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Category: KB

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s free HPV vaccination accessible to 40% girls of eligible age

    Source: People’s Republic of China Ministry of Health

    BEIJING — In its ongoing battle against cervical cancer, China has made free human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations accessible to about 40 percent of girls aged 13 to 14, according to the National Health Commission.

    Since 2021, 11 provincial-level regions and multiple cities have provided free vaccination services for girls of eligible age, Shen Haiping, head of the commission’s maternal and child health department, said at a press conference on Friday.

    A total of 280 million free HPV screenings have been conducted across China, greatly facilitating the early detection, diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer, Shen said.

    Health authorities worked with women’s federation organizations in providing medical assistance to 275,000 cervical cancer patients in financial difficulties, the official said.

    According to the commission, cervical cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy. In 2022, there were 151,000 new cases of cervical cancer in China, with an incidence rate of 13.8 per 100,000, ranking fifth among cancers in women.

    China has attached great importance to the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer, with this disease highlighted in a series of major documents, Shen said.

    In 2023, the country launched a campaign to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer in answer to the international community’s call to lower its incidence rate to 4 per 100,000 by the end of the century, Shen added.

    MIL OSI China News –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: Xi urges ‘BRICS Plus’ countries to uphold peace, achieve common security

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

    KAZAN, Russia, Oct. 24 — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday called on “BRICS Plus” countries to firmly uphold peace and strive for common security.

    Xi made the remarks while addressing the “BRICS Plus” leaders’ dialogue.

    “BRICS Plus” countries should be a stabilizing force for peace, strengthen global security governance, and explore ways to address both the symptoms and root causes of hotspot issues, he added.

    Noting that the collective rise of the Global South is a distinctive feature of the great transformation across the world, Xi said that Global South countries marching together toward modernization is monumental in world history and unprecedented in human civilization.

    The Global South emerges for development and prospers through development, he said, urging “BRICS Plus” countries to make themselves the main driving force for common development.

    “BRICS Plus” countries should play an active and leading role in the global economic governance reform, and make development the core of international economic and trade agenda, Xi added.

    “BRICS Plus” countries should also be advocates for exchanges among civilizations, he said, calling on “BRICS Plus” countries to enhance communication and dialogue, and support each other in taking the path to modernization suited to their respective national conditions.

    Xi also said that China will coordinate with others to form a Global South Think Tanks Alliance to promote people-to-people exchanges and experience-sharing in governance.

    No matter how the international landscape evolves, China will always keep the Global South in heart, and maintain its roots in the Global South, he added.

    MIL OSI China News –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Europe: Calling Businesses in the Retail and Hospitality Sectors – Register NOW for the €4,000 Power Up grant

    Source: Government of Ireland – Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation

    24th October 2024

    Businesses will receive an email from their Local Authorities with details on how to register

    Today the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke TD, has announced the opening of the Power Up grant, through an online portal accessible via the Department’s website: enterprise.gov.ie/powerup

    Speaking about the Power Up grant, Minister Peter Burke said:

    “I am very aware of the struggles that businesses in the hospitality and retail sectors continue to face.  The Power Up grant has a budget of €170 million and is available to businesses that received a second payment under the Increased Cost of Business Scheme.  We know that input costs have increased, and this flat payment will go some way to help with rising costs associated with running your businesses during the busy Christmas period.

    “Registrations for the Power Up grant are open from today.  In order to get payments out to our shops, to our small restaurants, to our cafes and to our pubs before the end of the year, I am strongly urging businesses to register without delay.  Local Authorities are emailing businesses that qualify with details on how to register as we speak, so all business owners need to check their emails and find their link.

    “I want to thank the Local Authorities for their tremendous work in administering these grants on behalf of my Department. They are the closest arm of the state to many of our businesses and have direct links in to businesses at a local level.”

    Retail and Hospitality businesses who received the second ICOB payment can register for the €4,000 one-off Power Up grant, once they receive their email from their Local Authority.  This grant will be similar to the ICOB scheme and registration has been specifically designed to be quick and easy.  The Local Authority network is administering this scheme on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

    Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital Transformation and Company Regulation, Dara Calleary TD said:

    “The Power Up grant is paid directly into a business’s bank account, a direct injection of cashflow, which we know is imperative for our small family-run businesses.  They are a crucial part of our towns and our villages around Ireland and I urge eligible businesses to register and avail of this grant.” 

    “The Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) Scheme has successfully paid out over €244m to 75,000 SMEs, including two payments to over 38,000 SMEs in the retail and hospitality sector.”

    Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Emer Higgins TD stated:

    “The Government has allocated €170 million in cash supports specifically for the retail and hospitality sectors as part of the budget process.  This Department has already paid out over €244 million through the Increased Cost of Business Grant this summer to SMEs, so this further grant will bring Government’s direct support into small businesses this year to almost a half a billion euro.”

    The deadline for registrations is 8 November 2024.

    ENDS

    Back to Department News

    Back to Top

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. shale natural gas production has declined so far in 2024

    Source: US Energy Information Administration

    In-depth analysis

    October 24, 2024

    Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Short-Term Energy Outlook
    Note: The formations included in our U.S. shale natural gas production estimates are determined by identified tight and shale formations. Year-to-date 2024=January–September.

    U.S. natural gas production from shale and tight formations, which accounts for 79% of dry natural gas production, decreased slightly in the first nine months of 2024 compared with the same period in 2023. If this trend holds for the remainder of 2024, it would mark the first annual decrease in U.S. shale gas production since we started collecting these data in 2000.

    Total U.S. shale gas production from January through September 2024 declined by about 1%, to 81.2 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d), compared with the same period in 2023, while other U.S. dry natural gas production increased by about 6% to 22.1 Bcf/d. Total U.S. dry natural gas production from January through September 2024 averaged 103.3 Bcf/d, essentially flat compared with the same period in 2023.

    The decline in shale gas production so far this year has been driven primarily by declines in production in the Haynesville and Utica plays. From January through September 2024, shale gas production decreased by 12% (1.8 Bcf/d) in the Haynesville and by 10% (0.6 Bcf/d) in the Utica compared with the same period in 2023. At the same time, shale gas production in the Permian play grew by 10% (1.6 Bcf/d). Production in the Marcellus play, which leads U.S. shale gas production, remained flat.


    The Haynesville play in northeastern Texas and northwestern Louisiana is a dry natural gas formation. The Utica and Marcellus plays in the Appalachian Basin produce lease condensate in addition to dry natural gas. In all three plays, natural gas prices mostly drive drilling and developing wells. The U.S. benchmark Henry Hub daily natural gas price has generally declined since August 2022 and reached record lows in the first half of 2024, making drilling natural gas wells less profitable, particularly in the Haynesville. Several operators in the Haynesville and the Appalachian Basin shut in natural gas production in reaction to historically low prices and intend to continue curtailments in the second half of 2024.

    In contrast, natural gas produced in the Permian play in western Texas and southeastern New Mexico is primarily associated gas from oil wells where drilling and development is driven by the oil price. Natural gas production in the Permian has increased this year along with increasing oil production.

    Shale natural gas production in the Utica was 5.6 Bcf/d in September, 33% less than the monthly high of 8.3 Bcf/d in December 2019 and 10% less than the average of 6.2 Bcf/d in 2023. At depths of 5,000 feet to 11,000 feet, wells in the Utica, which lies beneath the Marcellus, are slightly more expensive to drill than Marcellus wells because of their depth.

    Drilling costs of Haynesville wells, at depths of 10,500 feet to 13,500 feet, are even higher. Shale natural gas production in the Haynesville was 13.0 Bcf/d in September 2024, 14% less than the peak in May 2023. The Haynesville is the third-largest shale gas-producing play in the United States, behind the Marcellus and the Permian plays. In 2023, shale natural gas production in the Haynesville averaged 14.6 Bcf/d, accounting for 14% of total U.S. dry natural gas production.

    Data source: Refinitiv Eikon and Baker Hughes Company
    Note: Prices are adjusted for inflation based on the September 2024 Consumer Price Index.


    The U.S. benchmark Henry Hub natural gas price fell 79% from the August 2022 inflation-adjusted high of $9.39 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) to an average of $1.99/MMBtu in August 2024. So far this year, the price has averaged $2.10/MMBtu compared with an inflation-adjusted average of $6.89/MMBtu in 2022 and $2.62/MMBtu in 2023. As natural gas prices declined, the economics of producing natural gas in the dry gas formations worsened, leading producers to shut in production and drop drilling rigs.

    Producers tend to increase or decrease the number of drilling rigs in operation as natural gas prices fluctuate. The number of natural gas-directed drilling rigs in the Haynesville, Utica, and Marcellus plays has decreased steadily since the end of 2022, according to data from Baker Hughes. In the Haynesville, an average of 33 rigs were in operation in September 2024, 53% fewer than in January 2023. The number of rigs operating in the Haynesville in September was the lowest it has been since July 2020.

    In the Utica, an average of seven rigs were operating in September 2024, fewer than half the number that were operating in January 2023, and in the Marcellus, an average of 25 rigs were in operation, about 36% fewer than in January 2023. Although the productivity of newer wells has improved in recent years, the decline in rig counts has contributed to an overall decrease in production.

    In our latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, we forecast total U.S. dry natural gas production to average 103.5 Bcf/d in 2024, down slightly from 103.8 Bcf/d in 2023, and to resume modest growth in 2025 at 104.6 Bcf/d.

    Principal contributors: Katy Fleury, Corrina Ricker, Kenya Schott

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Disaster Recovery Center Opening in Spartanburg County

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Disaster Recovery Center Opening in Spartanburg County

    Disaster Recovery Center Opening in Spartanburg County

    A Disaster Recovery Center will open in Spartanburg County to provide in-person assistance to South Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene.  Spartanburg CountySpartanburg Emergency Management175 Community College DriveSpartanburg, SC 29303Open Oct. 24-Nov. 6, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.  Additional Disaster Recovery Centers are scheduled to open in other South Carolina counties. Click here to find centers that are already open in South Carolina. You can visit any open center to meet with representatives of FEMA, the state of South Carolina and the U.S. Small Business Administration. No appointment is needed. To find all other center locations, including those in other states, go to fema.gov/drc or text “DRC” and a Zip Code to 43362. Homeowners and renters in Abbeville, Aiken, Allendale, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Cherokee, Chester, Edgefield, Fairfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Hampton, Jasper, Kershaw, Laurens, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Orangeburg, Pickens, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg, Union and York counties and the Catawba Indian Nation can apply for federal assistance.The quickest way to apply is to go online to DisasterAssistance.gov. You can also apply using the FEMA App for mobile devices or calling toll-free 800-621-3362. The telephone line is open every day and help is available in many languages. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. For a video with American Sign Language, voiceover and open captions about how to apply for FEMA assistance, select this link.FEMA programs are accessible to survivors with disabilities and others with access and functional needs. 
    kwei.nwaogu
    Thu, 10/24/2024 – 11:58

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn Firsts: First Visit from a US President

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Gerald Ford had been out of the White House for nearly 10 years when he spoke to a packed Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts on Sept. 23, 1986, but that occasion was nonetheless the first visit to UConn by someone who had served as President of the United States. Ford, a Michigan congressman who became vice president after the resignation of Spiro Agnew in 1973, would become the country’s 38th president the following year, after Richard Nixon’s resignation. At UConn, Ford addressed issues of the day – the Soviet Union, the apartheid regime in South Africa, the federal budget – and joked about his “Saturday Night Live” portrayal as a clumsy oaf. “I knew I was a fairly decent athlete, and most of those critics were much less capable,” said Ford, a star linebacker on two national champion University of Michigan football teams in the 1930s. “I enjoy a good laugh.” Nine years later, Bill Clinton became the first sitting president to visit UConn, for the dedication of the Dodd Center for Human Rights.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Meet the Researcher: Derek Aguiar, CoE

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Looking at the research published by Derek Aguiar and his lab over the past few years – ranging from drug side effect prediction to modeling genetic variation to predicting the outcomes of motions submitted in legal trial proceedings – one might conclude he’s a jack of all trades. 

    Aguiar and Jonathan XIV. (Courtesy of Derek Aguiar)

    Actually, he’s a master of one: computer science (CS).

    Aguiar is an associate professor in the College of Engineering who believes there’s no limit to the potential applications of CS. He follows his own curiosity, which frequently lands him in interdisciplinary projects involving other schools and colleges at UConn or multi-institutional collaboratives. And he encourages his students to do the same. 

    “I’ve ‘adopted’ some students that specialized in other areas,” he jokes, by way of explaining the astonishing diversity of his lab’s research subject matter. 

    For his own part, Aguiar is chiefly interested in blending graph-theoretic algorithms with probabilistic machine learning approaches. These are the CS techniques he studied in his Ph.D. at Brown University and his postdoctoral scholarship at Princeton University. Combining them, he has developed new applications for genomics and genetic data to help understand complex disease. 

    Launching the Next Generation of Computer Scientists

    As a first-generation undergraduate at the University of Rhode Island, Aguiar didn’t yet realize that he wanted to pursue a career in research, or that such a thing was even possible. He graduated without lab experience (“This isn’t a good template for other people to follow,” he notes).  

    But then, while pursuing graduate studies at Brown, he realized how “beautifully” his life-long interest in CS could combine with biology. 

    “I really saw the mathematical, statistical, and algorithmic beauty in biology,” he says. “It has a long history – some very important and deep results [in biology] have come from statistics and computer science. That’s where I fell in love and became enamored with the blending of CS and biology.” 

    Now, Aguiar is dedicated to pursuing original research and mentoring students in CS. He doesn’t want any would-be computer scientists to miss the chance to conduct research in college, like he did – in fact, he’s helping them get a head start, by mentoring high schoolers from across the region. 

    Most of Aguiar’s high school mentees are from Glastonbury, where students are paired with researchers through the Advanced Research Mentorship program. A few enterprising students from other schools have also sought him out for mentorship as well. He recently worked virtually with a protege from Massachusetts who went on to enroll at UConn. 

    “They come to UConn for about two hours after their high school gets out, once a week,” Aguiar says, “and we work on CS and research projects together. Eventually, they present their research internally at their high schools, and some go on to present at the CT Science and Engineering Fair.” 

    Aguiar was also a co-organizer of the New England Computer Science Teachers Association New England conference, which was held at UConn Storrs for the first time last year. 

    From DNA to Honest Abe

    Most recently, Aguiar’s work has been supported by an NSF CAREER award; a four-year, nearly $200,000 award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH); and an award from the Horace Bushnell Memorial Hall Corporation, the foundation that operates the Bushnell Performing Arts Center in Hartford. 

    The first two awards support Aguiar’s work on genomics projects. The CAREER award will allow him to continue his work in modeling haplotypes: sets of DNA variants co-inherited along a single chromosome. Aguiar develops algorithms to help understand how these haplotypes are inherited and how they relate to complex diseases. 

    With the NIH funding, Aguiar is developing novel computational immunology programs to help determine the risk of cardiovascular disease among people with type 2 diabetes. One of the ultimate aims of this research is to enable further investigation into the casual relationship between type 2 diabetes and heart disease, a puzzle scientists have been trying to solve since the correlation was first identified. 

    With the Bushnell group, the research looks a bit different. Aguiar is working on a project that seeks to infuse a little theater and CS magic into middle school history lessons: he’s developing an AI version of Abraham Lincoln, using a large language model fed on Lincoln’s extensive body of written work and verbal addresses. 

    “The idea behind this project is to rethink how middle schoolers learn,” Aguiar says. 

    Instead of just reading or watching a documentary about Lincoln, this project will allow students to actually have a conversation with him, learning about his viewpoints and gaining a better understanding of his historical milieu. It seeks to fill a gap in middle-grade learning that Aguiar identifies as critical. 

    “Middle school students don’t really skip school – they’re always there – they’re just not very engaged,” he explains. “We’re trying to increase engagement by providing an experience in the social sciences where you don’t just read a book or listen to your teacher and then regurgitate facts. We’re trying to turn this into an experiential process where instruction is personalized for each student.” 

    What’s Next?

    Aguiar is currently collaborating with Rachel O’Neill, director of UConn’s Institute for Systems Genomics, on a project that will help identify irregular DNA formations that have been linked to increased mutation rates and cancer. 

    “DNA can actually fold into different structures, other than what’s known as B DNA – the canonical double helix structure,” he explains.  

    One of the major ways geneticists sequence DNA is through nanopore sequencing. In this process, an enzyme unzips DNA into single strands, which are then pushed through a microscopic sequencing device.  

    Aguiar and O’Neill discovered that these irregular DNA formations can impact the time it takes DNA to move through the process, since it takes longer for enzymes to disentangle these structures. 

    “We discovered that the genomic locations where these structures can form are associated with differential nanopore translocation times,” Aguiar says. “That hadn’t been done before.” 

    As he continues his career at UConn, Aguiar anticipates embarking on more exciting research across all domains.  He’ll also work to keep enacting his other central focus – supporting students, on whatever paths they choose to pursue. 

    “It’s super important that my students are well-rounded researchers, which includes being good communicators and educators,” he says. “But it’s not important for my students to follow in my footsteps – I want them all to do whatever makes them happy, and hopefully they are using what they learned in the process of earning their degrees!” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Video: UK Lord Butler of Brockwell: Lord Speaker’s Corner | House of Lords | Episode 22

    Source: United Kingdom UK House of Lords (video statements)

    ‘I’d heard bombs before, so I knew it was a bomb.’

    Forty years ago this month, Robin Butler – Principle Private Secretary to Margaret Thatcher – was in the room with the prime minister when the Brighton bomb exploded nearby in their hotel.

    ‘This is our opportunity to show that terrorism can’t defeat democracy’

    Now Lord Butler of Brockwell tells the Lord Speaker about his experience, from their initial reaction to the blast, to going back to retrieve the prime minister’s papers, and shares Margaret Thatcher’s response to his suggestion she postpone the start of the Conservative Party Conference the next morning.

    ‘I devoted my life to assisting politicians with government.’

    Lord Butler worked closely with five prime ministers, from Edward Heath to Tony Blair. In this episode he shares his experience of working with each of them either as private secretary or cabinet secretary. He speaks about later work of prime ministers on Northern Ireland, negotiations with Europe, why he joined the civil service and the growing role of special advisers. He also shares his thoughts on reforming the Civil Service, arguing that ‘you’ve got to reform it constantly… But you’ve got to lead the Civil Service in my view, and not drive them’

    See more from the series https://www.parliament.uk/business/lords/house-of-lords-podcast/

    #HouseOfLords #UKParliament #LordSpeakersCorner #LordsMembers

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIws-4TrWLE

    MIL OSI Video –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Video: President Cyril Ramaphosa’s wrap up interview BRICS Summit in Russia

    Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)

    President Cyril Ramaphosa’s wrap up interview BRICS Summit in Russia

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jz1NsCu2NuU

    MIL OSI Video –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Strengthening Defence Through Wargaming

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    In recent years, there has been a resurgence in using wargaming to support decision making across the MOD and, to some extent, wider government.

    MOD Crown Copyright

    In response, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) established the Defence Wargaming Centre (DWC) at Portsdown West (PDW), significantly increasing its analytical wargaming capability and capacity. In concert with this, Strategic Command further enhanced MOD wargaming capability and capacity, a central part was the establishment of the Defence Experimentation and Wargaming Hub (DEWH) at MOD Southwick Park (SWP).

    The two organisations already work closely together and, this October, they formalised their relationship with the signing of a partnership charter. The charter sets out principles to ensure that the two centres operate coherently, consistently and efficiently in pursuit of a common set of goals.

    Against the backdrop of Southwick Park’s historic D-Day Map room, Rear Admiral Andrew Betton, Director Integrated Warfare Centre, Strategic Command completed the signing of the partnership principles already signed by Dr Tim Sheldon, Dstl Chief Delivery Officer (represented in the Map Room by Linda Knutsen, Dstl Head of Exploration).

    Rear Admiral Andrew Betton, Director Integrated Warfare Centre (Dir IWC), Strategic Command said: 

    In the spirit of ‘One Defence’, we are building a sustainable and effective Defence-wide wargaming enterprise that fosters innovation and supports the development of UK wargaming capability.

    Dir IWC, expands with: 

    This partnership between the Defence Wargaming Centre and the Defence Experimentation and Wargaming Hub has laid the critical foundation for a coherent, consistent, and efficient wargaming operation in support of MOD goals.

    This partnership is critical to the MOD’s goal of enhancing its overall wargaming capability and capacity across UK Defence. Together Strategic Command and Dstl are leading innovative ways to integrate wargaming as a key tool for decision support, experimentation, training and education, and strategic foresight.

    This collaboration sets out the shared vision of creating a unified, MOD-wide wargaming enterprise focused on delivering an efficient, effective, and sustainable wargaming structure across the MOD. Establishing a co-leadership model that ensures decisions impacting both the DEWH and DWC are made together, priorities are aligned, and demand for wargaming services are managed effectively.

    MOD Crown Copyright

    Linda Knutsen, Head of Exploration, Dstl said:

    Defence must be agile to respond to the pace of technological change and ever evolving threats.  Through wargaming, we help Defence leaders understand opportunities, threats and priorities – helping the UK and our allies maintain operational advantage.

    Rear Admiral Betton also recognised the efforts the wider team have played in the success of the wargaming partnership, stating that: 

    On behalf of Strategic Command, I would especially like to thank everyone who has been involved in this progressive journey of developing the Defence Experimentation and Wargaming Hub at Southwick Park and fostering the strong partnership with Dstl’s Defence Wargaming Centre.   Especially, the sterling efforts by Mike Larner, Head of the Defence Wargaming Centre for his nurturing leadership in facilitating this partnership.

    Mike Larner, Dstl’s Head of Defence Wargaming Centre said:

    This partnership is an exciting new chapter in the development of MOD’s wargaming capability. Bringing together the energy, expertise, facilities and networks of the DWC and DEWH will significantly enhance the already world-class UK wargaming capability.

    Captain Eugene Morgan (RN), Assistant Head Wargaming, Strategic Command said:

    “Wargaming provides a strong opportunity for collaboration across industries, government, and allies. It drives innovation and helps to build a stronger, more resilient defence capability benefiting both the MOD and the broader security community. This partnership between the Defence Wargaming Hub and Dstl will strengthen MOD’s capability and deepen the capacity to deliver robust evidence-based solutions.”

    MOD Crown Copyright

    The partnership between Strategic Command and Dstl represents a powerful commitment to strengthening the MOD’s wargaming capabilities. By working together, these two organisations ensure that wargaming becomes a core component of UK Defence strategy, helping shape preparedness and strategic foresight, ensuring resilience and readiness in an ever-changing global defence landscape.

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    Published 24 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Gorton Park mural revealed to remember historical roots

    Source: City of Manchester

    A vibrant new mural has been revealed in Gorton Park to remember the history of the area and celebrate its local people.

    The artwork follows several murals already hand-painted around Manchester including Levenshulme and the Gorton and Abbey Hey areas as part of a wider project to commemorate the community and encourage engagement with art and nature.

    The mural, designed and created by Richard Preston, ​​reflects the rich history of Belle Vue and Gorton as well as the local environment and wildlife of the surrounding Gorton Park.

    The Manchester artist, also known as Hearts Mural, has described his art as paying homage to the locomotive industry featuring the Gorton Tank, wildlife at the former Belle Vue Zoological Gardens and the area’s first Monastery built in 1872.

    The street art is displayed at Hideout Youth Zone, opposite Gorton Park, who have supported the project by involving the young people at their youth centre. 

    The excited youngsters joined in with a collaborative paint pen workshop and learned essential spray can techniques to help with the finishing touches to the mural. 

    Members of Gorton’s local community were present to see the mural officially revealed including those whose family worked on the steam engines and a racer from the Speedway races. 

    Other supportive partners and sponsors have been Brewers Stockport Decorators, Rosgal, Belle Vue Aces and Gorton Monastery.

    By going to see the artworks, residents and visitors alike are able to explore and learn more about the areas, helping to foster a greater sense of appreciation for the beauty and variety of their local area.

    Lee-Ann Igbon, Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods, said: “I am thrilled to be supporting the introduction of this new mural in Gorton Park to recognise and remember the terrific contributions of its community.

    “This mural follows on from several which have been hand-painted as part of bringing vibrancy to our green spaces, learning history and harnessing a thriving community spirit.

    “I want to say a huge thank you to our brilliant partners and the young people involved who helped make this latest art installation possible which will serve as a reminder and mark the trailblazers in their community for years to come.”

    Richard Preston, a local artist, said: “It was great to be a part of this project. I got to paint the history of the area on the best community centre, in a beautiful park and it was great to see the locals enjoying it coming together.

    “It’s great to work with the young people on this; it’s very important to me to show them that choosing art as a career is possible. They did a great job and hopefully I’ll return to teach them more.

    “Art is important for mental health and inspiring people. We all use art for different reasons. I use it because I think it’s important to make people smile.”

    Corey, a young member who supported the project, said: “It was really cool getting to help spray paint the wall design. I got to learn different tricks and techniques like how to round off and complete certain areas and create bold outlines to make things stand out even more. It was a fun challenge, and I really enjoyed it.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s remarks to the 16th BRICS Summit [as delivered]

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
     
    I am grateful to participate in the 16th BRICS Summit. 
     
    Collectively, your countries represent nearly half of the world’s population.
     
    And I salute your valuable commitment and support for international problem-solving as clearly reflected in your theme this year.
     
    But no single group and no single country can act alone or in isolation.
     
    It takes a community of nations, working as one global family, to address global challenges.
     
    Challenges like the rising number of conflicts.
     
    The devastation of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss…
     
    Rising inequalities and lingering poverty and hunger…
     
    A debt crisis that threatens to smother plans for the future of many vulnerable countries… 
     
    The fact that fewer than one-fifth of the Sustainable Development Goals are on-track…
     
    A growing digital divide, and a lack of guardrails for artificial intelligence and other frontier technologies…
     
    And a lack of representation and voice for developing countries at global decision-making tables. From the Security Council to the Bretton-Woods institution and beyond. This must change.
     
    September’s Summit of the Future offered a roadmap for strengthening multilateralism, and advancing peace, sustainable development and human rights.
     
    I see four areas for action.
     
    First — finance.
     
    Today’s international financial system is not offering many vulnerable countries the safety net or level of support they need.
     
    The Pact for the Future calls for accelerating reform of the international financial architecture that is outdated, ineffective and unfair.
     
    And it includes a commitment to move forward with an SDG Stimulus to change the business model to substantially increase the lending capacity of Multilateral Development Banks to developing countries.
     
    To recycle more Special Drawing Rights…
     
    To restructure loans for countries drowning in debt…
     
    And to mobilize more international and domestic resources, public and private, for vital investments in developing countries.
     
    Next year’s Conference on Financing for Development and the Summit on Social Development are two milestones to carry these efforts forward.
     
    We must also recognize the importance of South-South cooperation.
     
    It doesn’t replace the commitments and obligations of developed countries.
     
    But it is providing a growing contribution to supporting developing countries in overcoming obstacles to reaching the SDGs. 
     
    Second — climate.
     
    Every country has committed to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
     
    That requires dramatic action to reduce emissions now — with the G20 in the lead.
     
    COP29 is just weeks away. 
     
    That starts the clock for countries to produce new Nationally Determined Contributions plans with 2035 targets that are aligned with the 1.5 degree goal.
     
    COP29 must deliver an ambitious and credible outcome on the new climate finance goal.
     
    Developed countries must also keep promises to double adaptation finance, and ensure meaningful contributions to the Loss and Damage Fund, which was not the case when it was created.
     
    Third — technology.
     
    Every country must be able to access the benefits of technology.
     
    The Global Digital Compact commits to enhanced global cooperation and capacity-building.
     
    It includes the first truly universal agreement on the international governance of Artificial Intelligence to give every country a seat at the AI table.
     
    It calls for an independent international Scientific Panel on AI and initiating a global dialogue on its governance within the United Nations with the participations of all countries.
     
    And it requests options for innovative financing for AI capacity-building in developing countries.
     
    And fourth — peace.
     
    We must strengthen and update the machinery of peace.
     
    This includes reforms to make the United Nations Security Council reflective of today’s world.
     
    The Pact for the Future includes important steps on disarmament — including the first multilateral agreement on nuclear disarmament in more than a decade — and steps that address the weaponization of outer space and the use of lethal autonomous weapons.
     
    Across the board, we need peace.
     
    We need peace in Gaza with an immediate cease-fire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, the effective delivery of humanitarian aid without obstacles, and we need to make irreversible progress to end the occupation and establish the two state solution, as it was recently reaffirmed once again by a UN General Assembly resolution.
     
    We need peace in Lebanon with an immediate cessation of hostilities, moving to the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701. 
     
    We need peace in Ukraine. A just peace in line with the UN Charter, international law and General Assembly resolutions.
     
    We need peace in Sudan, with all parties silencing their guns and committing to a path towards sustainable peace.
     
    Those were the messages I have delivered to the High-Level segment of the General Assembly in September in New York. Unfortunately, they remain valid here and now.
     
    Everywhere, we must uphold the values of the UN Charter, the rule of law, and the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of all States. 
     
    Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
     
    The Summit of the Future charted a course to strengthen multilateralism for global development and security.
     
    Now we must turn words into deeds and we believe BRICS can play a very important role in this direction.
     
    Thank you.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister Joly to participate in ministerial conference on Lebanon in Paris, France

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    The conference will focus on three objectives: reaffirming the need for a diplomatic solution to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict in accordance with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, mobilizing the international community to address the urgent needs for protection and emergency relief for the Lebanese people and exploring strategies to enhance support for Lebanon’s institutions, including the Lebanese Armed Forces, which play a crucial role in ensuring the country’s internal stability.

    October 24, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

    Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced that she will participate at the International Conference in Support of Lebanon’s People and Sovereignty, taking place in Paris, France today.

    The conference will focus on three objectives: reaffirming the need for a diplomatic solution to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict in accordance with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, mobilizing the international community to address the urgent needs for protection and emergency relief for the Lebanese people and exploring strategies to enhance support for Lebanon’s institutions, including the Lebanese Armed Forces, which play a crucial role in ensuring the country’s internal stability.

    Minister Joly will engage with her counterparts to create space for a diplomatic solution along the Blue Line and help shore up humanitarian assistance to support the needs of the Lebanese people.

    “I look forward to engaging with my counterparts and other senior officials in Paris as we work toward securing an immediate ceasefire. Canada continues to be steadfast in our commitment to peace and the de-escalation of tensions. Families in Southern Lebanon and Northern Israel must be able to safely return to their homes.”

    – Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Invesco Ltd: Form 8.3 – PRS REIT PLC/The; Opening Position Disclosure

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.3

    OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE BY
    A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
    Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

    1. KEY INFORMATION  
       
    (a) Full name of discloser: Invesco Ltd.  
    (b) Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
    The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.
       
    (c) Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
    Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree
    PRS REIT plc, The  
    (d) If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:    
    (e) Date position held/dealing undertaken:
    For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure
    23.10.2024  
    (f) In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
    If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”
    N/A  
       
    2. POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE  
       
    If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.  
    (a) Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)  
       
    Class of relevant security: 1p ordinary GB00BF01NH51  
      Interests Short Positions  
      Number % Number %  
    (1) Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 71,666,700 13.04      
    (2) Cash-settled derivatives:          
    (3) Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:          
      Total 71,666,700 13.04      
       
       
    All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

    Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

     
       
       
    (b) Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)  
       
    Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:    
    Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:    
       
    3. DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE  
       
    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

    The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

     
    (a) Purchases and sales  
       
    Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit  
             
             
       
    (b) Cash-settled derivative transactions  
       
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. CFD Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position Number of reference securities Price per unit  
               
       
    (c) Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)
     
    (i) Writing, selling, purchasing or varying
     
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type e.g. American, European etc. Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit
                   
       
    (ii) Exercise  
       
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit  
               
       
    (d) Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)  
                 
    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion Details Price per unit (if applicable)  
             
       
    4. OTHER INFORMATION  
       
    (a) Indemnity and other dealing arrangements  
       
    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”
     
    None  
       
    (b) Agreements, arrangements, or understandings relating to options or derivatives  
       
    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i) the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”
     
    None  
       
    (c) Attachments  
       
    Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO  
       
    Date of disclosure 24.10.2024  
    Contact name Philippa Holmes  
    Telephone number +441491417447  
       

    Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

    The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

    The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: AGF Investments Announces October 2024 Cash Distributions for AGF Enhanced U.S. Equity Income Fund, AGF Total Return Bond Fund and AGF Systematic Global Infrastructure ETF

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AGF Investments Inc. (AGF Investments) today announced the October 2024 cash distributions for AGF Enhanced U.S. Equity Income Fund*, AGF Total Return Bond Fund* and AGF Systematic Global Infrastructure ETF, which pay monthly distributions. Unitholders of record on October 31, 2024 will receive cash distributions payable on November 6, 2024.

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

    ETF Ticker Exchange Cash Distribution Per Unit ($)
    AGF Enhanced U.S. Equity Income Fund* AENU Cboe Canada Inc. $0.138874
    AGF Total Return Bond Fund* ATRB Cboe Canada Inc. $0.123000
    AGF Systematic Global Infrastructure ETF QIF Cboe Canada Inc. $0.138692

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

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

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

    About AGF Management Limited

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

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

    Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, AGF has investment operations and client servicing teams on the ground in North America and Europe. With nearly $51 billion in total assets under management and fee-earning assets, AGF serves more than 800,000 investors. AGF trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol AGF.B.

    About AGF Investments

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

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

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

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

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: TeraWulf Inc. Announces Upsize and Pricing of $425 Million Convertible Notes Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    EASTON, Md., Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TeraWulf Inc. (Nasdaq: WULF) (“TeraWulf” or the “Company”), a leading owner and operator of vertically integrated, next-generation digital infrastructure powered by predominantly zero-carbon energy, today announced the upsize and pricing of its offering of $425 million aggregate principal amount of 2.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2030 (the “Convertible Notes”). The Convertible Notes will be sold in a private offering to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

    Key Elements of the Transaction:

    • $425 million 2.75% Convertible Senior Notes offering (32.50% conversion premium)
    • Capped call transactions entered into in connection with the 2.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2030 with an initial cap price of $12.80 per share of common stock, which represents a 100% premium to the closing sale price of TeraWulf’s common stock on October 23, 2024
    • Concurrent repurchase of approximately $115 million of common stock

    TeraWulf has granted the initial purchasers of the Convertible Notes a 13-day option to purchase up to an additional $75 million aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes. The offering is expected to close on October 25, 2024, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions. 

    Use of Proceeds:

    The Company anticipates that the aggregate net proceeds from the offering will be approximately $414.9 million (or approximately $488.1 million if the initial purchasers exercise in full their option to purchase additional notes), after deducting the initial purchasers’ discounts and commissions payable by TeraWulf. The Company intends to use approximately $51 million of the net proceeds from the offering to pay the cost of the capped call transactions (as described below), $115 million to repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock (the “common stock”), and the remainder for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital, strategic acquisitions, expansion of data center infrastructure to support HPC activities and expansion of existing assets.

    Additional Details of the Convertible Notes:

    The Convertible Notes will be senior unsecured obligations of the Company and will accrue interest at a rate of 2.75% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, beginning on May 1, 2025. The Convertible Notes will mature on February 1, 2030, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted in accordance with their terms. Prior to November 1, 2029, the Convertible Notes will be convertible only upon satisfaction of certain conditions and during certain periods, and thereafter, the Convertible Notes will be convertible at any time until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date.

    The Convertible Notes will be convertible into cash in respect of the aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be converted and cash, shares of the common stock or a combination of cash and shares of the common stock, at the Company’s election, in respect of the remainder, if any, of the Company’s conversion obligation in excess of the aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes being converted. The conversion rate will initially be 117.9245 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $8.48 per share of the common stock). The initial conversion price of the Convertible Notes represents a premium of approximately 32.50% to the $6.40 closing price per share of the common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market on October 23, 2024. The conversion rate will be subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. In addition, upon conversion in connection with certain corporate events or a notice of redemption, the Company will increase the conversion rate.

    The Company may not redeem the Convertible Notes prior to November 6, 2027. The Company may redeem for cash all or any portion of the Convertible Notes, at its option, on or after November 6, 2027, if the last reported sale price of the common stock has been at least 130% of the conversion price then in effect for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during any 30 consecutive trading day period (including the last trading day of such period) ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date on which the Company provides notice of redemption to holders at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date.

    Holders of the Convertible Notes will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of their Convertible Notes upon the occurrence of a fundamental change (as defined in the indenture governing the Convertible Notes) at a cash repurchase price of 100% of their principal amount plus any accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding the applicable repurchase date. 

    Capped Call Transactions:

    In connection with the pricing of the Convertible Notes, the Company entered into privately negotiated capped call transactions with certain financial institutions (the “option counterparties”). The cap price of the capped call transactions will initially be $12.80 per share of common stock, which represents a premium of 100% over the last reported sale price of the common stock of $6.40 per share on The Nasdaq Capital Market on October 23, 2024 and will be subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments. If the initial purchasers of the Convertible Notes exercise their option to purchase additional Convertible Notes, the Company expects to use a portion of the net proceeds from the sale of the additional Convertible Notes to enter into additional capped call transactions with the option counterparties.

    The capped call transactions are expected generally to reduce potential dilution to the common stock upon conversion of any Convertible Notes and/or offset any cash payments the Company is required to make in excess of the principal amount of converted Convertible Notes, as the case may be, with such reduction and/or offset subject to a cap.

    In connection with establishing their initial hedges of the capped call transactions, the Company expects the option counterparties or their respective affiliates to purchase shares of the common stock and/or enter into various derivative transactions with respect to the common stock concurrently with or shortly after the pricing of the Convertible Notes. This activity could increase (or reduce the size of any decrease in) the market price of the common stock or the Convertible Notes at that time. In addition, the option counterparties or their respective affiliates may modify their hedge positions by entering into or unwinding various derivatives with respect to the common stock and/or purchasing or selling shares of the common stock or other securities of the Company in secondary market transactions following the pricing of the Convertible Notes and prior to the maturity of the Convertible Notes (and are likely to do so on each exercise date for the capped call transactions or following any termination of any portion of the capped call transactions in connection with any repurchase, redemption or early conversion of the Convertible Notes). This activity could also cause or avoid an increase or decrease in the market price of the common stock or the Convertible Notes, which could affect holders of the Convertible Notes’ ability to convert the Convertible Notes and, to the extent the activity occurs following conversion of the Convertible Notes or during any observation period related to a conversion of the Convertible Notes, it could affect the amount and value of the consideration that holders of the Convertible Notes will receive upon conversion of such Convertible Notes.

    Share Repurchases:

    The Company entered into transactions to repurchase approximately 17.97 million shares of the common stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $115 million from purchasers of the Convertible Notes in privately negotiated transactions effected concurrently with the pricing of the Convertible Notes, and the purchase price per share of the common stock repurchased in such transactions will equal the $6.40 closing price per share of the common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market on October 23, 2024.

    The Convertible Notes and any shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Notes, if any, have not been registered under the Securities Act, securities laws of any other jurisdiction, and the Convertibles Notes and such shares of common stock may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws. The Convertible Notes will be offered only to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

    This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy the Convertible Notes, nor shall there be any sale of the Convertible Notes or common stock in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

    About TeraWulf

    TeraWulf develops, owns, and operates environmentally sustainable, next-generation data center infrastructure in the United States, specifically designed for Bitcoin mining and high-performance computing. Led by a team of seasoned energy entrepreneurs, the Company owns and operates the Lake Mariner facility situated on the expansive site of a now retired coal plant in Western New York. Currently, TeraWulf generates revenue primarily through Bitcoin mining, leveraging predominantly zero-carbon energy sources, including nuclear and hydroelectric power. Committed to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles that align with its business objectives, TeraWulf aims to deliver industry-leading economics in mining and data center operations at an industrial scale.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Such forward-looking statements include statements concerning anticipated future events and expectations that are not historical facts, such as statements concerning the terms of the notes and the capped call transactions, the completion, timing and size of the offering of the notes and the capped call transactions, and the anticipated use of proceeds from the offering (including the proposed share repurchases). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as “plan,” “believe,” “goal,” “target,” “aim,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “outlook,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “continue,” “could,” “may,” “might,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “should,” “would” and other similar words and expressions, although the absence of these words or expressions does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations and beliefs of TeraWulf’s management and are inherently subject to a number of factors, risks, uncertainties and assumptions and their potential effects. There can be no assurance that future developments will be those that have been anticipated. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements based on a number of factors, risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, among others: (1) conditions in the cryptocurrency mining industry, including fluctuation in the market pricing of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, and the economics of cryptocurrency mining, including as to variables or factors affecting the cost, efficiency and profitability of cryptocurrency mining; (2) competition among the various providers of cryptocurrency mining services; (3) changes in applicable laws, regulations and/or permits affecting TeraWulf’s operations or the industries in which it operates, including regulation regarding power generation, cryptocurrency usage and/or cryptocurrency mining, and/or regulation regarding safety, health, environmental and other matters, which could require significant expenditures; (4) the ability to implement certain business objectives and to timely and cost-effectively execute integrated projects; (5) failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and/or on acceptable terms with regard to growth strategies or operations; (6) loss of public confidence in bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies and the potential for cryptocurrency market manipulation; (7) adverse geopolitical or economic conditions, including a high inflationary environment; (8) the potential of cybercrime, money-laundering, malware infections and phishing and/or loss and interference as a result of equipment malfunction or break-down, physical disaster, data security breach, computer malfunction or sabotage (and the costs associated with any of the foregoing); (9) the availability, delivery schedule and cost of equipment necessary to maintain and grow the business and operations of TeraWulf, including mining equipment and infrastructure equipment meeting the technical or other specifications required to achieve its growth strategy; (10) employment workforce factors, including the loss of key employees; (11) litigation relating to TeraWulf and/or its business; and (12) other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Potential investors, stockholders and other readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they were made. TeraWulf does not assume any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement after it was made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law or regulation. Investors are referred to the full discussion of risks and uncertainties associated with forward-looking statements and the discussion of risk factors contained in the Company’s filings with the SEC, which are available at www.sec.gov.

    Investors:
    Investors@terawulf.com

    Media:
    media@terawulf.com

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Orezone Provides Hard Rock Expansion Update for Its Bomboré Gold Mine

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Orezone Gold Corporation (TSX: ORE, OTCQX: ORZCF) (“Orezone”) is pleased to provide an update on the hard rock expansion at its Bomboré Gold Mine. The hard rock expansion is forecasted to increase annual gold production to over 170,000 ounces, an approximate 50% increase from current levels, with first gold planned in Q4-2025.

    Site works are well-advanced with the plant-site area cleared and all major earthworks complete. Laydown areas have been prepared and are ready to receive construction equipment, offices, and major plant deliveries. Camp upgrades for construction supervision and teams are also now operational.

    Engineering and Procurement

    Lycopodium Minerals Canada (“Lycopodium”) was awarded the engineering and procurement contract and is ahead of schedule on both activities. Lycopodium was selected due to their successful track record of designing and constructing numerous gold plants in West Africa, including the Company’s Phase I oxide plant that is currently in operation and exceeding nameplate design.

    In terms of procurement, the Company has placed over 50% of all packages including CIL tank platework and 95% of all process equipment. This includes the purchase of a 9MW 26’ diameter SAG mill. The SAG mill is a new, pre-owned mill that was never installed and carries a full warranty by the supplier. Substantial savings in costs and schedule are being realized from the purchase of this manufactured mill. The mill shells, heads and ring gear are now being packaged for shipment later this quarter which is well ahead of schedule.

    Site Construction Activities

    The concrete installation contract was recently awarded with mobilization of the batch plant and equipment scheduled for mid-November, three months ahead of schedule.

    The tank platework supply was awarded in September, and bids for the structural steel and general platework are under evaluation and will be awarded in November.

    The main Structural, Mechanical, and Piping installation contract is expected to be awarded in Q1-2025, which again will be ahead of schedule.

    Mining Fleet and Explosives Magazine

    The first shipment of the hard rock fleet by the mining contractor, which includes new trucks and excavators, has arrived in Burkina Faso and will be transported to site in late October. This early delivery will allow for systematic training of operators well ahead of the start of hard rock mining and will facilitate more cost-effective mining of the lower transition material in the near-term. The remaining hard rock fleet will be delivered to site over the coming six to eight months.

    The explosives magazine is in the final stages of completion. Once in service, the Company will be able to purchase and store bulk explosives for mixing and preparation at site, eliminating the need for the more costly pre-mix batch deliveries. A full-service team from AECI will be on site to mix and supply the downhole explosives for blasting of transition and hard rock material.

    Patrick Downey, President & CEO stated, “I am extremely pleased with the fast progress made to date on the hard rock expansion. The team has focused on critical areas to accelerate site activities and to meet or exceed key milestones. We look forward to sharing regular updates on this important expansion.”

    Figure 1: Hard Rock Plant Area

    About Orezone Gold Corporation

    Orezone Gold Corporation (TSX: ORE OTCQX: ORZCF) is a West African gold producer engaged in mining, developing, and exploring its flagship Bomboré Gold Mine in Burkina Faso. The Bomboré mine achieved commercial production on its oxide operations on December 1, 2022, and is now focused on its staged hard rock expansion that is expected to materially increase annual and life-of-mine gold production from the processing of hard rock mineral reserves. Orezone is led by an experienced team focused on social responsibility and sustainability with a proven track record in project construction and operations, financings, capital markets and M&A.

    The technical report entitled Bomboré Phase II Expansion, Definitive Feasibility Study is available on SEDAR+ and the Company’s website.

    Patrick Downey
    President and Chief Executive Officer

    Vanessa Pickering
    Manager, Investor Relations

    Tel: 1 778 945 8977 / Toll Free: 1 888 673 0663
    info@orezone.com / www.orezone.com

    For further information please contact Orezone at +1 (778) 945 8977 or visit the Company’s website at www.orezone.com.

    The Toronto Stock Exchange neither approves nor disapproves the information contained in this news release.

    QUALIFIED PERSONS

    Dale Tweed, P. Eng., VP Engineering and Rob Henderson, P. Eng. VP Technical Services of Orezone, are Qualified Persons under NI 43-101 and have reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains certain information that may constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian Securities laws and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable U.S. securities laws (together, “forward-looking statements”). Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as “plan”, “expect”, “project”, “intend”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “potential”, “possible” and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions “may”, “will”, “could”, or “should” occur. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the hard rock expansion including the increase in gold production.

    All such forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by management in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management and the qualified persons believe are appropriate in the circumstances.

    All forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, delays caused by pandemics, terrorist or other violent attacks (including cyber security attacks), the failure of parties to contracts to honour contractual commitments, unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; unexpected failure or inadequacy of infrastructure, the possibility of unanticipated costs and expenses, accidents and equipment breakdowns, political risk, unanticipated changes in key management personnel and general economic, market or business conditions, the failure of exploration programs, including drilling programs, to deliver anticipated results and the failure of ongoing and uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, and other factors described in the Company’s most recent annual information form and management discussion and analysis filed on SEDAR+. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

    Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a33214c6-4db5-42c0-8910-83291abd3045

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Foodrella Tteokbokki Captivates Global Taste Buds

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SEOUL, KOREA, Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Foodrella, a Korean food brand, has launched a product that allows global consumers to create authentic K-food with a simple recipe.

    Once considered a casual snack, tteokbokki has now become deeply embedded in the culinary cultures of the U.S., Europe, and Asia, positioning itself as a pioneer in the globalization of Korean food. Driven by the rising popularity of K-pop and Korean dramas, interest in tteokbokki has surged, especially after K-pop stars were seen enjoying the dish. This has significantly increased demand among international fans eager to experience Korean culture.

    In response to this trend, Foodrella’s tteokbokki mix was created to allow consumers to make the dish effortlessly, using just the mix without needing additional seasoning. Since its debut on Amazon, the product has received widespread acclaim from global consumers, offering them an easy way to enjoy K-food at home.

    Hanmi F3 Co., Ltd., the manufacturer of Foodrella, was founded in 1987. Specializing in the production of sauces, seasonings, food coatings, beverage bases, bakery & dessert mixes, and pickles, the company primarily caters to the restaurant and cafe franchise sectors. Hanmi F3 is dedicated to quality and safety, earning recognition as a leading domestic food manufacturer, with growing attention in international markets.

    Hanmi F3 uses only the finest premium ingredients, ensuring that even with simple processes, its products offer exceptional culinary experiences that add real value to customers’ businesses. The company focuses on providing customized solutions to meet diverse customer needs, while continuously improving products to maintain the highest quality standards.

    A representative from Foodrella stated, “We will continue to focus on developing products tailored to global tastes, aiming to establish tteokbokki not just as a snack, but as a dish enjoyed in everyday life by consumers around the world. We plan to expand the market by diversifying both our recipes and product offerings.” The representative also added, “By adopting localized strategies based on the preferences of consumers in different regions, we aim to introduce new tteokbokki products that can be integrated with a variety of local cuisines.”

    Related Links

    Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/foodrella

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodrella.official/

    Kakao: https://pf.kakao.com/_thqNC

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foodrella

    Media Contact

    Brand: Foodrella

    Contact: Jason Shin

    Email: ssw@foodrella.com

    Website: https://foodrella.com

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Columbia Financial, Inc. Announces Financial Results for the Third Quarter Ended September 30, 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FAIR LAWN, N.J., Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Columbia Financial, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: CLBK), the mid-tier holding company for Columbia Bank (“Columbia”), reported net income of $6.2 million, or $0.06 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, as compared to $9.1 million, or $0.09 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The income for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 reflected lower net interest income, mainly due to an increase in interest expense, and higher provision for credit losses, partially offset by higher non-interest income and lower income tax expense.

    For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company reported net income of $9.6 million, or $0.09 per basic and diluted share, as compared to $29.5 million, or $0.29 per basic and diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 reflected lower net interest income, mainly due to an increase in interest expense, and higher provision for credit losses, partially offset by higher non-interest income and lower income tax expense. Non-interest income for the 2023 period included a $10.8 million loss on securities transactions.

    Mr. Thomas J. Kemly, President and Chief Executive Officer commented: “The third quarter earnings have been challenged by continuing pressure on funding costs. Our net interest margin, which has increased 9 basis points since the first quarter of 2024, and our expense management, we believe, will contribute to improved earnings on a go forward basis. The Company’s balance sheet and capital remain strong. We successfully closed the merger and performed the system conversion of Freehold Bank into Columbia Bank in October 2024. This was the final step of our fourth completed merger over the last five years.”

    Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023

    Net income of $6.2 million was recorded for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, a decrease of $2.9 million, or 32.3%, compared to $9.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in net income was primarily attributable to a $3.2 million decrease in net interest income, and a $1.7 million increase in provision for credit losses, partially offset by a $376,000 increase in non-interest income, and a $1.6 million decrease in income tax expense.

    Net interest income was $45.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, a decrease of $3.2 million, or 6.7%, from $48.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in net interest income was primarily attributable to a $20.7 million increase in interest expense on deposits and borrowings, partially offset by a $17.5 million increase in interest income. The increase in interest income was primarily due to an increase in the average balance of total interest-earning assets coupled with an increase in average yields due to market interest rate increases that occurred throughout 2023, and adjustable rate securities and loans tied to various indexes that repriced higher in the 2024 period. The 50 basis point decrease in market rates in September 2024 did not significantly impact the 2024 period results. The increase in interest expense on deposits was driven by the 2023 rate increases and an increase in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits, coupled with the continued intense competition for deposits in the market and the repricing of existing deposits into higher cost products. The increase in interest expense on borrowings was also impacted by an increase in the average balance of borrowings and the increase in interest rates for new borrowings. Prepayment penalties, which are included in interest income on loans, totaled $171,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to $83,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2023.

    The average yield on loans for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 increased 53 basis points to 5.00%, as compared to 4.47% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, as interest income was influenced by rising interest rates and the average balance of loans. The average yield on securities for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 increased 53 basis points to 2.90%, as compared to 2.37% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, as new securities purchased during the 2024 period were at higher rates. The average yield on other interest-earning assets for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 increased 81 basis points to 6.72%, as compared to 5.91% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, due to the rise in average balances and interest rates paid on cash balances and an increase in the dividend rate paid on Federal Home Loan Bank stock.

    Total interest expense was $70.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, an increase of $20.7 million, or 41.6%, from $49.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The increase in interest expense was primarily attributable to a 90 basis point increase in the average cost of interest-bearing deposits, coupled with an increase in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits, along with a 17 basis point increase in the average cost of borrowings, coupled with an increase in the average balance of borrowings. Interest expense on deposits increased $16.3 million, or 45.3%, and interest expense on borrowings increased $4.5 million, or 31.9%.

    The Company’s net interest margin for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 decreased 22 basis points to 1.84%, when compared to 2.06% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The weighted average yield on interest-earning assets increased 53 basis points to 4.70% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, as compared to 4.17% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The average cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased 82 basis points to 3.52% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, as compared to 2.70% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The increase in yields for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 was due to the impact of market interest rate increases in 2023. The net interest margin decreased for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, as the increase in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities outweighed the increase in the average yield on interest-earning assets. The Company’s net interest margin for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 when compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2024 increased 9 basis points from 1.75% to 1.84%.

    The provision for credit losses for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 was $4.1 million, an increase of $1.7 million, from $2.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The increase in provision for credit losses during the quarter was primarily attributable to net charge-offs totaling $2.7 million and an increase in the loan performance qualitative factors.

    Non-interest income was $9.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, an increase of $376,000, from $8.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase of $347,000 in demand deposit account fees, mainly related to commercial account treasury services.

    Non-interest expense was $42.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, a decrease of $76,000, from $42.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in compensation and employee benefits expense of $1.0 million, partially offset by an increase in data processing fees of $666,000, and federal deposit insurance premiums of $317,000. The decrease in compensation and employee benefits expense was the result of workforce reduction and lower incentive compensation related to employee cost cutting strategies implemented during 2023 and 2024. Data processing and software expenses increased due to costs related to cybersecurity and technology enhancements, and federal deposit insurance premiums increased due to the 2024 quarter including an increase in a one-time special assessment charge.

    Income tax expense was $1.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, a decrease of $1.6 million, as compared to income tax expense of $2.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, mainly due to a decrease in pre-tax income. The Company’s effective tax rate was 15.5% and 22.9% for the quarters ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The effective tax rate for the 2024 quarter was primarily impacted by permanent income tax differences.

    Results of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023

    Net income of $9.6 million was recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, a decrease of $19.9 million, or 67.6%, compared to $29.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in net income was primarily attributable to a $29.0 million decrease in net interest income and a $7.9 million increase in provision for credit losses, partially offset by a $9.5 million increase in non-interest income and a $7.8 million decrease in income tax expense.

    Net interest income was $131.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, a decrease of $29.0 million, or 18.1%, from $160.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in net interest income was primarily attributable to a $79.4 million increase in interest expense on deposits and borrowings, partially offset by a $50.4 million increase in interest income. The increase in interest income was primarily due to an increase in the average balance of total interest-earning assets coupled with an increase in average yields due to market interest rate increases that occurred throughout 2023, and adjustable rate securities and loans tied to various indexes that repriced higher in the 2024 period. The 50 basis point decrease in market rates in September 2024 did not significantly impact the 2024 period results. The increase in interest expense on deposits was driven by the 2023 rate increases and an increase in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits, coupled with the continued intense competition for deposits in the market and the repricing of existing deposits into higher cost products. The increase in interest expense on borrowings was also impacted by an increase in the average balance of borrowings and the increase in interest rates for new borrowings. Prepayment penalties, which are included in interest income on loans, totaled $875,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $339,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

    The average yield on loans for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 increased 55 basis points to 4.91%, as compared to 4.36% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, as interest income was influenced by higher interest rates and loan growth. The average yield on securities for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 increased 40 basis points to 2.82%, as compared to 2.42% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, as a number of adjustable rate securities tied to various indexes repriced higher during the nine months, and new securities purchased during the 2024 period were at higher yields. The average yield on other interest-earning assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 increased 90 basis points to 6.35%, as compared to 5.45% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, due to the rise in average balances and interest rates paid on cash balances and an increase in the dividend rate paid on Federal Home Loan Bank stock.

    Total interest expense was $206.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of $79.4 million, 62.5%, from $126.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in interest expense was primarily attributable to a 134 basis point increase in the average cost of interest-bearing deposits, coupled with an increase in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits, along with a 25 basis point increase in the average cost of borrowings, and an increase in the average balance of borrowings. Interest expense on deposits increased $68.7 million, or 84.1%, and interest expense on borrowings increased $10.6 million, or 23.6%.

    The Company’s net interest margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 decreased 47 basis points to 1.80%, when compared to 2.27% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The weighted average yield on interest-earning assets increased 55 basis points to 4.61% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, as compared to 4.06% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The average cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased 118 basis points to 3.47% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, as compared to 2.29% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in yields for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was due to the impact of market interest rate increases between periods. The net interest margin decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, as the increase in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities outweighed the increase in the average yield on interest-earning assets.

    The provision for credit losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $11.6 million, an increase of $7.9 million, from $3.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in provision for credit losses was primarily attributable to net charge-offs totaling $8.2 million and an increase in the loan performance qualitative factors.

    Non-interest income was $25.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of $9.5 million, from $16.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to a decrease in the loss on securities transactions of $9.6 million.

    Non-interest expense was $134.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of $321,000, from $134.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in federal deposit insurance premiums of $2.1 million, due to the 2024 period including an increase in a one-time special assessment charge. In addition, there was an increase in professional fees of $4.9 million, an increase in data processing and software expenses of $1.1 million, an increase in merger-related expense of $457,000, and an increase in other non-interest expense of $1.2 million, partially offset by a decrease in compensation and employee benefits expense of $9.5 million. Professional fees included an increase in legal, regulatory and compliance-related costs while data processing and software expenses increased due to costs related to cybersecurity and technology enhancements. The decrease in compensation and employee benefits expense was the result of workforce reduction and lower incentive compensation related to employee cost cutting strategies implemented during 2023 and 2024.

    Income tax expense was $1.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, a decrease of $7.8 million, as compared to income tax expense of $9.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, mainly due to a decrease in pre-tax income. The Company’s effective tax rate was 11.8% and 23.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The effective tax rate for the 2024 period was also impacted by permanent income tax differences.

    Balance Sheet Summary

    Total assets increased $40.9 million, or 0.4%, to $10.7 billion at September 30, 2024 as compared to $10.6 billion at December 31, 2023. The increase in total assets was primarily attributable to an increase in debt securities available for sale of $178.9 million, and an increase in other assets of $21.3 million, partially offset by a decrease in cash and cash equivalents of $139.7 million, and a decrease in loans receivable, net, of $20.7 million.

    Cash and cash equivalents decreased $139.7 million, or 33.0%, to $283.5 million at September 30, 2024 from $423.2 million at December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily attributable to purchases of securities of $283.5 million and repurchases of common stock under our stock repurchase program of $5.9 million, partially offset by proceeds from principal repayments on securities of $119.3 million, and repayments on loans receivable.

    Debt securities available for sale increased $178.9 million, or 16.4%, to $1.3 billion at September 30, 2024 from $1.1 billion at December 31, 2023. The increase was attributable to the purchases of debt securities available for sale of $266.9 million, consisting primarily of U.S. government obligations and mortgage-backed securities, and a decrease in gross unrealized losses on securities of $34.3 million, partially offset by repayments on securities of $107.8 million, maturities of securities of $10.0 million, and the sale of one corporate debt security with a carrying value of $4.8 million, resulting in a loss of $1.3 million.

    Loans receivable, net, decreased $20.7 million, or 0.3%, with a balance of $7.8 billion at both September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023. One-to-four family real estate loans, multifamily loans, commercial real estate loans, and home equity loans and advances decreased $55.6 million, $10.2 million, $64.3 million, and $5.6 million, respectively, partially offset by increases in construction loans of $67.3 million and commercial business loans of $53.4 million. The allowance for credit losses for loans increased $3.4 million to $58.5 million at September 30, 2024 from $55.1 million at December 31, 2023.

    Other assets increased $21.3 million or 6.9%, to $329.7 million at September 30, 2024 compared to $308.4 million at December 31, 2023, primarily due to a $10.4 million increase in the Company’s pension plan balance, as the return on plan assets outpaced the growth in the plan’s obligations and a $12.6 million increase in the Company’s collateral posting with certain of its derivative counterparties.

    Total liabilities increased $2.1 million, or 0.02%, totaling $9.6 billion at both September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in total deposits of $111.5 million, or 1.4%, partially offset by a decrease in borrowings of $108.1 million, or 7.1%. The increase in total deposits primarily consisted of an increase in certificates of deposit and interest-bearing demand deposits of $195.7 million, and $13.8 million, respectively, partially offset by decreases in non-interest-bearing demand deposits, money market accounts, and savings and club accounts of $31.2 million, $16.3 million, and $50.5 million, respectively. The Bank has priced select certificates of deposit accounts very competitively to the market to attract new customers. The $108.1 million decrease in borrowings was primarily driven by a net decrease in short-term borrowings of $167.8 million and repayments of $175.5 million in maturing long-term borrowings, partially offset by an increase in long-term borrowings of $235.2 million.

    Total stockholders’ equity increased $38.8 million, or 3.7%, to $1.1 billion at September 30, 2024 as compared to $1.0 billion at December 31, 2023. The increase in total stockholders’ equity was primarily attributable to net income of $9.6 million, a $5.5 million increase in stock based compensation and an increase of $27.7 million in other comprehensive income, which includes changes in unrealized losses on debt securities available for sale and unrealized gains on swap contracts, net of taxes, included in other comprehensive income. These increases were partially offset by the repurchase of 365,116 shares of common stock at a cost of approximately $5.9 million, or $16.14 per share, under our stock repurchase program. Repurchases have been paused in order to retain capital.

    Asset Quality

    The Company’s non-performing loans at September 30, 2024 totaled $28.0 million, or 0.36% of total gross loans, as compared to $12.6 million, or 0.16% of total gross loans, at December 31, 2023. The $15.4 million increase in non-performing loans was primarily attributable to an increase in non-performing one-to-four family real estate loans of $4.2 million, an increase in non-performing commercial real estate loans of $6.7 million, and an increase in non-performing commercial business loans of $4.5 million. One borrower with an outstanding $5.7 million commercial real estate loan and a related $3.5 million commercial business loan was placed on non-accrual status, representing approximately 60% of the increase in non-performing loans during the 2024 period. This borrower is a healthcare facility that was acquired by another healthcare provider in 2024. The acquiring entity has strong cash flow, has guaranteed the commercial business loan and has provided cash collateral. The Company has the first lien on the healthcare facility which has a 2024 appraised value of approximately $18.5 million along with additional collateral. One commercial real estate loan for $2.0 million secured by a medical condominium was transferred to other real estate owned in May 2024, and a related commercial business loan to the same borrower for $54,000 was charged-off during the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

    The increase in non-performing one-to-four family real estate loans was due to an increase in the number of loans from 17 non-performing loans at December 31, 2023 to 27 loans at September 30, 2024. Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets totaled 0.28% and 0.12% at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

    For the quarter ended September 30, 2024, net charge-offs totaled $2.7 million, as compared to $1.7 million in net charge-offs recorded for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, net charge-offs totaled $8.2 million, as compared to $2.3 million in net charge-offs recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Net charge-offs recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 included charge-offs related to 15 commercial business loans totaling $7.7 million. The majority of these loans have continued making monthly payments, and management expects additional recoveries from these borrowers on a go forward basis.

    The Company’s allowance for credit losses on loans was $58.5 million, or 0.75% of total gross loans, at September 30, 2024, compared to $55.1 million, or 0.70% of total gross loans, at December 31, 2023.

    Additional Liquidity, Loan, and Deposit Information

    The Company services a diverse retail and commercial deposit base through its 68 branches. With approximately 215,000 accounts, the average deposit account balance was approximately $37,000 at September 30, 2024.

    Deposit balances are summarized as follows:

      At September 30, 2024   At June 30, 2024
      Balance   Weighted
    Average
    Rate
      Balance   Weighted
    Average
    Rate
      (Dollars in thousands)
                   
    Non-interest-bearing demand $ 1,406,152       — %   $ 1,405,441       — %
    Interest-bearing demand   1,980,298       2.41       1,904,483       2.37  
    Money market accounts   1,239,204       2.92       1,246,663       3.17  
    Savings and club deposits   649,858       0.79       673,031       0.83  
    Certificates of deposit   2,682,547       4.45       2,551,929       4.34  
    Total deposits $ 7,958,059       2.62 %   $ 7,781,547       2.56 %
                                   

    The Company continues to maintain strong liquidity and capital positions. The Company had no outstanding borrowings from the Federal Reserve Discount Window at September 30, 2024. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had immediate access to approximately $2.6 billion of funding, with additional unpledged loan collateral in excess of $1.8 billion.

    At September 30, 2024, the Company’s non-performing commercial real estate loans totaled $9.4 million, or 0.12%, of the total loans receivable loan portfolio balance.

    The following table presents multifamily real estate, owner occupied commercial real estate, and the components of investor owned commercial real estate loans included in the real estate loan portfolio.

      At September 30, 2024
      (Dollars in thousands)
      Balance   % of Gross Loans   Weighted Average
    Loan to Value Ratio
      Weighted
    Average
    Debt Service
    Coverage

    Multifamily Real Estate $ 1,399,000       17.8 %     61.0 %     1.62 x
                       
    Owner Occupied Commercial Real Estate $ 683,523       8.7 %     53.6 %     2.10 x
                       
    Investor Owned Commercial Real Estate:                  
    Retail / Shopping centers $ 484,121       6.2 %     51.7 %     1.59 x
    Mixed Use   211,853       2.7       58.1       1.61  
    Industrial / Warehouse   389,470       5.0       54.9       1.70  
    Non-Medical Office   197,768       2.5       54.2       1.64  
    Medical Office   126,947       1.6       57.9       1.50  
    Single Purpose   94,497       1.2       54.5       3.23  
    Other   124,580       1.6       52.0       1.67  
    Total $ 1,629,236       20.7 %     54.3 %     1.72 x
                       
    Total Multifamily and Commercial Real Estate Loans $ 3,711,759       47.2 %     56.7 %     1.75 x
                                   

    As of September 30, 2024, the Company had less than $1.0 million in loan exposure to office or rent stabilized multifamily loans in New York City.

    About Columbia Financial, Inc.

    The consolidated financial results include the accounts of Columbia Financial, Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiary Columbia Bank (the “Bank”) and the Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiaries. Columbia Financial, Inc. is a Delaware corporation organized as Columbia Bank’s mid-tier stock holding company. Columbia Financial, Inc. is a majority-owned subsidiary of Columbia Bank, MHC. Columbia Bank is a federally chartered savings bank headquartered in Fair Lawn, New Jersey that operates 68 full-service banking offices and offers traditional financial services to consumers and businesses in its market area.

    Forward Looking Statements

    Certain statements herein constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may be identified by words such as “believes,” “will,” “would,” “expects,” “projects,” “may,” “could,” “developments,” “strategic,” “launching,” “opportunities,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “targets” and similar expressions. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the Company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors. Factors that could cause such differences to exist include, but are not limited to, adverse conditions in the capital and debt markets and the impact of such conditions on the Company’s business activities; changes in interest rates, higher inflation and their impact on national and local economic conditions; changes in monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Treasury, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and other governmental entities; the impact of legal, judicial and regulatory proceedings or investigations, competitive pressures from other financial institutions; the effects of general economic conditions on a national basis or in the local markets in which the Company operates, including changes that adversely affect a borrowers’ ability to service and repay the Company’s loans; the effect of acts of terrorism, war or pandemics,, including on our credit quality and business operations, as well as its impact on general economic and financial market conditions; changes in the value of securities in the Company’s portfolio; changes in loan default and charge-off rates; fluctuations in real estate values; the adequacy of loan loss reserves; decreases in deposit levels necessitating increased borrowing to fund loans and securities; legislative changes and changes in government regulation; changes in accounting standards and practices; the risk that goodwill and intangibles recorded in the Company’s consolidated financial statements will become impaired; cyber-attacks, computer viruses and other technological risks that may breach the security of our systems and allow unauthorized access to confidential information; the inability of third party service providers to perform; demand for loans in the Company’s market area; the Company’s ability to attract and maintain deposits and effectively manage liquidity; risks related to the implementation of acquisitions, dispositions, and restructurings; the risk that the Company may not be successful in the implementation of its business strategy, or its integration of acquired financial institutions and businesses, and changes in assumptions used in making such forward-looking statements which are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, those set forth in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and those set forth in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, all as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which are available at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. Should one or more of these risks materialize or should underlying beliefs or assumptions prove incorrect, the Company’s actual results could differ materially from those discussed. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. The Company disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, new information, future events or other changes, except as required by law.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    Reported amounts are presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). This press release also contains certain supplemental non-GAAP information that the Company’s management uses in its analysis of the Company’s financial results. Specifically, the Company provides measures based on what it believes are its operating earnings on a consistent basis and excludes material non-routine operating items which affect the GAAP reporting of results of operations. The Company’s management believes that providing this information to analysts and investors allows them to better understand and evaluate the Company’s core financial results for the periods presented. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies’ non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names.

    The Company also provides measurements and ratios based on tangible stockholders’ equity. These measures are commonly utilized by regulators and market analysts to evaluate a company’s financial condition and, therefore, the Company’s management believes that such information is useful to investors.

    A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures are included at the end of this press release. See “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.

           
    COLUMBIA FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
    (In thousands)
           
      September 30,   December 31,
      2024
      2023
    Assets (Unaudited)    
    Cash and due from banks $ 283,391     $ 423,140  
    Short-term investments   110       109  
    Total cash and cash equivalents   283,501       423,249  
           
    Debt securities available for sale, at fair value   1,272,464       1,093,557  
    Debt securities held to maturity, at amortized cost (fair value of $367,559, and $357,177 at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)   401,331       401,154  
    Equity securities, at fair value   4,504       4,079  
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock   75,847       81,022  
           
    Loans receivable   7,857,190       7,874,537  
    Less: allowance for credit losses   58,495       55,096  
    Loans receivable, net   7,798,695       7,819,441  
           
    Accrued interest receivable   41,659       39,345  
    Office properties and equipment, net   82,248       83,577  
    Bank-owned life insurance   272,970       268,362  
    Goodwill and intangible assets   121,569       123,350  
    Other real estate owned   1,974       —  
    Other assets   329,741       308,432  
    Total assets $ 10,686,503     $ 10,645,568  
           
    Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity      
    Liabilities:      
    Deposits $ 7,958,059     $ 7,846,556  
    Borrowings   1,420,640       1,528,695  
    Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance   42,793       43,509  
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities   185,861       186,473  
    Total liabilities   9,607,353       9,605,233  
           
    Stockholders’ equity:      
    Total stockholders’ equity   1,079,150       1,040,335  
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 10,686,503     $ 10,645,568  
                   
    COLUMBIA FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Consolidated Statements of Income
    (In thousands, except per share data)
           
      Three Months Ended
    September 30,
      Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
      2024   2023   2024   2023
    Interest income: (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)
    Loans receivable $ 97,863     $ 87,548     $ 286,064     $ 252,026  
    Debt securities available for sale and equity securities   9,592       6,147       26,618       21,043  
    Debt securities held to maturity   2,616       2,434       7,487       7,338  
    Federal funds and interest-earning deposits   3,850       747       11,872       3,360  
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock dividends   1,966       1,529       5,759       3,661  
    Total interest income   115,887       98,405       337,800       287,428  
    Interest expense:              
    Deposits   52,196       35,918       150,440       81,733  
    Borrowings   18,416       13,965       55,805       45,158  
    Total interest expense   70,612       49,883       206,245       126,891  
                   
    Net interest income   45,275       48,522       131,555       160,537  
                   
    Provision for credit losses   4,103       2,379       11,575       3,632  
                   
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses   41,172       46,143       119,980       156,905  
                   
    Non-interest income:              
    Demand deposit account fees   1,695       1,348       4,698       3,815  
    Bank-owned life insurance   1,669       2,014       5,253       5,670  
    Title insurance fees   688       629       1,935       1,840  
    Loan fees and service charges   951       969       3,290       3,366  
    Loss on securities transactions   —       —       (1,256 )     (10,847 )
    Change in fair value of equity securities   (27 )     (81 )     425       249  
    Gain on sale of loans   459       397       825       1,060  
    Other non-interest income   3,543       3,326       10,440       10,977  
    Total non-interest income   8,978       8,602       25,610       16,130  
                   
    Non-interest expense:              
    Compensation and employee benefits   27,738       28,765       82,910       92,383  
    Occupancy   5,594       5,845       17,621       17,337  
    Federal deposit insurance premiums   1,518       1,201       5,752       3,624  
    Advertising   766       834       2,053       2,307  
    Professional fees   2,454       2,490       11,597       6,741  
    Data processing and software expenses   4,125       3,459       12,006       10,885  
    Merger-related expenses   23       14       737       280  
    Other non-interest expense, net   616       302       2,063       861  
    Total non-interest expense   42,834       42,910       134,739       134,418  
                   
    Income before income tax expense   7,316       11,835       10,851       38,617  
                   
    Income tax expense   1,131       2,705       1,281       9,100  
                   
    Net income $ 6,185     $ 9,130     $ 9,570     $ 29,517  
                   
    Earnings per share-basic $ 0.06     $ 0.09     $ 0.09     $ 0.29  
    Earnings per share-diluted $ 0.06     $ 0.09     $ 0.09     $ 0.29  
    Weighted average shares outstanding-basic   101,623,160       101,968,294       101,673,619       102,993,215  
    Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted   101,832,048       102,097,491       101,813,253       103,257,616  
                                   
    COLUMBIA FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Average Balances/Yields
       
      For the Three Months Ended September 30,
      2024   2023
      Average
    Balance
      Interest
    and
    Dividends
      Yield / Cost   Average
    Balance
      Interest
    and
    Dividends
      Yield / Cost
      (Dollars in thousands)
    Interest-earnings assets:                      
    Loans $ 7,791,131     $ 97,863       5.00 %   $ 7,763,368     $ 87,548       4.47 %
    Securities   1,676,781       12,208       2.90 %     1,437,944       8,581       2.37 %
    Other interest-earning assets   344,560       5,816       6.72 %     152,900       2,276       5.91 %
    Total interest-earning assets   9,812,472       115,887       4.70 %     9,354,212       98,405       4.17 %
    Non-interest-earning assets   870,155               844,884          
    Total assets $ 10,682,627             $ 10,199,096          
                           
    Interest-bearing liabilities:                      
    Interest-bearing demand $ 1,970,444     $ 14,581       2.94 %   $ 2,054,464     $ 10,274       1.98 %
    Money market accounts   1,250,676       8,256       2.63 %     1,049,277       7,763       2.94 %
    Savings and club deposits   658,628       1,313       0.79 %     758,999       691       0.36 %
    Certificates of deposit   2,589,190       28,046       4.31 %     2,296,573       17,190       2.97 %
    Total interest-bearing deposits   6,468,938       52,196       3.21 %     6,159,313       35,918       2.31 %
    FHLB advances   1,497,580       18,249       4.85 %     1,142,484       13,508       4.69 %
    Notes payable   —       —       — %     29,925       297       3.94 %
    Junior subordinated debentures   7,028       164       9.28 %     7,315       160       8.68 %
    Other borrowings   217       3       5.50 %     —       —       — %
    Total borrowings   1,504,825       18,416       4.87 %     1,179,724       13,965       4.70 %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   7,973,763     $ 70,612       3.52 %     7,339,037     $ 49,883       2.70 %
                           
    Non-interest-bearing liabilities:                      
    Non-interest-bearing deposits   1,411,622               1,498,726          
    Other non-interest-bearing liabilities   235,990               241,463          
    Total liabilities   9,621,375               9,079,226          
    Total stockholders’ equity   1,061,252               1,119,870          
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 10,682,627             $ 10,199,096          
                           
    Net interest income     $ 45,275             $ 48,522      
    Interest rate spread           1.18 %             1.47 %
    Net interest-earning assets $ 1,838,709             $ 2,015,175          
    Net interest margin           1.84 %             2.06 %
    Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities   123.06 %             127.46 %        
                                   
    COLUMBIA FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Average Balances/Yields
       
      For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
      2024   2023
      Average
    Balance
      Interest
    and
    Dividends
      Yield / Cost   Average
    Balance
      Interest
    and
    Dividends
      Yield / Cost
      (Dollars in thousands)
    Interest-earnings assets:                      
    Loans $ 7,789,356     $ 286,064       4.91 %   $ 7,725,121     $ 252,026       4.36 %
    Securities   1,618,319       34,105       2.82 %     1,569,999       28,381       2.42 %
    Other interest-earning assets   370,749       17,631       6.35 %     172,151       7,021       5.45 %
    Total interest-earning assets   9,778,424       337,800       4.61 %     9,467,271       287,428       4.06 %
    Non-interest-earning assets   864,036               835,459          
    Total assets $ 10,642,460             $ 10,302,730          
                           
    Interest-bearing liabilities:                      
    Interest-bearing demand $ 1,972,520     $ 41,673       2.82 %   $ 2,244,978     $ 25,465       1.52 %
    Money market accounts   1,235,520       25,349       2.74 %     894,520       15,334       2.29 %
    Savings and club deposits   673,930       3,920       0.78 %     819,804       1,384       0.23 %
    Certificates of deposit   2,550,634       79,498       4.16 %     2,165,778       39,550       2.44 %
    Total interest-bearing deposits   6,432,604       150,440       3.12 %     6,125,080       81,733       1.78 %
    FHLB advances   1,507,045       55,316       4.90 %     1,254,637       43,806       4.67 %
    Notes payable   —       —       — %     30,148       895       3.97 %
    Junior subordinated debentures   7,023       486       9.24 %     7,377       457       8.28 %
    Other borrowings   73       3       5.49 %     —       —       — %
    Total borrowings   1,514,141       55,805       4.92 %     1,292,162       45,158       4.67 %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   7,946,745     $ 206,245       3.47 %     7,417,242     $ 126,891       2.29 %
                           
    Non-interest-bearing liabilities:                      
    Non-interest-bearing deposits   1,406,666               1,572,497          
    Other non-interest-bearing liabilities   243,848               225,629          
    Total liabilities   9,597,259               9,215,368          
    Total stockholders’ equity   1,045,201               1,087,362          
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 10,642,460             $ 10,302,730          
                           
    Net interest income     $ 131,555             $ 160,537      
    Interest rate spread           1.15 %             1.77 %
    Net interest-earning assets $ 1,831,679             $ 2,050,029          
    Net interest margin           1.80 %             2.27 %
    Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities   123.05 %             127.64 %        
                                   
    COLUMBIA FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Components of Net Interest Rate Spread and Margin
       
      Average Yields/Costs by Quarter
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
      September 30,
    2023
    Yield on interest-earning assets:                  
    Loans   5.00 %     4.93 %     4.79 %     4.66 %     4.47 %
    Securities   2.90       2.89       2.65       2.58       2.37  
    Other interest-earning assets   6.72       6.30       6.06       5.64       5.91  
    Total interest-earning assets   4.70 %     4.64 %     4.50 %     4.39 %     4.17 %
                       
    Cost of interest-bearing liabilities:                  
    Total interest-bearing deposits   3.21 %     3.14 %     3.02 %     2.76 %     2.31 %
    Total borrowings   4.87       4.92       4.98       4.96       4.70  
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   3.52 %     3.49 %     3.38 %     3.18 %     2.70 %
                       
    Interest rate spread   1.18 %     1.15 %     1.12 %     1.21 %     1.47 %
    Net interest margin   1.84 %     1.81 %     1.75 %     1.85 %     2.06 %
                       
    Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities   123.06 %     123.03 %     123.06 %     125.32 %     127.46 %
                                           
    COLUMBIA FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Selected Financial Highlights
       
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
      September 30,
    2023
    SELECTED FINANCIAL RATIOS (1):                  
    Return on average assets   0.23 %     0.17 %     (0.04 )%     0.25 %     0.36 %
    Core return on average assets   0.23 %     0.20 %     0.02 %     0.38 %     0.36 %
    Return on average equity   2.32 %     1.77 %     (0.45 )%     2.31 %     3.23 %
    Core return on average equity   2.29 %     2.06 %     0.18 %     3.55 %     3.24 %
    Core return on average tangible equity   2.58 %     2.34 %     0.20 %     3.99 %     3.64 %
    Interest rate spread   1.18 %     1.15 %     1.12 %     1.21 %     1.47 %
    Net interest margin   1.84 %     1.81 %     1.75 %     1.85 %     2.06 %
    Non-interest income to average assets   0.33 %     0.35 %     0.28 %     0.42 %     0.33 %
    Non-interest expense to average assets   1.60 %     1.74 %     1.74 %     1.80 %     1.67 %
    Efficiency ratio   78.95 %     86.83 %     91.96 %     84.82 %     75.12 %
    Core efficiency ratio   79.14 %     85.34 %     88.39 %     76.93 %     75.09 %
    Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities   123.06 %     123.03 %     123.06 %     125.32 %     127.46 %
    Net charge-offs to average outstanding loans   0.14 %     0.03 %     0.26 %     0.01 %     0.09 %
                       
    (1) Ratios are annualized when appropriate.
     
    ASSET QUALITY DATA:  
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
      September 30,
    2023
      (Dollars in thousands)
                       
    Non-accrual loans $ 28,014     $ 25,281     $ 22,935     $ 12,618     $ 15,150  
    90+ and still accruing   —       —       —       —       —  
    Non-performing loans   28,014       25,281       22,935       12,618       15,150  
    Real estate owned   1,974       1,974       —       —       —  
    Total non-performing assets $ 29,988     $ 27,255     $ 22,935     $ 12,618     $ 15,150  
                       
    Non-performing loans to total gross loans   0.36 %     0.33 %     0.30 %     0.16 %     0.19 %
    Non-performing assets to total assets   0.28 %     0.25 %     0.22 %     0.12 %     0.15 %
    Allowance for credit losses on loans (“ACL”) $ 58,495     $ 57,062     $ 55,401     $ 55,096     $ 54,113  
    ACL to total non-performing loans   208.81 %     225.71 %     241.56 %     436.65 %     357.18 %
    ACL to gross loans   0.75 %     0.73 %     0.71 %     0.70 %     0.69 %
                                           
    LOAN DATA:  
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
      September 30,
    2023
      (In thousands)
    Real estate loans:          
    One-to-four family $ 2,737,190     $ 2,764,177     $ 2,778,932     $ 2,792,833     $ 2,791,939  
    Multifamily   1,399,000       1,409,316       1,429,369       1,409,187       1,417,233  
    Commercial real estate   2,312,759       2,316,252       2,318,178       2,377,077       2,374,488  
    Construction   510,439       462,880       437,566       443,094       390,940  
    Commercial business loans   586,447       554,768       538,260       533,041       546,750  
    Consumer loans:                  
    Home equity loans and advances   261,041       260,427       260,786       266,632       267,016  
    Other consumer loans   2,877       2,689       2,601       2,801       2,586  
    Total gross loans   7,809,753       7,770,509       7,765,692       7,824,665       7,790,952  
    Purchased credit deteriorated loans   11,795       12,150       14,945       15,089       15,228  
    Net deferred loan costs, fees and purchased premiums and discounts   35,642       36,352       34,992       34,783       34,360  
    Allowance for credit losses   (58,495 )     (57,062 )     (55,401 )     (55,096 )     (54,113 )
    Loans receivable, net $ 7,798,695     $ 7,761,949     $ 7,760,228     $ 7,819,441     $ 7,786,427  
                                           
    CAPITAL RATIOS:      
      September 30,   December 31,
      2024 (1)   2023
    Company:      
    Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)   14.37 %     14.08 %
    Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)   13.59 %     13.32 %
    Common equity tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)   13.50 %     13.23 %
    Tier 1 capital (to adjusted total assets)   10.16 %     10.04 %
           
    Columbia Bank:      
    Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)   14.44 %     14.02 %
    Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)   13.61 %     13.22 %
    Common equity tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)   13.61 %     13.22 %
    Tier 1 capital (to adjusted total assets)   9.62 %     9.48 %
           
    Freehold Bank:      
    Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)   25.98 %     22.49 %
    Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)   25.41 %     21.81 %
    Common equity tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)   25.41 %     21.81 %
    Tier 1 capital (to adjusted total assets)   16.63 %     15.27 %
           
    (1) Estimated ratios at September 30, 2024
           
    Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
           
    Book and Tangible Book Value per Share
      September 30,   December 31,
      2024   2023
      (Dollars in thousands)
       
    Total stockholders’ equity $ 1,079,150     $ 1,040,335  
    Less: goodwill   (110,715 )     (110,715 )
    Less: core deposit intangible   (9,496 )     (11,155 )
    Total tangible stockholders’ equity $ 958,939     $ 918,465  
           
    Shares outstanding   104,725,436       104,918,905  
           
    Book value per share $ 10.30     $ 9.92  
    Tangible book value per share $ 9.16     $ 8.75  
                   
    Reconciliation of Core Net Income              
      Three Months Ended
    September 30,
      Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
      2024   2023
      2024
      2023
      (In thousands)
                   
    Net income $ 6,185     $ 9,130     $ 9,570     $ 29,517  
    Add: loss on securities transactions, net of tax   —       —       1,130       9,249  
    Less/add: FDIC special assessment, net of tax   (107 )     —       385       —  
    Add: severance expense from reduction in workforce, net of tax   —       —       67       1,390  
    Add: merger-related expenses, net of tax   19       11       691       241  
    Add: litigation expenses, net of tax   —       —       —       262  
    Core net income $ 6,097     $ 9,141     $ 11,843     $ 40,659  
                                   
    Return on Average Assets              
      Three Months Ended
    September 30,
      Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
      2024   2023   2024   2023
      (Dollars in thousands)
                   
    Net income $ 6,185     $ 9,130     $ 9,570     $ 29,517  
                   
    Average assets $ 10,682,627     $ 10,199,096     $ 10,642,460     $ 10,302,730  
                   
    Return on average assets   0.23 %     0.36 %     0.12 %     0.38 %
                   
    Core net income $ 6,097     $ 9,141     $ 11,843     $ 40,659  
                   
    Core return on average assets   0.23 %     0.36 %     0.15 %     0.53 %
                                   
    Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures (continued)
                   
    Return on Average Equity              
      Three Months Ended
    September 30,
      Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
      2024   2023   2024   2023
      (Dollars in thousands)
                   
    Total average stockholders’ equity $ 1,061,252     $ 1,119,870     $ 1,045,201     $ 1,087,362  
    Add: loss on securities transactions, net of tax   —       —       1,130       9,249  
    Less/add: FDIC special assessment, net of tax   (107 )     —       385       —  
    Add: severance expense from reduction in workforce, net of tax   —       —       67       1,390  
    Add: merger-related expenses, net of tax   19       11       691       241  
    Add: litigation expenses, net of tax   —       —       —       262  
    Core average stockholders’ equity $ 1,061,164     $ 1,119,881     $ 1,047,474     $ 1,098,504  
                   
    Return on average equity   2.32 %     3.23 %     1.22 %     3.63 %
                   
    Core return on core average equity   2.29 %     3.24 %     1.51 %     4.95 %
                                   
    Return on Average Tangible Equity        
      Three Months Ended
    September 30,
      Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
      2024   2023   2024   2023
      (Dollars in thousands)
                   
    Total average stockholders’ equity $ 1,061,252     $ 1,119,870     $ 1,045,201     $ 1,087,362  
    Less: average goodwill   (110,715 )     (110,715 )     (110,715 )     (110,715 )
    Less: average core deposit intangible   (9,842 )     (12,109 )     (10,391 )     (12,989 )
    Total average tangible stockholders’ equity $ 940,695     $ 997,046     $ 924,095     $ 963,658  
                   
    Core return on average tangible equity   2.58 %     3.64 %     1.71 %     5.64 %
                                   
    Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures (continued)
                   
    Efficiency Ratios              
      Three Months Ended
    September 30,
      Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
      2024   2023   2024   2023
      (Dollars in thousands)
                   
    Net interest income $ 45,275     $ 48,522     $ 131,555     $ 160,537  
    Non-interest income   8,978       8,602       25,610       16,130  
    Total income $ 54,253     $ 57,124     $ 157,165     $ 176,667  
                   
    Non-interest expense $ 42,834     $ 42,910     $ 134,739     $ 134,418  
                   
    Efficiency ratio   78.95 %     75.12 %     85.73 %     76.09 %
                   
    Non-interest income $ 8,978     $ 8,602     $ 25,610     $ 16,130  
    Add: loss on securities transactions   —       —       1,256       10,847  
    Core non-interest income $ 8,978     $ 8,602     $ 26,866     $ 26,977  
                   
    Non-interest expense $ 42,834     $ 42,910     $ 134,739     $ 134,418  
    Add/less: FDIC special assessment, net   126       —       (439 )     —  
    Less: severance expense from reduction in workforce   —       —       (74 )     (1,605 )
    Less: merger-related expenses   (23 )     (14 )     (737 )     (280 )
    Less: litigation expenses   —       —       —       (317 )
    Core non-interest expense $ 42,937     $ 42,896     $ 133,489     $ 132,216  
                   
    Core efficiency ratio   79.14 %     75.09 %     84.26 %     70.51 %
                                   

    Columbia Financial, Inc.
    Investor Relations Department
    (833) 550-0717

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Independent Bank Corporation Reports 2024 Third Quarter Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Third Quarter Highlights

    Highlights for the third quarter of 2024 include:

    • Increases in net interest income of $0.5 million (or 4.9% annualized) from June 30, 2024;
    • An increase in tangible book value per share of $3.69 (22.3%) over the third quarter of 2023;
    • Net growth in core deposits of $100.1 million (or 8.9% annualized) from June 30, 2024;
    • Net growth in loans of $90.4 million (or 9.3% annualized) from June 30, 2024; and
    • The payment of a 24 cent per share dividend on common stock on August 15, 2024.

    GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Independent Bank Corporation (NASDAQ: IBCP) reported third quarter 2024 net income of $13.8 million, or $0.65 per diluted share, versus net income of $17.5 million, or $0.83 per diluted share, in the prior-year period.

    William B. (“Brad”) Kessel, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Independent Bank Corporation, commented: “I am proud of our team and very pleased with our third quarter 2024 results, driving organic growth on both sides of the balance sheet. Overall loans increased 9.3% (annualized), while core deposits are up 8.9% (annualized). We were able to generate net interest income growth on both a linked quarter basis and on a year over year quarterly basis. We believe that our expenses continue to be well managed, and we continue to see improved operational scale from strategic investments we have made in recent years. Our credit metrics continue to be excellent, with watch credits and non-performing assets near historic lows. These fundamentals continue to drive good growth in tangible book value per share (22%) compared to the prior year quarter. Based on a robust commercial loan pipeline, the past record of our core group of professionals and the on-going strategic initiative to add talented bankers to our team, we are optimistic about continuing these growth trends for the remainder of the year and into 2025.”

    Significant items impacting comparable third quarter 2024 and 2023 results include the following:

    • Changes in the fair value due to price of capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights (the “MSR Changes”) of  $(4.2) million ($(0.16) per diluted share, after taxes) for the three-month period ended September 30, 2024, as compared to $1.6 million ($0.06 per diluted share, after taxes) for the three-months ended September 30, 2023.

    Operating Results

    The Company’s net interest income totaled $41.9 million during the third quarter of 2024, an increase of $2.4 million, or 6.2% from the year-ago period, and an increase of $0.5 million, or 1.2%, from the second quarter of 2024. The Company’s tax equivalent net interest income as a percent of average interest-earning assets (the “net interest margin”) was 3.37% during the third quarter of 2024, compared to 3.23% in the year-ago period, and 3.40% in the second quarter of 2024. The year-over-year quarterly increase in net interest income was due to an increase in average interest-earning assets and the net interest margin. The increase in net interest income compared to the linked quarter was due to an increase in average interest earning assets that was partially offset by a decrease in the net interest margin. Average interest-earning assets were $4.99 billion in the third quarter of 2024, compared to $4.89 billion in the year ago quarter and $4.89 billion in the second quarter of 2024.

    Non-interest income totaled $9.5 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $15.6 million in the comparable prior year period. This change was primarily due to variances in mortgage banking related revenues.

    Net gains on mortgage loans in the third quarters of 2024 and 2023, were approximately $2.2 million and $2.1 million, respectively. The comparative quarterly increase in net gains on mortgage loans was primarily due to an increase in both gain on sale margin on mortgage loans sold and a increase in the volume of mortgage loans sold.

    Mortgage loan servicing, net, generated income (expense) of $(3.1) million and $2.7 million in the third quarters of 2024 and 2023, respectively. The significant variance in mortgage loan servicing, net is primarily due to changes in the fair value of capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights associated with changes in interest rates and the associated expected future prepayment levels and expected float rates. Mortgage loan servicing, net activity is summarized in the following table:

      Three months ended   Nine months ended
      9/30/2024   9/30/2023   9/30/2024   9/30/2023
      (In thousands)
    Mortgage loan servicing, net:              
    Revenue, net $ 2,248     $ 2,197     $ 6,681     $ 6,612  
    Fair value change due to price   (4,155 )     1,556       (1,979 )     3,364  
    Fair value change due to pay-downs   (1,223 )     (1,085 )     (3,016 )     (2,908 )
    Total $ (3,130 )   $ 2,668     $ 1,686     $ 7,068  
     

    Non-interest expenses totaled $32.6 million in the third quarter of 2024, compared to $32.0 million in the year-ago period.

    The Company recorded income tax expense of $3.5 million in the third quarter of 2024. This compares to an income tax expense of $4.1 million in the third quarter of 2023. The changes in income tax expense principally reflect changes in pre-tax earnings in 2024 relative to 2023.

    Asset Quality

    A breakdown of non-performing loans by loan type is as follows:

      9/30/2024   12/31/2023   9/30/2023
    Loan Type (Dollars in thousands)
    Commercial $ 59     $ 28     $ 31  
    Mortgage   6,525       6,425       6,137  
    Installment   666       970       801  
    Sub total   7,250       7,423       6,969  
    Less – government guaranteed loans   2,102       2,191       2,254  
    Total non-performing loans $ 5,148     $ 5,232     $ 4,715  
    Ratio of non-performing loans to total portfolio loans   0.13 %     0.14 %     0.13 %
    Ratio of non-performing assets to total assets   0.11 %     0.11 %     0.10 %
    Ratio of allowance for credit losses to total non-performing loans   1115.85 %     1044.69 %     1176.99 %
                           

    The provision for credit losses was an expense of $1.49 million and $1.35 million in the third quarters of 2024 and 2023, respectively. We recorded loan net charge offs (recoveries) of $0.31 million and $(0.18) million in the third quarters of 2024 and 2023, respectively. At September 30, 2024, the allowance for credit losses for loans totaled $57.4 million, or 1.46% of total portfolio loans compared to $54.7 million, or 1.44% of total portfolio loans at December 31, 2023.

    Balance Sheet, Capital and Liquidity

    Total assets were $5.26 billion at September 30, 2024, a decrease of $4.5 million from December 31, 2023. Loans, excluding loans held for sale, were $3.94 billion at September 30, 2024, compared to $3.79 billion at December 31, 2023.  Deposits totaled $4.63 billion at September 30, 2024, an increase of $4.0 million from December 31, 2023. This increase is primarily due to increases in savings and interest-bearing checking, reciprocal and time deposits that were partially offset by a decrease in non-interest bearings deposits and brokered time deposits.

    Cash and cash equivalents totaled $121.6 million at September 30, 2024, versus $169.8 million at December 31, 2023. Securities available for sale (“AFS”) totaled $589.0 million at September 30, 2024, versus $679.4 million at December 31, 2023.

    Total shareholders’ equity was $452.4 million at September 30, 2024, or 8.60% of total assets compared to $404.4 million or 7.68% at December 31, 2023. Tangible common equity totaled $422.5 million at September 30, 2024, or $20.22 per share compared to $374.1 million or $17.96 per share at December 31, 2023. The increase in shareholder equity as well as tangible common equity are primarily the result of earnings retention and a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss.

    The Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Independent Bank, remains significantly above “well capitalized” for regulatory purposes with the following ratios:

    Regulatory Capital Ratios 9/30/2024   12/31/2023   Well
    Capitalized
    Minimum
               
    Tier 1 capital to average total assets   9.36 %     8.80 %     5.00 %
    Tier 1 common equity  to risk-weighted assets   11.74 %     11.21 %     6.50 %
    Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets   11.74 %     11.21 %     8.00 %
    Total capital to risk-weighted assets   13.00 %     12.46 %     10.00 %
                           

    At September 30, 2024, in addition to liquidity available from our normal operating, funding, and investing activities, we had unused credit lines with the FHLB and FRB of approximately $1.11 billion and $471.7 million, respectively. We also had approximately $771.3 million in fair value of unpledged securities AFS and HTM at September 30, 2024 which could be pledged for an estimated additional borrowing capacity at the FHLB and FRB of approximately $718.0 million.

    Share Repurchase Plan

    On December 19, 2023, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the 2024 share repurchase plan. Under the terms of the 2024 share repurchase plan, the Company is authorized to purchase up to 1,100,000 shares, or approximately 5% of its then outstanding common stock. The repurchase plan is authorized to last through December 31, 2024. The Company did not repurchase any shares of common stock during the first nine months of 2024.

    Earnings Conference Call

    Brad Kessel, President and CEO, Gavin Mohr, CFO and Joel Rahn, EVP – Commercial Banking will review the quarterly results in a conference call for investors and analysts beginning at 11:00 am ET on Thursday, October 24, 2024.

    To participate in the live conference call, please dial 1-833-470-1428 (Access Code # 957797). Also, the conference call will be accessible through an audio webcast with user-controlled slides via the following site/URL: https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/824908063.

    A playback of the call can be accessed by dialing 1-866-813-9403 (Access Code # 159381). The replay will be available through October 31, 2024.

    About Independent Bank Corporation

    Independent Bank Corporation (NASDAQ: IBCP) is a Michigan-based bank holding company with total assets of approximately $5.3 billion. Founded as First National Bank of Ionia in 1864, Independent Bank Corporation operates a branch network across Michigan’s Lower Peninsula through one state-chartered bank subsidiary. This subsidiary (Independent Bank) provides a full range of financial services, including commercial banking, mortgage lending, consumer banking, investments and insurance. Independent Bank Corporation is committed to providing exceptional personal service and value to its customers, stockholders and the communities it serves.

    For more information, please visit our Web site at: IndependentBank.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This presentation contains forward-looking statements, which are any statements or information that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements include statements about our anticipated future revenue and expenses and our future plans and prospects.

    Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. For example, deterioration in general business and economic conditions or turbulence in domestic or global financial markets could adversely affect our revenues and the values of our assets and liabilities, reduce the availability of funding to us, lead to a tightening of credit, and increase stock price volatility. Our results could also be adversely affected by changes in interest rates; increases in unemployment rates; deterioration in the credit quality of our loan portfolios or in the value of the collateral securing those loans; deterioration in the value of our investment securities; legal and regulatory developments; changes in customer behavior and preferences; breaches in data security; and management’s ability to effectively manage the multitude of risks facing our business. Key risk factors that could affect our future results are described in more detail in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the other reports we file with the SEC, including under the heading “Risk Factors.” Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of our future results.

    Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

    INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
     
      September 30, 2024   December 31, 2023
      (Unaudited)
      (In thousands, except share
    amounts)
    Assets      
    Cash and due from banks $ 61,503     $ 68,208  
    Interest bearing deposits   60,057       101,573  
    Cash and Cash Equivalents   121,560       169,781  
    Securities available for sale   588,950       679,350  
    Securities held to maturity (fair value of $314,638 at September 30, 2024 and $318,606 at December 31, 2023)   343,362       353,988  
    Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock, at cost   16,099       16,821  
    Loans held for sale, carried at fair value   14,029       12,063  
    Loans      
    Commercial   1,825,247       1,679,731  
    Mortgage   1,511,400       1,485,872  
    Installment   605,640       625,298  
    Total Loans   3,942,287       3,790,901  
    Allowance for credit losses   (57,444 )     (54,658 )
    Net Loans   3,884,843       3,736,243  
    Other real estate and repossessed assets, net   781       569  
    Property and equipment, net   35,250       35,523  
    Bank-owned life insurance   54,017       54,341  
    Capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights, carried at fair value   40,204       42,243  
    Other intangibles   1,617       2,004  
    Goodwill   28,300       28,300  
    Accrued income and other assets   130,256       132,500  
    Total Assets $ 5,259,268     $ 5,263,726  
    Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity      
    Deposits      
    Non-interest bearing $ 1,023,739     $ 1,076,093  
    Savings and interest-bearing checking   1,947,571       1,905,701  
    Reciprocal   995,469       832,020  
    Time   620,446       524,325  
    Brokered time   39,650       284,740  
    Total Deposits   4,626,875       4,622,879  
    Other borrowings   —       50,026  
    Subordinated debt   39,567       39,510  
    Subordinated debentures   39,779       39,728  
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities   100,678       107,134  
    Total Liabilities   4,806,899       4,859,277  
           
    Shareholders’ Equity      
    Preferred stock, no par value, 200,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding   —       —  
    Common stock, no par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding: 20,893,800 shares at September 30, 2024 and 20,835,633 shares at December 31, 2023   318,216       317,483  
    Retained earnings   192,405       159,108  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (58,252 )     (72,142 )
    Total Shareholders’ Equity   452,369       404,449  
    Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity $ 5,259,268     $ 5,263,726  
    INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Consolidated Statements of Operations
     
      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
      September 30,   June 30,   September 30,   September 30,
      2024   2024   2023   2024   2023
      (Unaudited)
      (In thousands, except per share amounts)
    Interest Income                                      
    Interest and fees on loans $ 58,410     $ 56,786     $ 51,419     $ 170,239     $ 143,392  
    Interest on securities                  
    Taxable   4,502       4,713       5,865       14,466       17,668  
    Tax-exempt   3,404       3,400       3,409       10,195       9,775  
    Other investments   2,018       1,439       1,739       4,898       3,481  
    Total Interest Income   68,334       66,338       62,432       199,798       174,316  
    Interest Expense                  
    Deposits   24,462       22,876       20,743       70,148       51,964  
    Other borrowings and subordinated debt and debentures   2,018       2,116       2,262       6,253       6,134  
    Total Interest Expense   26,480       24,992       23,005       76,401       58,098  
    Net Interest Income   41,854       41,346       39,427       123,397       116,218  
    Provision for credit losses   1,488       19       1,350       2,251       6,827  
    Net Interest Income After Provision for Credit Losses   40,366       41,327       38,077       121,146       109,391  
    Non-interest Income                  
    Interchange income   4,146       3,401       4,100       10,698       10,660  
    Service charges on deposit accounts   3,085       2,937       3,309       8,894       9,300  
    Net gains (losses) on assets                  
    Mortgage loans   2,177       1,333       2,099       4,874       5,475  
    Equity securities at fair value   (8 )     2,693       —       2,685       —  
    Securities available for sale   (145 )     —       —       (414 )     (222 )
    Mortgage loan servicing, net   (3,130 )     2,091       2,668       1,686       7,068  
    Other   3,383       2,717       3,435       8,818       9,298  
    Total Non-interest Income   9,508       15,172       15,611       37,241       41,579  
    Non-interest Expense                  
    Compensation and employee benefits   20,048       21,251       19,975       62,069       59,916  
    Data processing   3,379       3,257       3,071       9,891       8,953  
    Occupancy, net   1,893       1,886       1,971       5,853       5,975  
    Interchange expense   1,149       1,127       1,119       3,373       3,222  
    Furniture, fixtures and equipment   932       948       927       2,834       2,782  
    FDIC deposit insurance   664       695       677       2,141       2,209  
    Loan and collection   657       699       520       1,868       1,718  
    Advertising   581       788       360       1,860       1,286  
    Legal and professional   687       544       543       1,717       1,623  
    Communications   519       499       568       1,633       1,871  
    Costs (recoveries) related to unfunded lending commitments   113       (137 )     451       (676 )     76  
    Other   1,961       1,776       1,854       5,546       5,610  
    Total Non-interest Expense   32,583       33,333       32,036       98,109       95,241  
    Income Before Income Tax   17,291       23,166       21,652       60,278       55,729  
    Income tax expense   3,481       4,638       4,109       11,949       10,405  
    Net Income $ 13,810     $ 18,528     $ 17,543     $ 48,329     $ 45,324  
    Net Income Per Common Share                  
    Basic $ 0.66     $ 0.89     $ 0.84     $ 2.31     $ 2.16  
    Diluted $ 0.65     $ 0.88     $ 0.83     $ 2.29     $ 2.14  
    INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Selected Financial Data
     
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
      September 30,
    2023
      (unaudited)
      (Dollars in thousands except per share data)
    Three Months Ended                  
    Net interest income $ 41,854     $ 41,346     $ 40,197     $ 40,111     $ 39,427  
    Provision for credit losses   1,488       19       744       (617 )     1,350  
    Non-interest income   9,508       15,172       12,561       9,097       15,611  
    Non-interest expense   32,583       33,333       32,193       31,878       32,036  
    Income before income tax   17,291       23,166       19,821       17,947       21,652  
    Income tax expense   3,481       4,638       3,830       4,204       4,109  
    Net income $ 13,810     $ 18,528     $ 15,991     $ 13,743     $ 17,543  
                       
    Basic earnings per share $ 0.66     $ 0.89     $ 0.77     $ 0.66     $ 0.84  
    Diluted earnings per share   0.65       0.88       0.76       0.65       0.83  
    Cash dividend per share   0.24       0.24       0.24       0.23       0.23  
                       
    Average shares outstanding   20,896,019       20,901,741       20,877,067       20,840,680       20,922,431  
    Average diluted shares outstanding   21,115,273       21,105,387       21,079,607       21,049,030       21,114,445  
                       
    Performance Ratios                  
    Return on average assets   1.04 %     1.44 %     1.24 %     1.04 %     1.34 %
    Return on average equity   12.54       17.98       15.95       14.36       18.68  
    Efficiency ratio (1)   62.82       61.49       60.26       64.27       57.52  
                       
    As a Percent of Average Interest-Earning Assets (1)                
    Interest income   5.48 %     5.45 %     5.34 %     5.29 %     5.10 %
    Interest expense   2.11       2.05       2.04       2.03       1.87  
    Net interest income   3.37       3.40       3.30       3.26       3.23  
                       
    Average Balances                  
    Loans $ 3,909,954     $ 3,849,199     $ 3,810,526     $ 3,764,752     $ 3,694,534  
    Securities   933,750       944,435       999,140       1,027,240       1,071,211  
    Total earning assets   4,985,842       4,893,367       4,910,669       4,928,697       4,892,208  
    Total assets   5,275,623       5,181,317       5,201,452       5,233,666       5,192,114  
    Deposits   4,616,119       4,531,917       4,561,645       4,612,797       4,577,796  
    Interest bearing liabilities   3,689,684       3,611,972       3,627,446       3,635,771       3,554,179  
    Shareholders’ equity   438,077       414,549       403,225       379,614       372,667  

    (1) Presented on a fully tax equivalent basis assuming a marginal tax rate of 21%.

    INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Selected Financial Data (continued)
     
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
      September 30,
    2023
      (unaudited)
      (Dollars in thousands except per share data)
    End of Period                  
    Capital                  
    Tangible common equity ratio   8.08 %     7.63 %     7.41 %     7.15 %     6.67 %
    Tangible common equity ratio excluding accumulated other comprehensive loss   8.99       8.76       8.57       8.31       8.20  
    Average equity to average assets   8.30       8.00       7.75       7.25       7.18  
    Total capital to risk-weighted assets (2)   14.25       14.21       13.85       13.71       13.58  
    Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets (2)   12.06       12.01       11.65       11.50       11.37  
    Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets (2)   11.16       11.09       10.73       10.58       10.44  
    Tier 1 capital to average assets (2)   9.63       9.59       9.29       9.03       8.94  
    Common shareholders’ equity per share of common stock $ 21.65     $ 20.60     $ 19.88     $ 19.41     $ 17.99  
    Tangible common equity per share of common stock   20.22       19.16       18.44       17.96       16.53  
    Total shares outstanding   20,893,800       20,899,358       20,903,677       20,835,633       20,850,455  
                       
    Selected Balances                  
    Loans $ 3,942,287     $ 3,851,889     $ 3,839,965     $ 3,790,901     $ 3,741,486  
    Securities   932,312       936,194       963,577       1,033,338       1,043,540  
    Total earning assets   4,964,784       4,979,555       4,949,496       4,954,696       4,884,720  
    Total assets   5,259,268       5,277,500       5,231,255       5,263,726       5,200,018  
    Deposits   4,626,875       4,614,328       4,582,414       4,622,879       4,585,612  
    Interest bearing liabilities   3,682,482       3,694,025       3,677,060       3,676,050       3,573,187  
    Shareholders’ equity   452,369       430,459       415,570       404,449       374,998  

    (2) September 30, 2024 are Preliminary.

     
    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
    Independent Bank Corporation

    Independent Bank Corporation believes non-GAAP measures are meaningful because they reflect adjustments commonly made by management, investors, regulators and analysts to evaluate the adequacy of common equity and performance trends.  Tangible common equity is used by the Company to measure the quality of capital.

    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

      Three Months Ended
    September 30,
      Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
      (Dollars in thousands)
    Net Interest Margin, Fully Taxable Equivalent (“FTE”)              
                   
    Net interest income $ 41,854     $ 39,427     $ 123,397     $ 116,218  
    Add:  taxable equivalent adjustment   158       202       513       722  
    Net interest income – taxable equivalent $ 42,012     $ 39,629     $ 123,910     $ 116,940  
    Net interest margin (GAAP) (1)   3.35 %     3.21 %     3.34 %     3.25 %
    Net interest margin (FTE) (1)   3.37 %     3.23 %     3.35 %     3.26 %

    (1) Annualized.

    Tangible Common Equity Ratio

      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
      September 30,
    2023
      (Dollars in thousands)
    Common shareholders’ equity $ 452,369     $ 430,459     $ 415,570     $ 404,449     $ 374,998  
    Less:                  
    Goodwill   28,300       28,300       28,300       28,300       28,300  
    Other intangibles   1,617       1,746       1,875       2,004       2,141  
    Tangible common equity   422,452       400,413       385,395       374,145       344,557  
    Addition:                  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss for regulatory purposes   52,454       65,030       65,831       66,344       86,507  
    Tangible common equity excluding other comprehensive loss adjustments $ 474,906     $ 465,443     $ 451,226     $ 440,489     $ 431,064  
                       
    Total assets $ 5,259,268     $ 5,277,500     $ 5,231,255     $ 5,263,726     $ 5,200,018  
    Less:                  
    Goodwill   28,300       28,300       28,300       28,300       28,300  
    Other intangibles   1,617       1,746       1,875       2,004       2,141  
    Tangible assets   5,229,351       5,247,454       5,201,080       5,233,422       5,169,577  
    Addition:                  
    Net unrealized losses on available for sale securities and derivatives, net of tax   52,454       65,030       65,831       66,344       86,507  
    Tangible assets excluding other comprehensive loss adjustments $ 5,281,805     $ 5,312,484     $ 5,266,911     $ 5,299,766     $ 5,256,084  
                       
    Common equity ratio   8.60 %     8.16 %     7.94 %     7.68 %     7.21 %
    Tangible common equity ratio   8.08 %     7.63 %     7.41 %     7.15 %     6.67 %
    Tangible common equity ratio excluding other comprehensive loss   8.99 %     8.76 %     8.57 %     8.31 %     8.20 %
                       
    Tangible Common Equity per Share of Common Stock:
                       
    Common shareholders’ equity $ 452,369     $ 430,459     $ 415,570     $ 404,449     $ 374,998  
    Tangible common equity $ 422,452     $ 400,413     $ 385,395     $ 374,145     $ 344,557  
    Shares of common stock outstanding (in thousands)   20,894       20,899       20,904       20,836       20,850  
                       
    Common shareholders’ equity per share of common stock $ 21.65     $ 20.60     $ 19.88     $ 19.41     $ 17.99  
    Tangible common equity per share of common stock $ 20.22     $ 19.16     $ 18.44     $ 17.96     $ 16.53  
     

    The tangible common equity ratio removes the effect of goodwill and other intangible assets from capital and total assets.  Tangible common equity per share of common stock removes the effect of goodwill and other intangible assets from common shareholders’ equity per share of common stock.

    Contact: William B. Kessel, President and CEO, 616.447.3933
      Gavin A. Mohr, Chief Financial Officer, 616.447.3929  

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Hanmi Financial Declares Cash Dividend of $0.25 per share

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LOS ANGELES, Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hanmi Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: HAFC, or “Hanmi”), the parent company of Hanmi Bank (the “Bank”), today announced that its Board of Directors declared a cash dividend on its common stock for the 2024 fourth quarter of $0.25 per share. The dividend will be paid on November 20, 2024, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 4, 2024.

    About Hanmi Financial Corporation
    Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Hanmi Financial Corporation owns Hanmi Bank, which serves multi-ethnic communities through its network of 32 full-service branches and eight loan production offices in California, Texas, Illinois, Virginia, New Jersey, New York, Colorado, Washington and Georgia. Hanmi Bank specializes in real estate, commercial, SBA and trade finance lending to small and middle market businesses. Additional information is available at www.hanmi.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are included in accordance with the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward–looking statements” for purposes of federal and state securities laws, including, but not limited to, statements about our anticipated future operating and financial performance, financial position and liquidity, business strategies, regulatory and competitive outlook, investment and expenditure plans, capital and financing needs and availability, plans and objectives of management for future operations, developments regarding our capital and strategic plans, and other similar forecasts and statements of expectation and statements of assumption underlying any of the foregoing. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” or “continue,” or the negative of such terms and other comparable terminology. Although we believe that our forward-looking statements to be reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.

    Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These factors include the following:

    • a failure to maintain adequate levels of capital and liquidity to support our operations;
    • general economic and business conditions internationally, nationally and in those areas in which we operate, including any potential recessionary conditions;
    • volatility and deterioration in the credit and equity markets;
    • changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits;
    • availability of capital from private and government sources;
    • demographic changes;
    • competition for loans and deposits and failure to attract or retain loans and deposits;
    • inflation and fluctuations in interest rates that reduce our margins and yields, the fair value of financial instruments, the level of loan originations or prepayments on loans we have made and make, the level of loan sales and the cost we pay to retain and attract deposits and secure other types of funding;
    • our ability to enter new markets successfully and capitalize on growth opportunities;
    • the current or anticipated impact of military conflict, terrorism or other geopolitical events;
    • the effect of potential future supervisory action against us or Hanmi Bank and our ability to address any issues raised in our regulatory exams;
    • risks of natural disasters;
    • legal proceedings and litigation brought against us;
    • a failure in or breach of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, including cyberattacks;
    • the failure to maintain current technologies;
    • risks associated with Small Business Administration loans;
    • failure to attract or retain key employees;
    • our ability to access cost-effective funding;
    • changes in liquidity, including the size and composition of our deposit portfolio and the percentage of uninsured deposits in the portfolio;
    • fluctuations in real estate values;
    • changes in accounting policies and practices;
    • changes in governmental regulation, including, but not limited to, any increase in FDIC insurance premiums and changes in the monetary policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System;
    • the ability of Hanmi Bank to make distributions to Hanmi Financial Corporation, which is restricted by certain factors, including Hanmi Bank’s retained earnings, net income, prior distributions made, and certain other financial tests;
    • strategic transactions we may enter into;
    • the adequacy of and changes in the methodology for computing our allowance for credit losses;
    • our credit quality and the effect of credit quality on our credit losses expense and allowance for credit losses;
    • changes in the financial performance and/or condition of our borrowers and the ability of our borrowers to perform under the terms of their loans and other terms of credit agreements;
    • our ability to control expenses; and
    • cyber security and fraud risks against our information technology and those of our third-party providers and vendors.

    In addition, we set forth certain risks in our reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K that we will file hereafter, which could cause actual results to differ from those projected. We undertake no obligation to update such forward-looking statements except as required by law.

    Investor Contacts:
    Romolo (Ron) Santarosa
    Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
    213-427-5636

    Lisa Fortuna
    Investor Relations
    Financial Profiles, Inc.
    lfortuna@finprofiles.com
    310-622-8251

    Source: Hanmi Bank

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: NANO Nuclear Energy Announces Pricing of Upsized $36 Million Underwritten Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, N.Y., Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) (“NANO Nuclear”), a vertically integrated advanced nuclear energy and technology company developing portable clean nuclear energy solutions, today announced that it has priced an upsized firm commitment, registered underwritten public offering of 2,117,646 shares of common stock and common stock purchase warrants to purchase 1,058,823 shares of common stock.

    Each share and associated warrant is being sold at a public offering price of $17.00, for gross proceeds of approximately $36 million, before deducting underwriting discounts and offering expenses. In addition, NANO Nuclear has granted the underwriter a 30-day overallotment option to purchase up to an additional 317,646 shares common stock and/or common stock purchase warrants to purchase 158,823 shares of common stock at the public offering price for gross proceeds of up to $5.4 million, less underwriting discounts and expenses.

    While the shares and associated warrants were marketed as a unit, such units have no stand-alone rights and will not be certificated or issued as stand-alone securities.

    The warrants are exercisable immediately, have a term of five years, and have an exercise price of $17.00 per share. The warrants will not trade on any market.

    The Benchmark Company, LLC is acting as sole book-running manager for the offering.

    NANO Nuclear intends to use the net proceeds from this offering for (i) research and development of its products and technologies, including its ‘ZEUS’ and ‘ODIN’ microreactors and nuclear fuel transportation design optimization, fuel facility investigations and development, test work and scoping studies, and other technology research and development; (ii) marketing, promotion and business development activities; and (iii) regulatory compliance, intellectual property protection, hiring additional employees, retaining additional contractors and building out NANO Nuclear’s new Nuclear Technology Headquarters in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. NANO Nuclear may also use a portion of the net proceeds to acquire, license and invest in complementary products, technologies, or additional businesses, although NANO Nuclear currently has no agreements or commitments with respect to any such transaction.

    The offering is expected to close on or about October 25, 2024, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

    Registration statements relating to these securities were previously filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and have become effective. The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the final prospectus, when available, may be obtained from The Benchmark Company, LLC, 150 East 58th St., 17th Floor, New York, NY 10155, by telephone: (212) 312-6700, or by email at Prospectus@benchmarkcompany.com.

    This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

    About NANO Nuclear Energy Inc.

    NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) is an advanced technology-driven nuclear energy company seeking to become a commercially focused, diversified, and vertically integrated company across four business lines: (i) cutting edge portable microreactor technology, (ii) nuclear fuel fabrication, (iii) nuclear fuel transportation and (iv) nuclear industry consulting services. NANO Nuclear believes it is the first portable nuclear microreactor company to be listed publicly in the U.S.

    Led by a world-class nuclear engineering team, NANO Nuclear’s products in technical development are “ZEUS”, a solid core battery reactor, and “ODIN”, a low-pressure coolant reactor, each representing advanced developments in clean energy solutions that are portable, on-demand capable, advanced nuclear microreactors.

    Advanced Fuel Transportation Inc. (AFT), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is led by former executives from the largest transportation company in the world aiming to build a North American transportation company that will provide commercial quantities of HALEU fuel to small modular reactors, microreactor companies, national laboratories, military, and DOE programs. Through NANO Nuclear, AFT is the exclusive licensee of a patented high-capacity HALEU fuel transportation basket developed by three major U.S. national nuclear laboratories and funded by the Department of Energy. Assuming development and commercialization, AFT is expected to form part of the only vertically integrated nuclear fuel business of its kind in North America.

    HALEU Energy Fuel Inc. (HEF), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is focusing on the future development of a domestic source for a High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) fuel fabrication pipeline for NANO Nuclear’s own microreactors as well as the broader advanced nuclear reactor industry.

    NANO Nuclear Space Inc. (NNS), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is exploring the potential commercial applications of NANO Nuclear’s developing micronuclear reactor technology in space. NNS is focusing on applications such as power systems for extraterrestrial projects and human sustaining environments, and potentially propulsion technology for long haul space missions. NNS’ initial focus will be on cis-lunar applications, referring to uses in the space region extending from Earth to the area surrounding the Moon’s surface.

    For further information, please contact:

    Email: IR@NANONuclearEnergy.com
    Business Tel: (212) 634-9206

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

    This news release and statements of NANO Nuclear’s management in connection with this news release or related events contain or may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this context, forward-looking statements mean statements (including statements related to the public offering, including the proposed use of proceeds from such offering, as described herein) related to future events, which may impact our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “seek,” “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “potential”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would” or “may” and other words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this news release and represent management’s current views and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, events or results and involve significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which may be beyond our control. Readers are cautioned that actual results may differ materially and adversely from the results implied in forward-looking statements. For NANO Nuclear, particular risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the following: (i) risks related to our U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) or related state nuclear fuel licensing submissions, (ii) risks related the development of new or advanced technology, including difficulties with design and testing, cost overruns, regulatory delays and the development of competitive technology, (iii) our ability to obtain contracts and funding to be able to continue operations, (iv) risks related to uncertainty regarding our ability to technologically develop and commercially deploy a competitive advanced nuclear reactor or other technology in the timelines we anticipate, if ever, (v) risks related to the impact of government regulation and policies including by the DOE and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, including those associated with the recently enacted ADVANCE Act, and (vi) similar risks and uncertainties associated with the business of a start-up business operating a highly regulated industry. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this news release. These factors may not constitute all of the factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in any forward-looking statement, and the Company therefore encourages investors to review other factors that may affect future results in the Company’s filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov and at https://ir.nanonuclearenergy.com/financial-information/sec-filings. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this news release, and forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a predictor of actual results. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this news release, except as required by law.

    Attachment

    • NANO Nuclear Energy Inc.

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Key Advocates Urge CMS to Clarify that Fully Implanted Active Middle Ear Hearing Devices are Prosthetic Devices for Purposes of Medicare Coverage

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Twelve Members of the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition Sign Letter to CMS Seeking Clarification of Prior Decision Making and Action to Bring Novel Hearing Technology to Medicare Beneficiaries

    WHITE BEAR LAKE, Minnesota, Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Envoy Medical®, Inc. (“Envoy Medical”) (NASDAQ: “COCH”), a hearing health company focused on fully implanted hearing systems, expresses gratitude to the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (“ITEM”) Coalition and the twelve ITEM member signatories for sending a strong letter to CMS supporting a reconsideration of the benefit category for fully implanted active middle ear hearing devices.

    The letter states in part: “[W]e request that you please provide an explanation as to CMS’ reasoning for determining that fully implanted active middle ear hearing devices do not qualify as an exception to the hearing aid exclusion under statute. In addition, we believe CMS has the authority to reconsider their decision and urge you to clarify that this technology qualifies as a prosthetic device for purposes of Medicare coverage.”
    ITEM is a national consumer- and clinician-led coalition advocating for access to and coverage of assistive devices, technologies, and related services for people with injuries, illnesses, disabilities, and chronic conditions of all ages. Members represent individuals with a wide range of disabling conditions, as well as the providers who serve them.

    In the letter to CMS, ITEM referenced the profound impact that hearing loss has on quality of life of Medicare beneficiaries. The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) and Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AGBA) were two of the twelve organizations willing to lend their voice and influence to the Medicare beneficiaries with significant hearing loss who want access to novel hearing implants.

    “We are grateful that the ITEM Coalition took up such a critically important issue and that twelve coalition member organizations signed the letter urging CMS to do the right thing,” commented Brent Lucas, Envoy Medical CEO. “It especially hits home that the Coalition’s mission is in their name — ‘Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid’ – and we strongly believe that fully implanted hearing devices can help Medicare beneficiaries with hearing impairments significantly regain, or maintain, a level of independence that is good for them and for society as a whole.”

    Envoy Medical is one of the few companies worldwide that has a fully implanted active middle ear implant and is currently the only company that has an FDA-approved, fully implanted active middle ear hearing device.

    About the Esteem® Fully Implanted Active Middle Ear Implant (FI-AMEI)

    The Esteem fully implanted active middle ear implant (FI-AMEI) is the only FDA-approved, fully implanted* hearing device for adults diagnosed with moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss allowing for 24/7 hearing capability using the ear’s natural anatomy. The Esteem FI-AMEI hearing implant is invisible and requires no externally worn components and nothing is placed in the ear canal for it to function. Unlike hearing aids, you never put it on or take it off. You can’t lose it. You don’t clean it. The Esteem FI-AMEI hearing implant offers true 24/7 hearing.

    *Once activated, the external Esteem FI-AMEI Personal Programmer is not required for daily use.

    Important safety information for the Esteem FI-AMEI can be found at: https://www.envoymedical.com/safety-information.

    About the Fully Implanted Acclaim® Cochlear Implant

    We believe the fully implanted Acclaim Cochlear Implant (“Acclaim CI”) will be a first-of-its-kind fully implanted cochlear implant. Envoy Medical’s fully implanted technology includes a sensor designed to leverage the natural anatomy of the ear instead of a microphone to capture sound.

    The Acclaim CI is designed to address severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss that is not adequately addressed by hearing aids. The Acclaim CI is expected to be indicated for adults who have been deemed adequate candidates by a qualified physician.

    The Acclaim Cochlear Implant received the Breakthrough Device Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2019. We believe the Acclaim CI was the first hearing-focused device to receive Breakthrough Device Designation.

    CAUTION The fully implanted Acclaim Cochlear Implant is an investigational device. Limited by Federal (or United States) law to investigational use.

    Additional Information and Where to Find It

    Copies of the documents filed by Envoy Medical with the SEC may be obtained free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-Looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “target” or other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the expectations of Envoy Medical concerning the outlook for its business, productivity, plans and goals for future operational improvements and capital investments; the potential for passage of legislation or change to CMS’ position related to reimbursement for active middle ear hearing devices; the impact that such proposed legislation might have on the hearing health market, reimbursement for the Esteem FI-AMEI device, and the Envoy Medical business, and future market conditions or economic performance, as well as any information concerning possible or assumed future operations of Envoy Medical. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release reflect Envoy Medical’s current views about future events and are subject to numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and changes in circumstances that may cause its actual results to differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Envoy Medical does not guarantee that the events described will happen as described (or that they will happen at all). These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to changes in the market price of shares of Envoy Medical’s Class A Common Stock; changes in or removal of Envoy Medical’s shares inclusion in any index; Envoy Medical’s success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, its officers, key employees or directors; unpredictability in the medical device industry, the regulatory process to approve medical devices, and the clinical development process of Envoy Medical products; competition in the medical device industry, and the failure to introduce new products and services in a timely manner or at competitive prices to compete successfully against competitors; disruptions in relationships with Envoy Medical’s suppliers, or disruptions in Envoy Medical’s own production capabilities for some of the key components and materials of its products; changes in the need for capital and the availability of financing and capital to fund these needs; changes in interest rates or rates of inflation; legal, regulatory and other proceedings could be costly and time-consuming to defend; changes in applicable laws or regulations, or the application thereof on Envoy Medical; a loss of any of Envoy Medical’s key intellectual property rights or failure to adequately protect intellectual property rights; the effects of catastrophic events, including war, terrorism and other international conflicts; and other risks and uncertainties set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements” in the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by Envoy Medical on April 1, 2024, and in other reports Envoy Medical files, with the SEC. If any of these risks materialize or Envoy Medical’s assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. While forward-looking statements reflect Envoy Medical’s good faith beliefs, they are not guarantees of future performance. Envoy Medical disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, new information, data or methods, future events or other changes after the date of this press release, except as required by applicable law. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which are based only on information currently available to Envoy Medical. 

    ###

    Investor Contact:
    CORE IR
    516-222-2560
    investorrelations@envoymedical.com

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Equipment Leasing and Finance Association CapEx Finance Index: September 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ********************************************************************************************************
    Note to readers: ELFA has updated the name of the Monthly Leasing and Finance Index (MLFI-25) to the CapEx Finance Index (CFI) to better reflect what it measures and how it impacts the broader U.S. economy.
    ********************************************************************************************************

    WASHINGTON, Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    Demand for equipment picked up. New business volume grew by $10.0 billion from August to September, a monthly increase of 2.2% before rounding. Growth in business volume has been uneven in 2024 but continues to hover around historic highs. The September release suggests that equipment investment continued to expand at a healthy pace at the end of the third quarter.  

    Bank lending drove new business growth. The sub-index for business volume at banks grew by 10.9% from August to September, which was more than enough to offset the contraction in activity at captives and independents, which declined by 2.3% and 9.8%, respectively. The figure below shows that bank activity has lagged other sources over the last few years, but the latest data suggests that banks may be easing back into the lending and leasing market.

    Lenders continue to add headcount. The 12-month change in employment was just over 1.0%, slightly slowing from the 1.2% pace recorded in August. Employment has been a source of strength this year, following nearly five years of persistent declines in headcount.

    Credit approvals remained steady. The percentage of credit applications approved ticked down 0.7 percentage points to 75.6%. The approval rate has been hovering around 75% for most of 2024.

    Lender balance sheets improved for a second consecutive month. The percentage of credit lines over 30 days past due and charge-offs declined. Both have been trending up over the last two years as borrowing conditions tightened due to the rapid increase in interest rates.

    Industry Confidence
    The Monthly Confidence Index from ELFA’s affiliate, the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation, is 61.8 in October, steady with the September index of 61.9, which was the highest level since January 2022.

    Industry Voices

    “Our latest CapEx Finance Survey showed that equipment demand continued to defy high interest rates in September. The uptick in bank lending was particularly encouraging and is something I will be watching closely as we approach the end of the year. I wouldn’t be surprised if the next few surveys show a cooling in lending volumes as election uncertainty peaks and some businesses wait for rates to drop further. That said, balance sheets continued to improve, and the percentage of approved new credit applications remained healthy, signs that lenders and borrowers are in a great position to weather any gusts that might come along in the fourth quarter.”
    ELFA President and CEO, Leigh Lytle

    “A healthy increase in YOY business volume, especially in August and September, validates our 12-month increase in headcount as we continue strengthening our value proposition for all of CEFI’s stakeholders. A decreasing interest rate environment driving increased business volume and net interest margin will enhance bottom-line returns for CEFI and the industry until competitors become more aggressive.” Ricardo E. Rios, CFA, CLFP, President & COO, Commercial Equipment Finance, Inc (CEFI)

    About ELFA’s CFI
    The CFI is the only near-real-time index that reflects capex, or the volume of commercial equipment financed in the U.S. It is released monthly from Washington, D.C., one day before the U.S. Department of Commerce’s durable goods report. This financial indicator complements reports like the Institute for Supply Management Index, providing a comprehensive view of productive assets in the U.S. economy—equipment produced, acquired and financed. The CFI consists of two years of business activity data from 25 participating companies. For more details, including methodology and participants, visit www.elfaonline.org/CFI.

    About ELFA
    The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) represents financial services companies and manufacturers in the $1 trillion U.S. equipment finance sector. ELFA’s 575 member companies provide essential financing that helps businesses acquire the equipment they need to operate and grow. Learn how equipment finance contributes to businesses’ success, U.S. economic growth, manufacturing and jobs at http://www.elfaonline.org.

    Media/Press Contact: Amy Vogt, Vice President, Communications and Marketing, ELFA, avogt@elfaonline.org

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cee789e6-c777-4190-9b5d-4361b6712379

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/721cf1e0-33c3-4767-882b-bceb720b01b1

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: CareCloud To Announce Third Quarter 2024 Results on November 12, 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SOMERSET, N.J., Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CareCloud, Inc. (Nasdaq: CCLD, CCLDO, CCLDP), a leader in healthcare technology and generative AI solutions for medical practices and health systems nationwide, will release its financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 before the market opens on Tuesday, November 12, 2024. The Company will follow with a conference call for investors at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time.

    The live webcast of the conference call and related presentation slides can be accessed at ir.carecloud.com/events. An audio-only option is available by dialing 201-389-0920 and referencing “CareCloud Third Quarter 2024 Earnings Call.” Investors who opt for audio-only will need to download the related slides at ir.carecloud.com/events.

    A replay of the conference call and related presentation slides will be available approximately one hour after conclusion of the call at the same link. An audio-only option can also be accessed by dialing 412-317-6671 and providing the access code 13749163.

    About CareCloud

    CareCloud (Nasdaq: CCLD, CCLDP, CCLDO) brings disciplined innovation and generative AI solutions to the business of healthcare. Our suite of technology-enabled solutions helps clients increase financial and operational performance, streamline clinical workflows and improve the patient experience. More than 40,000 providers count on CareCloud to help them improve patient care while reducing administrative burdens and operating costs. Learn more about our products and services, including revenue cycle management (RCM), practice management (PM), electronic health records (EHR), business intelligence, patient experience management (PXM) and digital health, at www.carecloud.com.

    Follow CareCloud on LinkedIn, X and Facebook.

    For additional information, please visit our website at www.carecloud.com. To listen to video presentations by CareCloud’s management team, read recent press releases and view the latest investor presentation, please visit ir.carecloud.com.

    SOURCE CareCloud

    Company Contact:
    Norman Roth
    Interim Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Controller
    CareCloud, Inc.
    nroth@carecloud.com

    Investor Contact:
    Stephen Snyder
    President
    CareCloud, Inc.
    ir@carecloud.com

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: authID to Report Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results on November 7, 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DENVER, Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — authID® (Nasdaq: AUID) (“authID”), a leading provider of secure identity verification and authentication solutions, today announced the Company will report financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024 on Thursday, November 7, 2024. Following issuance of the results release, authID Chief Executive Officer, Rhon Daguro and Chief Financial Officer, Ed Sellitto will host a conference call and webcast at 5:00 p.m. EDT to discuss the financial results and provide a corporate update.

    To participate on the live conference call, please dial: (646) 968-2525 in the U.S. or +1 (888) 596-4144 internationally and reference the conference ID 8624132. To avoid delays, participants are encouraged to dial into the conference call 15-minutes ahead of the scheduled start time. A live webcast of the call will be available on the “Events & Presentations” page of the Company’s website at investors.authid.ai. Only participants on the live conference call will be able to ask questions.

    A replay of the event and a copy of the presentation will also be available for 90 days at authID’s Investor Relations Events.

    About authID Inc.

    authID (Nasdaq: AUID) ensures enterprises “Know Who’s Behind the Device™” for every customer or employee login and transaction through its easy-to-integrate, patented, biometric identity platform. authID quickly and accurately verifies a user’s identity and eliminates any assumption of ‘who’ is behind a device to prevent cybercriminals from compromising account openings or taking over accounts. Combining secure digital onboarding, FIDO2 passwordless login, and biometric authentication and account recovery, with a fast, accurate, user-friendly experience, authID delivers biometric identity processing in 700ms. Binding a biometric root of trust for each user to their account, authID stops fraud at onboarding, detects and stops deepfakes, eliminates password risks and costs, and provides the fastest, frictionless, and the more accurate user identity experience demanded by today’s digital ecosystem. Discover how authID can help your organization secure your workforce or consumer applications against identity fraud, cyberattacks and account takeover at www.authID.ai.

    Investor Relations Contact

    Gateway Group, Inc.
    Cody Slach and Alex Thompson
    1-949-574-3860
    AUID@gateway-grp.com

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Nasdaq Giants and Rising Innovators Face Critical Earnings Reports This Quarter

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group Market Commentary – Investors Brace for a High-Stakes Earnings Season as Key Players in Tech, EVs, and AI Reveal Their Performance. As earnings season heats up, several companies listed on the Nasdaq exchange are under the microscope. From emerging innovators to established market leaders, each faces unique challenges that will be revealed in their quarterly reports. The stakes are high, with market sentiment, stock prices, and future growth trajectories hanging in the balance. This quarter, Siyata Mobile (NASDAQ: SYTA), Rivian (NASDAQ: RIVN), Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA), and Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) are at critical junctures that could shift the momentum of their stocks and influence broader market trends.

    Siyata Mobile (NASDAQ: SYTA), a growing micro-cap, is set to take center stage on November 14 when it releases earnings. The company’s aggressive strategy of partnering with major wireless carriers is being put to the test following a recently inked deal with T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS). Siyata’s push-to-talk (PTT) technology promises to disrupt traditional communication methods, and investors are watching closely to see if these efforts result in significant revenue growth. CEO Marc Seelenfreund has touted the potential for transformation, but the company now faces its most pivotal moment. The upcoming earnings will reveal whether the capital raised to meet carrier demands will pay off or leave investors disappointed. To read a recent MicroCapReports article on Siyata Mobile, please visit: https://microcapreports.com/lander/siyata-mobile/

    Rivian (NASDAQ: RIVN) is a company striving to balance growth and cost control. As a prominent name in the electric vehicle (EV) market, Rivian has rapidly scaled its operations, but the rising costs of production are raising questions about long-term profitability. This quarter, the pressure is on for Rivian to deliver strong financial results that reassure investors about its capacity to manage expenses while continuing to grow its EV footprint. Rivian’s performance will be scrutinized as the company seeks to maintain its valuation and prove it can stand alongside giants like Tesla in the competitive EV space.

    Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA), a leader in the global EV market, faces increasing competition from both established automakers and new entrants. Despite being a market darling for years, Tesla’s margins are under pressure due to the rising costs of materials, increased production, and the need to invest in new technologies like autonomous driving and battery development. Investors will be looking for signs of resilience in Tesla’s earnings report, particularly in how the company manages competition and continues to grow its international market share while staying profitable.

    Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), a heavyweight in the tech sector, has enjoyed an extraordinary run as demand for its advanced chips surged alongside the rise of AI applications. However, recent regulatory pressures and slowing growth in consumer-facing products have placed Nvidia at a crossroads. This quarter, Nvidia must demonstrate that its strength in AI and data centers will continue to drive revenue growth, even as global chip demand cools. Investors are particularly eager to see whether Nvidia’s strategic investments in AI can maintain its dominant position in the semiconductor industry.

    For each of these Nasdaq-listed companies, the upcoming earnings reports are far more than just financial check-ins—they are critical milestones that could determine the trajectory of these businesses in the near term. Whether they meet or exceed expectations will shape not only their individual stock movements but also broader market trends in sectors like technology, EVs, and AI.

    As investor sentiment builds, market participants should prepare for a high-stakes season filled with opportunity, risk, and potential surprises.

    About FN Media Group:

    At FN Media Group, via our top-rated online news portal at www.financialnewsmedia.com, we are one of the very few select firms providing top tier one syndicated news distribution, targeted ticker tag press releases and stock market news coverage for today’s emerging companies. #tickertagpressreleases #pressreleases

    Follow us on Facebook to receive the latest news updates: https://www.facebook.com/financialnewsmedia
    Follow us on Twitter for real time Market News: https://twitter.com/FNMgroup
    Follow us on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/financialnewsmedia/

    DISCLAIMER: MicroCapReports is the originator of the content set forth above. References to any issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates FinancialNewsMedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM’s market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM has not been compensated by any publicly listed company listed herein. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

    This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

    Contact Information:
    Media Contact email: editor@financialnewsmedia.com – +1(561)325-8757

    SOURCE: FN Media Group

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Oma Savings Bank Plc’s Financial reporting and AGM in 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    OMA SAVINGS BANK PLC, STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 24 OCTOBER 2024 AT 15.00 P.M. EET, FINANCIAL CALENDAR

    Oma Savings Bank Plc’s Financial reporting and AGM in 2025

    Oma Savings Bank Plc (OmaSp) will publish financial information in 2025 as follows:

    • 10 February 2025 Financial Statements Release for 2024
    • 5 May 2025 Interim Report January-March 2025
    • 4 August 2025 Interim Report January-June 2025
    • 3 November 2025 Interim Report January-September 2025

    The 2024 Financial Statements, Annual Report, Sustainability Report and Auditor’s Report will be published week 11. The Annual General Meeting is planned to be held on Tuesday 8 April in 2025. The Board of Directors will convene the Annual General Meeting separately.

    Oma Savings Bank Plc

    Additional information:
    Minna Sillanpää, CCO, tel. +358 50 66592, minna.sillanpaa@omasp.fi

    DISTRIBUTION
    Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd
    Major media
    www.omasp.fi

    OmaSp is a solvent and profitable Finnish bank. About 500 professionals provide nationwide services through OmaSp’s 46 branch offices and digital service channels to over 200,000 private and corporate customers. OmaSp focuses primarily on retail banking operations and provides its clients with a broad range of banking services both through its own balance sheet as well as by acting as an intermediary for its partners’ products. The intermediated products include credit, investment and loan insurance products. OmaSp is also engaged in mortgage banking operations.

    OmaSp core idea is to provide personal service and to be local and close to its customers, both in digital and traditional channels. OmaSp strives to offer premium level customer experience through personal service and easy accessibility. In addition, the development of the operations and services is customer-oriented. The personnel is committed and OmaSp seeks to support their career development with versatile tasks and continuous development. A substantial part of the personnel also own shares in OmaSp.

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Outbrain to Release Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results on November 7, 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Outbrain Inc. (NASDAQ: OB) announced today that the company will release its third quarter 2024 results before the market opens on Thursday, November 7, 2024, followed by a conference call at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time) that same day to discuss the company’s results and business outlook.

    The conference call can be accessed live over the phone by dialing 1-866-682-6100 or for international callers, 1-862-298-0702. A replay will be available two hours after the call and can be accessed by dialing 1-877-660-6853, or for international callers, 1-201-612-7415. The passcode for the live call and the replay is 13749250. The replay will be available until November 21, 2024.

    Interested investors and other parties may also listen to a simultaneous webcast of the conference call by logging onto the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at https://investors.outbrain.com/. The online replay will be available for a limited time shortly following the call.

    About Outbrain

    Outbrain (Nasdaq: OB) is a leading technology platform that drives business results by engaging people across the open internet. Outbrain predicts moments of engagement to drive measurable outcomes for advertisers and publishers using AI and machine learning across more than 8,000 online properties globally. Founded in 2006, Outbrain is headquartered in New York with offices in Israel and across the United States, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and South America. To learn more, visit www.outbrain.com.

    Media Contact

    press@outbrain.com

    Investor Relations Contact

    IR@outbrain.com

    (332) 205-8999

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Paycor Welcomes Industry Leader Dru Armstrong, CEO of AffiniPay, to Board of Directors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CINCINNATI, Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Paycor HCM, Inc. (Nasdaq: PYCR) (“Paycor”), a leading provider of human capital management (HCM) software, today announced the election of Dru Armstrong to its Board of Directors, effective October 23, 2024.

    Ms. Armstrong brings a wealth of leadership experience to Paycor’s board, currently serving as Chief Executive Officer of AffiniPay, a leading provider of practice management software, integrated payments, and embedded fintech solutions. Her expertise spans software-as-a-service (SaaS), embedded technology, and adjacent payment industries, aligning closely with Paycor’s current and potential growth strategies.

    “Dru’s proven track record in driving technology companies to exponential growth, coupled with her strategic financial leadership, will be invaluable to our board,” said Raul Villar, Jr., CEO of Paycor. “Her deep industry knowledge and experience in scaling SaaS businesses will be crucial as we continue to innovate and expand our HCM offerings. Additionally, Dru’s commitment to fostering diverse, inclusive workplaces aligns perfectly with our company values.”

    With over 20 years of experience in the technology sector, Ms. Armstrong has proven success in building high-performing teams, driving product innovation and accelerating growth. She has been named a Top 25 Women Leader in PE-Backed Software Companies for 2024 by Calibre One and featured in American Banker’s 2024 list of Most Influential Women in Fintech. Additionally, she is widely regarded as a thought leader on innovation, diversity, equity and inclusion, and verticalized software.

    “Paycor is at the forefront of transforming how leaders leverage HCM technology to drive success,” said Armstrong. “I’m thrilled to join the board at this pivotal time and look forward to contributing my experience in scaling SaaS companies and navigating complex financial landscapes. Together, we’ll push the boundaries of innovation in HCM solutions, helping organizations build high-performing teams and achieve their full potential in today’s dynamic business environment.”

    About Paycor
    Paycor’s HR, payroll, and talent platform connects leaders to people, data, and expertise. We help leaders drive engagement and retention by giving them tools to coach, develop, and grow employees. We give them unprecedented insights into their operational data with a unified HCM experience that can seamlessly connect to other mission-critical technology. By providing expert guidance and consultation, we help them achieve business results and become an extension of their teams. Learn more at paycor.com.​

    Investor Relations:
    Rachel White
    513-954-7388
    IR@paycor.com  

    Media Relations:
    Carly Pennekamp
    513-954-7282
    PR@paycor.com

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025
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