NewzIntel.com

Category: Security

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NHRC takes suo motu cognizance of the reported death of a four-year-old boy after a part of a machine in an open-air gym fell on him in a municipality-run park in West Delhi’s Moti Nagar

    Source: Government of India

    NHRC takes suo motu cognizance of the reported death of a four-year-old boy after a part of a machine in an open-air gym fell on him in a municipality-run park in West Delhi’s Moti Nagar

    Expressing concern over the condition of equipment in other public parks, issues notices to the Delhi Chief Secretary, Vice-Chairman, DDA, Commissioner, MCD and Secretary, NDMC calling for a detailed report

    Delhi Police Commissioner also asked for his comments on the subject along with the status of the police investigation in the instant case

    Posted On: 24 OCT 2024 12:38PM by PIB Delhi

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that a four-year-old boy died after a part of a machine in an open-air gym fell on him in a municipality-run park in West Delhi’s Moti Nagar on 13th October, 2024. Reportedly, the people present on the spot suspected that the nuts and bolts of the equipment were loose which led to the incident.

    The Commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights due to alleged negligence by the authorities in the maintenance of the equipment, installed in the public park. The incident raises serious concerns about the condition of equipment in other public parks governed, managed and maintained by the local government bodies in Delhi. Accordingly, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Government of NCT of Delhi, Vice-Chairman, Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Commissioner, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and Secretary, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) calling for a detailed report in the matter within four weeks. The authorities are also expected to inform whether any compensation has been paid to the aggrieved family.

    The report should also include the status of the maintenance and safety audit of the swings and gym equipment, etc. installed in the public parks under their jurisdiction in Delhi. The Commission has also asked the Commissioner of Police, Delhi to submit his comments on the subject along with the status of the police investigation being conducted in the instant case.

    *****

    NSK/ VCK

     

    (Release ID: 2067604) Visitor Counter : 62

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Haiti: the situation has worsened – BINUH Briefing | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Briefing by María Isabel Salvador, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti and Head of BINUH, on the question concerning Haiti – Security Council, 9757th meeting.

    ———————–

    Addressing the Security Council, Salvador said, “The situation in Haiti has regrettably worsened. There are more than 700,000 internally displaced persons, which represents a 22 per cent increase in the last 3 months. The political process, despite initial advances, which I reported in July, is now facing significant challenges, turning hope into deep concern.”

    She also said, “The security situation remains extremely fragile, with renewed peaks of acute violence. Haitians continue to suffer across the country as criminal gang activities escalate and expand beyond Port-au-Prince, spreading terror and fear, overwhelming the national security apparatus. The humanitarian situation is even more dire.”
    She continued, “The MSS mission remains critically under-resourced, which could impact deployment and impede it from carrying out its tasks in support of the Haitian National Police and of the Forces Armées d’Haïti.”

    Also addressing the Council Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director, said, “So far, this year, we have seen a staggering increase in reported incidents of sexual violence against women and children, including gender-based violence. Armed groups are also actively recruiting and using children in their operations. We estimate that children account for 30 to 50 percent of armed group members. They are being used as informants, cooks, and sex slaves, and they are being forced to perpetrate armed violence themselves.”

    She concluded, “This is a pivotal moment for the country … with the Transitional Presidential Council and the Government now in place leading the effort … and with the Multinational Security Support Mission supporting security initiatives. These are important steps. Now we must do our part. The international community has the tools, and the resources to help Haiti emerge from this crisis, and to embark on a sustained road to recovery. The question is one of will.”

    Antonio Rodrigue, Haitian Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said “I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep concern regarding the alarming situation of mass deportations of our compatriots by the Dominican Republic. While we acknowledge the inalienable right of any state to manage its borders and enforce its migration policies, these actions must align with the fundamental principles of international law, especially those that safeguard human dignity and the rights of migrants.”

    Roberto Álvarez Gil, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Dominican Republic, said, “The Dominican government cannot accept the reckless call to halt repatriations, as this would be equivalent to declaring an open border, encouraging greater irregular migration to the country. We will never allow this.”

    He also said, “The crisis enveloping Haiti is its own responsibility, exacerbated by the lack of timely and sustained support from the international community.”

    Erastus Ekitela Lokaale, Permanent Representative of Kenya to the United Nations, said, “While the MSS is a critical and innovative intervention, it is only part of the solution. Haiti’s stability will only be accomplished through a multi-pronged approach that addresses the root causes of its challenges.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z2IZLJYstU

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CHP recovers more than 2,000 stolen vehicles in Oakland since February

    Source: US State of California 2

    Oct 23, 2024

    What you need to know: California Highway Patrol officers conducted blitz operations this weekend, targeting sideshows that led to 22 arrests and the seizure of 36 vehicles. These actions are part of the state’s ongoing enforcement surge in the region, in partnership with the city, which has resulted in 1,125 arrests, and the seizure of 2,213 stolen vehicles and 110 illegal guns since February 2024. 

    OAKLAND – The California Highway Patrol cracked down on sideshows in Oakland this weekend as part of Governor Newsom’s enforcement surge to improve public safety in Alameda County and the East Bay. This week, CHP responded to and subsequently conducted investigations arising from multiple sideshows in the region, arresting 22 individuals and seizing 36 vehicles.

    Governor Newsom launched the CHP operation in February in partnership with the City of Oakland, in response to increased public safety needs in the region, including organized retail theft and sideshows. He then again quadrupled the shifts of CHP officers in Alameda County in July to provide CHP support to the city seven days per week. The most recent surge in officers has led to a 57% increase in arrests, a 44% increase in stolen vehicles recovered, and a 188% increase in guns seized compared to the previous three-month period.

    This builds on CHP’s ongoing work in the region, which has led to the arrest of 1,125 suspects, the seizure of 2,123 stolen vehicles, and the seizure of 110 illegal firearms since February.

    “California has provided robust investments to support the Oakland community by cracking down on crime and uplifting programs that help prevent it. Our recent work in Oakland should send a strong message that lawlessness and crime will not be tolerated in our state. I thank our CHP officers for their work on the ground to help make the East Bay safer for all its residents.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    According to the California Department of Justice’s most recent verified data, unlike most communities in California, crime spiked considerably in Alameda County last year. Alameda County had the highest homicide, violent crime, and property crime rates of California’s 10 largest counties in 2023. While new verified data will not be available until next year, local reporting indicates that crime appears to be going down in 2024.

     In July, Governor Newsom announced the state was ramping up efforts to crack down on crime in the East Bay by increasing the deployment of CHP officers in Oakland, quadrupling the number of CHP officer shifts over four months to help local agencies target organized crime, sideshows, carjacking, and other criminal activity seven days a week.

    In just the three months since Governor Newsom announced the deployment of additional officers to the area, CHP has made 524 arrests and seized 920 stolen vehicles, and taken 52 firearms off the street. 

    Technology to investigate illegal sideshows

    As part of this work, California installed a network of cameras on state highways, completed in September. The new cameras, announced by Governor Newsom in April, improve vehicle identification, allowing law enforcement agencies to search for vehicles suspected to be linked to crimes and receive real-time alerts about their movement. These cameras have contributed to multiple investigations of sideshows in the area, including the following operations:

    On October 20 at approximately 3:15 a.m., a CHP airplane observed a sideshow in progress at the intersection of 98th Avenue and Edes Avenue in Oakland. A vehicle was identified as a participant, and when an enforcement stop was attempted, the suspect fled from the officers. With constant aerial surveillance and assistance from cameras near the sideshow, ground units safely pursued the suspect and successfully arrested two individuals for attempting to evade law enforcement and impounded the vehicle for 30 days.

    CHP video footage of sideshow on 98th and Edes Avenue 

    CHP video footage of arrest of individual after pursuit on the Bay Bridge

    • Later that evening, at approximately 9:30 p.m., a CHP helicopter observed a sideshow in progress on West Grand Avenue under I-880 in Oakland. Spectators were shining laser lights at the law enforcement aircraft, and upon breaking up the sideshow, 14 individuals were arrested for being spectators at a sideshow and six vehicles were towed.

    Today, CHP conducted investigations into the recent sideshows, issuing a number of search warrants that will result in the seizure of additional vehicles owned by participants and spectators of the sideshows that occurred over the weekend.
     

    “The dedicated men and women of the CHP are working tirelessly to combat crime, improve public safety, and hold sideshow participants accountable for their reckless actions,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “We remain committed to ensuring the streets of Oakland are safer for everyone, and we will continue to use every tool at our disposal to uphold the law and protect our residents.”

    Stronger enforcement. Serious penalties. Real consequences.

    Recently, the Governor signed into law a bipartisan package of bills to impose stricter penalties, increase accountability, and strengthen law enforcement’s ability to combat sideshows and deter illegal activities such as drifting, street racing, and blocking intersections. The new laws expand vehicle impoundment authority for law enforcement, including for spectators and those aiding in illegal speed contests and sideshows, standardize terminology for “sideshows” and “street takeovers” statewide, and target reckless driving activities on highways and parking lots.

    The Governor also recently signed into law the most significant bipartisan legislation to crack down on property crime in modern California. Building on the state’s robust laws and record public safety funding, these bipartisan bills establish tough new penalties for repeat offenders, provide additional tools for felony prosecutions, and crack down on serial shoplifters, retail thieves, and auto burglars. 

    Supporting and investing in Oakland 

    In March, the Governor released Caltrans’ 10-Point Action Plan to support the city’s efforts to improve street safety and beautification. The comprehensive plan outlines actionable steps the state is taking to further support the city through blight abatement efforts, homeless encampment resolutions, community outreach initiatives, employment opportunities, and other beautification and safety efforts. A detailed overview of the state’s investments in Oakland and Alameda County is available here.

    California has invested in violence intervention and prevention efforts in the city — including through CalVIP, which provides funding for cities and community-based organizations with the goal of reducing violence in the city and adjacent areas. The state has also expanded opportunities for youth by transforming Oakland’s schools into community schools, mandating and funding after-school programs, awarding Oakland grants for youth coaches, establishing targeted college and career savings accounts, and providing tuition-free community college for students at Oakland community colleges. 

    Videos above may be attributed to the California Highway Patrol. 

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  • MIL-OSI: Visteon Announces Third Quarter 2024 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP, Mich., Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Visteon Corporation (NASDAQ: VC) today reported third quarter financial results. Highlights include:

    • Sales of $980 million with Growth-over-Market of 6%1
    • Net income of $39 million and adjusted net income of $63 million
    • Adjusted EBITDA of $119 million
    • Launched 30 new products in the quarter and 71 year-to-date
    • New business wins of $4.9 billion year-to-date
    • Net cash of $229 million at quarter end

    Visteon reported solid net sales of $980 million in a challenging production environment. We delivered 6% outperformance relative to customer vehicle production, driven by strong demand for digital cockpit and electrification products. Our market outperformance was offset by lower customer production and reduced customer recoveries resulting from improved semiconductor supply.

    Gross margin in the third quarter was $131 million. Net income attributable to Visteon was $39 million or $1.40 per diluted share and adjusted net income, a non-GAAP measure defined below, was $63 million or $2.26 per diluted share. Net income, as compared to the prior year, includes the favorable impact of strong operational performance and lower net engineering, partially offset by restructuring expense incurred in the third quarter of 2024. Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure defined below, was $119 million in the third quarter and reflects the Company’s strong focus on operational execution, commercial excellence, and cost discipline.

    For the first nine months, cash from operations was $224 million, capital expenditures were $96 million and adjusted free cash flow, a non-GAAP measure defined below, was $135 million. The company ended the third quarter with cash of $553 million and debt of $324 million. Our strong balance sheet, with a net cash position of $229 million, provides the flexibility to deliver on our capital allocation priorities.

    Visteon launched 30 new products in the third quarter, with launches across each of its product lines. Key third quarter launches include an infotainment display system on the Tata Punch, highlighting our continued momentum in India; SmartCore(TM) on an electric SUV for Lynk & Co for the European market and the Renault Grand Koleos hybrid for the Korean market; a digital cluster on the Nissan Qashqai, a popular SUV in Europe; and a wireless BMS for the all-electric Jeep Wagoneer.

    Visteon secured $4.9 billion in new business through the first nine months of the year, including $2.5 billion of wins with OEMs in Asia excluding China. Our success in diversifying into adjacent end-markets also continued, with further momentum with two-wheeler and commercial vehicle OEMs. Third quarter wins included a large, curved display for multiple mass market vehicles in Europe for a global OEM, SmartCore™ and display wins for a SUV model for an Indian OEM and for an electric vehicle for a domestic China OEM. We also had a follow-on win for a digital cluster with a two-wheeler OEM in India.

    “Visteon delivered solid sales and growth-over-market in the third quarter, demonstrating our ability to navigate a challenging customer production environment,” said President and CEO Sachin Lawande. “Demand from our customers remains robust for our diverse product portfolio targeting automotive megatrends of digitalization and electrification. Our continued success in securing new business wins and our momentum with two-wheeler and commercial vehicle OEMs provide a strong foundation for future growth.”

    Based on our year-to-date performance and outlook for the fourth quarter, Visteon is updating its full-year 2024 guidance and anticipates sales in the range of $3.85 – $3.90 billion, adjusted EBITDA in the range of $465 – $480 million, and adjusted free cash flow in the range of $165 – $185 million.

    About Visteon

    Visteon is advancing mobility through innovative technology solutions that enable a software-defined and electric future. With next-generation digital cockpit and electrification products, Visteon leverages the strength and agility of its global network with a local footprint to deliver a cleaner, safer and more connected vehicle experience. Headquartered in Van Buren Township, Michigan, Visteon operates in 17 countries worldwide, recorded approximately $3.95 billion in annual sales and booked $7.2 billion of new business in 2023. Learn more at investors.visteon.com/.

    Conference Call and Presentation
    Today, Thursday, October 24, at 9 a.m. ET, the company will host a conference call for the investment community to discuss the quarter’s results and other related items. The conference call is available to the general public via a live audio webcast.

    The dial-in numbers to participate in the call are:

    U.S./Canada: 1-888-330-2508
    Outside U.S./Canada: 1-240-789-2735
    Conference ID: 8897485  

    (Call approximately 10 minutes before the start of the conference.)

    The conference call and live audio webcast, related presentation materials and other supplemental information will be accessible in the Investors section of Visteon’s website.

    Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information

    Because not all companies use identical calculations, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted EPS, free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow used throughout this press release may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.

    In order to provide the forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures for full-year 2024, the company provides reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures on the subsequent slides. The provision of these comparable GAAP financial measures is not intended to indicate that the company is explicitly or implicitly providing projections on those GAAP financial measures, and actual results for such measures are likely to vary from those presented. The reconciliations include all information reasonably available to the company at the date of this press release and the adjustments that management can reasonably predict.

    Forward-looking Information

    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “will,” “may,” “designed to,” “outlook,” “believes,” “should,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” “estimates,” “forecasts” and similar expressions identify certain of these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and conditions but rather are subject to various factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to:

    • continued and future impacts of the geopolitical conflicts and related supply chain disruptions, including but not limited to the conflicts in the Middle East, Russia and East Asia and the possible imposition of sanctions;
    • significant or prolonged shortage of critical components from our suppliers, including but not limited to semiconductors, and particularly those who are our sole or primary sources;
    • failure of the Company’s joint venture partners to comply with contractual obligations or to exert influence or pressure in China;
    • conditions within the automotive industry, including (i) the automotive vehicle production volumes and schedules of our customers, (ii) the financial condition of our customers and the effects of any restructuring or reorganization plans that may be undertaken by our customers, including work stoppages at our customers, and (iii) possible disruptions in the supply of commodities to us or our customers due to financial distress, work stoppages, natural disasters or civil unrest;
    • our ability to satisfy future capital and liquidity requirements; including our ability to access the credit and capital markets at the times and in the amounts needed and on terms acceptable to us; our ability to comply with financial and other covenants in our credit agreements; and the continuation of acceptable supplier payment terms;
    • our ability to access funds generated by foreign subsidiaries and joint ventures on a timely and cost-effective basis;
    • general economic conditions, including changes in interest rates and fuel prices; the timing and expenses related to internal restructurings, employee reductions, acquisitions or dispositions and the effect of pension and other post-employment benefit obligations;
    • disruptions in information technology systems including, but not limited to, system failure, cyber-attack, malicious computer software (malware including ransomware), unauthorized physical or electronic access, or other natural or man-made incidents or disasters;
    • increases in raw material and energy costs and our ability to offset or recover these costs; increases in our warranty, product liability and recall costs or the outcome of legal or regulatory proceedings to which we are or may become a party;
    • changes in laws, regulations, policies or other activities of governments, agencies and similar organizations, domestic and foreign, that may tax or otherwise increase the cost of, or otherwise affect, the manufacture, licensing, distribution, sale, ownership or use of our products or assets; and
    • those factors identified in our filings with the SEC (including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as updated by our subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission).

    Caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements, which represent our view only as of the date of this release, and which we assume no obligation to update. The financial results presented herein are preliminary and unaudited; final financial results will be included in the company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2024. New business wins and re-wins do not represent firm orders or firm commitments from customers, but are based on various assumptions, including the timing and duration of product launches, vehicle production levels, customer price reductions and currency exchange rates.

    Follow Visteon:

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/visteon 
    https://twitter.com/visteon 
    https://www.facebook.com/VisteonCorporation 
    https://www.youtube.com/user/Visteon
    https://www.instagram.com/visteon/ 
    https://mp.weixin.qq.com/?lang=en_US 
    https://m.weibo.cn/u/6605315328 
    http://i.youku.com/u/UNDgyMjA1NjUxNg==?spm=a2h0k.8191407.0.0

    VISTEON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
    (In millions except per share amounts)
    (Unaudited)
     
      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
      September 30,   September 30,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
                   
    Net sales $ 980     $ 1,014     $ 2,927     $ 2,964  
    Cost of sales   (849 )     (871 )     (2,530 )     (2,607 )
    Gross margin   131       143       397       357  
    Selling, general and administrative expenses   (51 )     (52 )     (152 )     (156 )
    Restructuring, net   (28 )     —       (31 )     (2 )
    Interest expense, net   —       (1 )     —       (7 )
    Equity in net income (loss) of non-consolidated affiliates   (3 )     (1 )     (7 )     (8 )
    Other income (expense), net   2       3       7       (4 )
    Income (loss) before income taxes   51       92       214       180  
    Provision for income taxes   (11 )     (21 )     (55 )     (48 )
    Net income (loss)   40       71       159       132  
    Less: Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests   (1 )     (5 )     (7 )     (12 )
    Net income (loss) attributable to Visteon Corporation $ 39     $ 66     $ 152     $ 120  
                   
    Comprehensive income (loss) $ 69     $ 58     $ 153     $ 114  
    Less: Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests   (7 )     (4 )     (10 )     (6 )
    Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Visteon Corporation $ 62     $ 54     $ 143     $ 108  
                   
    Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Visteon Corporation $ 1.41     $ 2.35     $ 5.51     $ 4.26  
                   
    Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Visteon Corporation $ 1.40     $ 2.32     $ 5.45     $ 4.20  
                   
    Average shares outstanding (in millions)              
    Basic   27.6       28.1       27.6       28.2  
    Diluted   27.9       28.5       27.9       28.6  
    VISTEON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (In millions)
     
      (Unaudited)    
      September 30,   December 31,
        2024       2023  
    ASSETS      
    Cash and equivalents $ 550     $ 515  
    Restricted cash   3       3  
    Accounts receivable, net   719       666  
    Inventories, net   321       298  
    Other current assets   109       134  
    Total current assets   1,702       1,616  
           
    Property and equipment, net   438       418  
    Intangible assets, net   157       90  
    Right-of-use assets   103       109  
    Investments in non-consolidated affiliates   27       35  
    Deferred tax assets   387       384  
    Other non-current assets   79       75  
    Total assets $ 2,893     $ 2,727  
           
    LIABILITIES AND EQUITY      
    Short-term debt $ 18     $ 18  
    Accounts payable   547       551  
    Accrued employee liabilities   98       99  
    Current lease liability   29       30  
    Other current liabilities   245       233  
    Total current liabilities   937       931  
           
    Long-term debt, net   306       318  
    Employee benefits   143       160  
    Non-current lease liability   79       79  
    Deferred tax liabilities   46       31  
    Other non-current liabilities   109       85  
           
    Stockholders’ equity:      
    Common stock   1       1  
    Additional paid-in capital   1,369       1,356  
    Retained earnings   2,426       2,274  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (263 )     (254 )
    Treasury stock   (2,348 )     (2,339 )
    Total Visteon Corporation stockholders’ equity   1,185       1,038  
    Non-controlling interests   88       85  
    Total equity   1,273       1,123  
    Total liabilities and equity $ 2,893     $ 2,727  
    VISTEON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
    (In millions)
    (Unaudited)
     
      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
      September 30,   September 30,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
    OPERATING              
    Net income (loss) $ 40     $ 71     $ 159     $ 132  
    Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided from (used by) operating activities:              
    Depreciation and amortization   25       24       71       79  
    Non-cash stock-based compensation   10       9       31       26  
    Equity in net loss (income) of non-consolidated affiliates, net of dividends remitted   3       1       7       8  
    Tax valuation allowance benefit   (7 )     —       (7 )     —  
    Other non-cash items   3       1       10       (3 )
    Changes in assets and liabilities:              
    Accounts receivable   (6 )     (12 )     (55 )     (19 )
    Inventories   —       6       (23 )     23  
    Accounts payable   (5 )     35       3       (54 )
    Other assets and other liabilities   35       (8 )     28       (23 )
    Net cash provided from (used by) operating activities   98       127       224       169  
    INVESTING              
    Capital expenditures, including intangibles   (28 )     (31 )     (96 )     (82 )
    Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired   (48 )     —       (48 )     —  
    Contributions to equity method investments   (1 )     (1 )     (1 )     (1 )
    Loan provided to non-consolidated affiliate   —       —       (5 )     —  
    Other   1       1       2       3  
    Net cash used by investing activities   (76 )     (31 )     (148 )     (80 )
    FINANCING              
    Dividends to non-controlling interests   —       (12 )     —       (27 )
    Short-term debt, net   —       (3 )     —       —  
    Repurchase of common stock   —       (46 )     (20 )     (76 )
    Stock based compensation tax withholding payments   —       (1 )     (7 )     (16 )
    Proceeds from the exercise of stock options   —       4       —       8  
    Principal repayment of term debt facility   (4 )     (4 )     (13 )     (8 )
    Net cash used by financing activities   (4 )     (62 )     (40 )     (119 )
    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash   27       (8 )     (1 )     (8 )
    Net decrease in cash, equivalents, and restricted cash   45       26       35       (38 )
    Cash, equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of the period   508       459       518       523  
    Cash, equivalents, and restricted cash at end of the period $ 553     $ 485     $ 553     $ 485  

    VISTEON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
    RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
    (In millions except per share amounts)
    (Unaudited)

    Adjusted EBITDA: Adjusted EBITDA is presented as a supplemental measure of the Company’s performance that management believes is useful to investors because the excluded items may vary significantly in timing or amounts and/or may obscure trends useful in evaluating and comparing the Company’s operating activities across reporting periods. The Company defines adjusted EBITDA as net income attributable to the Company adjusted to eliminate the impact of depreciation and amortization, provision for (benefit from) income taxes, non-cash stock-based compensation expense, net interest expense, net income attributable to non-controlling interests, net restructuring expense, equity in net (income)/loss of non-consolidated affiliates, gain on non-consolidated affiliate transactions, and other gains and losses not reflective of the Company’s ongoing operations. Because not all companies use identical calculations, this presentation of adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended   Estimated
      September 30,   September 30,   Full Year
    Visteon:   2024       2023       2024       2023       2024  
    Net income attributable to Visteon Corporation $ 39     $ 66     $ 152     $ 120       202  
    Depreciation and amortization   25       24       71       79       96  
    Provision for income taxes   11       21       55       48       75  
    Non-cash, stock-based compensation expense   10       9       31       26       42  
    Restructuring, net   28       —       31       2       34  
    Interest expense, net   —       1       —       7       —  
    Net income attributable to non-controlling interests   1       5       7       12       10  
    Equity in net loss (income) of non-consolidated affiliates   3       1       7       8       9  
    Other   2       1       3       15       5  
    Adjusted EBITDA $ 119     $ 128     $ 357     $ 317     $ 4732  
                       

    Adjusted EBITDA is not a recognized term under U.S. GAAP and does not purport to be a substitute for net income as an indicator of operating performance or cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool and is not intended to be a measure of cash flow available for management’s discretionary use, as it does not consider certain cash requirements such as interest payments, tax payments and debt service requirements. In addition, the Company uses adjusted EBITDA (i) as a factor in incentive compensation decisions, (ii) to evaluate the effectiveness of the Company’s business strategies, and (iii) because the Company’s credit agreements use similar measures for compliance with certain covenants.

    VISTEON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
    RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
    (In millions except per share amounts)
    (Unaudited)

    Free Cash Flow and Adjusted Free Cash Flow: Free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow are presented as supplemental measures of the Company’s liquidity that management believes are useful to investors in analyzing the Company’s ability to service and repay its debt. The Company defines free cash flow as cash flow provided from operating activities less capital expenditures, including intangibles. The Company defines adjusted free cash flow as cash flow provided from operating activities less capital expenditures, including intangibles as further adjusted for restructuring related payments. Because not all companies use identical calculations, this presentation of free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.

      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended   Estimated
      September 30,   September 30,   Full Year
    Visteon:   2024       2023       2024       2023       2024  
    Cash provided from (used by) operating activities $ 98     $ 127     $ 224     $ 169       305  
    Capital expenditures, including intangibles   (28 )     (31 )     (96 )     (82 )     (145 )
    Free cash flow $ 70     $ 96     $ 128     $ 87     $ 160  
    Restructuring related payments   3       2       7       6       15  
    Adjusted free cash flow $ 73     $ 98     $ 135     $ 93     $ 1753  
     

    Free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow are not recognized terms under U.S. GAAP and do not purport to be a substitute for cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. Free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow have limitations as analytical tools as they do not reflect cash used to service debt and do not reflect funds available for investment or other discretionary uses. In addition, the Company uses free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow (i) as factors in incentive compensation decisions and (ii) for planning and forecasting future periods.

    VISTEON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
    RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
    (In millions except per share amounts)
    (Unaudited)

    Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings Per Share: Adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share are presented as supplemental measures that management believes are useful to investors in analyzing the Company’s profitability, providing comparability between periods by excluding certain items that may not be indicative of recurring business operating results. The Company believes management and investors benefit from referring to these supplemental measures in assessing company performance and when planning, forecasting and analyzing future periods. The Company defines adjusted net income as net income attributable to Visteon adjusted to eliminate the impact of restructuring expense, loss on divestiture, gain on non-consolidated affiliate transactions, other gains and losses not reflective of the Company’s ongoing operations and related tax effects. The Company defines adjusted earnings per share as adjusted net income divided by diluted shares. Because not all companies use identical calculations, this presentation of adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.

      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
      September 30,   September 30,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Net income attributable to Visteon $ 39     $ 66     $ 152     $ 120  
                   
    Diluted earnings per share:              
    Net income attributable to Visteon $ 39     $ 66     $ 152     $ 120  
    Average shares outstanding, diluted   27.9       28.5       27.9       28.6  
    Diluted earnings per share $ 1.40     $ 2.32     $ 5.45     $ 4.20  
                   
    Adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share:              
    Net income attributable to Visteon $ 39     $ 66     $ 152     $ 120  
    Restructuring, net   28       —       31       2  
    Other   2       1       3       15  
    Tax impacts of adjustments   (6 )     —       (7 )     —  
    Adjusted net income $ 63     $ 67     $ 179     $ 137  
    Average shares outstanding, diluted   27.9       28.5       27.9       28.6  
    Adjusted earnings per share $ 2.26     $ 2.35     $ 6.42     $ 4.79  
                   

    Adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share are not recognized terms under U.S. GAAP and do not purport to be a substitute for profitability. Adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share have limitations as analytical tools as they do not consider certain restructuring and transaction-related payments and/or expenses. In addition, the Company uses adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share for internal planning and forecasting purposes.

    1 Excludes Y/Y impact of currency fluctuations
    2 Based on mid-point of the range of the Company’s financial guidance
    3 Based on mid-point of the range of the Company’s financial guidance

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Nasdaq Reports Third Quarter 2024 Results; Fourth Consecutive Quarter of Double-Digit Solutions Revenue Growth

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nasdaq, Inc. (Nasdaq: NDAQ) today reported financial results for the third quarter of 2024.

    • Third quarter 2024 net revenue1 was $1.1 billion, or $1.2 billion on a non-GAAP basis2, an increase of 22% over the third quarter of 2023, up 10% on a pro forma3 basis. This included Solutions4 revenue increasing 26%, or 10% on a pro forma basis.
    • Annualized Recurring Revenue (ARR)5 of $2.7 billion increased 31% over the third quarter of 2023, up 8% on a pro forma basis.
    • Financial Technology revenue of $371 million increased 56% over the third quarter of 2023, up 10% on a pro forma basis.
    • Index revenue of $182 million increased 26%, with $62 billion of net inflows over the trailing twelve months and $14 billion in the third quarter.
    • GAAP diluted earnings per share decreased 11% in the third quarter of 2024. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share increased 5% in the third quarter of 2024 and increased 20% organically.
    • In the third quarter of 2024, the company returned $138 million to shareholders through dividends and $88 million through repurchases of common stock. The company also repaid net $50 million of commercial paper in the third quarter of 2024.

    Third Quarter 2024 Highlights

    (US$ millions, except per share) 3Q24 Change %
    (YoY)    		 Organic change % (YoY) Pro forma change % (YoY)
    GAAP Solutions Revenue $872 26%    
    Non-GAAP Solutions Revenue $906 31% 9% 10%
    Market Services Net Revenue $266 13% 13%  
    GAAP Net Revenue* $1,146 22%    
    Non-GAAP Net Revenue* $1,180 26% 10% 10%
    GAAP Operating Income $448 4%    
    Non-GAAP Operating Income $637 30% 12% 14%
    ARR $2,736 31% 7% 8%
    GAAP Diluted EPS $0.53 (11)%    
    Non-GAAP Diluted EPS $0.74 5% 20%  

    Note: The period over period percentages are calculated based on exact dollars, and therefore may not agree to a recalculation based on rounded numbers shown in the table above. Pro forma results are not calculated in a manner consistent with the pro forma requirements in Article 11 of Regulation S-X. Refer to the footnotes below for further discussion.

    *Net revenues includes $8 million of Other Revenues, which reflect revenues associated with the European power trading and clearing business.

    Adena Friedman, Chair and CEO said, “Nasdaq delivered its fourth consecutive quarter of double-digit Solutions growth with strong overall quarterly performance.

    As we approach the one-year anniversary of the Adenza acquisition, I am proud of our progress to date and excited about driving even greater value for our clients and shareholders.

    The integration continues seamlessly. Through our One Nasdaq strategy we are deepening our partnerships with clients across the financial system and unlocking opportunities for sustained and scalable growth.”

    Sarah Youngwood, Executive Vice President and CFO said, “Nasdaq’s performance continues to reflect the quality and diversity of our platforms, driving strong growth across the business with particular strength in Index and Financial Technology.

    We are continuing to deliver ahead on deleveraging and synergies and are benefiting from significant operating leverage.

    Looking ahead, we remain well positioned to execute on our next phase of sustainable growth.”

    FINANCIAL REVIEW

    • Third quarter 2024 net revenue was $1.1 billion, reflecting 22% growth versus the prior year period while non-GAAP net revenue was $1.2 billion. Revenue growth included a $146 million benefit related to the acquisition of Adenza. Net revenue grew 10% on a pro forma basis.
    • Solutions revenue was $872 million in the third quarter of 2024, up 26% versus the prior year period, or 10% growth on a pro forma basis, reflecting strong growth from Index and Financial Technology.
    • ARR grew 31% year over year, or 8% on a pro forma basis, in the third quarter of 2024 with 14% pro forma ARR growth for Financial Technology and 2% ARR growth for Capital Access Platforms.
    • Market Services net revenue was $266 million in the third quarter of 2024, up 13% versus the prior year period. The increase was primarily driven by a $15 million increase in U.S. equity derivatives and an $11 million increase in U.S. cash equities.
    • Third quarter 2024 GAAP operating expenses were $698 million, an increase of 37% versus the prior year period. The increase for the third quarter was primarily due to the acquisition of Adenza, which resulted in an additional $87 million in amortization expense of acquired intangible assets, and $61 million of other AxiomSL and Calypso operating expenses, as well as organic growth driven by increased investments in technology and our people to drive innovation and long-term growth.
    • Third quarter 2024 non-GAAP operating expenses were $543 million, reflecting 21% growth versus the prior year period, or 5% growth on a pro forma basis. The increase for the third quarter was primarily due to the inclusion of $61 million of AxiomSL and Calypso operating expenses. The pro forma increase reflects growth driven by increased investments in technology and our people to drive innovation and long-term growth, partially offset by the benefit of synergies.
    • Third quarter 2024 cash flow from operations was $244 million, enabling the company to continue to make meaningful progress on its deleveraging plan. In the third quarter, the company returned $138 million to shareholders through dividends and $88 million through repurchases of our common stock. The company also repaid net $50 million of commercial paper in the third quarter of 2024. As of September 30, 2024, there was $1.7 billion remaining under the board authorized share repurchase program.

    2024 EXPENSE AND TAX GUIDANCE UPDATE6

    • The company is updating its 2024 non-GAAP operating expense guidance to a range of $2,150 million to $2,180 million, and is updating its 2024 non-GAAP tax rate guidance to be in the range of 23.5% to 24.5%.

    STRATEGIC AND BUSINESS UPDATES

    • Financial Technology delivered healthy revenue growth in the third quarter. Division revenue increased 10% on a pro forma basis, reflective of the mission-critical nature of the division’s solutions suite. Financial Technology pro forma ARR growth was 14% in the third quarter, with 39 new customers, 110 upsells, and 2 cross-sells. Third quarter highlights include:
      • Nasdaq leapt to 5th place in Chartis’ annual RiskTech100® global ranking. This ranking is widely regarded as the most comprehensive independent study of the world’s major players in risk and compliance technology. The significant jump in ranking reflects the combined power of Nasdaq and Adenza’s technology offerings with Nasdaq and Adenza previously ranking #18 and #10, respectively. Nasdaq Verafin and AxiomSL won Chartis industry awards recognizing Nasdaq’s leadership in financial crime management and in regulatory reporting. The study also highlighted the value of Nasdaq’s governance and sustainability solutions.
      • Financial Crime Management Technology had ARR growth of 24% with 114% net revenue retention and launched new AI product innovations. Financial Crime Management Technology signed 28 new SMB clients, in addition to the previously announced Tier 1 win in July. Nasdaq Verafin extended its track record of product innovation success with its AI Entity Research Copilot now deployed to more than 2,000 U.S. institutions. In the third quarter Nasdaq Verafin announced new enhancements to its Targeted Typology Analytics, an artificial intelligence (AI) based suite of detection capabilities targeting terrorist financing and drug trafficking activity.
      • AxiomSL and Calypso achieved 15% combined pro forma ARR growth. AxiomSL and Calypso delivered a combined 47 upsells and 4 new clients, with 17% of new bookings in the quarter cloud-based. Combined gross revenue retention7 was 97% and net revenue retention8 was 111%. Excluding the impact of a significant bankruptcy first noted in the fourth quarter of 2023, pro forma ARR growth was 16%, gross revenue retention was 98%, and net revenue retention was 112%.
      • Market Technology delivered 14% ARR growth as it continues to capture opportunities associated with the market modernization megatrend. Market Technology was driven by 13 upsells, 1 new client, and 1 cross-sell in the third quarter. ARR growth also benefited from the conversion of a previously mentioned large client delivery.
    • U.S. equity derivatives achieved record quarterly net revenue. In the third quarter of 2024, Nasdaq achieved a record quarter of U.S. equity derivatives net revenue of $107 million, with multi-listed U.S. options market share once again surpassing 30% in the quarter and 19% growth in U.S. index options volume.
    • Index delivered another quarter of outstanding performance and advanced its growth strategy across product innovation, globalization, and institutional client expansion. The Index business had $62 billion in net inflows over the trailing 12 months, with $14 billion in the third quarter. The business achieved another record in Index ETP AUM, averaging $575 billion in the third quarter and reaching $600 billion at quarter-end. Index derivatives trading volumes grew 24% year-over-year, also contributing to revenue growth. Nasdaq launched 35 new products with our partners in the quarter, 20 of which were international. The launches included 8 options overlays and 7 institutional insurance annuity products. Additionally, Nasdaq recently received 2024 Best Index Provider from Structured Retail Products, a global market intelligence provider, highlighting the business’ innovation and success as a strategic partner to our clients.
    • Nasdaq strengthened its listings leadership in the U.S. in the third quarter. Nasdaq listed 33 U.S. operating company IPOs that raised more than $6 billion in proceeds, reflecting an 85% win rate among eligible operating companies in the quarter. These listings contributed to a 75% win rate year-to-date through the third quarter for eligible operating companies comprising of 5 of the top 10 IPOs, including Lineage, the largest offering so far this year. Nasdaq also celebrated its 500th switch to our U.S. exchange in the quarter.
    • Nasdaq celebrated 25 Years of MarketSite in Times Square. MarketSite has stood as a physical embodiment of the Nasdaq brand since its debut and reflects Nasdaq’s culture of driving innovation and delivering valuable client solutions. MarketSite is a hub for Nasdaq’s clients and partners and an integral part of the global finance landscape.
    • Nasdaq continued its progress on its 2024 strategic priorities – Integrate, Innovate, Accelerate – positioning the company to capitalize on opportunities for sustainable, scalable, and resilient growth.
      • Integrate – Since the acquisition of Adenza nearly a year-ago, Nasdaq has actioned more than 80% of its net expense synergy target and continues to delever ahead of plan.
      • Innovate – Nasdaq reached new milestones in deploying AI tools and products including the launch of an internal Generative AI platform with custom-built efficiency tools and completed the rollout of AI copilot tools to all of its developers. Calypso also announced an AI-based solution for X-Value Adjustments (XVA) with up to 100 times faster processing speeds that improves the efficiency of risk calculations for banks, insurers, and other financial institutions. Beyond Nasdaq’s AI innovations, Market Services migrated Nasdaq International Securities Exchange to its next-generation derivatives platform, Fusion. Four of Nasdaq’s U.S. markets and one European equity derivatives market are operating on this platform which provides enhanced performance, including lower latency, higher throughput, and increased productivity.
      • Accelerate – We continue to make progress on our One Nasdaq strategy driving two cross-sells across the Financial Technology division in the quarter. The percentage of cross-sell opportunities in the division’s pipeline is over 10% and Nasdaq remains on track to exceed $100 million in cross-sells by the end of 2027.

    ____________
    1 Represents revenue less transaction-based expenses.
    2 Refer to our reconciliations of U.S. GAAP to non-GAAP Solutions revenue, net revenue, net income attributable to Nasdaq, diluted earnings per share, operating income, operating expenses and organic impacts included in the attached schedules.
    3 Pro forma results are presented assuming AxiomSL and Calypso were included in the prior year quarterly results and revenue for AxiomSL on-premises contracts were recognized ratably for all of 2023 and 2024. Pro forma growth excludes the impacts of foreign currency except for AxiomSL and Calypso, which are not yet calculated on an organic basis. These pro forma results are not calculated, and do not intend to be calculated, in a manner consistent with the pro forma requirements in Article 11 of Regulation S-X. Preparation of this information in accordance with Article 11 would differ from results presented in this release.
    4 Constitutes revenue from our Capital Access Platforms and Financial Technology segments.
    5 Annualized Recurring Revenue (ARR) for a given period is the current annualized value derived from subscription contracts with a defined contract value. This excludes contracts that are not recurring, are one-time in nature or where the contract value fluctuates based on defined metrics. ARR is currently one of our key performance metrics to assess the health and trajectory of our recurring business. ARR does not have any standardized definition and is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. ARR should be viewed independently of revenue and deferred revenue and is not intended to be combined with or to replace either of those items. For AxiomSL and Calypso recurring revenue contracts, the amount included in ARR is consistent with the amount that we invoice the customer during the current period. Additionally, for AxiomSL and Calypso recurring revenue contracts that include annual values that increase over time, we include in ARR only the annualized value of components of the contract that are considered active as of the date of the ARR calculation. We do not include the future committed increases in the contract value as of the date of the ARR calculation. ARR is not a forecast and the active contracts at the end of a reporting period used in calculating ARR may or may not be extended or renewed by our customers.
    6 U.S. GAAP operating expense and tax rate guidance are not provided due to the inherent difficulty in quantifying certain amounts due to a variety of factors including the unpredictability in the movement in foreign currency rates, as well as future charges or reversals outside of the normal course of business.
    7 Gross Retention: ARR in the current period over ARR in the prior year period for existing customers excluding price increases and upsells and excluding new customers.
    8 Net Retention: ARR in the current period over ARR in the prior year period for existing customers including price increases and upsells and excluding new customers.

    ABOUT NASDAQ

    Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) is a global technology company serving corporate clients, investment managers, banks, brokers, and exchange operators as they navigate and interact with the global capital markets and the broader financial system. We aspire to deliver world-leading platforms that improve the liquidity, transparency, and integrity of the global economy. Our diverse offering of data, analytics, software, exchange capabilities, and client-centric services enables clients to optimize and execute their business vision with confidence. To learn more about the company, technology solutions and career opportunities, visit us on LinkedIn, on X @Nasdaq, or at www.nasdaq.com.

    NON-GAAP INFORMATION

    In addition to disclosing results determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, Nasdaq also discloses certain non-GAAP results of operations, including, but not limited to, non-GAAP Solutions revenue, non-GAAP net revenue, non-GAAP net income attributable to Nasdaq, non-GAAP diluted earnings per share, non-GAAP operating income, and non-GAAP operating expenses, that include certain adjustments or exclude certain charges and gains that are described in the reconciliation table of U.S. GAAP to non-GAAP information provided at the end of this release. Management uses this non-GAAP information internally, along with U.S. GAAP information, in evaluating our performance and in making financial and operational decisions. We believe our presentation of these measures provides investors with greater transparency and supplemental data relating to our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, we believe the presentation of these measures is useful to investors for period-to-period comparisons of results as the items described below in the reconciliation tables do not reflect ongoing operating performance.

    These measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative to, U.S. GAAP, and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies. In addition, other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate such measures differently, which reduces their usefulness as a comparative measure. Investors should not rely on any single financial measure when evaluating our business. This information should be considered as supplemental in nature and is not meant as a substitute for our operating results in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We recommend investors review the U.S. GAAP financial measures included in this earnings release. When viewed in conjunction with our U.S. GAAP results and the accompanying reconciliations, we believe these non-GAAP measures provide greater transparency and a more complete understanding of factors affecting our business than U.S. GAAP measures alone.

    We understand that analysts and investors regularly rely on non-GAAP financial measures, such as those noted above, to assess operating performance. We use these measures because they highlight trends more clearly in our business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on U.S. GAAP financial measures, since these measures eliminate from our results specific financial items that have less bearing on our ongoing operating performance.

    Organic revenue and expense growth, organic change and organic impact are non-GAAP measures that reflect adjustments for: (i) the impact of period-over-period changes in foreign currency exchange rates, and (ii) the revenue, expenses and operating income associated with acquisitions and divestitures for the twelve month period following the date of the acquisition or divestiture. Reconciliations of these measures are described within the body of this release or in the reconciliation tables at the end of this release.

    Foreign exchange impact: In countries with currencies other than the U.S. dollar, revenue and expenses are translated using monthly average exchange rates. Certain discussions in this release isolate the impact of year-over-year foreign currency fluctuations to better measure the comparability of operating results between periods. Operating results excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations are calculated by translating the current period’s results by the prior period’s exchange rates.

    Restructuring programs: In the fourth quarter of 2023, following the closing of the Adenza acquisition, our management approved, committed to and initiated a restructuring program, “Adenza Restructuring” to optimize our efficiencies as a combined organization. In connection with this program, we expect to incur pre-tax charges principally related to employee-related costs, contract terminations, real estate impairments and other related costs. We expect to achieve benefits primarily in the form of expense and revenue synergies. In October 2022, following our September announcement to realign our segments and leadership, we initiated a divisional alignment program with a focus on realizing the full potential of this structure. In connection with the program, we expect to incur pre-tax charges principally related to employee-related costs, consulting, asset impairments and contract terminations over a two-year period. We expect to achieve benefits in the form of both increased customer engagement and operating efficiencies. Costs related to the Adenza restructuring and the divisional alignment programs are recorded as “restructuring charges” in our consolidated statements of income. We exclude charges associated with these programs for purposes of calculating non-GAAP measures as they are not reflective of ongoing operating performance or comparisons in Nasdaq’s performance between periods.

    CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    Information set forth in this communication contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Nasdaq cautions readers that any forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and that actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to (i) projections relating to our future financial results, total shareholder returns, growth, dividend program, trading volumes, products and services, ability to transition to new business models or implement our new corporate structure, taxes and achievement of synergy targets, (ii) statements about the closing or implementation dates and benefits of certain acquisitions, divestitures and other strategic, restructuring, technology, environmental, deleveraging and capital allocation initiatives, (iii) statements about our integrations of our recent acquisitions, (iv) statements relating to any litigation or regulatory or government investigation or action to which we are or could become a party, and (v) other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other factors beyond Nasdaq’s control. These factors include, but are not limited to, Nasdaq’s ability to implement its strategic initiatives, economic, political and market conditions and fluctuations, geopolitical instability, government and industry regulation, interest rate risk, U.S. and global competition. Further information on these and other factors are detailed in Nasdaq’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, which are available on Nasdaq’s investor relations website at http://ir.nasdaq.com and the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Nasdaq undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    WEBSITE DISCLOSURE

    Nasdaq intends to use its website, ir.nasdaq.com, as a means for disclosing material non-public information and for complying with SEC Regulation FD and other disclosure obligations.

    Media Relations Contact   Investor Relations Contact  
    Nick Jannuzzi   Ato Garrett
    973.760.1741   212.401.8737
    nicholas.jannuzzi.@nasdaq.com   ato.garrett@nasdaq.com

    NDAQF

     
    Nasdaq, Inc.
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
    (in millions, except per share amounts)
    (unaudited)
               
      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
      September 30,   September 30,   September 30,   September 30,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
                     
    Revenues:              
    Capital Access Platforms $ 501     $ 456     $ 1,460     $ 1,309  
    Financial Technology   371       238       1,183       700  
    Market Services   1,022       747       2,700       2,378  
    Other Revenues   8       10       27       30  
      Total revenues   1,902       1,451       5,370       4,417  
    Transaction-based expenses:              
    Transaction rebates   (513 )     (447 )     (1,478 )     (1,377 )
    Brokerage, clearance and exchange fees   (243 )     (64 )     (470 )     (262 )
    Revenues less transaction-based expenses   1,146       940       3,422       2,778  
                   
    Operating Expenses:              
    Compensation and benefits   332       260       1,000       777  
    Professional and contract services   36       31       108       92  
    Technology and communication infrastructure   71       58       207       168  
    Occupancy   28       28       85       99  
    General, administrative and other   26       26       84       62  
    Marketing and advertising   11       12       34       30  
    Depreciation and amortization   153       64       460       198  
    Regulatory   9       9       37       27  
    Merger and strategic initiatives   10       4       23       51  
    Restructuring charges   22       17       103       49  
      Total operating expenses   698       509       2,141       1,553  
    Operating income   448       431       1,281       1,225  
    Interest income   8       72       20       86  
    Interest expense   (102 )     (101 )     (313 )     (174 )
    Other income (loss)   1       1       15       (6 )
    Net income (loss) from unconsolidated investees   1       (12 )     7       (8 )
    Income before income taxes   356       391       1,010       1,123  
    Income tax provision   51       97       250       262  
    Net income   305       294       760       861  
    Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests   1       —       2       1  
    Net income attributable to Nasdaq $ 306     $ 294     $ 762     $ 862  
                   
    Per share information:              
    Basic earnings per share $ 0.53     $ 0.60     $ 1.32     $ 1.76  
    Diluted earnings per share $ 0.53     $ 0.60     $ 1.32     $ 1.74  
    Cash dividends declared per common share $ 0.24     $ 0.22     $ 0.70     $ 0.64  
                   
    Weighted-average common shares outstanding              
    for earnings per share:              
    Basic   575.1       491.3       575.6       490.7  
    Diluted   579.0       494.1       579.0       494.2  
                     
    Nasdaq, Inc.
    Revenue Detail
    (in millions)
    (unaudited)
                     
            Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
            September 30,   September 30,   September 30,   September 30,
              2024       2023       2024       2023  
                         
    CAPITAL ACCESS PLATFORMS              
      Data and Listing Services revenues $ 190     $ 188     $ 562     $ 559  
      Index revenues   182       144       517       383  
      Workflow and Insights revenues   129       124       381       367  
        Total Capital Access Platforms revenues   501       456       1,460       1,309  
                         
    FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY              
      Financial Crime Management Technology revenues   69       58       200       163  
      Regulatory Technology revenues   68       35       253       102  
      Capital Markets Technology revenues   234       145       730       435  
        Total Financial Technology revenues   371       238       1,183       700  
                         
    MARKET SERVICES              
      Market Services revenues   1,022       747       2,700       2,378  
      Transaction-based expenses:              
          Transaction rebates   (513 )     (447 )     (1,478 )     (1,377 )
          Brokerage, clearance and exchange fees   (243 )     (64 )     (470 )     (262 )
        Total Market Services revenues, net   266       236       752       739  
                         
    OTHER REVENUES   8       10       27       30  
                         
    REVENUES LESS TRANSACTION-BASED EXPENSES $ 1,146     $ 940     $ 3,422     $ 2,778  
                         
                         
    Nasdaq, Inc.
    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (in millions)
               
          September 30,   December 31,
            2024       2023  
    Assets   (unaudited)    
    Current assets:        
      Cash and cash equivalents   $ 266     $ 453  
      Restricted cash and cash equivalents     42       20  
      Default funds and margin deposits     5,865       7,275  
      Financial investments     202       188  
      Receivables, net     944       929  
      Other current assets     239       231  
    Total current assets     7,558       9,096  
    Property and equipment, net     584       576  
    Goodwill     14,165       14,112  
    Intangible assets, net     7,072       7,443  
    Operating lease assets     388       402  
    Other non-current assets     793       665  
    Total assets   $ 30,560     $ 32,294  
               
    Liabilities        
    Current liabilities:        
      Accounts payable and accrued expenses   $ 289     $ 332  
      Section 31 fees payable to SEC     74       84  
      Accrued personnel costs     314       303  
      Deferred revenue     663       594  
      Other current liabilities     229       146  
      Default funds and margin deposits     5,865       7,275  
      Short-term debt     499       291  
    Total current liabilities     7,933       9,025  
    Long-term debt     9,359       10,163  
    Deferred tax liabilities, net     1,566       1,642  
    Operating lease liabilities     399       417  
    Other non-current liabilities     222       220  
    Total liabilities     19,479       21,467  
             
    Commitments and contingencies        
    Equity        
    Nasdaq stockholders’ equity:        
      Common stock     6       6  
      Additional paid-in capital     5,477       5,496  
      Common stock in treasury, at cost     (643 )     (587 )
      Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (1,952 )     (1,924 )
      Retained earnings     8,184       7,825  
    Total Nasdaq stockholders’ equity     11,072       10,816  
      Noncontrolling interests     9       11  
    Total equity     11,081       10,827  
    Total liabilities and equity   $ 30,560     $ 32,294  
               
               
    Nasdaq, Inc.
    Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP to Non-GAAP Net Income Attributable to Nasdaq and Diluted Earnings Per Share
    (in millions, except per share amounts)
    (unaudited)
                       
                   
           Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
          September 30,   September 30,   September 30,   September 30,
            2024       2023       2024       2023  
                       
    U.S. GAAP net income attributable to Nasdaq   $ 306     $ 294     $ 762     $ 862  
    Non-GAAP adjustments:                
      Adenza purchase accounting adjustment (1)     34       —       34       —  
      Amortization expense of acquired intangible assets (2)     122       37       366       112  
      Merger and strategic initiatives expense (3)     10       4       23       51  
      Restructuring charges (4)     22       17       103       49  
      Lease asset impairments (5)     —       —       —       24  
      Net (income) loss from unconsolidated investees (6)     (1 )     12       (7 )     8  
      Legal and regulatory matters (7)     —       —       16       (10 )
      Pension settlement charge (8)     —       —       23       —  
      Other (income) loss (9)     1       9       (8 )     17  
      Total non-GAAP adjustments     188       79       550       251  
      Non-GAAP adjustment to the income tax provision (10)     (65 )     (24 )     (151 )     (76 )
      Tax on intra-group transfer of intellectual property assets (11)     —       —       33       —  
      Total non-GAAP adjustments, net of tax     123       55       432       175  
    Non-GAAP net income attributable to Nasdaq   $ 429     $ 349     $ 1,194     $ 1,037  
                       
    U.S. GAAP diluted earnings per share   $ 0.53     $ 0.60     $ 1.32     $ 1.74  
      Total adjustments from non-GAAP net income above     0.21       0.11       0.74       0.36  
    Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share   $ 0.74     $ 0.71     $ 2.06     $ 2.10  
                       
    Weighted-average diluted common shares outstanding for earnings per share:     579.0       494.1       579.0       494.2  
                       
                       
    (1) During the third quarter of 2024, as part of finalizing the purchase accounting of the Adenza acquisition, we implemented a change to the accounting treatment of the revenues associated with AxiomSL on-premises subscription contracts, which are included in the Regulatory Technology business within the Financial Technology segment. Starting in the third quarter of 2024, we began recognizing AxiomSL’s subscription-based revenues on a ratable basis over the contract term. As a result of this change, we recognized a one-time revenue reduction of $32 million in the third quarter of 2024, reflecting the net impact of the accounting change since the date of the Adenza acquisition. The adjustment of $34 million reflects the prior year impact of this change.
           
    (2) We amortize intangible assets acquired in connection with various acquisitions. Intangible asset amortization expense can vary from period to period due to episodic acquisitions completed, rather than from our ongoing business operations.
           
    (3) We have pursued various strategic initiatives and completed acquisitions and divestitures in recent years which have resulted in expenses which would not have otherwise been incurred. These expenses generally include integration costs, as well as legal, due diligence and other third party transaction costs. The frequency and amount of such expenses vary significantly based on the size, timing and complexity of the transaction. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, these costs primarily relate to the Adenza acquisition. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, these costs were partially offset by a termination payment recognized in the second quarter of 2024 relating to the proposed divestiture of our Nordic power trading and clearing business.
                       
    (4) In the fourth quarter of 2023, following the closing of the Adenza acquisition, our management approved, committed to and initiated a restructuring program, “Adenza Restructuring” to optimize our efficiencies as a combined organization. In connection with this program, we expect to incur pre-tax charges principally related to employee-related costs, contract terminations, real estate impairments and other related costs. We expect to achieve benefits primarily in the form of expense and revenue synergies. In October 2022, following our September 2022 announcement to realign our segments and leadership, we initiated a divisional alignment program with a focus on realizing the full potential of this structure. In September 2024, we completed our divisional alignment program and recognized total pre-tax charges of $139 million over a two-year period.
                       
    (5) During the first quarter of 2023, we initiated a review of our real estate and facility capacity requirements due to our new and evolving work models. As a result, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we recorded impairment charges related to our operating lease assets and leasehold improvements associated with vacating certain leased office space, which are recorded in occupancy expense and depreciation and amortization expense in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
                       
    (6) We exclude our share of the earnings and losses of our equity method investments. This provides a more meaningful analysis of Nasdaq’s ongoing operating performance or comparisons in Nasdaq’s performance between periods.
                       
    (7) For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, these items primarily included the settlement of a Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority, or SFSA, fine and accruals related to certain legal matters. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, these items primarily included insurance recoveries related to legal matters. The fine is recorded in regulatory expense and the accruals and insurance recoveries are recorded in professional and contract services and general, administrative and other expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
                       
    (8) For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we recorded a pre-tax loss as a result of settling our U.S. pension plan. The plan was terminated and partially settled in 2023, with final settlement occurring during the first quarter of 2024. The pre-tax loss is recorded in compensation and benefits in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
                       
    (9) For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, other items primarily include net gains from strategic investments entered into through our corporate venture program, which are included in other income (loss) in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
                       
    (10) The non-GAAP adjustment to the income tax provision primarily includes the tax impact of each non-GAAP adjustment.
                       
    (11) For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the completion of an intra-group transfer of intellectual property assets to U.S. headquarters resulted in a net tax expense of $33 million.
                       
    Nasdaq, Inc.
    Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP to Non-GAAP Revenues Less Transaction-Based Expenses
    (in millions)
    (unaudited)
                   
      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
      September 30, 2024   September 30, 2024
      U.S. GAAP Revenues Less Transaction-Based Expenses Adenza purchase accounting adjustment (1) Non-GAAP Revenues Less Transaction-Based Expenses   U.S. GAAP Revenues Less Transaction-Based Expenses Adenza purchase accounting adjustment (1) Non-GAAP Revenues Less Transaction-Based Expenses
    CAPITAL ACCESS PLATFORMS $ 501 $ — $ 501   $ 1,460 $ — 1,460
                   
    FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY              
    Financial Crime Management Technology revenues   69   —   69     200   — 200
    Regulatory Technology revenues (1)   68   34   102     253   34 287
    Capital Markets Technology revenues   234   —   234     730   — 730
    Total Financial Technology revenues   371   34   405     1,183   34 1,217
    SOLUTIONS REVENUES   872   34   906     2,643   34 2,677
                   
    MARKET SERVICES REVENUES, NET   266   —   266     752   — 752
    OTHER REVENUES   8   —   8     27   — 27
    REVENUES LESS TRANSACTION-BASED EXPENSES $ 1,146 $ 34 $ 1,180   $ 3,422 $ 34 3,456
                   
    (1) During the third quarter of 2024, as part of finalizing the purchase accounting of the Adenza acquisition, we implemented a change to the accounting treatment of the revenues associated with AxiomSL on-premises subscription contracts, which are included in the Regulatory Technology business within the Financial Technology segment. Starting in the third quarter of 2024, we began recognizing AxiomSL’s subscription-based revenues on a ratable basis over the contract term. As a result of this change, we recognized a one-time revenue reduction of $32 million in the third quarter of 2024, reflecting the net impact of the accounting change since the date of the Adenza acquisition. The adjustment of $34 million reflects the prior year impact of this change.
                   
    Nasdaq, Inc.
    Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP to Non-GAAP Operating Income and Operating Margin
    (in millions)
    (unaudited)
                   
           Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
          September 30,   September 30,   September 30,   September 30,
            2024       2023       2024       2023  
                       
    U.S. GAAP operating income   $ 448     $ 431     $ 1,281     $ 1,225  
    Non-GAAP adjustments:                
      Adenza purchase accounting adjustment (1)     34       —       34       —  
      Amortization expense of acquired intangible assets (2)     122       37       366       112  
      Merger and strategic initiatives expense (3)     10       4       23       51  
      Restructuring charges (4)     22       17       103       49  
      Lease asset impairments (5)     —       —       —       24  
      Legal and regulatory matters (6)     —       —       16       (10 )
      Pension settlement charge (7)     —       —       23       —  
      Other loss     1       2       4       2  
      Total non-GAAP adjustments     189       60       569       228  
    Non-GAAP operating income   $ 637     $ 491     $ 1,850     $ 1,453  
                     
    Revenues less transaction-based expenses   $ 1,146     $ 940     $ 3,422     $ 2,778  
                       
    U.S. GAAP operating margin (8)     39 %     46 %     37 %     44 %
                       
    Non-GAAP operating margin (9)     54 %     52 %     54 %     52 %
                       
                       
    (1) During the third quarter of 2024, as part of finalizing the purchase accounting of the Adenza acquisition, we implemented a change to the accounting treatment of the revenues associated with AxiomSL on-premises subscription contracts, which are included in the Regulatory Technology business within the Financial Technology segment. Starting in the third quarter of 2024, we began recognizing AxiomSL’s subscription-based revenues on a ratable basis over the contract term. As a result of this change, we recognized a one-time revenue reduction of $32 million in the third quarter of 2024, reflecting the net impact of the accounting change since the date of the Adenza acquisition. The adjustment of $34 million reflects the prior year impact of this change.
           
    (2) We amortize intangible assets acquired in connection with various acquisitions. Intangible asset amortization expense can vary from period to period due to episodic acquisitions completed, rather than from our ongoing business operations.
                       
    (3) We have pursued various strategic initiatives and completed acquisitions and divestitures in recent years which have resulted in expenses which would not have otherwise been incurred. These expenses generally include integration costs, as well as legal, due diligence and other third party transaction costs. The frequency and amount of such expenses vary significantly based on the size, timing and complexity of the transaction. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, these costs primarily relate to the Adenza acquisition. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, these costs were partially offset by a termination payment recognized in the second quarter of 2024 relating to the proposed divestiture of our Nordic power trading and clearing business.
                       
    (4) In the fourth quarter of 2023, following the closing of the Adenza acquisition, our management approved, committed to and initiated a restructuring program, “Adenza Restructuring” to optimize our efficiencies as a combined organization. In connection with this program, we expect to incur pre-tax charges principally related to employee-related costs, contract terminations, real estate impairments and other related costs. We expect to achieve benefits primarily in the form of expense and revenue synergies. In October 2022, following our September announcement to realign our segments and leadership, we initiated a divisional alignment program with a focus on realizing the full potential of this structure. In September 2024, we completed our divisional alignment program and recognized total pre-tax charges of $139 million over a two-year period.
                       
    (5) During the first quarter of 2023, we initiated a review of our real estate and facility capacity requirements due to our new and evolving work models. As a result, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we recorded impairment charges related to our operating lease assets and leasehold improvements associated with vacating certain leased office space, which are recorded in occupancy expense and depreciation and amortization expense in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
                       
    (6) For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, these items primarily included the settlement of a SFSA fine and accruals related to certain legal matters. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, these items primarily included insurance recoveries related to legal matters. The fine is recorded in regulatory expense and the accruals and insurance recoveries are recorded in professional and contract services and general, administrative and other expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
                       
    (7) For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we recorded a pre-tax loss as a result of settling our U.S. pension plan. The plan was terminated and partially settled in 2023, with final settlement occurring during the first quarter of 2024. The pre-tax loss is recorded in compensation and benefits in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
                       
    (8) U.S. GAAP operating margin equals U.S. GAAP operating income divided by revenues less transaction-based expenses.
                       
    (9) Non-GAAP operating margin equals non-GAAP operating income divided by non-GAAP revenues less transaction-based expenses.
                       
    Nasdaq, Inc.
    Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP to Non-GAAP Operating Expenses
    (in millions)
    (unaudited)
                   
           Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
          September 30,   September 30,   September 30,   September 30,
            2024       2023       2024       2023  
                       
    U.S. GAAP operating expenses   $ 698     $ 509     $ 2,141     $ 1,553  
    Non-GAAP adjustments:                
      Amortization expense of acquired intangible assets (1)     (122 )     (37 )     (366 )     (112 )
      Merger and strategic initiatives expense (2)     (10 )     (4 )     (23 )     (51 )
      Restructuring charges (3)     (22 )     (17 )     (103 )     (49 )
      Lease asset impairments (4)     —       —       —       (24 )
      Legal and regulatory matters (5)     —       —       (16 )     10  
      Pension settlement charge (6)     —       —       (23 )     —  
      Other (loss)     (1 )     (2 )     (4 )     (2 )
      Total non-GAAP adjustments     (155 )     (60 )     (535 )     (228 )
    Non-GAAP operating expenses   $ 543     $ 449     $ 1,606     $ 1,325  
                       
                       
    (1) We amortize intangible assets acquired in connection with various acquisitions. Intangible asset amortization expense can vary from period to period due to episodic acquisitions completed, rather than from our ongoing business operations.
           
    (2) We have pursued various strategic initiatives and completed acquisitions and divestitures in recent years which have resulted in expenses which would not have otherwise been incurred. These expenses generally include integration costs, as well as legal, due diligence and other third party transaction costs. The frequency and amount of such expenses vary significantly based on the size, timing and complexity of the transaction. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, these costs primarily relate to the Adenza acquisition. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, these costs were partially offset by a termination payment recognized in the second quarter of 2024 relating to the proposed divestiture of our Nordic power trading and clearing business.
                       
    (3) In the fourth quarter of 2023, following the closing of the Adenza acquisition, our management approved, committed to and initiated a restructuring program, “Adenza Restructuring” to optimize our efficiencies as a combined organization. In connection with this program, we expect to incur pre-tax charges principally related to employee-related costs, contract terminations, real estate impairments and other related costs. We expect to achieve benefits primarily in the form of expense and revenue synergies. In October 2022, following our September announcement to realign our segments and leadership, we initiated a divisional alignment program with a focus on realizing the full potential of this structure. In September 2024, we completed our divisional alignment program and recognized total pre-tax charges of $139 million over a two-year period.
                       
    (4) During the first quarter of 2023, we initiated a review of our real estate and facility capacity requirements due to our new and evolving work models. As a result, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we recorded impairment charges related to our operating lease assets and leasehold improvements associated with vacating certain leased office space, which are recorded in occupancy expense and depreciation and amortization expense in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
                       
    (5) For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, these items primarily included the settlement of a SFSA fine and accruals related to certain legal matters. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, these items primarily included insurance recoveries related to legal matters. The fine is recorded in regulatory expense and the accruals and insurance recoveries are recorded in professional and contract services and general, administrative and other expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
                       
    (6) For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we recorded a pre-tax loss as a result of settling our U.S. pension plan. The plan was terminated and partially settled in 2023, with final settlement occurring during the first quarter of 2024. The pre-tax loss is recorded in compensation and benefits in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
                       
    Nasdaq, Inc.
    Reconciliation of Pro Forma Impacts for U.S. Non-GAAP Revenues less transaction-based expenses, Non-GAAP Operating Expenses,
    Non-GAAP Operating Income, and Non-GAAP Operating Margin
    (in millions)
    (unaudited)
     
      Three Months Ended   Three Months Ended                  
      September 30, 2024   September 30, 2023   Total Variance   FX (3)   Pro Forma Impacts
      Non-GAAP Adenza Adjustment (1)   Pro Forma   Non-GAAP   Adenza (2)   Pro Forma   $   %   $   $ %
    Capital Access Platforms revenues $ 501   $ —     $ 501     $ 456     $ —   $ 456     $ 45     10 %   $ 1   $ 44   9 %
                                           
    Financial Crime Management Technology revenues   69     —       69       58       —     58       11     20 %     —     11   20 %
    Regulatory Technology revenues   102     (2 )     100       35       56     91       9     10 %     1     8   8 %
    Capital Markets Technology revenues   234     —       234       145       71     216       18     8 %     —     18   8 %
    Financial Technology revenues   405     (2 )     403       238       127     365       38     10 %     1     37   10 %
    Solutions revenues (4)   906     (2 )     904       694       127     821       83     10 %     2     81   10 %
                                           
    Market Services, net revenues   266     —       266       236       —     236       30     13 %     —     30   13 %
    Other revenues   8     —       8       10       —     10       (2 )   (13 )%     —     (2 ) (14 )%
    Revenues less transaction-based expenses   1,180     (2 )     1,178       940       127     1,067       111     10 %     2     109   10 %
                                           
    Non-GAAP operating expenses   543     —       543       449       65     514       29     6 %     1     28   5 %
    Non-GAAP operating income $ 637   $ (2 )   $ 635     $ 491     $ 62   $ 553     $ 82     15 %   $ 1   $ 81   14 %
    Non-GAAP operating margin   54 %       54 %     52 %         52 %                  
                                           
    Note: Pro forma results are presented assuming AxiomSL and Calypso were included in the prior year quarterly results and revenue for AxiomSL on-premises contracts were recognized ratably for all of 2023 and 2024. Pro forma growth excludes the impacts of foreign currency except for AxiomSL and Calypso, which are not yet calculated on an organic basis. These pro forma results are not calculated, and do not intend to be calculated, in a manner consistent with the pro forma requirements in Article 11 of Regulation S-X. Preparation of this information in accordance with Article 11 would differ from results presented in this release. The current period percentages are calculated based on exact dollars, and therefore may not recalculate exactly using rounded numbers as presented in US$ millions.
                                           
    (1) Adjustment to remove the cumulative impact of changing to ratable revenue recognition for AxiomSL on-premises subscription contracts, which related to the first six months of 2024.
     
    (2) The Adenza results above are presented on a non-GAAP basis and have been adjusted for certain items. We believe presenting these measures excluding these items provides investors with greater transparency as they do not represent ongoing operations. These adjustments include intangible amortization of $39 million and other transaction and restructuring related costs of $3 million for the third quarter of 2023.
     
    (3) Reflects the impacts from changes in FX rates.
     
    (4) Represents Capital Access Platforms and Financial Technology Segments.
                                           
    Nasdaq, Inc.
    Reconciliation of Organic Impacts for U.S. Non-GAAP Revenues less transaction-based expenses, Non-GAAP Operating Expenses,
    Non-GAAP Operating Income, and Non-GAAP Diluted Earnings Per Share
    (in millions)
    (unaudited)
                                   
      Three Months Ended                        
      September 30,   September 30,   Total Variance   Organic Impact   Other Impacts (1)
      2024   2023   $   %   $   %   $   %
    CAPITAL ACCESS PLATFORMS                              
    Data and Listing Services revenues $ 190   $ 188   $ 2     1 %   $ 1     1 %   $ 1     — %
    Index revenues   182     144     38     26 %     38     26 %     —     — %
    Workflow and Insights revenues   129     124     5     4 %     5     3 %     —     — %
    Total Capital Access Platforms revenues   501     456     45     10 %     44     9 %     1     — %
                                   
    FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY                              
    Financial Crime Management Technology revenues   69     58     11     20 %     11     20 %     —     — %
    Regulatory Technology revenues   102     35     67     190 %     2     6 %     65     185 %
    Capital Markets Technology revenues   234     145     89     62 %     7     5 %     82     57 %
    Total Financial Technology revenues   405     238     167     71 %     20     9 %     147     62 %
                                   
    SOLUTIONS REVENUES (2)   906     694     212     31 %     64     9 %     148     21 %
                                   
    MARKET SERVICES REVENUES, NET   266     236     30     13 %     30     13 %     —     — %
                                   
    OTHER REVENUES   8     10     (2 )   (13 )%     (2 )   (14 )%     —     1 %
                                   
    REVENUES LESS TRANSACTION-BASED EXPENSES $ 1,180   $ 940   $ 240     26 %   $ 92     10 %   $ 148     16 %
                                   
    Non-GAAP Operating Expenses $ 543   $ 449   $ 94     21 %   $ 32     7 %   $ 62     14 %
                                   
    Non-GAAP Operating Income $ 637   $ 491   $ 146     30 %   $ 60     12 %   $ 86     18 %
                                   
    Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share $ 0.74   $ 0.71   $ 0.03     5 %   $ 0.14     20 %   $ (0.11 )   (16 )%
                                   
    Note: The period over period percentages are calculated based on exact dollars, and therefore may not agree to a recalculation based on rounded numbers shown in the tables above. The sum of the percentage changes may not tie to the percentage change in total variance due to rounding.
                                   
    (1) Primarily includes the impacts of the Adenza acquisition and changes in FX rates.
     
    (2) Represents Capital Access Platforms and Financial Technology Segments.
                                   
    Nasdaq, Inc.
    Quarterly Key Drivers Detail
    (unaudited)
                     
        Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
        September 30,   September 30,   September 30,   September 30,
          2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Capital Access Platforms              
      Annualized recurring revenues (in millions) (1) $ 1,254     $ 1,222     $ 1,254     $ 1,222  
      Initial public offerings              
      The Nasdaq Stock Market (2)   48       39       114       102  
      Exchanges that comprise Nasdaq Nordic and Nasdaq Baltic   1       —       7       3  
      Total new listings              
      The Nasdaq Stock Market (2)   138       87       301       230  
      Exchanges that comprise Nasdaq Nordic and Nasdaq Baltic (3)   6       3       18       16  
      Number of listed companies              
      The Nasdaq Stock Market (4)   4,039       4,086       4,039       4,086  
      Exchanges that comprise Nasdaq Nordic and Nasdaq Baltic (5)   1,186       1,236       1,186       1,236  
      Index              
      Number of licensed exchange traded products (6)   388       366       388       366  
      Period end ETP assets under management (AUM) tracking Nasdaq indexes (in billions) $ 600     $ 411     $ 600     $ 411  
      Quarterly average ETP AUM tracking Nasdaq indexes (in billions) $ 575     $ 423          
      TTM (7) net inflows ETP AUM tracking Nasdaq indexes (in billions) $ 62     $ 24     $ 62     $ 24  
      TTM (7) net appreciation ETP AUM tracking Nasdaq indexes (in billions) $ 143     $ 78     $ 143     $ 78  
                     
    Financial Technology              
      Annualized recurring revenues (in millions) (1)              
      Financial Crime Management Technology $ 268     $ 216     $ 268     $ 216  
      Regulatory Technology   350       132       350       132  
      Capital Markets Technology   864       511       864       511  
      Total Financial Technology $ 1,482     $ 859     $ 1,482     $ 859  
                     
    Market Services              
      Equity Derivative Trading and Clearing              
      U.S. equity options              
      Total industry average daily volume (in millions)   44.5       39.6       43.3       40.4  
      Nasdaq PHLX matched market share   9.4 %     11.0 %     9.9 %     11.2 %
      The Nasdaq Options Market matched market share   5.8 %     5.6 %     5.5 %     6.4 %
      Nasdaq BX Options matched market share   2.3 %     4.4 %     2.3 %     3.6 %
      Nasdaq ISE Options matched market share   6.8 %     5.7 %     6.7 %     5.8 %
      Nasdaq GEMX Options matched market share   2.7 %     3.0 %     2.6 %     2.3 %
      Nasdaq MRX Options matched market share   3.2 %     2.0 %     2.6 %     1.7 %
      Total matched market share executed on Nasdaq’s exchanges   30.2 %     31.7 %     29.6 %     31.0 %
      Nasdaq Nordic and Nasdaq Baltic options and futures              
      Total average daily volume of options and futures contracts (8)   213,911       245,986       235,137       298,785  
                     
      Cash Equity Trading              
      Total U.S.-listed securities              
      Total industry average daily share volume (in billions)   11.5       10.4       11.7       11.0  
      Matched share volume (in billions)   117.4       106.7       354.3       342.2  
      The Nasdaq Stock Market matched market share   15.6 %     15.5 %     15.6 %     15.9 %
      Nasdaq BX matched market share   0.3 %     0.4 %     0.4 %     0.4 %
      Nasdaq PSX matched market share   0.2 %     0.3 %     0.2 %     0.4 %
      Total matched market share executed on Nasdaq’s exchanges   16.1 %     16.2 %     16.2 %     16.7 %
      Market share reported to the FINRA/Nasdaq Trade Reporting Facility   44.7 %     40.2 %     43.0 %     35.2 %
      Total market share (9)   60.8 %     56.4 %     59.2 %     51.9 %
      Nasdaq Nordic and Nasdaq Baltic securities              
      Average daily number of equity trades executed on Nasdaq’s exchanges   609,167       556,257       645,622       676,132  
      Total average daily value of shares traded (in billions) $ 4.1     $ 3.6     $ 4.5     $ 4.5  
      Total market share executed on Nasdaq’s exchanges   71.6 %     71.6 %     72.2 %     70.6 %
                     
      Fixed Income and Commodities Trading and Clearing              
      Fixed Income              
      Total average daily volume of Nasdaq Nordic and Nasdaq Baltic fixed income contracts   89,037       88,383       94,493       96,461  
                     
      (1) Annualized Recurring Revenue (ARR) for a given period is the current annualized value derived from subscription contracts with a defined contract value. This excludes contracts that are not recurring, are one-time in nature, or where the contract value fluctuates based on defined metrics. ARR is currently one of our key performance metrics to assess the health and trajectory of our recurring business. ARR does not have any standardized definition and is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. ARR should be viewed independently of revenue and deferred revenue and is not intended to be combined with or to replace either of those items. For AxiomSL and Calypso recurring revenue contracts, the amount included in ARR is consistent with the amount that we invoice the customer during the current period. Additionally, for AxiomSL and Calypso recurring revenue contracts that include annual values that increase over time, we include in ARR only the annualized value of components of the contract that are considered active as of the date of the ARR calculation. We do not include the future committed increases in the contract value as of the date of the ARR calculation. ARR is not a forecast and the active contracts at the end of a reporting period used in calculating ARR may or may not be extended or renewed by our customers.
       
      (2) New listings include IPOs, issuers that switched from other listing venues, closed-end funds and separately listed ETPs. For the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, IPOs included 15 and 4 SPACs, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, IPOs included 28 and 19 SPACs, respectively.
       
      (3) New listings include IPOs and represent companies listed on the Nasdaq Nordic and Nasdaq Baltic exchanges and companies on the alternative markets of Nasdaq First North.
       
      (4) Number of total listings on The Nasdaq Stock Market for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023 included 712 and 570 ETPs, respectively.
       
      (5) Represents companies listed on the Nasdaq Nordic and Nasdaq Baltic exchanges and companies on the alternative markets of Nasdaq First North.
       
      (6) The number of listed ETPs as of September 30, 2023 has been updated to reflect a revised methodology whereby an ETP listed on multiple exchanges is counted as one product, rather than formerly being counted per exchange. This change has no impact on reported AUM.
       
      (7) Trailing 12-months.
       
      (8) Includes Finnish option contracts traded on Eurex for which Nasdaq and Eurex had a revenue sharing arrangement, which ended in the fourth quarter of 2023.
       
      (9) Includes transactions executed on The Nasdaq Stock Market’s, Nasdaq BX’s and Nasdaq PSX’s systems plus trades reported through the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority/Nasdaq Trade Reporting Facility.
                     

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Pressure on judges condemned

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Government today strongly condemned recent attempts by some individuals overseas to exert improper pressure on Court of Final Appeal non-permanent judge Patrick Keane, blatantly interfering with ongoing criminal proceedings in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

    The Government noted that any attempt by any organisation or individual to exert pressure on judges and judicial officers, and interfere with the criminal justice process by means of political power or any other means, is clearly a reprehensible act undermining the rule of law of the Hong Kong SAR and should be vehemently condemned.

    It highlighted that Hong Kong’s rule of law and independent judicial power are guaranteed under the Basic Law, which specifically provides that the judicial power, including that of final adjudication, vested with the Hong Kong SAR, is to be exercised by the Judiciary independently, free from any interference.

    The Government said it fully supports the Judiciary in exercising its judicial power independently, safeguarding the due administration of justice and the rule of law.

    Regarding Lai Chee-ying’s case concerning the National Security Law, the Government pointed out that as the relevant legal proceedings are still ongoing, it is inappropriate for any person to comment on the details of the case or exert improper interference.

    The Government emphasised that all cases are handled strictly on the basis of evidence and in accordance with the law. All defendants will receive a fair trial strictly in accordance with laws applicable to Hong Kong and as protected by the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

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

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Balance Sheet Summary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Asset Quality

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

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

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

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

    Additional Liquidity, Loan, and Deposit Information

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

    Deposit balances are summarized as follows:

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

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

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

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

      At September 30, 2024
      (Dollars in thousands)
      Balance   % of Gross Loans   Weighted Average
    Loan to Value Ratio    		   Weighted
    Average
    Debt Service
    Coverage
    Multifamily Real Estate $ 1,399,000       17.8 %     61.0 %     1.62 x
                       
    Owner Occupied Commercial Real Estate $ 683,523       8.7 %     53.6 %     2.10 x
                       
    Investor Owned Commercial Real Estate:                  
    Retail / Shopping centers $ 484,121       6.2 %     51.7 %     1.59 x
    Mixed Use   211,853       2.7       58.1       1.61  
    Industrial / Warehouse   389,470       5.0       54.9       1.70  
    Non-Medical Office   197,768       2.5       54.2       1.64  
    Medical Office   126,947       1.6       57.9       1.50  
    Single Purpose   94,497       1.2       54.5       3.23  
    Other   124,580       1.6       52.0       1.67  
    Total $ 1,629,236       20.7 %     54.3 %     1.72 x
                       
    Total Multifamily and Commercial Real Estate Loans $ 3,711,759       47.2 %     56.7 %     1.75 x
                                   

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

    About Columbia Financial, Inc.

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

    Forward Looking Statements

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

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

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

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

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

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

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group Conducts Second Multi-Large Deck Event with Italian ITS Cavour CSG

    Source: United States Naval Central Command

    U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY —

    The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (CSG) conducted a Multi-Large Deck Event (MLDE) with the Italian Navy’s ITS Cavour CSG, Oct. 18.

    MLDE provide the ships and aircrafts of the two naval forces, comprised of more than 7,500 U.S. and Italian Sailors and Marines, an opportunity to advance interoperability by carrying out integrated planning and coordination, communications, cross-deck leadership exchanges, a fast-roping exercise, and an air defense exercise to strengthen combined maritime operations and combat readiness.

    “The opportunity to exercise our interoperability with our Cavour CSG counterparts for a second time in our deployment, highlights our strategic advantage inherent to our network of strong alliances,” said Rear Adm. Adan Cruz, commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 3. “We have seized every opportunity to fly and sail with our Italian counterparts to deepen our combined operational capacity anywhere in international waters.”  

    During the event, Rear Adm. Giancarlo Ciappina, commander, Cavour Carrier Strike Group, hosted Cruz, aboard the ITS Cavour for a visit focused on building relationships.

    “We are proud to work once again alongside Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, after almost two months from our first interaction in the Pacific Ocean,” said Ciappina. “[It] has represented another precious opportunity to train together and to exchange experiences and knowledge, highlighting the versatility and flexibility of Navies operating on a global scale, wherever a presence is required to keep maritime lines of communication open and safe to strengthen our bonds and to enhance levels of cooperation with commitment to security.”

    This marks the second time the Abraham Lincoln CSG participated in an MLDE with the Italian Navy during the 2024 deployment. The previous event in August marked the first-ever MLDE between U.S. and Italian Navies in the Indo-Pacific.

    Participating ships in the MLDE included Nimitz-Class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), Integrated Air and Missile Defense Commander (IAMDC) USS Frank E. Petersen, Jr. (DDG 121), Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS O’Kane (DDG 77) & USS Michael Murphy (DDG 111), assigned to Destroyer Squadron 21, Italian aircraft carrier ITS Cavour (CVH 550), Italian Frigate ITS Alpino (F 594), and Italian Multipurpose Combat Ship Raimondo Montecuccoli (P 432).

    Participating aircraft included MH-60S and MH-60R Sea Hawks, F/A-18E & F Super Hornets, E/A-18G Growlers, F-35C Lightning II, and E-2D Hawkeye, all assigned to Carrier Air Wing 9; and Italian F-35B Lightning II and AV-8B Harrier II assigned to Cavour CSG.

    Cruz and Ciappina conducted a conditions check via virtual teleconference prior to the commencement to ensure all participants were ready, Oct. 17. The exercise started with personnel exchanges where key Abraham Lincoln CSG leadership toured Cavour and Italian officers toured the USS Abraham Lincoln.  USS O’Kane and ITS Raimondo Montecuccoli conducted a joint live-fire exercise, while the embarked U.S. explosive ordnance disposal team conducted a subject matter expert exchange and fast rope exercise with Italian counterparts. The event concluded with a complex air defense exercise involving both CSG’s tactical aircraft.

    “It is an honor to once again have the opportunity to work jointly with our NATO Allies,” said Cruz. “I am grateful to Rear Adm. Ciappina and his entire crew of the ITS Cavour for their gracious hospitality aboard their ship. I am also grateful to continue training and operating together to drive interoperability forward.”

    Ciappina responded with his reflection on the MLDE.

    “I am very grateful to Adm. Cruz and to the whole crew of ABE CSG for their great effort and professionalism continuously shown during these challenging times for peace and international stability and that clearly confirm their strong commitment towards own common values, which are shared within the allied and partner Navies on a global scale,” concluded Ciappina.

    The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group stands ready to successfully conduct any mission essential to U.S. National security, spanning combat operations to integrated maritime operations with our allies and partners to maritime security and stability in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. It also operates postured to deliver unfaltering maritime force to deter, defend, and if necessary, defeat coercive behavior from those who seek to challenge the rules-based international order.

    The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group consists of USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), embarked staffs of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) Three and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21, squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) Nine, IAMDC USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121), and USS O’Kane (DDG 77), USS Spruance (DDG 111), and USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112).

    CVW-9 consists of an F-35C squadron, the “Black Knights” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314; three F/A-18E/F Super Hornet squadrons, the “Tophatters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14; “Black Aces” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, the “Vigilantes” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151; “Wizards” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133, operating the EA-18G Growler; “Wallbangers” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 117, operating the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye; “Chargers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14 operating the MH-60S Sea Hawk; and “Raptors” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71, operating the MH-60R Sea Hawk.

    For more news from CSG-3, http://www.dvidshub.net/unit/USSAL-CVN72#

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: The dark side of fake goods

    Source: Europol

    As consumers prepare for year-end festivities, many are looking for great deals. But a new report from Europol and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) is warning that scammers and organised crime networks use legal entities and loopholes to avoid detection by authorities, and profit from consumers’ appetite for low prices with fake products.The report, ‘Uncovering the Ecosystem of…

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: US, Australian Naval Forces Conduct Bilateral Operations

    Source: United States Navy

    Participating ships included the USN Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105) and the RAN Anzac-class frigate HMAS Stuart (FFH 153). The two ships took part in exercise Malabar 2024 earlier in October.

    “This exercise further builds on our existing interoperability and combined readiness we have with the Royal Australian Navy,” said Vice Adm. Fred Kacher, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. “Every time we operate together, we strengthen our capabilities and shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

    Over four days, the ships engaged in a formation sailing exercise, an air defense exercise, maritime communications training, personnel cross-decks and visit, board, search and seizure drills.

    “Conducting a joint sail with USS Dewey has been of great value, with multiple different activities conducted between the ships, including personnel exchange, boarding practices, manoeuvring in close company, and warfare drills,” said Cmdr. Warren Bechly, commanding officer, HMAS Stuart. “Whether it is large scale exercises, or ships in transit between the same ports, working with our allies and partners is always a valuable opportunity to build closer ties and enhance interoperability.”

    The U.S. Navy regularly operates alongside our allies in the Indo-Pacific region as a demonstration of our shared commitment to the rules-based international order.

    Bilateral operations such as this one provide valuable opportunities to train, exercise and develop tactical interoperability across allied navies in the Indo-Pacific.

    Dewey is forward-deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force.

    U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: GAO Makes 2024 PTAC Appointments

    Source: US Government Accountability Office

    WASHINGTON, DC (October 24, 2024) – Gene L. Dodaro, Comptroller General of the United States and head of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), today announced the appointment of two new members to the Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC).

    “PTAC provides valuable information to the Department of Health and Human Services aimed at maximizing the value of the $1 trillion in annual Medicare spending,” Dodaro said. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of two new committee members with extensive knowledge and experience in value-based payment and care models.”

    PTAC was created by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) to improve how the federal Medicare program pays physicians for the care they provide to Medicare beneficiaries. This independent advisory committee makes recommendations to the Secretary of HHS on physician payment models and related topics.

    The Comptroller General is responsible for appointing members to the committee.

    The newly appointed members are Henish Bhansali, MD, FACP and Krishna Ramachandran, MBA, MS. Their terms will expire in 2027. In addition, current members Lawrence R. Kosinski, MD, MBA and Soujanya R. Pulluru, MD have been reappointed. Their terms will also expire in 2027.

    Brief biographies of the new committee members follow:

    Henish Bhansali, MD, FACP, is Chief Medical Officer for Medical Home Network, a healthcare organization that partners with Federally Qualified Health Centers, Primary Care Associations, and Clinically Integrated Networks to build the capabilities to succeed in value-based care. He also serves on the National Association of ACOs (NAACOS) Board of Directors and as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President and Medical Director of Medicare Advantage at Duly Health and Care and as Vice President and Senior Medical Director of Care Navigation at Oak Street Health. Board certified in internal medicine and obesity medicine, Dr. Bhansali received his medical degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine graduating with Honors (AOA) and trained in Internal Medicine at Washington University/Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

    Krishna Ramachandran, MBA, MS, is Senior Vice President of Health Transformation and Provider Adoption at Blue Shield of California. In this position, he leads partnerships and innovations aimed at improving health care quality and affordability for members and providing tools and support for providers. Previously, he served as Divisional Senior Vice President of Health Care Delivery at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Chief Administrative Officer at Duly Health and Care, and as Director of Technical Services at Epic Systems Corporation. Mr. Ramachandran received his MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and his Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

    For more information about PTAC, contact Lisa Shats, PTAC Designated Federal Officer, at PTAC@hhs.gov. Other calls should be directed to Sarah Kaczmarek in GAO’s Office of Public Affairs at (202) 512-4800.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Corruption risk assessment in focus of OSCE seminar in Turkmenistan

    Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

    Headline: Corruption risk assessment in focus of OSCE seminar in Turkmenistan

    Participants during an OSCE-organized seminar on interagency co-operation and co-ordination in corruption risk assessment, Ashgabat, 23 October 2024, OSCE (OSCE) Photo details

    Interagency co-operation and co-ordination in corruption risk assessment and implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption’s (UNCAC) were addressed at an OSCE-organized seminar that took place in Ashgabat on 23 and 24 October 2024.
    The seminar presented best practices of OSCE participating States in strengthening inter-agency co-operation in preventing and combating corruption.
    An international expert from Moldova provided the participants with a comprehensive overview of the principles and requirements of the United Nations Convention against Corruption and of the process of self-assessment of the implementation of the Convention.
    “Corruption, as a key threat to good governance, democratic processes and fair business practices, also poses a major impediment to progress in trade and connectivity,” said Olivera Zurovac-Kuzman, Economic and Environmental Officer of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.
    “The OSCE Centrе in Ashgabat is actively collaborating with the Government of Turkmenistan on anti-corruption and related issues and stands ready to support efforts to improve public administration, promote transparency and accountability, and foster inter-agency co-operation and co-ordination in preventing and combating corruption,” stressed Zurovac-Kuzman.
    Participants shared their views on how to enhance inter-agency co-operation and co-ordination of actions on key areas of the UN Convention against Corruption and examined parallel financial investigations as a tool to counteract and fight corruption. Special attention was paid to identification, tracing and seizure of criminal assets, pre-seizure planning and management of seized and confiscated assets.
    The two-day event brought together representatives of Ministry of Finance and Economy Turkmenistan, Ministry of Adalat (Justice), State Customs Service, Central Bank, and Mejlis (Parliament), as well as the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs and other relevant institutions.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: NAVIFOR Officer Provides Critical Relief to Asheville Following Hurricane Helene’s Impact

    Source: United States Navy

    With a background shaped by multiple deployments in challenging environments, McQueen was well-prepared for the devastation he encountered. His experience taught him to remain focused under pressure, prioritize critical tasks, and, above all, keep pushing the mission forward. He quickly organized supplies and departed Norfolk for Asheville, making stops to pick up additional equipment and resources along the way.

    Brock felt a deep sense of urgency as he headed to North Carolina after receiving a call from his family about the devastation in his childhood town. Upon arriving in Asheville, he immediately recognized the severity of the situation and saw the path of devastation Helene had left firsthand. His brother, a member of the local firefighting team, had already been on the front lines of the relief effort. McQueen saw an opportunity to help not only his family but the wider community, where his leadership and problem-solving skills were quickly put to use. “When I saw the state of things, I knew I had to jump in,” McQueen said. “Helping my family was a priority, but this was about the whole community coming together.”

    Reporting to the Volunteer Fire Department in Fairview, a Buncombe County community just outside of Asheville, McQueen’s military training in logistics and coordination proved invaluable.

    For six days, McQueen was fully immersed in the recovery effort. His military training became an indispensable asset to the local response teams, who relied on his expertise to organize and conduct welfare checks across the region. Working alongside firefighters, law enforcement, and emergency medical personnel, McQueen assisted with the search and rescue of residents that were unaccounted for after floodwaters damaged multiple neighborhoods, ensuring no one was left behind.

    McQueen’s ability to communicate effectively with the local community played a key role in dispelling misinformation and ensuring the right resources went to those in need. His attention to detail, honed by years of military service, helped him identify discrepancies in reports and correct false information spreading through the area.

    One of his most significant contributions was turning a small UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) project into a highly effective data collection asset. He spearheaded the integration of UAV operators from different departments, ensuring their platforms worked together seamlessly.

    “Seeing how quickly the UAV team became a critical tool for recovery was rewarding,” McQueen reflected. “It was just an idea at first, but everyone came together to make it work.”

    The result was a vital resource for first responders—real-time aerial mapping of damaged homes, infrastructure, and roadways. His efforts also led to the discovery of missing persons and damaged areas that had gone unnoticed.

    A local fire chief noted that Lt. Cmdr. McQueen’s involvement was transformative for the team. He handled complex tasks that enabled the personnel to focus on other emergency responses, and his leadership provided the additional support needed to navigate those critical days.

    Yet, despite his success, McQueen understood that the road to recovery was far from over. “The community came together after the storm, which was amazing to see,” he said. “But I know that the hard work doesn’t end when the relief trucks leave. It’s going to take a long time to rebuild.”

    McQueen’s warfighter resiliency and the mental toughness developed through multiple deployments enabled him to remain focused on the daily challenges of the relief effort, keeping the mission on track. His training and experience, combined with a deep sense of duty to his family and community, made a lasting impact on the Fairview Community as it began the long process of recovery from Hurricane Helene.

    As Lt. Cmdr. McQueen packed up and prepared to leave Asheville on the seventh day, a mix of emotions weighed on him. Driving out of the storm-ravaged town, he glanced at the landscape one last time—the uprooted trees, battered homes, and streets still lined with debris. The devastation was still everywhere, and the work was far from finished. He had done everything he could in the short time he had, but as he started the long drive back to Virginia, he couldn’t help but feel a pull to stay longer, to continue helping the community that had welcomed him so warmly.

    “Disaster doesn’t discriminate,” McQueen said. “It hits everyone, and when it does, all we can do is come together to lift each other up. I’m just grateful I could play a part in that.”

    As he crossed the state line back into Virginia, McQueen’s thoughts turned to his own family. He knew they needed him, too, especially with his upcoming Permanent Change of Station (PCS) looming. His role as a father and husband couldn’t be put on hold, even for a crisis like this one. Still, he found solace in the fact that he had made a meaningful impact, and that others would carry on the work he had started.

    “It was tough to leave,” McQueen admitted. “But I felt like I’d done all I could for now. I just hope the efforts we started there will continue.”

    For more information on NAVIFOR, visit the command Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NavalInformationForces/ or the public web page at https://www.navifor.usff.navy.mil.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: What US election interference law actually says about Labour volunteers

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Ilaria Di Gioia, Senior Lecturer in American Law and Associate Director of the Centre for American Legal Studies, Birmingham City University

    Shutterstock/rblfmr, Nicole Glass, Alexandros Michailidis

    With just two weeks to go until election day, Donald Trump’s presidential campaign filed a complaint with the US Federal Election Commission (FEC), requesting “an immediate investigation” into what it termed “blatant foreign interference” in the election by none other than the UK’s Labour party.

    In the letter to the FEC’s acting general counsel, the Trump campaign accused the Labour party of “apparent illegal foreign national contributions” to Harris for President. This is the principal campaign committee of Vice-President Kamala Harris.

    The contributions listed in the complaint are: meetings with Harris’ campaign team “to brief Ms Harris’ presidential campaign on Labour’s election-winning approach”, and Labour members’ trips to battleground states to help with the Harris campaign.

    Put simply: members of the UK’s Labour party have been travelling to the US to help Harris, the Democratic party candidate, campaign for the presidency.

    FEC rules state that foreign nationals “may participate in campaign activities as an uncompensated volunteer”. To that end, the prime minister, Keir Starmer, has said that Labour volunteers are helping the Harris campaign in their spare time, and are funding their own trips.

    Indeed, there is a long history of volunteers from both the Labour and Conservative parties supporting their respective “sister” parties in the US, and vice versa.

    What does US law say?

    To understand the US legal landscape, we must refer both to statutes (laws on the books) and the judicial cases that have put these statutes to the test.

    From a statutory point of view, foreign interference into elections is regulated by three main federal laws. These laws, enacted by Congress since 1938, came in response to various scandals involving foreign financing.

    They are: the Foreign Agents Registration Act, the Federal Election Campaign Act and the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, all consolidated in the United States Code.

    The law explicitly prohibits foreign nationals (excluding permanent residents) from making contributions or donations to elections. It reads:

    It shall be unlawful for:

    A foreign national, directly or indirectly, to make –

    (A) a contribution or donation of money or other thing of value, or to make an express or implied promise to make a contribution or donation, in connection with a Federal, State, or local election;

    (B) a contribution or donation to a committee of a political party; or

    (C) an expenditure, independent expenditure, or disbursement for an electioneering communication.

    The question is, therefore, whether the Labour engagement with the US election falls under the definition of “contribution or donation of money or other thing of value”.

    A key legal case

    It would seem, looking at judicial precedent, that “contribution or donation” amounts to financial contributions only.

    The law was interpreted in 2011 by the US District Court for the District of Columbia (a federal court) in Bluman v FEC.

    In this case, the plaintiffs Benjamin Bluman and Asenath Steiman were foreign citizens who lived and worked in the US on temporary visas. They wanted to donate money to candidates in elections and challenged the constitutionality of the law barring them from doing so.

    A campaign sign for Kamala Harris.
    Bluestork/Shutterstock

    The decision was authored by then Judge Brett Kavanaugh (who, seven years later, was appointed by Trump as Supreme Court justice). Kavanaugh argued that political contributions in the form of expenditure – so, financial contributions – were an integral part of the elections process. As such, it was right that foreign nationals be prohibited from making financial contributions.

    He emphasised, however, that this decision was limited to expenditure, and that it should not be read as support for bans on other types of engagement with elections. These would be protected by First Amendment free speech protections, which apply to foreign nationals within the US.

    We do not decide whether Congress could prohibit foreign nationals from engaging in speech other than contributions to candidates and parties, express-advocacy expenditures, and donations to outside groups … Plaintiffs … express concern that Congress might bar them from issue advocacy and speaking out on issues of public policy. Our holding does not address such questions, and our holding should not be read to support such bans.

    This decision was affirmed by the Supreme Court and so constitutes a convincing precedent.

    In a nutshell, US law prohibits foreign nationals from financing domestic election activity, but this is limited to financial contributions. The Labour campaign “contribution” so far does not appear to amount to financial contributions, so as long as this remains the case, it is not illegal.

    Ilaria Di Gioia received research funding from the Eccles Centre at the British Library.

    – ref. What US election interference law actually says about Labour volunteers – https://theconversation.com/what-us-election-interference-law-actually-says-about-labour-volunteers-242055

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Eagle Pass Police Officer Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Operating Human Smuggling Stash Houses

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

    DEL RIO, Texas – An Eagle Pass woman, who had served as a police detective, was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 120 months in prison for her role in a conspiracy to harbor undocumented noncitizens for a human smuggling organization (HSO).

    According to court documents, Hazel Eileen Diaz, 54, rented out multiple properties she owned in Eagle Pass to assist in harboring undocumented noncitizens between September 2020 and August 2021. Diaz would often travel to the properties where the migrants were being held to collect rent payments. An investigation revealed that, in total, nearly 200 migrants were smuggled by the HSO Diaz worked for, and that she had received approximately $36,916 in cash and money service business transfers, much of which were proceeds from human smuggling. At the time of her arrest, she was in possession of $23,522 in cash from the smuggling operation.

    Co-defendant Tomas Alejandro Mendez pleaded guilty on July 11, 2022 to one count of conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens. He is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 13, 2025. Co-defendant Paola Nikole Cazares was sentenced Oct. 11, 2023 to 63 months in prison for the same offense with credit for time served since Aug. 26, 2021. Mendez and Cazares worked with Diaz to operate her properties as stash houses.

    In addition to imprisonment, Diaz will serve three years of supervised release, pay a $10,000 fine and money judgement of $237,600, and she will forfeit three properties, a truck, and $23,522.

    U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

    The FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Border Patrol, and the Texas Department of Public Safety investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Holly Pavlinski prosecuted the case.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Drones Driven by A.I. Are Taking Over Major Industries Including Agriculture, Construction, Military & More

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – Artificial intelligence (AI) and drones are a formidable combo that has the potential to transform a variety of industries. When coupled, they build intelligent and autonomous airborne systems capable of completing complicated tasks in a variety of conditions. Because of this, the combination of artificial intelligence and drone technology offers new aerial technological developments for various industries, including agriculture, construction, energy, and security, as well as a solution to many aerial imagery demands. Factors such as technological advancements, growing need for automation and efficiency, and the increasing adoption of drones in the Logistics and Delivery, Agriculture and Precision Farming, Disaster Management and Search & Rescue, Environmental Monitoring and Industrial sectors are boosting the adoption of AI solutions in the UAV landscape. A report from Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence projected that the Artificial Intelligence in drone market size is projected to show steady growth during the forecast period (2024-2029). The report said: “Booming drone adoption in the sector boosts AI in drone market growth. Drones driven by AI are taking over major sectors such as agriculture, serving as industrious field workers. They minimize human effort while monitoring crop health, accurately locating pests, and applying irrigation to maximize production and optimize resource use. The movement known as “precision agriculture” is revolutionizing the way of raising food. According to the January 2022 Press Release Bureau, the government is extending financial support under the “Sub-Mission on Agriculture Mechanization” to encourage the use of drones in agriculture. The Agriculture Ministry will give agricultural institutions grants of up to Rs. 10 lakhs so the farmers can buy drones. When it comes to drone demonstrations on farmer fields Farmer’s Producers Organizations (FPOs) can receive funds for up to 75% of the total cost of the drone. The initiatives and factors supporting agriculture enhance the drone market.” Active Tech Companies in the markets today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE: PLTR), QUALCOMM Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM), AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS), Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO).

    “The growing need for automation in logistics propels AI in drone market. Industries these days need effective and automated ways to handle logistics jobs. Drones and AI together present an attractive alternative for companies looking to increase productivity and accuracy as they save labor expenses and increase productivity by automating operations that were previously done by hand. By the end of 2024, Prime Air plans to expand internationally into Italy and the UK, in addition to starting drone deliveries in the United States. Similarly, in October 2023, Amazon Pharmacy launched drone delivery of pharmaceuticals. Eligible consumers in College Station, Texas, can now have their drugs delivered to their homes via drone within 60 minutes of placing their purchase with Amazon Pharmacy.”

    ZenaTech Inc. (NASDAQ:ZENA) Issues Big Development News Today on Adding Patent Assets to the Company – Get the full details by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/

    Additional Groundbreaking ZenaTech Inc. Developments this week include:

    ZenaTech Announced a Software Company Acquisition Adding Significant Capabilities to Building AI Drones – ZenaTech also announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire ZooOffice Inc., the holding company for software companies Jadian and DeskFlex, from ZenaTech’s former parent company. The acquisition of these two software companies will provide important compliance and inspection software as well as scheduling and mapping software that will be incorporated into ZenaTech’s ZenaDrone AI drone solutions. This transaction further expands ZenaTech’s portfolio of SaaS software solutions and customer base and is expected to add to recurring revenue in the government sector among others. The acquisition is subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals that may be required.

    “Adding Jadian and DeskFlex software capabilities to the ZenaTech portfolio is part of our strategy to offer full stack, integrated AI drone solutions targeted to multiple sectors such as Agriculture. Jadian’s compliance software will be integrated with ZenaDrone drone hardware and sensors to help farmers track and manage regulatory and environmental requirements such as crop traceability, fertilizer and pesticide use, water conservation, and greenhouse gas emissions. Deskflex scheduling and mapping software will add value integrated into our property management sector solutions,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D. Read this full release at: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/zenatech-announces-software-company-acquisition-113000656.html

    Other recent developments in the technology industry include:

    Edgescale AI Inc. and Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE: PLTR) recently announced a strategic partnership to deliver Live Edge, a groundbreaking combination of Palantir Edge AI and Edgescale AI distributed infrastructure technology, designed to operationalize artificial intelligence (AI) in manufacturing, utilities, and other complex industrial environments.

    AI is reshaping the world and transforming our relationship with technology, yet applying AI to operational technology in industries and critical infrastructure remains a challenge. So long as the complexity and operational burden of activating machines, equipment, vehicles, and sensors in physical systems remains high, we only achieve a fraction of AI’s true potential for automating our technology and improving our lives.

    QUALCOMM Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) recently announced that, through its subsidiary Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., Aramco, and Saudi Arabia’s Research, Development and Innovation Authority (RDIA) are planning to launch Design in Saudi Arabia (DISA). DISA is envisaged to be an incubator program for Saudi Arabia that aims to support startups that are adopting AI, Internet of Things (IoT), and wireless technologies for industrial use cases.

    This initiative aims to support early-stage startups in the high-tech sector by guiding them from product design and development to commercialization. It aims to provide a comprehensive suite of support that includes technical assistance, business coaching, and intellectual property (IP) training, all aimed at enhancing the Kingdom’s technology ecosystem. Should this initiative materialize, startups would gain access to resources such as Qualcomm Technologies and Aramco’s industrial experience and RDIA’s strategic guidance.

    AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS) a leading provider of best-in-class unmanned aerial systems (UAS), sensors and software solutions for customers worldwide in the commercial and government verticals, recently issued a Letter to Stockholders from Company CEO Bill Irby.

    Dear Stockholders: First, I want to extend my appreciation for the trust and confidence you have placed in AgEagle. Upon taking over as CEO from Grant Begley (former interim CEO and current Board Chairman), we have been evolving and advancing AgEagle toward the creation of maximum long-term shareholder value.

    To fund our aggressive growth plans, we recently completed a $6.5M capital raise. The market’s reaction was a continued decline in our stock price. It became necessary to plan and execute a 50:1 reverse stock split. Our trading was halted October 4th but has since resumed, and I am truly optimistic regarding the path ahead as I believe that the company is currently under-valued… In conclusion, through a combination of our key initiatives, growing demand, and demonstrated progress in our newest market, I believe AgEagle is on the correct path to increase long-term shareholder value. We appreciate your continued support. Sincerely, Bill Irby, CEO

    Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO), an award-winning, industry-leading developer of drone solutions and systems, recently announced its participation in the upcoming Wings of Saskatchewan event in Regina, from October 30 to October 31, 2024. Draganfly will showcase its latest drone technology advancements, contributing to discussions on industry trends, safety, and regulatory considerations alongside key stakeholders in the aviation sector.

    The Wings of Saskatchewan Conference, hosted by the Saskatchewan Aerial Applicators Association and the Saskatchewan Aviation Council, serves as a vital gathering for the aviation community. This year’s event will bring together leaders from both civil and commercial aviation sectors to discuss technological advancements, regulatory updates, and future trends within the industry.

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

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

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

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    SOURCE: FN Media Group

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: An Interview with Maximilian Spitzley, Foreign Law Intern

    Source: US Global Legal Monitor

    Today’s interview is with Maximilian Spitzley, a foreign law intern working with Foreign Law Specialist Jenny Gesley in the Global Legal Research Directorate of the Law Library of Congress. 

    Describe your background.

    I am a legal trainee and Ph.D. student from Germany, currently completing a three-month internship at the Law Library of Congress.

    What is your academic/professional history?

    I studied law at the University of Bonn, Germany. Participating in the Erasmus program allowed me to spend a semester abroad at the University of Lucerne, Switzerland. I passed the first German state exam in 2020 and finished law school, specializing in capital markets law. Following a year of work at a law firm, I began my doctoral studies on the European regulation of crowdfunding under the supervision of Professor Dr. Moritz Renner at the University of Mannheim. In 2024, I started a two-year legal traineeship program to qualify for the bar exam in Germany. After working for the local court and the public prosecutor’s office in Bonn, the program provided me with the opportunity to work at the Law Library of Congress.

    How would you describe your job to other people?

    In my position as a foreign law intern at the Global Legal Research Directorate of the Law Library of Congress, I assist my supervisor, Jenny Gesley, with delivering legal insights on matters concerning German-speaking countries and the European Union (EU). My responsibilities include conducting thorough legal research and drafting comparative legal analyses in response to inquiries from Congress, judicial bodies, and executive agencies, while also supporting public research efforts. Additionally, I contribute to the Library’s Global Legal Monitor.

    Why did you want to work at the Law Library of Congress?

    Having studied law in both Germany and Switzerland, I gained knowledge in German, European, and international law. My work at the Law Library of Congress presents an invaluable opportunity to broaden my perspective by engaging with the U.S. legal system, while critically assessing national law and EU law from a comparative viewpoint. This experience allows me to deepen my legal understanding and provides meaningful insights into the interplay between different legal frameworks.

    What is the most interesting fact you have learned about the Law Library of Congress?

    One of the most fascinating aspects of the Law Library of Congress is its unparalleled global reach and comprehensive legal collection. It holds the largest collection of legal materials in the world, encompassing legal systems from nearly every country and jurisdiction. This vast resource allows researchers to compare diverse legal traditions and developments, providing a unique platform for understanding how law functions across different cultures and political systems. The ability to access such a breadth of international legal knowledge in one place is truly remarkable.

    What’s something most of your co-workers do not know about you?

    One thing my co-workers may not know about me is that I am a huge fan of U.S. sports. While I am here in Washington, I plan to catch games from all the major teams—the Nationals, Commanders, Capitals, and Wizards!

    Subscribe to In Custodia Legis – it’s free! – to receive interesting posts drawn from the Law Library of Congress’s vast collections and our staff’s expertise in U.S., foreign, and international law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mary’s Harbour — Mary’s Harbour RCMP partners with NL Health Services, three new ‘Wind Phones’ constructed

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    To mark World Mental Health Day, Mary’s Harbour RCMP, working in partnership with NL Health Services, Labrador Grenfell Zone, recently had three new ‘Wind Phones’ constructed.

    Three new areas, Charlottetown, Port Hope Simpson, and St. Lewis, will now benefit from these ‘Wind Phones’, a local mental health initiative by Corporal Tom Roach of Mary’s Harbour RCMP and Mental Health and Addictions Counsellor Grace Reyes of NL Health Services, Labrador Grenfell Zone.

    Police thank the municipalities of Charlottetown, Port Hope Simpson and St. Lewis for their support of this project.

    The ‘Wind Phone’ is a concept originally developed in Japan to assist people in dealing with grief and other mental health issues. It is an unconnected phone placed in nature that allows people the opportunity to feel that they can speak to their loved ones who have passed on or vocalize their feelings about loss, grief, etc. It is an outlet for people to externalize their emotions and process difficult feelings, in a safe space.

    Mary’s Harbour RCMP encourages anyone who is struggling with their mental health to please reach out for help by calling 811 or contacting any of the following resources – in emergencies, call 911:

    NL Health Services, Labrador Grenfell Zone Mental Health and Addictions Resources:
    https://www.lghealth.ca/mha

    Help Lines and Navigation:
    https://www.lghealth.ca/your-health/programs-and-services/mha/help-lines-and-navigation/

    Bridge the Gapp:

    https://www.bridgethegapp.ca/

    Kids Help Phone – 1-800-668-6868

    NL Health Services, Labrador Grenfell Zone Mental Health Crisis Line – 1-888-737-4668 or 709-737-4668

    Background:

    https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/news/2023/marys-harbour-rcmp-and-labrador-grenfell-health-join-forces-local-mental-health-care

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Safe access buffer zones to be implemented for abortion clinics

    Source: City of Birmingham

    Birmingham City Council implemented a public space protection order (PSPO) covering Robert Clinic on Station Road, which has been in place since 7 September 2022 for a period of 3 years.

    The PSPO is now being reviewed with the introduction of buffer zones under the Public Order Act 2023, which come into force on 31 October 2024 as the government moves to bring in stronger safeguarding measures for women accessing these health services.

    Safe access buffer zones will make it illegal for anyone to do anything that intentionally or recklessly influences someone’s decision to use abortion services, obstructs them, or causes harassment or distress to someone using or working at these premises. The law will apply within a 150-metre radius of the abortion service provider.

    The College of Policing and Crown Prosecution Service will publish guidance for police and prosecutors ahead of 31 October, to ensure there is clarity and consistency with the enforcement of the new offence.

    The activities prohibited under the current PSPO include:

    • Protesting, namely engaging in any act or attempted act of approval or disapproval, with respect to issues related to abortion services, by any means. This includes but is not limited to graphic, verbal or written means, prayer or counselling,
    • Interfering, or attempting to interfere, whether verbally or physically, with a Robert Clinic service user, visitor or member of staff,
    • Intimidating or harassing, or attempting to intimidate or harass, a Robert Clinic service user, visitor or a member of staff,
    • Recording or photographing a Robert Clinic service user, visitor or member of staff or,
    • Displaying any text or images relating directly or indirectly to the termination of pregnancy.

    If a person does not comply with the order they commit an offence, which could result in sanctions which include a fixed penalty notice, up to a level 3 fine.

    Introducing abortion clinic safe access zones

    This measure introduces safe access zones around abortion clinics, where interference with any person’s decision to access, provide, or facilitate the provision of abortion services within the 150-metre zone is an offence.

    The police will have powers to enforce the safe access zones, and an offence will carry an unlimited fine.

    Birmingham City Council Community Safety Team are working with West Midlands Police to ensure the transition of the PSPO to the buffer zones is completed so that there is no impact of staff and visitors to the clinic.

    Counillor Nicky Brennan, Cabinet Member for Social Justice, Community Safety and Equalities, said: “It is important that women are not harassed when visiting the Robert Clinic for health care, as they deserve privacy and understanding during what must be a difficult time for them.

    “Birmingham City Council welcomes the governments safeguarding measures for women who need access to this vital service which women should be able to use without intrusion or intimidation.

    “The buffer zones will hopefully deter anyone from protesting, interfering or intimidating service users and make their visits easier to cope with.”

    For more information about the PSPO, visit Birmingham City Council’s website.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Justice announces success of Operation October Sky, seizure of meth, fentanyl, heroin, dangerous weapons

    Source: US State of West Virginia

    CHARLESTON, WV —  Gov. Jim Justice announced today the successful outcome of Operation October Sky, an aggressive initiative to combat the ongoing drug crisis in West Virginia. This operation resulted in significant drug seizures and numerous arrests. 

    During the week-long operation, which ran from October 7-14, over 30 law enforcement agencies across West Virginia seized more than 28 pounds of methamphetamine, nearly half a pound of fentanyl, and 18 fentanyl pills, alongside other dangerous substances such as heroin and cocaine. 

    The operation led to 70 felony arrests and 176 misdemeanor arrests, as well as the confiscation of 30 firearms—comprising 15 handguns and 14 rifles—and over $31,000 in cash linked to illegal drug activities.

    “I am incredibly proud of our teams who pulled the rope together for Operation October Sky,” Gov. Justice said. “Thankfully, we were able to help clean up many of our streets. However, the bottom line is that we’ve suffered terrible consequences because of the loose restrictions at our southern border. We can’t ignore how this serious issue fuels the drug epidemic and the absolute chaos we’re facing all across this nation. But, we will not stand for it here in West Virginia. We will continue to tackle these challenges head-on. We owe a huge thank you to the West Virginia State Police and all our law enforcement agencies for their fantastic job in keeping our streets safe from this terrible epidemic. If this is what we can do in a week, think about what we can accomplish in a year? We need to continue pushing for these kinds of crackdowns.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Justice launches Rural Hospitals Grant Program, which will supply $40M of funding for important healthcare projects

    Source: US State of West Virginia

    “Our rural hospitals are cornerstones of our communities in West Virginia,” Gov. Justice said. “They support our families and neighbors in their toughest moments. Every West Virginian deserves access to quality healthcare, no matter where they live. This funding will help us make that a reality for everyone.”

    Rural hospitals are encouraged to submit proposals for funding by November 15. Each proposal will be reviewed to ensure it aligns with the goals of improving healthcare in rural areas.

    The Governor’s Office will disburse funds upon verification of eligibility. Awards are contingent on fund availability.

    Please visit HERE to find additional West Virginia grant opportunities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: VIPER Taskforce execute 27 warrants and lay Commonwealth charge of directing a criminal organisation

    Source: Australian Department of Revenue

    Detectives from the VIPER and Lunar taskforces have this morning charged eight people with Commonwealth offences for their part in directing and assisting an organised crime syndicate.

    It will be alleged the syndicate was leasing stores, employing staff as supervisors, store managers and couriers and commencing deliveries under the guise of operating the stores as legitimate gifts and confectionary stores, while selling only illicit tobacco and related products.

    Investigators have obtained transactional records which reflect the syndicate earned over $30 million in a 12-month period through the sale of illicit tobacco in these stores.

    Supported by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), Australian Border Force’s (ABF) Illicit Tobacco Taskforce and Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), officers today executed more than 27 search warrants across Victoria as part of an ongoing investigation targeting serious organised crime in the illicit tobacco market.

    With assistance from Taskforce Lunar, the Armed Crime Squad, the Illicit Firearms Squad, Financial Crime Squad, Criminal Proceeds Squad, Joint Organised Crime Taskforce, Echo Taskforce, Cybercrime Squad, Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team, Wyndham, Knox, Hobsons Bay, Echuca, Cobram, Ararat, Northern Grampians and Geelong Crime Investigation Units, Westgate Divisional Response Unit, Eastern Region Crime Squad and State Highway Patrol, search warrants were executed from 5am this morning at tobacco stores, warehouses and residential addresses statewide.

    Three industrial properties in Truganina were searched, as well as residential addresses in Truganina, Hoppers Crossing (3), Glen Waverley, Lara, Grovedale, Footscray and Mount Cottrell, and tobacco stores in Herne Hill, Bell Park, Grovedale, Werribee (2), Dallas, Kensington, Boronia, Ararat (3), Kyabram, Echuca (2) and Yarrawonga.

    A 25-year-old Hoppers Crossing man was arrested at Melbourne Airport just before 6:00 am.

    He has since been charged with the Commonwealth offence of directing the activities of a criminal organisation, possess tobacco products with the intent of defrauding the revenue (Customs Act 1901), possess proceeds of crime and sell/distribute e-cigarettes.

    He will appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court later today.

    Directing the activities of a criminal organisation carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.

    Four other people were arrested and have been charged with the same offences.

    They include:

    • a 26-year-old Hoppers Crossing man, who will appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court later today
    • a 21-year-old Hoppers Crossing man, who will appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court later today
    • a 50-year-old Grovedale woman, and
    • a 51-year-old Glen Waverley man, both of whom have been bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday (28 October).

    Five other people were arrested, including:

    • a 25-year-old Hoppers Crossing man, who was arrested in Ararat and charged with support a criminal organisation and illicit tobacco offences
    • a 46-year-old Ararat man, who was arrested in Ararat and charged with support a criminal Organisation and illicit tobacco offences
    • a 38-year-old Tarneit man who was arrested attempting to remove stock from a retail outlet in Werribee. He was charged with support a criminal organisation and illicit tobacco offences
    • a 50-year-old Mount Cotterill man was arrested in relation to illicit tobacco and possession of commercial cigarette manufacturing equipment located. He was released and is expected to be charged on summons, and
    • a 21-year-old Yarrawonga man was interviewed and released, he is also expected to be charged on summons.

    During the warrants, police seized a Lamborghini Coupe and Range Rover from the Hoppers Crossing address, at least 600,000 illicit tobacco sticks, over 75 kgs of loose-leaf tobacco and a significant quantity of cash from the residential addresses as well as utilities and vans investigators will allege were used in the distribution of illicit tobacco.

    Searches of the tobacco stores are still underway with total seizures to be confirmed.

    The investigation commenced in December 2023 to specifically target and disrupt the trade of illicit tobacco and e-cigarettes linked to this organised crime syndicate.

    Over 130 members were involved in today’s activities, including the entirety of the VIPER Taskforce office.

    Victoria Police continues to support local councils and the Victorian Department of Health who have responsibility for tobacco and vape enforcement and compliance.

    Detectives continue to work alongside external agencies such as the ABF, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, AFP, TGA, ATO and interstate counterparts.

    Victoria Police has identified a number of state, national and global organised crime syndicates involved in the illicit tobacco conflict.

    These syndicates are comprised of personnel from Middle Eastern organised crime groups and outlaw motorcycle gangs who are then engaging local networked youth and youth gangs to carry out the offending.

    Investigators continue to appeal to anyone, especially store owners and staff, who have information about these incidents and who is responsible to come forward.

    Anyone with information about these incidents or with further information about serious and organised crime linked to the illicit tobacco trade is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.auExternal Link

    Victoria Police quotes

    Crime Command Assistant Commissioner Martin O’Brien said:

    “Organised crime syndicates and their serious offending linked to the infiltration of the tobacco industry remain a top priority for Victoria Police.

    Those involved have the potential and the propensity to commit serious acts of violence and given their complete disregard for the safety of others, pose a serious risk to the community. Their criminality cannot be tolerated.

    The disruption of this syndicate today will have a substantial impact on the illicit tobacco trade. These were significant players who we believe were directing the activity of a criminal organisation, turning a huge profit at the expense of others.

    We have said a number of times that Victoria Police is focused on targeting syndicate leaders, directors, facilitators and organisers. That remains critical for us, and we are doing absolutely everything we can to bring this criminality to an end and to make involvement in illicit tobacco as hostile a proposition as possible for organised crime groups.”

    ABF quotes

    Assistant Commissioner Tony Smith said:

    “ABF continues to work closely with our partners to disrupt and deter attempts by criminal syndicates seeking to profit from the illicit tobacco trade in Australia.

    We remain committed to seizing illicit tobacco and dismantling these supply chains which we know criminals use to make immense profits as well as to fund a whole host of other nefarious criminal enterprises.”

    ATO quotes

    Acting Assistant Commissioner Justin Clarke said:

    “Today’s whole of government response has been a successful step forward in addressing the Victorian tobacco dispute. These arrests and seizures show our commitment to stamping out illicit tobacco and removing it from our communities.

    With the help of our partners, we continue to support coordinated efforts to detect, disrupt, and dismantle these organised crime syndicates who use profits from illicit tobacco to fund other serious illegal activities.

    Organised crime costs Australians around $60 billion each yearExternal Link and the illicit tobacco trade not only takes away vital funding from essential community services, but it also disadvantages small businesses who do the right thing.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: eInvoicing-enabled entities

    Source: Australian Department of Revenue

    These Australian Government entities are registered on the Peppol network. They appear on the Peppol Directory along with hundreds of state, territory and local government organisations, and thousands of other Australian businesses who can receive eInvoices.

    If you supply to any of the entities listed below and can send eInvoices you may be paid faster. For more information visit Getting PaidExternal Link on the Department of Finance’s website or talk to your contract manager in the Government entity about any specific requirements.

    Australian Government entities able to receive eInvoices

    ABN

    Entity name

    73 147 176 148

    Administrative Review Tribunal

    80 246 994 451

    Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission

    50 802 255 175

    Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency

    92 661 124 436

    Attorney-General’s Department

    26 331 428 522

    Australian Bureau of Statistics

    34 864 955 427

    Australian Centre for International Agriculture Research

    54 488 464 865

    Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission

    97 250 687 371

    Australian Commission on Safety and Quality In Health Care

    55 386 169 386

    Australian Communications and Media Authority

    94 410 483 623

    Australian Competition & Consumer Commission

    11 259 448 410

    Australian Crime Commission

    84 425 496 912

    Australian Digital Health Agency

    21 133 285 851

    Australian Electoral Commission

    17 864 931 143

    Australian Federal Police

    19 892 732 021

    Australian Film Television & Radio School

    63 384 330 717

    Australian Financial Security Authority

    81 098 497 517

    Australian Fisheries Management Authority

    69 405 937 639

    Australian Government Solicitor

    47 996 232 602

    Australian Human Rights Commission

    31 162 998 046

    Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme

    63 257 175 248

    Australian Institute of Criminology

    64 001 053 079

    Australian Institute of Family Studies

    65 377 938 320

    Australian Maritime Safety Authority

    33 020 645 631

    Australian National Audit Office

    13 059 525 039

    Australian Office of Financial Management

    56 253 405 315

    Australian Organ & Tissue Donation and Transplantation Authority

    79 635 582 658

    Australian Prudential Regulation Authority

    99 470 863 260

    Australian Public Service Commission

    61 321 195 155

    Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA)

    35 931 927 899

    Australian Renewable Energy Agency

    35 201 451 156

    Australian Research Council

    86 768 265 615

    Australian Securities & Investments Commission

    37 467 566 201

    Australian Security Intelligence Organisation

    22 323 254 583

    Australian Signals Directorate

    72 581 678 650

    Australian Skills Quality Authority

    67 374 695 240

    Australian Sports Commission

    67 250 046 148

    Australian Submarine Agency

    51 824 753 556

    Australian Taxation Office

    11 764 698 227

    Australian Trade and Investment Commission

    32 770 513 371

    Australian Transaction Reports & Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC)

    65 061 156 887

    Australian Transport Safety Bureau

    64 909 221 257

    Australian War Memorial

    92 637 533 532

    Bureau of Meteorology

    21 075 951 918

    Cancer Australia

    44 808 014 470

    Civil Aviation Safety Authority

    43 669 904 352

    Clean Energy Finance Corporation

    72 321 984 210

    Clean Energy Regulator

    60 585 018 782

    Climate Change Authority

    41 640 788 304

    Comcare Australia

    64 703 642 210

    Commonwealth Grants Commission

    34 190 894 983

    Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

    68 706 814 312

    Department of Defence

    69 289 134 420

    Department of Defence Army & Air Force Canteen Service

    12 862 898 150

    Department of Education

    96 584 957 427

    Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

    61 970 632 495

    Department of Finance

    47 065 634 525

    Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade

    83 605 426 759

    Department of Health and Aged Care

    33 380 054 835

    Department of Home Affairs

    74 599 608 295

    Department of Industry, Science and Resources

    86 267 354 017

    Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts

    52 997 141 147

    Department of Parliamentary Services

    36 342 015 855

    Department of Social Services

    18 526 287 740

    Department of the House of Representatives

    49 775 240 532

    Department of the Parliamentary Budget Office

    23 991 641 527

    Department of the Senate

    92 802 414 793

    Department of the Treasury

    23 964 290 824

    Department of Veterans’ Affairs & the Repatriation Commission and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission

    96 257 979 159

    Digital Transformation Agency

    13 051 694 963

    Director of National Parks

    99 696 833 561

    Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission

    12 212 931 598

    eSafety Commissioner

    93 614 579 199

    Fair Work Commission

    49 110 847 399

    Federal Court of Australia

    20 537 066 246

    Food Standards Australia New Zealand

    40 465 597 854

    Future Fund Board of Guardians

    53 156 699 293

    Future Fund Management Agency

    80 091 799 039

    Geoscience Australia

    12 949 356 885

    Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

    27 598 959 960

    Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority

    26 424 781 530

    Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority

    59 912 679 254

    Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation

    51 248 702 319

    Inspector-General of Taxation

    38 113 072 755

    IP Australia

    13 679 821 382

    Murray-Darling Basin Authority

    47 446 409 542

    National Anti-Corruption Commission

    36 889 228 992

    National Archives of Australia

    87 361 602 478

    National Blood Authority

    75 149 374 427

    National Capital Authority

    56 552 760 098

    National Competition Council

    25 617 475 104

    National Disability Insurance Agency

    40 816 261 802

    National Emergency Management Agency

    27 855 975 449

    National Gallery of Australia

    88 601 010 284

    National Health and Medical Research Council

    15 337 761 242

    National Health Funding Body

    30 429 895 164

    National Indigenous Australians Agency

    22 385 178 289

    National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority

    67 890 861 578

    National Transport Commission

    72 581 678 650

    National Vocational Education and Training Regulator

    40 293 545 182

    NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission

    61 900 398 761

    North Queensland Water Infrastructure Authority

    87 904 367 991

    Office of National Intelligence

    41 425 630 817

    Office of Parliamentary Counsel

    80 959 780 601

    Office of the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board

    92 702 019 575

    Office of the Australian Accounting Standards Board

    85 249 230 937

    Office of the Australian Information Commissioner

    53 003 678 148

    Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman

    41 036 606 436

    Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions

    43 884 188 232

    Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman

    15 862 053 538

    Office of the Gene Technology Regulator

    27 478 662 745

    Office Of the Inspector-General of Aged Care

    67 332 668 643

    Office of the Inspector-General of Intelligence & Security

    67 582 329 284

    Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General

    87 767 208 148

    Office of the Special Investigator

    30 620 774 963

    Old Parliament House

    78 094 372 050

    Productivity Commission

    45 307 308 260

    Professional Services Review

    99 528 049 038

    Regional Investment Corporation

    45 852 104 259

    Royal Australian Mint

    25 203 754 319

    Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation

    81 840 374 163

    Safe Work Australia

    46 741 353 180

    Screen Australia

    32 745 854 352

    Seafarers Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation Authority

    90 794 605 008

    Services Australia

    17 090 574 431

    Snowy Hydro Limited

    91 314 398 574

    Special Broadcasting Service Corporation

    70 588 505 483

    Sport Integrity Australia

    50 658 250 012

    Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency

    18 108 001 191

    The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

    40 939 406 804

    Therapeutic Goods Administration

    57 155 285 807

    Torres Strait Regional Authority

    47 641 643 874

    Workplace Gender Equality Agency

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Dartmouth — Nova Scotia RCMP release provincial stunting statistics for June – September 2024

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    As Nova Scotia’s Provincial Police, road safety is a top priority. In an effort to keep citizens informed about enforcement on our roadways, the RCMP is releasing statistics on stunting charges for the months of June to September.

    During this four-month period, Nova Scotia RCMP charged 75 drivers with stunting on a number of highways across the province. This included 16 in June, 19 in July, 20 in August, and 20 in September. Each of these months represented an increase from 2023. The following drivers were caught travelling at speeds that caused significant concern:

    • 109 km/h in a 30 km/h school zone on Highway 1 in Weymouth
    • 144 km/h in a 50 km/h zone on Highway 242 in Joggins
    • 204 km/h in a 110 km/h zone on Highway 104 in Westchester
    • 174 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on Highway 125 in Upper North Sydney, with two racing vehicles both seized
    • 170 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on Highway 125 in Coxheath with the driver also providing a roadside breath sample over 50mg%.

    Stunting is defined as any person who operates a motor vehicle on a highway in a race, in a contest, while performing a stunt or on a bet or wager. And, anyone driving a motor vehicle 50 Km/hr or more over a speed limit, may be charged with stunting.

    The fine for stunting in Nova Scotia is $2,422.50 for a first offence, six points on your licence and an immediate seven-day roadside licence suspension.

    Speed is one of the major causes of serious injury and fatal collisions on our roads. Road safety is a priority for the RCMP and drivers are reminded to make it their priority as well. If you see someone driving unsafely on our roads, please report it by calling the RCMP at 1-800-803-RCMP (7267). If you believe it is an emergency, call 911.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Derby celebrates over a decade of Purple Flag status

    Source: City of Derby

    With October marking Purple Flag Month, Derby is celebrating over 10 years of holding the Purple Flag accreditation. The city was first awarded the purple flag in July 2013 for its city centre evening and night-time economy.

    The Purple Flag recognises towns and cities that provide a safe, welcoming, and well-managed night-time economy, similar to the Blue Flag for beaches and the Green Flag for parks. The Purple Flag is only accredited to towns and cities that are welcoming to everyone, offer safe ways for visitors to travel home, provide a good mix of venues, and are appealing after dark.

    With safety being a top priority, the accreditation means that Derby has benefitted from more visitors, lower crime and anti-social behaviour, and a safer city centre. It also recognises the hard work that goes on both on the streets and the planning from local authorities to make the city centre safer at night.

    Visitors and residents who go on nights out in Derby can benefit from increased safety, such as the teams of volunteers and workers who give up their weekends to keep people safe. Street pastors, BID wardens, taxi marshals, licensing officers, Derbyshire Police, door staff, ambulance crews and CCTV operators also work together to ensure the safety of Derby’s visitors and residents.

    Councillor Ndukwe Onuoha, Cabinet Member for Streetpride, Public Safety and Leisure said:

    I am proud to be a cabinet member of a city that has repeatedly met the high standards required for the Purple Flag status. For over a decade, Derby has been recognised as a city that puts in hard work and collaboration, from local authorities to volunteers, to ensure the safety of everyone at night.

    This recognition, for over 10 years, shows that together, we gave created an evening and night-time economy that is vibrant and safe, and we are committed to going even further in the future to ensure the safety of everyone, particularly women and girls in our city.

    Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council, said:

    I am incredibly happy to be celebrating Purple Flag Month. I am also proud that Derby has retained its status of being a Purple Flag city for over a decade now. Through a partnership effort, our teams have been working hard to ensure that Derby remains a safe city for all. This year we have also invested £147,679 of government funding in new CCTV cameras in the city centre to make everyone, particularly women and girls, feel safer at night.

    I look forward to working further on the city centre’s safety and ensuring that Derby is a safe and welcoming city for all. We have an ambition to use the next application as a launch pad to go beyond the Purple Flag standard and do even more for community safety.

    Derby City Council is currently in the process of reapplying for the Purple Flag status, and the council remains confident that the city’s vibrant and well-managed night-time economy will once again meet the high standards required. The reapplication process will be an opportunity for the Council to showcase its ongoing efforts to prioritising safety at night, particularly for women and girls.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada to Launch Call for Applications under National Crime Prevention Strategy

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Government of Canada to Launch Call for Applications under National Crime Prevention Strategy

    Gabriel Brunet
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc
    Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs
    819-665-6527
    Gabriel.Brunet@iga-aig.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Bennet Welcome $23 Million from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for Denver, Colorado Springs Airports

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet welcomed $23 million from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to improve airport infrastructure in Denver and Colorado Springs. This funding comes from the Airport Terminals Program, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
    “Our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law keeps investing in Colorado and creating good-paying jobs. This time by improving travelers’ experiences at both Denver International Airport and the Colorado Springs Airport,” said Hickenlooper. “Giddy up!”
    “I’m grateful the FAA is supporting Colorado’s airports as they improve and modernize to meet our state’s changing needs,” said Bennet. “These dollars will help ensure our airports can continue to fuel our economy and better connect communities across our state.”
    Specifically, this funding includes:
    Airport Name
    Project Description
    Funding
    Denver International Airport
    Increase the efficiency and capacity of its baggage handling system
    $15 million
    Colorado Springs Airport
    Improve energy efficiency, ensure accessibility, and modernize gate areas
    $8 million
    Just this year, Hickenlooper and Bennet have welcomed nearly $140 million from the FAA for Colorado’s airports.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Final Defendant Pleads Guilty, Three Others Sentenced in Upstate Meth Trafficking Case

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Three members of an Upstate drug ring have been sentenced to federal prison and the final member has pleaded guilty for their role in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy.

    Richard Brian Walker, 49, of Chesnee, was sentenced to 270 months’ imprisonment. Walker additionally pled guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a short-barreled rifle, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. 

    Rebecca Elizabeth Whitesides, 54, of Mooresboro, N.C., 120 months’ imprisonment. Whitesides also pled guilty to money laundering. 

    Amanda Gail Tuck, 45, of Chesnee, was sentenced to 70 months’ imprisonment.

    The final defendant Jeffrey Michael Wilson, 54, of Commerce, Georgia pled guilty to conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine and to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Wilson was convicted in a prior federal methamphetamine conspiracy case in 2000.

    Evidence presented to the court showed that on Jan. 18, 2023, Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office deputies pulled over Whitesides on I-85 and searched her car, finding almost two kilograms of methamphetamine. Investigation into her bank accounts demonstrated that she was assisting others to conceal payments for drug proceeds.

    On Feb. 22, 2023, Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office was conducting surveillance on Walker’s home and observed Wilson’s car arrive and leave. Law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on Wilson, locating more than 5,800 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded semi-automatic pistol with 19 rounds. Over the course of the conspiracy, Wilson was responsible for trafficking 50 kilograms of methamphetamine with Walker.

    A search warrant was also executed on Walker’s residence and storage building that day, and investigators located over 500 grams of methamphetamine and 85 grams of fentanyl, a loaded pistol, a rifle, and an unmarked short-barreled AR-15 style rifle, commonly referred to as a “ghost gun.” Tuck was also located on the premises.

    Only a month later, on March 24, 2023, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office deputies pulled over Tuck and located almost a kilogram of her methamphetamine in a U-Haul truck.

    United States District Judge Donald C. Coggins sentenced the defendants and accepted Wilson’s guilty plea.  The court ordered each sentence to be followed by a term of supervised release. Judge Coggins will sentence Wilson at a later date. The maximum penalty for the offense is life imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.

    This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, South Carolina Department of Corrections Office of the Inspector General, Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, and Greenville County Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Schoen is prosecuting the case.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: New Orleans Man Sentenced to 82 Months for Federal Weapons Offense

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – RONALD TAYLOR (“TAYLOR”), age 31, of New Orleans, was sentenced on October 1, 2024 to 82 months imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee, announced United States Attorney Duane A. Evans.  TAYLOR previously pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8).

    According to court documents, on August 31, 2023, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office stopped a stolen vehicle, after receiving notification via the “Flock System” that the vehicle had been reported stolen two days prior in a carjacking in Harris County, Texas.  TAYLOR, the driver, was accompanied by his fiancé and his three-year-old daughter.  The officers conducted a vehicle inventory search prior to towing and processing the vehicle and, located three loaded firearms and ammunition inside.  TAYLOR admitted that all three firearms were his.

    TAYLOR knowingly possessed these firearms despite his status as a prohibited person, having already been convicted of three prior felonies, including one for being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

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

    The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Christine Calogero of the General Crimes Unit.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Tahlequah Resident Sentenced For Federal Firearm Crime

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Charles Edward Ketcher, Jr., age 33, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 15 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm.

    The charges arose from an investigation by the Adair County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

    On March 15, 2024, Ketcher pleaded guilty to one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm.  According to investigators, on October 14, 2023, Ketcher was captured on a surveillance camera carrying a rifle.  At the time Ketcher possessed the rifle, he knew he had previously been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.

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

    The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing.   Ketcher was remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael E. Robinson represented the United States at the sentencing hearing.

    MIL Security OSI –