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Category: Russian Federation

  • MIL-OSI USA: Photos: Kaine Highlights Need to Continue Support for America’s Alliances on Official Visits to Poland, Ukraine, and Germany

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees, concluded a week-long trip of official visits in Poland, Ukraine, and Germany to highlight his support for America’s transatlantic partnerships and Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s brutal invasion. The visit came amid Russia’s horrific Palm Sunday attack on the Ukrainian town of Sumy, which killed dozens of innocent civilians, including children; global fallout from the Trump Administration’s chaotic tariff regime that not only punishes allies, but also severely inhibits defense cooperation; and reported plans to shrink America’s diplomatic presence abroad—even as China moves to expand its own footprint.
    “America has always been strongest and safest when we link arms with our allies. I traveled to Poland, Ukraine, and Germany this week to highlight the importance of that principle, especially in the face of Russia’s continued illegal invasion of Ukraine. Putin’s horrific Palm Sunday attack in Sumy was a disturbing—yet unsurprising—sign that Russia is not negotiating in good faith to stop the fighting. It’s more important than ever that we strengthen our relationships across the Atlantic. I know that I have colleagues on both sides of the aisle who see how the Trump Administration’s chaotic tariff regime and insulting comments about our friends abroad make that harder, and will keep doing all that I can to urge them to stand up for the alliances that keep America safe.”
    Photos of Kaine’s trip are available here.
    Kaine traveled to Poland to:
    Meet U.S. servicemembers stationed at the Logistical Support Area (LSA) in Jasionka, which has played a critical role in delivering security assistance to Ukraine since 2022.
    Visit Remote Maintenance Distribution Cell-Ukraine, a U.S. Army sustainment initiative that provides direct maintenance and repair support to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
    Meet with Rzeszów Mayor Konrad Fijolek. Rzeszów was given the distinction of “Rescuer City” by President Zelenskyy in honor of the humanitarianism, charity, and solidarity it has offered the Ukrainian people. Kaine is a former mayor and the meeting provided an opportunity to reaffirm U.S.-Polish cooperation on regional security, especially at the local level.
    Meet with Head of the National Security Bureau Lt. General Dariusz Lukowski, Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, and Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz to discuss support for Ukraine and NATO.
    Visit the POLIN Museum, which is dedicated to telling the history of Jewish life in Poland, including the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising Movement of 1943, in which Jewish insurgents in the Nazi-created ghetto resisted German troops and police who entered it to deport its surviving inhabitants.
    Then, Kaine traveled to Ukraine to:
    Meet with David Arakhamia, a leader of the Servant of the People political party in the Verkhovna Rada, and Sergiv Boyev, Deputy Minister of Defense for European Integration.
    Visit wounded Ukrainian veterans undergoing rehabilitation treatment at a NextStep Ukraine facility. NextStep Ukraine offers prosthetics, brain and spinal cord injury rehabilitation to veterans. The organization receives U.S. funding.
    Tour the Kyiv Combined Heat and Power Plant No. 5, a major infrastructure site that supplies both electricity and heat to five districts of the city, to highlight U.S. support for energy infrastructure in Ukraine. The facility was severely impacted by Russian missile strikes in October 2022 and again in March 2023. USAID provided the funding and expertise to restore the plant’s operations.
    Lay flowers at the Bucha Memorial that honors the civilians and prisoners of war killed by Russian forces during their occupation of the town in early 2022.
    Lay flowers at the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine, which honors the lives of thousands of soldiers and volunteers who have died defending Ukraine. The Wall of Remembrance was created through a collaboration between the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate, the National Military History Museum, and civic memory organizations.
    Visit the site of the 1941 massacre at Babyn Yar, a ravine near Kyiv.
    Meet with Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union, a leading civil society coalition dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights in Ukraine and pursuing accountability for Russian war crimes.
    Then, Kaine traveled to Germany to:
    Meet with Norbert Röttgen, a member of the German Bundestag who has long led on German foreign affairs issues; Deputy Director-General of the German Ministry of Defense Major General Stefan Schulz; and the German State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Susanne Baumann. 
    Visit the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, a place of remembrance and commemoration for the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust.
    Visit United States European Command Headquarters in Stuttgart.
    Visit U.S. servicemembers assigned to United States Air Force Europe and Special Operations Command Europe in Ramstein.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU scientists have developed a new model of a delivery drone

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    Scientists at Novosibirsk State University have developed a new model of an unmanned aerial vehicle that will be used to deliver goods to hard-to-reach areas. Last week, a test flight was conducted in the Novosibirsk Region: the drone successfully covered a distance of 4.5 km across the Ob River and delivered the goods to their destination.

    The achievement of the scientists was commented on by the head of the Nizhnekamensk village council of the Ordynsky district of the Novosibirsk region, Natalya Yuryevna Guseva:

    —I believe that the latest development, the “delivery drone,” is a time-saver and a great opportunity for residents of the right bank to deliver, for example, medicines that are not available at our pharmacy, or a small parcel from the marketplace! The test flight was successful, so I would like to wish the scientists of the Novosibirsk State University good luck and further development!”

    The new development is the next stage in the development of a line of unmanned aerial vehicles, which NSU has been working on for the third year. The development team includes employees Research Center in the field of artificial intelligence of NSU, students Institute of Intelligent Robotics And Higher College of Informatics NSU, as well as employees of the Siberian Fire and Rescue Academy of the State Fire Service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia and developers of a small innovative enterprise at NSU.

    — Now we understand that we have reached the next level: we can make a drone that will fly along a route in automatic mode, perform a certain action and return to the starting point, that is, these are fully autonomous machines. The creation of such devices is a pressing problem that is being solved not only in Russia. And we have a chance to make such a machine among the first, — said Alexey Okunev, director of the Institute of Intelligent Robotics at NSU.

    The delivery drone was designed at NSU: the developers independently design and print the parts of the device on a 3D printer. The UAV has imported electronics, but a significant part of the software, which is responsible for the logic of the device’s actions, flight control, processes the video signal, data from the sensors, is NSU’s own development. The drone uses odometry on the underlying surface (a method of measuring coordinates using machine vision) – a solution also developed at NSU. In the near future, it will be improved by introducing neural networks, which will allow the drone to determine its location with even greater accuracy, so that it is less dependent on the GPS signal.

    The new development has social significance and will find application in the delivery of goods, primarily to hard-to-reach areas. For example, to settlements in the territory of the Nizhnekamensk village council of the Ordynsky district of the Novosibirsk region, where the test flight was conducted. In the spring, when the ice crossing over the Obuv River is closed and the ferry has not yet started running, the village is deprived of land and ground communication for almost two weeks. If you carry out delivery by drone from the Ordynskoye workers’ settlement, you can do it directly across the river: the distance is only 4.5 km, which the UAV covers in 5 minutes. There are many such areas in Russia, the transport accessibility of which is limited for various reasons.

    — We plan to work in completely unprepared places: there is no need to create special infrastructure, build and equip airfields, drone ports, and so on. Our equipment must be as unpretentious and exceptionally smart as possible, because it needs to figure out, find and choose a place to land on its own. Now the first stage of technology development is underway — we are checking that this design is really capable of doing what is needed. The main element is that it will be able to fly over a river, leave the cargo and return back. Or simply bring the cargo one way and land. Last week we successfully conducted the first tests, — Alexey Okunev explained.

    Currently, the weight of goods that a drone can transport is limited to 500 grams. During the test flight, the drone delivered a set of medicines. The UAV can be used in any weather conditions, except for heavy rains and strong winds.

    The developers plan to produce a pilot batch of up to 5 units by summer and launch the delivery service for test operation: in the territory of the Nizhnekamensk village council in the summer there are a large number of vacationers, for whom drone delivery will save time on purchasing goods, rather than taking a ferry to the other side every time they need to urgently buy something.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for April 22, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on April 22, 2025.

    How will a new pope be chosen? An expert explains the conclave
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Darius von Guttner Sporzynski, Historian, Australian Catholic University Following the death of Pope Francis, we’ll soon be seeing a new leader in the Vatican. The conclave – a strictly confidential gathering of Roman Catholic cardinals – is due to meet in a matter of weeks to elect

    Haka in the House: what will Te Pāti Māori’s protest mean for tikanga in parliament?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dominic O’Sullivan, Professor of Political Science, Charles Sturt University and Adjunct Professor Stout Research Centre, Victoria University of Wellington and Auckland University of Technology., Charles Sturt University Te Pāti Māori’s Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke lead a haka with Eru Kapa-Kingi outside parliament, November 19, 2024. Getty

    Pope Francis has died, aged 88. These were his greatest reforms – and controversies
    ANALYSIS: By Joel Hodge, Australian Catholic University and Antonia Pizzey, Australian Catholic University Pope Francis has died on Easter Monday, aged 88, the Vatican announced. The head of the Catholic Church had recently survived being hospitalised with double pneumonia. Cardinal Kevin Farrell’s announcement began: “Dear brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the

    Fossil fuel companies ‘poisoned the well’ of public debate with climate disinformation. Here’s how Australia can break free
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Naomi Oreskes, Professor of the History of Science, Harvard University President Donald Trump has issued an executive order that would block state laws seeking to tackle greenhouse gas emissions – the latest salvo in his administration’s campaign to roll back United States’ climate action. Under Trump, the

    Is a corporation a slave? Many philosophers think so
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Duncan Ian Wallace, Lecturer, Faculty of Law, Monash University f11photo/Shutterstock If you’ve ever heard the term “wage slave”, you’ll know many modern workers – perhaps even you – sometimes feel enslaved to the organisation at which they work. But here’s a different way of thinking about it:

    Rates will never be enough – councils need the power to raise money in other ways
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Guy C. Charlton, Adjunct Associate Professor at Auckland University of Technology and Associate Professor, University of New England Getty Images You might have recently received voting papers for your local body elections. Going by our historically low participation rates, many of those envelopes will remain unopened. This

    Early voting opens in the federal election – but it brings some problems for voters and parties
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Zareh Ghazarian, Senior Lecturer in Politics, School of Social Sciences, Monash University More than 18 million Australians are enrolled to vote at the federal election on May 3. A fair proportion of them – perhaps as many as half – will take advantage of early voting, which

    ‘I’m a failure’: how schema therapy tackles the deep-rooted beliefs that affect our mental health
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Catherine Houlihan, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology, University of the Sunshine Coast Jorm Sangsorn/Shutterstock If you ever find yourself stuck in repeated cycles of negative emotion, you’re not alone. More than 40% of Australians will experience a mental health issue in their lifetime. Many are linked to

    Parents delay sending kids to school for social reasons and physical size. It’s not about academic advantage
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Penny Van Bergen, Associate Professor in the Psychology of Education, Macquarie University If you have a child born at the start of the year, you may be faced with a tricky and stressful decision. Do you send them to school “early”, in the year they turn five?

    Since its very conception, Star Wars has been political. Now Andor will take on Trump 2.0
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dan Golding, Professor and Chair of the Department of Media and Communication, Swinburne University of Technology Lucasfilm Ltd™ Premiering today, the second and final season of Star Wars streaming show Andor seems destined to be one of the pop culture defining moments of the second Trump presidency.

    Election Diary: Albanese government stays mum over whatever Russia may have said to Indonesia
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The imbroglio over the reported Russian request to Indonesia to base planes in Papua initially tripped Peter Dutton, and now is dogging Anthony Albanese. After the respected military site Janes said a request had been made, the Australian government quickly

    How the next pope will be elected – what goes on at the conclave
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mathew Schmalz, Professor of Religious Studies, College of the Holy Cross Cardinals attend Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, before they enter the conclave to decide who the next pope will be, on March 12, 2013, in Vatican City. Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Image With the death of

    Twinkling star reveals the shocking secrets of turbulent plasma in our cosmic neighbourhood
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel Reardon, Postdoctoral Researcher, Pulsar Timing and Gravitational Waves, Swinburne University of Technology Artist’s impression of a pulsar bow shock scattering a radio beam. Carl Knox/Swinburne/OzGrav With the most powerful radio telescope in the southern hemisphere, we have observed a twinkling star and discovered an abundance of

    Pope Francis has died, aged 88. These were his greatest reforms – and controversies
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joel Hodge, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Theology and Philosophy, Australian Catholic University Pope Francis has died on Easter Monday, aged 88, the Vatican announced. The head of the Catholic Church had recently survived being hospitalised with a serious bout of double pneumonia. Cardinal Kevin Farrell’s announcement began:

    Pope Francis tried to change the Catholic Church for women, with mixed success
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tracy McEwan, School of Humanities, Creative Industries and Social Sciences, University of Newcastle Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, died on Easter Monday at the age of 88. On Easter Sunday, he used his message and blessing to appeal for peace in Middle East and

    ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for April 21, 2025
    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on April 21, 2025.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Iran ready for deal with US if national interests respected

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday that Iran is open to reaching an agreement with the United States in ongoing indirect talks, provided that the country’s national interests are preserved.

    “In the negotiations with the United States, we are ready for an agreement within a defined framework and while ensuring our national interests,” Pezeshkian said during a meeting in Tehran.

    “However, if they (U.S. representatives) refrain from negotiating with us on equal terms, we will continue on our own path,” the Iranian president warned.

    He added that, as previously stated by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran remains “neither optimistic nor pessimistic” about the negotiations.

    Pezeshkian also reiterated that Tehran does not seek conflict but would resist any attempt at coercion. “We do not want confrontation with anyone, but we will not tolerate pressure or bullying,” he said.

    His comments followed the second round of indirect talks between Iran and the United States, held in Rome on Saturday with mediation from Oman. The first round took place in Muscat on April 12, and a third session is scheduled to be held in the Omani capital again this coming Saturday.

    At a weekly news conference in Tehran, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the removal of U.S. sanctions remained Iran’s principal demand in the negotiations.

    Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump described the recent talks as “very good.” Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump said, “We had very good meetings actually on Iran,” adding, “The next step is we need a little time.”

    The discussions came in the wake of a letter sent by Trump to Iran’s leadership in early March, proposing talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme. Trump later warned of military action should Iran reject his offer for talks.

    Iran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with six world powers — Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States — in 2015. Under the deal, Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief.

    The United States, led by Trump during his first term, unilaterally withdrew from the accord in 2018 and reimposed sanctions, prompting Iran to gradually reduce compliance with its nuclear commitments. Efforts to revive the agreement have not achieved substantial progress. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New Zealand announces extended support for Ukraine

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today announced New Zealand is extending its military assistance in support of Ukraine’s self-defence.
    “New Zealand is unwavering in its support for Ukraine against Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion. That is why we are extending our deployment of up to 100 New Zealand Defence Force personnel to train Ukrainian soldiers in the UK and throughout Europe, and provide intelligence, liaison and logistics support through to December 2026,” Mr Luxon says.
    “Today’s announcement signals New Zealand’s ongoing commitment to Ukraine in the face of Russia’s aggression, and brings the total value of New Zealand support to $152 million in financial assistance and in-kind support to Ukraine.” 
    “We are aware that the situation in Ukraine remains dynamic,” Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says. “New Zealand welcomes efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace, and is following the negotiations on a potential ceasefire very closely. New Zealand is also actively involved in the UK-led discussions on options for peace support if the conflict concludes.”  
    “During the past three years, NZDF personnel have been on the ground in Europe working with like-minded partner countries to support Ukraine. This deployment is a visible and highly valued use of our skilled personnel,” Defence Minister Judith Collins says. 
    “This is what our people train and sign up for. I have seen first hand the value of what they are providing to the people of Ukraine, and I am justifiably proud of New Zealand’s contribution.” 
    Notes
    Alongside our partners, this operation has trained over 53,000 Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel so far.
    From July 2024 NZDF support evolved to match the changing needs of Ukraine and its partners. Under the 2025/2026 mandate, personnel continue to conduct specialised training throughout Europe in combat casualty care, combat engineering, leadership and maritime explosive ordnance disposal training.  
    Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, New Zealand has pledged over $152 million in financial assistance and in-kind support to Ukraine, including: 

    Support for military training, equipment, and material valued at $102.3 million, including NZDF personnel deployed to Europe. 
    $31.9 million in humanitarian assistance to conflict-affected Ukrainian communities in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries.  
    $5.2 million in support for international legal processes and human rights monitoring.  

    Last year alone, the New Zealand Government announced two packages worth NZ$41.9 million as part of our ongoing support to Ukraine. The 2024 packages include: 

    An extension and evolution of NZDF deployments, which have included delivering training for the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the UK and across Europe, as well as intelligence, logistics, and liaison support.
    Additional sanctions through New Zealand’s first unilateral sections regime, the Russia Sanctions Act.
    New funding for military equipment and humanitarian aid.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Putin ratifies comprehensive strategic partnership agreement with Iran

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially ratified a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement with Iran, according to an official document published online Monday.

    The treaty was initially signed by the Russian president and his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, on Jan. 17 following bilateral talks in Moscow.

    Russia’s State Duma, or the lower house of parliament, ratified the treaty on April 8, and Russia’s upper house of parliament, the Federation Council, approved the agreement on April 16.

    According to the agreement, the two countries aim to deepen and expand relations in all areas of mutual interest, strengthen cooperation on security and defense, and closely coordinate activities at regional and global levels, which corresponds to a long-term, comprehensive and strategic partnership.

    During a press conference following the Russia-Iran talks in January, Putin stressed the significance of the agreement, saying it outlines “ambitious goals” for deepening long-term cooperation.

    He said the treaty is designed to create stable conditions for the sustainable development of both countries and the whole Eurasian region. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK to step up military partnership with New Zealand as both countries drive forward defence and security agenda

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    UK to step up military partnership with New Zealand as both countries drive forward defence and security agenda

    The UK is set to deepen defence and security ties with New Zealand as the Prime Minster strengthens alliances abroad to protect Britain’s national interest.

    • Prime Minister Keir Starmer and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon set to step up support for Ukraine with new drone contract and extension to Operation Interflex
    • Comes as leaders agree to deepen defence and security ties, with the Royal New Zealand Navy preparing to join the UK’s Carrier Strike Group as it heads to the Indo-Pacific
    • Leaders also expected to discuss the importance of growth and free trade for economic and national security

    The UK is set to deepen defence and security ties with New Zealand as the Prime Minster strengthens alliances abroad to protect Britain’s national interest.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer will host New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon this morning, with the leaders visiting the training of Ukrainian forces by the UK and New Zealand military as part of Operation Interflex. The visit follows the two leaders meeting at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa last year.

    New Zealand trainers have worked alongside British counterparts to help train more than 54,000 soldiers on Operation Interflex, and New Zealand are expected to today confirm that they will extend their support for the initiative in the UK until the end of the year.

    In addition to their support for training Ukrainian troops, military planners from the New Zealand Defence Force are contributing to the latest thinking and plans for post-conflict support for Ukraine through the Coalition of the Willing.

    Prime Minister Starmer will also announce UK contracts worth £30m for drones produced by SYOS Aerospace, a New Zealand uncrewed vehicle manufacturer based in Hampshire to support Ukraine.

    The contract has created 45 jobs at the manufacturing facility based in Fareham, Hampshire, and supports a further nine UK based companies with subcontracts – delivering on the government’s Plan for Change through both growth and security.

    During the visit to see the training first hand, the leaders are expected to discuss plans to further step up defence and security cooperation, with defence ministers being instructed to work on a new joint defence partnership between both countries to ensure the relationship is fit for the twenty-first century.

    The new arrangement, which will succeed the one signed in 2015, comes after both the UK and New Zealand increased defence spending to 2.5% and 2% of GDP respectively. It will also recognise the vital partnership between the UK and New Zealand in upholding stability and security across Europe, the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific.

    That includes through the involvement of Royal New Zealand Navy frigate, HMNZS Te Kaha, which will join the UK Carrier Strike Group, which leaves Portsmouth today, in the Indian Ocean.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    “Only by working with our friends and allies and protecting our national security will we be able to deliver on our Plan for Change, putting money back in the pockets of working people through highly skilled jobs – such as those we have announced today – a strong and resilient economy, and greater opportunity.

    “From the beaches of Gallipoli, to the vital work we have been doing together on Operation Interflex and our support for Ukraine, the UK and New Zealand have stood shoulder-to-shoulder for generations in pursuit of peace and stability.

    “As the world becomes an increasingly dangerous place, I am proud how much we are doing together to support our national and economic security – stepping up our defence spending, deploying our navies together in the Indo-Pacific, and continuing our work to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position to deter an increasingly aggressive Russia.”

    Following the visit to Interflex training in the South West of England, the leaders will return to Downing Street to discuss how both countries can work together to drive growth, deliver on the government’s Plan for Change, and put money back in the pockets of working people.

    That will include increasing ambition on free and open trade, including through the global Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership and New Zealand and the UK’s landmark Free Trade Agreement.

    Total trade in goods and services between the UK and New Zealand was £3.6 billion in 12 months to September 2024 an increase of 5.3%, or £179 million in current prices, from 12 months leading up to September 2023. 

    It comes after Scottish firm Emergency One won a global competition to supply emergency vehicles to Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ). Through the ten-year contract, East Ayrshire based Emergency One will replace 186 vehicles for New Zealand’s first responders, supporting 25 new jobs in Scotland.

    The UK and New Zealand are also deepening collaboration in the agriculture technology sector. A new Investor Partnership deal will see New Zealand investment in British small and medium enterprises to develop cutting edge equipment supporting growth, farming sustainability and food security.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 04/21/2025 Blackburn, Tillis Introduce Bill to Prevent Chinese Communist Party from Exploiting Sister City Economic Partnerships for Radical Agenda

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)
    NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) introduced the Sister City Transparency Act to identify the risks of foreign espionage, including by Communist China, within sister city partnerships that exist to promote cultural exchange and economic development:
    “Communist China is exploiting sister city partnerships to achieve its own strategic objectives, and we need to make certain we are not enabling this activity in our own communities,” said Senator Blackburn. “This legislation would shine a bright light on these partnerships to keep our enemies from furthering their own dangerous agendas.”
    “This commonsense bill is an important step towards protecting our security and economy by studying our sister city partnerships with cities across the world,” said Senator Tillis. “We must ensure sister city partnerships don’t expose us to harmful market practices, limit free speech, or support foreign interests that undermine our values.”

    Click here to download a video of Senator Blackburn discussing her Sister City Transparency Act.
    BACKGROUND
    The United States maintains 1,800 sister city partnerships with countries worldwide, including 157 partnerships with Chinese communities. However, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has begun using these partnerships to achieve geostrategic objectives.
    The CCP hides behind soft diplomacy and mutual benefit until its foreign partners exhibit political nonconformity. Thus, similar to Confucius Institutes, sister city partnerships may leave American communities vulnerable to foreign espionage and ideological coercion.
    Little information currently exists regarding sister city partnerships operating within the U.S because such partnerships generally fail to publicize information regarding their agreements, activities, and employees. This impedes proper oversight and could enable malign activity.
    SISTER CITY TRANSPARENCY ACT
    The Sister City Transparency Act would create a Government Accountability Office report on sister city partnerships in the U.S. It would direct the Comptroller General to study partnerships involving foreigncommunities in countries with significant public sector corruption like Communist China and the Russian Federation. The study would:
    Identify the oversight practices that U.S. communities implement to mitigate the risks of foreign espionage and economic coercion within sister city partnerships;
    Assess the extent to which foreign communities could use sister city partnerships to conduct malign activities, including academic and industrial espionage; and
    Review best practices to ensure transparency regarding sister city partnerships’ agreements, activities, and employees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: TrustCo Reports First Quarter 2025 Net Income of $14.3 Million From Repricing Loan Portfolio and Well-Managed Cost of Funds

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Executive Snapshot:

    • Bank-wide financial results:
      • Key metrics for the first quarter 2025:
        • Net income of $14.3 million increased 17.7% compared to $12.1 million for the first quarter 2024
        • Net interest income of $40.4 million, up 10.4% from $36.6 million compared to the first quarter 2024
        • Average loans were up $104.7 million for the first quarter 2025 compared to the first quarter 2024
        • Average deposits were up $103.3 million for the first quarter 2025 compared to the first quarter 2024
    • Capital position and key ratios:
      • Consolidated equity to assets increased to 10.85% as of March 31, 2025 from 10.51% as of March 31, 2024
      • Book value per share as of March 31, 2025 was $36.16, up from $34.12 as of March 31, 2024
      • Stock repurchase program announced authorizing for up to one million shares or approximately 5% of TrustCo’s current outstanding common stock
    • Trustco Financial Services and Wealth Management income:
      • Fees increased to $2.1 million or 16.7% compared to first quarter 2024
      • Assets under management increased to $1.2 billion or 17.4% compared first quarter 2024

    GLENVILLE, N.Y., April 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    TrustCo Bank Corp NY (TrustCo, NASDAQ: TRST) today announced a robust start to 2025, marked by significant growth in both the loan and deposit portfolios of Trustco Bank during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the first quarter of 2024. This performance underscores the Bank’s commitment to serving its community through increased residential and commercial lending and adapting effectively to the evolving financial landscape. This resulted in first quarter 2025 net income of $14.3 million or $0.75 diluted earnings per share, compared to net income of $12.1 million or $0.64 diluted earnings per share for the first quarter 2024. Average loans increased $104.7 million or 2.1% for the first quarter 2025 over the same period in 2024. Average deposits increased $103.3 million or 1.9% for the first quarter 2025 over the same period in 2024.

    Overview

    Chairman, President, and CEO, Robert J. McCormick said “We are very pleased to announce today that tried and true Trustco Bank strategy has once again yielded exceptional results. We added loans at current market rates, which repriced our current loan portfolio higher, supporting long-term profitability. This was funded entirely by our own deposits, and we did so while holding the line on board rates. Despite aggressive market competition, we have favorably repriced our time deposits with the help of strong brand loyalty and digital engagement. These efforts yielded net income of $14.3 million and boosted all return metrics significantly year-over-year. Credit quality remains exceptional, with non-performing loans holding steady at a negligible 0.37%. The Bank also grew capital and thus maintains its position of strength. Based upon what we have seen in the first quarter, we anticipate that good things are likely in the future.”

    Details

    Average loans were up $104.7 million, or 2.1%, in the first quarter 2025 over the same period in 2024. Average residential loans and HECLs, our primary lending focus, were up $26.2 million, or 0.6%, and $61.0 million, or 17.3%, respectively, in the first quarter 2025 over the same period in 2024. Average commercial loans also increased $20.7 million, or 7.5%, in the first quarter 2025 over the same period in 2024. This uptick reflects a strong local economy and increased demand for credit. Average deposits were up $103.3 million, or 1.9%, for the first quarter 2025 over the same period in 2024, primarily as a result of an increase in time deposits, interest bearing checking accounts, and demand deposits. We believe the increase in these deposits compared to the same period in 2024 continues to indicate strong customer confidence in the Bank’s competitive deposit offerings. As we move forward, despite a complex economic environment, we believe that our strategic focus on relationship banking and solid financial practices has positioned us for continued success.

    During the first quarter of 2025, the TrustCo announced a stock repurchase program of up to one million shares, or approximately 5% of TrustCo’s current outstanding shares of common stock. This repurchase initiative is part of the Bank’s broader capital management strategy and is intended to enhance shareholder value while maintaining flexibility to support future growth. As of March 31, 2025, our equity to asset ratio was 10.85%, compared to 10.51% as of March 31, 2024. Book value per share as of March 31, 2025 was $36.16, up 6.0% compared to $34.12 a year earlier.  

    Net interest income was $40.4 million for the first quarter 2025, an increase of $3.8 million, or 10.4%, compared to the first quarter of 2024, driven by loan growth at higher interest rates and less interest expense on deposit products, partially offset by lower investment interest income and a decrease in interest on federal funds sold and other short-term investments. The net interest margin for the first quarter 2025 was 2.64%, up 20 basis points from 2.44% in the first quarter of 2024. The yield on interest earnings assets increased to 4.13% in the first quarter of 2025, up 14 basis points from 3.99% in the first quarter of 2024. The cost of interest bearing liabilities decreased to 1.92% in the first quarter 2025, down from 1.99% in the first quarter 2024. As the Federal Reserve signals potential interest rate reductions in 2025, the Bank is proactively preparing to navigate the evolving rate environment. In this context, the Bank anticipates that a lower interest rate environment will provide opportunities to manage deposit costs more effectively, thereby supporting net interest margin. The Bank remains committed to maintaining competitive deposit offerings while ensuring financial stability and continued support for our communities’ banking needs.

    Non-interest income increased to $5.0 million as compared to $4.8 million for the first quarter of 2024. This increase was primarily attributable to wealth management and financial services fees, which increased by 16.7% to $2.1 million, driven by strong client demand and higher assets under management. These revenues now represent 42.6% of non-interest income. The majority of this fee income is recurring, supported by long-term advisory relationships and a growing base of managed assets. Non-interest expense increased $1.4 million over the first quarter of 2024 due to increases in several areas of expenses.

    Asset quality remains strong and has been consistent over the past twelve months. The Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $300 thousand in the first quarter of 2025, which is the result of a provision for credit losses on loans of $100 thousand, and a provision for credit losses on unfunded commitments of $200 thousand. The ratio of allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans was 0.99% and 0.98% as of March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The allowance for credit losses on loans was $50.6 million as of March 31, 2025, compared to $49.2 million as of March 31, 2024. Nonperforming loans (NPLs) were $18.8 million as of March 31, 2025, compared to $18.3 million as of March 31, 2024. NPLs were 0.37% of total loans as of March 31, 2025 and 2024. The coverage ratio, or allowance for credit losses on loans to NPLs, was 269.8% as of March 31, 2025, compared to 269.3% as of March 31, 2024. Nonperforming assets (NPAs) were $20.9 million as of March 31, 2025, compared to $20.6 million as of March 31, 2024.  

    A conference call to discuss first quarter 2025 results will be held at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on April 22, 2025. Those wishing to participate in the call may dial toll-free for the United States at 1-833-470-1428, and for Canada at 1-833-950-0062, Access code 048251. A replay of the call will be available for thirty days by dialing toll-free for the United States at 1-866-813-9403, Access code 486810. The call will also be audio webcast at https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/647533404,and will be available for one year.

    About TrustCo Bank Corp NY

    TrustCo Bank Corp NY is a $6.3 billion savings and loan holding company and through its subsidiary, Trustco Bank, operated 136 offices in New York, New Jersey, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Florida as of March 31, 2025.

    In addition, the Bank’s Wealth Management Department offers a full range of investment services, retirement planning and trust and estate administration services. The common shares of TrustCo are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol TRST.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    All statements in this news release that are not historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” “seek,” “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “likely,” “may,” “should,” “will” and similar references to future development, results or periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding our expectations for our future performance, including our expectations regarding the effects of the economic environment on our financial results, our ability to retain customers and the amount of customers’ business, including deposit balances, with us, the impact of the Federal Reserve’s actions regarding interest rates, and the anticipated effects of our capital management strategy, including our stock repurchase program. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations as well as certain assumptions and estimates made by, and information available to, management at the time the statements are made. Such forward-looking statements are subject to factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially for TrustCo from the views, beliefs and projections expressed in such statements, and many of the risks and uncertainties are heightened by or may, in the future, be heightened by volatility in financial markets and macroeconomic or geopolitical concerns related to inflation, changes in United States and foreign trade policy, continued elevated interest rates and ongoing armed conflicts (including the Russia/Ukraine conflict and the conflict in Israel and surrounding areas). TrustCo wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The following important factors, among others, in some cases have affected and in the future could affect TrustCo’s actual results and could cause TrustCo’s actual financial performance to differ materially from that expressed in any forward-looking statement: future changes in interest rates; external economic factors, such as changes in monetary policy, ongoing inflationary pressures and continued elevated prices; exposure to credit risk in our lending activities; our increasing commercial loan portfolio; the sufficiency of our allowance for credit losses on loans to cover actual loan losses; our ability to meet the cash flow requirements of our depositors or borrowers or meet our operating cash needs to fund corporate expansion and other activities; claims and litigation pertaining to fiduciary responsibility and lender liability; the enforcement of federal cannabis laws and regulations and its impact on our ability to provide services in the cannabis industry; our dependency upon the services of the management team; our disclosure controls and procedures’ ability to prevent or detect errors or acts of fraud; the adequacy of our business continuity and disaster recovery plans; the effectiveness of our risk management framework; the impact of any expansion by us into new lines of business or new products and services; an increase in the prevalence of fraud and other financial crimes; the impact of severe weather events and climate change on us and the communities we serve, including societal responses to climate change; environmental, social and governance risks, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion-related risks, and their impact on our reputation and relationships; the chance of a prolonged economic downturn, especially one affecting our geographic market area; instability in global economic conditions and geopolitical matters, as well as volatility in financial markets; the soundness of other financial institutions; U.S. government shutdowns, credit rating downgrades, or failure to increase the debt ceiling; fluctuations in the trust wealth management fees we receive as a result of investment performance; the impact of regulatory capital rules on our growth; changes in laws and regulations, including changes in cybersecurity or privacy regulations; restrictions on data collection and use; our compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act, Bank Secrecy Act, and other laws and regulations that could result in material fines or sanctions; changes in tax laws; limitations on our ability to pay dividends; TrustCo Realty Corp.’s ability to qualify as a real estate investment trust; changes in accounting standards; competition within our market areas; consumers and businesses’ use of non-banks to complete financial transactions; our reliance on third-party service providers; the impact of data breaches and cyber-attacks; the development and use of artificial intelligence; the impact of a failure in or breach of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of third parties; the impact of an unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or confidential client or customer information; the impact of interruptions in the effective operation of our computer systems; the impact of anti-takeover provisions in our organizational documents; the impact of the manner in which we allocate capital; and other risks and uncertainties under the heading “Risk Factors” in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and, if any, in our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or other securities filings, as well as our upcoming quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the first quarter of 2025. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release represent TrustCo management’s judgment as of the date of this news release. TrustCo disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update forward-looking statements, either as a result of future developments, new information or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

    TRUSTCO BANK CORP NY  
    GLENVILLE, NY  
       
    FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS  
       
    (dollars in thousands, except per share data)  
    (Unaudited)  
      Three months ended  
      3/31/2025   12/31/2024   3/31/2024  
    Summary of operations            
    Net interest income $ 40,373   $ 38,902   $ 36,578  
    Provision for credit losses   300     400     600  
    Noninterest income   4,974     4,409     4,843  
    Noninterest expense   26,329     28,165     24,903  
    Net income   14,275     11,281     12,126  
                 
    Per share            
    Net income per share:            
    – Basic $ 0.75   $ 0.59   $ 0.64  
    – Diluted   0.75     0.59     0.64  
    Cash dividends   0.36     0.36     0.36  
    Book value at period end   36.16     35.56     34.12  
    Market price at period end   30.48     33.31     28.16  
                 
    At period end            
    Full time equivalent employees   740     737     761  
    Full service banking offices   136     136     140  
                 
    Performance ratios            
    Return on average assets   0.93 %   0.73 %   0.80 %
    Return on average equity   8.49     6.70     7.54  
    Efficiency ratio (GAAP)   58.06     65.03     59.94  
    Adjusted Efficiency ratio (1)   58.00     63.93     59.94  
    Net interest spread   2.21     2.15     2.00  
    Net interest margin   2.64     2.60     2.44  
    Dividend payout ratio 47.97     60.70     56.48  
                 
    Capital ratios at period end            
    Consolidated equity to assets   10.85 %   10.84 %   10.51 %
    Consolidated tangible equity to tangible assets (1)   10.84 %   10.83 %   10.50 %
                 
    Asset quality analysis at period end            
    Nonperforming loans to total loans   0.37 %   0.37 %   0.37 %
    Nonperforming assets to total assets   0.33     0.34     0.33  
    Allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans   0.99     0.99     0.98  
    Coverage ratio (2) 2.7x   2.7x   2.7x  
                 
                 
    (1) Non-GAAP Financial Measure, see Non-GAAP Financial Measures Reconciliation.
    (2) Calculated as allowance for credit losses on loans divided by total nonperforming loans.            
                 
                       
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                       
    (dollars in thousands, except per share data)                  
    (Unaudited)                  
       Three months ended
      3/31/2025   12/31/2024   9/30/2024   6/30/2024   3/31/2024
    Interest and dividend income:                  
    Interest and fees on loans $ 53,450   $ 53,024   $ 52,112   $ 50,660   $ 49,804
    Interest and dividends on securities available for sale:                  
    U. S. government sponsored enterprises   596     680     718     909     906
    State and political subdivisions   –     –     –     1     –
    Mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage                  
    obligations – residential   1,483     1,418     1,397     1,451     1,494
    Corporate bonds   260     358     361     362     476
    Small Business Administration – guaranteed                  
    participation securities   81     84     90     94     100
    Other securities   7     6     2     2     3
    Total interest and dividends on securities available for sale   2,427     2,546     2,568     2,819     2,979
                       
    Interest on held to maturity securities:                  
    obligations – residential   57     59     62     65     68
    Total interest on held to maturity securities   57     59     62     65     68
                       
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock   151     152     153     147     152
                       
    Interest on federal funds sold and other short-term investments   6,732     6,128     6,174     6,894     6,750
    Total interest income   62,817     61,909     61,069     60,585     59,753
                       
    Interest expense:                  
    Interest on deposits:                  
    Interest-bearing checking   558     397     311     288     240
    Savings   734     719     770     675     712
    Money market deposit accounts   1,989     2,024     2,154     2,228     2,342
    Time deposits   18,983     19,680     18,969     19,400     19,677
    Interest on short-term borrowings   180     187     194     206     204
    Total interest expense   22,444     23,007     22,398     22,797     23,175
                       
    Net interest income   40,373     38,902     38,671     37,788     36,578
                       
    Less: Provision for credit losses   300     400     500     500     600
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses   40,073     38,502     38,171     37,288     35,978
                       
    Noninterest income:                  
    Trustco Financial Services income   2,120     1,778     2,044     1,609     1,816
    Fees for services to customers   2,645     2,226     2,482     2,399     2,745
    Net gains on equity securities   –     –     23     1,360     –
    Other   209     405     382     283     282
    Total noninterest income   4,974     4,409     4,931     5,651     4,843
                       
    Noninterest expenses:                  
    Salaries and employee benefits   11,894     12,068     12,134     12,520     11,427
    Net occupancy expense   4,554     4,563     4,271     4,375     4,611
    Equipment expense   1,944     2,404     1,757     1,990     1,738
    Professional services   1,726     1,782     1,863     1,570     1,460
    Outsourced services   2,700     3,051     2,551     2,755     2,501
    Advertising expense   361     590     339     466     408
    FDIC and other insurance   1,188     1,113     1,112     797     1,094
    Other real estate expense, net   28     476     204     16     74
    Other   1,934     2,118     1,969     1,970     1,590
    Total noninterest expenses   26,329     28,165     26,200     26,459     24,903
                       
    Income before taxes   18,718     14,746     16,902     16,480     15,918
    Income taxes   4,443     3,465     4,027     3,929     3,792
                       
    Net income $ 14,275   $ 11,281   $ 12,875   $ 12,551   $ 12,126
                       
    Net income per common share:                  
    – Basic $ 0.75   $ 0.59   $ 0.68   $ 0.66   $ 0.64
                       
    – Diluted   0.75     0.59     0.68     0.66     0.64
                       
    Average basic shares (in thousands)   19,020     19,015     19,010     19,022     19,024
    Average diluted shares (in thousands)   19,044     19,045     19,036     19,033     19,032
                       
               
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
     
    (dollars in thousands)
    (Unaudited)
      3/31/2025 12/31/2024 9/30/2024 6/30/3024   3/31/2024  
    ASSETS:          
               
    Cash and due from banks $ 48,782   $ 47,364   $ 49,659   $ 42,193   $ 44,868  
    Federal funds sold and other short term investments   707,355     594,448     473,306     493,920     564,815  
    Total cash and cash equivalents   756,137     641,812     522,965     536,113     609,683  
               
    Securities available for sale:          
    U. S. government sponsored enterprises   65,942     85,617     90,588     106,796     128,854  
    States and political subdivisions   18     18     26     26     26  
    Mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage          
    obligations – residential   219,333     213,128     222,841     218,311     227,078  
    Small Business Administration – guaranteed          
    participation securities   13,683     14,141     15,171     15,592     16,260  
    Corporate bonds   24,779     44,581     54,327     53,764     53,341  
    Other securities   698     700     701     688     682  
    Total securities available for sale   324,453     358,185     383,654     395,177     426,241  
               
    Held to maturity securities:          
    Mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage          
    obligations-residential   5,090     5,365     5,636     5,921     6,206  
    Total held to maturity securities   5,090     5,365     5,636     5,921     6,206  
               
    Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank stock   6,507     6,507     6,507     6,507     6,203  
               
    Loans:          
    Commercial   302,753     286,857     280,261     282,441     279,092  
    Residential mortgage loans   4,380,561     4,388,302     4,382,674     4,370,640     4,354,369  
    Home equity line of credit   419,806     409,261     393,418     370,063     355,879  
    Installment loans   13,017     13,638     14,503     15,168     16,166  
    Loans, net of deferred net costs   5,116,137     5,098,058     5,070,856     5,038,312     5,005,506  
               
    Less: Allowance for credit losses on loans   50,606     50,248     49,950     49,772     49,220  
    Net loans   5,065,531     5,047,810     5,020,906     4,988,540     4,956,286  
               
    Bank premises and equipment, net   37,178     33,782     33,324     33,466     33,423  
    Operating lease right-of-use assets   34,968     36,627     37,958     38,376     39,647  
    Other assets   108,681     108,656     98,730     102,544     101,881  
               
    Total assets $ 6,338,545   $ 6,238,744   $ 6,109,680   $ 6,106,644   $ 6,179,570  
               
    LIABILITIES:          
    Deposits:          
    Demand $ 793,306   $ 762,101   $ 753,878   $ 745,227   $ 742,997  
    Interest-bearing checking   1,067,948     1,027,540     988,527     1,029,606     1,020,136  
    Savings accounts   1,094,968     1,086,534     1,092,038     1,144,427     1,155,517  
    Money market deposit accounts   478,872     465,049     477,113     517,445     532,611  
    Time deposits   2,061,576     2,049,759     1,952,635     1,840,262     1,903,908  
    Total deposits   5,496,670     5,390,983     5,264,191     5,276,967     5,355,169  
               
    Short-term borrowings   82,275     84,781     91,450     89,720     94,374  
    Operating lease liabilities   38,324     40,159     41,469     42,026     43,438  
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities   33,468     46,478     43,549     42,763     37,399  
               
    Total liabilities   5,650,737     5,562,401     5,440,659     5,451,476     5,530,380  
               
    SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:          
    Capital stock   20,097     20,097     20,058     20,058     20,058  
    Surplus   259,182     258,874     257,644     257,490     257,335  
    Undivided profits   453,931     446,503     442,079     436,048     430,346  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax   (132 )   (3,861 )   (6,600 )   (14,268 )   (14,763 )
    Treasury stock at cost   (45,270 )   (45,270 )   (44,160 )   (44,160 )   (43,786 )
               
    Total shareholders’ equity   687,808     676,343     669,021     655,168     649,190  
               
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 6,338,545   $ 6,238,744   $ 6,109,680   $ 6,106,644   $ 6,179,570  
               
    Outstanding shares (in thousands)   19,020     19,020     19,010     19,010     19,024  
               
    NONPERFORMING ASSETS  
                 
    (dollars in thousands)  
    (Unaudited)  
      3/31/2025 12/31/2024 9/30/2024 6/30/2024 3/31/2024  
    Nonperforming Assets            
                 
    New York and other states*            
    Loans in nonaccrual status:            
    Commercial $ 688   $ 343   $ 466   $ 741   $ 532    
    Real estate mortgage – 1 to 4 family   14,795     14,671     15,320     14,992     14,359    
    Installment   139     108     163     131     149    
    Total non-accrual loans   15,622     15,122     15,949     15,864     15,040    
    Other nonperforming real estate mortgages – 1 to 4 family   –     –     –     –     –    
    Total nonperforming loans   15,622     15,122     15,949     15,864     15,040    
    Other real estate owned   2,107     2,175     2,503     2,334     2,334    
    Total nonperforming assets $ 17,729   $ 17,297   $ 18,452   $ 18,198   $ 17,374    
                 
    Florida            
    Loans in nonaccrual status:            
    Commercial $ –   $ –   $ 314   $ 314   $ 314    
    Real estate mortgage – 1 to 4 family   3,135     3,656     3,176     2,985     2,921    
    Installment   3     22     5     22     –    
    Total non-accrual loans   3,138     3,678     3,495     3,321     3,235    
    Other nonperforming real estate mortgages – 1 to 4 family   –     –     –     –     –    
    Total nonperforming loans   3,138     3,678     3,495     3,321     3,235    
    Other real estate owned   –     –     –     –     –    
    Total nonperforming assets $ 3,138   $ 3,678   $ 3,495   $ 3,321   $ 3,235    
                 
    Total            
    Loans in nonaccrual status:            
    Commercial $ 688   $ 343   $ 780   $ 1,055   $ 846    
    Real estate mortgage – 1 to 4 family   17,930     18,327     18,496     17,977     17,280    
    Installment   142     130     168     153     149    
    Total non-accrual loans   18,760     18,800     19,444     19,185     18,275    
    Other nonperforming real estate mortgages – 1 to 4 family   –     –     –     –     –    
    Total nonperforming loans   18,760     18,800     19,444     19,185     18,275    
    Other real estate owned   2,107     2,175     2,503     2,334     2,334    
    Total nonperforming assets $ 20,867   $ 20,975   $ 21,947   $ 21,519   $ 20,609    
                 
                 
    Quarterly Net (Recoveries) Chargeoffs            
                 
    New York and other states*            
    Commercial $ (3 ) $ 62   $ 65   $ –   $ –    
    Real estate mortgage – 1 to 4 family   41     (316 )   104     (74 )   (78 )  
    Installment   4     41     11     (2 )   36    
    Total net chargeoffs (recoveries) $ 42   $ (213 ) $ 180   $ (76 ) $ (42 )  
                 
    Florida            
    Commercial $ (315 ) $ 314   $ –   $ –   $ –    
    Real estate mortgage – 1 to 4 family   –     –     –     17     –    
    Installment   15     1     42     7     –    
    Total net (recoveries) chargeoffs $ (300 )  $ 315   $ 42   $ 24   $ –    
                 
    Total            
    Commercial $ (318 )  $ 376   $ 65   $ –   $ –    
    Real estate mortgage – 1 to 4 family   41     (316 )   104     (57 )   (78 )  
    Installment   19     42     53     5     36    
    Total net (recoveries) chargeoffs $ (258 )  $ 102   $ 222   $ (52 ) $ (42 )  
                 
                 
    Asset Quality Ratios            
                 
    Total nonperforming loans (1) $ 18,760   $ 18,800   $ 19,444   $ 19,185   $ 18,275    
    Total nonperforming assets (1)   20,867     20,975     21,947     21,519     20,609    
    Total net (recoveries) chargeoffs (2)   (258 )    102     222     (52 )   (42 )  
                 
    Allowance for credit losses on loans (1)   50,606     50,248     49,950     49,772     49,220    
                 
    Nonperforming loans to total loans   0.37 %   0.37 %   0.38 %   0.38 %   0.37 %  
    Nonperforming assets to total assets   0.33 %   0.34 %   0.36 %   0.35 %   0.33 %  
    Allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans   0.99 %   0.99 %   0.99 %   0.99 %   0.98 %  
    Coverage ratio (1)   269.8 %   267.3 %   256.9 %   259.4 %   269.3 %  
    Annualized net (recoveries) chargeoffs to average loans (2)   -0.02 %   0.01 %   0.02 %   0.00 %   0.00 %  
    Allowance for credit losses on loans to annualized net chargeoffs (2)   N/A     123.2x     56.3x     N/A     N/A    
       
    * Includes New York, New Jersey, Vermont and Massachusetts.  
    (1) At period-end  
    (2) For the three-month period ended  
       
    DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY –
    INTEREST RATES AND INTEREST DIFFERENTIAL
     
    (dollars in thousands)                      
    (Unaudited) Three months ended     Three months ended  
      March 31, 2025     March 31, 2024  
      Average   Interest Average     Average   Interest Average  
      Balance     Rate     Balance     Rate  
    Assets                      
                           
    Securities available for sale:                      
    U. S. government sponsored enterprises $ 74,680     $ 596 3.19 %   $ 125,973     $ 906 2.88 %
    Mortgage backed securities and collateralized mortgage                    
    obligations – residential   239,509       1,483 2.46       258,814       1,494 2.30  
    State and political subdivisions   18       – 6.77       26       0 6.90  
    Corporate bonds   40,019       260 2.60       73,625       476 2.59  
    Small Business Administration – guaranteed                      
    participation securities   15,003       81 2.15       18,224       100 2.20  
    Other   699       7 4.01       696       3 1.72  
                           
    Total securities available for sale   369,928       2,427 2.62       477,358       2,979 2.50  
                           
    Federal funds sold and other short-term Investments   613,646       6,732 4.45       497,652       6,750 5.45  
                           
    Held to maturity securities:                      
    Mortgage backed securities and collateralized mortgage                    
    obligations – residential   5,233       57 4.34       6,329       68 4.30  
                           
    Total held to maturity securities   5,233       57 4.34       6,329       68 4.30  
                           
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock   6,507       151 9.28       6,203       152 9.80  
                           
    Commercial loans   297,926       4,165 5.59       277,183       3,661 5.28  
    Residential mortgage loans   4,385,646       42,614 3.89       4,359,476       40,415 3.71  
    Home equity lines of credit   413,981       6,435 6.30       353,004       5,464 6.22  
    Installment loans   12,967       236 7.37       16,128       264 6.58  
                           
    Loans, net of unearned income   5,110,520       53,450 4.19       5,005,791       49,804 3.98  
                           
    Total interest earning assets   6,105,834     $ 62,817 4.13       5,993,333     $ 59,753 3.99  
                           
    Allowance for credit losses on loans   (50,475 )             (48,824 )        
    Cash & non-interest earning assets   201,154               185,230          
                           
                           
    Total assets $ 6,256,513             $ 6,129,739          
                           
                           
    Liabilities and shareholders’ equity                      
                           
    Deposits:                      
    Interest bearing checking accounts $ 1,038,218     $ 558 0.22 %   $ 990,130     $ 240 0.10 %
    Money market accounts   469,070       1,989 1.72       544,687       2,342 1.73  
    Savings   1,089,358       734 0.27       1,158,558       712 0.25  
    Time deposits   2,054,494       18,984 3.75       1,889,929       19,677 4.19  
                           
    Total interest bearing deposits   4,651,140       22,265 1.94       4,583,304       22,971 2.02  
    Short-term borrowings   83,207       180 0.88       93,316       204 0.88  
                           
    Total interest bearing liabilities   4,734,347     $ 22,445 1.92       4,676,620     $ 23,175 1.99  
                           
    Demand deposits   761,800               726,299          
    Other liabilities   78,748               80,158          
    Shareholders’ equity   681,618               646,662          
                           
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 6,256,513             $ 6,129,739          
                           
    Net interest income     $ 40,372           $ 36,578    
                           
    Net interest spread       2.21 %         2.00 %
                           
                           
    Net interest margin (net interest income to                      
    total interest earning assets)       2.64 %         2.44 %
                           

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures Reconciliation

    Tangible book value per share is a non-GAAP financial measure derived from GAAP-based amounts. We calculate tangible book value by excluding the balance of intangible assets from total shareholders’ equity divided by shares outstanding. We believe that this is consistent with the treatment by bank regulatory agencies, which exclude intangible assets from the calculation of risk-based capital ratios. Additionally, we believe that this measure is important to many investors in the marketplace who are interested in relative changes from period to period in equity exclusive of changes in intangible assets.

    Tangible equity as a percentage of tangible assets at period end is a non-GAAP financial measure derived from GAAP-based amounts. We calculate tangible equity and tangible assets by excluding the balance of intangible assets from total shareholders’ equity and total assets, respectively. We calculate tangible equity as a percentage of tangible assets at period end by dividing tangible equity by tangible assets at period end. We believe that this is consistent with the treatment by bank regulatory agencies, which exclude intangible assets from the calculation of risk-based capital ratios. Additionally, we believe that this measure is important to many investors in the marketplace who are interested in relative changes from period to period in equity and total assets, each exclusive of changes in intangible assets.

    Adjusted efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP measures of expense control relative to revenue from net interest income and non-interest fee income. We calculate the efficiency ratio by dividing total non-interest expense by the sum of net interest income and total non-interest income. We calculate the adjusted efficiency ratio by dividing total noninterest expenses as determined under GAAP, excluding other real estate expense, net, by net interest income and total noninterest income as determined under GAAP. We believe that this provides a reasonable measure of primary banking expenses relative to primary banking revenue. Additionally, we believe this measure is important to investors looking for a measure of efficiency in our productivity measured by the amount of revenue generated for each dollar spent.

    We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures provide information that is important to investors and that is useful in understanding our financial results. Our management internally assesses our performance based, in part, on these measures. However, these non-GAAP financial measures are supplemental and not a substitute for an analysis based on GAAP measures. As other companies may use different calculations for these measures, this presentation may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures reported by other companies. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures of tangible book value to shares outstanding, tangible equity as a percentage of tangible assets, and efficiency ratio to the most directly comparable GAAP measures is set forth below.  

    NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES RECONCILIATION        
             
    (dollars in thousands)        
    (Unaudited)        
        3/31/2025 12/31/2024 3/31/2024
    Tangible Book Value Per Share        
             
    Equity (GAAP)   $ 687,808   $ 676,343   $ 649,190  
    Less: Intangible assets     553     553     553  
    Tangible equity (Non-GAAP)   $ 687,255   $ 675,790   $ 648,637  
             
    Shares outstanding     19,020     19,020     19,024  
    Tangible book value per share     36.13     35.53     34.10  
    Book value per share     36.16     35.56     34.12  
             
    Tangible Equity to Tangible Assets        
    Total Assets (GAAP)   $ 6,338,545   $ 6,238,744   $ 6,179,570  
    Less: Intangible assets     553     553     553  
    Tangible assets (Non-GAAP)   $ 6,337,992   $ 6,238,191   $ 6,179,017  
             
    Equity to Assets (GAAP)     10.85 %   10.84 %   10.51 %
    Tangible Equity to Tangible Assets (Non-GAAP)     10.84 %   10.83 %   10.50 %
             
        Three months ended
    Efficiency and Adjusted Efficiency Ratios   3/31/2025 12/31/2024 3/31/2024
             
    Net interest income (GAAP) A $ 40,373   $ 38,902   $ 36,578  
    Non-interest income (GAAP) B   4,974     4,409     4,843  
    Revenue used for efficiency ratio (GAAP) C $ 45,347   $ 43,311   $ 41,421  
             
    Total noninterest expense (GAAP) D $ 26,329   $ 28,165   $ 24,903  
    Less: Other real estate expense, net E   28     476     74  
    Expense used for efficiency ratio (Non-GAAP) F $ 26,301   $ 27,689   $ 24,829  
             
    Efficiency Ratio (GAAP) D/C   58.06 %   65.03 %   59.94 %
    Adjusted Efficiency Ratio (Non-GAAP) F/C   58.00 %   63.93 %   59.94 %
             
    Subsidiary:   Trustco Bank
         
    Contact:   Robert Leonard
        Executive Vice President
        (518) 381-3693

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Global nuclear power capacity to reach 494GW by 2035, driven by advancements in SMRs and clean energy shift, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Global nuclear power capacity to reach 494GW by 2035, driven by advancements in SMRs and clean energy shift, says GlobalData

    Posted in Power

    The global nuclear power sector has witnessed steady growth in recent years, driven by the need for low-carbon baseload power, energy security, and a renewed interest in decarbonizing industrial sectors. New capacity additions, advancements in reactor technology with small modular reactors (SMRs) emerging as a transformative solution, and supportive policies have contributed to increased generation and reinforced the role of nuclear power in the energy transition. Against this backdrop, nuclear capacity is forecast to grow from 395GW in 2024 to 494GW by 2035, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s latest report, “Nuclear Power Market, Update 2025 – Market Size, Segmentation, Major Trends, and Key Country Analysis to 2035,” reveals that nuclear electricity generation will rise from 2,616 TWh to 3,410 TWh over 2024-35, reflecting a CAGR of 2%. While nuclear power accounted for around 9% of global electricity generation, countries with aging reactors have pursued lifetime extensions, while others have aggressively expanded their nuclear fleets, especially in Asia.

    The US remains the world’s largest producer of nuclear power, with 97GW of installed capacity generating 787.6 TWh in 2024. France, which relies on nuclear for over 60% of its electricity, follows with 61.4GW and 333.3 TWh of annual generation. China, with the youngest and fastest-growing nuclear fleet, has expanded its capacity to 56GW, producing 386.1 TWh, surpassing France in total nuclear electricity generation.

    Mohammed Ziauddin, Power Analyst at GlobalData, comments “The growing focus on energy security due to geopolitical tensions, increasing demand for low-carbon dispatchable power, government support through regulations and incentives such as grants, loan guarantees, production and investment tax credits (PTCs and ITCs), and market-based mechanisms like Contracts for Difference (CfDs), advancements in SMRs and next-gen technologies, and a surge in electricity demand from data centers are the major reasons behind the increasing adoption of nuclear energy worldwide.”

    Unlike traditional large-scale nuclear reactors, SMRs offer compact designs, flexible deployment, and advanced safety features that make them well-suited for remote regions, smaller grids, and industrial applications. With capacities typically under 300MW, SMRs can be factory-fabricated, transported, and assembled on-site, significantly reducing construction time and costs.

    The global SMR pipeline is expanding rapidly, with over 100 reactors at various stages of development. Although only a few SMRs are currently operational, primarily in Russia and China, the next decade is expected to bring a significant increase in new capacity, with more than 10,000MW anticipated by 2035. Countries such as the US, Canada, the UK, China, and Russia are leading the charge with diverse deployment strategies, marking SMRs as a key pillar in the global transition toward secure, low-carbon energy systems.

    Zia concludes: “With growing concerns over climate change and energy security, nuclear power has re-emerged as a crucial pillar in the global energy transition. Governments across the world are implementing ambitious net-zero targets and investing in clean, dispatchable energy sources to decarbonize their economies. Nuclear energy, with its ability to provide reliable baseload power and reduce dependency on fossil fuels, is playing a vital role in this transition.

    “As countries ramp up their focus on SMRs, lifetime extensions, and advanced nuclear technologies, the nuclear power market is poised for long-term growth, driven by the dual goals of energy resilience and climate neutrality.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The new abnormal: Debating Canada’s future at a hinge point in history

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Stewart Prest, Lecturer, Political Science, University of British Columbia

    Canadians watched the two leaders’ debates unfold last week in Montréal. The debates, and this election, occur at a pivotal moment in history. Canadians go to the polls as the future of global democracy and governance, and in fact the very independence of the country, is in the balance.

    In crucial ways, the debates failed to meet the moment — and therefore will likely be forgotten as Canadians vote cast their ballots in a week. Unlike a past debate that focused on Canadian sovereignty between John Turner and Brian Mulroney in 1988, this one featured few knockout punches or memorable moments.

    Shadows of the past

    In the weeks prior to the debates, observers drew comparisons to that momentous English-language leaders’ showdown 37 years ago. That debate laid out a clear question for voters: Are you in favour of entering a free-trade agreement with the United States?

    Prime Minister Mulroney was supportive of the agreement, while Liberal Leader Turner was sharply opposed, fearing for the country’s independence.

    In the end, both Mulroney and Turner had a point. In the ensuing decades, free trade with the U.S. has brought both prosperity and dependence on the country as the Canadian economy became ever more deeply intertwined with that of the United States.

    A hinge point in history

    In 2025, we face an even more pivotal moment. The global order is shifting.

    Under Donald Trump, the U.S. has moved away from its decades-old position at the heart of a liberal international order centred on western democracies to embrace a transactional and illiberal foreign policy built on the language of power.



    Read more:
    Like dictators before him, Trump threatens international peace and security

    Given the gravity of the moment however, we heard comparatively little during the debates about how Canada must respond at this hinge point in history as Canadians adapt to a predictably unpredictable future.

    The threat of economic tariffs, while real, are just the beginning. Leaders alluded to the fact that Canada’s erstwhile closest ally now constitutes a threat to Canadian sovereignty, but it was not a major point of discussion, even as the the White House Press secretary recently affirmed Trump still wants Canada to become the 51st state. Threats to the territorial integrity of other former American allies continue as well.

    Viewers heard questions during the debate related to the possibility that the U.S. may no longer support Ukraine, but nothing about how Trump shocked the world with a very public dressing-down of Ukraine’s president or how he seems more comfortable co-operating with Vladimir Putin’s Russia.

    Virtually no mention was made of the fact that the U.S. is, by some measures, no longer a democracy. Its courts are politicized. Congress is polarized. The federal civil service remains under siege, and key institutions of civil society are under pressure to conform to Trump’s demands. Nor was there any discussion about how the Trump administration is openly defying court orders, effectively flouting the rule of law, and what that could mean for Trump’s annexation threats against Canada.

    There was some talk during the debate of Canada trying to reach the (Trump-demanded) NATO military target for military spending, but nothing about the fact that the future of the alliance is uncertain. European states are openly questioning the credibility of American support in the event of an attack and European leaders discussing defence strategies without American involvement for the first time since the Second World War.



    Read more:
    How could Canada deter an invasion? Nukes and mandatory military service

    A debate like any other

    It’s clear from such silences on the debate stage that Canadian voters, journalists, debate moderators and politicians alike are all still coming to terms with the depth of change in the world around them.

    The debate was filled with talk of pipelines, housing strategies and domestic law and order. In fact, neither debate was much different from those of the past 20 years.

    That’s not to suggest domestic challenges don’t require substantive discussion and policy proposals. As I and others have argued, the populist anti-incumbent wave that we saw sweeping Canadian and global politics in recent years can be traced to the sense that a portion of the population — younger voters in particular — feel left behind and ignored.



    Read more:
    Justin Trudeau’s bleak poll numbers are part of a global trend as young voters reject incumbents

    The challenges are multiple and significant, including but not limited to housing and affordability, public safety and policing, slow economic development and the challenges of responding to climate change in an economy dependent on energy exports.

    Nonetheless, in focusing so heavily on domestic and not global threats, the debate verged at times on the parochial.

    Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet, for instance, tried to keep provincial jurisdiction and Québec’s interests top of mind. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh’s message, at its most effective, was that as the country turns to face new challenges, it cannot forget about the marginalized in Canadian society and abroad. Worthy points, but secondary to the larger moment.

    Ultimately, the debate was dominated by the other two men on the stage with a real chance to govern the country next week: Liberal Leader Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.

    The two appeared united in their passion for the country and pipelines, and share some other priorities, notably facilitating interprovincial economic integration.

    Conservative base is divided

    In other respects, the two leaders diverged significantly in their views. Of all the leaders, Carney was the most willing to discuss the Trump threat, including when he suggested in his closing English remarks that Trump is “trying to break us so the U.S. can own us.”

    For the majority of the debates, however, the Liberal leader focused primarily on the economic threat. He argued that the country must look away from the U.S., and instead build inward with investment in housing and energy at home, and build outward by identifying more reliable markets and allies abroad.

    Poilievre’s messaging was more nuanced, moving in different directions to suit different audiences. No doubt this is because the country’s Conservative voting base is itself deeply divided between mainstream conservatives who share their fellow Canadians’ concerns about Trump and a populist faction that tends to identify with the MAGA movement in numerous ways.



    Read more:
    Why some Canadians are in denial about Donald Trump

    In attempting to square that circle, Poilievre has signalled strong opposition to Trump and his tariffs — a point he repeatedly discussed during the debate — and called for measures to enhance Canadian productivity, notably in the energy sector.

    At the same time, however, he endorsed other policies that evoke aspects of Trump’s own political agenda, something he largely avoided mentioning during the debates. Notable among are Poilievre’s promised war on “woke” culture. While not discussed in detail during the debates, disruptive questions from right-wing media outlets following the French debate illustrated just how close to the surface such issues remain.

    The ‘new abnormal’

    In the absence of a significant gaffe, knockout blow or other dramatic twist, the debates are unlikely to change many minds, and seem likely to soon fade from memory.

    Initial post-debate polling suggests as much. Anyone leaning one way or another heard enough to affirm their views as they tuned into the debates, and nothing to make them question their choice.

    Answers to larger questions about how Canada should move forward in this emergent new global order, amid daunting new threats to peace and democracy, remain only hinted at. Whoever wins the election, those questions will continue to be asked with increased urgency in the coming years.

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

    – ref. The new abnormal: Debating Canada’s future at a hinge point in history – https://theconversation.com/the-new-abnormal-debating-canadas-future-at-a-hinge-point-in-history-254675

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine: 21 April 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    PM call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine: 21 April 2025

    The Prime Minister spoke to President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy this afternoon.

    The Prime Minister spoke to President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy this afternoon.

    The Prime Minister reiterated his iron-clad support for Ukraine. He said that the UK supports Ukraine’s calls for Russia to commit to a full ceasefire and that now is the time for Putin to show he is serious about ending his brutal war.

    They discussed the latest developments on the Coalition of the Willing, and looked forward to further progress towards a just and lasting peace.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM call with Prime Minister Støre of Norway: 21 April 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    PM call with Prime Minister Støre of Norway: 21 April 2025

    The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre this afternoon.

    The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre this afternoon. 

    Reflecting on their shared priority of seeing peace in Ukraine, the leaders agreed there can be no let-up in their support for Ukraine. They also discussed the importance of keeping up economic pressure on Russia to ensure they engage seriously in talks.

    On the topic of global trade, the Prime Minister reiterated his commitment to protecting UK interests through a cool and calm approach. The leaders agreed a trade war is in nobody’s interests.

    They welcomed progress being made on the new bilateral defence agreement between their two countries and looked forward to discussing further soon.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Guarding moral values: GUU took part in organizing a thematic forum

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    The team of the Department of Youth Policy and Educational Work of the State University of Management took part in organizing the forum “School of Information and Spiritual Security”.

    The goal of the forum is to develop a methodology for creating popular media content in the area of preserving traditional spiritual and moral values, fostering religious culture, patriotism and all-Russian civic identity, taking into account the experience of young people.

    Speakers at the Forum included the Chairman of the All-Russian Interethnic Union of Youth, Director of the Scientific, Methodological and Project Center for Strengthening Interethnic Friendship and Citizenship of the State University of Management Kantemir Khurtayev, expert of the Council for Interethnic Relations under the President of the Russian Federation Alexey Vaits, expert of the State Duma Committee on Nationalities Anna Bakaeva, head of the Department of Educational and Cultural Work of the Department of Youth Policy and Educational Work of the State University of Management Alexandra Kobylyanskaya and others.

    The event was attended by 50 people: opinion leaders, activists of youth national communities and regional associations, as well as interethnic student associations of Moscow universities, representatives of the Central Asian republics and the republics of the North Caucasus Federal District, bloggers and residents of the Center for New Media.

    Participants had the opportunity to analyze effective methods and tools for preserving traditional Russian spiritual and moral values, get acquainted with the key principles of forming religious culture, and improve their skills in creating popular content based on modern methods of conveying values. The leisure part included a screening and discussion of the film “Paradise Under the Feet of Mothers” and a house concert.

    The organizers were the All-Russian public movement for promoting friendship and harmony among young people “All-Russian Interethnic Union of Youth”, the Centralized religious organization “International Islamic Mission” and the Scientific, Methodological and Project Center for Strengthening Interethnic Friendship and Citizenship of the State University of Management under the Coordination Council of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia with the assistance of the Fund for the Support of Islamic Culture, Science and Education.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 21.04.2025

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The focus is on language training for future professionals

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Speech by Irina Chechik

    As part of the III National (All-Russian) scientific and practical conference with international participation “Current issues of economics and management in construction”, the Department of Intercultural Communication of SPbGASU organized and held a section “Language training of future professionals” on April 17.

    In her welcoming speech, the head of the Department of Intercultural Communication Elena Selezneva emphasized the importance of including the section in the work of the university conference, since knowledge of foreign languages, understanding of cultural characteristics, and the ability to effectively interact with representatives of other cultures are becoming key competencies for specialists in any field. A separate greeting was addressed to young scientists participating in the section: students, postgraduates.

    Professor of the Department of Intercultural Communication Elena Chirkova shared her thoughts on the importance of live communication: “In a world where digital technologies are rapidly changing the usual forms of communication, it is live communication that remains the foundation on which true understanding and deep mutual perception are built.” The professor is confident that live communication is not just an exchange of information. It is an exchange of emotions, cultural characteristics and unique experience that cannot be fully conveyed through screens and virtual platforms. This is especially true for learning foreign languages – a process that requires not only knowledge, but also live interaction, immersion in the cultural context and direct dialogue with teachers or native speakers. With the availability of online courses and programs for additional practice, it is live language learning, including dialogues, discussions, exchange of experience and cultural characteristics, that forms real language competence.

    Participants from St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Omsk, Tyumen, Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) and others discussed the improvement of language training strategies, improving the quality of teaching foreign languages, including Russian as a foreign language. Particular attention was paid to the introduction of new technologies, primarily artificial intelligence, to solve current problems of language education.

    Associate Professor of the Department of Intercultural Communication Irina Chechik and Senior Lecturer of the Department Natalia Savelyeva prepared a report “Study of the language of the specialty by foreign students-architects based on local history texts (initial stage of training)”. In her speech Irina Chechik noted the enthusiasm with which students-architects perceive local history texts containing information about the architectural monuments of St. Petersburg. Irina Vladimirovna gave examples of such texts from a new teaching aid developed by teachers of Russian as a foreign language of the Department of Intercultural Communication.

    In this textbook, the authors chose popular science texts. Grammar is given through constructions (models), which are practiced in exercises. Each text contains information about the history of the object, archival photographs. Students are asked to compare different architectural monuments, which gives additional opportunities to include speech activity.

    Senior Lecturer of the Department of Intercultural Communication Valeria Ryabkova presented a report on “The Role of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Language Training of University Students”. Valeria Valeryevna noted the explosive growth of interest in this topic. Artificial intelligence in education opens up many new opportunities: it allows developing and implementing teaching methods for specific disciplines, simulating speech and thinking activity, implementing automated control and providing feedback. Valeria Ryabkova reviewed specialized and universal generative chatbots and gave an example of a task from her textbook on English for forensic experts using artificial intelligence. According to the speaker, specific pedagogical technologies for the use of generative artificial intelligence are not yet available, and we are at the stage of analyzing the accumulated experience.

    “Artificial intelligence has a certain didactic potential, but requires careful control from teachers. First of all, we ourselves must learn to use it and teach our students to use it,” Valeria Ryabkova summed up.

    We thank all section participants for their fruitful work and exchange of valuable experience!

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: The Week at State: Week of April 16, 2025

    Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)

    In The Week at State with Spokesperson Tammy Bruce: Secretary Rubio joined President Trump’s meeting with Salvadoran President Bukele and went to Paris for talks on ending the Russia-Ukraine war. The Secretary met with Jordanian and Indonesian officials and also directed the cancellation of $214 million in misguided programs.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa6r0JMa0CY

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The final of the All-Russian TIM Championship of SPbGASU has started. SPO League 2025

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Victoria Vinogradova opens the championship

    This year, the final of the All-Russian TIM Championship is held at SPbGASU. The SPO League 2025 is being held as part of the VIII International Conference “Information Modeling in Construction and Architecture” (BIMAC-2025). This emphasizes its importance, provides participants with the opportunity to meet representatives of many specialized companies and generally learn about the situation on the industry market.

    Vice-Rector for Continuing Education at SPbGASU Victoria Vinogradova emphasized that this TIM Championship is being held jointly with industrial partners – the Association of SRO “Osnova Proekt” with the support of the National Association of Surveyors and Designers (NOPRIZ) and the industry Consortium of Secondary Vocational Education in the Sphere of Construction.

    “Today, the construction market is digitalizing and is in dire need of relevant specialists. Therefore, together with industrial partners, we are implementing and supporting innovative educational initiatives, which include the TIM Championship. It allows participants not only to gain primary experience in information modeling, develop existing competencies, but also to pump up soft skills, for example, teamwork. All this contributes to a successful start in professional activity,” noted Victoria Vinogradova.

    Having successfully completed the tasks of the correspondence stage, the teams from the Novosibirsk College of Architecture and Construction, Novgorod College of Construction, St. Petersburg College of Architecture and Construction, Belgorod College of Construction, Perm College of Construction, Rostov-on-Don College of Construction, Khabarovsk Technical College, Bryansk College of Construction named after Professor N. E. Zhukovsky reached the final of the TIM Championship. Within three working days, they will design an apartment building.

    The head of the basic resource center “Novstroy” and the team of the Novgorod Construction College Tatyana Veselova said that the college tries to take part in many competitions.

    “Participation in competitions helps students develop their abilities and motivates them. When they get a profession, the kids strive to achieve their goals, outline a path that will lead to career growth in the future, and understand that a certified specialist needs experience to be successful. The TIM Championship is aimed at acquiring practical skills, which is what makes it interesting. Our team prepared for it and is motivated to win,” noted Tatyana Veselova.

    Third-year student of Novgorod Construction College Viktor Golubev recalled that representatives of his college participated in TIM Championship last year. This year, he decided to fill his gap. “We have been studying 3D modeling throughout the entire educational process, thanks to which we consider ourselves well prepared for TIM Championship. Information modeling is a relatively new and promising direction in the market, so specialists are in demand here. We need to have time to enter this niche and become the best. I am only determined to win!” Viktor noted.

    Fourth-year student of the Perm Construction College Ksenia Yarusova is a future architect, but since this position was already occupied in the team, she is performing in a different area of activity. To do this, she studied the requirements stated in the conditions of the TIM Championship and prepared for it.

    “Immersion in the specifics of related specialists’ activities has its advantages: it is much easier to work as an architect if you know, for example, the nuances of water supply design. This will allow us to minimize all inconsistencies in the project and misunderstandings with related companies. Information modeling is no longer the future, but the present of our industry, therefore, in order to be a sought-after and successful specialist, you need to have the relevant knowledge and skills. The TIM Championship gives you the opportunity to acquire them. Our team has prepared a lot for it and will do everything in our power to win,” shared Ksenia Yarusova.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Election Diary: Albanese government stays mum over whatever Russia may have said to Indonesia

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

    The imbroglio over the reported Russian request to Indonesia to base planes in Papua initially tripped Peter Dutton, and now is dogging Anthony Albanese.

    After the respected military site Janes said a request had been made, the Australian government quickly obtained an assurance from the Indonesians there would be no Russian planes based there.

    Moreover, the government was able to score a hit on Dutton, who had wrongly named Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto as having said there’d been a Russian approach. Later, Dutton admitted he’d stuffed up.

    One might have thought the story would have died as the election caravan moved on. But it continued when it became obvious the government would not say, despite repeated questions, whether it knew a request had in fact been made to the Indonesians.

    Then Russia’s ambassador to Indonesia, Sergei Tolchenov, leapt into the fray. Tolchenov wrote a letter to The Jakarta Post, responding to an article by Australian academic Matthew Sussex on The Conversation, which was republished in the Post.

    His letter dripping with sarcasm, the ambassador wrote:

    It is hard to imagine that any ordinary Australians should be concerned about what is happening 1,300 kilometers from their territory, about matters that concern relations between other sovereign states and have nothing to do with Australia. Perhaps it would be better for them to pay attention to the United States’ Typhon medium-range missile system in the Philippines, which will definitely reach the territory of the continent?

    It is clear that the leaders of the two main political parties, replacing each other in power and calling it democracy, are now trying to outdo each other, heating up the situation. They stop at nothing, and the time has come to play the so-called ‘Russian card’. This means to show to overseas mentors who is more anti-Russian and Russophobe. In this regard, I would like to remind them of the words of US President Donald Trump, which he pronounced in the White House on Feb. 28, 2025, to the Ukrainian citizen ‘Z’: ‘You have no cards’.“



    Read more:
    Russia has long had interest in Indonesia. Australia must realise its partners may have friends we don’t like

    Meanwhile, Employment Minister Murray Watt strayed off the government’s script of diplomatic silence when he told Sky on Sunday, “There is no proposal from Russia to have a base anywhere in Indonesia in the way that Peter Dutton and his colleagues have been claiming”.

    The questioning intensified.

    Late Monday, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles was back on Sky to impose the official blackout over what the government knew of the alleged discussions between Russia and Indonesia.

    “What we know about that, and when we knew about it, is obviously not something I’m going to ventilate in the public domain.

    “What matters here is that the Indonesians have made it completely clear to us that they have absolutely no intent of having Russian aircraft operating from their nation,” Marles said.

    Another instalment of “What the Russians Asked” may come in Tuesday night’s third leaders debate on Nine.

    A possible chance for real reform

    We keep getting lectured in this campaign about various significant issues (such as tax reform) that are being pushed under the carpet. But there’s something else that’s being overlooked: whether our institutions are in need of a big overhaul.

    With public trust low, accountability vital but often wanting, and our democracy sometimes resembling a car urgently needing a service, there are plenty of reforms that could be considered.

    John Daley (formerly of the Grattan Institute and now an independent consultant) and Rachel Krust, in a report released Monday and titled Institutional reform stocktake, propose a rich agenda for change. The stocktake was sponsored by the Susan McKinnon Foundation, a non-partisan body committed to promoting all aspects of better government.

    The report identifies short-term priority reforms as well as ones that would take longer to achieve.

    Parliamentarians often claim we’d be better governed with four-year terms. But given that would require a referendum, it is effectively out of reach. So the stocktake advocates a next-best option: fixed three year terms, which could be legislated. Four year terms would be a more distant aim.

    The advantage of fixed terms is they’d stop the disruption of months of speculation about the timing (that we saw before the current election). The disadvantage to the party in power is the prime minister can’t choose the day best suiting them.

    The Albanese government recently brought in caps for political donations and spending, to take effect in the coming term. Daley and Krust advocate these be revisited. The donation and disclosure caps should be lowered, they argue, and an expert commission should consider the caps on spending (which were criticised by some as limiting small and new players).

    Other priority recommendations are to beef up civics education, enhance parliamentary committees, put more structure around the appointment and termination of departmental secretaries, and better resource independent members of parliament, particularly if they hold the balance of power.

    One reason institutional reform is important is to achieve better policy outcomes, the report says. “Australian governments are getting worse at delivering policy changes that make a big difference to long-term problems.”

    While identifying a prospective advantage for policy, the report puts its finger on why such reform faces resistance.

    Institutional reforms have often not progressed in Australia because they would not serve the interests of incumbent parties. Many of the suggested changes would leave members of the government more exposed to questioning, challenge or censure, reduce the advantages of established political parties relative to new entrants, reduce the power of party officials relative to rank-and-file members, or reduce employment opportunities after a political career.

    The report says if the election produces a hung parliament this “may widen the window for reform”.

    “Crossbenchers usually have strong electoral incentives to prosecute institutional reforms, because they are usually both popular and not supported by incumbent parties.”

    But the crossbenchers need to be quick. “This window of opportunity may narrow again. The power of independents to push for institutional change is greatest during negotiations immediately following an election.”

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

    – ref. Election Diary: Albanese government stays mum over whatever Russia may have said to Indonesia – https://theconversation.com/election-diary-albanese-government-stays-mum-over-whatever-russia-may-have-said-to-indonesia-254201

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dobro.Center SPbPU: New Horizons of Volunteering and Social Responsibility

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    Dobro.Center SPbPU

    The event’s guest of honor was Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Youth Policy and Interaction with Public Organizations of St. Petersburg, SVO veteran Ivan Esipov.

    In honor of the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, a VR session “Leningrad through the eyes of Tanya Savicheva” was held, organized by “Victory Volunteers” and the Dobro.Center “Harmony”. With the help of modern technologies, students were able to immerse themselves in the events of the Leningrad blockade.

    At the meeting of the scientific section “Youth and Society: Current Socially Significant Practices”, representatives of different regions of Russia and the CIS countries presented scientific reports in the field of youth policy. They shared data on social trends: ecology, consumer behavior, trust in content on social networks, youth marriages and cultural identity.

    “The Humanitarian Forum was memorable for its high level of organization, relevant topics and lively discussions. Valuable experience, warm atmosphere and professionalism inspire further research,” shared the winner of the first degree diploma for the best report, a student of the Russian-Armenian University Donara Afrikyan.

    The key event was the round table “

    “Today, when society is facing new challenges, it is important to unite young people around common meanings, values and goals.

    A student of the Humanitarian Institute of SPbPU Maria Guner read her poem dedicated to the veterans of the SVO. The event ended with an open microphone, where everyone could ask a question, make a suggestion, share their story.

    “The volunteer movement in St. Petersburg is the flagship of assistance and unity in the country. The round table on humanitarian development at the Polytechnic University reflected the key areas of public organizations, including assistance to the front,” emphasized Deputy Chairman of the Youth Parliament of St. Petersburg, participant of the SVO, student of ITMO University Zakhar Kornev.

    As part of the forum, Polytechnic University graduate and member of the Union of Artists of Russia Alexander Dudorov held a charity master class on painting. Participants created their own paintings using acrylic paints. During Alexander Alfeevich’s exhibition, SPbPU Ambassador, Head of the Process Automation Department of the IT Department of BorisHof Group of Companies Ruslan Talipov purchased two works by the St. Petersburg artist. All proceeds from the sale of the paintings are donated to the AdVita Foundation to help children, as well as to support needy children in Donbass.

    In addition, activists of the SPbPU Dobro.Center joined forces with business partners – Gazprom Pererabotka, the Sputnik Hotel and the Izmailovo Hotel – to help the Nevsky Front – Children charity fund raise funds for a charity football tournament for children from orphanages in the Northwestern Federal District.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: MSCI and Moody’s to Launch Independent Risk Assessments for Private Credit Investments

    Source: Moody’s

    Headline: MSCI and Moody’s to Launch Independent Risk Assessments for Private Credit Investments

    Solution to Promote Transparency and Strengthen Investors’ Private Credit Asset Allocation Strategies

    NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)– MSCI Inc. (NYSE:MSCI) and Moody’s Corporation (NYSE:MCO) will jointly create a first-of-its-kind solution to provide independent risk assessments for private credit investments at scale.

    As the private credit market continues to evolve and grow, the need for consistent standards and better tools has become essential for investors to assess, compare and communicate the risk of their investments.

    MSCI offers a unique and comprehensive universe of high-quality private capital data, sourced from original documents provided by managers, including data on more than 2,800 private credit funds and 14,000+ individual underlying companies. As part of this joint offering, Moody’s will extend its flagship EDF-X models into MSCI’s private credit solutions. EDF-X delivers risk insights using best-in-class credit models and early warning signals to help investors assess the financial strength of public and private companies globally.

    The combination of Moody’s flagship EDF-X credit risk modeling solutions with MSCI’s universe of private credit investment data will produce proprietary third-party risk assessments for private credit investments available at the underlying company and facility level using transparent metrics.

    “As the private credit market evolves, investors are looking for trusted independent assessments to help benchmark credit risk and inform investments and monitor portfolios,” said Rob Fauber, President and CEO of Moody’s. “Our partnership with MSCI will play a critical role in providing these insights, helping market participants make informed decisions.”

    “The rapid growth of private credit continues to transform the global investment landscape while highlighting the need for increased transparency, consistent standards and independent risk assessment,” said Henry A. Fernandez, Chairman and CEO of MSCI. “We are proud to partner with Moody’s to deliver innovative solutions that can help drive greater clarity and confidence.”

    The solution will be distinct from the services provided by Moody’s Ratings, the credit rating agency, to the issuers in the private credit market.

    About Moody’s Corporation

    In a world shaped by increasingly interconnected risks, Moody’s (NYSE: MCO) data, insights, and innovative technologies help customers develop a holistic view of their world and unlock opportunities. With a rich history of experience in global markets and a diverse workforce of approximately 16,000 across more than 40 countries, Moody’s gives customers the comprehensive perspective needed to act with confidence and thrive. Learn more at moodys.com.

    About MSCI

    MSCI is a leading provider of critical decision support tools and services for the global investment community. With over 50 years of expertise in research, data, and technology, we power better investment decisions by enabling clients to understand and analyze key drivers of risk and return and confidently build more effective portfolios. We create industry-leading research-enhanced solutions that clients use to gain insight into and improve transparency across the investment process. To learn more, please visit www.msci.com.

    “Safe Harbor” statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

    Certain statements contained in this document are forward-looking statements and are based on future expectations, plans and prospects for Moody’s business and operations that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such statements involve estimates, projections, goals, forecasts, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those contemplated, expressed, projected, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Stockholders and investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and other information in this document are made as of the date hereof, and Moody’s undertakes no obligation (nor does it intend) to publicly supplement, update or revise such statements on a going-forward basis, whether as a result of subsequent developments, changed expectations or otherwise, except as required by applicable law or regulation. In connection with the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Moody’s is identifying certain factors that could cause actual results to differ, perhaps materially, from those indicated by these forward-looking statements. These factors, risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the impact of general economic conditions (including significant government debt and deficit levels, and inflation and related monetary policy actions by governments in response to inflation) on worldwide credit markets and on economic activity, including on the volume of mergers and acquisitions, and their effects on the volume of debt and other securities issued in domestic and/or global capital markets; the uncertain effectiveness and possible collateral consequences of U.S. and foreign government initiatives and monetary policy to respond to the current economic climate, including instability of financial institutions, credit quality concerns, and other potential impacts of volatility in financial and credit markets; the global impacts of the Russia – Ukraine military conflict and the military conflict in Israel and the surrounding areas on volatility in world financial markets, on general economic conditions and GDP in the U.S. and worldwide, on global relations and on the Company’s own operations and personnel; other matters that could affect the volume of debt and other securities issued in domestic and/or global capital markets, including regulation, increased utilization of technologies that have the potential to intensify competition and accelerate disruption and disintermediation in the financial services industry, as well as the number of issuances of securities without ratings or securities which are rated or evaluated by non-traditional parties; the level of merger and acquisition activity in the U.S. and abroad; the uncertain effectiveness and possible collateral consequences of U.S. and foreign government actions affecting credit markets, international trade and economic policy, including those related to tariffs, tax agreements and trade barriers; the impact of MIS’s withdrawal of its credit ratings on countries or entities within countries and of Moody’s no longer conducting commercial operations in countries where political instability warrants such actions; concerns in the marketplace affecting our credibility or otherwise affecting market perceptions of the integrity or utility of independent credit agency ratings; the introduction or development of competing and/or emerging technologies and products; pricing pressure from competitors and/or customers; the level of success of new product development and global expansion; the impact of regulation as an NRSRO, the potential for new U.S., state and local legislation and regulations; the potential for increased competition and regulation in the jurisdictions in which we operate, including the EU; exposure to litigation related to our rating opinions, as well as any other litigation, government and regulatory proceedings, investigations and inquiries to which Moody’s may be subject from time to time; provisions in U.S. legislation modifying the pleading standards and EU regulations modifying the liability standards applicable to credit rating agencies in a manner adverse to credit rating agencies; provisions of EU regulations imposing additional procedural and substantive requirements on the pricing of services and the expansion of supervisory remit to include non-EU ratings used for regulatory purposes; uncertainty regarding the future relationship between the U.S. and China; the possible loss of key employees and the impact of the global labor environment; failures or malfunctions of our operations and infrastructure; any vulnerabilities to cyber threats or other cybersecurity concerns; the timing and effectiveness of our restructuring programs, such as the 2022 – 2023 Geolocation Restructuring Program; currency and foreign exchange volatility; the outcome of any review by tax authorities of Moody’s global tax planning initiatives; exposure to potential criminal sanctions or civil remedies if Moody’s fails to comply with foreign and U.S. laws and regulations that are applicable in the jurisdictions in which Moody’s operates, including data protection and privacy laws, sanctions laws, anti-corruption laws, and local laws prohibiting corrupt payments to government officials; the impact of mergers, acquisitions, such as our acquisition of RMS, or other business combinations and the ability of Moody’s to successfully integrate acquired businesses; the level of future cash flows; the levels of capital investments; and a decline in the demand for credit risk management tools by financial institutions. These factors, risks and uncertainties as well as other risks and uncertainties that could cause Moody’s actual results to differ materially from those contemplated, expressed, projected, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements are described in greater detail under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of Moody’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and in other filings made by the Company from time to time with the SEC or in materials incorporated herein or therein. Stockholders and investors are cautioned that the occurrence of any of these factors, risks and uncertainties may cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those contemplated, expressed, projected, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements, which could have a material and adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. New factors may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict new factors, nor can the Company assess the potential effect of any new factors on it. Forward-looking and other statements in this document may also address our corporate responsibility progress, plans, and goals (including sustainability and environmental matters), and the inclusion of such statements is not an indication that these contents are necessarily material to investors or required to be disclosed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, historical, current, and forward-looking sustainability-related statements may be based on standards for measuring progress that are still developing, internal controls and processes that continue to evolve, and assumptions that are subject to change in the future.

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements relate to future events or to future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause MSCI’s actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “may,” “could,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential” or “continue,” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are, in some cases, beyond MSCI’s control and that could materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.

    Other factors that could materially affect MSCI’s actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements can be found in MSCI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 9, 2025 and in quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K filed or furnished with the SEC. If any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if MSCI’s underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from what MSCI projected. Any forward-looking statement in this press release reflects MSCI’s current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to MSCI’s operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. MSCI assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

    For Moody’s Investor Relations:
    Shivani Kak
    Moody’s Corporation
    +1 212-553-0298
    Shivani.Kak@moodys.com

    For Moody’s Communications:
    Joe Mielenhausen
    Moody’s Corporation
    +1 212-553-1461
    Joe.Mielenhausen@moodys.com

    For MSCI Investor Relations:
    Jeremy Ulan
    MSCI
    +1 646 778 4184
    jeremy.ulan@msci.com

    Jisoo Suh
    MSCI
    +1 212 804 1598
    jisoo.suh@msci.com

    For MSCI Communications:
    pr@msci.com
    Melanie Blanco
    MSCI
    +1 646-220-4157
    melanie.blanco@msci.com

    Source: MSCI Inc.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: GUU student at VFM birthday: Russia sets the trend in global youth policy

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    Nguyen Thi Hai Anh, a second-year master’s student at the Institute of Marketing of the National University of Management, took part in the celebration of the World Youth Festival (WYF) birthday.

    The event featured a presentation of the VFM Meeting, which will be held in September in Nizhny Novgorod on the instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and also saw the official start of registration for participation.

    Let us recall that Nguyen Thi Hai Anh met with Vladimir Putin in March last year.

    “The World Youth Festival has become an important impetus for the development of international youth cooperation. By 2030, international events in our country will unite more than 38 thousand young people from all over the world within the framework of the federal project “Russia in the World” of the national project “Youth and Children”, launched on the initiative of Russian President Vladimir Putin. We have planned WFY rallies and forums, as well as regular holding of the Festival itself. Today, the Russian experience of youth policy is of interest abroad, and we are ready to share this experience, strengthening Russia’s position as a leader in this important area,” said the head of Rosmolodezh, associate professor of the Department of Public and Municipal Administration of the State University of Management Grigory Gurov.

    More than 100 representatives from 35 countries of the world, who participated in the festival itself, which took place a year ago in Sirius, were invited to celebrate the first anniversary of the VFM. Together with a representative of the Embassy of Vietnam, a student of the State University of Management Nguyen Thi Hai Anh presented a gift to the VFM museum and gave an interview to the TV channel Moscow 24.

    According to the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation, the WFM will be held in Russia regularly – once every six years. In between festivals, international thematic gatherings for two thousand participants from Russia and abroad will be held under the auspices of the WFM. The first gathering will be held in September 2025 in Nizhny Novgorod. Festival events of various formats will be held in Russia annually.

    The World Youth Festival will take place from September 17 to 21 and will bring together 2,000 young people – a thousand from Russia and the same number from foreign countries, including 200 children. 200 volunteers from all over the country will help organize this event.

    You can already apply to participate in the VFM Rally and become part of the international youth community today. Registration for participants will last until July 20, 2025. Those wishing to join the volunteer corps can apply until June 16, 2025 on the Dobro.rf platform.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Professor Rashid Mangushev awarded the title of “Honored Scientist”

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Rashid Mangushev

    Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Geotechnics at St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering Rashid Abdullovich Mangushev was awarded a high state award.

    On April 16, by the decree of the President of Russia “On awarding state awards of the Russian Federation”, Rashid Abdullovich was awarded the honorary title “Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation”.

    Rashid Mangushev is a recognized specialist in the field of geotechnics, author and co-author of more than 280 scientific papers, 11 original inventions and patents.

    Congratulations on your well-deserved award and we wish you further success!

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: With the support of Rosneft, the Asian and Oceanian Sambo Championship was held in Uzbekistan

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    With the support of Rosneft, the continental championships of Asia and Oceania in sambo were held in Tashkent (Uzbekistan) from April 14 to 20. The competitions included the Asian and Oceania Championship in sambo, the Youth Championship in sambo, and the Championship in sambo among masters.

    Athletes from 21 national federations took part in the Asian and Oceanian Sambo Championship. Competitions among men, women, blind and visually impaired athletes were held in 38 weight categories. According to the results of the tournament, the winner of the medal count was the team of Uzbekistan, second place went to the team of Kazakhstan, and third to the Philippines.

    Rosneft pays great attention to the development and support of mass and professional sports. The company builds multifunctional sports complexes and sites, ice arenas, holds mass sports events in various disciplines for children and adults. Since 2013, Rosneft has been the general sponsor of the International Sambo Federation. During this time, dozens of outstanding tournaments have been held with the support of the Company.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft April 21, 2025

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: HBT Financial, Inc. Announces First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    First Quarter Highlights

    • Net income of $19.1 million, or $0.60 per diluted share; return on average assets (“ROAA”) of 1.54%; return on average stockholders’ equity (“ROAE”) of 13.95%; and return on average tangible common equity (“ROATCE”)(1) of 16.20%
    • Adjusted net income(1) of $19.3 million; or $0.61 per diluted share; adjusted ROAA(1) of 1.55%; adjusted ROAE(1) of 14.08%; and adjusted ROATCE(1) of 16.36%
    • Asset quality remained exceptional with nonperforming assets to total assets of 0.11% and net charge-offs to average loans of 0.05%, on an annualized basis
    • Net interest margin increased 16 basis points to 4.12% and net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis)(1)increased 15 basis point to 4.16%

    BLOOMINGTON, Ill., April 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HBT Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: HBT) (the “Company” or “HBT Financial” or “HBT”), the holding company for Heartland Bank and Trust Company, today reported net income of $19.1 million, or $0.60 diluted earnings per share, for the first quarter of 2025. This compares to net income of $20.3 million, or $0.64 diluted earnings per share, for the fourth quarter of 2024, and net income of $15.3 million, or $0.48 diluted earnings per share, for the first quarter of 2024.

    J. Lance Carter, President and Chief Executive Officer of HBT Financial, said, “We are off to a great start in 2025 with strong first quarter results. Despite the economic outlook recently becoming more uncertain, leading to interest rate volatility and stock market declines, we still believe that 2025 will be a solid year for HBT. Our credit discipline, strong profitability and solid balance sheet give us confidence that we are prepared for a variety of economic environments.

    We continued to report solid profitability with adjusted net income(1) of $19.3 million, or $0.61 per diluted share, an adjusted ROAA(1) of 1.55% and an adjusted ROATCE(1) of 16.36%. Our net interest margin on a tax-equivalent basis(1) increased by 15 basis points, with 5 basis points of that increase related to higher nonaccrual interest recoveries and loan fees, as average loan balances were higher, loans and securities continued to reprice higher, and deposits repriced lower. Our strong profitability coupled with an improvement in our accumulated other comprehensive income due to lower interest rates, resulted in a $0.63 increase in our tangible book value per share(1) to $15.43. Tangible book value per share increased by 4.3% for the quarter and 17.0% over the last year.

    Our balance sheet remains strong with all capital ratios increasing during the quarter and asset quality improving with nonperforming assets to total assets declining to only 0.11%. Loans at quarter-end were down only slightly while average loans for the quarter were up 2.2%. Deposits were up 1.5% at quarter-end and average deposits for the quarter were up 1.1%. Deposit growth was aided by moving most of our repurchase agreements into interest-bearing demand deposits. Our capital levels and operational structure support attractive acquisition opportunities should the right opportunity arise and markets stabilize.”
    ____________________________________
    (1)   See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most closely comparable GAAP financial measures.

    Adjusted Net Income

    In addition to reporting GAAP results, the Company believes non-GAAP measures such as adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share, which adjust for acquisition expenses, branch closure expenses, gains (losses) on closed branch premises, realized gains (losses) on sales of securities, mortgage servicing rights fair value adjustments, and the tax effect of these pre-tax adjustments, provide investors with additional insight into its operational performance. The Company reported adjusted net income of $19.3 million, or $0.61 adjusted diluted earnings per share, for the first quarter of 2025. This compares to adjusted net income of $19.5 million, or $0.62 adjusted diluted earnings per share, for the fourth quarter of 2024, and adjusted net income of $18.1 million, or $0.57 adjusted diluted earnings per share, for the first quarter of 2024 (see “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” tables below for reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most closely comparable GAAP financial measures).

    Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

    Net interest income for the first quarter of 2025 was $48.7 million, an increase of 2.8% from $47.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2024. The increase was primarily attributable to higher average loan balances, a decrease in deposit costs, and higher yields on loans and debt securities. Additionally, a $0.6 million increase in nonaccrual interest recoveries and loan fees contributed to the increase in net interest income.

    Relative to the first quarter of 2024, net interest income increased 4.3% from $46.7 million. The increase was primarily attributable to higher average loan balances, a decrease in deposit costs, and higher yields on debt securities. Also contributing was a $0.7 million increase in nonaccrual interest recoveries and loan fees.

    Net interest margin for the first quarter of 2025 was 4.12%, compared to 3.96% for the fourth quarter of 2024, and net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis)(1) for the first quarter of 2025 was 4.16%, compared to 4.01% for the fourth quarter of 2024. The increase was primarily attributable to higher yields on interest-earning assets, which increased 9 basis points to 5.34%, and lower funding costs, which decreased 7 basis points to 1.32%. Additionally, an increase in the contribution of nonaccrual interest recoveries and loan fees accounted for 5 basis points of the increase in net interest margin.

    Relative to the first quarter of 2024, net interest margin increased 18 basis points from 3.94% and net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis)(1) increased 17 basis points from 3.99%. These increases were primarily attributable to higher yields on interest-earning assets, a decrease in funding costs, and an increase in nonaccrual interest recoveries and loan fees. Additionally, an increase in the contribution of nonaccrual interest recoveries and loan fees accounted for 6 basis points of the increase in net interest margin.
    ____________________________________
    (1)   See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most closely comparable GAAP financial measures.

    Noninterest Income

    Noninterest income for the first quarter of 2025 was $9.3 million, a 20.0% decrease from $11.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2024. The decrease was primarily attributable to changes in the mortgage servicing rights (“MSR”) fair value adjustment, with a $0.3 million negative MSR fair value adjustment included in the first quarter 2025 results compared to a $1.3 million positive MSR fair value adjustment included in the fourth quarter 2024 results. Further contributing to the decrease was a $0.3 million decrease in wealth management fees, primarily driven by a seasonal decrease in farm management income, a $0.3 million decrease in income on bank owned life insurance, primarily due to the absence of a $0.2 million gain on life insurance proceeds included in the fourth quarter 2024 results, and a $0.2 million decrease in card income. Partially offsetting these decreases was the absence of a $0.3 million realized loss on sale of debt securities included in the fourth quarter 2024 results.

    Relative to the first quarter of 2024, noninterest income increased 65.4% from $5.6 million. The increase was primarily attributable to the absence of $3.4 million in realized losses on the sale of debt securities included in the first quarter 2024 results.

    Noninterest Expense

    Noninterest expense for the first quarter of 2025 was $31.9 million, a 3.3% increase from $30.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2024. The increase was primarily attributable to a $1.3 million increase in salaries expense, primarily driven by seasonal variations in vacation accruals and annual merit increases which took effect in early March, and a $0.6 million increase in employee benefits expense, primarily attributable to higher medical benefit costs. Partially offsetting these increases were a $0.3 million decrease in other noninterest expense and a $0.3 million decrease in data processing expense.

    Relative to the first quarter of 2024, noninterest expense increased 2.1% from $31.3 million. The increase was primarily attributable to a $0.5 million increase in employee benefits expense, primarily driven by increased medical benefit costs, and a $0.4 million increase in salaries expense. Partially offsetting these increases was a $0.2 million decrease in data processing expense.

    Income Taxes

    During the first quarter of 2025 our effective tax rate decreased to 25.2% when compared to 26.0% during the fourth quarter of 2024. This decrease was primarily related to a $0.2 million tax benefit from stock-based compensation that vested during the quarter. Additionally, during the second quarter of 2025, we expect to recognize an additional $0.3 million of tax expense related to the reversal of a stranded tax effect included in accumulated other comprehensive income in connection with the maturity of a derivative designated as a cash flow hedge.

    Loan Portfolio

    Total loans outstanding, before allowance for credit losses, were $3.46 billion at March 31, 2025, compared with $3.47 billion at December 31, 2024, and $3.35 billion at March 31, 2024. Total loans as of March 31, 2025 were nearly unchanged when compared to December 31, 2024 with a $23.2 million increase in grain elevator lines of credit in the commercial and industrial segment, due to seasonally higher line utilization, partially offset by a $12.0 million reduction on two lines of credit that funded shortly before and paid off after December 31, 2024, as noted in the previous quarter’s earnings release. Larger payoffs in the one-to-four family residential, multi-family, and commercial real estate – non-owner occupied segments were partially offset by draws on existing loans in the construction and development segment and new originations in the municipal, consumer, and other segment. Additionally, average loan balances increased $73.4 million, or 2.2%, from the fourth quarter of 2024 to the first quarter of 2025.

    Deposits

    Total deposits were $4.38 billion at March 31, 2025, compared with $4.32 billion at December 31, 2024, and $4.36 billion at March 31, 2024. The $66.3 million increase from December 31, 2024 was primarily attributable to higher balances maintained in existing retail accounts. Additionally, the vast majority of repurchase agreement account balances at December 31, 2024 were transitioned to reciprocal interest-bearing demand deposit accounts during the first quarter of 2025.

    Asset Quality

    Nonperforming assets totaled $5.6 million, or 0.11% of total assets, at March 31, 2025, compared with $8.0 million, or 0.16% of total assets, at December 31, 2024, and $9.9 million, or 0.20% of total assets, at March 31, 2024. Additionally, of the $5.1 million of nonperforming loans held as of March 31, 2025, $1.4 million is either wholly or partially guaranteed by the U.S. government. The $2.5 million decrease in nonperforming assets from December 31, 2024 was primarily attributable to the pay-off of a $1.6 million nonaccrual commercial real estate – non-owner occupied credit.

    The Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $0.6 million for the first quarter of 2025. The provision for credit losses primarily reflects a $0.8 million increase in required reserves resulting from changes in qualitative factors; a $0.1 million increase in required reserves driven by changes within the portfolio; and a $0.3 million decrease in specific reserves.

    The Company had net charge-offs of $0.4 million, or 0.05% of average loans on an annualized basis, for the first quarter of 2025, compared to net charge-offs of $0.7 million, or 0.08% of average loans on an annualized basis, for the fourth quarter of 2024, and net recoveries of $0.2 million, or 0.02% of average loans on an annualized basis, for the first quarter of 2024.

    The Company’s allowance for credit losses was 1.22% of total loans and 825% of nonperforming loans at March 31, 2025, compared with 1.21% of total loans and 549% of nonperforming loans at December 31, 2024. In addition, the allowance for credit losses on unfunded lending-related commitments totaled $3.2 million as of March 31, 2025, compared with $3.1 million as of December 31, 2024.

    Capital

    As of March 31, 2025, the Company exceeded all regulatory capital requirements under Basel III as summarized in the following table:

        March 31, 2025   For Capital
    Adequacy Purposes
    With Capital
    Conservation Buffer
             
    Total capital to risk-weighted assets   16.85 %   10.50 %
    Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets   14.77     8.50  
    Common equity tier 1 capital ratio   13.48     7.00  
    Tier 1 leverage ratio   11.64     4.00  
                 

    The ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets(1) increased to 9.73% as of March 31, 2025, from 9.42% as of December 31, 2024, and tangible book value per share(1) increased by $0.63 to $15.43 as of March 31, 2025, when compared to December 31, 2024.

    During the first quarter of 2025, the Company did not repurchase shares of its common stock under its stock repurchase program. The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $15.0 million of HBT Financial common stock under its stock repurchase program, which is in effect until January 1, 2026. As of March 31, 2025, the Company had $15.0 million remaining under the stock repurchase program.
    ____________________________________
    (1)   See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most closely comparable GAAP financial measures.

    About HBT Financial, Inc.

    HBT Financial, Inc., headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois, is the holding company for Heartland Bank and Trust Company, and has banking roots that can be traced back to 1920. HBT Financial provides a comprehensive suite of financial products and services to consumers, businesses, and municipal entities throughout Illinois and eastern Iowa through 66 full-service branches. As of March 31, 2025, HBT Financial had total assets of $5.1 billion, total loans of $3.5 billion, and total deposits of $4.4 billion.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    Some of the financial measures included in this press release are not measures of financial performance recognized in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures include adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per share, adjusted ROAA, pre-provision net revenue, pre-provision net revenue less charge-offs (recoveries), adjusted pre-provision net revenue, adjusted pre-provision net revenue less charge-offs (recoveries), net interest income (tax-equivalent basis), net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis), efficiency ratio (tax-equivalent basis), adjusted efficiency ratio (tax-equivalent basis), the ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets, tangible book value per share, adjusted ROAE, ROATCE, and adjusted ROATCE. Our management uses these non-GAAP financial measures, together with the related GAAP financial measures, in its analysis of our performance and in making business decisions. Management believes that it is a standard practice in the banking industry to present these non-GAAP financial measures, and accordingly believes that providing these measures may be useful for peer comparison purposes. These disclosures should not be viewed as substitutes for the results determined to be in accordance with GAAP; nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP financial measures that may be presented by other companies. See our reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures in the “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” tables.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Readers should note that in addition to the historical information contained herein, this press release contains, and future oral and written statements of the Company and its management may contain, “forward-looking statements” within the meanings of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “will,” “propose,” “may,” “plan,” “seek,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” or “should,” or similar terminology. Any forward-looking statements presented herein are made only as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or otherwise.

    Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) the strength of the local, state, national and international economies and financial markets (including effects of inflationary pressures and supply chain constraints); (ii) effects on the U.S. economy resulting from the threat or implementation of, or changes to, existing policies and executive orders including tariffs, immigration policy, regulatory or other governmental agencies, foreign policy and tax regulations; (iii) the economic impact of any future terrorist threats and attacks, widespread disease or pandemics, acts of war or other threats thereof (including the Russian invasion of Ukraine and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East), or other adverse events that could cause economic deterioration or instability in credit markets, and the response of the local, state and national governments to any such adverse external events; (iv) new and revised accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by state and federal regulatory banking agencies, the Financial Accounting Standards Board or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board; (v) changes in local, state and federal laws, regulations and governmental policies concerning the Company’s general business and any changes in response to the bank failures in 2023; (vi) the imposition of tariffs or other governmental policies impacting the value of products produced by the Company’s commercial borrowers; (vii) changes in interest rates and prepayment rates of the Company’s assets; (viii) increased competition in the financial services sector, including from non-bank competitors such as credit unions and fintech companies, and the inability to attract new customers; (ix) changes in technology and the ability to develop and maintain secure and reliable electronic systems; (x) unexpected results of acquisitions, which may include failure to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions and the possibility that transaction costs may be greater than anticipated; (xi) the loss of key executives and employees, talent shortages and employee turnover; (xii) changes in consumer spending; (xiii) unexpected outcomes or costs of existing or new litigation or other legal proceedings and regulatory actions involving the Company; (xiv) the economic impact on the Company and its customers of climate change, natural disasters and of exceptional weather occurrences such as tornadoes, floods and blizzards; (xv) fluctuations in the value of securities held in our securities portfolio, including as a result of changes in interest rates; (xvi) credit risks and risks from concentrations (by type of borrower, geographic area, collateral and industry) within our loan portfolio (including commercial real estate loans) and large loans to certain borrowers; (xvii) the overall health of the local and national real estate market; (xviii) the ability to maintain an adequate level of allowance for credit losses on loans; (xix) the concentration of large deposits from certain clients who have balances above current FDIC insurance limits and who may withdraw deposits to diversify their exposure; (xx) the ability to successfully manage liquidity risk, which may increase dependence on non-core funding sources such as brokered deposits, and may negatively impact the Company’s cost of funds; (xxi) the level of nonperforming assets on our balance sheet; (xxii) interruptions involving our information technology and communications systems or third-party servicers; (xxiii) the occurrence of fraudulent activity, breaches or failures of our third-party vendors’ information security controls or cybersecurity-related incidents, including as a result of sophisticated attacks using artificial intelligence and similar tools or as a result of insider fraud; (xxiv) the effectiveness of the Company’s risk management framework, and (xxv) the ability of the Company to manage the risks associated with the foregoing as well as anticipated. Readers should note that the forward-looking statements included in this press release are not a guarantee of future events, and that actual events may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning the Company and its business, including additional factors that could materially affect the Company’s financial results, is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    CONTACT:
    Peter Chapman
    HBTIR@hbtbank.com
    (309) 664-4556

         
    HBT Financial, Inc.
    Unaudited Consolidated Financial Summary
         
        As of or for the Three Months Ended
    (dollars in thousands, except per share data)   March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024
    Interest and dividend income   $ 63,138     $ 62,798     $ 61,961  
    Interest expense     14,430       15,397       15,273  
    Net interest income     48,708       47,401       46,688  
    Provision for credit losses     576       725       527  
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses     48,132       46,676       46,161  
    Noninterest income     9,306       11,630       5,626  
    Noninterest expense     31,935       30,908       31,268  
    Income before income tax expense     25,503       27,398       20,519  
    Income tax expense     6,428       7,126       5,261  
    Net income   $ 19,075     $ 20,272     $ 15,258  
                 
    Earnings per share – diluted   $ 0.60     $ 0.64     $ 0.48  
                 
    Adjusted net income (1)   $ 19,253     $ 19,546     $ 18,073  
    Adjusted earnings per share – diluted (1)     0.61       0.62       0.57  
                 
    Book value per share   $ 17.86     $ 17.26     $ 15.71  
    Tangible book value per share (1)     15.43       14.80       13.19  
                 
    Shares of common stock outstanding     31,631,431       31,559,366       31,612,888  
    Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding, including all dilutive potential shares     31,711,671       31,702,864       31,803,187  
                 
    SUMMARY RATIOS            
    Net interest margin *     4.12 %     3.96 %     3.94 %
    Net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis) * (1)(2)     4.16       4.01       3.99  
                 
    Efficiency ratio     53.85 %     51.16 %     58.41 %
    Efficiency ratio (tax-equivalent basis) (1)(2)     53.35       50.68       57.78  
                 
    Loan to deposit ratio     78.95 %     80.27 %     76.73 %
                 
    Return on average assets *     1.54 %     1.61 %     1.23 %
    Return on average stockholders’ equity *     13.95       14.89       12.42  
    Return on average tangible common equity * (1)     16.20       17.40       14.83  
                 
    Adjusted return on average assets * (1)     1.55 %     1.56 %     1.45 %
    Adjusted return on average stockholders’ equity * (1)     14.08       14.36       14.72  
    Adjusted return on average tangible common equity * (1)     16.36       16.77       17.57  
                 
    CAPITAL            
    Total capital to risk-weighted assets     16.85 %     16.51 %     15.79 %
    Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets     14.77       14.50       13.77  
    Common equity tier 1 capital ratio     13.48       13.21       12.44  
    Tier 1 leverage ratio     11.64       11.51       10.65  
    Total stockholders’ equity to total assets     11.10       10.82       9.85  
    Tangible common equity to tangible assets (1)     9.73       9.42       8.40  
                 
    ASSET QUALITY            
    Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans *     0.05 %     0.08 %     (0.02) %
    Allowance for credit losses to loans, before allowance for credit losses     1.22       1.21       1.22  
    Nonperforming loans to loans, before allowance for credit losses     0.15       0.22       0.29  
    Nonperforming assets to total assets     0.11       0.16       0.20  

    ____________________________________

    *   Annualized measure.

    (1)   See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most closely comparable GAAP financial measures.
    (2)   On a tax-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21% and a state tax rate of 9.5%.  

       
    HBT Financial, Inc.
    Unaudited Consolidated Financial Summary
    Consolidated Statements of Income
       
      Three Months Ended
    (dollars in thousands, except per share data) March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024
    INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME          
    Loans, including fees:          
    Taxable $ 53,369     $ 52,587     $ 51,926  
    Federally tax exempt   1,168       1,199       1,094  
    Debt securities:          
    Taxable   6,936       6,829       6,204  
    Federally tax exempt   469       482       597  
    Interest-bearing deposits in bank   1,065       1,520       1,952  
    Other interest and dividend income   131       181       188  
    Total interest and dividend income   63,138       62,798       61,961  
    INTEREST EXPENSE          
    Deposits   12,939       13,672       13,593  
    Securities sold under agreements to repurchase   22       179       152  
    Borrowings   109       115       125  
    Subordinated notes   470       470       470  
    Junior subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts   890       961       933  
    Total interest expense   14,430       15,397       15,273  
    Net interest income   48,708       47,401       46,688  
    PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES   576       725       527  
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses   48,132       46,676       46,161  
    NONINTEREST INCOME          
    Card income   2,548       2,797       2,616  
    Wealth management fees   2,841       3,138       2,547  
    Service charges on deposit accounts   1,944       2,080       1,869  
    Mortgage servicing   990       1,158       1,055  
    Mortgage servicing rights fair value adjustment   (308 )     1,331       80  
    Gains on sale of mortgage loans   252       409       298  
    Realized gains (losses) on sales of securities   —       (315 )     (3,382 )
    Unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities   8       (83 )     (16 )
    Gains (losses) on foreclosed assets   13       7       87  
    Gains (losses) on other assets   54       2       (635 )
    Income on bank owned life insurance   164       415       164  
    Other noninterest income   800       691       943  
    Total noninterest income   9,306       11,630       5,626  
    NONINTEREST EXPENSE          
    Salaries   17,053       15,784       16,657  
    Employee benefits   3,285       2,649       2,805  
    Occupancy of bank premises   2,625       2,773       2,582  
    Furniture and equipment   445       460       550  
    Data processing   2,717       2,998       2,925  
    Marketing and customer relations   1,144       948       996  
    Amortization of intangible assets   695       709       710  
    FDIC insurance   562       557       560  
    Loan collection and servicing   383       653       452  
    Foreclosed assets   5       31       49  
    Other noninterest expense   3,021       3,346       2,982  
    Total noninterest expense   31,935       30,908       31,268  
    INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE   25,503       27,398       20,519  
    INCOME TAX EXPENSE   6,428       7,126       5,261  
    NET INCOME $ 19,075     $ 20,272     $ 15,258  
               
    EARNINGS PER SHARE – BASIC $ 0.60     $ 0.64     $ 0.48  
    EARNINGS PER SHARE – DILUTED $ 0.60     $ 0.64     $ 0.48  
    WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING   31,584,989       31,559,366       31,662,954  
                           
               
    HBT Financial, Inc.
    Unaudited Consolidated Financial Summary
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
               
    (dollars in thousands) March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024
    ASSETS          
    Cash and due from banks $ 25,005     $ 29,552     $ 19,989  
    Interest-bearing deposits with banks   186,586       108,140       240,223  
    Cash and cash equivalents   211,591       137,692       260,212  
               
    Interest-bearing time deposits with banks   —       —       515  
    Debt securities available-for-sale, at fair value   706,135       698,049       669,020  
    Debt securities held-to-maturity   490,398       499,858       517,472  
    Equity securities with readily determinable fair value   3,323       3,315       3,324  
    Equity securities with no readily determinable fair value   2,629       2,629       2,622  
    Restricted stock, at cost   5,086       5,086       5,155  
    Loans held for sale   2,721       1,586       3,479  
               
    Loans, before allowance for credit losses   3,461,778       3,466,146       3,345,962  
    Allowance for credit losses   (42,111 )     (42,044 )     (40,815 )
    Loans, net of allowance for credit losses   3,419,667       3,424,102       3,305,147  
               
    Bank owned life insurance   24,153       23,989       24,069  
    Bank premises and equipment, net   67,272       66,758       64,755  
    Bank premises held for sale   190       317       317  
    Foreclosed assets   460       367       277  
    Goodwill   59,820       59,820       59,820  
    Intangible assets, net   17,148       17,843       19,972  
    Mortgage servicing rights, at fair value   18,519       18,827       19,081  
    Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries   1,614       1,614       1,614  
    Accrued interest receivable   22,735       24,770       23,117  
    Other assets   38,731       46,280       60,542  
    Total assets $ 5,092,192     $ 5,032,902     $ 5,040,510  
               
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
    Liabilities          
    Deposits:          
    Noninterest-bearing $ 1,065,874     $ 1,046,405     $ 1,047,074  
    Interest-bearing   3,318,716       3,271,849       3,313,500  
    Total deposits   4,384,590       4,318,254       4,360,574  
               
    Securities sold under agreements to repurchase   2,698       28,969       31,864  
    Federal Home Loan Bank advances   7,209       13,231       12,725  
    Subordinated notes   39,573       39,553       39,494  
    Junior subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts   52,864       52,849       52,804  
    Other liabilities   40,201       35,441       46,368  
    Total liabilities   4,527,135       4,488,297       4,543,829  
               
    Stockholders’ Equity          
    Common stock   329       328       328  
    Surplus   297,024       297,297       296,054  
    Retained earnings   329,169       316,764       278,353  
    Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   (38,446 )     (46,765 )     (56,048 )
    Treasury stock at cost   (23,019 )     (23,019 )     (22,006 )
    Total stockholders’ equity   565,057       544,605       496,681  
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 5,092,192     $ 5,032,902     $ 5,040,510  
    SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING   31,631,431       31,559,366       31,612,888  
                           
               
    HBT Financial, Inc.
    Unaudited Consolidated Financial Summary
               
    (dollars in thousands) March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024
               
    LOANS          
    Commercial and industrial $ 441,261   $ 428,389   $ 402,206
    Commercial real estate – owner occupied   321,990     322,316     294,967
    Commercial real estate – non-owner occupied   891,022     899,565     890,251
    Construction and land development   376,046     374,657     345,991
    Multi-family   424,096     431,524     421,573
    One-to-four family residential   455,376     463,968     485,948
    Agricultural and farmland   292,240     293,375     287,205
    Municipal, consumer, and other   259,747     252,352     217,821
    Total loans $ 3,461,778   $ 3,466,146   $ 3,345,962
    (dollars in thousands) March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024
               
    DEPOSITS          
    Noninterest-bearing deposits $ 1,065,874   $ 1,046,405   $ 1,047,074
    Interest-bearing deposits:          
    Interest-bearing demand   1,143,677     1,099,061     1,139,172
    Money market   812,146     820,825     802,685
    Savings   575,558     566,533     602,739
    Time   787,335     785,430     713,142
    Brokered   —     —     55,762
    Total interest-bearing deposits   3,318,716     3,271,849     3,313,500
    Total deposits $ 4,384,590   $ 4,318,254   $ 4,360,574
                     
       
    HBT Financial, Inc.
    Unaudited Consolidated Financial Summary
       
      Three Months Ended
      March 31, 2025   December 31, 2024   March 31, 2024
    (dollars in thousands) Average
    Balance    		   Interest   Yield/Cost *   Average
    Balance    		   Interest   Yield/Cost *   Average
    Balance    		   Interest   Yield/Cost *
                                       
    ASSETS                                  
    Loans $ 3,460,906     $ 54,537   6.39 %   $ 3,387,541     $ 53,786   6.32 %   $ 3,371,219     $ 53,020   6.33 %
    Debt securities   1,204,424       7,405   2.49       1,208,404       7,311   2.41       1,213,947       6,801   2.25  
    Deposits with banks   120,014       1,065   3.60       149,691       1,520   4.04       167,297       1,952   4.69  
    Other   12,677       131   4.19       12,698       181   5.68       12,986       188   5.82  
    Total interest-earning assets   4,798,021     $ 63,138   5.34 %     4,758,334     $ 62,798   5.25 %     4,765,449     $ 61,961   5.23 %
    Allowance for credit losses   (42,061 )             (40,942 )             (40,238 )        
    Noninterest-earning assets   276,853               277,074               278,253          
    Total assets $ 5,032,813             $ 4,994,466             $ 5,003,464          
                                       
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                                  
    Liabilities                                  
    Interest-bearing deposits:                                  
    Interest-bearing demand $ 1,120,608     $ 1,453   0.53 %   $ 1,088,082     $ 1,351   0.49 %   $ 1,127,684     $ 1,311   0.47 %
    Money market   807,728       4,397   2.21       787,768       4,444   2.24       812,684       4,797   2.37  
    Savings   569,494       370   0.26       562,833       389   0.27       611,224       443   0.29  
    Time   784,099       6,719   3.48       796,494       7,439   3.72       664,498       5,925   3.59  
    Brokered   —       —   —       3,261       49   5.96       82,150       1,117   5.47  
    Total interest-bearing deposits   3,281,929       12,939   1.60       3,238,438       13,672   1.68       3,298,240       13,593   1.66  
    Securities sold under agreements to repurchase   8,754       22   1.02       31,624       179   2.26       32,456       152   1.89  
    Borrowings   12,890       109   3.41       13,370       115   3.42       13,003       125   3.87  
    Subordinated notes   39,563       470   4.82       39,543       470   4.73       39,484       470   4.78  
    Junior subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts   52,856       890   6.83       52,841       961   7.23       52,796       933   7.11  
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   3,395,992     $ 14,430   1.72 %     3,375,816     $ 15,397   1.81 %     3,435,979     $ 15,273   1.79 %
    Noninterest-bearing deposits   1,045,733               1,041,471               1,036,402          
    Noninterest-bearing liabilities   36,373               35,644               37,107          
    Total liabilities   4,478,098               4,452,931               4,509,488          
    Stockholders’ Equity   554,715               541,535               493,976          
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 5,032,813             $ 4,994,466             $ 5,003,464          
                                       
    Net interest income/Net interest margin (1)     $ 48,708   4.12 %       $ 47,401   3.96 %       $ 46,688   3.94 %
    Tax-equivalent adjustment (2)       545   0.04           562   0.05           575   0.05  
    Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis)/
    Net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis) (2) (3)    		     $ 49,253   4.16 %       $ 47,963   4.01 %       $ 47,263   3.99 %
    Net interest rate spread (4)         3.62 %           3.44 %           3.44 %
    Net interest-earning assets (5) $ 1,402,029             $ 1,382,518             $ 1,329,470          
    Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities   1.41               1.41               1.39          
    Cost of total deposits         1.21 %           1.27 %           1.26 %
    Cost of funds         1.32             1.39             1.37  

    ____________________________________

    *   Annualized measure.

    (1)   Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.
    (2)   On a tax-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21% and a state income tax rate of 9.5%.
    (3)   See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most closely comparable GAAP financial measures.
    (4)   Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the yield on average interest-earning assets and the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities.
    (5)   Net interest-earning assets represents total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities.

               
    HBT Financial, Inc.
    Unaudited Consolidated Financial Summary
               
    (dollars in thousands) March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024
               
    NONPERFORMING ASSETS          
    Nonaccrual $ 5,102     $ 7,652     $ 9,657  
    Past due 90 days or more, still accruing   4       4       —  
    Total nonperforming loans   5,106       7,656       9,657  
    Foreclosed assets   460       367       277  
    Total nonperforming assets $ 5,566     $ 8,023     $ 9,934  
               
    Nonperforming loans that are wholly or partially guaranteed by the U.S. Government $ 1,350     $ 1,573     $ 2,676  
               
    Allowance for credit losses $ 42,111     $ 42,044     $ 40,815  
    Loans, before allowance for credit losses   3,461,778       3,466,146       3,345,962  
               
    CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS          
    Allowance for credit losses to loans, before allowance for credit losses   1.22 %     1.21 %     1.22 %
    Allowance for credit losses to nonaccrual loans   825.38       549.45       422.65  
    Allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans   824.74       549.16       422.65  
    Nonaccrual loans to loans, before allowance for credit losses   0.15       0.22       0.29  
    Nonperforming loans to loans, before allowance for credit losses   0.15       0.22       0.29  
    Nonperforming assets to total assets   0.11       0.16       0.20  
    Nonperforming assets to loans, before allowance for credit losses, and foreclosed assets   0.16       0.23       0.30  
      Three Months Ended
    (dollars in thousands) March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024
               
    ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES          
    Beginning balance $ 42,044     $ 40,966     $ 40,048  
    Provision for credit losses   496       1,771       560  
    Charge-offs   (665 )     (1,086 )     (227 )
    Recoveries   236       393       434  
    Ending balance $ 42,111     $ 42,044     $ 40,815  
               
    Net charge-offs (recoveries) $ 429     $ 693     $ (207 )
    Average loans   3,460,906       3,387,541       3,371,219  
               
    Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans *   0.05 %     0.08 %     (0.02) %

    ____________________________________

    *   Annualized measure.

      Three Months Ended
    (dollars in thousands) March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024
               
    PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES          
    Loans $ 496   $ 1,771     $ 560  
    Unfunded lending-related commitments   80     (1,046 )     (33 )
    Total provision for credit losses $ 576   $ 725     $ 527  
                         
    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures –
    Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Return on Average Assets
      Three Months Ended
    (dollars in thousands) March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024
               
    Net income $ 19,075     $ 20,272     $ 15,258  
    Less: adjustments          
    Gains (losses) on closed branch premises   59       —       (635 )
    Realized gains (losses) on sales of securities   —       (315 )     (3,382 )
    Mortgage servicing rights fair value adjustment   (308 )     1,331       80  
    Total adjustments   (249 )     1,016       (3,937 )
    Tax effect of adjustments (1)   71       (290 )     1,122  
    Total adjustments after tax effect   (178 )     726       (2,815 )
    Adjusted net income $ 19,253     $ 19,546     $ 18,073  
               
    Average assets $ 5,032,813     $ 4,994,466     $ 5,003,464  
               
    Return on average assets *   1.54 %     1.61 %     1.23 %
    Adjusted return on average assets *   1.55       1.56       1.45  

    ____________________________________

    *   Annualized measure.

    (1)   Assumes a federal income tax rate of 21% and a state tax rate of 9.5%.  

    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures –
    Adjusted Earnings Per Share — Basic and Diluted
      Three Months Ended
    (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024
               
    Numerator:          
    Net income $ 19,075   $ 20,272   $ 15,258
               
    Adjusted net income $ 19,253   $ 19,546   $ 18,073
               
    Denominator:          
    Weighted average common shares outstanding   31,584,989     31,559,366     31,662,954
    Dilutive effect of outstanding restricted stock units   126,682     143,498     140,233
    Weighted average common shares outstanding, including all dilutive potential shares   31,711,671     31,702,864     31,803,187
               
    Earnings per share – basic $ 0.60   $ 0.64   $ 0.48
    Earnings per share – diluted $ 0.60   $ 0.64   $ 0.48
               
    Adjusted earnings per share – basic $ 0.61   $ 0.62   $ 0.57
    Adjusted earnings per share – diluted $ 0.61   $ 0.62   $ 0.57
                     
    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures –
    Pre-Provision Net Revenue, Pre-Provision Net Revenue Less Net Charge-offs (Recoveries),
    Adjusted Pre-Provision Net Revenue, and Adjusted Pre-Provision Net Revenue Less Net Charge-offs (Recoveries)
      Three Months Ended
    (dollars in thousands) March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024
               
    Net interest income $ 48,708     $ 47,401     $ 46,688  
    Noninterest income   9,306       11,630       5,626  
    Noninterest expense   (31,935 )     (30,908 )     (31,268 )
    Pre-provision net revenue   26,079       28,123       21,046  
    Less: adjustments          
    Gains (losses) on closed branch premises   59       —       (635 )
    Realized gains (losses) on sales of securities   —       (315 )     (3,382 )
    Mortgage servicing rights fair value adjustment   (308 )     1,331       80  
    Total adjustments   (249 )     1,016       (3,937 )
    Adjusted pre-provision net revenue $ 26,328     $ 27,107     $ 24,983  
               
    Pre-provision net revenue $ 26,079     $ 28,123     $ 21,046  
    Less: net charge-offs (recoveries)   429       693       (207 )
    Pre-provision net revenue less net charge-offs $ 25,650     $ 27,430     $ 21,253  
               
    Adjusted pre-provision net revenue $ 26,328     $ 27,107     $ 24,983  
    Less: net charge-offs (recoveries)   429       693       (207 )
    Adjusted pre-provision net revenue less net charge-offs $ 25,899     $ 26,414     $ 25,190  
                           
    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures –
    Net Interest Income (Tax-equivalent Basis) and Net Interest Margin (Tax-equivalent Basis)
      Three Months Ended
    (dollars in thousands) March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024
               
    Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis)          
    Net interest income $ 48,708     $ 47,401     $ 46,688  
    Tax-equivalent adjustment (1)   545       562       575  
    Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis) (1) $ 49,253     $ 47,963     $ 47,263  
               
    Net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis)          
    Net interest margin *   4.12 %     3.96 %     3.94 %
    Tax-equivalent adjustment * (1)   0.04       0.05       0.05  
    Net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis) * (1)   4.16 %     4.01 %     3.99 %
               
    Average interest-earning assets $ 4,798,021     $ 4,758,334     $ 4,765,449  

    ____________________________________

    *   Annualized measure.

    (1)   On a tax-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21% and a state tax rate of 9.5%.

    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures –
    Efficiency Ratio (Tax-equivalent Basis) and Adjusted Efficiency Ratio (Tax-equivalent Basis)
      Three Months Ended
    (dollars in thousands) March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024
               
    Total noninterest expense $ 31,935     $ 30,908     $ 31,268  
    Less: amortization of intangible assets   695       709       710  
    Noninterest expense excluding amortization of intangible assets $ 31,240     $ 30,199     $ 30,558  
               
    Net interest income $ 48,708     $ 47,401     $ 46,688  
    Total noninterest income   9,306       11,630       5,626  
    Operating revenue   58,014       59,031       52,314  
    Tax-equivalent adjustment (1)   545       562       575  
    Operating revenue (tax-equivalent basis) (1)   58,559       59,593       52,889  
    Less: adjustments to noninterest income          
    Gains (losses) on closed branch premises   59       —       (635 )
    Realized gains (losses) on sales of securities   —       (315 )     (3,382 )
    Mortgage servicing rights fair value adjustment   (308 )     1,331       80  
    Total adjustments to noninterest income   (249 )     1,016       (3,937 )
    Adjusted operating revenue (tax-equivalent basis) (1) $ 58,808     $ 58,577     $ 56,826  
               
    Efficiency ratio   53.85 %     51.16 %     58.41 %
    Efficiency ratio (tax-equivalent basis) (1)   53.35       50.68       57.78  
    Adjusted efficiency ratio (tax-equivalent basis) (1)   53.12       51.55       53.77  

    ____________________________________
    (1)   On a tax-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21% and a state tax rate of 9.5%.

    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures –
    Ratio of Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets and Tangible Book Value Per Share
    (dollars in thousands, except per share data) March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024
               
    Tangible Common Equity          
    Total stockholders’ equity $ 565,057     $ 544,605     $ 496,681  
    Less: Goodwill   59,820       59,820       59,820  
    Less: Intangible assets, net   17,148       17,843       19,972  
    Tangible common equity $ 488,089     $ 466,942     $ 416,889  
               
    Tangible Assets          
    Total assets $ 5,092,192     $ 5,032,902     $ 5,040,510  
    Less: Goodwill   59,820       59,820       59,820  
    Less: Intangible assets, net   17,148       17,843       19,972  
    Tangible assets $ 5,015,224     $ 4,955,239     $ 4,960,718  
               
    Total stockholders’ equity to total assets   11.10 %     10.82 %     9.85 %
    Tangible common equity to tangible assets   9.73       9.42       8.40  
               
    Shares of common stock outstanding   31,631,431       31,559,366       31,612,888  
               
    Book value per share $ 17.86     $ 17.26     $ 15.71  
    Tangible book value per share   15.43       14.80       13.19  
                           
    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures –
    Return on Average Tangible Common Equity,
    Adjusted Return on Average Stockholders’ Equity and Adjusted Return on Average Tangible Common Equity
      Three Months Ended
    (dollars in thousands) March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024
               
    Average Tangible Common Equity          
    Total stockholders’ equity $ 554,715     $ 541,535     $ 493,976  
    Less: Goodwill   59,820       59,820       59,820  
    Less: Intangible assets, net   17,480       18,170       20,334  
    Average tangible common equity $ 477,415     $ 463,545     $ 413,822  
               
    Net income $ 19,075     $ 20,272     $ 15,258  
    Adjusted net income   19,253       19,546       18,073  
               
    Return on average stockholders’ equity *   13.95 %     14.89 %     12.42 %
    Return on average tangible common equity *   16.20       17.40       14.83  
               
    Adjusted return on average stockholders’ equity *   14.08 %     14.36 %     14.72 %
    Adjusted return on average tangible common equity *   16.36       16.77       17.57  

    ____________________________________

    *   Annualized measure.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “How I’ll Spend This Summer”: Schools for Gifted Children “Grow with Vyshkoy” Open Enrollment

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    HSE University invites students in grades 8–11 to spend their holidays usefully in a community of like-minded people who are passionate about economics, linguistics, entrepreneurship, philology or law. Applications can be submitted to five subject schools as early as April: FEN Economic School – “Voronovo”, Summer multidisciplinary school “Facets of Entrepreneurship”, Summer linguistic school, Summer Law School, Summer Historical and Philological School.

    Schools for gifted children “Grow up with Vyshka” introduce children to modern trends in the development of science and technology, and provide an idea of the skills that are most in demand on the labor market. This is a meeting place for high school students, students, and teachers at the HSE, as well as representatives of large organizations and companies from the business sector.

    To become a participant in any of the five summer schools, you need to pass a competitive selection: submit a motivation letter and an electronic portfolio, including certificates and diplomas of Olympiads that correspond to the profile of the school. The criteria for competitive selection are different in each school, but they are united by the main thing – the presence of a high school student’s motivation to study something new within the framework of the chosen subject area.

    Participation in all schools is fee-based, prices will be published towards the end of April.

    Economic School FEN – “Voronovo”

    The school introduces the basics of macroeconomics and macroeconomic policy. It is held for the first time within the city limits of Moscow. Senior students will meet with invited speakers involved in the development and implementation of fiscal and monetary policy, and lectures by HSE professors. The school’s mentors are the best students of the Faculty of Economic Sciences.

    Dates: June 18–22, 2025.

    Venue: HSE Voronovo training center.

    Participants: schoolchildren in grades 8–11 who are interested in economics and want to obtain an economics degree in the future.

    Online applications for participation in the competitive selection will be accepted from 21.04.2025 to 21.05.2025.

    Summarizing the results of the competitive selection: no later than 05/29/2025.

    Ask the organizers a question: economicsschool@hse.ru.

    Go to the school website

    Summer multidisciplinary school “Facets of Entrepreneurship”

    During the ten days of the school, each participant will discover new facets of creativity, creation and management, and will understand in which area of entrepreneurship they would like to develop their project. The guys will have a busy program: meetings with representatives of large companies, lectures by teachers of the Higher School of Business, analysis and solution of business cases, teamwork, practice and experiments in product development, sports, creativity and, of course, just relaxing in nature. At the end of the program, everyone will be able to present their projects to investors and experts from partner companies.

    Dates: July 1–11, 2025.

    Location: Buran sanatorium, Moscow region.

    Participants: schoolchildren who have completed grades 8–10.

    Electronic portfolio submission period: from 21.04.2025 to 23.05.2025.

    Publication of the results of the competitive selection: 03.06.2025.

    Ask the organizers a question: estrukova@hse.ru.

    Go to the school website

    Summer linguistic school

    A project for high school students interested in linguistics — the science of how language works. LLS participants will learn how to process language data using a computer, where linguistic expeditions go and how experiments with language are conducted, they will solve linguistic problems and discuss how language differs among different social groups. There will also be many intellectual games and warm-up conversations.

    Dates: July 17–27, 2025.

    Venue: HSE Voronovo training center.

    Participants: schoolchildren who have completed 8th–10th grade and are interested in linguistics.

    Acceptance of online applications from schoolchildren to participate in the competitive selection: from 01.04.2025 to 05.05.2025.

    Summarizing the results of the competitive selection and announcement of candidates for participation: no later than 11.05.2025.

    Ask the organizers a question: llsh-org@yandex.ru.

    Go to the school website

    Summer Law School

    One of the largest HSE visiting schools for high school students. For one week in the summer, the kids will find themselves in the very center of the jurisprudence universe. They will hear lectures from practicing lawyers of large companies and leading HSE professors, have informal conversations with students of the Faculty of Law, and, of course, make many new friends.

    Dates: August 1–8, 2025.

    Venue: HSE Voronovo training center.

    Participants: schoolchildren who have completed 8th–10th grades, who are interested in law or want to become lawyers.

    Acceptance of online applications from schoolchildren to participate in the competitive selection: from 12.04.2025 to 31.05.2025.

    Summarizing the results of the competitive selection and announcement of candidates for participation: no later than 12.06.2025.

    Go to the school website

    Summer Historical and Philological School

    LIFSH is a chance for high school students to temporarily find themselves in a dense environment of like-minded people interested in deep and attentive immersion in the humanities, in expanding their knowledge of history, philology and art history, in finding their interests. The experience gained in lectures and seminars will not only help in conducting their own scientific research, but will also be useful in Olympiads and other intellectual competitions.

    Dates: August 12–19, 2025.

    Venue: HSE Voronovo training center.

    Participants: schoolchildren in grades 8–11 interested in history, art history, philology, cultural studies and related disciplines.

    Acceptance of online applications from schoolchildren to participate in the competitive selection: from 10.03.2025 to 12.05.2025.

    Summarizing the results of the competitive selection and announcement of candidates for participation: no later than 15.06.2025.

    All information is published in the TG group LIFSH info and in the group in VKYou can also ask questions to the organizers there.

    Go to the school website

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: SPbPU became the driver of discussions at the international economic congress

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The 10th St. Petersburg International Economic Congress was held. The main topic was “Labor and the Transformation of Society: Knowledge, Creativity, Noonomics.” The event was organized by the S. Yu. Witte Institute for New Industrial Development together with the Free Economic Society of Russia with the participation of the Economics Section of the Social Sciences Department of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Department of Global Problems and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and the assistance of the World Association of Political Economy and the International Union of Economists. This significant event brought together more than a thousand leading scientists, experts, and representatives of the business community from Russia and 12 countries, including China, India, Greece, Great Britain, Canada, Turkey, Austria, Hungary, and others.

    At the plenary session, the Director of the Witte Institute of Industrial Development and the President of the Free Economic Society of Russia Sergei Bodrunov noted that over 10 years of work, SPEC has achieved significant results – both theoretical and practical, and has become a provider of scientific thought into practice. SPEC-2025 received numerous greetings from scientists, public and government figures: the President of the Russian Academy of Sciences Gennady Krasnikov, the Governor of St. Petersburg Alexander Beglov, the head of the UN group in Russia Vladimir Kuznetsov, the President of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs Alexander Shokhin. They all emphasized the high importance of such events for uniting the country’s intellectual potential and expert discussion of fundamental problems of economic science, the development of practical mechanisms for solving pressing problems.

    In his greeting to the participants of SPEC-2025, the rector of SPbPU and chairman of the St. Petersburg branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences Andrey Rudskoy pointed out the importance of consolidating the efforts of the scientific and expert community to solve the problems of Russia’s socio-economic development.

    “Traditionally, the congress brings together researchers from various fields – economists, sociologists, philosophers, lawyers, historians, education specialists and representatives of the exact sciences. Key issues of the global economy, social structure and problems of strategic development of Russia are discussed here. Today, the country faces difficult geopolitical tasks. The system of international relations and the structure of world economies are undergoing significant changes. In these conditions, it is especially important to develop theoretical and practical proposals for the transformation of national institutions, to consolidate the efforts of scientific communities in order to ensure the implementation of national development goals of the country,” Andrei Ivanovich noted.

    The congress was attended by Abel Aganbegyan (Corresponding Member of the British Academy, Honorary Member of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia, Vice President of the Russian Economic Society), Sergey Glazyev (current member of the Board for Integration and Macroeconomics of the Eurasian Economic Commission), Vladimir Okrepilov (member of the Presidium of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of St. Petersburg) and other renowned economists.

    The forum participants discussed key challenges of our time — from personnel shortages and digital transformation to technological sovereignty and the development of the creative economy. Plenary sessions and round tables featured reports on innovations in the agricultural and industrial sectors, the prospects of artificial intelligence, strategic planning, and new approaches to macroeconomic modeling.

    Polytechnic University was represented at the congress by the IPMET delegation consisting of representatives of the institute’s structural divisions. Our colleagues took an active part in the work of the forum. Some moderated sections, some made reports, and students had a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the latest research and discuss current issues with leading experts.

    Director of the Higher School of Business Engineering Igor Ilyin not only acted as a moderator of the section “Structural, Technological and Digital Transformation of Industry in Russia”, but also presented a report on the implementation of digital technologies in the process architecture of enterprises and organizations. As part of SPEC-2025, Igor Vasilyevich headed the section, which brought together leading experts, representatives of industrial companies and scientists. The main focus of the section was on discussing current trends, challenges and prospects for digital transformation in Russian industry.

    “Digital transformation is not just the introduction of new technologies, it is a change in the entire business logic, processes and approaches to management. And successful transformation requires a comprehensive approach, including both technological and organizational changes,” Igor Vasilyevich emphasized.

    In his report, Igor Vasilyevich presented an analysis of modern digital technologies and their impact on the process architecture of enterprises. He focused in detail on such relevant areas as artificial intelligence, blockchain, digital twins, the Internet of Things (IoT) and confidential cloud computing. The practical examples presented in the report included cases from the medical and energy industries, which are being worked on within the framework of close cooperation between the Higher School of Business and the Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Research and Education on Technological and Economic Problems of Energy Transition (CIRETEC-GT) headed by Igor Vasilyevich and business partners of the Institute of Mechanics and Electronics and Telecommunications.

    Teachers and students of the Higher School of Industrial Management also took an active part in the forum. Associate Professor Olga Ergunova and Senior Lecturer Andrey Somov made presentations. Also, student reports were presented by HSPM Master’s students Maria Belova and Diana Yakimenko, who demonstrated a high level of research training. The reports were presented in specialized sections devoted to the digitalization of the economy, intellectual work and the transformation of production and social practices.

    The report by Marina Yanenko, professor at the Higher School of Service and Trade, presented an analysis of the impact of artificial intelligence on the process of market transformation, changes in business requirements for the knowledge and skills of specialists, and the emergence of new needs for the content of labor. Marina Borisovna noted that the growing availability of artificial intelligence makes it a key tool in a wide variety of economic sectors and formulated recommendations for improving competitive strategies in the labor market in the context of the development of artificial intelligence.

    The Higher School of Engineering and Economics was represented by the Head of the Research Laboratory “Digital Economy of Industry” Professor Alexander Babkin, Professor Irina Rudskaya, Associate Professor Lyudmila Guzikova and Associate Professor Nikolai Dmitriev. Lyudmila Aleksandrovna participated as a moderator of the seminar “New and Old Challenges of the Russian Labor Market: Adaptation Strategies of Various Socio-Demographic Groups”, and also spoke at this seminar with a report on the topic “Implementation of the Principles of Noonomics in a Unified Interregional System of the Labor Market for Specialists with Higher Education”. Alexander Vasilyevich took part in the plenary session and also made a report on the topic: “Strategizing the Digital Transformation of the Intelligent Cyber-Social Industrial Ecosystem Based on Industry 6.0”, noting that in modern conditions, issues of developing strategic approaches to the integration of advanced technologies and the creation of sustainable, human-oriented production systems are relevant.

    This year, representatives of the Department of Economic Theory of the IPMEiT took an active part in the work of the congress: Associate Professor Elena Milskaya, Associate Professor Anna Strizhak, Associate Professor Ekaterina Afonichkina, Associate Professor Olga Naumova, as well as 47 students in the areas of “Economic Security”, “Economic Statistics”, “Customs”.

    “We really enjoyed the event, we learned a lot of new things, the ideas and topics of the speakers inspired us to study individual economic issues in detail. It was great that we could choose the literature ourselves and take it for study. I would also like to emphasize the relevance of each problem raised at the congress, this is what aroused special interest. It was interesting to listen to the reasoning of professors and prominent figures in economics. We thank the organizers and want to say a huge thank you to Elena Andreevna Milskaya, who gave us a chance to become participants in the congress. It is great that our educational program in macroeconomics goes beyond the university!” – noted student of group 3753801/40002 Yulia Arteyeva.

    SPEC-2025 has once again confirmed its importance as a leading platform for discussing strategic challenges and opportunities in the knowledge economy. The participation of IPMET representatives in such a large-scale scientific event emphasizes the university’s sustainable aspiration for scientific leadership, integration into the expert community and the development of young scientists.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: In memory of journalist and writer Arkady Sosnov

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    On April 20, St. Petersburg journalist, editor and writer Arkady Yakovlevich Sosnov passed away.

    Arkady Sosnov was born on October 14, 1948. In 1971, he graduated from the Leningrad Technological Institute named after Lensovet, receiving a degree in chemical engineering. After graduation, he worked as a junior research fellow at the Research Institute of Petrochemical Processes.

    The turning point in his life was 1976, when he devoted himself entirely to journalism. Over the years, he collaborated with such publications as Smena, Poisk, Moskovskiye Novosti, Ogonyok and Literaturnaya Gazeta. In 1978, Arkady Yakovlevich joined the Union of Journalists of the USSR. Later, for many years, he was a member of the board of the Union of Journalists of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region. He was the initiator of the creation of the Guild of Correspondents and the celebration of “Maecenas’s Birthday” in the State Hermitage Museum. In 2008, he became the editor-in-chief of the almanac “Russian Patron”.

    The creative legacy of Arkady Yakovlevich includes the authorship of the books “Recovered Nature”, “Energy of the Earth”, “Natalya Petrovna’s Dreams Come True: From Conversations with Academician Bekhtereva”, as well as the compilation of the collection “Alferov Gate”.

    For his professional contribution to the development of journalism and culture, he was awarded many prizes, including the USSR Union of Journalists Prize, the St. Petersburg State University Christmas Prize “For Humanism in Journalism”, and the first prize in the Media Union competition “St. Petersburg. Revival of a Dream”.

    Arkady Sosnov was one of those outstanding journalists who professionally, with a full understanding of the subject and at the same time fascinatingly writes about science and scientists. Of course, this was facilitated by an engineering education, but also by an innate talent and a deep interest in the topic. Arkady Yakovlevich a lot of materials dedicated to the Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, wrote aboutresearch work polytechnics, the international activities of the university, about extraordinary events in the life of the university, for example, restoration of the estate of the first director of the Polytechnic Institute, Prince Andrei Gagarin, in Kholomki, did interview with outstanding scientists of SPbPU. Arkady Yakovlevich participated in the events of the Polytechnic University dedicated to in memory of Nobel laureate Zhores Ivanovich Alferov, was a welcome guest at the opening of the estate in Kholomki andDay of knowledge.

    “As a special correspondent for the RAS newspaper Poisk, Arkady Yakovlevich wrote a lot and enthusiastically about the development of higher education and the achievements of Russian scientists, and these materials will undoubtedly become a chronicle of modern Russian science and education,” wrote Andrey Rudskoy, rector of SPbPU, in his Telegram channel in memory of his friend. “Arkady Sosnov is a Name and a sign of quality in journalism. And it will always be so. I express my deep condolences to the family and friends of Arkady Yakovlevich.”

    The passing of Arkady Sosnov was a great loss for journalism and culture in St. Petersburg. The Polytechnic University expresses its sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Arkady Yakovlevich.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Students presented projects for the renovation of the university’s museum and Military Glory Corner

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Competition projects

    From February 4 to June 30, SPbGASU is hosting a closed architectural competition, “SPbGASU History Museum and the Corner of Military Glory.” Third-year students majoring in “Architectural Environment Design” are participating in it.

    The defense of the competition works took place at the “Growth Point” of SPbGASU on April 15. As the Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and member of the competition organizing committee Marina Malyutina noted at the opening of the meeting, the work done by the students is a contribution to their professional growth and to the development of our university.

    The contestants presented projects for updating the interior and design code of the SPbGASU History Museum, as well as the Corner of Military Glory, located on the balustrade. An important condition was to include exhibition equipment for placing the “Book of Glory” in the interior.

    The Book of Glory was created for the 40th anniversary of the Great Victory. It is a massive metal frame filled with sheets of paper with biographies. The weight of the book is about 20-30 kg. Its creation was preceded by lengthy work on searching and collecting information about students, teachers, and university employees who went to the front and did not return from the war. The university archive contains two thick folders with responses to letters that employees sent to different parts of the country in search of relatives, fellow soldiers, and friends who had at least some information about the deceased. The result of this painstaking work was the Book of Glory, which contains a brief biographical note about each soldier.

    The authors’ collective, which included Natalia Rylova, Polina Buklinova and Irina Sherstneva, proposed dividing the balustrade into five zones and connecting them with a bridge. According to the project, the balustrade will house a recreation area, an exhibition space, a coworking space, a stage and a Corner of Military Glory, the creation of which was inspired by military paraphernalia.

    The museum has a storage area, a workspace for employees, and a multifunctional space for visitors. The authors protected the banners stored in the museum from light and mechanical damage with glass.

    In their project, Darya Antipina, Anastasia Gancheva and Anastasia Perlina sought not to overload the already small museum space, but to place a large amount of information there, to make the exhibition modern and focused on the younger generation. The route through the museum is designed in such a way that visitors can consistently follow the history of the university and not miss anything. In addition, the authors developed several exhibition stands and a vertical projector, which will help guides supplement their story with video material.

    “When developing the Corner of Military Glory, we faced completely different challenges: we had to rethink the historical interiors and breathe new ideas into them, creating a single functional space. We moved the Corner of Military Glory to the left balustrade, making it the main accent there. And on the right balustrade, we placed an amphitheater. Our concept is based on a single module, which allows us to set a design code for the entire space. And the highlight of our project is modular transformed furniture, thanks to which you can quickly change the scenario for using the room,” said Daria Antipina.

    Polina Ryabova, Arina Savelyeva and Anna Merzlyakova developed the identity (a set of elements in a single style that make the brand recognizable), based on associations related to the old name of the university – LISI, and also using current trends in design. The patterns they created can be used on furniture, in the development of posters and infographics.

    Upon entering the museum from the staircase, guests are greeted by a blue portal, which seems to invite them to look inside. The visitor puts on a helmet, thus immersing themselves in the professional theme of the museum. Introductory exhibitions introduce the early history of the university. Interesting elements include a media dome for demonstrating video footage, a blue corridor with authentic exhibits, and a large stand dedicated to the post-war years and famous graduates. The corridor leads to the cinema space. The final element of the museum space is a map of the surrounding university buildings. There are work spaces for a large number of students on the balustrade, and soft amphitheaters and chain poufs will make you feel comfortable and cozy. Transformable furniture makes the space mobile – coworking, an exhibition, or a buffet can be organized here.

    Symmetry and straight lines are at the core of the project by Ekaterina Kochergina and Alena Radkova. The designers sought to preserve history and support the existing classicism, while making it more modern and attractive to students. Their goal was to give the memory corner the appearance of a full-fledged separate space, while not competing in its function with the balustrade room, where a coworking space for students is organized.

    The balustrade space has two functions: a memorial and a recreation and work area for students. These two zones are separated from each other by partitions imitating a rock made of art concrete. The boards with the names of the heroes have been replaced by a wall of memory made of art concrete, the entire area of which is engraved with the names of the deceased.

    A large role in the interior design is played by the combination of natural materials: the accent table is made of solid wood with a glass block base, the imitation rock is made of art concrete, large-sized porcelain tiles are used, and the entire composition is complemented by greenery, which looks especially lively against the background of the artificial rock. At the end of the table there is a living tree, similar to the one that decorates the main entrance of SPbGASU.

    The museum also features symmetry, straight lines, and a clear division of space. The accent material is glass block, from which the columns and the base of the information stand are made. On one of the walls there are niches in the form of illuminated circles, inside which interactive screens are placed.

    Since the Book of Glory is quite old and fragile, the authors of the project decided to place its contents in a different way. The structure consists of cells, each of which contains a hinged plaque. On one side is a portrait of the hero, on the other – his biography, achievements and awards. Visitors will be able to approach and turn these plaques over. The book itself is displayed under glass in front of the exhibit. Another accent element is the black aluminum perforation on the ceiling with an asymmetrical pattern. To avoid overlapping with events on the balustrade and to improve functional zoning, Sofia Dolgova moved the Corner of Military Glory to another part of the balustrade. In the project, it is adjacent to the exhibition space.

    “The main task in the design was to fence off the memorial area. Thus, a kind of parallelepiped was created – part of the stand for the “Book of Glory”. The upper part is blind, finished with textured plaster. The lower part is glass, so that you can see the book itself and the far part of the exhibition. Thus, a visual connection is created that arouses interest in the exhibition, but at the same time, clear zoning is physically preserved. In this case, the lighting plays the role of navigation. Climbing the steps, we find ourselves in the exhibition area. Two key elements are the stand with the “Book of Glory” and the memorial plaques. What looks like a parallelepiped from the balustrade side, from the memorial side turns into a kind of niche, a portal. Here is a stand with a book and above it a screen where the contents of the book are broadcast (scanned sheets with information about students, teachers, employees of the university),” explained Sofia Dolgova.

    The main concept of the museum space in Sophia’s project is the connection between the past, present and future. The corridor is the first place we find ourselves when entering the museum, it kind of greets us and makes the first impression of the space. The light strips gradually increase towards the entrance to the museum, creating a reverse perspective effect, slightly distorting the proportions of the room and creating a wow effect.

    “A modern museum is interactive. And in this project, this was demonstrated not only in the use of media screens and modern technologies, but also in the configuration of the stands themselves. Stands of various shapes force visitors to look at exhibits from different angles and interact with them in different ways, which enhances the impression,” the author said.

    To ensure human interaction with the museum, Artem Lopatinsky included cabinets with pull-out shelves in the interior, where exhibits are located. The more valuable ones are covered with plexiglass. The stands located near the window openings are very easy to study due to natural light. It is also easy to place information on them due to the mesh material they are made of. At the end of the exhibition hall, there is an exposition with bricks. There is another zone in the museum, which can serve as both an extension of the exhibition space and a hall for methodological activities. This space is transformed by accent sliding partitions. Here, there is a large multimedia screen, a podium and exhibition stands located opposite the entrance to the hall.

    On the left side of the balustrade there are recreation areas for students, buffets are also held here, and the rest of the time there is a coworking space. On the right balustrade there are temporary exhibitions, the rest of the time there is also a coworking space. This is where the Corner of Military Glory is located. It is separated from the rest of the balustrade space during student and other events by an installation made of bent steel sheets. The Book of Glory is integrated into the installation, and the impression is created of pages of memory flying out of the book. Two lighting scenarios are provided – with an emphasis on the memorial and with an emphasis on the art object.

    The pixel became the main visual image in the project by Polina Tambova, Sergey Klechkovsky and Aslan Osmanov. The team of authors had three reasons for this. Firstly, a modern museum is an interactive, playful space, the theme of pixels refers us to this. Secondly, a pixel is a symbol of scientific and technological progress. Thirdly, a pixel is an analogue of a brick in the digital space.

    At the entrance to the museum space, the designers placed a visual accent – a book of memory and an inviting inscription. Light was let into the dark and cramped corridor through windows in the museum space and in the office. The main space of the museum was divided into two zones: exhibition and interactive. They symbolize the past and the future. The accent of the exhibition zone is a tree, referring to the Canadian maple in front of the main entrance to the university. Glass cubes hover around it, inside which are objects of memory. A tactile cabinet serves as a partition – a moment between the past and the future, which can be felt with the touch of fingers. The authors are sure: the interactive zone is necessary to bring new life to the museum, to create an opportunity for holding thematic events. The walls exhibit the works of modern architects. The balustrade clearly shows classical proportions, which the authors wanted to emphasize. At the same time, it was important for them to make the interior modern, corresponding to the general style of the university. Since the university does not have enough work space, coworking can be equipped on both balustrades.

    Different usage scenarios are proposed for the two balustrades: the western balustrade is closer to the dining room, so it can accommodate a buffet, or this space can be freed up for rehearsals before the “Golden Faculty” or “Macaroni Builder”; the eastern balustrade can be adapted for temporary exhibitions or small lectures.

    “The memorial plaques were moved from the western balustrade to the eastern one to avoid a conflict between the zones, and a photo zone with the university’s slogan was created in their place. The memorial zone was separated from the public areas by a glass installation with lighting. This will preserve the solemn spirit and create a visual barrier between the memorial zone and the place for work and rest. We preserved the memorial plaques and also supplemented the composition with a blank book, the information on which will be projected from above. This is a way to make information from the “Book of Glory” accessible to everyone, while preserving the original documents in the museum. All aspects of our project are formed according to this principle: we wanted to preserve the existing images and meanings in a new form,” said Sergey Klechkovsky.

    Yana Kiseleva visually expanded the museum corridor, added air and lightness by replacing blind doors with transparent glass ones and part of the wall with stained glass. In the main area of the exhibition hall, one of the walls is equipped with aliminocomposite panels inclined at different angles, the most convenient for the human eye to perceive – this is the “life line of SPbGASU”. The author preserved the exposition dedicated to the first rector of the university, developed fractional and glass exhibition stands located along the walls and in the middle part of the space without creating visual noise. In the center of the interactive zone, she placed an interactive table with touch screens for independent study and selection of the necessary information by students. The best projects of graduates with additional space for models are presented in the niche of the far wall.

    “From the museum, you can get almost directly through the rector’s building to the upper balustrade of the university, in one of the parts of which the Corner of Military Glory of SPbGASU is located. I decided to move the memorial zone to the adjacent part of the balustrade to avoid a functional conflict with the space for buffets/banquets. The Corner of Military Glory is located on the stage, its central part is reserved for a stand with the “Book of Glory”, separated from the main room by interactive screens, in the niche of the far wall there are preserved memorial plaques with carved names of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War, on the sides there are areas for additional glass stands. The leading materials are strict monumental textures, emphasizing the historical and cultural value of the memorial,” said Yana.

    Head of the Department of Architectural Environment Design and member of the competition’s organizing committee Maria Granstrem noted the excellent work of her department’s staff – Associate Professor Yan Korzhempo, senior lecturers Marina Khramova and Dmitry Fleisher. It was under their guidance that the students developed their competition projects.

    Marina Malyutina thanked the students for their work, noting their talent and potential. According to Marina Viktorovna, the task was difficult, but the students found interesting solutions. These solutions can be combined to get what the customer, the university, needs.

    The competition jury will announce the finalists after April 23. All ideas will be taken into account when designing the interiors of SPbGASU.

    Project by Natalia Rylova, Polina Buklinova and Irina Sherstneva

    Project by Daria Antipina, Anastasia Gancheva and Anastasia Perlina

    Project by Polina Ryabova, Arina Savelyeva and Anna Merzlyakova

    Project by Ekaterina Kochergina and Alena Radkova

    Project by Sofia Dolgova

    Project by Artem Lopatinsky

    Project by Polina Tambova, Sergey Klechkovsky and Aslan Osmanov

    Project by Yana Kiseleva

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Polytech developed a corporate identity for the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University summed up the results of the competition to create a new logo for the university. The organizers were the Higher School of Design and Architecture of the Institute of Civil Engineering of SPbPU and the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Construction of KRSU.

    In total, more than 50 applications from students of two universities were submitted to the competition. Four projects reached the final: one of them was presented by students of KRSU, and three others by students of the Civil Engineering Institute. The final presentations of the projects took place in Bishkek. The jury members awarded first place to the students of the Civil Engineering Institute.

    The best work was by 4th year bachelor’s student in Graphic Design Anna Panina, made in the style of arrows.

    “The project means a lot to me, as several generations of my ancestors lived and worked in Bishkek (Frunze). Their activities were related to science, art, design and development of education. Therefore, I was especially pleased to defend my work in person, in the homeland of my family. My concept of the corporate style of KRSU is based on the image of an arrow – a polysemantic symbol reflecting several metaphors. Directional arrows hidden in the space between the letters symbolize the two-sided vector of education: synthesis of East and West, cultural exchange, freedom of choice of students and graduates. In the pictograms of the faculties, arrows are used as a universal symbol, which through the dynamics of the form conveys the specifics of each faculty,” shared Anna Panina.

    The project of first-year student of the Master’s program in Communication Design Anna Kozlova, based on the infinity symbol, reflected the idea of continuous development and cultural ties between Kyrgyzstan and Russia.

    “KRSU unites two cultures – Russian and Kyrgyz, linking the heritage of the past and the development of the future. The basis of the logo is the abbreviation of the university, made in a font that is a modern stylization of Slavic ligature. The key image is the infinity sign, which is derived from elements of two cultures. It personifies endless development, the desire for knowledge and perfection,” said Anna Kozlova.

    The second place in the competition was taken by the work of SPbPU student Maria Dracheva, who managed to originally connect two symbols from the flags of two countries – the Russian tricolor and the national symbol of Kyrgyzstan, the tunduk.

    “The concept of my work is about unity, cooperation and experience between the two countries. Russian identity is conveyed by three stripes in the colors of the national flag. Kyrgyzstan is represented by lines that are part of the tunduk – a symbol of unity and national identity of the country. The interweaving of lines is associated with a strong union and symbolizes strong friendly relations between the countries, conveying the main value of the university,” Maria Dracheva emphasized.

    Also, second place was taken by KRSU students Abdusalikh Ibragimov and Elena Shigaeva. Their work is dedicated to another symbol of Kyrgyzstan – kurak.

    The competition became an important step in the development of educational integration, especially within the framework of cooperation between the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Construction Technologies of KRSU and the Higher School of Design and Architecture of the Institute of Civil Engineering of St. Petersburg Polytechnic University.

    “The students not only showed a creative approach, but also demonstrated a deep understanding of the task. The works presented reflected the historical context and core values of the university community. The project acquired special significance due to the fact that it went beyond the design competition, becoming part of an educational dialogue between universities of the two countries. Such initiatives contribute to strengthening trust and developing constructive cooperation between higher education institutions of Russia and Kyrgyzstan,” said Tatyana Diodorova, Associate Professor of the Higher School of Design and Architecture of the Institute of Contemporary Art.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic without borders. The university welcomes foreign applicants

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    From April 14 to 17, 2025, the SPbPU International Activities Resource Center hosted face-to-face meetings within the framework of the Career Guidance 2025 project aimed at supporting international applicants. The events, organized by the staff of the International Students’ Office (ISO), were held in three languages – Russian, English and Chinese, which made it possible to cover a wide audience of students of the preparatory department of the Higher School of International Educational Programs (HSIEP).

    The head of ORIS Natalia Makhanova, leading specialist Miroslava Dergileva and specialist Evgeniya Borodina took an active part in organizing and holding the meeting. They not only presented a detailed presentation on the possibilities of studying at SPbPU, but also answered numerous questions from students. The hall was attended by both future applicants and teachers interested in the successful adaptation of foreign students.

    The key topics were the deadlines for submitting documents and passing entrance examinations, the specifics of admission to the main educational programs within the admission control figures, as well as the nuances of working with the applicant’s personal account. ORIS employees clearly demonstrated how to correctly fill out electronic forms, avoiding common mistakes. Particular attention was paid to familiarization with SPbPU institutes, educational programs and prospects for student life – from scientific projects to extracurricular activities.

    During the discussion, the participants discussed the rules for passing entrance examinations, the procedure for examining educational documents, and visa extension periods. Students of the preparatory department actively asked questions regarding the competitive lists and the intricacies of enrollment. At the end of the meeting, all those present were sent a presentation with up-to-date information for admission in the 2025 academic year. As the organizers noted, many applicants have already started working in their personal accounts and have decided on their choice of areas, which indicates a high interest in studying at the Polytechnic University.

    “Your future begins now!” Natalia Makhanova emphasized. “The University strives to create an international community where every student, regardless of their country of origin, will have access to quality education and a comfortable academic environment.”

    The next stage will be individual work with applicants’ applications, where department employees will support them at all stages of admission.

    Events of this format strengthen SPbPU’s reputation as one of the leading universities, open to intercultural dialogue and ready to support foreign students in their professional development.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –