Net Interest Income1                              
    Interest income on loans   $ 33,075     $ 29,093     $ 127,089     $ 110,938
    FTE adjustment     47       54       199       208
    FTE interest income on loans   $ 33,122     $ 29,147     $ 127,288     $ 111,146
                                   
    Interest income on securities   $ 2,805     $ 2,906     $ 11,131     $ 11,954
    FTE adjustment     241       215       948       756
    FTE interest income on securities   $ 3,046     $ 3,121     $ 12,079     $ 12,710
                                   
    Total interest income   $ 36,443     $ 32,408     $ 139,594     $ 124,137
    FTE adjustment     288       269       1,147       964
    FTE interest income   $ 36,731     $ 32,677     $ 140,741     $ 125,101
                                   
    Net interest income   $ 25,100     $ 23,942     $ 96,775     $ 97,707
    FTE adjustment     288       269       1,147       964
    FTE net interest income   $ 25,388     $ 24,211     $ 97,922     $ 98,671

    _________________
    1 Assuming a tax rate of 21%.

                 
        December 31,   December 31,
    (Dollars in thousands except for per share data)   2024   2023
    Tangible Book Value Per Share        
    Equity attributable to C&F Financial Corporation   $ 226,360     $ 216,878  
    Goodwill     (25,191 )     (25,191 )
    Other intangible assets     (1,147 )     (1,407 )
    Tangible equity attributable to C&F Financial Corporation   $ 200,022     $ 190,280  
                 
    Shares outstanding     3,233,672       3,374,098  
                 
    Book value per share   $ 70.00     $ 64.28  
    Tangible book value per share   $ 61.86     $ 56.40  
    Contact: Jason Long, CFO and Secretary
      (804) 843-2360

     

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