Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI: GigaCloud Technology Inc Brings Curated Showroom Spotlighting Strategic Brand Partnerships to 2025 Summer Las Vegas Market

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    EL MONTE, Calif., July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GigaCloud Technology Inc. (Nasdaq: GCT) (“GigaCloud” or the “Company”), a pioneer of global end-to-end B2B ecommerce technology solutions for large parcel merchandise, today announced its participation in the upcoming Las Vegas Market, held from July 27 to 31 at the World Market Center.

    From its showroom at A610, the Company will showcase its signature product lines alongside a curated selection of partner products. Key highlights include:

    Christopher Knight Home Showcases Modern Take on Signature Collections

    The brand will present its signature product line focused on a more modern, consumer-driven aesthetic, delivering stylish, affordable furniture to today’s design-conscious shoppers.

    Collaboration with Purple®

    GigaCloud will be featured in Purple Innovation’s showroom at C1554. As an integrated partner, GigaCloud supports Purple through the Supplier Fulfilled Retailing® (SFR®) model, helping expand buyer reach through streamlined fulfillment operations. Attendees can see firsthand how GigaCloud’s solutions drive growth and efficiency for leading brands like Purple.

    Broader Expansion into Sleep Solutions

    As part of its growing footprint in sleep solutions, GigaCloud is now featuring new product offerings from key partners in its showroom:

    • Zinus – Featuring its new Dreamvibe line, designed for next-generation sleep comfort.
    • Nubba Sleep – An exclusive mattress line developed for the GigaCloud Marketplace.
    • Instant Comfort® – Presenting its collection of adjustable comfort smart beds.
    • House & Home – Spotlighting signature upholstered beds and bunkbeds.

    “We are thrilled to return to Las Vegas Market with an expanded product portfolio and an increasingly diverse partner network,” said Iman Schrock, President of GigaCloud. “As the B2B landscape continues to evolve, we remain committed to delivering solutions that simplify cross-border commerce, reduce partner costs, and enable scalable growth across the value chain.”

    Email hello@gigacloudtech.com to arrange a meeting or demo at GigaCloud’s showroom (Building A610) during Las Vegas Market, July 27-31.

    About Las Vegas Market

    Las Vegas Market is the premier home furnishings and gift market in the western U.S., presenting 3,500 brands across furniture, home décor, bedding and gift categories, in three permanent showroom buildings and a purpose-built exhibit hall. This dynamic market destination attracts buyers from all 50 states and more than 80 countries, offering unmatched opportunities for cross-category commerce among these industries. Owned and operated by ANDMORE℠, Las Vegas Market is held semi-annually at World Market Center Las Vegas. https://www.LasVegasMarket.com.

    About Purple 

    Purple, the leading premium mattress company with the #1 gel grid technology in the world, GelFlex® Grid, thoughtfully engineers products that make restorative sleep effortless for every kind of sleeper. The result of over 30 years of innovation and 150 issued patents in comfort technologies, Purple’s GelFlex Grid is the most significant advancement in mattresses in decades and is proven to reduce aches and pains. It instantly adapts as you move, balances temperature, relieves pressure, and offers support in all the right places. Purple products, including mattresses, pillows, cushions, frames, sheets and more, can be found online at Purple.com, in over 57 Purple stores and over 3,000 retailers nationwide. Less Pain. Better Sleep.

    About GigaCloud Technology Inc

    GigaCloud Technology Inc. is a pioneer of global end-to-end B2B ecommerce technology solutions for large parcel merchandise. The Company’s B2B ecommerce platform, the “GigaCloud Marketplace,” integrates everything from discovery, payments and logistics tools into one easy-to-use platform. The Company’s global marketplace seamlessly connects manufacturers, primarily in Asia, with resellers, primarily in the U.S., Asia and Europe, to execute cross-border transactions with confidence, speed and efficiency. GigaCloud offers a comprehensive solution that transports products from the manufacturer’s warehouse to the end customer’s doorstep, all at one fixed price. The Company first launched its marketplace in January 2019 by focusing on the global furniture market and has since expanded into additional categories, including home appliances and fitness equipment. For more information, please visit the Company’s website: https://www.gigacloudtech.com/.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    GigaCloud Technology Inc.
    Investor Relations
    ir@gigacloudtech.com

    PondelWilkinson, Inc.
    Laurie Berman (Investors) – lberman@pondel.com
    George Medici (Media) – gmedici@pondel.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: GigaCloud Technology Inc Brings Curated Showroom Spotlighting Strategic Brand Partnerships to 2025 Summer Las Vegas Market

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    EL MONTE, Calif., July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GigaCloud Technology Inc. (Nasdaq: GCT) (“GigaCloud” or the “Company”), a pioneer of global end-to-end B2B ecommerce technology solutions for large parcel merchandise, today announced its participation in the upcoming Las Vegas Market, held from July 27 to 31 at the World Market Center.

    From its showroom at A610, the Company will showcase its signature product lines alongside a curated selection of partner products. Key highlights include:

    Christopher Knight Home Showcases Modern Take on Signature Collections

    The brand will present its signature product line focused on a more modern, consumer-driven aesthetic, delivering stylish, affordable furniture to today’s design-conscious shoppers.

    Collaboration with Purple®

    GigaCloud will be featured in Purple Innovation’s showroom at C1554. As an integrated partner, GigaCloud supports Purple through the Supplier Fulfilled Retailing® (SFR®) model, helping expand buyer reach through streamlined fulfillment operations. Attendees can see firsthand how GigaCloud’s solutions drive growth and efficiency for leading brands like Purple.

    Broader Expansion into Sleep Solutions

    As part of its growing footprint in sleep solutions, GigaCloud is now featuring new product offerings from key partners in its showroom:

    • Zinus – Featuring its new Dreamvibe line, designed for next-generation sleep comfort.
    • Nubba Sleep – An exclusive mattress line developed for the GigaCloud Marketplace.
    • Instant Comfort® – Presenting its collection of adjustable comfort smart beds.
    • House & Home – Spotlighting signature upholstered beds and bunkbeds.

    “We are thrilled to return to Las Vegas Market with an expanded product portfolio and an increasingly diverse partner network,” said Iman Schrock, President of GigaCloud. “As the B2B landscape continues to evolve, we remain committed to delivering solutions that simplify cross-border commerce, reduce partner costs, and enable scalable growth across the value chain.”

    Email hello@gigacloudtech.com to arrange a meeting or demo at GigaCloud’s showroom (Building A610) during Las Vegas Market, July 27-31.

    About Las Vegas Market

    Las Vegas Market is the premier home furnishings and gift market in the western U.S., presenting 3,500 brands across furniture, home décor, bedding and gift categories, in three permanent showroom buildings and a purpose-built exhibit hall. This dynamic market destination attracts buyers from all 50 states and more than 80 countries, offering unmatched opportunities for cross-category commerce among these industries. Owned and operated by ANDMORE℠, Las Vegas Market is held semi-annually at World Market Center Las Vegas. https://www.LasVegasMarket.com.

    About Purple 

    Purple, the leading premium mattress company with the #1 gel grid technology in the world, GelFlex® Grid, thoughtfully engineers products that make restorative sleep effortless for every kind of sleeper. The result of over 30 years of innovation and 150 issued patents in comfort technologies, Purple’s GelFlex Grid is the most significant advancement in mattresses in decades and is proven to reduce aches and pains. It instantly adapts as you move, balances temperature, relieves pressure, and offers support in all the right places. Purple products, including mattresses, pillows, cushions, frames, sheets and more, can be found online at Purple.com, in over 57 Purple stores and over 3,000 retailers nationwide. Less Pain. Better Sleep.

    About GigaCloud Technology Inc

    GigaCloud Technology Inc. is a pioneer of global end-to-end B2B ecommerce technology solutions for large parcel merchandise. The Company’s B2B ecommerce platform, the “GigaCloud Marketplace,” integrates everything from discovery, payments and logistics tools into one easy-to-use platform. The Company’s global marketplace seamlessly connects manufacturers, primarily in Asia, with resellers, primarily in the U.S., Asia and Europe, to execute cross-border transactions with confidence, speed and efficiency. GigaCloud offers a comprehensive solution that transports products from the manufacturer’s warehouse to the end customer’s doorstep, all at one fixed price. The Company first launched its marketplace in January 2019 by focusing on the global furniture market and has since expanded into additional categories, including home appliances and fitness equipment. For more information, please visit the Company’s website: https://www.gigacloudtech.com/.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    GigaCloud Technology Inc.
    Investor Relations
    ir@gigacloudtech.com

    PondelWilkinson, Inc.
    Laurie Berman (Investors) – lberman@pondel.com
    George Medici (Media) – gmedici@pondel.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: GigaCloud Technology Inc Brings Curated Showroom Spotlighting Strategic Brand Partnerships to 2025 Summer Las Vegas Market

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    EL MONTE, Calif., July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GigaCloud Technology Inc. (Nasdaq: GCT) (“GigaCloud” or the “Company”), a pioneer of global end-to-end B2B ecommerce technology solutions for large parcel merchandise, today announced its participation in the upcoming Las Vegas Market, held from July 27 to 31 at the World Market Center.

    From its showroom at A610, the Company will showcase its signature product lines alongside a curated selection of partner products. Key highlights include:

    Christopher Knight Home Showcases Modern Take on Signature Collections

    The brand will present its signature product line focused on a more modern, consumer-driven aesthetic, delivering stylish, affordable furniture to today’s design-conscious shoppers.

    Collaboration with Purple®

    GigaCloud will be featured in Purple Innovation’s showroom at C1554. As an integrated partner, GigaCloud supports Purple through the Supplier Fulfilled Retailing® (SFR®) model, helping expand buyer reach through streamlined fulfillment operations. Attendees can see firsthand how GigaCloud’s solutions drive growth and efficiency for leading brands like Purple.

    Broader Expansion into Sleep Solutions

    As part of its growing footprint in sleep solutions, GigaCloud is now featuring new product offerings from key partners in its showroom:

    • Zinus – Featuring its new Dreamvibe line, designed for next-generation sleep comfort.
    • Nubba Sleep – An exclusive mattress line developed for the GigaCloud Marketplace.
    • Instant Comfort® – Presenting its collection of adjustable comfort smart beds.
    • House & Home – Spotlighting signature upholstered beds and bunkbeds.

    “We are thrilled to return to Las Vegas Market with an expanded product portfolio and an increasingly diverse partner network,” said Iman Schrock, President of GigaCloud. “As the B2B landscape continues to evolve, we remain committed to delivering solutions that simplify cross-border commerce, reduce partner costs, and enable scalable growth across the value chain.”

    Email hello@gigacloudtech.com to arrange a meeting or demo at GigaCloud’s showroom (Building A610) during Las Vegas Market, July 27-31.

    About Las Vegas Market

    Las Vegas Market is the premier home furnishings and gift market in the western U.S., presenting 3,500 brands across furniture, home décor, bedding and gift categories, in three permanent showroom buildings and a purpose-built exhibit hall. This dynamic market destination attracts buyers from all 50 states and more than 80 countries, offering unmatched opportunities for cross-category commerce among these industries. Owned and operated by ANDMORE℠, Las Vegas Market is held semi-annually at World Market Center Las Vegas. https://www.LasVegasMarket.com.

    About Purple 

    Purple, the leading premium mattress company with the #1 gel grid technology in the world, GelFlex® Grid, thoughtfully engineers products that make restorative sleep effortless for every kind of sleeper. The result of over 30 years of innovation and 150 issued patents in comfort technologies, Purple’s GelFlex Grid is the most significant advancement in mattresses in decades and is proven to reduce aches and pains. It instantly adapts as you move, balances temperature, relieves pressure, and offers support in all the right places. Purple products, including mattresses, pillows, cushions, frames, sheets and more, can be found online at Purple.com, in over 57 Purple stores and over 3,000 retailers nationwide. Less Pain. Better Sleep.

    About GigaCloud Technology Inc

    GigaCloud Technology Inc. is a pioneer of global end-to-end B2B ecommerce technology solutions for large parcel merchandise. The Company’s B2B ecommerce platform, the “GigaCloud Marketplace,” integrates everything from discovery, payments and logistics tools into one easy-to-use platform. The Company’s global marketplace seamlessly connects manufacturers, primarily in Asia, with resellers, primarily in the U.S., Asia and Europe, to execute cross-border transactions with confidence, speed and efficiency. GigaCloud offers a comprehensive solution that transports products from the manufacturer’s warehouse to the end customer’s doorstep, all at one fixed price. The Company first launched its marketplace in January 2019 by focusing on the global furniture market and has since expanded into additional categories, including home appliances and fitness equipment. For more information, please visit the Company’s website: https://www.gigacloudtech.com/.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    GigaCloud Technology Inc.
    Investor Relations
    ir@gigacloudtech.com

    PondelWilkinson, Inc.
    Laurie Berman (Investors) – lberman@pondel.com
    George Medici (Media) – gmedici@pondel.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: GigaCloud Technology Inc Brings Curated Showroom Spotlighting Strategic Brand Partnerships to 2025 Summer Las Vegas Market

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    EL MONTE, Calif., July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GigaCloud Technology Inc. (Nasdaq: GCT) (“GigaCloud” or the “Company”), a pioneer of global end-to-end B2B ecommerce technology solutions for large parcel merchandise, today announced its participation in the upcoming Las Vegas Market, held from July 27 to 31 at the World Market Center.

    From its showroom at A610, the Company will showcase its signature product lines alongside a curated selection of partner products. Key highlights include:

    Christopher Knight Home Showcases Modern Take on Signature Collections

    The brand will present its signature product line focused on a more modern, consumer-driven aesthetic, delivering stylish, affordable furniture to today’s design-conscious shoppers.

    Collaboration with Purple®

    GigaCloud will be featured in Purple Innovation’s showroom at C1554. As an integrated partner, GigaCloud supports Purple through the Supplier Fulfilled Retailing® (SFR®) model, helping expand buyer reach through streamlined fulfillment operations. Attendees can see firsthand how GigaCloud’s solutions drive growth and efficiency for leading brands like Purple.

    Broader Expansion into Sleep Solutions

    As part of its growing footprint in sleep solutions, GigaCloud is now featuring new product offerings from key partners in its showroom:

    • Zinus – Featuring its new Dreamvibe line, designed for next-generation sleep comfort.
    • Nubba Sleep – An exclusive mattress line developed for the GigaCloud Marketplace.
    • Instant Comfort® – Presenting its collection of adjustable comfort smart beds.
    • House & Home – Spotlighting signature upholstered beds and bunkbeds.

    “We are thrilled to return to Las Vegas Market with an expanded product portfolio and an increasingly diverse partner network,” said Iman Schrock, President of GigaCloud. “As the B2B landscape continues to evolve, we remain committed to delivering solutions that simplify cross-border commerce, reduce partner costs, and enable scalable growth across the value chain.”

    Email hello@gigacloudtech.com to arrange a meeting or demo at GigaCloud’s showroom (Building A610) during Las Vegas Market, July 27-31.

    About Las Vegas Market

    Las Vegas Market is the premier home furnishings and gift market in the western U.S., presenting 3,500 brands across furniture, home décor, bedding and gift categories, in three permanent showroom buildings and a purpose-built exhibit hall. This dynamic market destination attracts buyers from all 50 states and more than 80 countries, offering unmatched opportunities for cross-category commerce among these industries. Owned and operated by ANDMORE℠, Las Vegas Market is held semi-annually at World Market Center Las Vegas. https://www.LasVegasMarket.com.

    About Purple 

    Purple, the leading premium mattress company with the #1 gel grid technology in the world, GelFlex® Grid, thoughtfully engineers products that make restorative sleep effortless for every kind of sleeper. The result of over 30 years of innovation and 150 issued patents in comfort technologies, Purple’s GelFlex Grid is the most significant advancement in mattresses in decades and is proven to reduce aches and pains. It instantly adapts as you move, balances temperature, relieves pressure, and offers support in all the right places. Purple products, including mattresses, pillows, cushions, frames, sheets and more, can be found online at Purple.com, in over 57 Purple stores and over 3,000 retailers nationwide. Less Pain. Better Sleep.

    About GigaCloud Technology Inc

    GigaCloud Technology Inc. is a pioneer of global end-to-end B2B ecommerce technology solutions for large parcel merchandise. The Company’s B2B ecommerce platform, the “GigaCloud Marketplace,” integrates everything from discovery, payments and logistics tools into one easy-to-use platform. The Company’s global marketplace seamlessly connects manufacturers, primarily in Asia, with resellers, primarily in the U.S., Asia and Europe, to execute cross-border transactions with confidence, speed and efficiency. GigaCloud offers a comprehensive solution that transports products from the manufacturer’s warehouse to the end customer’s doorstep, all at one fixed price. The Company first launched its marketplace in January 2019 by focusing on the global furniture market and has since expanded into additional categories, including home appliances and fitness equipment. For more information, please visit the Company’s website: https://www.gigacloudtech.com/.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    GigaCloud Technology Inc.
    Investor Relations
    ir@gigacloudtech.com

    PondelWilkinson, Inc.
    Laurie Berman (Investors) – lberman@pondel.com
    George Medici (Media) – gmedici@pondel.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: GigaCloud Technology Inc Brings Curated Showroom Spotlighting Strategic Brand Partnerships to 2025 Summer Las Vegas Market

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    EL MONTE, Calif., July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GigaCloud Technology Inc. (Nasdaq: GCT) (“GigaCloud” or the “Company”), a pioneer of global end-to-end B2B ecommerce technology solutions for large parcel merchandise, today announced its participation in the upcoming Las Vegas Market, held from July 27 to 31 at the World Market Center.

    From its showroom at A610, the Company will showcase its signature product lines alongside a curated selection of partner products. Key highlights include:

    Christopher Knight Home Showcases Modern Take on Signature Collections

    The brand will present its signature product line focused on a more modern, consumer-driven aesthetic, delivering stylish, affordable furniture to today’s design-conscious shoppers.

    Collaboration with Purple®

    GigaCloud will be featured in Purple Innovation’s showroom at C1554. As an integrated partner, GigaCloud supports Purple through the Supplier Fulfilled Retailing® (SFR®) model, helping expand buyer reach through streamlined fulfillment operations. Attendees can see firsthand how GigaCloud’s solutions drive growth and efficiency for leading brands like Purple.

    Broader Expansion into Sleep Solutions

    As part of its growing footprint in sleep solutions, GigaCloud is now featuring new product offerings from key partners in its showroom:

    • Zinus – Featuring its new Dreamvibe line, designed for next-generation sleep comfort.
    • Nubba Sleep – An exclusive mattress line developed for the GigaCloud Marketplace.
    • Instant Comfort® – Presenting its collection of adjustable comfort smart beds.
    • House & Home – Spotlighting signature upholstered beds and bunkbeds.

    “We are thrilled to return to Las Vegas Market with an expanded product portfolio and an increasingly diverse partner network,” said Iman Schrock, President of GigaCloud. “As the B2B landscape continues to evolve, we remain committed to delivering solutions that simplify cross-border commerce, reduce partner costs, and enable scalable growth across the value chain.”

    Email hello@gigacloudtech.com to arrange a meeting or demo at GigaCloud’s showroom (Building A610) during Las Vegas Market, July 27-31.

    About Las Vegas Market

    Las Vegas Market is the premier home furnishings and gift market in the western U.S., presenting 3,500 brands across furniture, home décor, bedding and gift categories, in three permanent showroom buildings and a purpose-built exhibit hall. This dynamic market destination attracts buyers from all 50 states and more than 80 countries, offering unmatched opportunities for cross-category commerce among these industries. Owned and operated by ANDMORE℠, Las Vegas Market is held semi-annually at World Market Center Las Vegas. https://www.LasVegasMarket.com.

    About Purple 

    Purple, the leading premium mattress company with the #1 gel grid technology in the world, GelFlex® Grid, thoughtfully engineers products that make restorative sleep effortless for every kind of sleeper. The result of over 30 years of innovation and 150 issued patents in comfort technologies, Purple’s GelFlex Grid is the most significant advancement in mattresses in decades and is proven to reduce aches and pains. It instantly adapts as you move, balances temperature, relieves pressure, and offers support in all the right places. Purple products, including mattresses, pillows, cushions, frames, sheets and more, can be found online at Purple.com, in over 57 Purple stores and over 3,000 retailers nationwide. Less Pain. Better Sleep.

    About GigaCloud Technology Inc

    GigaCloud Technology Inc. is a pioneer of global end-to-end B2B ecommerce technology solutions for large parcel merchandise. The Company’s B2B ecommerce platform, the “GigaCloud Marketplace,” integrates everything from discovery, payments and logistics tools into one easy-to-use platform. The Company’s global marketplace seamlessly connects manufacturers, primarily in Asia, with resellers, primarily in the U.S., Asia and Europe, to execute cross-border transactions with confidence, speed and efficiency. GigaCloud offers a comprehensive solution that transports products from the manufacturer’s warehouse to the end customer’s doorstep, all at one fixed price. The Company first launched its marketplace in January 2019 by focusing on the global furniture market and has since expanded into additional categories, including home appliances and fitness equipment. For more information, please visit the Company’s website: https://www.gigacloudtech.com/.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    GigaCloud Technology Inc.
    Investor Relations
    ir@gigacloudtech.com

    PondelWilkinson, Inc.
    Laurie Berman (Investors) – lberman@pondel.com
    George Medici (Media) – gmedici@pondel.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Private Bancorp of America, Inc. Announces Strong Net Income and Earnings Per Share for Second Quarter 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Second Quarter 2025 Highlights

    • Net income for the second quarter of 2025 was $10.4 million, compared to $10.6 million in the prior quarter and $7.8 million in the second quarter of 2024. Net income increased 33.5% year over year
    • Net income for the second quarter of 2025 represents a return on average assets of 1.69% and a return on average tangible common equity of 17.44%
    • Diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of 2025 was $1.77, compared to $1.80 in the prior quarter and $1.35 in the second quarter of 2024
    • Core deposits were $2.07 billion as of June 30, 2025, an increase of $22.0 million or 1.1% from March 31, 2025. Core deposits increased $327.6 million or 18.8% year over year. Total deposits were $2.16 billion as of June 30, 2025, a decrease of $29.2 million or 1.3% from March 31, 2025, which included a reduction in brokered deposits of $51.2 million. Total deposits increased 8.1% year over year
    • Total cost of deposits was 2.08% for the second quarter of 2025, a decrease from 2.22% in the prior quarter and 2.67% in the second quarter of 2024, an improvement of 6.4% quarter over quarter and 22.3% year over year. The spot rate for total deposits was 2.04% as of June 30, 2025, compared to 2.11% at March 31, 2025. Total cost of funding sources was 2.14% for the second quarter of 2025, a decrease from 2.29% in the prior quarter and 2.78% in the second quarter of 2024
    • Loans held-for-investment (“HFI”) totaled $2.08 billion as of June 30, 2025, an increase of $2.4 million or 0.1% from March 31, 2025. Loans HFI increased 5.1% year over year
    • Net interest margin was 4.94% for the second quarter of 2025, compared to 4.61% in the prior quarter and 4.48% in the second quarter of 2024
    • Provision for credit losses for the second quarter of 2025 was $1.3 million, compared to $0.3 million for the prior quarter and $2.1 million for the second quarter of 2024. The allowance for loan losses was 1.35% of loans HFI as of June 30, 2025 compared to 1.27% at March 31, 2025
    • As of June 30, 2025, criticized loans totaled $58.2 million, or 2.79% of total loans, up from $40.8 million, or 1.96% of total loans, in the prior quarter
    • Tangible book value per share was $42.20 as of June 30, 2025, an increase of $1.91 since March 31, 2025 primarily as a result of strong earnings. Tangible book value per share increased 4.7% quarter-over-quarter and 21.8% year over year.

    LA JOLLA, Calif., July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Private Bancorp of America, Inc. (OTCQX: PBAM), (“Company”) and CalPrivate Bank (“Bank”) announced unaudited financial results for the second fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2025. The Company reported net income of $10.4 million, or $1.77 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2025, compared to $10.6 million, or $1.80 per diluted share, in the prior quarter, and $7.8 million, or $1.35 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2024.

    Rick Sowers, President and CEO of the Company and the Bank stated, “Earnings continue to be strong as a result of improvement in our deposit base and funding costs as well as an industry leading net interest margin.  Although 2025 has been a slower year for loan growth due to economic uncertainty and what we view as unreasonable market loan pricing, we are adding new Relationships across our footprint by delivering Distinctively Different Service and providing Clients with customized Solutions that meet their individual needs. We have onboarded 8 new Relationship focused Team Members this quarter, with more in the pipeline.  We are strong believers in the Southern California market, as demonstrated by our new Santa Barbara County office in Montecito, which we anticipate opening in the third quarter.”

    Sowers added, “The Bank’s superior financial performance and industry leading service metrics continue to be recognized by industry publications and our Clients. This recognition reinforces our strategic thinking and our dedication to excellence, innovation, delivering Client-focused banking solutions and enhancing shareholder value: 

    • Top 20 Community Banks in the US for 2025 by American Banker with assets between $2B and $10B in assets and #2 in California
    • #1 for both Return on Assets (ROA) and Return on Equity (ROE) among banks with less than $5 billion in assets in 2024
    • #1 SBA 504 Community Bank Lender in the United States
    • #10 Best U.S. Bank by Bank Director’s RankingBanking®
    • Client Net Promoter Score of 81 (World Class)
    • Bauer 5 Star Rating
    • 2025 Best 50 OTCQX

    “Management has continued to focus on providing clients with a differentiated superior banking experience while producing industry leading shareholder value creation. Client surveys validate superior service levels while financial results remain in the top tier of banks nationally. Outstanding net interest margin and superior efficiency ratios confirm both the bank’s unique client relationship strategy, calculated decision making, and the effective operating systems that have resulted from our continuous improvement focus through project management, product evaluation, and technology implementation programs. In preparation for a less certain general economic environment, we have continued to invest in people and technology. We expanded our geographic footprint into Santa Barbara County and added relationship managers throughout Southern California, and management is preparing for and evaluating a wave of newer technologies including AI and risk management tools. In addition, our Team takes pride in continuing to commit their time and the bank’s financial support for non-profits in the communities we serve, in gratitude for these organizations’ outstanding work to strengthen their communities by improving the lives of those they serve,” said Selwyn Isakow, Chairman of the Board of the Company and the Bank.

    STATEMENT OF INCOME

    Net Interest Income

    Net interest income for the second quarter of 2025 totaled $30.1 million, an increase of $2.4 million or 8.6% from the prior quarter and an increase of $5.4 million or 22.1% from the second quarter of 2024. The increase from the prior quarter was due to a $1.7 million increase in interest income, which included $0.7 million of nonaccrual interest recognized on loans that were fully satisfied through a foreclosure, and a $0.7 million decrease in interest expense, resulting from a 19 basis point reduction in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities, primarily driven by a 14 basis point decrease in the cost of total deposits.

    Net Interest Margin

    Net interest margin for the second quarter of 2025 was 4.94%, compared to 4.61% for the prior quarter and 4.48% in the second quarter of 2024. The 33 basis point increase in net interest margin from the prior quarter was primarily due to a higher average yield on loans, which included the effect of an 11 basis point increase in net interest margin due to nonaccrual interest recognized on loans that were fully satisfied through foreclosure, and a decrease in the cost of total funding sources. The yield on interest-earning assets was 6.89% for the second quarter of 2025 compared to 6.70% for the prior quarter, and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities was 2.95% for the second quarter of 2025 compared to 3.14% in the prior quarter. The cost of total deposits was 2.08% for the second quarter of 2025 compared to 2.22% in the prior quarter. The cost of core deposits, which excludes brokered deposits, was 1.94% in the second quarter of 2025 compared to 1.99% in the prior quarter and 2.28% for the second quarter of 2024. The spot rate for total deposits was 2.04% as of June 30, 2025, compared to 2.11% at March 31, 2025.

    Provision for Credit Losses

    Provision expense for credit losses for the second quarter of 2025 was $1.3 million, compared to $0.3 million in the prior quarter and $2.1 million in the second quarter of 2024. The provision expense for loans HFI for the second quarter of 2025 was $1.7 million, primarily reflecting a $1.1 million increase in the specific reserve for a nonaccrual loan, as well as quarterly adjustments to CECL model inputs stemming from changes in loan risk ratings and a weakening economic outlook for Southern California. This was offset by a $0.4 million reversal for unfunded commitments due to increased line of credit utilization that resulted in lower unfunded commitment balances. For more details, please refer to the “Asset Quality” section below.

    Noninterest Income

    Noninterest income was $1.7 million for the second quarter of 2025, compared to $1.6 million in the prior quarter and $1.5 million in the second quarter of 2024. U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) loan sales for the second quarter of 2025 were $9.5 million with a 10.01% average trade premium resulting in a net gain on sale of $523 thousand, compared with $8.3 million with a 10.86% average trade premium resulting in a net gain on sale of $469 thousand in the prior quarter.

    Noninterest Expense

    Noninterest expense was $15.7 million for the second quarter of 2025, compared to $14.1 million in the prior quarter and $13.0 million in the second quarter of 2024. The increase in noninterest expense from the prior quarter is primarily due to higher compensation and benefits costs from continued hiring, including a team of bankers in Montecito, as well as elevated professional services expenses related to expanded loan portfolio reviews performed during the quarter as we proactively manage credit risk and the transition to a new Chief Credit Officer. The efficiency ratio was 49.27% for the second quarter of 2025 compared to 47.90% in the prior quarter and 49.46% in the second quarter of 2024. The slight increase in the efficiency ratio from the prior quarter was due to the increase in noninterest expense.

    The Company remains committed to making investments in the business, including technology, marketing, and staffing. Inflationary pressures and low unemployment continue to have an impact on rising wages as well as increased costs related to third party service providers, which we proactively monitor and manage.

    Provision for Income Tax Expense

    Provision for income tax expense was $4.4 million for the second quarter of 2025, compared to $4.4 million for the prior quarter. The effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2025 was 29.7%, compared to 29.5% in the prior quarter and 29.5% in the second quarter of 2024.

    STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

    As of June 30, 2025, total assets were $2.45 billion, a decrease of $28.0 million since March 31, 2025. The decrease in assets from the prior quarter was primarily due to lower cash and due from banks, partially offset by higher investment securities and loans receivable. Our total cash and due from banks decreased to $140.6 million as of June 30, 2025, a decrease of $77.9 million or 35.6% since March 31, 2025, primarily due to purchases of investment securities and a decrease in brokered deposits and borrowings. Investment securities available-for-sale (“AFS”) were $188.8 million as of June 30, 2025, an increase of $32.5 million or 20.8% since March 31, 2025, primarily as a result of new securities purchased. As of June 30, 2025, the net unrealized loss on the AFS investment securities portfolio, which is comprised mostly of US Treasury and Government Agency debt, was $9.0 million (pre-tax) compared to a loss of $10.1 million (pre-tax) as of March 31, 2025. The average duration of the Bank’s AFS portfolio is 3.9 years. The Company has no held-to-maturity securities. Loans HFI totaled $2.08 billion as of June 30, 2025, an increase of $2.4 million or 0.1% since March 31, 2025, primarily due to growth in investor owned commercial real estate (“CRE”) and SBA loans, partially offset by decreased construction and commercial and industrial (“C&I”) loan balances.

    Total deposits were $2.16 billion as of June 30, 2025, a decrease of $29.2 million since March 31, 2025. During the quarter, core deposits increased by $22.0 million, which was driven by a $19.6 million increase in interest-bearing core deposits (including balances in the IntraFi ICS and CDARS programs) and a $2.4 million increase in noninterest-bearing core deposits. The deposit mix has continued to shift due to short-term interest rates remaining elevated compared to recent years. Noninterest-bearing deposits represent 29.0% of total core deposits. Offsetting the increase to total deposits from core deposits, brokered deposits decreased by $51.2 million. Uninsured deposits, net of collateralized and fiduciary deposit accounts, represent 50.6% of total deposits as of June 30, 2025.

    As of June 30, 2025, total available liquidity was $2.1 billion or 194.5% of uninsured deposits, net of collateralized and fiduciary deposit accounts. Total available liquidity is comprised of $321 million of on-balance sheet liquidity (cash and investment securities) and $1.8 billion of unused borrowing capacity.

    Asset Quality and Allowance for Credit Losses (“ACL”)

    As of June 30, 2025, the allowance for loan losses was $28.2 million or 1.35% of loans HFI, compared to $26.4 million or 1.27% of loans HFI as of March 31, 2025. The increase in the coverage ratio from March 31, 2025 is due primarily to a $1.1 million increase in the specific reserve for a nonaccrual loan, as well as quarterly adjustments to CECL model inputs stemming from changes in loan risk ratings and a weakening economic outlook for Southern California. The Company continues to have strong credit metrics and its nonperforming assets are 0.66% of total assets as of June 30, 2025 compared to 0.63% as of March 31, 2025. The reserve for unfunded commitments was $0.9 million as of June 30, 2025, compared to $1.3 million as of March 31, 2025. The decrease in the reserve for unfunded commitments was due to lower unfunded commitment balances (driven by higher credit line usage). Given the credit quality of the loan portfolio, management believes we are sufficiently reserved.

    At June 30, 2025 and March 31, 2025, there were no doubtful credits and classified assets were $36.2 million and $27.8 million, respectively. Total classified assets consisted of 26 loans as of June 30, 2025, which included 17 loans totaling $22.5 million secured by real estate with total specific reserves of $1.1 million and a weighted average LTV of 56.6%. The remaining 9 loans were $13.7 million of commercial and industrial loans, one of which was an unsecured loan on nonaccrual status with a carrying value of $1.5 million and a specific reserve of $1.0 million (the loan is recorded net of a $1.1 million partial charge off recorded in the first quarter of 2025).

    The Bank’s loan portfolio does include assets that are in the affected areas of Los Angeles devastated by wildfires. Of these loans, two relationships with loan balances totaling $34.1 million have been placed on payment deferral.  However, based on assessments performed to date, management does not believe there is a material impact to the financial statements.

    Capital Ratios (2)

    The Bank’s capital ratios were in excess of the levels established for “well capitalized” institutions and are as follows:

      June 30, 2025 (2) March 31, 2025
    CalPrivate Bank    
    Tier I leverage ratio 10.70% 10.35%
    Tier I risk-based capital ratio 12.12% 11.75%
    Total risk-based capital ratio 13.37% 13.00%
         

    (2) June 30, 2025 capital ratios are preliminary and subject to change.

    CalPrivate Bank Announces Board of Directors Changes

    During the second quarter, Thomas Wornham and Richard Smith concluded their service on the Bank’s Board of Directors. The Bank extends its sincere gratitude to Mr. Wornham and Mr. Smith for their contributions and dedication during their tenure. Neither individual served on the Company’s Board of Directors. Mr. Smith continues his business development activities for the Bank.

    About Private Bancorp of America, Inc. (OTCQX: PBAM)

    PBAM is the holding company for CalPrivate Bank, which operates offices in Coronado, San Diego, La Jolla, Newport Beach, El Segundo, Beverly Hills, and coming soon, Montecito, as well as through efficient digital banking services. CalPrivate Bank is driven by its core values of building client Relationships based on superior funding Solutions, unparalleled Service, and mutual Trust. The Bank caters to high-net-worth individuals, professionals, closely-held businesses, and real estate entrepreneurs, delivering a Distinctly Different™ personalized banking experience while leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance our clients’ evolving needs. CalPrivate Bank is in the top tier of customer service survey ratings in the nation, scoring almost 3x higher than the median domestic bank. The Bank offers comprehensive deposit and treasury services, rapid and creative loan options including various portfolio and government-guaranteed lending programs,  cross border banking, and innovative, unique technologies that drive enhanced  client performance. CalPrivate Bank has been recognized by Bank Director’s RankingBanking® as the 10th best bank in the country and the #1 bank in its asset class for both return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE). CalPrivate Bank was also ranked in the top 5% of banks in the U.S. with assets between $2B and $10B by American Banker. Additionally, CalPrivate Bank is a Bauer Financial 5-star rated bank, an SBA Preferred Lender, and has been honored as Community Bank 504 Lender of the Year by the NADCO Community Impact Awards, exemplifying excellence in the banking industry. These prestigious rankings highlight the Bank’s commitment to delivering exceptional banking services and setting new industry standards.

    CalPrivate Bank’s website is www.calprivate.bank.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    This press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures in addition to results presented in accordance with GAAP, including efficiency ratio, pretax pre-provision net revenue, average tangible common equity and return on average tangible common equity. The Company uses certain non-GAAP financial measures to provide meaningful supplemental information regarding the Company’s results of operations and financial condition and to enhance investors’ overall understanding of such results of operations and financial condition, to permit investors to effectively analyze financial trends of our business activities, and to enhance comparability with peers across the financial services sector. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or superior to, financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s GAAP financial information. A reconciliation of the most comparable GAAP financial measures to non-GAAP financial measures is included in the accompanying financial tables.

    Investor Relations Contacts

    Rick Sowers
    President and Chief Executive Officer
    Private Bancorp of America, Inc., and CalPrivate Bank
    (424) 303-4894

    Cory Stewart
    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
    Private Bancorp of America, Inc., and CalPrivate Bank
    (206) 293-3669

    Safe Harbor Paragraph

    This communication contains expressions of expectations, both implied and explicit, that are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of such term in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution you that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, especially given the current turmoil in the banking and financial markets. These factors include the effects of depositors withdrawing funds unexpectedly, counterparties being unable to provide liquidity sources that we believe should be available, loan losses, economic conditions and competition in the geographic and business areas in which Private Bancorp of America, Inc. operates, including competition in lending and deposit acquisition, the unpredictability of fee income from participation in SBA loan programs, the effects of bank failures, liquidations and mergers in our markets and nationally, our ability to successfully integrate and develop business through the addition of new personnel, whether our efforts to expand loan, product and service offerings will prove profitable, system failures and data security, whether we can effectively secure and implement new technology solutions, inflation, fluctuations in interest rates, legislation and governmental regulation. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and we undertake no obligation to update those statements whether as a result of changes in underlying factors, new information, future events or otherwise. These factors could cause actual results to differ materially from what we anticipate or project. You should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statement, which speaks only as of the date on which it was made. Although we believe in good faith the assumptions and bases supporting our forward-looking statements to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that those assumptions and bases will prove accurate.

                     
    PRIVATE BANCORP OF AMERICA, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands)
                     
      Jun 30, 2025   Mar 31, 2025   Jun 30, 2024
    Assets                
    Cash and due from banks $ 26,215     $ 34,720     $ 13,545  
    Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions   14,715       16,155       12,502  
    Interest-bearing deposits at Federal Reserve Bank   99,689       167,606       132,330  
    Total cash and due from banks   140,619       218,481       158,377  
    Interest-bearing time deposits with other institutions   4,270       4,213       4,097  
    Investment debt securities available for sale   188,821       156,346       121,725  
    Loans held for sale   8,826       2,066        
    Loans, net of deferred fees and costs and unaccreted discounts   2,081,063       2,078,653       1,979,720  
    Allowance for loan losses   (28,178 )     (26,437 )     (26,591 )
    Loans held-for-investment, net of allowance   2,052,885       2,052,216       1,953,129  
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost   10,652       9,586       9,586  
    Operating lease right of use assets   7,254       6,383       4,719  
    Premises and equipment, net   2,213       2,432       2,207  
    Servicing assets, net   1,964       1,993       2,164  
    Accrued interest receivable   8,624       8,148       7,906  
    Other assets   28,752       21,009       21,774  
    Total assets $ 2,454,880     $ 2,482,873     $ 2,285,684  
                     
    Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity                
    Liabilities                
    Noninterest bearing $ 601,473     $ 599,095     $ 557,055  
    Interest bearing   1,561,407       1,593,014       1,444,671  
    Total deposits   2,162,880       2,192,109       2,001,726  
    FHLB borrowings   11,000       16,000       48,000  
    Other borrowings   17,972       17,970       17,965  
    Accrued interest payable and other liabilities   16,089       21,559       16,551  
    Total liabilities   2,207,941       2,247,638       2,084,242  
                     
    Shareholders’ equity                
    Common stock   76,398       76,156       74,636  
    Additional paid-in capital   4,009       3,712       3,717  
    Retained earnings   172,849       162,462       132,179  
    Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net   (6,317 )     (7,095 )     (9,090 )
    Total shareholders’ equity   246,939       235,235       201,442  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 2,454,880     $ 2,482,873     $ 2,285,684  
                           
    PRIVATE BANCORP OF AMERICA, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
               
      For the three months ended     Year to Date  
      Jun 30, 2025   Mar 31, 2025   Jun 30, 2024   Jun 30, 2025   Jun 30, 2024
    Interest Income                            
    Loans $ 38,004     $ 36,565     $ 35,538     $ 74,569     $ 68,544  
    Investment securities   1,800       1,505       1,090       3,305       2,069  
    Deposits in other financial institutions   2,184       2,198       2,034       4,382       3,833  
    Total interest income   41,988       40,268       38,662       82,256       74,446  
                                 
    Interest Expense                            
    Deposits   11,376       11,899       13,040       23,275       25,170  
    Borrowings   499       637       952       1,136       1,838  
    Total interest expense   11,875       12,536       13,992       24,411       27,008  
                                 
    Net interest income   30,113       27,732       24,670       57,845       47,438  
    Provision for credit losses   1,293       299       2,136       1,592       2,369  
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses   28,820       27,433       22,534       56,253       45,069  
                                 
    Noninterest income:                            
    Service charges on deposit accounts   591       557       430       1,148       818  
    Net gain on sale of loans   523       469       661       992       1,342  
    Other noninterest income   616       587       447       1,203       804  
    Total noninterest income   1,730       1,613       1,538       3,343       2,964  
                                 
    Noninterest expense:                            
    Compensation and employee benefits   10,319       9,748       8,836       20,067       17,697  
    Occupancy and equipment   840       844       822       1,684       1,592  
    Data processing   1,396       1,326       1,183       2,722       2,241  
    Professional services   939       508       424       1,447       912  
    Other expenses   2,195       1,629       1,697       3,824       3,303  
    Total noninterest expense   15,689       14,055       12,962       29,744       25,745  
    Income before provision for income taxes   14,861       14,991       11,110       29,852       22,288  
    Provision for income taxes   4,412       4,429       3,283       8,841       6,577  
    Net income $ 10,449     $ 10,562     $ 7,827     $ 21,011     $ 15,711  
    Net income available to common shareholders $ 10,361     $ 10,482     $ 7,761     $ 20,834     $ 15,595  
                                 
    Earnings per share                            
    Basic earnings per share $ 1.80     $ 1.83     $ 1.36     $ 3.63     $ 2.74  
    Diluted earnings per share $ 1.77     $ 1.80     $ 1.35     $ 3.57     $ 2.71  
                                 
    Average shares outstanding   5,754,872       5,734,688       5,702,938       5,744,836       5,688,135  
    Diluted average shares outstanding   5,837,537       5,826,229       5,762,616       5,830,897       5,755,250  
                                           
    PRIVATE BANCORP OF AMERICA, INC.
    Consolidated average balance sheet, interest, yield and rates
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands)

                                                                           
      For the three months ended 
      Jun 30, 2025    Mar 31, 2025    Jun 30, 2024 
      Average
    Balance
     
      Interest    Average
    Yield/Rate
     
      Average
    Balance
     
      Interest    Average
    Yield/Rate
     
      Average
    Balance
     
      Interest    Average
    Yield/Rate
     
    Interest-Earnings Assets                                                                      
    Deposits in other financial institutions $ 191,701     $ 2,184       4.57 %   $ 202,907     $ 2,198       4.39 %   $ 152,563     $ 2,034       5.36 %
    Investment securities   182,772       1,800       3.94 %     157,747       1,505       3.82 %     123,876       1,090       3.52 %
    Loans, including LHFS   2,069,415       38,004       7.37 %     2,078,588       36,565       7.13 %     1,939,746       35,538       7.37 %
    Total interest-earning assets   2,443,888       41,988       6.89 %     2,439,242       40,268       6.70 %     2,216,185       38,662       7.02 %
    Noninterest-earning assets   43,336                       28,536                       25,675                  
    Total Assets $ 2,487,224                     $ 2,467,778                     $ 2,241,860                  
                                                                           
    Interest-Bearing Liabilities                                                                      
    Interest bearing DDA, excluding brokered   242,929       814       1.34 %     244,301       970       1.61 %     130,361       463       1.43 %
    Savings & MMA, excluding brokered   1,002,820       7,130       2.85 %     955,259       6,830       2.90 %     845,856       7,354       3.50 %
    Time deposits, excluding brokered   218,900       2,097       3.84 %     196,375       1,956       4.04 %     164,714       1,690       4.13 %
    Total deposits, excluding brokered   1,464,649       10,041       2.75 %     1,395,935       9,756       2.83 %     1,140,931       9,507       3.35 %
    Total brokered deposits   120,935       1,335       4.43 %     183,059       2,143       4.75 %     284,290       3,533       5.00 %
    Total Interest-Bearing Deposits   1,585,584       11,376       2.88 %     1,578,994       11,899       3.06 %     1,425,221       13,040       3.68 %
                                                                           
    FHLB advances   12,868       139       4.33 %     24,122       272       4.57 %     47,373       581       4.93 %
    Other borrowings   17,973       360       8.03 %     17,981       365       8.23 %     17,966       371       8.31 %
    Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities   1,616,425       11,875       2.95 %     1,621,097       12,536       3.14 %     1,490,560       13,992       3.78 %
                                                                           
    Noninterest-bearing deposits   609,760                       594,408                       535,878                  
    Total Funding Sources   2,226,185       11,875       2.14 %     2,215,505       12,536       2.29 %     2,026,438       13,992       2.78 %
                                                                           
    Noninterest-bearing liabilities   18,804                       21,542                       16,334                  
    Shareholders’ equity   242,235                       230,731                       199,088                  
                                                                           
    Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity $ 2,487,224                     $ 2,467,778                     $ 2,241,860                  
                                                                           
    Net interest income/spread         $ 30,113       4.75 %           $ 27,732       4.41 %           $ 24,670       4.24 %
    Net interest margin                   4.94 %                     4.61 %                     4.48 %
                                                                           
    PRIVATE BANCORP OF AMERICA, INC.
    Consolidated average balance sheet, interest, yield and rates
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands)
         
      Year to Date  
      Jun 30, 2025     Jun 30, 2024  
      Average
    Balance
        Interest     Average
    Yield/Rate
        Average
    Balance
        Interest     Average
    Yield/Rate
     
    Interest-Earnings Assets:                                  
    Deposits in other financial institutions $ 197,273     $ 4,382       4.48 %   $ 144,037     $ 3,833       5.35 %
    Investment securities   170,328       3,305       3.88 %     121,783       2,069       3.40 %
    Loans   2,073,976       74,569       7.25 %     1,904,028       68,544       7.24 %
    Total interest-earning assets   2,441,577       82,256       6.79 %     2,169,848       74,446       6.90 %
    Noninterest-earning assets   35,977                   25,571              
    Total Assets $ 2,477,554                 $ 2,195,419              
                                       
    Interest-Bearing Liabilities                                  
    Interest bearing DDA, excluding brokered   243,611       1,784       1.48 %     120,100       904       1.51 %
    Savings & MMA, excluding brokered   979,170       13,960       2.88 %     805,813       13,775       3.44 %
    Time deposits, excluding brokered   207,699       4,053       3.94 %     160,208       3,273       4.11 %
    Total deposits, excluding brokered   1,430,480       19,797       2.79 %     1,086,121       17,952       3.32 %
    Total brokered deposits   151,825       3,478       4.62 %     286,088       7,218       5.07 %
    Total Interest-Bearing Deposits   1,582,305       23,275       2.97 %     1,372,209       25,170       3.69 %
                                       
    FHLB advances   18,464       411       4.49 %     48,653       1,195       4.94 %
    Other borrowings   17,977       725       8.13 %     17,964       643       7.20 %
    Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities   1,618,746       24,411       3.04 %     1,438,826       27,008       3.77 %
                                       
    Noninterest-bearing deposits   602,126                   544,709              
    Total Funding Sources   2,220,872       24,411       2.22 %     1,983,535       27,008       2.74 %
                                       
    Noninterest-bearing liabilities   20,165                   17,176              
    Shareholders’ equity   236,517                   194,708              
                                       
    Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity $ 2,477,554                 $ 2,195,419              
                                       
    Net interest income/spread       $ 57,845       4.57 %         $ 47,438       4.16 %
    Net interest margin               4.78 %                 4.40 %
                                           
    PRIVATE BANCORP OF AMERICA, INC.
    Condensed Balance Sheets
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                                 
      Jun 30, 2025   Mar 31, 2025   Dec 31, 2024   Sep 30, 2024   Jun 30, 2024
    Assets                            
    Cash and due from banks $ 140,619     $ 218,481     $ 163,876     $ 207,174     $ 158,377  
    Interest-bearing time deposits with other institutions   4,270       4,213       4,189       4,124       4,097  
    Investment securities   188,821       156,346       145,238       141,100       121,725  
    Loans held for sale   8,826       2,066       3,008       2,040        
    Total loans held-for-investment   2,081,063       2,078,653       2,085,149       2,012,457       1,979,720  
    Allowance for loan losses   (28,178 )     (26,437 )     (27,267 )     (26,594 )     (26,591 )
    Loans held-for-investment, net of allowance   2,052,885       2,052,216       2,057,882       1,985,863       1,953,129  
    Operating lease right of use assets   7,254       6,383       6,819       4,344       4,719  
    Premises and equipment, net   2,213       2,432       2,335       2,345       2,207  
    Other assets and interest receivable   49,992       40,736       40,664       39,383       41,430  
    Total assets $ 2,454,880     $ 2,482,873     $ 2,424,011     $ 2,386,373     $ 2,285,684  
                                 
    Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity                            
    Liabilities                            
    Noninterest Bearing $ 601,473     $ 599,095     $ 553,405     $ 584,292     $ 557,055  
    Interest Bearing   1,561,407       1,593,014       1,581,054       1,522,839       1,444,671  
    Total Deposits   2,162,880       2,192,109       2,134,459       2,107,131       2,001,726  
    Borrowings   28,972       33,970       45,969       45,967       65,965  
    Accrued interest payable and other liabilities   16,089       21,559       20,049       19,062       16,551  
    Total liabilities   2,207,941       2,247,638       2,200,477       2,172,160       2,084,242  
    Shareholders’ equity                            
    Common stock   76,398       76,156       75,377       74,688       74,636  
    Additional paid-in capital   4,009       3,712       4,393       4,271       3,717  
    Retained earnings   172,849       162,462       152,252       141,623       132,179  
    Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income   (6,317 )     (7,095 )     (8,488 )     (6,369 )     (9,090 )
    Total shareholders’ equity   246,939       235,235       223,534       214,213       201,442  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 2,454,880     $ 2,482,873     $ 2,424,011     $ 2,386,373     $ 2,285,684  
                                 
    Book value per common share $ 42.54     $ 40.63     $ 38.76     $ 37.21     $ 35.03  
    Tangible book value per common share (1) $ 42.20     $ 40.29     $ 38.40     $ 36.87     $ 34.65  
    Shares outstanding   5,805,286       5,789,306       5,766,810       5,756,207       5,751,143  

    (1) Non-GAAP measure. See GAAP to non-GAAP Reconciliation table.

     
    PRIVATE BANCORP OF AMERICA, INC.
    Condensed Statements of Income
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
         
      For the three months ended  
      Jun 30, 2025   Mar 31, 2025   Dec 31, 2024   Sep 30, 2024   Jun 30, 2024
    Interest income $ 41,988     $ 40,268     $ 40,430     $ 40,018     $ 38,662  
    Interest expense   11,875       12,536       13,023       14,311       13,992  
    Net interest income   30,113       27,732       27,407       25,707       24,670  
    Provision for credit losses   1,293       299       17       304       2,136  
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses   28,820       27,433       27,390       25,403       22,534  
                                 
    Service charges on deposit accounts   591       557       558       504       430  
    Net gain on sale of loans   523       469       932       587       661  
    Other noninterest income   616       587       456       343       447  
    Total noninterest income   1,730       1,613       1,946       1,434       1,538  
                                 
    Compensation and employee benefits   10,319       9,748       9,539       9,422       8,836  
    Occupancy and equipment   840       844       847       818       822  
    Data processing   1,396       1,326       1,195       1,238       1,183  
    Professional services   939       508       573       252       424  
    Other expenses   2,195       1,629       2,036       1,695       1,697  
    Total noninterest expense   15,689       14,055       14,190       13,425       12,962  
                                 
    Income before provision for income taxes   14,861       14,991       15,146       13,412       11,110  
    Income taxes   4,412       4,429       4,488       3,959       3,283  
    Net income $ 10,449     $ 10,562     $ 10,658     $ 9,453     $ 7,827  
    Net income available to common shareholders $ 10,361     $ 10,482     $ 10,573     $ 9,373     $ 7,761  
                                 
    Earnings per share                            
    Basic earnings per share $ 1.80     $ 1.83     $ 1.85     $ 1.64     $ 1.36  
    Diluted earnings per share $ 1.77     $ 1.80     $ 1.82     $ 1.63     $ 1.35  
                                 
    Average shares outstanding   5,754,872       5,734,688       5,716,291       5,707,723       5,702,938  
    Diluted average shares outstanding   5,837,537       5,826,229       5,813,197       5,767,401       5,762,616  
                                           
      Performance Ratios
      Jun 30, 2025   Mar 31, 2025   Dec 31, 2024   Sep 30, 2024   Jun 30, 2024
    ROAA   1.69 %     1.74 %     1.80 %     1.62 %     1.40 %
    ROAE   17.30 %     18.56 %     19.28 %     18.00 %     15.81 %
    ROATCE (1)   17.44 %     18.74 %     19.46 %     18.18 %     15.99 %
    Net interest margin   4.94 %     4.61 %     4.67 %     4.44 %     4.48 %
    Net interest spread   4.75 %     4.41 %     4.44 %     4.20 %     4.24 %
    Efficiency ratio (1)   49.27 %     47.90 %     48.34 %     49.46 %     49.46 %
    Noninterest expense / average assets   2.53 %     2.31 %     2.39 %     2.29 %     2.32 %

    (1) Non-GAAP measure. See GAAP to non-GAAP Reconciliation table.

     
    PRIVATE BANCORP OF AMERICA, INC.
    (Unaudited)
       
      Selected Quarterly Average Balances
      (Dollars in thousands)
      For the three months ended
      Jun 30, 2025   Mar 31, 2025   Dec 31, 2024   Sep 30, 2024   Jun 30, 2024
    Total assets $ 2,487,224     $ 2,467,778     $ 2,359,950     $ 2,328,399     $ 2,241,860  
    Earning assets $ 2,443,888     $ 2,439,242     $ 2,334,999     $ 2,303,537     $ 2,216,185  
    Total loans, including loans held for sale $ 2,069,415     $ 2,078,588     $ 2,036,178     $ 1,989,748     $ 1,939,746  
    Total deposits $ 2,195,344     $ 2,173,402     $ 2,071,050     $ 2,047,197     $ 1,961,099  
    Total shareholders’ equity $ 242,235     $ 230,731     $ 219,963     $ 208,889     $ 199,088  
                                           
      Loan Balances by Type
      (Dollars in thousands)
      Jun 30, 2025   Mar 31, 2025   Dec 31, 2024   Sep 30, 2024   Jun 30, 2024
    Commercial Real Estate (CRE):                            
    Investor owned $ 604,073     $ 577,512     $ 572,659     $ 560,481     $ 566,314  
    Owner occupied   223,558       228,232       223,442       221,364       216,876  
    Multifamily   160,902       163,218       162,330       175,387       177,390  
    Secured by single family   197,100       200,650       198,579       190,738       181,744  
    Land and construction   51,669       70,293       62,638       68,186       58,109  
    SBA secured by real estate   407,148       402,524       401,990       395,646       388,271  
    Total CRE   1,644,450       1,642,429       1,621,638       1,611,802       1,588,704  
    Commercial business:                            
    Commercial and industrial   404,489       417,258       441,182       383,874       378,161  
    SBA non-real estate secured   30,183       17,004       20,205       15,101       10,758  
    Total commercial business   434,672       434,262       461,387       398,975       388,919  
    Consumer   1,941       1,962       2,124       1,680       2,097  
    Total loans held for investment $ 2,081,063     $ 2,078,653     $ 2,085,149     $ 2,012,457     $ 1,979,720  
                                           
      Deposits by Type
      (Dollars in thousands)
      Jun 30, 2025   Mar 31, 2025   Dec 31, 2024   Sep 30, 2024   Jun 30, 2024
    Noninterest-bearing DDA $ 601,473     $ 599,095     $ 553,405     $ 584,292     $ 557,055  
    Interest-bearing DDA, excluding brokered   251,701       257,720       251,594       182,268       156,253  
    Savings & MMA, excluding brokered   990,798       981,491       887,740       920,219       861,508  
    Time deposits, excluding brokered   227,129       210,845       201,851       186,583       168,664  
    Total deposits, excluding brokered   2,071,101       2,049,151       1,894,590       1,873,362       1,743,480  
    Total brokered deposits   91,779       142,958       239,869       233,769       258,246  
    Total deposits $ 2,162,880     $ 2,192,109     $ 2,134,459     $ 2,107,131     $ 2,001,726  
                                           
    PRIVATE BANCORP OF AMERICA, INC.
    (Unaudited)
         
      Rollforward of Allowance for Credit Losses
      (Dollars in thousands)
      For the three months ended
      Jun 30, 2025   Mar 31, 2025   Dec 31, 2024   Sep 30, 2024   Jun 30, 2024
    Allowance for loan losses:                            
    Beginning balance $ 26,437     $ 27,267     $ 26,594     $ 26,591     $ 24,693  
    Provision for loan losses   1,741       460       673       3       1,994  
    Net (charge-offs) recoveries         (1,290 )                 (96 )
    Ending balance   28,178       26,437       27,267       26,594       26,591  
    Reserve for unfunded commitments   899       1,348       1,509       2,165       1,865  
    Total allowance for credit losses $ 29,077     $ 27,785     $ 28,776     $ 28,759     $ 28,456  
                                           
      Asset Quality
      (Dollars in thousands)
      Jun 30, 2025   Mar 31, 2025   Dec 31, 2024   Sep 30, 2024   Jun 30, 2024
    Total loans held-for-investment $ 2,081,063     $ 2,078,653     $ 2,085,149     $ 2,012,457     $ 1,979,720  
    Allowance for loan losses $ (28,178 )   $ (26,437 )   $ (27,267 )   $ (26,594 )   $ (26,591 )
    30-89 day past due loans $ 4,842     $ 2,399     $ 1,952     $     $  
    90+ day past due loans $ 2,850     $ 13,223     $ 11,512     $ 11,512     $ 2,500  
    Nonaccrual loans $ 7,716     $ 15,565     $ 11,512     $ 11,512     $ 2,500  
    Other real estate owned (OREO) $ 8,568     $     $     $     $  
    NPAs / Total assets   0.66 %     0.63 %     0.47 %     0.48 %     0.11 %
    NPLs / Total loans held-for-investment   0.37 %     0.75 %     0.55 %     0.57 %     0.13 %
    Net quarterly charge-offs (recoveries) $     $ 1,290     $     $     $ 96  
    Net charge-offs (recoveries) /avg loans (annualized)   0.00 %     0.25 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.02 %
    Allowance for loan losses to loans HFI   1.35 %     1.27 %     1.31 %     1.32 %     1.34 %
    Allowance for loan losses to nonaccrual loans   365.19 %     169.85 %     236.86 %     231.01 %     1063.64 %
                                           

    PRIVATE BANCORP OF AMERICA, INC.
    (Unaudited)

    The following tables present a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP measures for: efficiency ratio, pretax pre-provision net revenue, average tangible common equity, and return on average tangible common equity. We believe the presentation of certain non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to assess our consolidated financial condition and consolidated results of operations and to assist investors in evaluating our financial results relative to our peers. These non-GAAP financial measures complement our GAAP reporting and are presented below to provide investors and others with information that we use to manage the business each period. Because not all companies use identical calculations, the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies. These non-GAAP measures should be taken together with the corresponding GAAP measures and should not be considered a substitute of the GAAP measures.

         
      GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation
      (Dollars in thousands)
                                 
      For the three months ended
      Jun 30, 2025   Mar 31, 2025   Dec 31, 2024   Sep 30, 2024   Jun 30, 2024
    Efficiency Ratio                            
    Noninterest expense $ 15,689     $ 14,055     $ 14,190     $ 13,425     $ 12,962  
    Net interest income   30,113       27,732       27,407       25,707       24,670  
    Noninterest income   1,730       1,613       1,946       1,434       1,538  
    Total net interest income and noninterest income   31,843       29,345       29,353       27,141       26,208  
    Efficiency ratio (non-GAAP)   49.27 %     47.90 %     48.34 %     49.46 %     49.46 %
                                 
    Pretax pre-provision net revenue                            
    Net interest income $ 30,113     $ 27,732     $ 27,407     $ 25,707     $ 24,670  
    Noninterest income   1,730       1,613       1,946       1,434       1,538  
    Total net interest income and noninterest income   31,843       29,345       29,353       27,141       26,208  
    Less: Noninterest expense   15,689       14,055       14,190       13,425       12,962  
    Pretax pre-provision net revenue (non-GAAP) $ 16,154     $ 15,290     $ 15,163     $ 13,716     $ 13,246  
                                 
    Return and Adjusted Return on Average Assets, Average Equity, Average Tangible Equity                            
    Net income $ 10,449     $ 10,562     $ 10,658     $ 9,453     $ 7,827  
    Average assets   2,487,224       2,467,778       2,359,950       2,328,399       2,241,860  
    Average shareholders’ equity   242,235       230,731       219,963       208,889       199,088  
    Less: Average intangible assets   1,953       2,098       2,028       2,051       2,163  
    Average tangible common equity (non-GAAP)   240,282       228,633       217,935       206,838       196,925  
                                 
    Return on average assets   1.69 %     1.74 %     1.80 %     1.62 %     1.40 %
    Return on average equity   17.30 %     18.56 %     19.28 %     18.00 %     15.81 %
    Return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP)   17.44 %     18.74 %     19.46 %     18.18 %     15.99 %
                                 
    Tangible book value per share                            
    Total equity   246,939       235,235       223,534       214,213       201,442  
    Less: Total intangible assets   1,964       1,993       2,087       2,006       2,164  
    Total tangible equity   244,975       233,242       221,447       212,207       199,278  
    Shares outstanding   5,805,286       5,789,306       5,766,810       5,756,207       5,751,143  
    Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP) $ 42.20     $ 40.29     $ 38.40     $ 36.87     $ 34.65  
                                           

    PRIVATE BANCORP OF AMERICA, INC.
    (Unaudited)

    The following tables present a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP measures for: efficiency ratio, adjusted efficiency ratio, pretax pre-provision net revenue, average tangible common equity, adjusted return on average assets, return on average tangible common equity and adjusted return on average tangible common equity. We believe the presentation of certain non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to assess our consolidated financial condition and consolidated results of operations and to assist investors in evaluating our financial results relative to our peers. These non-GAAP financial measures complement our GAAP reporting and are presented below to provide investors and others with information that we use to manage the business each period. Because not all companies use identical calculations, the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies. These non-GAAP measures should be taken together with the corresponding GAAP measures and should not be considered a substitute of the GAAP measures.

         
      GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation  
      (Dollars in thousands)  
               
      Year to Date  
      Jun 30, 2025     Jun 30, 2024  
    Efficiency Ratio          
    Noninterest expense $ 29,744     $ 25,745  
    Net interest income   57,845       47,438  
    Noninterest income   3,343       2,964  
    Total net interest income and noninterest income   61,188       50,402  
    Efficiency ratio (non-GAAP)   48.61 %     51.08 %
               
    Pretax pre-provision net revenue          
    Net interest income $ 57,845     $ 47,438  
    Noninterest income   3,343       2,964  
    Total net interest income and noninterest income   61,188       50,402  
    Less: Noninterest expense   29,744       25,745  
    Pretax pre-provision net revenue (non-GAAP) $ 31,444     $ 24,657  
               
    Return and Adjusted Return on Average Assets, Average Equity, Average Tangible Equity          
    Net income $ 21,011     $ 15,711  
    Average assets   2,477,554       2,195,419  
    Average shareholders’ equity   236,517       194,708  
    Less: Average intangible assets   2,025       2,185  
    Average tangible common equity (non-GAAP)   234,492       192,523  
               
    Return on average assets   1.71 %     1.44 %
    Return on average equity   17.91 %     16.23 %
    Return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP)   18.07 %     16.41 %
                   

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Private Bancorp of America, Inc. Announces Strong Net Income and Earnings Per Share for Second Quarter 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Second Quarter 2025 Highlights

    • Net income for the second quarter of 2025 was $10.4 million, compared to $10.6 million in the prior quarter and $7.8 million in the second quarter of 2024. Net income increased 33.5% year over year
    • Net income for the second quarter of 2025 represents a return on average assets of 1.69% and a return on average tangible common equity of 17.44%
    • Diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of 2025 was $1.77, compared to $1.80 in the prior quarter and $1.35 in the second quarter of 2024
    • Core deposits were $2.07 billion as of June 30, 2025, an increase of $22.0 million or 1.1% from March 31, 2025. Core deposits increased $327.6 million or 18.8% year over year. Total deposits were $2.16 billion as of June 30, 2025, a decrease of $29.2 million or 1.3% from March 31, 2025, which included a reduction in brokered deposits of $51.2 million. Total deposits increased 8.1% year over year
    • Total cost of deposits was 2.08% for the second quarter of 2025, a decrease from 2.22% in the prior quarter and 2.67% in the second quarter of 2024, an improvement of 6.4% quarter over quarter and 22.3% year over year. The spot rate for total deposits was 2.04% as of June 30, 2025, compared to 2.11% at March 31, 2025. Total cost of funding sources was 2.14% for the second quarter of 2025, a decrease from 2.29% in the prior quarter and 2.78% in the second quarter of 2024
    • Loans held-for-investment (“HFI”) totaled $2.08 billion as of June 30, 2025, an increase of $2.4 million or 0.1% from March 31, 2025. Loans HFI increased 5.1% year over year
    • Net interest margin was 4.94% for the second quarter of 2025, compared to 4.61% in the prior quarter and 4.48% in the second quarter of 2024
    • Provision for credit losses for the second quarter of 2025 was $1.3 million, compared to $0.3 million for the prior quarter and $2.1 million for the second quarter of 2024. The allowance for loan losses was 1.35% of loans HFI as of June 30, 2025 compared to 1.27% at March 31, 2025
    • As of June 30, 2025, criticized loans totaled $58.2 million, or 2.79% of total loans, up from $40.8 million, or 1.96% of total loans, in the prior quarter
    • Tangible book value per share was $42.20 as of June 30, 2025, an increase of $1.91 since March 31, 2025 primarily as a result of strong earnings. Tangible book value per share increased 4.7% quarter-over-quarter and 21.8% year over year.

    LA JOLLA, Calif., July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Private Bancorp of America, Inc. (OTCQX: PBAM), (“Company”) and CalPrivate Bank (“Bank”) announced unaudited financial results for the second fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2025. The Company reported net income of $10.4 million, or $1.77 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2025, compared to $10.6 million, or $1.80 per diluted share, in the prior quarter, and $7.8 million, or $1.35 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2024.

    Rick Sowers, President and CEO of the Company and the Bank stated, “Earnings continue to be strong as a result of improvement in our deposit base and funding costs as well as an industry leading net interest margin.  Although 2025 has been a slower year for loan growth due to economic uncertainty and what we view as unreasonable market loan pricing, we are adding new Relationships across our footprint by delivering Distinctively Different Service and providing Clients with customized Solutions that meet their individual needs. We have onboarded 8 new Relationship focused Team Members this quarter, with more in the pipeline.  We are strong believers in the Southern California market, as demonstrated by our new Santa Barbara County office in Montecito, which we anticipate opening in the third quarter.”

    Sowers added, “The Bank’s superior financial performance and industry leading service metrics continue to be recognized by industry publications and our Clients. This recognition reinforces our strategic thinking and our dedication to excellence, innovation, delivering Client-focused banking solutions and enhancing shareholder value: 

    • Top 20 Community Banks in the US for 2025 by American Banker with assets between $2B and $10B in assets and #2 in California
    • #1 for both Return on Assets (ROA) and Return on Equity (ROE) among banks with less than $5 billion in assets in 2024
    • #1 SBA 504 Community Bank Lender in the United States
    • #10 Best U.S. Bank by Bank Director’s RankingBanking®
    • Client Net Promoter Score of 81 (World Class)
    • Bauer 5 Star Rating
    • 2025 Best 50 OTCQX

    “Management has continued to focus on providing clients with a differentiated superior banking experience while producing industry leading shareholder value creation. Client surveys validate superior service levels while financial results remain in the top tier of banks nationally. Outstanding net interest margin and superior efficiency ratios confirm both the bank’s unique client relationship strategy, calculated decision making, and the effective operating systems that have resulted from our continuous improvement focus through project management, product evaluation, and technology implementation programs. In preparation for a less certain general economic environment, we have continued to invest in people and technology. We expanded our geographic footprint into Santa Barbara County and added relationship managers throughout Southern California, and management is preparing for and evaluating a wave of newer technologies including AI and risk management tools. In addition, our Team takes pride in continuing to commit their time and the bank’s financial support for non-profits in the communities we serve, in gratitude for these organizations’ outstanding work to strengthen their communities by improving the lives of those they serve,” said Selwyn Isakow, Chairman of the Board of the Company and the Bank.

    STATEMENT OF INCOME

    Net Interest Income

    Net interest income for the second quarter of 2025 totaled $30.1 million, an increase of $2.4 million or 8.6% from the prior quarter and an increase of $5.4 million or 22.1% from the second quarter of 2024. The increase from the prior quarter was due to a $1.7 million increase in interest income, which included $0.7 million of nonaccrual interest recognized on loans that were fully satisfied through a foreclosure, and a $0.7 million decrease in interest expense, resulting from a 19 basis point reduction in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities, primarily driven by a 14 basis point decrease in the cost of total deposits.

    Net Interest Margin

    Net interest margin for the second quarter of 2025 was 4.94%, compared to 4.61% for the prior quarter and 4.48% in the second quarter of 2024. The 33 basis point increase in net interest margin from the prior quarter was primarily due to a higher average yield on loans, which included the effect of an 11 basis point increase in net interest margin due to nonaccrual interest recognized on loans that were fully satisfied through foreclosure, and a decrease in the cost of total funding sources. The yield on interest-earning assets was 6.89% for the second quarter of 2025 compared to 6.70% for the prior quarter, and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities was 2.95% for the second quarter of 2025 compared to 3.14% in the prior quarter. The cost of total deposits was 2.08% for the second quarter of 2025 compared to 2.22% in the prior quarter. The cost of core deposits, which excludes brokered deposits, was 1.94% in the second quarter of 2025 compared to 1.99% in the prior quarter and 2.28% for the second quarter of 2024. The spot rate for total deposits was 2.04% as of June 30, 2025, compared to 2.11% at March 31, 2025.

    Provision for Credit Losses

    Provision expense for credit losses for the second quarter of 2025 was $1.3 million, compared to $0.3 million in the prior quarter and $2.1 million in the second quarter of 2024. The provision expense for loans HFI for the second quarter of 2025 was $1.7 million, primarily reflecting a $1.1 million increase in the specific reserve for a nonaccrual loan, as well as quarterly adjustments to CECL model inputs stemming from changes in loan risk ratings and a weakening economic outlook for Southern California. This was offset by a $0.4 million reversal for unfunded commitments due to increased line of credit utilization that resulted in lower unfunded commitment balances. For more details, please refer to the “Asset Quality” section below.

    Noninterest Income

    Noninterest income was $1.7 million for the second quarter of 2025, compared to $1.6 million in the prior quarter and $1.5 million in the second quarter of 2024. U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) loan sales for the second quarter of 2025 were $9.5 million with a 10.01% average trade premium resulting in a net gain on sale of $523 thousand, compared with $8.3 million with a 10.86% average trade premium resulting in a net gain on sale of $469 thousand in the prior quarter.

    Noninterest Expense

    Noninterest expense was $15.7 million for the second quarter of 2025, compared to $14.1 million in the prior quarter and $13.0 million in the second quarter of 2024. The increase in noninterest expense from the prior quarter is primarily due to higher compensation and benefits costs from continued hiring, including a team of bankers in Montecito, as well as elevated professional services expenses related to expanded loan portfolio reviews performed during the quarter as we proactively manage credit risk and the transition to a new Chief Credit Officer. The efficiency ratio was 49.27% for the second quarter of 2025 compared to 47.90% in the prior quarter and 49.46% in the second quarter of 2024. The slight increase in the efficiency ratio from the prior quarter was due to the increase in noninterest expense.

    The Company remains committed to making investments in the business, including technology, marketing, and staffing. Inflationary pressures and low unemployment continue to have an impact on rising wages as well as increased costs related to third party service providers, which we proactively monitor and manage.

    Provision for Income Tax Expense

    Provision for income tax expense was $4.4 million for the second quarter of 2025, compared to $4.4 million for the prior quarter. The effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2025 was 29.7%, compared to 29.5% in the prior quarter and 29.5% in the second quarter of 2024.

    STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

    As of June 30, 2025, total assets were $2.45 billion, a decrease of $28.0 million since March 31, 2025. The decrease in assets from the prior quarter was primarily due to lower cash and due from banks, partially offset by higher investment securities and loans receivable. Our total cash and due from banks decreased to $140.6 million as of June 30, 2025, a decrease of $77.9 million or 35.6% since March 31, 2025, primarily due to purchases of investment securities and a decrease in brokered deposits and borrowings. Investment securities available-for-sale (“AFS”) were $188.8 million as of June 30, 2025, an increase of $32.5 million or 20.8% since March 31, 2025, primarily as a result of new securities purchased. As of June 30, 2025, the net unrealized loss on the AFS investment securities portfolio, which is comprised mostly of US Treasury and Government Agency debt, was $9.0 million (pre-tax) compared to a loss of $10.1 million (pre-tax) as of March 31, 2025. The average duration of the Bank’s AFS portfolio is 3.9 years. The Company has no held-to-maturity securities. Loans HFI totaled $2.08 billion as of June 30, 2025, an increase of $2.4 million or 0.1% since March 31, 2025, primarily due to growth in investor owned commercial real estate (“CRE”) and SBA loans, partially offset by decreased construction and commercial and industrial (“C&I”) loan balances.

    Total deposits were $2.16 billion as of June 30, 2025, a decrease of $29.2 million since March 31, 2025. During the quarter, core deposits increased by $22.0 million, which was driven by a $19.6 million increase in interest-bearing core deposits (including balances in the IntraFi ICS and CDARS programs) and a $2.4 million increase in noninterest-bearing core deposits. The deposit mix has continued to shift due to short-term interest rates remaining elevated compared to recent years. Noninterest-bearing deposits represent 29.0% of total core deposits. Offsetting the increase to total deposits from core deposits, brokered deposits decreased by $51.2 million. Uninsured deposits, net of collateralized and fiduciary deposit accounts, represent 50.6% of total deposits as of June 30, 2025.

    As of June 30, 2025, total available liquidity was $2.1 billion or 194.5% of uninsured deposits, net of collateralized and fiduciary deposit accounts. Total available liquidity is comprised of $321 million of on-balance sheet liquidity (cash and investment securities) and $1.8 billion of unused borrowing capacity.

    Asset Quality and Allowance for Credit Losses (“ACL”)

    As of June 30, 2025, the allowance for loan losses was $28.2 million or 1.35% of loans HFI, compared to $26.4 million or 1.27% of loans HFI as of March 31, 2025. The increase in the coverage ratio from March 31, 2025 is due primarily to a $1.1 million increase in the specific reserve for a nonaccrual loan, as well as quarterly adjustments to CECL model inputs stemming from changes in loan risk ratings and a weakening economic outlook for Southern California. The Company continues to have strong credit metrics and its nonperforming assets are 0.66% of total assets as of June 30, 2025 compared to 0.63% as of March 31, 2025. The reserve for unfunded commitments was $0.9 million as of June 30, 2025, compared to $1.3 million as of March 31, 2025. The decrease in the reserve for unfunded commitments was due to lower unfunded commitment balances (driven by higher credit line usage). Given the credit quality of the loan portfolio, management believes we are sufficiently reserved.

    At June 30, 2025 and March 31, 2025, there were no doubtful credits and classified assets were $36.2 million and $27.8 million, respectively. Total classified assets consisted of 26 loans as of June 30, 2025, which included 17 loans totaling $22.5 million secured by real estate with total specific reserves of $1.1 million and a weighted average LTV of 56.6%. The remaining 9 loans were $13.7 million of commercial and industrial loans, one of which was an unsecured loan on nonaccrual status with a carrying value of $1.5 million and a specific reserve of $1.0 million (the loan is recorded net of a $1.1 million partial charge off recorded in the first quarter of 2025).

    The Bank’s loan portfolio does include assets that are in the affected areas of Los Angeles devastated by wildfires. Of these loans, two relationships with loan balances totaling $34.1 million have been placed on payment deferral.  However, based on assessments performed to date, management does not believe there is a material impact to the financial statements.

    Capital Ratios (2)

    The Bank’s capital ratios were in excess of the levels established for “well capitalized” institutions and are as follows:

      June 30, 2025 (2) March 31, 2025
    CalPrivate Bank    
    Tier I leverage ratio 10.70% 10.35%
    Tier I risk-based capital ratio 12.12% 11.75%
    Total risk-based capital ratio 13.37% 13.00%
         

    (2) June 30, 2025 capital ratios are preliminary and subject to change.

    CalPrivate Bank Announces Board of Directors Changes

    During the second quarter, Thomas Wornham and Richard Smith concluded their service on the Bank’s Board of Directors. The Bank extends its sincere gratitude to Mr. Wornham and Mr. Smith for their contributions and dedication during their tenure. Neither individual served on the Company’s Board of Directors. Mr. Smith continues his business development activities for the Bank.

    About Private Bancorp of America, Inc. (OTCQX: PBAM)

    PBAM is the holding company for CalPrivate Bank, which operates offices in Coronado, San Diego, La Jolla, Newport Beach, El Segundo, Beverly Hills, and coming soon, Montecito, as well as through efficient digital banking services. CalPrivate Bank is driven by its core values of building client Relationships based on superior funding Solutions, unparalleled Service, and mutual Trust. The Bank caters to high-net-worth individuals, professionals, closely-held businesses, and real estate entrepreneurs, delivering a Distinctly Different™ personalized banking experience while leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance our clients’ evolving needs. CalPrivate Bank is in the top tier of customer service survey ratings in the nation, scoring almost 3x higher than the median domestic bank. The Bank offers comprehensive deposit and treasury services, rapid and creative loan options including various portfolio and government-guaranteed lending programs,  cross border banking, and innovative, unique technologies that drive enhanced  client performance. CalPrivate Bank has been recognized by Bank Director’s RankingBanking® as the 10th best bank in the country and the #1 bank in its asset class for both return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE). CalPrivate Bank was also ranked in the top 5% of banks in the U.S. with assets between $2B and $10B by American Banker. Additionally, CalPrivate Bank is a Bauer Financial 5-star rated bank, an SBA Preferred Lender, and has been honored as Community Bank 504 Lender of the Year by the NADCO Community Impact Awards, exemplifying excellence in the banking industry. These prestigious rankings highlight the Bank’s commitment to delivering exceptional banking services and setting new industry standards.

    CalPrivate Bank’s website is www.calprivate.bank.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    This press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures in addition to results presented in accordance with GAAP, including efficiency ratio, pretax pre-provision net revenue, average tangible common equity and return on average tangible common equity. The Company uses certain non-GAAP financial measures to provide meaningful supplemental information regarding the Company’s results of operations and financial condition and to enhance investors’ overall understanding of such results of operations and financial condition, to permit investors to effectively analyze financial trends of our business activities, and to enhance comparability with peers across the financial services sector. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or superior to, financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s GAAP financial information. A reconciliation of the most comparable GAAP financial measures to non-GAAP financial measures is included in the accompanying financial tables.

    Investor Relations Contacts

    Rick Sowers
    President and Chief Executive Officer
    Private Bancorp of America, Inc., and CalPrivate Bank
    (424) 303-4894

    Cory Stewart
    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
    Private Bancorp of America, Inc., and CalPrivate Bank
    (206) 293-3669

    Safe Harbor Paragraph

    This communication contains expressions of expectations, both implied and explicit, that are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of such term in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution you that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, especially given the current turmoil in the banking and financial markets. These factors include the effects of depositors withdrawing funds unexpectedly, counterparties being unable to provide liquidity sources that we believe should be available, loan losses, economic conditions and competition in the geographic and business areas in which Private Bancorp of America, Inc. operates, including competition in lending and deposit acquisition, the unpredictability of fee income from participation in SBA loan programs, the effects of bank failures, liquidations and mergers in our markets and nationally, our ability to successfully integrate and develop business through the addition of new personnel, whether our efforts to expand loan, product and service offerings will prove profitable, system failures and data security, whether we can effectively secure and implement new technology solutions, inflation, fluctuations in interest rates, legislation and governmental regulation. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and we undertake no obligation to update those statements whether as a result of changes in underlying factors, new information, future events or otherwise. These factors could cause actual results to differ materially from what we anticipate or project. You should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statement, which speaks only as of the date on which it was made. Although we believe in good faith the assumptions and bases supporting our forward-looking statements to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that those assumptions and bases will prove accurate.

                     
    PRIVATE BANCORP OF AMERICA, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands)
                     
      Jun 30, 2025   Mar 31, 2025   Jun 30, 2024
    Assets                
    Cash and due from banks $ 26,215     $ 34,720     $ 13,545  
    Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions   14,715       16,155       12,502  
    Interest-bearing deposits at Federal Reserve Bank   99,689       167,606       132,330  
    Total cash and due from banks   140,619       218,481       158,377  
    Interest-bearing time deposits with other institutions   4,270       4,213       4,097  
    Investment debt securities available for sale   188,821       156,346       121,725  
    Loans held for sale   8,826       2,066        
    Loans, net of deferred fees and costs and unaccreted discounts   2,081,063       2,078,653       1,979,720  
    Allowance for loan losses   (28,178 )     (26,437 )     (26,591 )
    Loans held-for-investment, net of allowance   2,052,885       2,052,216       1,953,129  
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost   10,652       9,586       9,586  
    Operating lease right of use assets   7,254       6,383       4,719  
    Premises and equipment, net   2,213       2,432       2,207  
    Servicing assets, net   1,964       1,993       2,164  
    Accrued interest receivable   8,624       8,148       7,906  
    Other assets   28,752       21,009       21,774  
    Total assets $ 2,454,880     $ 2,482,873     $ 2,285,684  
                     
    Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity                
    Liabilities                
    Noninterest bearing $ 601,473     $ 599,095     $ 557,055  
    Interest bearing   1,561,407       1,593,014       1,444,671  
    Total deposits   2,162,880       2,192,109       2,001,726  
    FHLB borrowings   11,000       16,000       48,000  
    Other borrowings   17,972       17,970       17,965  
    Accrued interest payable and other liabilities   16,089       21,559       16,551  
    Total liabilities   2,207,941       2,247,638       2,084,242  
                     
    Shareholders’ equity                
    Common stock   76,398       76,156       74,636  
    Additional paid-in capital   4,009       3,712       3,717  
    Retained earnings   172,849       162,462       132,179  
    Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net   (6,317 )     (7,095 )     (9,090 )
    Total shareholders’ equity   246,939       235,235       201,442  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 2,454,880     $ 2,482,873     $ 2,285,684  
                           
    PRIVATE BANCORP OF AMERICA, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
               
      For the three months ended     Year to Date  
      Jun 30, 2025   Mar 31, 2025   Jun 30, 2024   Jun 30, 2025   Jun 30, 2024
    Interest Income                            
    Loans $ 38,004     $ 36,565     $ 35,538     $ 74,569     $ 68,544  
    Investment securities   1,800       1,505       1,090       3,305       2,069  
    Deposits in other financial institutions   2,184       2,198       2,034       4,382       3,833  
    Total interest income   41,988       40,268       38,662       82,256       74,446  
                                 
    Interest Expense                            
    Deposits   11,376       11,899       13,040       23,275       25,170  
    Borrowings   499       637       952       1,136       1,838  
    Total interest expense   11,875       12,536       13,992       24,411       27,008  
                                 
    Net interest income   30,113       27,732       24,670       57,845       47,438  
    Provision for credit losses   1,293       299       2,136       1,592       2,369  
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses   28,820       27,433       22,534       56,253       45,069  
                                 
    Noninterest income:                            
    Service charges on deposit accounts   591       557       430       1,148       818  
    Net gain on sale of loans   523       469       661       992       1,342  
    Other noninterest income   616       587       447       1,203       804  
    Total noninterest income   1,730       1,613       1,538       3,343       2,964  
                                 
    Noninterest expense:                            
    Compensation and employee benefits   10,319       9,748       8,836       20,067       17,697  
    Occupancy and equipment   840       844       822       1,684       1,592  
    Data processing   1,396       1,326       1,183       2,722       2,241  
    Professional services   939       508       424       1,447       912  
    Other expenses   2,195       1,629       1,697       3,824       3,303  
    Total noninterest expense   15,689       14,055       12,962       29,744       25,745  
    Income before provision for income taxes   14,861       14,991       11,110       29,852       22,288  
    Provision for income taxes   4,412       4,429       3,283       8,841       6,577  
    Net income $ 10,449     $ 10,562     $ 7,827     $ 21,011     $ 15,711  
    Net income available to common shareholders $ 10,361     $ 10,482     $ 7,761     $ 20,834     $ 15,595  
                                 
    Earnings per share                            
    Basic earnings per share $ 1.80     $ 1.83     $ 1.36     $ 3.63     $ 2.74  
    Diluted earnings per share $ 1.77     $ 1.80     $ 1.35     $ 3.57     $ 2.71  
                                 
    Average shares outstanding   5,754,872       5,734,688       5,702,938       5,744,836       5,688,135  
    Diluted average shares outstanding   5,837,537       5,826,229       5,762,616       5,830,897       5,755,250  
                                           
    PRIVATE BANCORP OF AMERICA, INC.
    Consolidated average balance sheet, interest, yield and rates
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands)

                                                                           
      For the three months ended 
      Jun 30, 2025    Mar 31, 2025    Jun 30, 2024 
      Average
    Balance
     
      Interest    Average
    Yield/Rate
     
      Average
    Balance
     
      Interest    Average
    Yield/Rate
     
      Average
    Balance
     
      Interest    Average
    Yield/Rate
     
    Interest-Earnings Assets                                                                      
    Deposits in other financial institutions $ 191,701     $ 2,184       4.57 %   $ 202,907     $ 2,198       4.39 %   $ 152,563     $ 2,034       5.36 %
    Investment securities   182,772       1,800       3.94 %     157,747       1,505       3.82 %     123,876       1,090       3.52 %
    Loans, including LHFS   2,069,415       38,004       7.37 %     2,078,588       36,565       7.13 %     1,939,746       35,538       7.37 %
    Total interest-earning assets   2,443,888       41,988       6.89 %     2,439,242       40,268       6.70 %     2,216,185       38,662       7.02 %
    Noninterest-earning assets   43,336                       28,536                       25,675                  
    Total Assets $ 2,487,224                     $ 2,467,778                     $ 2,241,860                  
                                                                           
    Interest-Bearing Liabilities                                                                      
    Interest bearing DDA, excluding brokered   242,929       814       1.34 %     244,301       970       1.61 %     130,361       463       1.43 %
    Savings & MMA, excluding brokered   1,002,820       7,130       2.85 %     955,259       6,830       2.90 %     845,856       7,354       3.50 %
    Time deposits, excluding brokered   218,900       2,097       3.84 %     196,375       1,956       4.04 %     164,714       1,690       4.13 %
    Total deposits, excluding brokered   1,464,649       10,041       2.75 %     1,395,935       9,756       2.83 %     1,140,931       9,507       3.35 %
    Total brokered deposits   120,935       1,335       4.43 %     183,059       2,143       4.75 %     284,290       3,533       5.00 %
    Total Interest-Bearing Deposits   1,585,584       11,376       2.88 %     1,578,994       11,899       3.06 %     1,425,221       13,040       3.68 %
                                                                           
    FHLB advances   12,868       139       4.33 %     24,122       272       4.57 %     47,373       581       4.93 %
    Other borrowings   17,973       360       8.03 %     17,981       365       8.23 %     17,966       371       8.31 %
    Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities   1,616,425       11,875       2.95 %     1,621,097       12,536       3.14 %     1,490,560       13,992       3.78 %
                                                                           
    Noninterest-bearing deposits   609,760                       594,408                       535,878                  
    Total Funding Sources   2,226,185       11,875       2.14 %     2,215,505       12,536       2.29 %     2,026,438       13,992       2.78 %
                                                                           
    Noninterest-bearing liabilities   18,804                       21,542                       16,334                  
    Shareholders’ equity   242,235                       230,731                       199,088                  
                                                                           
    Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity $ 2,487,224                     $ 2,467,778                     $ 2,241,860                  
                                                                           
    Net interest income/spread         $ 30,113       4.75 %           $ 27,732       4.41 %           $ 24,670       4.24 %
    Net interest margin                   4.94 %                     4.61 %                     4.48 %
                                                                           
    PRIVATE BANCORP OF AMERICA, INC.
    Consolidated average balance sheet, interest, yield and rates
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands)
         
      Year to Date  
      Jun 30, 2025     Jun 30, 2024  
      Average
    Balance
        Interest     Average
    Yield/Rate
        Average
    Balance
        Interest     Average
    Yield/Rate
     
    Interest-Earnings Assets:                                  
    Deposits in other financial institutions $ 197,273     $ 4,382       4.48 %   $ 144,037     $ 3,833       5.35 %
    Investment securities   170,328       3,305       3.88 %     121,783       2,069       3.40 %
    Loans   2,073,976       74,569       7.25 %     1,904,028       68,544       7.24 %
    Total interest-earning assets   2,441,577       82,256       6.79 %     2,169,848       74,446       6.90 %
    Noninterest-earning assets   35,977                   25,571              
    Total Assets $ 2,477,554                 $ 2,195,419              
                                       
    Interest-Bearing Liabilities                                  
    Interest bearing DDA, excluding brokered   243,611       1,784       1.48 %     120,100       904       1.51 %
    Savings & MMA, excluding brokered   979,170       13,960       2.88 %     805,813       13,775       3.44 %
    Time deposits, excluding brokered   207,699       4,053       3.94 %     160,208       3,273       4.11 %
    Total deposits, excluding brokered   1,430,480       19,797       2.79 %     1,086,121       17,952       3.32 %
    Total brokered deposits   151,825       3,478       4.62 %     286,088       7,218       5.07 %
    Total Interest-Bearing Deposits   1,582,305       23,275       2.97 %     1,372,209       25,170       3.69 %
                                       
    FHLB advances   18,464       411       4.49 %     48,653       1,195       4.94 %
    Other borrowings   17,977       725       8.13 %     17,964       643       7.20 %
    Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities   1,618,746       24,411       3.04 %     1,438,826       27,008       3.77 %
                                       
    Noninterest-bearing deposits   602,126                   544,709              
    Total Funding Sources   2,220,872       24,411       2.22 %     1,983,535       27,008       2.74 %
                                       
    Noninterest-bearing liabilities   20,165                   17,176              
    Shareholders’ equity   236,517                   194,708              
                                       
    Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity $ 2,477,554                 $ 2,195,419              
                                       
    Net interest income/spread       $ 57,845       4.57 %         $ 47,438       4.16 %
    Net interest margin               4.78 %                 4.40 %
                                           
    PRIVATE BANCORP OF AMERICA, INC.
    Condensed Balance Sheets
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                                 
      Jun 30, 2025   Mar 31, 2025   Dec 31, 2024   Sep 30, 2024   Jun 30, 2024
    Assets                            
    Cash and due from banks $ 140,619     $ 218,481     $ 163,876     $ 207,174     $ 158,377  
    Interest-bearing time deposits with other institutions   4,270       4,213       4,189       4,124       4,097  
    Investment securities   188,821       156,346       145,238       141,100       121,725  
    Loans held for sale   8,826       2,066       3,008       2,040        
    Total loans held-for-investment   2,081,063       2,078,653       2,085,149       2,012,457       1,979,720  
    Allowance for loan losses   (28,178 )     (26,437 )     (27,267 )     (26,594 )     (26,591 )
    Loans held-for-investment, net of allowance   2,052,885       2,052,216       2,057,882       1,985,863       1,953,129  
    Operating lease right of use assets   7,254       6,383       6,819       4,344       4,719  
    Premises and equipment, net   2,213       2,432       2,335       2,345       2,207  
    Other assets and interest receivable   49,992       40,736       40,664       39,383       41,430  
    Total assets $ 2,454,880     $ 2,482,873     $ 2,424,011     $ 2,386,373     $ 2,285,684  
                                 
    Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity                            
    Liabilities                            
    Noninterest Bearing $ 601,473     $ 599,095     $ 553,405     $ 584,292     $ 557,055  
    Interest Bearing   1,561,407       1,593,014       1,581,054       1,522,839       1,444,671  
    Total Deposits   2,162,880       2,192,109       2,134,459       2,107,131       2,001,726  
    Borrowings   28,972       33,970       45,969       45,967       65,965  
    Accrued interest payable and other liabilities   16,089       21,559       20,049       19,062       16,551  
    Total liabilities   2,207,941       2,247,638       2,200,477       2,172,160       2,084,242  
    Shareholders’ equity                            
    Common stock   76,398       76,156       75,377       74,688       74,636  
    Additional paid-in capital   4,009       3,712       4,393       4,271       3,717  
    Retained earnings   172,849       162,462       152,252       141,623       132,179  
    Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income   (6,317 )     (7,095 )     (8,488 )     (6,369 )     (9,090 )
    Total shareholders’ equity   246,939       235,235       223,534       214,213       201,442  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 2,454,880     $ 2,482,873     $ 2,424,011     $ 2,386,373     $ 2,285,684  
                                 
    Book value per common share $ 42.54     $ 40.63     $ 38.76     $ 37.21     $ 35.03  
    Tangible book value per common share (1) $ 42.20     $ 40.29     $ 38.40     $ 36.87     $ 34.65  
    Shares outstanding   5,805,286       5,789,306       5,766,810       5,756,207       5,751,143  

    (1) Non-GAAP measure. See GAAP to non-GAAP Reconciliation table.

     
    PRIVATE BANCORP OF AMERICA, INC.
    Condensed Statements of Income
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
         
      For the three months ended  
      Jun 30, 2025   Mar 31, 2025   Dec 31, 2024   Sep 30, 2024   Jun 30, 2024
    Interest income $ 41,988     $ 40,268     $ 40,430     $ 40,018     $ 38,662  
    Interest expense   11,875       12,536       13,023       14,311       13,992  
    Net interest income   30,113       27,732       27,407       25,707       24,670  
    Provision for credit losses   1,293       299       17       304       2,136  
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses   28,820       27,433       27,390       25,403       22,534  
                                 
    Service charges on deposit accounts   591       557       558       504       430  
    Net gain on sale of loans   523       469       932       587       661  
    Other noninterest income   616       587       456       343       447  
    Total noninterest income   1,730       1,613       1,946       1,434       1,538  
                                 
    Compensation and employee benefits   10,319       9,748       9,539       9,422       8,836  
    Occupancy and equipment   840       844       847       818       822  
    Data processing   1,396       1,326       1,195       1,238       1,183  
    Professional services   939       508       573       252       424  
    Other expenses   2,195       1,629       2,036       1,695       1,697  
    Total noninterest expense   15,689       14,055       14,190       13,425       12,962  
                                 
    Income before provision for income taxes   14,861       14,991       15,146       13,412       11,110  
    Income taxes   4,412       4,429       4,488       3,959       3,283  
    Net income $ 10,449     $ 10,562     $ 10,658     $ 9,453     $ 7,827  
    Net income available to common shareholders $ 10,361     $ 10,482     $ 10,573     $ 9,373     $ 7,761  
                                 
    Earnings per share                            
    Basic earnings per share $ 1.80     $ 1.83     $ 1.85     $ 1.64     $ 1.36  
    Diluted earnings per share $ 1.77     $ 1.80     $ 1.82     $ 1.63     $ 1.35  
                                 
    Average shares outstanding   5,754,872       5,734,688       5,716,291       5,707,723       5,702,938  
    Diluted average shares outstanding   5,837,537       5,826,229       5,813,197       5,767,401       5,762,616  
                                           
      Performance Ratios
      Jun 30, 2025   Mar 31, 2025   Dec 31, 2024   Sep 30, 2024   Jun 30, 2024
    ROAA   1.69 %     1.74 %     1.80 %     1.62 %     1.40 %
    ROAE   17.30 %     18.56 %     19.28 %     18.00 %     15.81 %
    ROATCE (1)   17.44 %     18.74 %     19.46 %     18.18 %     15.99 %
    Net interest margin   4.94 %     4.61 %     4.67 %     4.44 %     4.48 %
    Net interest spread   4.75 %     4.41 %     4.44 %     4.20 %     4.24 %
    Efficiency ratio (1)   49.27 %     47.90 %     48.34 %     49.46 %     49.46 %
    Noninterest expense / average assets   2.53 %     2.31 %     2.39 %     2.29 %     2.32 %

    (1) Non-GAAP measure. See GAAP to non-GAAP Reconciliation table.

     
    PRIVATE BANCORP OF AMERICA, INC.
    (Unaudited)
       
      Selected Quarterly Average Balances
      (Dollars in thousands)
      For the three months ended
      Jun 30, 2025   Mar 31, 2025   Dec 31, 2024   Sep 30, 2024   Jun 30, 2024
    Total assets $ 2,487,224     $ 2,467,778     $ 2,359,950     $ 2,328,399     $ 2,241,860  
    Earning assets $ 2,443,888     $ 2,439,242     $ 2,334,999     $ 2,303,537     $ 2,216,185  
    Total loans, including loans held for sale $ 2,069,415     $ 2,078,588     $ 2,036,178     $ 1,989,748     $ 1,939,746  
    Total deposits $ 2,195,344     $ 2,173,402     $ 2,071,050     $ 2,047,197     $ 1,961,099  
    Total shareholders’ equity $ 242,235     $ 230,731     $ 219,963     $ 208,889     $ 199,088  
                                           
      Loan Balances by Type
      (Dollars in thousands)
      Jun 30, 2025   Mar 31, 2025   Dec 31, 2024   Sep 30, 2024   Jun 30, 2024
    Commercial Real Estate (CRE):                            
    Investor owned $ 604,073     $ 577,512     $ 572,659     $ 560,481     $ 566,314  
    Owner occupied   223,558       228,232       223,442       221,364       216,876  
    Multifamily   160,902       163,218       162,330       175,387       177,390  
    Secured by single family   197,100       200,650       198,579       190,738       181,744  
    Land and construction   51,669       70,293       62,638       68,186       58,109  
    SBA secured by real estate   407,148       402,524       401,990       395,646       388,271  
    Total CRE   1,644,450       1,642,429       1,621,638       1,611,802       1,588,704  
    Commercial business:                            
    Commercial and industrial   404,489       417,258       441,182       383,874       378,161  
    SBA non-real estate secured   30,183       17,004       20,205       15,101       10,758  
    Total commercial business   434,672       434,262       461,387       398,975       388,919  
    Consumer   1,941       1,962       2,124       1,680       2,097  
    Total loans held for investment $ 2,081,063     $ 2,078,653     $ 2,085,149     $ 2,012,457     $ 1,979,720  
                                           
      Deposits by Type
      (Dollars in thousands)
      Jun 30, 2025   Mar 31, 2025   Dec 31, 2024   Sep 30, 2024   Jun 30, 2024
    Noninterest-bearing DDA $ 601,473     $ 599,095     $ 553,405     $ 584,292     $ 557,055  
    Interest-bearing DDA, excluding brokered   251,701       257,720       251,594       182,268       156,253  
    Savings & MMA, excluding brokered   990,798       981,491       887,740       920,219       861,508  
    Time deposits, excluding brokered   227,129       210,845       201,851       186,583       168,664  
    Total deposits, excluding brokered   2,071,101       2,049,151       1,894,590       1,873,362       1,743,480  
    Total brokered deposits   91,779       142,958       239,869       233,769       258,246  
    Total deposits $ 2,162,880     $ 2,192,109     $ 2,134,459     $ 2,107,131     $ 2,001,726  
                                           
    PRIVATE BANCORP OF AMERICA, INC.
    (Unaudited)
         
      Rollforward of Allowance for Credit Losses
      (Dollars in thousands)
      For the three months ended
      Jun 30, 2025   Mar 31, 2025   Dec 31, 2024   Sep 30, 2024   Jun 30, 2024
    Allowance for loan losses:                            
    Beginning balance $ 26,437     $ 27,267     $ 26,594     $ 26,591     $ 24,693  
    Provision for loan losses   1,741       460       673       3       1,994  
    Net (charge-offs) recoveries         (1,290 )                 (96 )
    Ending balance   28,178       26,437       27,267       26,594       26,591  
    Reserve for unfunded commitments   899       1,348       1,509       2,165       1,865  
    Total allowance for credit losses $ 29,077     $ 27,785     $ 28,776     $ 28,759     $ 28,456  
                                           
      Asset Quality
      (Dollars in thousands)
      Jun 30, 2025   Mar 31, 2025   Dec 31, 2024   Sep 30, 2024   Jun 30, 2024
    Total loans held-for-investment $ 2,081,063     $ 2,078,653     $ 2,085,149     $ 2,012,457     $ 1,979,720  
    Allowance for loan losses $ (28,178 )   $ (26,437 )   $ (27,267 )   $ (26,594 )   $ (26,591 )
    30-89 day past due loans $ 4,842     $ 2,399     $ 1,952     $     $  
    90+ day past due loans $ 2,850     $ 13,223     $ 11,512     $ 11,512     $ 2,500  
    Nonaccrual loans $ 7,716     $ 15,565     $ 11,512     $ 11,512     $ 2,500  
    Other real estate owned (OREO) $ 8,568     $     $     $     $  
    NPAs / Total assets   0.66 %     0.63 %     0.47 %     0.48 %     0.11 %
    NPLs / Total loans held-for-investment   0.37 %     0.75 %     0.55 %     0.57 %     0.13 %
    Net quarterly charge-offs (recoveries) $     $ 1,290     $     $     $ 96  
    Net charge-offs (recoveries) /avg loans (annualized)   0.00 %     0.25 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.02 %
    Allowance for loan losses to loans HFI   1.35 %     1.27 %     1.31 %     1.32 %     1.34 %
    Allowance for loan losses to nonaccrual loans   365.19 %     169.85 %     236.86 %     231.01 %     1063.64 %
                                           

    PRIVATE BANCORP OF AMERICA, INC.
    (Unaudited)

    The following tables present a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP measures for: efficiency ratio, pretax pre-provision net revenue, average tangible common equity, and return on average tangible common equity. We believe the presentation of certain non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to assess our consolidated financial condition and consolidated results of operations and to assist investors in evaluating our financial results relative to our peers. These non-GAAP financial measures complement our GAAP reporting and are presented below to provide investors and others with information that we use to manage the business each period. Because not all companies use identical calculations, the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies. These non-GAAP measures should be taken together with the corresponding GAAP measures and should not be considered a substitute of the GAAP measures.

         
      GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation
      (Dollars in thousands)
                                 
      For the three months ended
      Jun 30, 2025   Mar 31, 2025   Dec 31, 2024   Sep 30, 2024   Jun 30, 2024
    Efficiency Ratio                            
    Noninterest expense $ 15,689     $ 14,055     $ 14,190     $ 13,425     $ 12,962  
    Net interest income   30,113       27,732       27,407       25,707       24,670  
    Noninterest income   1,730       1,613       1,946       1,434       1,538  
    Total net interest income and noninterest income   31,843       29,345       29,353       27,141       26,208  
    Efficiency ratio (non-GAAP)   49.27 %     47.90 %     48.34 %     49.46 %     49.46 %
                                 
    Pretax pre-provision net revenue                            
    Net interest income $ 30,113     $ 27,732     $ 27,407     $ 25,707     $ 24,670  
    Noninterest income   1,730       1,613       1,946       1,434       1,538  
    Total net interest income and noninterest income   31,843       29,345       29,353       27,141       26,208  
    Less: Noninterest expense   15,689       14,055       14,190       13,425       12,962  
    Pretax pre-provision net revenue (non-GAAP) $ 16,154     $ 15,290     $ 15,163     $ 13,716     $ 13,246  
                                 
    Return and Adjusted Return on Average Assets, Average Equity, Average Tangible Equity                            
    Net income $ 10,449     $ 10,562     $ 10,658     $ 9,453     $ 7,827  
    Average assets   2,487,224       2,467,778       2,359,950       2,328,399       2,241,860  
    Average shareholders’ equity   242,235       230,731       219,963       208,889       199,088  
    Less: Average intangible assets   1,953       2,098       2,028       2,051       2,163  
    Average tangible common equity (non-GAAP)   240,282       228,633       217,935       206,838       196,925  
                                 
    Return on average assets   1.69 %     1.74 %     1.80 %     1.62 %     1.40 %
    Return on average equity   17.30 %     18.56 %     19.28 %     18.00 %     15.81 %
    Return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP)   17.44 %     18.74 %     19.46 %     18.18 %     15.99 %
                                 
    Tangible book value per share                            
    Total equity   246,939       235,235       223,534       214,213       201,442  
    Less: Total intangible assets   1,964       1,993       2,087       2,006       2,164  
    Total tangible equity   244,975       233,242       221,447       212,207       199,278  
    Shares outstanding   5,805,286       5,789,306       5,766,810       5,756,207       5,751,143  
    Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP) $ 42.20     $ 40.29     $ 38.40     $ 36.87     $ 34.65  
                                           

    PRIVATE BANCORP OF AMERICA, INC.
    (Unaudited)

    The following tables present a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP measures for: efficiency ratio, adjusted efficiency ratio, pretax pre-provision net revenue, average tangible common equity, adjusted return on average assets, return on average tangible common equity and adjusted return on average tangible common equity. We believe the presentation of certain non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to assess our consolidated financial condition and consolidated results of operations and to assist investors in evaluating our financial results relative to our peers. These non-GAAP financial measures complement our GAAP reporting and are presented below to provide investors and others with information that we use to manage the business each period. Because not all companies use identical calculations, the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies. These non-GAAP measures should be taken together with the corresponding GAAP measures and should not be considered a substitute of the GAAP measures.

         
      GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation  
      (Dollars in thousands)  
               
      Year to Date  
      Jun 30, 2025     Jun 30, 2024  
    Efficiency Ratio          
    Noninterest expense $ 29,744     $ 25,745  
    Net interest income   57,845       47,438  
    Noninterest income   3,343       2,964  
    Total net interest income and noninterest income   61,188       50,402  
    Efficiency ratio (non-GAAP)   48.61 %     51.08 %
               
    Pretax pre-provision net revenue          
    Net interest income $ 57,845     $ 47,438  
    Noninterest income   3,343       2,964  
    Total net interest income and noninterest income   61,188       50,402  
    Less: Noninterest expense   29,744       25,745  
    Pretax pre-provision net revenue (non-GAAP) $ 31,444     $ 24,657  
               
    Return and Adjusted Return on Average Assets, Average Equity, Average Tangible Equity          
    Net income $ 21,011     $ 15,711  
    Average assets   2,477,554       2,195,419  
    Average shareholders’ equity   236,517       194,708  
    Less: Average intangible assets   2,025       2,185  
    Average tangible common equity (non-GAAP)   234,492       192,523  
               
    Return on average assets   1.71 %     1.44 %
    Return on average equity   17.91 %     16.23 %
    Return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP)   18.07 %     16.41 %
                   

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: New Survey Shows Shoppers Are Showing Up This Holiday Season — Even Amid Tariffs and Turmoil

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BOSTON, July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Will tariffs deter holiday shoppers this year? Not according to a new consumer holiday shopping report from Salsify, the platform empowering brand manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to win on the digital shelf. The company released its inaugural 2025 Consumer Holiday Shopping Report today and the message is clear: even amid ongoing economic and political turbulence, shoppers are showing up this season — but they’re skipping the old playbook. From AI-curated gift guides and the digital takeover of Black Friday to the surprising rise of alcohol gifting and the decline of social media’s shopping influence, consumers are rewriting the rules of the holiday season.

    In fact, spreading good cheer seems to be on everyone’s list with 75% of consumers saying they’ll spend the same or more on gifts this year, with Gen Z and millennials leading the charge. But it’s not just about how much they spend. It’s about how, why, and where they do it.

    Shoppers aren’t letting inflation, tariffs, or global turmoil steal their holiday spirit,” said Dom Scarlett (she/her), Research Director at Salsify. Black Friday is thriving, but not in-store. Gift discovery is shifting from social to search, video, and even AI. And more than ever, consumers are choosing brands that reflect who they are, not just what they want.”

    Black Friday Just Swiped Cyber Monday’s Crown

    Black Friday is back, and now it’s digital. A record 73% of shoppers plan to participate this year, outpacing Cyber Monday’s 61%. Only 11% say they’ll shop Black Friday exclusively in stores, while nearly one in four will toggle between in-person and online deals. Millennials (46%) and Gen X (42%) are fueling the shift toward mobile-first shopping from the couch.

    Retailer Insight: Cyber Monday is no longer the peak. Retailers should treat Black Friday as the digital centerpiece and focus on app-based early access, flash sales, and omnichannel execution.

    AI Gift Guides Are the New Holiday Hero

    Half of all shoppers say AI tools, like chatbots and curated gift suggestions, would improve their holiday experience. Thirteen percent of millennials and 11% of Gen Z are already using AI to shop, making it more influential than blogs, podcasts, or print ads. For younger consumers, AI is more than a novelty, it’s expected.

    Sixty-three percent of millennials and 56% of Gen Z believe AI makes shopping easier and more personalized. Gen Z shoppers are also more likely to use voice assistants or chatbots for gift-finding help.

    Retailer Insight: Shoppers are asking AI what to buy. To show up in those results, brands must optimize product data for AI-powered search and recommendation engines.

    From TikTok to TV: Shoppers Are Changing the Channel

    Social media’s role in holiday discovery is fading. This year, only 28% of shoppers say it’s their go-to channel for finding gifts, down from 35% in 2024. In contrast, search engines (58%), online marketplaces (48%), and retailer websites (43%) now dominate the discovery landscape. Even traditional formats like TV and streaming video ads are resonating, influencing 12% of Gen X and 10% of millennials — outpacing blogs (7%) and podcasts (4%).

    TikTok and Instagram now rank lower than marketplace ads (38%) and email campaigns (34%) in their influence on gift discovery.

    Retailer Insight: Discovery is fragmenting. Shoppers are searching, streaming, and scrolling — but not necessarily where brands expect them to. Rebalance investments accordingly – return on retail media investments are dependent on quality product content.

    Boozy Gifts Take the Lead as Electronics Surge Stateside
    Alcohol is having a moment. This season, 36% of shoppers plan to gift beer, wine, or spirits, surpassing toys at 33%, pet products at 16%, and home improvement items at 19%. The trend is especially strong in the UK, where 46% plan to gift alcohol, compared to 25% in the U.S.

    Gen X leads the charge, followed by millennials. Domestic spirits and ready-to-drink cocktails are especially popular. With tariffs expected on imported liquor, prices may rise or availability may shrink by December.

    Fashion and apparel (54%), beauty and personal care (47%), and electronics (42%) remain among the top categories. But regional preferences stand out. U.S. shoppers are nearly twice as likely as their U.K. counterparts to gift electronics, while U.K. consumers favor food and drink.

    Retailer Insight: Booze has gone from bar cart to gift list. With global pricing pressures looming, now is the time to secure domestic supply and use creative messaging and bundling. Electronics brands should lean into U.S. demand, while U.K. retailers can win with premium food and beverage offerings.

    Shoppers Are Putting Their Money Where Their Values Are

    More than ever, shoppers are prioritizing meaning over markdowns. Sixty-one percent of consumers say they would pay more for holiday gifts from brands that reflect their values. That figure spikes to 75% for Gen Z, but the shift spans generations, even 50% of boomers say they’re willing to spend more on mission-aligned brands.

    Top value drivers include sustainability, ethical sourcing, social impact, and transparency.

    Retailer Insight: Shoppers are choosing gifts that reflect their identity. Don’t just say what you sell — show what you stand for.

    For more insights on the survey methodology and to download the full 2025 Consumer Holiday Shopping Report, visit here.

    About Salsify
    Salsify helps thousands of brand manufacturers, distributors, and retailers in over 140 countries collaborate to make every product experience matter. The company’s Product Experience Management (PXM) platform enables organizations to centralize all of their product content, connect to the commerce ecosystem, and automate business processes in order to deliver the best possible product experiences across every selling destination.

    Learn how the world’s largest brands, including Mars, L’Oreal, Coca-Cola, Bosch, and ASICS, as well as retailers and distributors, such as DoorDash, E.Leclerc, Carrefour, Metro, and Intermarché, use Salsify every day to drive efficiency, power growth, and lead the digital shelf. For more information, please visit: www.salsify.com.

    Media contact:
    Carolyn Adams
    carolyn@bluerunpr.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Babies born with DNA from three people hailed as breakthrough – but questions remain

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Cathy Herbrand, Professor of Medical and Family Sociology, De Montfort University

    Ten years after the UK became the first country to legalise mitochondrial donation, the first results from the use of these high-profile reproductive technologies – designed to prevent passing on genetic disorders – have finally been published.

    So far, eight children have been born, all reportedly healthy, thanks to the long-term efforts of scientists and doctors in Newcastle, England. Should this be a cause for excitement, disappointment or concern? Perhaps, I would suggest, it could be a bit of all three.

    The New England Journal of Medicine has published two papers on a groundbreaking fertility treatment that could prevent devastating inherited diseases. The technique, called mitochondrial donation, was used to help 22 women who carry faulty genes that would otherwise pass serious genetic disorders – such as Leigh syndrome – to their children. These disorders affect the body’s ability to produce energy at the cellular level and can cause severe disability or death in babies.

    The technique, developed by the Newcastle team, involves creating an embryo using DNA from three people: nuclear DNA from the intended mother and father, and healthy mitochondrial DNA from a donor egg. During the parliamentary debates leading up to The Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Mitochondrial Donation) Regulations in 2015, there were concerns about the effectiveness of the procedure and its potential side effects.

    The announcement that this technology has led to the birth of eight apparently healthy children therefore marks a major scientific achievement for the UK, which has been widely praised by numerous scientists and patient support groups. However, these results should not detract from some important questions they also raise.

    First, why has it taken so long for any updates on the application of this technology, including its outcomes and its limitations, to be made public? Especially given the significant public financial investment made into its development.

    In a country positioning itself as a leader in the governance and practice of reproductive and genomic medicine, transparency should be a central principle. Transparency not only supports the progress of other research teams but also keeps the public and patients well informed.

    Second, what is the significance of these results? While eight babies were born using this technology, this figure contrasts starkly with the predicted number of 150 babies per year likely to be born using the technique.

    The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, the UK regulator in this area, has approved 32 applications since 2017 when the Newcastle team obtained its licence, but the technique was used with only 22 of them, resulting in eight babies. Does this constitute sufficiently robust data to prove the effectiveness of the technology and was it worth the considerable efforts and investments over almost two decades of campaigning, debate and research?

    As I wrote when this law was passed, officials should have been more realistic about how many people this treatment could actually help. By overestimating the number of patients who might benefit, they risked giving false hope to families who wouldn’t be eligible for the procedure.

    The safety question

    Third, is it safe enough? In two of the eight cases, the babies showed higher levels of maternal mitochondrial DNA, meaning the risk of developing a mitochondrial disorder cannot be ruled out. This potential for a “reversal” – where the faulty mitochondria reassert themselves – was also highlighted in a recent study conducted in Greece involving patients who used the technique to treat infertility problems.

    As a result, the technology is no longer framed by the Newcastle team as a way to prevent the transmission of mitochondrial disorders, but rather to reduce the risk. But is the risk reduction enough to justify offering the technique to more patients? And what will the risk of reassertion mean for the children born through it and their parents, who may live with the continuing uncertainty that the condition could emerge later in life?

    As some experts have suggested, it may be worth testing this technology on women who have fertility problems but don’t carry mitochondrial diseases. This would help doctors better understand the risks of the faulty mitochondria coming back, before using the technique only on women who could pass these serious genetic conditions to their children.

    This leads to a fourth question. What has been the patient experience with this technology? It would be valuable to know how many people applied for mitochondrial donation, why some were not approved, and, among those 32 approved cases, why only 22 proceeded with treatment.

    It also raises important questions about how patients who were either unable to access the technology, or for whom it was ultimately unsuccessful feel, particularly after investing significant time, effort and hope in the process. How do they come to terms with not having the healthy biological child they had been offered?

    This is not to say we shouldn’t celebrate these births and what they represent for the UK in terms of scientific achievement. The birth of eight healthy children represents a genuine scientific breakthrough that families affected by mitochondrial diseases have waited decades to see. However, some important questions remain unanswered, and more evidence is needed and it should be communicated in a timely manner to make conclusions about the long-term use of the technology.

    Breakthroughs come with responsibilities. If the UK wants to maintain its position as a leader in reproductive medicine, it must be more transparent about both the successes and limitations of this technology. The families still waiting to have the procedure – and those who may never receive it – deserve nothing less than complete honesty about what this treatment can and cannot deliver.

    Cathy Herbrand receives funding from the Economic and Social Research Council.

    ref. Babies born with DNA from three people hailed as breakthrough – but questions remain – https://theconversation.com/babies-born-with-dna-from-three-people-hailed-as-breakthrough-but-questions-remain-261385

    MIL OSI Analysis

  • MIL-OSI Africa: East African countries and open borders: great strides, but still a long way to go

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Alan Hirsch, Senior Research Fellow New South Institute, Emeritus Professor at The Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town

    It’s not uncommon to find a Ugandan taxi driver in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, just as one regularly meets Zimbabwean Uber drivers in South Africa. But there is a big difference. A Ugandan working in Rwanda most likely has a secure legal right to be there, whereas Zimbabweans working in South Africa are often uncertain of their current or future legality.

    East Africa has made greater strides towards the free flow of people crossing borders and seeking work than most of Africa. Only the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) is in the same league.

    While the African Union’s Free Movement of Persons protocol has faltered at a continental level, some of the regional economic communities have made progress. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) allows visa-free travel across almost all its borders.

    Ecowas and the East African Community (EAC) have driven ambitiously towards regional common markets including the freeing up of job-seeking, residential settlement and business development across the borders of member states.

    The New South Institute, a think-tank focused on governance reforms in the global south, is nearing the end of a research programme on migration governance reform in Africa. Our new report is on East Africa.

    We have found that unlike much of the global north, the African continent is moving towards more open borders for people. In some of the global south the promise of economic growth outweighs political fears. Yet progress is slow, and not coordinated. Mostly migration reform happens in regions and between neighbours.

    The progress in the East African Community is particularly notable compared with other African regional communities. We identify a number of reasons for this, including strong leadership and co-operation between state and non-state actors.

    The commitment to free movement

    The East African Community adopted its Common Market Protocol in 2010. The bloc is made up of Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, the DRC and Somalia.

    The regional body’s common market pact includes the movement of goods, services, capital and people. It gives people the right – on paper at least – to find employment across borders, the right to reside and the right to establish a business. There is also a commitment to the harmonisation and mutual recognition of academic and professional qualifications and labour policies to ease mobility.

    Even before the common market protocol, the regional bloc began to establish one-stop border posts on many of its internal borders to facilitate the flow of goods and people. Though they don’t all operate the same way or equally well, they have been successful at easing movement.

    Uneven outcomes

    The common market’s impact on the movement of people has been uneven within the region. Most integrated are Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda, which allow the cross-border movement of citizens with standardised identity documents – they do not need passports.

    It is also relatively easy to get jobs across these borders.

    Tanzania and Burundi are close to the inner circle but still require passports, though no visas. The three states which joined more recently, South Sudan, the DRC and Somalia, are all fragile states with governance systems that do not always meet the standards needed for acceptance into all the privileges of the regional bloc.

    In practice there is differential treatment. Generally, it is more difficult for citizens of the three latecomers to get regular access and jobs in their regional partners.

    Another limitation when it comes to the mobility of people is that little progress has been made in the formal harmonisation of education, health and social welfare systems between member states. This inhibits job seeking across borders.

    In addition, national labour laws, which tend to require permits for foreigners, still apply to varying degrees in the region. Some countries are more permissive. For example, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda have a reciprocal no-fee work permit agreement.

    Another shortcoming has been that the outcomes of court processes in enforcing the freedom of movement have been disappointing. This is so even though the regional bloc has an active East African Court of Justice. Its legal mandate includes the enforcement of the bloc’s treaty and its protocols.

    In some cases the court has found that national actions inhibiting the movement of persons were trumped by the regional protocol. It has instructed the errant governments to comply. But its ability to enforce the decisions is minimal.

    Reasons for success

    Leadership has been important. The fact that the strongest economy in the region, Kenya, has been part of the leading echelon is significant.

    Rwanda and Uganda have led by example too. Rwanda was one of the first countries on the continent to offer visa-free entry to all other African countries. For its part, Uganda is widely admired for its refugee inclusion programmes.

    Another factor outlined in our report has been the opportunity for collaboration fostered by relationships between formal institutions, such as governments, and non-state actors such as the International Organisation for Migration. Interactions between these various players have created opportunities for officials and policymakers from states of the region to meet, discuss issues of concern, and develop relationships of trust and understanding.

    Another non-state donor-funded actor, TradeMark Africa, which was established in 2010 to support in the implementation of the common market in east Africa, provided considerable support. For example it supported the implementation of the regional One-Stop Border Post programme..

    Way forward

    Based on our report we identified changes that could make a positive difference.

    Firstly, the development of reliable, harmonised systems in the region to collect and manage data on population mobility and employment. This would build confidence that policy was being made on the basis of reliable information.

    Secondly, reducing friction in cross-border monetary transactions, including migrants’ remittances. This would make it easier for migrants to send some of their income to their countries of origin.

    Thirdly, improvements to population registers, identity documents, passports and cross-border migration management systems. Improvements would build mutual trust in the integrity of systems and pave the way for further commitments to lowering migration barriers.

    Fourth, cooperation on cross-border access to social services such as health and education. This is one of the most important intermediate steps towards freeing up mobility for the citizens of the region.

    Fifth, reconsidering some of the amendments made to weaken the East African Court of Justice in 2007. This would strengthen the de jure powers of the court, adding considerably to the entrenchment of cross-border rights in the region.

    Ultimately, the key constraint in the region is political and security instability, which holds back social and economic development. Nevertheless, incremental progress on mobility is possible despite issues in the fragile states, even though it may result in asymmetric progress within the East African Community.

    – East African countries and open borders: great strides, but still a long way to go
    – https://theconversation.com/east-african-countries-and-open-borders-great-strides-but-still-a-long-way-to-go-261021

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Votes Against Defunding Global Health, Public Media 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    WASHINGTON, D.C.—Early this morning, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) voted against President Trump’s rescissions bill, which claws back more than $9 billion in congressionally-appropriated funding for global health, foreign aid, and public media:  
    “This federal funding was negotiated on a bipartisan basis, passed with bipartisan support in both the Senate and House, and signed into law by President Trump. The rescissions bill is a reckless abandonment of our obligation as an independent branch of government to set spending. Republicans have, yet again, willingly ceded even more power to President Trump and Elon Musk’s DOGE,” said Senator Welch. “This bill has far-reaching, devastating impacts—the cuts to public media, global health, peacekeeping missions, and international food aid will hurt hundreds of millions of people, at home and around the world. My colleagues have made it clear that they will turn their backs on rural American communities and starving children to appease Donald Trump.” 
    The bill passed around 2:30am on Thursday.
    Senator Welch voted in support of amendments to protect funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and to restore funding for global health and food and nutrition aid programs. 
    The rescissions package, requested by President Trump and supported by Senate Republicans, would claw back millions of dollars in humanitarian assistance, foreign aid, and global health initiatives. This bill cuts funding for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID); the World Health Organization (WHO); United Nations peacekeeping missions; migration and refugee assistance programs; the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; international food aid missions; the United States Institute of Peace (USIP); the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF); and more.  
    Earlier this week Senator Welch called on Republicans to drop efforts to cut funding for the Global Fund, as well as President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the latter of which was removed from the rescissions package Tuesday.
    The Corporation for Public Broadcasting supports National Public Radio (NPR), the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and member stations across the United States. This bill would cut more than $1 billion in funding from the CPB, and hurt over 1,500 public radio and television stations across the country. Vermont stations received more than $2 million from the CPB in Fiscal Year 2024. Rural communities, families, and farmers rely on CPB-funded systems and news stations for lifesaving emergency alerts, breaking news, and educational programming.  
    Last week, Senator Welch spoke out against the president’s request cut funding for CPB and public media, saying “We must not abandon the people we represent and the right they have to public broadcasting. And we cannot abandon the trust we must have in one another to keep our word. An agreement made must be an agreement kept.” 

    MIL OSI USA News

  • Future in motion: India’s new dawn, powered by a new generation

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    ndia’s growth story is a story of youthful ascent. The country’s demographic dividend is at the core of the fastest-growing major economy in the world. It is expected to play a significant role in India’s promising economic future, when the global economy is projected to slow down. The world’s most populous nation, India is also the youngest among the major economies, with a median age of around 28 years.

    A McKinsey assessment, published in July 2024, puts the median age of the population in India at 27.6 years, a full decade younger than the citizens of most other major economies. Apart from contributing to increased productivity, the demographic dividend has the potential to transform the growth story on a positive social scale. If the nation’s productivity is harnessed well with the demographic advantage it has, and the working-age population base is properly skilled and productively employed, millions could be lifted not only above the poverty line but also be economically empowered.

    “In India, as with other G-20 economies, economic growth and business innovations will be critical to future economic inclusion; in fact, these levers could erase more than 90 percent of the empowerment gap. To put that in human terms, accelerated economic growth and business-led innovation alone could lift about 700 million people above the threshold by 2030,” says the report.

    What is the line of economic empowerment? As defined by the McKinsey Global Institute, being economically empowered means having a decent economic condition that affords a nutritious meal, good education and healthcare, a house that is owned with water and sanitation, and access to energy sources such as a power connection and means of transportation.

    Being economically empowered means having the value addition that life needs, going beyond the economic inclusion threshold. With a minimum of $12 per day in PPP terms, a person, after fulfilling their needs to sustain a good lifestyle, can also save money, meaning they are a level above the risk of falling into the poverty cycle again. The report said that globally there were 4.7 billion people (or 60% of the world’s population) not economically empowered as per this benchmark.

    Harnessing the demographic dividend is a calculated task, demanding sustained investment in education and the promotion of industrial collaboration, together with a thriving skilling system. The foundational ingredients of this requirement prime the nation for an era of unprecedented human-led growth.

    According to the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, 65% of India’s population is under 35 years of age, and the country has seen a significant positive change in the last decade in the headcount ratio available for employability. Before 2014, the country had 33.9% employable final- or pre-final-year students. This increased by over 17% to 51.3% in 2024.

    The current government in the country is focused on harnessing this demographic dividend, creating a pool of skilled and talented youth to support its national and industrial growth on India’s journey of outstanding economic growth.

    With an aim to become a developed country by 2047, the 100th year of its independence, with an economy crossing the $30 trillion mark in real GDP terms, the focus is on creating millions of trained and skilled youth ready for different industrial sectors. Many flagship training initiatives have been launched for this, including the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) scheme, Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), and National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), under the Skill India Mission (SIM), creating millions of trained and skilled youth so far.

    To put it in absolute numbers, over 60 million Indians have been empowered through various government initiatives, says data from the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, the Government of India. PMKVY has trained over 16 million youth across different sectors including advanced emerging training fields like AI, Robotics, and IoT. Last year, in October, another flagship scheme was launched, known as the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme (PMIS). Under the scheme, one crore youth will be given paid internships of 12 months in India’s top 500 companies over five years.

    Also, a young population base as the core of economic growth will have a dual advantage. An assessment published by EY in April 2023 on India’s demographic dividend deciphers this potential advantage. A young population base means more hands to be trained and skilled. A young population base also means a more consumption-based headcount, a factor that is good for markets and the overall economy. Consumption grows. Economy grows.

    By 2030, India’s working-age population, among the major economies, will be the highest in the world, at 68.9% of its total population say the assessment. The country, then, will have 1.04 billion working-age people. It is, and will remain, the largest provider of human resources in the world, with the largest pool of STEM graduates (STEM: science, technology, engineering and mathematics), says the assessment. And it is an ever-widening pool, with an average annual addition of 2.14 million STEM graduates. India is also the country with the largest number of female STEM graduates. Earlier, the Western world dominated in having STEM graduates. Now it is the turn of emerging economies led by India.

    WorldSkills International, a Netherlands-based not-for-profit organisation with 80 member countries, conducts the WorldSkills Competition every two years with participants under the age of 23. It is the largest skill competition in the world.

    Over 50 skills under six sectors are the main focus areas – construction and building technology, transportation and logistics, manufacturing and engineering technology, information and communication technology, creative arts and fashion, and social and personal services. The outcome of the competition tests vocational excellence and sets a benchmark for high performance, and India’s position has seen a consistent improvement in its overall score tally on the overall points scorecard, from 16th in 2013 to fifth in 2024.

    The roadmap to the $30 trillion target runs directly through India’s burgeoning urban centres. The 2024-25 annual report from the NITI Aayog notes that cities already function as the nation’s primary economic engines, generating between 70% and 80% of the entire national output. Cities are hubs of industrial clusters, housing small-, medium- and large-sized industries, run by manpower engaged directly and indirectly.

    To further amplify this growth tool, or “making city regions growth hubs that can unlock their full potential” as the annual report says, the government launched the Growth Hub (G-Hub) initiative in 2023. “The Growth Hub (G-Hub) initiative aims to redefine urban planning for liveability and sustainability with pilot projects launched in Surat, Mumbai, Varanasi, and Visakhapatnam and blueprints approved for Surat and Mumbai,” the annual report adds. An increase in productivity means more skilled hands at work.

    As one of the most important tools to drive India’s growth, the pool of the country’s skilled youth completes the growth curve of its resilient economy, solid macroeconomic fundamentals, and vast domestic market. While external shocks will inevitably arise, the direction of the journey points firmly upward.

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Tajikistan and Uzbekistan agree on energy supplies

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    Almaty, July 17 (Xinhua) — The Tajik government has approved a draft agreement on the supply of electricity from the Rogun hydroelectric power station (HPP) to Uzbekistan, the Avesta news agency reported on Thursday.

    The set price for electricity is 3.4 US cents per 1 kWh.

    The price is subject to annual indexation at a rate of 1%, starting from the second year of the agreement.

    The document is concluded for a period of 20 years with automatic extension for subsequent ten-year periods, unless the parties declare termination six months before the expiration of the term. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Programme management officer

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Org. Setting and Reporting

    Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of efforts to reduce disasters and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in both developed and less developed countries. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG), UNDRR has over 140 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. Specifically, UNDRR guides, monitors, analyses and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, supports regional and national implementation of the Framework and catalyzes action and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk working with UN Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community.

    This position is located in the UNDRR Office in Bonn, Germany. The Programme Officer will report to the Head of the UNDRR Bonn Office under the overall guidance of the Chief, Risk Knowledge, Monitoring and Capacity-Development Branch.

    Responsibilities

    Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: – 

    • Develops, implements and evaluates assigned systems programmes/projects of significant importance for the Department; monitors and analyses programme/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; ensures follow-up actions. In particular, oversees and supports the management and updating of the online monitoring system to track progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Tracks and monitors project progress against plan, requirements, quality measures, standard processes; liaises with users on all aspects and during all phases.
    • Provides expert advice on complex systems analysis and design; identifies the need for new systems (or modifications to existing systems) or responds to requests from users; develops plans for feasibility assessment, requirements specification, design, development and implementation, including project plans, schedules, time and cost estimates, metrics and performance measures. –
    • Provides expert advice and coordinates the roll-out of the Disaster Tracking System in all Member States, liaising with the concerned regional offices. Keeps abreast of developments in the field and determines the need for testing and evaluating new products and technologies. –
    • Leads and coordinates the official reporting on Sendai Framework and SDGs, among others, and organizes and prepares written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, technical reports, including advance analytics using AI-based tools.
    • Develops, implements and monitors application of standards and guidelines. Oversees the preparation of technical and user documentation for systems; prepares training materials and detailed technical presentations including technical guidelines to support the reporting against the indicators to assess progress towards the targets of Sendai Framework, as recommended by the open-ended intergovernmental expert working group on indicators and terminology. Works in close collaboration with the UNDRR Global Education and Training Institute (GETI) in Incheon and contributes to the development of training modules on Sendai Framework Monitoring Process. Collaborates and coordinates closely with UNDRR Regional Offices in support of strengthening the capacity of Member States to use the online Sendai Framework Monitoring system and their ability to report against the indicators. –
    • Provides substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc. –
    • Participates in planning and preparation of the budget, work program and spending plan of the Section and of the Branch. Contributes to activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.). Develops cost proposals for contractual services, oversees the technical evaluation of proposals received and manages the contract service. Provides professional leadership and work direction to assigned project team, and/or mentor and supervises the work of new/junior officers, contract staff, etc. – Performs other duties as required.

    Competencies

    Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or other specialized field. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. 

    Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. 

    Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

    Education

    An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in social sciences, management, economics, statistics or a related field is required. A first-level degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

    Work experience

    • A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in project planning, implementation and monitoring or a related area is required.
    • Experience in disaster risk assessment and monitoring, and disaster risk reduction is required.
    • Experience in data management and statistics is desirable.

    Languages

    English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

    Assessment

    Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

    Special notice

    The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. In line with the overall United Nations policy, the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction encourages a positive workplace culture which embraces inclusivity and leverages diversity within its workforce. Measures are applied to enable all staff members to contribute equally and fully to the work and development of the organization, including flexible working arrangements, family-friendly policies and standards of conduct. Individual contractors and consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher, temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered.

    United Nations Considerations

    According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General. Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

    No Fee

    THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Country Engagement Specialist & Regional Coordinator for Eastern Europe, Santiago network

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Background information – job-specific

    Santiago network The Santiago network was established in December 2019 at COP25, as part of the Warsaw International Mechanism, for averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, to catalyze the technical assistance of relevant organizations, bodies, networks and experts, for the implementation of suitable relevant approaches at the local, national and regional level, in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. (decision 2/CMA.2, para 43, noted by 2/CP.25).

    The Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Convention and the Paris Agreement subsequently decided on the functions of the Santiago network at COP26 and on the institutional arrangements to enable its full operationalization. Parties agreed the structure would comprise:

    A hosted Secretariat that will facilitate its work, to be known as the Santiago network Secretariat; An Advisory Board, to provide guidance and oversight to the Santiago network Secretariat on the effective implementation of the functions of the network; and A network of organizations, bodies, networks and experts (OBNEs) covering a wide range of topics relevant to averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage.

    At COP28 in 2023, Parties selected the consortium of UNOPS and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) as co-hosts of the Santiago network Secretariat for an initial term of five years, with five-year renewal periods.

    While UNOPS provides the necessary administrative and operational support for the effective functioning of the Secretariat, UNDRR provides the Secretariat with technical backstopping and expertise in the domain of averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage consistent with the guidelines for preventing potential and addressing actual and perceived conflicts of interest in relation to the Santiago network.

    Relevant COP/CMA decisions on the Santiago network can be consulted here. Documents and reports from meetings of the Santiago network Advisory Board are available here.

    The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organisations. With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

    Country Engagement Specialist and Regional Coordinator for Eastern Europe, Santiago network Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Director, and in close coordination with the Senior Programme Manager and the OBNE Engagement Specialist, the Country Engagement Specialist and Regional Coordinator for Eastern Europe is responsible for managing the central operations of the technical assistance request process, supporting the coordination of global and regional operations, and driving the provision of catalyzed technical assistance in Eastern Europe, ensuring effective and timely delivery. This includes establishing and executing processes for the implementation of the steps of the technical assistance request workflow, working closely with Regional Coordinators, Desk Officers and designated contact points; and leading the technical assistance work of the Santiago network Secretariat in Eastern Europe. The role will collaborate with the OBNE and Member Engagement Specialist in the planning, implementing, and reporting on membership activities in Eastern Europe. This role requires strong coordination, communication, and technical skills relevant to the delivery of the role’s functions.

    Functional responsibilities

    1. Setting up processes and systems
    2. Catalyzing technical assistance/Management of OBNEs
    3. Programme implementation and monitoring
    4. Partner and stakeholder engagement
    5. Knowledge management and innovation
    6. Corporate functions and team building

    1. Setting up processes and systems 

    • Establish and manage processes and systems to ensure the application of the Santiago network’s operative guidelines across the technical assistance workflow, from preparation to knowledge sharing.
    • Support the creation of an enabling environment for demand-driven technical assistance, including support in identifying needs and in preparing requests for technical assistance.

    2. Catalyzing technical assistance/Management of OBNEs

    • Lead the implementation of the Santiago network’s technical assistance workflow in Eastern Europe, from preparation and submission to delivery, monitoring and experience sharing.
    • Collaborate with the OBNE and Member Engagement Specialist in the planning and implementation of membership activities in Eastern Europe.
    • Coordinate the implementation of centrally managed processes for responding to technical assistance requests, including the issuance and management of responses to calls for proposals, in coordination with Regional Coordinators.
    • Support the Senior Programme Manager in coordinating regional operations, ensuring quality control and consistent service standards.
    • Coordinate engagement with national liaisons to the Santiago network Secretariat across regions, in collaboration with Regional Coordinators.
    • Manage the technical assistance review process in coordination with regional functions, aimed at connecting those seeking technical assistance with best-suited Members and OBNEs.

    3. Programme implementation and monitoring

    • Coordinate the implementation of the monitoring, evaluation and learning framework at a portfolio level, in coordination with regional operations, ensuring their effectiveness against expected outcomes.
    • Collaborate with the Programme Support and Operations Manager to ensure the timely management of fund disbursement for technical assistance provided to proponents.
    • Identify, assess and manage risks and issues that may impact the effective delivery of technical assistance, including by maintaining a risk register and coordinating mitigation measures.
    • Coordinate the preparation of reports of Santiago network overall operations, including regular reporting to the Advisory Board and inputs to the Annual Report to the governing body or bodies.

    4. Partner and stakeholder engagement

    • Coordinate the implementation of partnership strategies in collaboration with regional roles, providing a consistent approach to partner and stakeholder engagement across regions.
    • Develop strategies for engaging and maintaining partnerships in Eastern Europe, including collaborative projects, joint events, and resource sharing.
    • Establish communication channels and platforms for effective networking and information exchange among Members in Eastern Europe.
    • Participate in regional fora and high-level meetings contributing to the positioning of the Santiago network in the loss and damage and climate action ecosystem.

    5. Knowledge management and innovation

    • Contribute to the development, provision and dissemination of knowledge and information on topics relevant to technical assistance for loss and damage.
    • Facilitate the dissemination of good practices, case studies, and other relevant information to support the catalyzation and delivery of technical assistance.
    • Support knowledge management, outreach, and communication activities related to technical assistance, in collaboration with relevant colleagues and partners, including the WIM ExCom.
    • Contribute to the Santiago network’s learning function, including the establishment of feedback loops to inform continuous improvement.

    6. Corporate functions and team building

    • Uphold and model team values, fostering a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative work environment that supports collective success and individual well-being.
    • Contribute to the development and implementation of the Santiago network’s strategic, policy, and operational frameworks, ensuring alignment with its mandate and evolving needs.
    • Support the organization and delivery of Advisory Board meetings and intersessional work, including the preparation of background documents, reports, and other relevant materials, as well as coordination of related functions.
    • Represent the Santiago network in international fora and technical meetings, contributing to advance the delivery of its mandate and objectives.
    • Others, as required by the supervisor.

    Education/Experience/Language requirements

    Education 

    • An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent), preferably in development studies, international relations, political science, environmental sciences and climate change, economics, social sciences, or related areas, is required.
    • A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

    Experience 

    • A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience in programme management in the areas of development, loss and damage, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, or related climate change processes is required.
    • Demonstrated experience in work across regions is required.
    • Demonstrated experience in Eastern Europe is desirable.
    • Familiarity with UNFCCC processes and the loss and damage agenda is highly desirable.

    Language 

    • Fluency in oral and written English is required.
    • Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

    Contract type, level and duration

    Contract type: Staff – FTA Contract level: P4 (ICS-11) Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability.

    For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/UN-Staff-Contracts.aspx

    Competencies

    Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)

    Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

    Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

    Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

    Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

    Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

    Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

    Additional information

    • Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
    • Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
    • Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
    • UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
    • Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
    • We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

    Terms and conditions

    • For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
    • For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
    • All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
    • It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: OBNE and Member Engagement Specialist, Santiago network

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Background information – job-specific

    Santiago network The Santiago network was established in December 2019 at COP25, as part of the Warsaw International Mechanism, for averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, to catalyze the technical assistance of relevant organizations, bodies, networks and experts, for the implementation of suitable relevant approaches at the local, national and regional level, in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. (decision 2/CMA.2, para 43, noted by 2/CP.25).

    The Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Convention and the Paris Agreement subsequently decided on the functions of the Santiago network at COP26 and on the institutional arrangements to enable its full operationalization. Parties agreed the structure would comprise:

    A hosted Secretariat that will facilitate its work, to be known as the Santiago network Secretariat; An Advisory Board, to provide guidance and oversight to the Santiago network Secretariat on the effective implementation of the functions of the network; and A network of organizations, bodies, networks and experts (OBNEs) covering a wide range of topics relevant to averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage.

    At COP28 in 2023, Parties selected the consortium of UNOPS and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) as co-hosts of the Santiago network Secretariat for an initial term of five years, with five-year renewal periods.

    While UNOPS provides the necessary administrative and operational support for the effective functioning of the Secretariat, UNDRR provides the Secretariat with technical backstopping and expertise in the domain of averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage consistent with the guidelines for preventing potential and addressing actual and perceived conflicts of interest in relation to the Santiago network.

    Relevant COP/CMA decisions on the Santiago network can be consulted here. Documents and reports from meetings of the Santiago network Advisory Board are available here.

    The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organisations. With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

    OBNE and Member Engagement Specialist, Santiago network

    Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Director, and in close coordination with the Country Engagement Specialist, the OBNE and Member Engagement Specialist is responsible for managing the central processes related to membership under the Santiago network, as well as supporting the planning, implementing, and reporting on membership activities in Eastern Europe. This includes overseeing the implementation of the guidelines for the designation of organizations, bodies, networks, and experts (OBNEs) as Members of the Santiago network, supporting the coordination of global and regional functions related to membership, and implementing strategies to ensure a diverse, inclusive, and robust network of Members, including through outreach and capacity building. The role also involves facilitating collaboration and coordination among Members, including communities of practice. This role requires strong organizational, coordination, and communication skills relevant to the delivery of the role’s functions.

    Functional responsibilities

    1. Setting up processes and systems
    2. Catalyzing technical assistance/Management of OBNEs
    3. Programme implementation and monitoring
    4. Partner and stakeholder engagement
    5. Knowledge management and innovation
    6. Corporate functions and team building

    1. Setting up processes and systems 

    • Establish and manage processes and systems for the implementation of the guidelines for the designation of Organizations, Bodies, Networks and Experts (OBNEs) as Members of the Santiago network.
    • Set strategies to facilitate a strong, diverse and inclusive network membership, with relevant expertise at the local, national and regional level.

    2. Catalyzing technical assistance/Management of OBNEs

    • Facilitate the growth and diversification of the Santiago network’s membership, including by managing the process of expressions of interest, in line with the guidelines approved by the Advisory Board
    • Collaborate with the Regional Coordinator for Eastern Europe in the planning and implementation of membership activities in Eastern Europe.
    • Facilitate the effective participation of Members in the provision of technical assistance, supporting matchmaking between demand and supply, in response to identified needs and in collaboration with global and regional functions.
    • Develop and implement outreach strategies to attract new Members, with a focus on local and community-based organizations, ensuring inclusive representation across regions, target groups and relevant thematic areas.
    • Foster collaboration and synergies among Members by promoting peer-to-peer exchange, and identifying opportunities for joint action to enhance the delivery and impact of technical assistance.
    • Provide continuous guidance to OBNEs and Members of the Santiago network, enabling them to actively engage with and contribute to the network’s objectives.

    3. Programme implementation and monitoring

    • Design and implement an engagement programme for Members, aligned with relevant Santiago network functions such as technical assistance, collaboration, and knowledge and information sharing.
    • Conduct periodic assessments of the network’s performance in addressing the needs related to averting, minimizing, and addressing loss and damage at local and regional levels.
    • Identify, assess, and manage risks and issues that could affect the OBNE and membership processes, including proposing and implementing appropriate mitigation measures.
    • Coordinate inputs on membership for regular reporting, including reporting to the Advisory Board and the Annual Report to the governing body or bodies.

    4. Partner and stakeholder engagement

    • Coordinate the implementation of strategies for OBNEs and Member outreach and engagement in collaboration with regional roles, with a consistent approach across regions.
    • Set up and manage communication channels and platforms to support collaboration, coordination and synergies among Members, including through communities of practice.
    • Foster collaboration and partnerships with other relevant mechanisms, networks and organizations working in the area of loss and damage.
    • Liaise with the communications role to enhance knowledge sharing and mutual learning among Members and other stakeholders.

    5. Knowledge management and innovation

    • Facilitate the development, provision, dissemination of and access to knowledge and information produced by Members on topics relevant for loss and damage.
    • Develop and maintain a comprehensive database of OBNEs, including contact information, areas of expertise, and availability for technical assistance
    • Develop and implement support mechanisms, including peer-to-peer learning and knowledge exchange, to strengthen Member engagement and enhance technical assistance delivery.
    • In collaboration with the Country Engagement Specialist, identify gaps in knowledge and expertise across the network in relation to TA needs, and take appropriate actions to address them.

    6. Corporate functions and team building

    • Uphold and model team values, fostering a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative work environment that supports collective success and individual well-being.
    • Contribute to the development and implementation of the Santiago network’s strategic, policy, and operational frameworks, ensuring alignment with its mandate and evolving needs.
    • Support the organization and delivery of Advisory Board meetings and intersessional work, including the preparation of background documents, reports, and other relevant materials, as well as coordination of related functions.
    • Represent the Santiago network in international fora and technical meetings, contributing to advance the delivery of its mandate and objectives.
    • Others, as required by the supervisor.
    • Education/Experience/Language requirements

    Education 

    • An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent), preferably in development studies, international relations, political science, environmental sciences and climate change, economics, social sciences, or related areas, is required.
    • A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

    Experience 

    • A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience in stakeholder engagement in the areas of development, loss and damage, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, or related climate change processes is required.
    • Technical skills to foster inclusive participation and knowledge exchange across the Santiago network are highly desirable.
    • Familiarity with UNFCCC processes and the loss and damage agenda is highly desirable.
    • Language
      • Fluency in oral and written English is required.
      • Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

    Contract type, level and duration

    Contract type: Staff – FTA Contract level: P4 (ICS-11) Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability.

    For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/UN-Staff-Contracts.aspx

    Competencies

    Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)

    Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

    Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

    Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

    Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

    Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

    Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

    Additional information

    • Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
    • Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
    • Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
    • UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
    • Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
    • We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

    Terms and conditions

    • For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
    • For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
    • All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
    • It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Homa Bay leads the way in inclusive disaster resilience planning

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    In a major step toward enhancing inclusive disaster resilience, the County Government of Homa Bay, Kenya, hosted a four-day Multi-Stakeholder Workshop on inclusive disaster risk reduction (DRR) from 26-30 May 2025. The event was organized in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Regional Office for Africa, under the project “Strengthening Early Warning and Early Action in Kenya” funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). 

    The workshop brought together 55 participants, including representatives from local government departments, national agencies, organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), and community-based organizations (CBOs). The gathering provided a valuable platform that focused on integrating the needs and perspectives of at-risk populations including persons with disabilities into DRR strategies and early warning systems. 

    Addressing Critical Gaps Through Collaboration 

    The workshop revealed key opportunities to strengthen the county’s disaster preparedness. Through participatory assessments, the workshop identified several areas for improvement, including the need for better coordination mechanisms, more inclusive early warning systems, and stronger integration of gender and disability perspectives in disaster planning. 

    While Homa Bay has a solid policy foundation such as the County Emergency and Disaster Management Act and active participation in the Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030) initiative, the assessments showed clear opportunities to make these systems more inclusive and effective. 

    “New hazards are emerging-beyond floods and droughts we now face strange, extreme weather events. We must explore innovative, cost-effective ways to strengthen preparedness. One shilling spent on preparedness will save hundreds in response. We must shift our investments from response to resilience,” said Najib Abdi, the technical lead for disaster risk management at the Council of Governors. 

    Making Early Warnings Accessible 

    A highlight of the workshop was the focus on strengthening multi-hazard early warning systems. Kenya recently launched the Early Warnings for All (EW4ALL) initiative, and Homa Bay County was recognized as a pioneer in county-level implementation. 

    “Early warning systems save lives, but only if the warnings reach everyone. We learned that we need to think differently about how we communicate risks – using local languages, accessible formats, and trusted community networks, ” Col (Rtd) David Samoei, MBS, Director NDOC. 

    The county’s Climate Information Center already supports over 200,000 farmers with agro-advisories and early warning information. The workshop explored ways to expand this system to reach more vulnerable populations, including women, persons with disabilities, and rural communities who may have limited access to traditional communication channels. 

    “At the Public Health Directorate, we rely on disease surveillance systems and historical data to anticipate outbreaks like cholera and measles. Our risk reduction efforts focus on improving water supply, sanitation, and vaccination coverage to prevent such health emergencies before they occur,” said James Kabaka, County Public Health Officer 

    A Model for Inclusive Resilience 

    One of the workshop’s achievements was bringing together diverse stakeholders who are often overlooked in the disaster planning processes. Representatives from OPDs, and CBOs worked alongside government officials to identify barriers and solutions. The assessments revealed that persons with disabilities face significant challenges during disaster events, from inaccessible evacuation routes to lack of appropriate communication during emergencies. Similarly, women’s leadership potential and traditional knowledge are often underutilized in disaster preparedness and response. 

    Building Forward: From Assessment to Action 

    The workshop concluded with the development of actions addressing identified gaps through coordinated, multi-sectoral approaches. Priority areas include the establishment of dedicated coordination mechanisms for inclusive DRR and development of disaggregated data systems to better understand community vulnerabilities. Key initiatives also focus on strengthening infrastructure accessibility through universal design standards, integrating traditional and indigenous knowledge into formal early warning systems, and building capacity among government staff and first responders on inclusive practices. 

    “We often develop comprehensive plans but fail to integrate them into our County Intergrated Development Plans and Annual Development Plans leaving them unfunded. We also haven’t properly analysed trigger points for different hazards – when exactly should we activate emergency responses? These are two critical gaps we need to address, ” Willy Bolo, Ag. Director Economic Planning & Budget 

    A Foundation for Regional Learning 

    This training builds on efforts in resilience building work previously established through the GIZ Resilience Initiative Africa (RIA). The workshop’s participatory approach and comprehensive assessments provide a replicable model for other counties seeking to strengthen their disaster resilience through inclusive, multi-stakeholder collaboration. “This was not just a technical workshop-it was a call to action. Disaster risk reduction is a system of protection, prevention, and preparedness that must be embedded in everything we do. I am committing to strengthen interdepartmental coordination so that disaster risk is integrated into all health planning and service delivery mechanisms,” said Grace Osewe, County Executive Committee Member for Public Health and Medical Services.

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: InvestHK promotes Hong Kong’s business and supply chain management advantages at China International Supply Chain Expo (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) Ms Loretta Lee attended the China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) in Beijing today (July 17). There, Ms Lee delivered remarks at the Thematic Event on Supply Chain Service to promote Hong Kong’s business advantages and opportunities to Mainland and overseas companies and media representatives, encouraging enterprises to leverage Hong Kong’s unique position as an international financial, shipping, and trade hub to establish their multinational supply chain management expertise.

    Organised by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), the CISCE is the world’s first national-level expo focused on supply chains. InvestHK has joined the CISCE for two consecutive years and delivered speeches on Thematic Event on Supply Chain Service and Thematic Event on Advanced Manufacturing topics this year.

    The Thematic Event on Supply Chain Service topic focuses on upgrading the industrial supply chain and explores new global collaboration efforts. In her remarks, Ms Lee promoted Hong Kong’s unique advantages under the “one country, two systems” framework and the city’s role as a gateway connecting Mainland China and global markets under the national dual circulation strategy. She said, “Hong Kong as a ‘super connector’ and a ‘super value-adder’ can help Mainland enterprises better cope with the international market and balance the stability and flexibility of the supply chain. The city has rich experience in supply chain management. From infrastructure, professional service talent, international supplier networks to government policy support, Hong Kong can fully meet enterprises’ needs in different stages of business operation such as procurement, trade, and logistics. As a leading international financial centre, Hong Kong boasts a vibrant and diverse capital market. In the first half of this year, Hong Kong led the world in initial public offering fundraising, making it the ideal destination for corporate financing. I encourage Mainland enterprises to establish corporate treasury centres in Hong Kong to facilitate global expansion.”

    CCPIT Vice Chairman Mr Chen Jian’an also delivered a speech at the event.

    On the same day, the Head of Transport, Logistics and Industrials at InvestHK, Mr Benjamin Wong, joined a thematic forum at the Thematic Event on Advanced Manufacturing, sharing insights on the innovation-driven development through green and low-carbon technologies. He noted that the demand for green and low-carbon solutions in industries is currently experiencing a growth momentum. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been supporting the development of the local innovation and technology sector through various measures, including enhanced research and development support, expanded funding channels, and strengthened collaboration among academia, industry, and the Government, with the aim of accelerating Hong Kong’s transformation into a green tech hub. To further enhance green and sustainable economic development, InvestHK has established a dedicated sustainability team, which actively attracts overseas and Mainland enterprises with leading technologies and solutions in carbon neutrality to establish or expand their operations in Hong Kong.

    Following the CISCE, InvestHK will host a roundtable on July 18 to further discuss Hong Kong’s role as a multinational supply chain management centre, and conduct in-depth discussions and exchanges with representatives of Beijing-based companies interested in expanding their business in Hong Kong. Ms Lee will deliver welcome remarks, encouraging Beijing companies to use Hong Kong as their multinational supply chain management centre. In the sharing session, Mr Wong and the Managing Director of Li & Fung Development (China) Ltd, Mr Chang Ka-mun, will discuss the latest environment and trends of global trade and supply chains, and how Hong Kong can help Mainland and overseas enterprises build global supply chain management expertise. Experts from PricewaterhouseCoopers and China Merchants Bank will also share insights at the event on Hong Kong’s tax benefits and financial services for Mainland enterprises looking to expand internationally.

    During the visit, the InvestHK delegation will meet with various enterprises to provide the latest updates on Hong Kong’s latest policies and opportunities, thereby assisting them to leverage Hong Kong’s advantages to expand overseas.

    To download event photos, please visit: www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720327606368.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI USA: DHS Statement on Capture of Violent Extremist Involved in Prairieland Attack on ICE Agents

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: DHS Statement on Capture of Violent Extremist Involved in Prairieland Attack on ICE Agents

    Song, a former U

    S

    Marine Corps reservist, joined a violent group of at least 10 individuals in opening fire on officers at the federal facility just after 10:30 p

    m

    on Independence Day

    He is charged with three counts of attempted murder of federal agents and three counts of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence

    His capture brings the total number of arrests in the attack to 14

    Image

    “On Independence Day, as Americans were celebrating our freedoms, a group of violent extremists attempted to assassinate federal officers protecting us from violent criminals,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin

    “Song’s arrest sends a clear message: under President Trump and Secretary Noem, if you lay a hand on an ICE agent, you will NOT walk free

    We will not forget, and we will not rest until every attacker is in custody

    ” 

    The Prairieland Detention Center, which housed more than 1,000 illegal aliens on the night of the attack, includes detainees with convictions for rape, child molestation, murder, kidnapping, arson, human trafficking, and terrorism

    Nearly 50 known members of MS-13, Tren de Aragua, and other transnational gangs were among the detainees, in addition to 13 Known or Suspected Terrorists (KSTs)

    This is just the latest in a disturbing pattern of politically motivated violence targeting DHS personnel

    Last week, ICE officers conducting enforcement operations in San Francisco were assaulted by violent protestors

    In June, rioters stormed an ICE field office in Portland

    ICE agents are now facing an 830% increase in assaults against them

    DHS and its law enforcement partners continue working around the clock to identify, arrest, and prosecute anyone involved in the July 4 ambush or other coordinated attacks against federal officers

     
    ###

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: DHS Statement on Capture of Violent Extremist Involved in Prairieland Attack on ICE Agents

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: DHS Statement on Capture of Violent Extremist Involved in Prairieland Attack on ICE Agents

    Song, a former U

    S

    Marine Corps reservist, joined a violent group of at least 10 individuals in opening fire on officers at the federal facility just after 10:30 p

    m

    on Independence Day

    He is charged with three counts of attempted murder of federal agents and three counts of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence

    His capture brings the total number of arrests in the attack to 14

    Image

    “On Independence Day, as Americans were celebrating our freedoms, a group of violent extremists attempted to assassinate federal officers protecting us from violent criminals,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin

    “Song’s arrest sends a clear message: under President Trump and Secretary Noem, if you lay a hand on an ICE agent, you will NOT walk free

    We will not forget, and we will not rest until every attacker is in custody

    ” 

    The Prairieland Detention Center, which housed more than 1,000 illegal aliens on the night of the attack, includes detainees with convictions for rape, child molestation, murder, kidnapping, arson, human trafficking, and terrorism

    Nearly 50 known members of MS-13, Tren de Aragua, and other transnational gangs were among the detainees, in addition to 13 Known or Suspected Terrorists (KSTs)

    This is just the latest in a disturbing pattern of politically motivated violence targeting DHS personnel

    Last week, ICE officers conducting enforcement operations in San Francisco were assaulted by violent protestors

    In June, rioters stormed an ICE field office in Portland

    ICE agents are now facing an 830% increase in assaults against them

    DHS and its law enforcement partners continue working around the clock to identify, arrest, and prosecute anyone involved in the July 4 ambush or other coordinated attacks against federal officers

     
    ###

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom calls on Trump to end Los Angeles militarization, shares community resources

    Source: US State of California 2

    Jul 16, 2025

    What you need to know: Governor Newsom visited local businesses in the Los Angeles area that have been impacted by the federal government’s indiscriminate immigration raids, called on Trump to end his deployment of soldiers, and shared new “know your rights” resources with the community.

    LOS ANGELESProviding support to local communities impacted by federal immigration enforcement actions, Governor Gavin Newsom today met with business owners and faith leaders in the Los Angeles area.

    Enough is enough – Stephen Miller and Trump’s chaos campaign needs to end now. They are violating constitutional rights, terrorizing neighborhoods and businesses, and targeting people because of their skin color and the language they speak. These heartless and cruel actions have real consequences for our economy and society.

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    Visiting with community members

    Governor Newsom met with local restaurant owners of Cuernavaca’s Grill in the City of Bell to discuss the economic impact these indiscriminate immigration actions have had on their small business.

    The Governor then stopped by a church in Downey that recently was targeted by federal immigration agents. 

    Economic impact of this cruel policy

    Trump’s actions have a chilling effect – the state’s economy is likely to contract later this year due to fallout from global tariffs and immigration raids in Los Angeles and other cities that have rattled key sectors, including construction, hospitality, and agriculture, according to a UCLA Anderson forecast.

    Mass deportations in California could slash $275 billion from the state’s economy and eliminate $23 billion in annual tax revenue. The loss of immigrant labor would delay projects (including rebuilding Los Angeles after the wildfires), reduce food supply, and drive up costs.

    Undocumented immigrants contributed $8.5 billion in state and local taxes in 2022 — a number that would rise to $10.3 billion if these taxpayers could apply to work lawfully.

    New resource for community 

    Trump’s militarization of Los Angeles has also led to increasingly concerning tactics by federal immigration enforcement, including violating the law and people’s constitutional rights. Families are being terrorized by the broad enforcement efforts targeting Latino neighborhoods, harming U.S. citizens, and racially profiling families and workers. That’s why it’s important to remember the following if you are affected by a federal immigration action:

    • You can observe and record public immigration arrests, but stay calm and at a safe distance to avoid risk to yourself and others.
    • Do not interfere or argue with federal agents. Physical obstruction or verbal escalation can put your safety at risk and may lead to criminal charges.
    • Agents don’t need a judge-signed warrant to arrest someone in public — but do need one to enter non-public areas of private property.
    • Prepare yourself and your family in case you are arrested. Memorize the phone numbers of your family members and your lawyer. Make emergency plans if you have children or take medication. 

    For more information on helpful community resources, the Governor’s Office has released new factsheets here in English and here in Spanish.

    End the militarization of LA now

    For over a month, about 4,000 National Guard members have been serving as political pawns for the President in Los Angeles, pulled away from their families, communities, and civilian jobs. While half are just now beginning to demobilize, many remain without a clear mission, direction, or a timeline for returning to their communities. California urges Trump and the Department of Defense to end this theatrical deployment and send all remaining guardsmembers home immediately.

    The federal government can enforce immigration laws and keep us safe without violating our rights, terrorizing entire communities, breaking the law, disrupting the economy, and raising costs for families. 

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    News What you need to know: On July 17, the LGBTQ support option on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will end thanks to the Trump administration – but California is stepping up and doubling down on life-saving support for young gay people in crisis.  LOS…

    News LOS ANGELES COUNTY — Governor Gavin Newsom will hold a media availability to speak on the federal government’s demobilization of 2,000 National Guard members, as well as the effect of immigration raids on immigrant communities across California.WHEN: Wednesday,…

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: UH Seeks New Proposals to Expand Statewide Broadband Access

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    UH Seeks New Proposals to Expand Statewide Broadband Access

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    July 14, 2025

    HONOLULU — The University of Hawaiʻi Broadband Office has announced the release of eight new Requests for Proposals (RFPs) aimed at expanding high-speed internet access across the state through Hawaii’s Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, a federal initiative to provide affordable, high-speed broadband access to all Americans, especially those in areas that are currently unserved or underserved. The re-release of all RFPs, with revisions, is part of a final “Benefit of the Bargain” Round conducted in compliance with the latest federal policy guidance.

    This latest posting of the RFPs mark Hawaii’s continued efforts to respond quickly to changing federal guidance while still moving forward on a multi-year effort under the BEAD program to address disparities in broadband coverage.

    “High-speed internet is critical for creating opportunity and improving digital access,” said Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, who leads the state’s Connect Kākou initiative. “We are continuing to move forward to connect communities that have been historically underserved, and I’m grateful to the many partners who are contributing to a more connected Hawaiʻi.”

    The RFP process will lead to the competitive selection of vendors to connect these communities, as well as nearly 700 community anchor institutions, which include schools, libraries, healthcare facilities, and other public spaces that provide broadband access and essential support services to residents.

    Interested parties are encouraged to review the RFP details and submit proposals by August 1, 2025 at 5:00pm HST. Click here for more information on the RFPs and submission guidelines. Hawaiʻi’s participation in the BEAD program is part of Connect Kākou, the State of Hawaiʻi initiative to ensure people from all walks of life have reliable access to high-speed internet, and have the tools and knowledge to safely and confidently use the internet.

    # # #

    Media Contact:
    Shari Nishijima
    Office of the Lieutenant Governor

    Daniel Meisenzahl
    UH Office of Communications

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom invites LA Fire survivors to continue shaping rebuilding efforts through Engaged California

    Source: US State of California 2

    Jul 16, 2025

    What you need to know: Residents impacted by the Eaton and Palisades fires have an opportunity to help directly shape the next steps of rebuilding their communities. The first phase of the engagement with fire survivors has led to a series of early actions guided by residents’ input, including streamlined permitting technology for local communities.

    LOS ANGELES – Today, Governor Gavin Newsom is urging anyone who was affected by the LA fires in January to sign up for the Engaged California platform and use their voice to shape the rebuilding of their community. This call to action is for anyone who has lived or worked in, or was impacted by the evacuation zones in the path of the Eaton and Palisades fires.

    “Recovery isn’t something that happens to you, it happens with you. The feedback generated from the Engaged California process is reflective of residents’ experiences and is needed for leaders to understand their vision for rebuilding the future. Engaged California is designed to build trust and understanding of what actions need to be taken. I am very grateful to everyone who has participated so far. We are just getting started.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    After signing up, individuals affected by the evacuation zones will be invited to the program’s platform to share ideas on rebuilding Altadena and the Palisades, weighing choices that can guide recovery in both the short and long term.

    “Engaged California has given us valuable insight into how people are feeling in a moment of unimaginable tragedy,” said California Government Operations Secretary Nick Maduros. “This next step will be pivotal for us to listen and learn about how rebuilding should look according to those who experienced it firsthand.”

    You spoke. We listened.

    Engaged California was piloted as part of the administration’s response to the fire recovery, and nearly 8,000 people have signed up. It marks the first time California has used a dedicated, open digital tool to gather wildfire survivor input at this scale

    Launching in February, participants began to share comments as they prioritized topics for wildfire recovery from mid-March through May 16. Residents were asked to weigh in on 10 recovery topics, including housing and infrastructure, emotional well-being, and wildfire prevention.

    “This is a significant milestone in a brand-new program for the State of California,” said Office of Data and Innovation Director Jeffery Marino. “The voices of Californians impacted by the fires are being heard by their government and used to make data-driven decisions. This early action shows it is possible to have a two-way conversation between Californians and their government that results in meaningful, impactful outcomes.” 

    Early actions

    Here are a few examples of the early actions taken that deliver on what survivors said they need

    Provide clear and affordable rebuilding pathways

    Residents said they want an easier permit process and less red tape for rebuilding.

    ✅ Action taken: The state launched Archistar, a new artificial intelligence-driven software tool to aid Los Angeles City and County in accelerating the approval process for rebuilding permits. This week marked the beta launch of the new AI permitting tool made possible by a partnership between the state and philanthropic partners, including LA Rises. The tool aims to fast-track the approval process for rebuilding permits to help Angelenos get back into their homes following the Eaton and Palisades fires. 

    ✅ Action taken: Launched the CalAssist Mortgage Fund to assist homeowners whose homes were destroyed or left uninhabitable.

    Mental health

    Residents expressed a need for mental health support.

    ✅ Action taken: There are many resources available now on the ca.gov/lafires recovery website, including immediate assistance, ongoing support, and care for all age groups and language needs. Yesterday, the Governor also announced a new public outreach campaign with LA Rises, which will connect and support impacted Angelenos with key resources and share stories of community efforts to recover and rebuild for the long term in the aftermath of the Eaton and Palisades fires.

    Efficient, effective, and engaged

    Since the start of his administration in 2019, Governor Newsom has made efficiency and engagement a top priority, implementing new technologies and practices that make government more efficient and responsive to the people it serves. In 2019, the Governor established the Office of Data Innovation to help advance this important work and yesterday announced a new effort through the California Breakthrough Project —  which brings together innovators and leaders from the Golden State’s top tech companies to help guide this work

    As the birthplace of the tech industry, California is at the forefront in the study and implementation of AI in government. In 2023, Governor Newsom issued an executive order directing the state to utilize Generative AI technologies to improve state services and help solve important issues. Since that time, the state has integrated AI and other efficiency solutions to make state government work faster and even more effectively.

    Engaged California is a bold, new state program that elevates the voices of survivors through a digital platform. They opt in and share their thoughts while connecting with other people in their communities on topics that are important to them. The comments are anonymous and will remain anonymous. You can read all comments in full here.

    To get involved in the rebuilding conversation, visit engaged.ca.gov and sign up. 

    Press releases, Recent news

    Recent news

    News What you need to know: On July 17, the LGBTQ support option on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will end thanks to the Trump administration – but California is stepping up and doubling down on life-saving support for young gay people in crisis.  LOS…

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    News What you need to know: Productions filmed in California are raking in the nominations in this year’s Emmy bids.  SACRAMENTO –  Today, the nominees for the 77th Emmy Awards were announced, with California-based television productions securing at least 104…

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Landmark partnership puts Met officers closer to communities

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A landmark agreement with a housing developer and a London local authority will bring frontline offices closer to communities as part of the Met’s focus on neighbourhood policing.

    The opening of the Kidbrooke Village Community Police Hub provides local officers with a dedicated base to enhance their response to issues that matter most in the area.

    The space was jointly funded by Berkeley Homes, the Royal Borough of Greenwich and the Met, demonstrating how businesses and other agencies can work together to improve community safety at a time when budgets are stretched.

    Up to 24 officers covering six wards will be stationed at the hub which puts them closer to the areas they serve and will help the Met build on reductions in theft, burglary, robbery, anti-social behaviour and retail crime across London.

    Six neighbourhood teams will now be within a 20-minute walk of their wards. A further two will be based nearer to the areas they serve. They were previously spread between bases in Mottingham, Sidcup and Woolwich – which are both at least 20 minutes away by car.

    The hub was formally opened by Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes on Tuesday, 15 July.

    Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes said:

    “Across the Met we are focused on tackling the crimes that matter most to Londoners and we have made significant progress in reducing neighbourhood crime – with a 19 per cent reduction in offences since April.

    “House building is important for London – but as the city grows it inevitably puts extra pressure on local policing teams at a time when we’re having to make tough choices.

    “Working closely with councils and developers will be key to ensuring more officers can be based near to the areas they serve – and I’d like to thank Berkeley Homes and the Royal Borough of Greenwich for their support in ensuring our teams remain at the heart of their communities.”

    Councillor Anthony Okereke, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said:

    “We’ve invested, alongside Berkeley Homes and the police, to bring a new police base to Kidbrooke. This means more police on our streets, supporting the community and understanding the patch. They’ll be able to respond quicker and be more of a presence, which we know residents really care about. This investment is part of our wider work to make sure Greenwich is kept safe.”

    Councillor Rachel Taggart-Ryan, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Enforcement, said:

    “We know how much residents care about having local police in their communities, available to respond to calls and get on the scene quickly. That’s why, along with our partners, we’ve put funding into making this a reality in Kidbrooke, a growing area that more and more people are calling home. This is part of our wider work to target area specific crime like anti-social behaviour and theft, and we’re so pleased to see it open.”

    Paul Pritchard, Berkeley’s Development Director, said:

    “Berkeley would like to thank those involved in the opening of the new Community Policing Hub at Kidbrooke Village, from the Met Police, our local MP, the Mayor of Greenwich, councillors, officers, representatives from our local schools, and other key residents and stakeholders from the community.

    “After the closure of many facilities, it is a tribute to all who have helped ensure we have been able to open this new facility. We look forward to the Met’s presence once again, helping to reinforce a safer neighbourhood for Kidbrooke and the wider area and further strengthening this already resilient and sustainable community.”

    Police buildings are an important part of the fabric of London underpinning all Met activity and offering reassurance, functionality and a constant presence for communities in an ever-changing city.

    Our estate also needs to adapt to the changing nature of policing. To meet the needs of Londoners, it is imperative to have good quality buildings, where there are not leaking roofs and crumbling walls, in the right locations close to communities, and ones which are as reasonably accessible for victims as possible.

    The Met’s relentless focus on driving down crimes that matter most to the public in first six weeks of this financial year has seen promising reductions in a number of crime types compared to the same period last year across London:

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI: Just 3 in 10 aviation executives believe their strategy can adequately address the emerging risk challenges of the next decade

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — 130 senior aviation representatives took part in our new report, Understanding emerging risks in the aviation industry by Willis, a WTW business (NASDAQ:WTW). Of these, only one in two declared themselves confident that their business model and strategy are resilient to today’s emerging risks environment, and only 30% believe their strategy will be fit for purpose over the next decade.

    In addition, 80% of key decision makers and 90% of those involved in teams leading or implementing risk strategies were unable to identify their organization’s definition of emerging risk. Almost half of the respondents in the sector (49%) were unable to identify their company’s top five emerging risks.

    Other key findings include:

    • Climate transition: Climate change is viewed as a significant threat to the aviation industry, impacting operational resilience, financial performance and stakeholder trust. Fixed-asset aviation operators – such as airports, fuel suppliers and cargo handlers – are particularly exposed to the exogenous risks associated with climate change. Nearly one in three (29%) of all respondents mention climate change in their overall top five emerging risks, one in five (20%) put the climate transition as a top five source of emerging risks in the next two years and one in two (50%) chose the environmental category as one of their top five sources of emerging risks in the next 10 years.
    • Geopolitical and economic risks: Geopolitical and economic risks are closely tied and seen to have an outsized influence on opportunity and business plans. Concerns about financial shock, geopolitical instability, government business policy, trade sanctions and business financial risk affect all companies in the sector. Insurance gaps are also mentioned in this context, suggesting an unsated appetite for economic risk transfer products among aviation organizations. Geopolitical and economic outlook risks feature in the top 5 risks in all time horizons: risks of today, of the next two years and the next 10 years. They are also at the top in terms of interconnectivity, with the most volume of risk connections declared.
    • Cyber risks: As the hosts and owners of critical national infrastructure and systems, aviation companies are perennially in the crosshairs of cybercriminals. 11% of respondents see this as the industry’s most significant current risk (on par with supply chain risks) and it also features heavily over the five- and 10-year timescales. It is closely connected with AI, which is seen as an enabler of both hackers and internet security providers.
    • Artificial intelligence: AI is viewed as a risk in the immediate timescale, taking the top position for 36% of respondents, but drops out of the top five when looking at a two-year and ten-year horizon. One airport executive shared a dual concern around the exposure that comes from using AI and the risk of not using it and being left behind. For example, there is potential for the industry to deploy AI to gather insight on minor incidents that lead to attritional claims. These are estimated to represent half to two thirds of the value of aviation insurance claims in any given year, and there is a clear incentive for the insurance and risk management sector to work with the industry to develop tools or services that can reduce their number or severity.

    The unique nature of aviation as an industry puts it in an interesting position when it comes to technology as a whole and the development of AI specifically. Airports compete geographically and airlines on routes, but because many airports and airlines are seen as important parts of national infrastructure, there are often very strict rules around ownership. The industry’s structure has also made it relatively open to sharing appropriate data, particularly where safety is involved. This could potentially mean that any successful AI tools and services will spread relatively quickly through the industry over the next few years, without outsized benefits for any particular organization.

    John Rooley, CEO, Willis Aviation & Space, said: “The challenges we face today in the aviation industry, whether it’s the business implications of AI, cyberattacks, disruptions to the global supply chain or energy transition, demand a re-evaluation of how we perceive and manage emerging and interconnected risks. But our survey shows that aviation experts, traditionally superb at long-term planning that accommodates fleet renewals, infrastructure development and regulatory compliance, have been struggling to define the emerging risk landscape. The time has come to take a proactive stance and align planning with a forward-thinking approach that embraces adaptability and resilience.”

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    Working shoulder to shoulder with our clients, we uncover opportunities for sustainable success—and provide perspective that moves you.

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    Media contact

    Lauren David
    Lauren.david@wtwco.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Africa: International Relations (IR) Committee Launches People-Centred Oversight Mechanism in Western Cape

    Source: APO


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    The Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation yesterday successfully launched the People-Centred Oversight Mechanism in the Western Cape where there were traditional leaders, academics, students and representatives from different non-governmental organisations.

    The Chairperson of the committee, Mr Supra Mahumapelo, said the People-Centred Oversight Mechanism is an initiative of the committee to ensure that ordinary citizens in villages, townships and small towns have a say in foreign policy and international trade relations that impact on their lives.

    The committee heard from the Western Cape legislature that no one must be left behind when it comes to international and trade relations and these policies have an impact on job creation and the economy of the country.

    There was a call to link trade agreements negotiated by the DIRCO and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition with local governments that are affected by those agreements. That will ensure that municipalities will have a say in these agreements and implementation is at local level.

    Student representatives from the universities of the Western Cape, Cape Town and Stellenbosch appealed for opportunities for students to be able to participate in international trade delegations and in the drafting of policies on international relations. They called for inclusion in decision making as the future leaders of the country.

    The women’s wing of the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa welcomed the opportunity to engage with the committee. The role of the DIRCO is significant and the management of the influx of refugees is a challenge that requires engagement with all stakeholders. There is little engagement with traditional leaders in this regard. With the incorporation of the traditional leadership, social cohesion will be enhanced.

    With reference to the United States (USA), the opposition parties in the Western Cape Legislature reiterated the need for the province to send a positive message to the international community that South Africa is a united country especially when there are utterances that impact on the economic policy of South Africa.

    Labour unions positively viewed the engagement and called for more such dialogues so that workers on the ground can understand what foreign policy is and informed the committee that there is a need for structured platforms so that information reaches the workers. A call was made to the DIRCO to use social media platforms to disseminate information to inform workers and ordinary people on the ground about what is happening internationally.

    COSATU representatives called for all international agreements to translate into job creation in the country. The representative called for migrant workers to be protected and there should be a labour impact assessment in countries that export goods to South Africa. The impact of imported goods from the European Union and China have an impact on local jobs.

    Africa’s Growth and Opportunity Act was passed as part of the Trade and Development Act of 2000 in the USA. It provides duty- free access to the USA market for almost all products from more than 40 eligible sub-Saharan African countries including South Africa. The impact of the 30% increase on tariffs on exports needs to be engaged on.

    The committee heard the sentiment among the people about the importance of the oversight mechanism and their hope for its effectiveness. Representatives also called for monitoring and evaluation of the oversight mechanism, transparency and accessibility. The committee will upon the end of the launch proramme at all the nine provinces, develop monitoring and evaluation mechanism for the programme.

    The Chairperson of the committee, Mr Supra Mahumapelo said that going forward the DIRCO will provide reports on Trade Agreements and their impact on a quarterly basis. The reports will include the volume of minerals/products produced and released in SA for export. He said: “ Together with the Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour we must be able to engage with our counterparts on the trumpeting tariffs of the US.”

    Mr Mahumapelo said workers in South Africa must be able to understand how the utterances of the US affect the economic growth of South Africa. The People-Centred Oversight Mechanism has been launched in Mpumalanga, North West and Gauteng provinces. The committee strives to complete to launch the programme in the remaining five provinces by early next year 2026.”

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Africa: President Boakai Hails France On National Day Observance

    Source: APO


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    The President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has sent a congratulatory message to the Government and people of the Republic of France on the occasion France’s National Day, (the Bastille Day) on July 14, 2025.

     According to a Foreign Ministry release, in the message to his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, President Boakai, on behalf of the Republic of Liberia, extended warmest congratulations and best wishes to the Government and people of France as they commemorate this historic landmark.    

    President Boakai noted that as the people of France celebrates this important moment in their national history, Liberia joins in honoring the enduring values of liberty, equality, and fraternity that have long inspired nations around the world. 

    The Liberian leader added that his government salute the resilience, cultural riches and global contributions of the French people. He emphasized that France and Liberia share a longstanding relationship which is marked by mutual respect, cooperation and shared ideals.

    President Boakai stressed that he appreciate France’s support which have extended over the years in areas such as development, education, health, and multilateral diplomacy. 

    “We remain committed to deepening our partnership and working closely together to address global challenges and promote peace, stability, and prosperity for all”, the Liberian President stated.   

    He then wished President Macron sincere congratulations and best wishes for continued peace, progress and the well-being for the people of France. 

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia.

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Africa: African Development Bank and Partners Launch a $263.8 Million Infrastructure Project to Transform Urban Development in Abia State

    Source: APO

    The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org), in partnership with the Islamic Development Bank, Nigeria’s Federal Government and the Abia State, has launched the Abia State Integrated Infrastructure Development Project, a transformative $263.8 million initiative to modernize urban infrastructure, enhance mobility, and promote inclusive, climate-resilient development over the next five years.

    The project addresses critical infrastructure gaps in urban transport, erosion control and waste management which have long constrained mobility, public health and economic productivity in the cities of Umuahia and Aba in Abia State.

    The African Development Bank is contributing $115 million to the project, including $100 million from its ADB window and $15 million from the Canada-AfDB Climate Fund (CACF). The Islamic Development Bank is co-financing with $125 million, while the Federal Government of Nigeria is providing $23.8 million in counterpart funding.

    The project will rehabilitate more than 248 kilometers of roads in the cities of Umuahia and Aba, restore two erosion sites, and catalyze private sector investment in solid waste management through public-private partnerships.

    Abia State, like many rapidly growing regions, has faced mounting infrastructure challenges driven by urban expansion, environmental pressures and limited investment over time. Cities such as Umuahia and Aba are contending with aging roads, erosion threats, and strained waste systems. This project signals a decisive shift toward integrated, climate-resilient urban development that supports inclusive growth and long-term sustainability.

    Speaking at the launch, Dr. Alex C. Otti, Governor of Abia State, said the initiative marked a defining moment in the State’s infrastructure renewal agenda: “The fruits of development are richer when supported by partners who believe in your vision. We are focused on raising living standards, expanding access to education and healthcare, and driving economic productivity. Investor confidence is growing, public optimism is rising, and Abia is emerging as a destination of choice for opportunity and impact.”

    The project is expected to generate over 3,000 temporary jobs during the construction phase, with 30 percent reserved for women, and approximately 1,000 permanent jobs during the operational phase. A key feature of the project is its focus on youth employment and skills development: 50 percent of the permanent roles will go to young people, who will be trained through the State Youth Road Maintenance Corps—a cadre of local engineers drawn from all 17 Local Government Areas of Abia State.

    Dr. Akande Oyebola, Assistant Director at the International Economic Relations Department of the Federal Ministry of Finance, reaffirmed the Government’s support: “This initiative represents a significant milestone in our collective effort to drive economic growth, strengthen infrastructure, and improve the quality of life for the people of Abia State.”

    Dr. Abdul Kamara, Director General of the African Development Bank’s Nigeria Country Department, commended the leadership of the federal and state governments. “This project is rooted in partnership, ambition and long-term impact,” he said.  “At its core, this project is about lives, it is about reducing travel time by half, increasing incomes, improving access to schools and hospitals, and creating space for entrepreneurs, particularly women and youth, to thrive.”

    Beyond the physical infrastructure, the project incorporates comprehensive social and environmental safeguards. These include training for women and youth entrepreneurs, resettlement support, HIV/AIDS and STI awareness campaigns, and strengthened systems for procurement and financial management.

    Otumchere Oti, Abia State Commissioner for Works, reaffirmed the State’s commitment to accountable delivery.

    “Today we reassure all stakeholders, our development partners, contractors, communities, and government institutions, that implementation will be guided by diligence, transparency, and accountability. Our monitoring mechanisms are robust, and our resolve is strong. This is a defining moment for Abia State, and we shall rise to it with determination and unity,” he said.

    The African Development Bank will provide technical support, capacity building, and close implementation supervision through its Nigeria Country Department and sector teams.

    The launch of the Abia State Integrated Infrastructure Development Project marks a key milestone in the Bank’s commitment to advancing Nigeria’s development priorities through inclusive, sustainable infrastructure investment.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

    Contact:
    Nkiruka Henrietta Ugoh
    Nigeria Country Department
    media@afdb.org

    About the African Development Bank Group:
    The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org

    Media files

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    MIL OSI Africa

  • Syria’s Sharaa vows to protect Druze rights as ceasefire holds

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa accused Israel of trying to fracture Syria and promised to protect its Druze minority on Thursday, after U.S. intervention helped end deadly fighting between government forces and Druze fighters in the south.

    Overnight, the Islamist-led government’s troops withdrew from the predominantly Druze city of Sweida, where scores of people have been killed in days of conflict.

    One local journalist said he’d counted more than 60 bodies in the streets of Sweida on Thursday morning. Ryan Marouf of Suwayda24 told Reuters he had found a family of 12 people killed in one house, including women and an elderly man. “People are looking for bodies,” he said in a voice recording.

    Violence in Syria escalated sharply on Wednesday as Israel launched airstrikes in Damascus,while also hitting government forces in the south, demanding they withdraw and saying Israel aimed to protect Syrian Druze -part of asmall but influential minority that also has followers in Lebanon and Israel.

    Israel, which bombed Syria frequently under the rule of ousted President Bashar al-Assad, has struck the country repeatedly this year, describing its new leaders as barely disguised jihadists and saying it will not allow them to deploy forces in areas of southern Syria near its border.

    Addressing Syrians on Thursday, interim President Sharaa accused Israel of seeking to “dismantle the unity of our people”, saying it had “consistently targeted our stability and created discord among us since the fall of the former regime”.

    Sharaa, who was commander of an al Qaeda faction before cutting ties with the group in 2016, said protecting Druze citizens and their rights was “our priority” and rejected any attempt to drag them into the hands of an “external party”.

    He also vowed to hold to account those who committed violations against “our Druze people”.

    The Syrian Network for Human Rights said it had documented 193 dead in four days of fighting, among them medical personnel, women and children.

    The Network’s head Fadel Abdulghany told Reuters the figure included cases of field executions by both sides, Syrians killed by Israeli strikes and others killed in clashes but that it would take time to break down the figures for each category.

    A Reuters reporter saw government fighters loot and burn homes during this week’s violence, including just before they departed Sweida overnight. Fighters also shaved off the moustaches of Druze men.

    Moustaches are worn by Druze sheikhs and many other Druze men as a symbol of religious and cultural identity with spiritual significance.

    U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said late on Wednesday the United States had engaged all the parties involved and that steps had been agreed that would end “this troubling and horrifying situation”.

    Sharaa credited U.S. Arab and Turkish mediation for saving “the region from an uncertain fate”. A Turkish security source said Ankara played a crucial role in securing the ceasefire.

    The violence has underlined the challenges that Sharaa faces in stabilizing Syria and exerting centralised rule over the country, despite his warming ties with the United States and his administration’s evolving security contacts with Israel.

    Sharaa faces challenges to stitch Syria back together in the face of deep misgivings from groups that fear Islamist rule. In March, mass killings of members of the Alawite minority exacerbated the mistrust. The Druze follow a religion that is an offshoot of Islam.

    ISRAELI STRIKES

    Israel’s airstrikes on Wednesday blew up part of Syria’s defence ministry and hit near the presidential palace as it vowed to destroy government forces attacking Druze in southern Syria.

    “We will not allow southern Syria to become a terror stronghold,” said Eyal Zamir, Israel’s military chief of staff.

    The United Nations Security Council will meet on Thursday to address the conflict, diplomats said.

    “The council must condemn the barbaric crimes committed against innocent civilians on Syrian soil,” said Israel’s ambassador to the U.N., Danny Danon. “Israel will continue to act resolutely against any terrorist threat on its borders, anywhere and at any time.”

    Scores of Israeli Druze broke through the border fence on Wednesday, linking up with Druze on the Syrian side.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Israeli Druze citizens not to cross the border. The Israeli military said it was working to safely return civilians who had crossed.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: JBSA Airmen bring help, hope to flood-stricken Hill Country communities

    Source: United States Airforce

    Members of the 33rd Cyberspace Operations Squadron, 59th Medical Wing and 502d Air Base Wing assisted with flood relief operations in the Texas Hill Country, supporting efforts in the communities of Ingram and Hunt.

    In a display of service and compassion, members of the 33rd Cyberspace Operations Squadron, 59th Medical Wing and 502nd Air Base Wing assisted on July 11 with flood relief operations in the Texas Hill Country, supporting efforts in the communities of Ingram and Hunt.

    One team assembled at City West Church in Kerrville, partnering with Mercy Chefs to organize and distribute hot meals. Three additional groups were dispatched to Hunt to assist with debris removal and participate in search and recovery operations in flood-damaged areas.

    “We partnered with Heroes for Humanity, the Mexican National Fire Department, and local rescue teams, including K-9 units, to help bring closure to families in the wake of this tragedy,” said Master Sgt. Nicholas Galbraith, 33rd Cyberspace Operations Squadron flight chief.

    “It was incredibly moving to see our Airmen volunteer their personal time to come out and serve. Efforts like this strengthen our bonds, not just within the unit, but with the community,” Galbraith said. “Our presence matters. We want these families to know they’re not alone, and that the Air Force is here for them, standing alongside them during their time of loss.”

    The response was part of a broader effort following the catastrophic flash floods that struck the Texas Hill Country on July 4-5. According to news reports, 130 people died, including 103 in Kerr County alone, with around 160 others still missing.

    At the direction of Galbraith, Joint Base San Antonio mobilized volunteers from across multiple units to assist in the recovery and support efforts.

    At City West Church, JBSA personnel partnered with Mercy Chefs, a nonprofit organization specializing in feeding disaster victims and first responders. The Airmen worked side by side with civilian volunteers to prep meals, organize donations, and provide emotional and spiritual care to anyone who needed it.

    “Mercy Chefs was founded nearly 20 years ago in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina,” said Gary LeBlanc, CEO and founder of the organization. “We provide high-quality, chef-prepared meals to victims, volunteers and first responders, both across the country and around the world.”

    LeBlanc said his team had been vacationing and picnicking over the holiday when they saw the flooding and immediately mobilized.

    “We were able to deploy quickly and got our first meals out by Saturday night, most of which went directly to the rescue teams that had started responding on Friday,” LeBlanc said.

    The arrival of Air Force personnel on Friday provided a significant boost to their efforts.

    “When the Air Force came in today, it was a game changer,” LeBlanc said. “They were incredibly sharp, followed instructions, were proactive, and immediately integrated into the operation. It was an amazing lift for us. We prepared nearly 4,000 meals just today.”

    “We saw people truly struggling as they worked to recover and heal,” said Maj. Todd Leathermon, chaplain with the 59th Medical Wing. “There was a clear need, and this gave us a chance to use the skills we’ve gained both through Air Force training and our ministry experience before joining the military. Whether it’s providing spiritual and emotional support, helping prepare meals, or simply being present, we’re here to care for them.”

    Meanwhile, in Hunt, three JBSA-led teams entered flood-damaged zones to help clear debris and aid in search and recovery efforts.

    “I’ve always wanted to join special forces, and this is great experience for me as I plan to cross-train in that field,” said Staff Sgt. Roberto Castro, with the 426th Cyberspace Operations Squadron. “I’ve been through several hurricanes so I understand how devastating they can be. I just thought, why not help out where I can?”

    Though the tasks varied — from chopping vegetables to hauling debris — the heart behind the mission remained the same.

    Throughout the day, chaplains remained available to volunteers and locals, ready to offer a listening ear or a quiet moment of spiritual care.

    “It’s been incredible to see all levels of government come together from our local law enforcement, military members, and even our brethren from Mexican emergency services to help bring closure to families,” said Master Sgt. James Newcomb, superintendent of cyber support operations. “For me, it’s meaningful because this is my duty. As military members, it’s our job to give back to the community — to help, serve, protect, support and defend the American people.” 

    MIL Security OSI