Category: Taxation

  • MIL-OSI: Chemung Financial Corporation Reports First Quarter 2025 Net Income of $6.0 million, or $1.26 per share

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ELMIRA, N.Y., April 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Chemung Financial Corporation (the “Corporation”) (Nasdaq: CHMG), the parent company of Chemung Canal Trust Company (the “Bank”), today reported net income of $6.0 million, or $1.26 per share, for the first quarter of 2025, compared to $5.9 million, or $1.24 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2024, and $7.1 million, or $1.48 per share, for the first quarter of 2024.

    “First quarter results demonstrate steady ongoing delivery of the Corporation’s strategic plan,” said Anders M. Tomson, President and CEO of Chemung Financial Corporation. “Attentive balance sheet management has allowed us to effectively reduce funding costs while growing our asset base. Loan growth in our newer Canal Bank division during the quarter underscores its strategic importance to operations,” Tomson added.

    “Our community banking model serves as a source of strength, consistency, and dependability for our communities, clients, and employees, regardless of the external environment. We are confident these stakeholders will continue to meaningfully drive our Corporation’s success,” concluded Tomson.

    First Quarter Highlights:

    • The Corporation announced a $0.01 dividend increase, representing a 3.2% increase compared to the prior quarter. Dividends declared during the first quarter 2025 were $0.32 per share.
    • Net interest margin expanded four basis points compared to the prior quarter, from 2.92% in the fourth quarter 2024 to 2.96% in the first quarter 2025.1 Interest rate spread increased 11 basis points compared to the prior quarter, from 2.06% in the fourth quarter 2024 to 2.17% in the first quarter 2025.
    • Annualized loan growth totaled 5.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2025, including annualized commercial loan growth of 10.5%.
    • Loan growth in the Western New York Canal Bank division totaled 14.9% compared to prior-year end and deposit growth totaled 82.0% compared to prior year-end.

    1 See the GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliations.

    1st Quarter 2025 vs 4th Quarter 2024

    Net Interest Income:
    Net interest income for the first quarter of 2025 totaled $19.8 million, in line with the prior quarter, driven by a decrease of $1.0 million in interest expense on deposits, and offset by decreases of $0.7 million in interest income on loans and $0.1 million in each of interest income on taxable securities and interest income on interest-earning deposits, and an increase of $0.1 million in interest expense on borrowed funds.

    Interest expense on deposits decreased primarily due to a decrease of 19 basis points in the average cost of interest-bearing deposits, and despite an increase of $8.7 million in average balances of total interest-bearing deposits, compared to the prior quarter. The average cost of customer time deposits decreased 42 basis points compared to the prior quarter, mainly due to maturities of higher cost CDs associated with campaigns during 2023 and 2024, many of which were renewed at a lower cost. Average balances of customer time deposits decreased $25.9 million compared to the prior quarter. Customer time deposits comprised 21.1% of total average deposits in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 22.1% in the prior quarter. The average cost of brokered deposits decreased 19 basis points, while average balances of brokered deposits increased $38.0 million compared to the prior quarter. The cost of brokered deposits decreased largely due to the short term nature of the Corporation’s brokered deposits coupled with lower market interest rates in the current quarter, while average balances of brokered deposits increased primarily to offset the decrease of $39.0 million in average balances of total customer deposits, or 1.6%, compared to the prior quarter. Additionally, average balances of interest-bearing demand deposits increased $8.9 million while the average cost of interest-bearing demand deposits decreased 12 basis points, and average balances of savings and money market deposits decreased $12.3 million while the average cost of savings and money market deposits decreased 12 basis points, compared to the prior quarter.

    Interest income on loans, including fees, decreased primarily due to a decrease of 16 basis points in the average yield on commercial loans, partially offset by an increase of $43.0 million in average balances of commercial loans, compared to the prior quarter. The decrease in average yield on commercial loans was partially due to the recognition of $0.3 million in interest income on the payoff of a nonaccrual construction loan in the prior quarter, as well as decreases in interest rates on existing variable rate loans, as benchmark indexes repriced lower during the current quarter. The increase in average balances of commercial loans was largely concentrated in commercial real estate. Average balances of residential mortgage loans increased $0.8 million while the average yield on residential mortgage loans decreased one basis point, compared to the prior quarter. Origination yields of residential mortgages remained strong in the first quarter of 2025 despite the overall declining rate environment. Average balances of consumer loans decreased $12.4 million and the average yield on consumer loans decreased seven basis points, compared to the prior quarter, due to net runoff of the indirect auto portfolio, decreases in interest rates on variable rate home equity products, and home equity lines of credit originated in the first quarter of 2025 at a 4.99% introductory rate.

    The decrease in interest income on taxable securities was primarily due to a decrease of $10.1 million in average balances, largely due to paydowns of mortgage-backed and SBA pooled loan securities. The decrease in interest income on interest-earning deposits was mainly due to a decrease in the interest rate paid on deposit balances at the Federal Reserve during the fourth quarter of 2024. The increase in interest expense on borrowed funds was due to an increase in average balances of total FHLBNY advances in the first quarter of 2025, compared to the prior quarter.

    Fully taxable equivalent net interest margin was 2.96% for the current quarter, compared to 2.92% for the prior quarter. Average interest-earning assets increased $17.7 million, while average interest-bearing liabilities increased $25.1 million during the first quarter, compared to the prior quarter. The average yield on interest-earning assets decreased seven basis points to 4.72%, while the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased 18 basis points to 2.55%, compared to the prior quarter. Total cost of funds was 1.92% for the current quarter, compared to 2.04% for the prior quarter, a decrease of 12 basis points.

    Provision for Credit Losses:
    Provision for credit losses was $1.1 million for the first quarter of 2025, compared to $0.6 million in the prior quarter, an increase of $0.5 million, or 83.3%. The increase was primarily due to the annual loss driver update to the Bank’s CECL model, which is implemented in the first quarter of each year, as well as deterioration in FOMC forecasts for the economic variables on which the Bank’s CECL model is based. Partially offsetting these increases were lower net charge-offs in the current quarter, compared to the prior quarter.

    Non-Interest Income:
    Non-interest income for the first quarter of 2025 was $5.9 million, compared to $6.1 million for the prior quarter, a decrease of $0.2 million, or 3.3%, driven by decreases of $0.2 million in wealth management group fee income and $0.1 million in interchange revenue from debit card transactions, partially offset by an increase of $0.1 million in other non-interest income.

    Wealth management group fee income decreased compared to the prior quarter largely due to a decrease in total assets under management, due to a broad decline in financial markets during the first quarter of 2025. Interchange revenue from debit card transactions decreased primarily due to a decline in transaction volume, partially due to the seasonality of holiday spending, compared to the prior quarter. Other non-interest income increased mainly due to recognition of debit card support incentives in the first quarter of 2025.

    Non-Interest Expense:
    Non-interest expense for the first quarter of 2025 was $16.9 million, compared to $17.8 million for the prior quarter, a decrease of $0.9 million, or 5.1%, driven by decreases of $0.4 million in pension and other employee benefits, $0.2 million in salaries and wages, and $0.1 million in each of data processing, loan expense, and furniture and equipment expense.

    Pension and other employee benefits decreased compared to the prior quarter primarily due to a decrease in employee healthcare-related expenses. The decrease in salaries and wages was largely due to higher quarterly incentive compensation expense recognized in the prior quarter. Data processing decreased mainly due to a decrease in card-related expenses, partially attributable to procurement expenses relating to the Canal Bank division in the prior quarter. The decrease in loan expenses was primarily due to a decrease in legal fees in the current quarter, compared to the prior quarter. The decrease in furniture and equipment expense was partially due to branch equipment and non-capitalized fixtures purchased in the prior quarter.

    Income Tax Expense:
    Income tax expense for the first quarter of 2025 was $1.7 million, compared to $1.6 million for the prior quarter, an increase of $0.1 million. The effective tax rate for the current quarter increased to 21.6% from 21.2% in the prior quarter. The increase in income tax expense was primarily due to an increase in pretax income.

    1st Quarter 2025 vs 1st Quarter 2024

    Net Interest Income:
    Net interest income for the first quarter of 2025 totaled $19.8 million, compared to $18.1 million for the same period in the prior year, an increase of $1.7 million, or 9.4%, driven by decreases of $1.0 million in interest expense on deposits and $0.3 million in interest expense on borrowed funds, and an increase of $0.9 million in interest income on loans, partially offset by a decrease of $0.5 million in interest income on taxable securities.

    Interest expense on deposits decreased primarily due to a decrease of 27 basis points in the average cost of total interest-bearing deposits, which was comprised of decreases of 21 basis points in the average cost of customer interest-bearing deposits and 82 basis points in the average cost of brokered deposits, both largely due to decreases in benchmark interest rates and the Corporation’s balance sheet structure favoring shorter-term liabilities. Average balances of customer interest-bearing deposits increased $55.0 million and average balances of brokered deposits decreased $8.6 million, compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase in average balances of customer interest-bearing deposits was primarily due to an increase of $32.9 million in average balances of customer time deposits. The average cost of customer time deposits decreased 38 basis points compared to the same period in the prior year, due to the Corporation’s focus on shorter-term CD campaigns during 2024, and a decrease in interest rates on campaign offerings in the current period. Customer time deposits comprised 21.1% of average total deposits for the first quarter of 2025, compared to 20.1% for the same period in the prior year. Additionally, an increase of $28.3 million in average balances of interest-bearing demand deposits positively benefited the average cost of interest-bearing deposits, as the 1.57% average cost was lower than other types of interest-bearing deposits.

    The decrease in interest expense on borrowed funds was partially due to a decline in borrowing rates between the first quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025, as well as a shift in the composition of borrowed funds between these periods. The average cost of total borrowings decreased 69 basis points, compared to the same period in the prior year, comprised of decreases of 91 basis points and 32 basis points in the average cost of FHLBNY overnight advances and other advances and debt, which includes FHLBNY term advances, respectively. The composition of borrowings in the first quarter of 2025 was primarily comprised of FHLBNY term advances and FHLBNY overnight advances, while the composition of borrowings in the same period in the prior year was primarily comprised of a Federal Reserve Bank Term Funding Program (BTFP) advance and FHLBNY overnight advances.

    Interest income on loans, including fees, increased largely due to an increase in average total loan balances of $88.6 million compared to the same period in the prior year, which was concentrated in the commercial loan portfolio. The average yield on total loans was relatively stable compared to the same period in the prior year, declining two basis points to 5.49% in the first quarter of 2025. Average balances of commercial loans increased $122.1 million compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily due to growth in commercial real estate balances, while the average yield on commercial loans declined 15 basis points, largely due to repricing of benchmark indexes and $0.3 million in interest income recognized on the payoff of a nonaccrual commercial real estate loan in the same period of the prior year. Average balances of residential mortgage loans and consumer loans each decreased compared to the same period in the prior year, decreasing $2.1 million and $31.4 million, respectively. The decrease in average balances of residential mortgage loans was partially due to relatively low levels of housing inventory across the Bank’s footprint resulting in lower origination volume, which was comparable to the prior year, as well as a continued election to sell a significant portion of conforming mortgages into the secondary market. The decrease in average balances of consumer loans was primarily due to net runoff of indirect auto loans between the first quarters of 2024 and 2025. The average yield on residential mortgage loans and consumer loans each increased in the first quarter of 2025, compared to the same period in the prior year, increasing 24 and 27 basis points, respectively, each due to strong origination yields in recent periods, and normal runoff of older and typically lower yielding originations. Interest income on interest-earning deposits increased mainly due to a $11.2 million increase in average balances of interest-earning deposits, compared to the same period in the prior year, and despite a decrease of six basis points in the average yield on interest-earning deposits, due to a decrease in the interest rate paid on deposit balances at the Federal Reserve.

    The decrease in interest income on taxable securities was largely due to paydowns and maturities of available for sale securities between the first quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025, totaling $55.9 million, primarily on SBA pooled loan and mortgage-backed securities, as well as a decrease in the interest rates of variable rate SBA pooled loan securities, partially offset by purchases of available for sale securities totaling $5.0 million between these periods.

    Fully taxable equivalent net interest margin was 2.96% for the first quarter of 2025, compared to 2.73% for the same period in the prior year. Average interest-earning assets increased $48.6 million, while average interest-bearing liabilities increased $34.8 million, compared to the same period in the prior year. The average yield on interest-earning assets increased two basis points to 4.72%, while the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased 30 basis points to 2.55%, compared to the same period in the prior year. Total cost of funds was 1.92% for the current quarter, compared to 2.13% for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of 21 basis points.

    Provision for Credit Losses:
    Provision for credit losses was $1.1 million for the first quarter of 2025, compared to a credit of $2.0 million for the same period in the prior year, an increase of $3.1 million, or 155.0%. The increase was largely driven by the directionality of the annual loss driver update applied to the Bank’s CECL model in the first quarter of the current year, compared to the loss driver update applied in the first quarter of the prior year. The current year update resulted in higher modeled baseline loss rates, while the update in the prior year resulted in lower baseline loss rates.

    Non-Interest Income:
    Non-interest income for the first quarter of 2025 was $5.9 million, compared to $5.7 million for the same period in the prior year, an increase of $0.2 million, or 3.5%, driven by increases of $0.2 million in wealth management group fee income, $0.2 million in service charges on deposit accounts, and $0.1 million in other non-interest income, partially offset by a decrease of $0.1 million in the change in fair value of equity investments. Both the increase in wealth management group fee income and service charges on deposit accounts were primarily due to fee rate increases which were implemented in the second half of 2024. The increase in other non-interest income was largely due to an increase in interest rate swap fee income in the first quarter of 2025, compared to the same period in the prior year. The decrease in the change in fair value of equity investments was primarily due to a decrease in the market value of assets held for the Corporation’s deferred compensation plan, largely due to declines in financial markets during the current quarter.

    Non-Interest Expense:
    Non-interest expense for the first quarter of 2025 was $16.9 million, compared to $16.7 million for the same period in the prior year, an increase of $0.2 million, or 1.2%, driven by increases of $0.2 million in salaries and wages and $0.2 million in other non-interest expense, partially offset by decreases of $0.2 million in pension and other employee benefits and $0.1 million in FDIC insurance.

    Salaries and wages increased largely due to an increase in base salaries, including merit-based increases and additional staffing for the Corporation’s newly opened Western New York regional banking center. The increase in other non-interest expense was primarily due to net recoveries of multiple large altered check charge-offs during the same period in the prior year as well as higher operational losses on the sale of repossessed vehicles during the first quarter of 2025, compared to the same period in the prior year. The decrease in pension and other employee benefits expense was largely due to lower employee healthcare-related expenses compared to the same period in the prior year. The decrease in FDIC insurance was primarily due to a decrease in the Bank’s assessment rate, due to an improvement in evaluated metrics.

    Income Tax Expense:
    Income tax expense for the first quarter of 2025 was $1.7 million, compared to $2.0 million for the first quarter of 2024, a decrease of $0.3 million. The effective tax rate for the current quarter decreased to 21.6%, compared to 22.4% for the same period in the prior year. The decrease in income tax expense was primarily due to a decrease in pretax income.

    Asset Quality
    Non-performing loans totaled $9.9 million as of March 31, 2025, or 0.47% of total loans, compared to $9.0 million, or 0.43% of total loans as of December 31, 2024. The increase in non-performing loans was largely due to increases in non-performing consumer loans and residential mortgage loans of $0.7 million and $0.3 million, respectively. The increase in non-performing consumer loans was mainly driven by one well-secured home equity loan being placed into nonaccrual status during the quarter. Similarly, the increase in non-performing residential mortgage loans was driven by one loan being placed into nonaccrual status during the quarter. Non-performing commercial loans decreased $0.1 million, primarily due to the payoff of a $0.3 million previously nonaccrual commercial real estate loan, offset by the addition of $0.2 million in nonaccrual commercial and industrial loans. Non-performing assets, which are comprised of non-performing loans, other real estate owned, and repossessed vehicles, were $10.3 million, or 0.37% of total assets as of March 31, 2025, compared to $9.6 million, or 0.35% of total assets as of December 31, 2024. The increase in non-performing assets was largely due to an increase in non-performing loans. Other real estate owned was $0.2 million and repossessed vehicles was $0.2 million as of March 31, 2025.

    Total loan delinquencies as of March 31, 2025 increased compared to December 31, 2024, primarily driven by an increase in commercial loan delinquencies. Annualized net charge-offs to total average loans for the first quarter of 2025 were 0.05%, compared to 0.12% for the fourth quarter of 2024, a decrease of seven basis points. Net charge-off experience in the first quarter of 2025 was concentrated almost entirely in indirect auto loans. Total annualized consumer net charge-offs were 0.40% of average consumer loan balances for the first quarter of 2025, compared to 0.45% of average consumer loan balances for the fourth quarter of 2024. Commercial loans and residential mortgage loans each had net recovery ratios in the first quarter of 2025, compared to an annualized net charge off ratio of 0.07% of average commercial loan balances and a net recovery ratio of average residential mortgage loan balances in the fourth quarter of 2024.

    The allowance for credit losses on loans was $22.5 million as of March 31, 2025 compared to $21.4 million as of December 31, 2024. The allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments, a component of other liabilities, was $0.5 million as of March 31, 2025 and $0.8 million as of December 31, 2024. The increase in the allowance for credit losses on loans was largely due to the annual review and update to loss drivers used in the Bank’s CECL model, which is implemented each year in the first quarter. The update resulted in higher baseline loss rates for most of the Bank’s loan portfolio segments, and was partially due to the introduction of new periods of data into the analysis. Additionally, the economic variables used as loss drivers for commercial and industrial loans was adjusted as part of the annual update. FOMC forecasts for both national unemployment and U.S. GDP growth deteriorated as of March 31, 2025 compared to December 31, 2024, as the FOMC incorporated elevated levels of economic uncertainty into their forecasts. Provision for credit losses as a percentage of period-end loan balances was 0.05% for the first quarter of 2025, compared to 0.03% for the fourth quarter of 2024. The allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans was 1.07% as of March 31, 2025 and 1.03% as of December 31, 2024 while the allowance for credit losses on loans was 227.93% of non-performing loans as of March 31, 2025 and 238.87% as of December 31, 2024.

    Balance Sheet Activity
    Total assets were $2.797 billion as of March 31, 2025, compared to $2.776 billion as of December 31, 2024, an increase of $20.6 million, or 0.7%. This increase was driven by increases of $26.2 million in loans, net of deferred origination fees and costs and $6.4 million in cash and cash equivalents, partially offset by decreases of $4.2 million in total investment securities and $6.7 million in accrued interest receivable and other assets.

    Loans, net of deferred origination fees and costs increased mainly due to growth in commercial loan balances, which was concentrated in commercial real estate. Total commercial loan balances increased $39.5 million, or 2.6%, compared to the prior year-end. Commercial real estate balances grew $43.3 million while commercial and industrial balances contracted $3.8 million, both compared to the prior year-end. Over half of total growth in commercial loan balances was attributable to the Bank’s new Canal Bank division in Western New York. Residential mortgages increased $0.5 million, or 0.2%, compared to the prior year-end, as the Corporation continued to elect to sell a portion of originations into the secondary market and low levels of housing inventory persisted across the Bank’s footprint. Consumer loans decreased $13.7 million, or 4.9%, compared to the prior-year end, largely due to lower levels of indirect auto loan origination activity, and a relatively fast turnover rate in the portfolio.

    The increase in cash and cash equivalents was primarily due to an increase of $36.5 million in total deposits compared to the prior year-end and $13.6 million in net paydowns and maturities of available for sale securities in the current period. Partially offsetting this increase were a decrease of $24.2 million in total advances and other debt and an increase of $26.2 million in loans, net of deferred origination fees and costs.

    Total investment securities decreased primarily due to a decrease of $3.1 million in securities available for sale, compared to the prior year-end. Net paydowns and maturities of securities available for sale for the current year totaled $13.6 million, mainly due to paydowns on mortgage-backed securities and SBA pooled loan securities. The market value of securities available for sale increased $11.0 million, due to favorable changes in market interest rates during the current year. Also contributing to the decrease in total investment securities was a decrease of $1.1 million in FHLB and FRB stock, at cost, mainly due to a decrease in total borrowing through the FHLBNY as of March 31, 2025, compared to the prior year-end. The decrease in accrued interest receivable and other assets was largely due to decreases in interest rate swap assets and deferred tax assets.

    Total liabilities were $2.568 billion as of March 31, 2025, compared to $2.561 billion as of December 31, 2024, an increase of $7.6 million, or 0.3%. This increase was driven by an increase of $36.5 million in total deposits, partially offset by decreases of $24.2 million in advances and other debt and $4.6 million in accrued interest payable and other liabilities.

    Total deposits increased $36.5 million, or 1.5%, compared to the prior year-end, largely due to increases of $33.3 million in interest-bearing demand deposits and $30.4 million in money market deposits. Increases in these deposit types were partially attributable to seasonal inflows of municipal deposits. Total time deposits decreased $25.0 million, consisting of decreases of $13.6 million in customer time deposits and $11.4 million in brokered deposits. The Bank’s CD campaign in the current year primarily consisted of a continuation of six and 15 month offerings, as well as the introduction of a 36 month offering. Additionally, savings deposits increased $4.0 million and non interest-bearing demand deposits decreased $6.1 million. Non interest-bearing deposits comprised 25.5% and 26.1% of total deposits as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.

    Advances and other debt decreased mainly due to an increase in total deposits. Advances and other debt as of March 31, 2025 largely consisted of staggered three-month term advances from the FHLBNY, whereas the composition of advances and other debt as of the prior year-end consisted primarily of FHLBNY overnight advances. The decrease in accrued interest payable and other liabilities was mainly due to a decrease in interest rate swap liabilities.

    Total shareholders’ equity was $228.3 million as of March 31, 2025, compared to $215.3 million as of December 31, 2024, an increase of $13.0 million, or 6.0%, driven by a decrease of $8.1 million in accumulated other comprehensive loss and an increase of $4.5 million in retained earnings. The decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss was largely due to an increase in the fair value of securities available for sale, due to favorable changes in market interest rates. The increase in retained earnings was mainly due to net income of $6.0 million, offset by dividends declared of $1.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2025.

    The total equity to total assets ratio was 8.16% as of March 31, 2025, compared to 7.76% as of December 31, 2024, and the tangible equity to tangible assets ratio was 7.44% as of March 31, 2025, compared to 7.02% as of December 31, 2024.1 Book value per share and tangible book value per share increased to $47.49 and $42.95, respectively as of March 31, 2025 from $45.13 and $40.55, respectively as of December 31, 2024.1 As of March 31, 2025, the Bank’s capital ratios were in excess of those required to be considered well-capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.

    1 See the GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliations

    Liquidity
    The Corporation uses a variety of resources to manage its liquidity, and management believes it has the necessary liquidity to allow for flexibility in meeting its various operational and strategic needs. These include short-term investments, cash flow from lending and investing activities, core-deposit growth and non-core funding sources, such as time deposits of $250,000 or greater, brokered deposits, FHLBNY overnight and term advances, and FRB advances. Borrowings may be used on a short-term basis for liquidity purposes or on a long-term basis to fund asset growth. As of March 31, 2025, the Corporation’s cash and cash equivalents balance was $53.4 million. The Corporation also maintains an investment portfolio of securities available for sale, comprised primarily of US Government treasury securities, SBA loan pools, mortgage-backed securities, and municipal bonds. Although this portfolio generates interest income for the Corporation, it also serves as an available source of liquidity and capital if the need should arise. As of March 31, 2025, the Corporation’s investment in securities available for sale was $528.3 million, $341.2 million of which was not pledged as collateral. Additionally, as of March 31, 2025, the Bank’s total advance line capacity at the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York was $222.3 million, $85.0 million of which was utilized and $137.3 million of which was available as additional borrowing capacity.

    As of March 31, 2025, uninsured deposits totaled $690.3 million, or 28.4% of total deposits, including $167.6 million of municipal deposits collateralized by pledged assets, when required. As of December 31, 2024, uninsured deposits totaled $652.3 million, or 27.2% of total deposits, including $145.6 million of municipal deposits collateralized by pledged assets. Due to their fluidity, the Corporation closely monitors uninsured deposit levels when considering liquidity management strategies.

    The Corporation considers brokered deposits to be an element of its deposit strategy, and anticipates it may continue utilizing brokered deposits as a secondary source of funding in support of growth. As of March 31, 2025, all brokered deposits carried terms of three months, with staggered maturities, totaling $80.8 million. Excluding brokered deposits, total deposits increased $47.9 million compared to December 31, 2024.

    Other Items
    The market value of total assets under management or administration in our Wealth Management Group was $2.203 billion as of March 31, 2025, including $305.5 million of assets under management or administration for the Corporation, compared to $2.212 billion as of December 31, 2024, including $301.9 million of assets under management or administration for the Corporation, a decrease of $9.5 million, or 0.4%. Excluding assets under management or administration for the Corporation, total market value of Wealth Management Group assets decreased $13.1 million, or 0.7%, largely due to declines in financial markets during the first quarter of 2025.

    As previously announced on January 8, 2021, the Corporation’s Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program. Under the repurchase program, the Corporation may repurchase up to 250,000 shares of its common stock, or approximately 5% of its then outstanding shares. The repurchase program permits shares to be repurchased in open market or privately negotiated transactions, through block trades, and pursuant to any trading plan that may be adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. As of March 31, 2025, a total of 49,184 shares of common stock at a total cost of $2.0 million were repurchased by the Corporation under its share repurchase program. No shares were repurchased in the first quarter of 2025. The weighted average cost was $40.42 per share repurchased. Remaining buyback authority under the share repurchase program was 200,816 shares as of March 31, 2025.

    About Chemung Financial Corporation

    Chemung Financial Corporation is a $2.8 billion financial services holding company headquartered in Elmira, New York and operates 30 retail offices through its principal subsidiary, Chemung Canal Trust Company, a full service community bank with trust powers. Established in 1833, Chemung Canal Trust Company is the oldest locally-owned and managed community bank in New York State. Chemung Financial Corporation is also the parent of CFS Group, Inc., a financial services subsidiary offering non-traditional services including mutual funds, annuities, brokerage services, tax preparation services, and insurance.

    This press release may be found at: www.chemungcanal.com under Investor Relations.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Corporation intends its forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements in this press release. All statements regarding the Corporation’s expected financial position and operating results, the Corporation’s business strategy, the Corporation’s financial plans, forecasted demographic and economic trends relating to the Corporation’s industry and similar matters are forward-looking statements. These statements can sometimes be identified by the Corporation’s use of forward-looking words such as “may,” “will,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” or “intend.” The Corporation cannot guarantee that its expectations in such forward-looking statements will turn out to be correct. The Corporation’s actual results could be materially different from expectations because of various factors, including changes in economic conditions or interest rates, credit risk, inflation, tariffs, cybersecurity risks, changes in FDIC assessments, bank failures, difficulties in managing the Corporation’s growth, competition, changes in law or the regulatory environment, and changes in general business and economic trends.

    Information concerning these and other factors, including Risk Factors, can be found in the Corporation’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K. These filings are available publicly on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov, on the Corporation’s website at http://www.chemungcanal.com or upon request from the Corporate Secretary at (607) 737-3746. Except as otherwise required by law, the Corporation undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

     
    Chemung Financial Corporation
    Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
        March 31,   Dec. 31,   Sept. 30,   June 30,   March 31,
    (in thousands)   2025   2024   2024   2024   2024
    ASSETS                    
    Cash and due from financial institutions   $ 32,087     $ 26,224     $ 36,247     $ 23,184     $ 22,984  
    Interest-earning deposits in other financial institutions     21,348       20,811       44,193       47,033       71,878  
    Total cash and cash equivalents     53,435       47,035       80,440       70,217       94,862  
                                             
    Equity investments     3,249       3,235       3,244       3,090       3,093  
                                             
    Securities available for sale     528,327       531,442       554,575       550,927       566,028  
    Securities held to maturity     808       808       657       657       785  
    FHLB and FRB stock, at cost     8,040       9,117       4,189       5,506       4,071  
    Total investment securities     537,175       541,367       559,421       557,090       570,884  
                                             
    Commercial     1,555,988       1,516,525       1,464,205       1,445,258       1,425,437  
    Residential mortgage     275,448       274,979       274,099       271,620       277,246  
    Consumer     266,200       279,915       290,650       294,594       300,927  
    Loans, net of deferred loan fees     2,097,636       2,071,419       2,028,954       2,011,472       2,003,610  
    Allowance for credit losses     (22,522 )     (21,388 )     (21,441 )     (21,031 )     (20,471 )
    Loans, net     2,075,114       2,050,031       2,007,513       1,990,441       1,983,139  
                                             
    Loans held for sale     284                   381       96  
    Premises and equipment, net     16,222       16,375       14,915       14,731       14,183  
    Operating lease right-of-use assets     5,332       5,446       5,637       5,827       6,018  
    Goodwill     21,824       21,824       21,824       21,824       21,824  
    Accrued interest receivable and other assets     84,090       90,834       81,221       92,212       90,791  
    Total assets   $ 2,796,725     $ 2,776,147     $ 2,774,215     $ 2,755,813     $ 2,784,890  
                                             
    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                    
    Deposits:                    
    Non interest-bearing demand deposits   $ 619,645     $ 625,762     $ 616,126     $ 619,192     $ 656,330  
    Interest-bearing demand deposits     339,790       306,536       349,383       328,370       315,154  
    Money market deposits     625,505       595,123       630,870       613,131       631,350  
    Savings deposits     249,541       245,550       242,911       248,528       248,578  
    Time deposits     598,915       623,912       611,831       606,700       629,360  
    Total deposits     2,433,396       2,396,883       2,451,121       2,415,921       2,480,772  
                                             
    Advances and other debt     88,701       112,889       53,757       83,835       52,979  
    Operating lease liabilities     5,516       5,629       5,820       6,009       6,197  
    Accrued interest payable and other liabilities     40,806       45,437       42,863       48,826       47,814  
    Total liabilities     2,568,419       2,560,838       2,553,561       2,554,591       2,587,762  
                                             
    Shareholders’ equity                  
    Common stock   53       53       53       53       53  
    Additional paid-in capital   48,157       48,783       48,457       48,102       47,794  
    Retained earnings   252,195       247,705       243,266       239,021       235,506  
    Treasury stock, at cost   (15,180 )     (16,167 )     (15,987 )     (16,043 )     (16,147 )
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (56,919 )     (65,065 )     (55,135 )     (69,911 )     (70,078 )
    Total shareholders’ equity   228,306       215,309       220,654       201,222       197,128  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 2,796,725     $ 2,776,147     $ 2,774,215     $ 2,755,813     $ 2,784,890  
                                           
    Period-end shares outstanding     4,807       4,771       4,774       4,772       4,768  
                         
     
    Chemung Financial Corporation
    Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
        Three Months Ended March 31,   Percent
    Change
    (in thousands, except per share data)   2025   2024  
    Interest and dividend income:            
    Loans, including fees   $ 28,099     $ 27,198     3.3  
    Taxable securities     3,023       3,557     (15.0 )
    Tax exempt securities     251       258     (2.7 )
    Interest-earning deposits     325       206     57.8  
    Total interest and dividend income     31,698       31,219     1.5  
                 
    Interest expense:            
    Deposits     11,156       12,145     (8.1 )
    Borrowed funds     725       985     (26.4 )
    Total interest expense     11,881       13,130     (9.5 )
                 
    Net interest income     19,817       18,089     9.6  
    Provision (credit) for credit losses     1,092       (2,040 )   153.5  
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses     18,725       20,129     (7.0 )
                 
    Non-interest income:            
    Wealth management group fee income     2,867       2,703     6.1  
    Service charges on deposit accounts     1,120       949     18.0  
    Interchange revenue from debit card transactions     1,037       1,063     (2.4 )
    Change in fair value of equity investments     (47 )     101     N/M  
    Net gains on sales of loans held for sale     40       32     25.0  
    Net gains (losses) on sales of other real estate owned     (11 )         N/M  
    Income from bank owned life insurance     8       9     (11.1 )
    Other     875       800     9.4  
    Total non-interest income     5,889       5,657     4.1  
                 
    Non-interest expense:            
    Salaries and wages     7,209       7,016     2.8  
    Pension and other employee benefits     1,922       2,082     (7.7 )
    Other components of net periodic pension and postretirement benefits     (113 )     (232 )   51.3  
    Net occupancy     1,533       1,493     2.7  
    Furniture and equipment     373       398     (6.3 )
    Data processing     2,534       2,573     (1.5 )
    Professional services     638       559     14.1  
    Marketing and advertising     339       345     (1.7 )
    Other real estate owned expense     11       49     N/M  
    FDIC insurance     439       577     (23.9 )
    Loan expense     278       255     9.0  
    Other     1,764       1,583     11.4  
    Total non-interest expense     16,927       16,698     1.4  
                 
    Income before income tax expense     7,687       9,088     (15.4 )
    Income tax expense     1,664       2,038     (18.4 )
    Net income   $ 6,023     $ 7,050     (14.6 )
                 
    Basic and diluted earnings per share   $ 1.26     $ 1.48      
    Cash dividends declared per share   $ 0.32     $ 0.31      
    Average basic and diluted shares outstanding     4,791       4,764      
                 
                 
    N/M – Not Meaningful
     
         
    Chemung Financial Corporation   As of or for the Three Months Ended
    Consolidated Financial Highlights (Unaudited)   March 31,   Dec. 31,   Sept. 30,   June 30,   March 31,
    (in thousands, except per share data)   2025   2024   2024   2024   2024
    RESULTS OF OPERATIONS                    
    Interest income   $ 31,698     $ 32,597     $ 32,362     $ 31,386     $ 31,219  
    Interest expense     11,881       12,776       13,974       13,625       13,130  
    Net interest income     19,817       19,821       18,388       17,761       18,089  
    Provision (credit) for credit losses     1,092       551       564       879       (2,040 )
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses     18,725       19,270       17,824       16,882       20,129  
    Non-interest income     5,889       6,056       5,919       5,598       5,657  
    Non-interest expense     16,927       17,823       16,510       16,219       16,698  
    Income before income tax expense     7,687       7,503       7,233       6,261       9,088  
    Income tax expense     1,664       1,589       1,513       1,274       2,038  
    Net income   $ 6,023     $ 5,914     $ 5,720     $ 4,987     $ 7,050  
                                             
    Basic and diluted earnings per share   $ 1.26     $ 1.24     $ 1.19     $ 1.05     $ 1.48  
    Average basic and diluted shares outstanding     4,791       4,774       4,773       4,770       4,764  
    PERFORMANCE RATIOS                    
    Return on average assets     0.88 %     0.85 %     0.83 %     0.73 %     1.04 %
    Return on average equity     10.96 %     10.73 %     10.81 %     10.27 %     14.48 %
    Return on average tangible equity (a)     12.15 %     11.92 %     12.07 %     11.56 %     16.29 %
    Efficiency ratio (unadjusted) (e)     65.85 %     68.88 %     67.92 %     69.43 %     70.32 %
    Efficiency ratio (adjusted) (a)     65.64 %     68.64 %     67.69 %     69.19 %     70.07 %
    Non-interest expense to average assets     2.47 %     2.57 %     2.39 %     2.38 %     2.47 %
    Loans to deposits     86.20 %     86.42 %     82.78 %     83.26 %     80.77 %
    YIELDS RATES – Fully Taxable Equivalent                    
    Yield on loans     5.49 %     5.61 %     5.65 %     5.52 %     5.51 %
    Yield on investments     2.26 %     2.29 %     2.21 %     2.27 %     2.35 %
    Yield on interest-earning assets     4.72 %     4.79 %     4.78 %     4.69 %     4.70 %
    Cost of interest-bearing deposits     2.48 %     2.67 %     2.88 %     2.86 %     2.75 %
    Cost of borrowings     4.54 %     4.74 %     5.08 %     5.04 %     5.15 %
    Cost of interest-bearing liabilities     2.55 %     2.73 %     2.97 %     2.94 %     2.85 %
    Cost of funds     1.92 %     2.04 %     2.24 %     2.20 %     2.13 %
    Interest rate spread     2.17 %     2.06 %     1.81 %     1.75 %     1.85 %
    Net interest margin, fully taxable equivalent     2.96 %     2.92 %     2.72 %     2.66 %     2.73 %
    CAPITAL                    
    Total equity to total assets at end of period     8.16 %     7.76 %     7.95 %     7.30 %     7.08 %
    Tangible equity to tangible assets at end of period (a)     7.44 %     7.02 %     7.22 %     6.56 %     6.34 %
    Book value per share   $ 47.49     $ 45.13     $ 46.22     $ 42.17     $ 41.34  
    Tangible book value per share (a)     42.95       40.55       41.65       37.59       36.77  
    Period-end market value per share     47.57       48.81       48.02       48.00       42.48  
    Dividends declared per share     0.32       0.31       0.31       0.31       0.31  
    AVERAGE BALANCES                    
    Loans and loans held for sale (b)   $ 2,077,739     $ 2,046,270     $ 2,020,280     $ 2,009,823     $ 1,989,185  
    Interest-earning assets     2,729,661       2,711,995       2,699,968       2,699,402       2,681,059  
    Total assets     2,784,414       2,761,875       2,751,392       2,740,967       2,724,391  
    Deposits     2,445,597       2,446,662       2,410,735       2,419,169       2,402,215  
    Total equity     222,802       219,254       210,421       195,375       195,860  
    Tangible equity (a)     200,978       197,430       188,597       173,551       174,036  
    ASSET QUALITY                    
    Net charge-offs   $ 262     $ 594     $ 78     $ 306     $ 182  
    Non-performing loans (c)     9,881       8,954       10,545       8,195       7,835  
    Non-performing assets (d)     10,282       9,606       11,134       8,872       8,394  
    Allowance for credit losses     22,522       21,388       21,441       21,031       20,471  
    Annualized net charge-offs to average loans     0.05 %     0.12 %     0.02 %     0.06 %     0.04 %
    Non-performing loans to total loans     0.47 %     0.43 %     0.52 %     0.41 %     0.39 %
    Non-performing assets to total assets     0.37 %     0.35 %     0.40 %     0.32 %     0.30 %
    Allowance for credit losses to total loans     1.07 %     1.03 %     1.06 %     1.05 %     1.02 %
    Allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans     227.93 %     238.87 %     203.33 %     256.63 %     261.28 %
    (a) See the GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliations.
    (b) Loans and loans held for sale do not reflect the allowance for credit losses.
    (c) Non-performing loans include non-accrual loans only.
    (d) Non-performing assets include non-performing loans plus other real estate owned and repossessed vehicles.
    (e) 
    Efficiency ratio (unadjusted) is non-interest expense divided by the total of net interest income plus non-interest income.
     
     
    Chemung Financial Corporation
    Average Consolidated Balance Sheets & Net Interest Income Analysis and Rate/Volume Analysis of Net Interest Income (Unaudited)
               
      Three Months Ended
    March 31, 2025
      Three Months Ended
    March 31, 2024
      Three Months Ended
    March 31, 2025 vs. 2024
    (in thousands) Average
    Balance
      Interest   Yield/
    Rate
      Average
    Balance
      Interest   Yield/
    Rate
      Total
    Change
      Due to
    Volume
      Due to
    Rate
                                                                       
    Interest-earning assets:                                                                  
    Commercial loans $ 1,529,028     $ 21,696     5.75 %   $ 1,406,950     $ 20,642     5.90 %   $ 1,054     $ 1,620     $ (566 )
    Residential mortgage loans   275,524       2,701     3.98 %     277,661       2,597     3.74 %     104       (24 )     128  
    Consumer loans   273,187       3,751     5.57 %     304,574       4,016     5.30 %     (265 )     (449 )     184  
    Taxable securities   584,614       3,026     2.10 %     633,294       3,560     2.26 %     (534 )     (278 )     (256 )
    Tax-exempt securities   37,758       279     3.00 %     40,266       282     2.82 %     (3 )     (19 )     16  
    Interest-earning deposits   29,550       325     4.46 %     18,314       206     4.52 %     119       122       (3 )
    Total interest-earning assets   2,729,661       31,778     4.72 %     2,681,059       31,303     4.70 %     475       972       (497 )
                                       
    Non interest-earning assets:                                  
    Cash and due from banks   26,055               25,255                      
    Other assets   50,256               40,665                      
    Allowance for credit losses   (21,558 )             (22,588 )                    
    Total assets $ 2,784,414             $ 2,724,391                      
                               
    Interest-bearing liabilities:                          
    Interest-bearing checking $ 336,162     $ 1,303   1.57 % $ 307,895     $ 1,335   1.74 % $ (32 )   $ 109     $ (141 )
    Savings and money market   858,937       3,866   1.83 %   865,113       4,266   1.98 %   (400 )     (34 )     (366 )
    Time deposits   514,884       4,704   3.71 %   481,965       4,904   4.09 %   (200 )     298       (498 )
    Brokered deposits   112,840       1,283   4.61 %   121,405       1,640   5.43 %   (357 )     (114 )     (243 )
    FHLBNY overnight advances   20,781       236   4.61 %   34,875       487   5.52 %   (251 )     (178 )     (73 )
    FRB advances and other debt   43,950       489   4.51 %   41,465       498   4.83 %   (9 )     27       (36 )
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   1,887,554       11,881   2.55 %   1,852,718       13,130   2.85 %   (1,249 )     108       (1,357 )
                               
    Non interest-bearing liabilities:                          
    Demand deposits   622,774           625,837                  
    Other liabilities   51,284           49,976                  
    Total liabilities   2,561,612           2,528,531                  
    Shareholders’ equity   222,802           195,860                  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 2,784,414         $ 2,724,391                  
                                                   
    Fully taxable equivalent net interest income       19,897           18,173     $ 1,724     $ 864     $ 860  
    Net interest rate spread (1)       2.17 %       1.85 %          
    Net interest margin, fully taxable equivalent (2)           2.96 %           2.73 %          
    Taxable equivalent adjustment       (80 )           (84 )              
    Net interest income     $ 19,817         $ 18,089              
                                       
    (1)  Net interest rate spread is the difference in the average yield on interest-earning assets less the average rate on interest-bearing liabilities.
    (2)  Net interest margin is the ratio of fully taxable equivalent net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
     

    Chemung Financial Corporation

    GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliations (Unaudited)

    The Corporation prepares its Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP. See the Corporation’s unaudited consolidated balance sheets and statements of income contained within this press release. That presentation provides the reader with an understanding of the Corporation’s results that can be tracked consistently from period-to-period and enables a comparison of the Corporation’s performance with other companies’ GAAP financial statements.

    In addition to analyzing the Corporation’s results on a reported basis, management uses certain non-GAAP financial measures, because it believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide information to investors about the underlying operational performance and trends of the Corporation and, therefore, facilitate a comparison of the Corporation with the performance of other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures used by the Corporation may not be comparable to similarly named non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies.

    The SEC has adopted Regulation G, which applies to all public disclosures, including earnings releases, made by registered companies that contain “non-GAAP financial measures.” Under Regulation G, companies making public disclosures containing non-GAAP financial measures must also disclose, along with each non-GAAP financial measure, certain additional information, including a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure to the closest comparable GAAP financial measure and a statement of the Corporation’s reasons for utilizing the non-GAAP financial measure as part of its financial disclosures. The SEC has exempted from the definition of “non-GAAP financial measures” certain commonly used financial measures that are not based on GAAP. When these exempted measures are included in public disclosures, supplemental information is not required. The following measures used in this Report, which are commonly utilized by financial institutions, have not been specifically exempted by the SEC and may constitute “non- GAAP financial measures” within the meaning of the SEC’s rules, although we are unable to state with certainty that the SEC would so regard them.

    Fully Taxable Equivalent Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

    Net interest income is commonly presented on a tax-equivalent basis. That is, to the extent that some component of the institution’s net interest income, which is presented on a before-tax basis, is exempt from taxation (e.g., is received by the institution as a result of its holdings of state or municipal obligations), an amount equal to the tax benefit derived from that component is added to the actual before-tax net interest income total. This adjustment is considered helpful in comparing one financial institution’s net interest income to that of other institutions or in analyzing any institution’s net interest income trend line over time, to correct any analytical distortion that might otherwise arise from the fact that financial institutions vary widely in the proportions of their portfolios that are invested in tax- exempt securities, and that even a single institution may significantly alter over time the proportion of its own portfolio that is invested in tax-exempt obligations. Moreover, net interest income is itself a component of a second financial measure commonly used by financial institutions, net interest margin, which is the ratio of net interest income to average interest-earning assets. For purposes of this measure as well, fully taxable equivalent net interest income is generally used by financial institutions, as opposed to actual net interest income, again to provide a better basis of comparison from institution to institution and to better demonstrate a single institution’s performance over time. The Corporation follows these practices.

                         
        As of or for the Three Months Ended
    (in thousands, except ratio data)   March 31,
    2025
      Dec. 31,
    2024
      Sept. 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
    NET INTEREST MARGIN – FULLY TAXABLE EQUIVALENT                                        
    Net interest income (GAAP)   $ 19,817     $ 19,821     $ 18,388     $ 17,761     $ 18,089  
    Fully taxable equivalent adjustment     80       88       83       81       84  
    Fully taxable equivalent net interest income (non-GAAP)   $ 19,897     $ 19,909     $ 18,471     $ 17,842     $ 18,173  
                                             
    Average interest-earning assets (GAAP)   $ 2,729,661     $ 2,711,995     $ 2,699,968     $ 2,699,402     $ 2,681,059  
                                             
    Net interest margin – fully taxable equivalent (non-GAAP)     2.96 %     2.92 %     2.72 %     2.66 %     2.73 %
                                             

    Efficiency Ratio

    The unadjusted efficiency ratio is calculated as non-interest expense divided by total revenue (net interest income and non-interest income). The adjusted efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure which represents the Corporation’s ability to turn resources into revenue and is calculated as non-interest expense divided by total revenue (fully taxable equivalent net interest income and non-interest income), adjusted for one-time occurrences and amortization. This measure is meaningful to the Corporation, as well as investors and analysts, in assessing the Corporation’s productivity measured by the amount of revenue generated for each dollar spent.

         
        As of or for the Three Months Ended
    (in thousands, except ratio data)   March 31,
    2025
      Dec. 31,
    2024
      Sept. 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
    EFFICIENCY RATIO                                        
    Net interest income (GAAP)   $ 19,817     $ 19,821     $ 18,388     $ 17,761     $ 18,089  
    Fully taxable equivalent adjustment     80       88       83       81       84  
    Fully taxable equivalent net interest income (non-GAAP)   $ 19,897     $ 19,909     $ 18,471     $ 17,842     $ 18,173  
                                             
    Non-interest income (GAAP)   $ 5,889     $ 6,056     $ 5,919     $ 5,598     $ 5,657  
                                             
    Non-interest expense (GAAP)   $ 16,927     $ 17,823     $ 16,510     $ 16,219     $ 16,698  
                                             
    Efficiency ratio (unadjusted)     65.85 %     68.88 %     67.92 %     69.43 %     70.32 %
    Efficiency ratio (adjusted)     65.64 %     68.64 %     67.69 %     69.19 %     70.07 %
                                             

    Tangible Equity and Tangible Assets (Period-End)

    Tangible equity, tangible assets, and tangible book value per share are each non-GAAP financial measures. Tangible equity represents the Corporation’s stockholders’ equity, less goodwill and intangible assets. Tangible assets represents the Corporation’s total assets, less goodwill and other intangible assets. Tangible book value per share represents the Corporation’s tangible equity divided by common shares at period-end. These measures are meaningful to the Corporation, as well as investors and analysts, in assessing the Corporation’s use of equity.

         
        As of or for the Three Months Ended
    (in thousands, except per share and ratio data)   March 31,
    2025
      Dec. 31,
    2024
      Sept. 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
    TANGIBLE EQUITY AND TANGIBLE ASSETS                    
    (PERIOD END)                                        
    Total shareholders’ equity (GAAP)   $ 228,306     $ 215,309     $ 220,654     $ 201,222     $ 197,128  
    Less: intangible assets     (21,824 )     (21,824 )     (21,824 )     (21,824 )     (21,824 )
    Tangible equity (non-GAAP)   $ 206,482     $ 193,485     $ 198,830     $ 179,398     $ 175,304  
                                             
    Total assets (GAAP)   $ 2,796,725     $ 2,776,147     $ 2,774,215     $ 2,755,813     $ 2,784,890  
    Less: intangible assets     (21,824 )     (21,824 )     (21,824 )     (21,824 )     (21,824 )
    Tangible assets (non-GAAP)   $ 2,774,901     $ 2,754,323     $ 2,752,391     $ 2,733,989     $ 2,763,066  
                                             
    Total equity to total assets at end of period (GAAP)     8.16 %     7.76 %     7.95 %     7.30 %     7.08 %
    Book value per share (GAAP)   $ 47.49     $ 45.13     $ 46.22     $ 42.17     $ 41.34  
                                             
    Tangible equity to tangible assets at end of period (non-GAAP)     7.44 %     7.02 %     7.22 %     6.56 %     6.34 %
    Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP)   $ 42.95     $ 40.55     $ 41.65     $ 37.59     $ 36.77  
                                             

    Tangible Equity (Average)

    Average tangible equity and return on average tangible equity are each non-GAAP financial measures. Average tangible equity represents the Corporation’s average stockholders’ equity, less average goodwill and intangible assets for the period. Return on average tangible equity measures the Corporation’s earnings as a percentage of average tangible equity. These measures are meaningful to the Corporation, as well as investors and analysts, in assessing the Corporation’s use of equity.

                         
        As of or for the Three Months Ended
    (in thousands, except ratio data)   March 31,
    2025
      Dec. 31,
    2024
      Sept. 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
    TANGIBLE EQUITY (AVERAGE)                                        
    Total average shareholders’ equity (GAAP)   $ 222,802     $ 219,254     $ 210,421     $ 195,375     $ 195,860  
    Less: average intangible assets     (21,824 )     (21,824 )     (21,824 )     (21,824 )     (21,824 )
    Average tangible equity (non-GAAP)   $ 200,978     $ 197,430     $ 188,597     $ 173,551     $ 174,036  
                                             
    Return on average equity (GAAP)     10.96 %     10.73 %     10.81 %     10.27 %     14.48 %
    Return on average tangible equity (non-GAAP)     12.15 %     11.92 %     12.07 %     11.56 %     16.29 %
                         

    Adjustments for Certain Items of Income or Expense

    In addition to disclosures of certain GAAP financial measures, including net income, EPS, ROA, and ROE, we may also provide comparative disclosures that adjust these GAAP financial measures for a particular period by removing from the calculation thereof the impact of certain transactions or other material items of income or expense occurring during the period, including certain nonrecurring items. The Corporation believes that the resulting non-GAAP financial measures may improve an understanding of its results of operations by separating out any such transactions or items that may have had a disproportionate positive or negative impact on the Corporation’s financial results during the particular period in question. In the Corporation’s presentation of any such non-GAAP (adjusted) financial measures not specifically discussed in the preceding paragraphs, the Corporation supplies the supplemental financial information and explanations required under Regulation G.

         
        As of or for the Three Months Ended
    (in thousands, except per share and ratio data)   March 31,
    2025
      Dec. 31,
    2024
      Sept. 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
    NON-GAAP NET INCOME                                        
    Reported net income (GAAP)   $ 6,023     $ 5,914     $ 5,720     $ 4,987     $ 7,050  
    Net (gains) losses on security transactions (net of tax)                              
    Net income (non-GAAP)   $ 6,023     $ 5,914     $ 5,720     $ 4,987     $ 7,050  
                                             
    Average basic and diluted shares outstanding     4,791       4,774       4,773       4,770       4,764  
                                             
    Reported basic and diluted earnings per share (GAAP)   $ 1.26     $ 1.24     $ 1.19     $ 1.05     $ 1.48  
    Reported return on average assets (GAAP)     0.88 %     0.85 %     0.83 %     0.73 %     1.04 %
    Reported return on average equity (GAAP)     10.96 %     10.73 %     10.81 %     10.27 %     14.48 %
                                             
    Basic and diluted earnings per share (non-GAAP)   $ 1.26     $ 1.24     $ 1.19     $ 1.05     $ 1.48  
    Return on average assets (non-GAAP)     0.88 %     0.85 %     0.83 %     0.73 %     1.04 %
    Return on average equity (non-GAAP)     10.96 %     10.73 %     10.81 %     10.27 %     14.48 %
                                             

    Category: Financial

    Source: Chemung Financial Corp

    For further information contact:
    Dale M. McKim, III, EVP and CFO
    dmckim@chemungcanal.com
    Phone: 607-737-3714

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Shapiro Administration, Local Leaders Outline How Governor’s Public Transit Proposal Would Help Washington County

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    April 17, 2025Washington, PA

    Shapiro Administration, Local Leaders Outline How Governor’s Public Transit Proposal Would Help Washington County

    Following a public transit stakeholder meeting today in Washington, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Mike Carroll and officials from Freedom Transit and UPMC Washington outlined how Governor Josh Shapiro’s public transit budget proposal is a commonsense way to create good-paying jobs, spur economic development, and help Pennsylvanians reach their destinations safely.

    After securing $80.5 million in additional public transit funding in the 2024-25 budget, the Governor’s Budget proposes an additional $292.5 million investment for transit this year – the first of its kind in over a decade. This would be achieved with an additional 1.75 percent of the Pennsylvania Sales Tax being deposited into the Public Transportation Trust Fund. The proposal would invest nearly $470,000 more in Freedom Transit in the 2025-26 fiscal year.

    “To grow our economy and our communities, our infrastructure and public transit systems must both be properly funded, which is why Governor Shapiro proposed the first major new investment in public transit in a decade,” Carroll said. “The Governor’s proposal has advanced three times in the House without Senate action. We need our legislature to meet Pennsylvanians’ current and future public transit needs just like we improve roads and bridges in every community.”

    List of Speakers:
    Sheila Gombita, executive director of Freedom Transit
    Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Mike Carroll
    Terry Wiltrout, VP for Operations, UPMC Washington

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government is not considering levying Goods and Services Tax (GST) on UPI transactions over ₹2,000

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 18 APR 2025 7:02PM by PIB Delhi

    The claims that the Government is considering levying Goods and Services Tax (GST) on UPI transactions over ₹2,000 are completely false, misleading, and without any basis. Currently, there is no such proposal before the Government.

    GST is levied on charges, such as the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR), relating to payments made using certain instruments.

    Effective January 2020, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has removed the MDR on Person-to-Merchant (P2M) UPI transactions through the Gazette Notification dated 30thDecember 2019.

    Since currently no MDR is charged on UPI transactions, there is consequently no GST applicable to these transactions.

    The Government remains committed to promoting digital payments via UPI.

    To support and sustain the growth of UPI, an Incentive Scheme has been operational from FY 2021-22. This scheme specifically targets low-value UPI (P2M) transactions, benefiting small merchants by alleviating transaction costs and promoting wider participation and innovation in digital payments.

    The total incentive payouts under this scheme over the years reflect the Government’s sustained commitment to promoting UPI-based digital payments. Allocation under the scheme over the years has been:

                •           FY2021-22: ₹1,389 crore

                •           FY2022-23: ₹2,210 crore

                •           FY2023-24: ₹3,631 crore

     

    These measures have significantly contributed to India’s robust digital payments ecosystem.

    According to the ACI Worldwide Report 2024, India accounted for 49% of global real-time transactions in 2023, reaffirming its position as a global leader in digital payments innovation.

    UPI transaction values have seen an exponential increase, growing from ₹21.3 lakh crore in FY 2019-20 to ₹260.56 lakh crore by March 2025. Specifically, P2M transactions have reached ₹59.3 lakh crore, reflecting growing merchant adoption and consumer confidence in digital payment methods.

    ****

    NB/KMN

    (Release ID: 2122747) Visitor Counter : 262

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI USA: SCHUMER: ON TAX DAY, MILLIONS OF AMERICANS ARE EVEN MORE WORRIED ABOUT THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY; CITING SIN-AFTER-SIN CUTS TO THE SAFETY NET OF SENIORS, SENATOR SAYS SOCIAL SECURITY ADMIN ACTING…

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer

    Schumer Says Dudek, Hand-Picked By DOGE, Has Been Dismantling Social Security & Its Operations: Granting DOGE Access To Data Systems & Deeply Personal Info Without Adequate Vetting, Laying Off 7,000 Staff While Closing Critical Offices, Including Ones In NY & Other Sins Against Seniors’ Social Security

    Schumer Says These Decisions Have Caused Massive Service Disruptions Like A Crashed Website, Jammed Phone Lines, Hours Of Waiting & More; Dudek Is Unfit & Enough Is Enough  

     Schumer: The Man Chosen To Oversee The Senior Safety Net Of Social Security Is Instead Weaving A Web Of Worry For Americans Who EARNED Their Social Security Benefits  

    On Tax Day, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer said millions of Americans (And New Yorkers) are even more worried about the future of Social Security and the disgraceful undermining of the Social Security Administration led by Leland Dudek, the acting Commissioner. From chaos to long waits, Schumer said sin-after-sin cuts not only hurt seniors, but they risk dangerous outcomes to health and wellness for those who most depend on their earned payments for day-to-day life. 

    “You don’t need to scratch your head and wonder what’s going on when you see that the Trump administration is decimating Social Security offices and staff. And you don’t need to ponder what might happen next when Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, says that the earned benefits that tens-of-millions of seniors, families, and children depend on are some scam—because that’s a real threat and a real promise: they are coming for your Social Security,” said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer.

    “And now those two, Donald Trump and Elon Musk, have a hatchet man in Leland Dudek, an acting Commissioner with an emphasis on the ‘acting,’ because his real role is to dismantle the very office he is supposed to lead, make better, and protect. We have seen his audition and his work on the stage, and it is clear: Dudek is incapable of doing this job in the way it needs to be done. He won’t protect seniors. He will hurt them. Leland Dudek should resign,” Schumer added.

    Schumer announced that the Social Security Administration’s Acting Commissioner—Leland Dudek—must resign. Schumer said, Dudek, hand-picked by DOGE, has been dismantling Social Security (SS) from day one, and that he has brainlessly laid off 7,000 staff with plans to lay off even more. Schumer said Dudek is targeting field offices for closure, plans to close 6 out of 10 regional offices, and has granted Elon Musk and DOGE access to Americans’ deeply sensitive personal information. Schumer said these unfit actions have created massive service disruptions (crashed website, jammed phone lines, and multi-hour waits at field offices) and that Dudek has made it clear his priority is pleasing Trump, not ensuring Americans’ get their earned benefits. Schumer called on Dudek to resign as he warns what might happen next with Dudek unchecked at the helm of Social Security.  

    Schumer also explained, Dudek has no executive experience and had previously been put on administrative leave pending an investigation into his sharing sensitive information with DOGE. Schumer reiterated, DOGE’s ability to gain access to Social Security’s data, which contains reams of personal information on hundreds of millions of Americans, has caused real concern among experts and consumer advocates.

    Schumer explained that New Yorkers and Long Islanders, as well as tens-of-millions of Americans, who depend on Social Security are in serious trouble. Schumer vowed to fight the effort to decimate Social Security offices, including locations in New York, with everything he’s got.

    Social Security sends over $126 billion to more than 73 million retired and disabled beneficiaries every month, Schumer explained. At least 7,000 workers were fired with the administration’s chainsaw. Across New York City and Long Island, the Social Security field offices offer a full range of Social Security services, including applying for new or replacement Social Security cards, applying for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits, making changes to your benefits information and more. Now some of those offices could permanently close, and it’s because Leland Dudek would allow it.  

    “Leland Dudek personifies the shoulder shrug,” said Schumer. “This is not a person who is in their job to make things better, or carry the weight. This is a person who just does not care about the people he is supposed to serve—seniors. Dudek cares about two things, and two things only: Donald Trump and Elon Musk. He has got to go.”

    Social Security has been a crucial piece of the social safety net since President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the law creating it in 1935, and it was designed to be self-sufficient. It has a dedicated revenue source from payroll taxes, which workers split with their employers, the New York Times noted. 

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Keolis Assistant Chief Engineer Sentenced to More Than Five Years in Prison for Defrauding Keolis Computer Services

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – The former Assistant Chief Engineer of Facilities for Keolis Commuter Services (Keolis) was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for defrauding Keolis of over $8.5 million and for defrauding the IRS of over $2.6 million.

    John P. Pigsley, 59, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to 70 months in prison, three months of supervised release, $8,580,311 restitution to Keolis and $2,689,206 to the Internal Revenue Service, forfeiture of three real properties and a $7,687,083.70 money judgment. In January 2025, Pigsley pleaded guilty to five counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, six counts of tax evasion, one count of filing a false tax return and four counts of structuring financial transactions to evade reporting requirements. Pigsley and his co-conspirator John Rafferty were charged in April 2023.

    Keolis has operated the MBTA commuter rail system since 2014 under an annual contract of $291–$349 million. Between 2014 and November 2021, Pigsley was employed as Keolis’ Assistant Chief Engineer of Facilities and was responsible for the maintenance of MBTA Commuter Rail Facilities and their engineering operations, including corrective repair and project management for assets and maintenance and ordering and approving his subordinates’ orders of electrical supplies from outside vendors for Keolis. Pigsley also operated a separate construction company called Pigman Group. Rafferty was the general manager of LJ Electric, Inc., an electrical supply vendor to which Keolis paid over $17 million between 2014 through 2021.

    Between July 2014 and November 2021, Pigsley and Rafferty defrauded Keolis of over $4 million through a false LJ Electric invoicing scheme. Specifically, Rafferty purchased vehicles, construction equipment, construction supplies and other items for Pigsley, Pigman Group and others, and Pigsley directed Rafferty to recover the cost of these items by submitting false and fraudulent LJ Electric invoices to Keolis. Rafferty spent more than $3 million on items for Pigsley and others – including: at least nine trucks; construction equipment including at least seven Bobcat machines; at least $1 million in home building supplies and services; and a $54,000 camper– for which Keolis paid Rafferty more than $4 million based on false LJ Electric invoices.  

    In addition to the false invoicing scheme, Pigsley directed Keolis to purchase copper wire which he then stole and sold to scrap metal businesses, keeping the cash proceeds for himself. To conceal the theft, Pigsley personally picked up the copper wire orders from vendors or had the orders delivered to his Beverly home. Pigsley then personally transported the wire to scrap yards where he traded it for thousands of dollars in cash several times a month and sometimes more than once a day. Pigsley obtained more than $4.5 million in cash by stealing and scrapping the copper wire.  

    In addition, Pigsley defrauded the IRS by failing to withhold and pay federal income taxes on income he received from the LJ Electric invoicing scheme and from scrapping copper wire. Pigsley also filed a false tax return for the tax year 2016. Additionally, Pigsley deposited over $1.9 million in cash into his bank accounts between 2014 and 2021 and structured some of those deposits to evade currency transaction reporting requirements applicable to financial institutions.

    In June 2023, Rafferty pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 15, 2025.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; James Crowley, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office; and Christopher A. Scharf, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristina E. Barclay of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorney Raquelle Kaye of the Asset Recovery Unit are prosecuting the cases.
     

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: Executive Vice President of Insurance Brokerage Pleads Guilty in $133M Affordable Care Act Fraud Scheme

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    A Florida executive pleaded guilty today for his role in a scheme to submit fraudulent applications to enroll consumers in Affordable Care Act insurance plans (ACA plans) that were fully subsidized by the government. The purpose of the scheme was to obtain millions of dollars in commission payments from the insurance company that operated the ACA plans. The federal government paid at least $133,900,000 in subsidies for fraudulently enrolled individuals.

    According to court documents, Dafud Iza, 54, an executive vice president of an insurance brokerage firm, participated in a scheme to fraudulently enroll ineligible individuals into ACA plans that offered tax credits to eligible enrollees. These tax credits, or “subsidies,” could be paid by the federal government directly to insurance plans as a payment toward the plan’s monthly premium. The scheme involved submitting false and fraudulent applications for individuals whose income did not meet the minimum requirements to be eligible for the subsidies. Iza and his accomplices deceptively marketed subsidized ACA plans to ineligible consumers and falsely inflated consumers’ incomes to obtain the federal subsidies.

    In furtherance of the scheme, Iza and his accomplices targeted vulnerable, low-income individuals experiencing homelessness, unemployment, and mental health and substance abuse disorders, and knew that “street marketers” working on their behalf offered bribes to induce those individuals to enroll in subsidized ACA plans. Marketers working for Iza’s accomplices coached consumers on how to respond to application questions to maximize the subsidy amount paid by the federal government and provided addresses and social security numbers that did not match the consumers purportedly applying. 

    Iza pleaded guilty to one count of major fraud against the United States and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles of the FBI Miami Field Office; Acting Special Agent in Charge Jesus Barranco of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) Miami Regional Office; and Special Agent in Charge Emmanuel Gomez of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Miami Field Office made the announcement.

    The FBI, HHS-OIG, and IRS-CI are investigating the case.

    Assistant Chief Jamie de Boer and Trial Attorney D. Keith Clouser of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.

    The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: Chino Commercial Bancorp Reports 8.7% Increase in Net Earnings

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHINO, Calif., April 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Board of Directors of Chino Commercial Bancorp (OTC: CCBC), the parent company of Chino Commercial Bank, N.A., announced the results of operations for the Bank and the consolidated holding company for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.

    Net earnings for the first quarter of 2025 were $1.35 million, reflecting an increase of $108.6 thousand, or 8.7%, compared to the same period last year. Basic and diluted earnings per share were $0.41 for the first quarter of 2025, up from $0.38 for the same quarter in 2024.

    Dann H. Bowman, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We are very pleased with the Bank’s performance in the first quarter of 2025. At the end of first quarter, the Bank set new records for total Assets, total Deposits, total Loans, and total Capital. Loan quality also remains very strong, with the Bank having no delinquent loans at the end of the first quarter.

    In 2024, the Bank acquired a building in Corona and remains on track to open its fifth branch office during the second quarter of 2025. Early business development efforts have been very successful, and we are excited about the new office and many opportunities in the Corona market.

    In 2023, the Bank became a member of the Card Brand Association and launched credit card processing (Merchant Services) for its customers. This service has not only introduced a valuable source of non-interest income but also provided significant cost savings and improved transparency for our clients. Efficient and cost-effective electronic payment processing has become essential to cash flow management for businesses. Looking ahead, we see potential to expand this offering beyond our immediate market, with expectations that merchant services revenue will become an increasingly important component of our business model.”

    Financial Condition

    As of March 31, 2025, total assets reached $471.3 million, representing an increase of $4.6 million, or 1.0%, from $466.7 million at December 31, 2024. Total deposits rose by $18.4 million, or 5.3%, to $367.3 million, up from $348.9 million at the end of the prior quarter. Core deposits accounted for 96.85% of total deposits as of March 31, 2025.

    Gross loans increased by $2.9 million, or 1.4%, totaling $208.2 million as of March 31, 2025, compared to $205.2 million as of December 31, 2024. The Bank reported no delinquent loans, five non-performing loans, all on non-accrual status, as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024. Three of the five non-performing loans have been in the process of foreclosure, however there were no Other Real Estate Owned (OREO) properties reported at either date.

    Earnings

    The Company reported net interest income of $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $3.3 million for the same period in 2024. Average interest-earning assets were $419.0 million, while average interest-bearing liabilities totaled $231.1 million, resulting in a net interest margin of 3.51% for the first quarter of 2025. This compares favorably to the prior year’s first-quarter margin of 2.86%, based on average interest-earning assets of $469.3 million and average interest-bearing liabilities of $276.9 million.

    Non-interest income totaled $855.6 thousand in the first quarter of 2025, an increase of 10.6% compared to $773.5 thousand in the first quarter of 2024. The majority of this increase was driven by higher service charges and fees on deposit accounts, which rose to $506.4 thousand—an increase of $66.5 thousand, or 15.1%, compared to $439.8 thousand in the same period last year. Merchant services processing revenue also contributed to the growth, totaling $141.3 thousand for the quarter, up $8.0 thousand, or 6.4%, from $132.7 thousand in the first quarter of 2024.

    General and administrative expenses totaled $2.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $2.4 million for the same period in 2024. The largest component of these expenses was salary and benefits, which amounted to $1.6 million in the first quarter of 2025, up from $1.5 million in the prior year.

    Income tax expense for the quarter was $535.9 thousand, reflecting an increase of $46.6 thousand, or 9.5%, compared to $489.3 thousand for the same period last year. The Company’s effective income tax rate was approximately 28.3% for both Q1 2025 and Q1 2024.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    The statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements based on management’s current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company. Readers are cautioned not to unduly rely on forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ from those projected. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, the health of the national and California economies, the Company’s ability to attract and retain skilled employees, customers’ service expectations, the Company’s ability to successfully deploy new technology and gain efficiencies therefrom, and changes in interest rates, loan portfolio performance, and other factors.

    Contact: Dann H. Bowman, President and CEO or Melinda M. Milincu, Senior Vice President and CFO, Chino Commercial Bancorp and Chino Commercial Bank, N.A., 14245 Pipeline Avenue, Chino, CA. 91710, (909) 393-8880.

    Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
           
      Mar-2025 Ending Balance   Dec-2024 Ending Balance
    Assets      
    Cash and due from banks $52,791,324   $45,256,619
    Cash and cash equivalents $52,791,324   $45,256,619
         
    Fed Funds Sold $6,931   $31,029
         
    Investment securities available for sale, net of zero    
    allowance for credit losses $6,347,971   $6,558,341
    Investment securities held to maturity, net of zero    
    allowance for credit losses $185,242,891   $190,701,756
    Total Investments $191,590,862   $197,260,097
         
    Gross loans held for investments $208,160,713   $205,235,497
    Allowance for Loan Losses ($4,631,422)   ($4,623,740)
    Net Loans $203,529,291   $200,611,757
    Stock investments, restricted, at cost $3,576,000   $3,576,000
    Fixed assets, net $7,648,905   $7,255,785
    Accrued Interest Receivable $1,547,695   $1,539,505
    Bank Owned Life Insurance $8,540,316   $8,482,043
    Other Assets $2,565,398   $3,170,159
         
    Total Assets $471,319,006   $466,678,432
         
    Liabilities    
    Deposits    
    Noninterest-bearing $171,815,265   $166,668,725
    Interest-bearing $195,489,783   $182,200,703
    Total Deposits $367,305,048   $348,869,428
         
    Federal Home Loan Bank advances $0   $0
    Federal Reserve Bank borrowings $45,000,000   $60,000,000
    Subordinated debt $10,000,000   $10,000,000
    Subordinated notes payable to subsidiary trust $3,093,000   $3,093,000
    Accrued interest payable $276,545   $132,812
    Other Liabilities $1,688,305   $1,877,996
    Total Liabilities $427,362,898   $423,973,236
         
    Shareholder Equity    
    Common Stock ** $10,502,558   $10,502,558
    Retained Earnings $35,412,219   $34,059,943
    Unrealized Gain (Loss) AFS Securities ($1,958,669)   ($1,857,305)
    Total Shareholders’ Equity $43,956,108   $42,705,196
         
    Total Liab & Shareholders’ Equity $471,319,006   $466,678,432
         
    ** Common stock, no par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized and 3,211,970 shares issued and outstanding at 3/31/2025 and 12/31/2024
         
    Consolidated Statements of Net Income
           
      Mar-2025 QTD Balance   Mar-2024 QTD Balance
    Interest Income    
    Interest & Fees On Loans $3,321,616   $2,727,801
    Interest on Investment Securities $1,702,790   $1,936,105
    Other Interest Income $256,326   $1,030,948
    Total Interest Income $5,280,732   $5,694,854
         
    Interest Expense    
    Interest on Deposits $1,190,301   $1,032,935
    Interest on Borrowings $469,920   $1,312,693
    Total Interest Expense $1,660,221   $2,345,628
         
    Net Interest Income $3,620,511   $3,349,226
         
    Provision For Loan Losses $10,705   ($2,933)
         
    Net Interest Income After Provision for Loan Losses $3,609,806   $3,352,159
         
    Noninterest Income    
    Service Charges and Fees on Deposit Accounts $506,358   $439,857
    Interchange Fees $106,469   $92,271
    Earnings from Bank-Owned Life Insurance $58,273   $56,295
    Merchant Services Processing $141,296   $132,768
    Other Miscellaneous Income $43,194   $52,272
         
    Total Noninterest Income $855,590   $773,463
         
    Noninterest Expense    
    Salaries and Employee Benefits $1,588,471   $1,501,427
    Occupancy and Equipment $181,453   $164,070
    Merchant Services Processing $77,041   $71,209
    Other Expenses $730,263   $655,978
         
    Total Noninterest Expense $2,577,228   $2,392,684
         
    Income Before Income Tax Expense $1,888,171   $1,732,939
    Provision For Income Tax $535,895   $489,266
         
    Net Income $1,352,276   $1,243,673
         
    Basic earnings per share $0.42   $0.39
         
    Diluted earnings per share $0.42   $0.39
         
    Financial Highlights
           
      Mar-2025 QTD   Mar-2024 QTD
    Key Financial Ratios      
    Annualized Return on Average Equity 12.72%   13.10%
    Annualized Return on Average Assets 1.24%   1.01%
    Net Interest Margin 3.51%   2.86%
    Core Efficiency Ratio 57.58%   58.04%
    Net Chargeoffs/Recoveries to Average Loans -0.004%   0.000%
         
      3 month ended
    Mar-2025
    QTD Avg
      3 month ended
    Mar-2024
    QTD Avg
    Average Balances    
    (thousands, unaudited)    
    Average assets $444,235   $492,218
    Average interest-earning assets $418,980   $469,334
    Average interest-bearing liabilities $231,101   $276,918
    Average gross loans $207,980   $182,133
    Average deposits $357,417   $329,949
    Average equity $43,224   $38,073
         
      Mar-2025 QTD   Dec-2024 YTD
    Credit Quality    
    Non-performing loans $1,110,738   $1,228,165
    Non-performing loans to total loans 0.53%   0.60%
    Non-performing loans to total assets 0.24%   0.26%
    Allowance for credit losses to total loans 2.22%   2.25%
    Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total loans and OREO 0.53%   0.60%
    Allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans 416.97%   376.48%
         
    Other Period-end Statistics    
    Shareholders equity to total assets 9.33%   9.15%
    Net Loans to Deposits 55.28%   57.36%
    Non-interest bearing deposits to total deposits 46.78%   47.77%
    Company Leverage Ratio 11.03%   10.40%
    Core Deposits / Total Deposits 96.85%   97.31%

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Colorado Lt. Governor Primavera Urges Congress to Protect AmeriCorps and Critical Services Across the State

    Source: US State of Colorado

    DENVER — Today, Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera expressed deep concern over the Trump administration demobilizing AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) teams and placing 85% of the AmeriCorps federal agency staff on administrative leave — moves that would immediately impact thousands of Coloradans and undercut vital community services across the state.

    “Since its founding in 1993, AmeriCorps has empowered Coloradans across the state to serve their neighbors, solve real problems, and strengthen communities,” said Lt. Governor Primavera. “To dismantle these programs now, when so many Coloradans rely on them, would be devastating. These actions will impact service members and result in a loss of tax support for working families, wildfire response teams, those who build affordable housing, and behavioral health support in our schools. These are the people behind the numbers — and the work they do matters deeply.”

    In 2024 alone, more than 6,600 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors served at over 700 local sites across Colorado. Serve Colorado, housed in the Office of the Lt. Governor, supported nearly 1,400 AmeriCorps State and National members who contributed over one million hours of service across all 64 counties last year alone. This year, $19.6 million in federal funds and $10.3 million in community funds, which includes state grants, federal  match grants, philanthropy, and private donors, jointly support these AmeriCorps programs to provide critical social services across every Congressional District. A recent study estimated a return of up to $34.26 for every federal dollar invested in AmeriCorps — a testament to its value not just in service, but in economic impact.

    With over 2,000 NCCC members deployed nationally each year, including more than 300 from the Aurora campus alone, this decision threatens to unravel years of progress and partnerships built on trust, teamwork, and service.

    NCCC teams, based out of the Aurora campus, supported wildfire recovery, accessible trail repair, Habitat for Humanity affordable housing projects, and even tax preparation support for low-income families. Through a partnership with local Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites, NCCC members have helped return over $30 million in tax refunds to Coloradans since 2022. During COVID-19, 300 NCCC members staffed contact tracing and vaccine outreach across the state.

    Eliminating AmeriCorps would gut services for schools, senior centers, food banks, housing agencies, and public health providers across Colorado, especially in rural and underserved areas, and other vital programs. It would also cut off access to education awards that help thousands of AmeriCorps alumni pursue college degrees or pay off student loans.

    “The numbers tell a powerful story, but behind each one is a Coloradan who’s been lifted up — a student, a veteran, a wildfire survivor. Now is not the time to recklessly cut programs with a proven record of significant impact,” said Lt. Governor Primavera. “I urge Congress to stand with the thousands of Coloradans who serve with AmeriCorps and the communities that count on them every day.”

    Since 1994, AmeriCorps members in Colorado have gone on to careers in education, conservation, public health, and emergency response as well as other critical industries. Many NCCC alumni join FEMA or continue in public service, building a resilient national workforce rooted in experience.

    ###
     

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Executive Vice President of Insurance Brokerage Pleads Guilty in $133M Affordable Care Act Fraud Scheme

    Source: United States Department of Justice

    A Florida executive pleaded guilty today for his role in a scheme to submit fraudulent applications to enroll consumers in Affordable Care Act insurance plans (ACA plans) that were fully subsidized by the government. The purpose of the scheme was to obtain millions of dollars in commission payments from the insurance company that operated the ACA plans. The federal government paid at least $133,900,000 in subsidies for fraudulently enrolled individuals.

    According to court documents, Dafud Iza, 54, an executive vice president of an insurance brokerage firm, participated in a scheme to fraudulently enroll ineligible individuals into ACA plans that offered tax credits to eligible enrollees. These tax credits, or “subsidies,” could be paid by the federal government directly to insurance plans as a payment toward the plan’s monthly premium. The scheme involved submitting false and fraudulent applications for individuals whose income did not meet the minimum requirements to be eligible for the subsidies. Iza and his accomplices deceptively marketed subsidized ACA plans to ineligible consumers and falsely inflated consumers’ incomes to obtain the federal subsidies.

    In furtherance of the scheme, Iza and his accomplices targeted vulnerable, low-income individuals experiencing homelessness, unemployment, and mental health and substance abuse disorders, and knew that “street marketers” working on their behalf offered bribes to induce those individuals to enroll in subsidized ACA plans. Marketers working for Iza’s accomplices coached consumers on how to respond to application questions to maximize the subsidy amount paid by the federal government and provided addresses and social security numbers that did not match the consumers purportedly applying. 

    Iza pleaded guilty to one count of major fraud against the United States and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles of the FBI Miami Field Office; Acting Special Agent in Charge Jesus Barranco of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) Miami Regional Office; and Special Agent in Charge Emmanuel Gomez of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Miami Field Office made the announcement.

    The FBI, HHS-OIG, and IRS-CI are investigating the case.

    Assistant Chief Jamie de Boer and Trial Attorney D. Keith Clouser of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.

    The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI: Prospect Capital Corporation Announces Results of Cash Tender Offer For Any and All of its Outstanding 3.706% Notes due 2026

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, April 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Prospect Capital Corporation (the “Company”) today announced the results of its previously announced cash tender offer (the “Tender Offer”) to purchase any and all of the outstanding notes listed below. The Tender Offer was made pursuant to an Offer to Purchase dated April 9, 2025 (the “Offer to Purchase”), which set forth the terms and conditions of the Tender Offer, and the accompanying notice of guaranteed delivery (the “Notice of Guaranteed Delivery”).

    As of the previously announced expiration time of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on April 17, 2025 (the “Expiration Time”), according to information provided by D.F. King & Co., Inc., the Information and Tender Agent for the Tender Offer, a total of $142,961,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes (defined below) had been validly tendered and not validly withdrawn in the Tender Offer. This amount includes $8,732,000 tendered pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures described in the Offer to Purchase and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, which remains subject to the holders’ performance of the delivery requirements under such procedures. Withdrawal rights for the Notes expired at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on April 17, 2025. The table below sets forth the aggregate principal amount and percentage of the Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn by the Expiration Time that will be accepted for purchase by the Company (the “Eligible Notes”).

    Title of Security CUSIP / ISIN Nos. Outstanding Principal
    Amount
    Principal Amount
    Tendered
           
    3.706% Notes due 2026
    (the “Notes”)
    74348TAU6 /
    US74348TAU60
    $342,947,000 $142,961,000

    The consideration to be paid for the Eligible Notes is $990.00 for each $1,000 principal amount of Eligible Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Eligible Notes, if any, from the applicable last interest payment date up to, but not including, the settlement date, which date is expected to be April 22, 2025.

    The Company has retained RBC Capital Markets, LLC to serve as the Dealer Manager for the Tender Offer. Questions and requests for assistance regarding the Tender Offer should be directed to RBC Capital Markets, LLC at +1 (212) 618-7843 (collect) or +1 (877) 381-2099 (toll free).

    The Company has retained D.F. King & Co., Inc. to serve as the Information and Tender Agent for the Notes in the Tender Offer.

    The Tender Offer is being made pursuant to the terms and conditions contained in the Offer to Purchase, a copy of which may be obtained from D.F. King & Co., Inc. at (212) 269-5550 (Banks and Brokers) or (800) 967-5068 (toll free), or via psec@dfking.com.

    Copies of the Offer to Purchase and Retail Processing Fee Form are also available at the following web address: https://www.dfking.com/psec/.

    This announcement is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to purchase or sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase or sell, with respect to any securities. The solicitation of offers to buy the Notes is only being made pursuant to the terms of the Offer to Purchase, as it may be amended or supplemented. The Tender Offer is not being made in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. None of the Company, the Dealer Manager, or the Information and Tender Agent are making any recommendation as to whether or not holders should tender their Notes in connection with the Tender Offer.

    About Prospect Capital Corporation

    Prospect Capital Corporation is a business development company that focuses on lending to and investing in private businesses. Prospect’s investment objective is to generate both current income and long-term capital appreciation through debt and equity investments.

    Prospect has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”). Prospect is required to comply with regulatory requirements under the 1940 Act as well as applicable NASDAQ, federal and state rules and regulations. Prospect has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

    Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, whose safe harbor for forward-looking statements does not apply to business development companies. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding expectations as to the completion of the transaction contemplated by the Tender Offer. Any such statements, other than statements of historical fact, are highly likely to be affected by other unknowable future events and conditions, including elements of the future that are or are not under our control, and that we may or may not have considered; accordingly, such statements cannot be guarantees or assurances of any aspect of future performance. Actual developments and results are highly likely to vary materially from any forward-looking statements. Such statements speak only as of the time when made, and we undertake no obligation to update any such statement now or in the future.

    For further information, contact:

    Grier Eliasek, President and Chief Operating Officer
    grier@prospectcap.com
    Telephone (212) 448-0702

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CBIC issues revised instructions for processing applications for GST registration by CBIC formations

    Source: Government of India

    CBIC issues revised instructions for processing applications for GST registration by CBIC formations

    Revised guidelines to field formations will reduce compliance burden on taxpayers and facilitate rule-based transparency

    Posted On: 18 APR 2025 11:37AM by PIB Delhi

    Several grievances have been received by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, regarding difficulties being faced by applicants during the GST registration process, mainly on account of queries raised by officers on the grounds of seeking additional documents.

    To resolve these grievances and to smoothen GST registration process, CBIC has issued instructions on 17th April, 2025 (Instruction No. 03/2025-GST) to the officers for processing GST registration applications. Officers have been instructed to strictly adhere to the prescribed list of documents provided in registration application form. Requisite documents in specific cases to be uploaded with registration application form have also been delineated in the instructions. Officers have been directed not to issue notices based on presumptive grounds, minor discrepancies, or for additional documents that are not essential for processing applications. Officers have been also directed to seek approval of the concerned Deputy/Assistant Commissioner in cases where document apart from the listed documents is required to be sought.

    The Zonal Principal Chief Commissioner/Chief Commissioners have been advised to devise mechanism to closely monitor and issue suitable trade notices, wherever required. It has also been advised that the strict action should be taken against the officers deviating from these instructions.

    This will further facilitate in the process of getting GST registration, ease compliance burden, and promote ease of doing business.

    Please follow the following links for detailed instructions:

    HTTPS://TAXINFORMATION.CBIC.GOV.IN/VIEW-PDF/1000532/ENG/INSTRUCTIONS

    CLICK HERE FOR ALTERNATE LINK OF INSTRUCTION NO. 03/2025-GST

    ****

    NB/KMN

    (Release ID: 2122619) Visitor Counter : 77

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The prospects for the development of investment and construction activities in Russia were discussed at the State University of Management

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    On April 16, the State University of Management hosted the annual round table “Prospects for the Development of Investment and Construction Activities in Russia”, organized by the Department of Economics and Management in Construction with the participation of the NP NO TCA.

    The event was attended by representatives of small and medium-sized businesses in the investment and construction sector, heads of engineering, consulting companies and the Scientific and Research Center “Construction”.

    The round table included several sessions, including “Small and medium-sized businesses in construction: prospects and challenges” and “Experience and prospects of interaction between representatives of the real sector of the economy and the department: a practice-oriented approach, trends in the development of investment and construction activities and their impact on personnel training.”

    The official opening of the event began with a greeting to the participants of the round table from the Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, a graduate of the State University of Management Tatyana Ilyushnikova, in which she noted that the growth of small and medium-sized businesses in the investment and construction complex in recent years is associated with their high flexibility and rapid adaptation to modern economic conditions. The Deputy Minister emphasized that small and medium businesses are becoming an increasingly important sector of the economy and a key factor in the sustainability of regions.

    Andrey Tarakanov, Director of the Department for the Development of Small and Medium-Sized Entrepreneurship and Tax Incentives of the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia, spoke about the tasks of the SME sector for the period 2025-2030.

    “The President has set a goal: by 2030, real income per employee of small and medium-sized businesses should grow faster than GDP by 20%. This should be done by strengthening the role of small businesses in structural changes in the economy and in the development of the technological agenda,” noted Andrei Tarakanov.

    The President of the National Association of Technological and Price Auditors Anna Lupashko gave a report on the capabilities of the FGIS services “Unified Digital Platform “National Spatial Data System”.

    In the second session, the head of the Department of Economics and Management in Construction, Olga Astafieva, reflected on the experience of interaction between representatives of the real sector of the economy and the department.

    “As part of project-based learning, students perform work at the request of our partners. Today, the round table presented the results of the interaction between the Scientific and Research Center “Construction” and the department, within which our students developed a methodology for assessing the commercial potential of an innovative project in construction. Based on the methodology, it is possible to identify factors of project attractiveness, forecast project development opportunities, assess risks and possible financial losses,” Olga Astafieva noted.

    During the round table, it was emphasized that the implementation of such practices will allow the formation of practical skills and competencies in cooperation with companies in the investment and construction complex, including small and medium-sized businesses.

    At the end of the meeting, the participants noted the importance and necessity of developing the department’s educational programs: “Economics and Management of Investment and Construction Activities” (bachelor’s degree), “Management of Investment and Construction Business” and “Investment and Construction Business Engineering” (master’s degree) for the development and strengthening of human resources.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/18/2025

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

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Miske Enterprise Member Sentenced to 7 Years in Federal Prison for Racketeering Conspiracy and Role in Kidnapping and Murder of Johnathan Fraser

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    HONOLULU – Acting United States Attorney Kenneth M. Sorenson announced that Delia Fabro-Miske, 30, of Honolulu, was sentenced yesterday in federal court by U.S. District Judge Derrick K. Watson to 84 months of imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release for racketeering conspiracy. Fabro-Miske pled guilty on January 12, 2024, in the middle of jury selection, to conspiring to conduct and participate in the conduct of the affairs of a racketeering enterprise, the “Miske Enterprise,” through racketeering activity that included bank fraud, obstruction of justice, and wire fraud.

    Fabro-Miske admitted that she and codefendant Michael J. Miske committed bank fraud by submitting fraudulent paperwork in order to obtain leases for two vehicles that were used for one of Miske’s businesses. Fabro-Miske also  obstructed a joint investigation into another of Miske’s businesses, Kamaaina Termite and Pest Control (“KTPC”), which was conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (“HDA”). At Miske’s direction, Fabro-Miske submitted to HDA falsified fumigation logs, which claimed that she was the certified applicator of chemicals on hundreds of jobs. In reality, most of the listed jobs were completed by unlicensed applicators. Fabro-Miske also fraudulently obtained Social Security Administration (“SSA”) survivor benefits at Miske’s direction by having her wages at KTPC decreased below the SSA benefits income threshold. At the same time, Miske paid Fabro-Miske in benefits that were not reported to the SSA or Internal Revenue Service.

    Additionally, according to information provided to the Court, in or about 2017, Miske placed Fabro-Miske in charge of his businesses in an attempt to preserve and conceal his assets in anticipation of federal prosecution. In practice, Fabro-Miske carried out Miske’s wishes and acted at his direction. Fabro-Miske assisted in a fraudulent scheme committed through Miske’s businesses, which involved submitting false filings to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs that permitted the businesses to operate under fraudulently obtained and maintained licenses. Miske Enterprise members then falsely represented to customers that Miske’s businesses were properly licensed. Between 2017 and 2020, the businesses generated millions of dollars in income annually. As the head of Miske’s businesses, Fabro-Miske was also responsible for the proper and safe application of pesticides and other chemicals at customers’ homes. Information provided to the Court, however, showed that fumigations were regularly conducted without proper supervision or chemicals. Chief Judge Watson stated that Fabro-Miske’s work at Miske’s businesses “funded any number of crimes that we heard months and months of testimony” about in Miske’s trial, and her assistance “allowed Mr. Miske to run rampant in this community.”

    Finally, the Court determined that Fabro-Miske was also responsible for participating in a conspiracy with other Miske Enterprise members to kidnap and murder 21-year-old Johnathan Fraser. According to information provided to the Court, Caleb Miske – Miske’s son and Fabro-Miske’s husband – and Fraser were driving together when the two were involved in a car crash in November 2015.  Caleb Miske ultimately passed away from his injuries, and Miske blamed Fraser for his son’s death and enlisted several Miske Enterprise members to assist in his plan to murder Fraser. As part of that plan, Miske directed Fabro-Miske to rekindle her friendship with Fraser and his girlfriend and to lure them into living with her at an apartment paid for by Miske. On July 30, 2016, Fabro-Miske took Fraser’s girlfriend on a “spa day” paid for by Miske, ensuring that Fraser would be isolated when he was kidnapped. Fraser was never seen again after that day. Due to Miske’s death in December 2024, Chief Judge Watson explained that “the person most involved in Mr. Fraser’s demise will not ever be sentenced by this Court.” While Chief Judge Watson found that Fabro-Miske did not “directly and personally kill” Fraser and determined her to be a minimal participant in the kidnapping and murder conspiracy, he noted that there was “no doubt” that her actions led to Fraser’s murder and that the circumstances painted a “strong and clear picture” of a conspiracy to commit kidnapping murder in aid of racketeering.

    Fabro-Miske was charged alongside twelve other defendants, all of whom pled guilty except for Miske, who proceeded to trial and was found guilty of racketeering conspiracy, murder, and 11 other felony charges on July 18, 2024. Seven other members and associates of the Miske Enterprise pled guilty to various offenses in related cases. 

    “Delia Fabro-Miske was an integral member of the Miske Enterprise, which terrorized, exploited, and defrauded our community for decades. She participated in Miske’s bank frauds, social security fraud, falsification of fumigation records, and the concealment of Miske’s illegally obtained assets, and was a vital cog in the plot to murder of Johnathan Fraser. Fabro-Miske’s sentence yesterday demonstrates that those who occupy even the lower rungs of Hawaii’s criminal enterprises will pay a steep price when they face justice in federal court,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson. “The dismantling of the Miske Enterprise represents one of the most significant law enforcement efforts in the history of Hawaii law enforcement, and it would not have been possible without the tremendous and dedicated work of our partners at the Honolulu Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and Environmental Protection Agency, among many others.”

    “Ms. Fabro-Miske was a key member in the Miske Enterprise fraud schemes, actively participating in defrauding the government and taxpayers,” said FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge David Porter. “This sentencing reflects years of collaboration between FBI Honolulu and our law enforcement partners. The FBI remains steadfast in its commitment to dismantle violent criminal enterprises, hold their members accountable, and pursue justice for victims.”

    “Our investigators follow the money because criminal organizations profit at the expense of public safety,” said Adam Jobes, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Seattle Field Office. “Ms. Fabro-Miske’s racketeering conviction is a reminder that, in the end, crime really doesn’t pay.”

    “The sentencing of Ms. Fabro-Miske underscores HSI’s commitment to disrupting and dismantling criminal organizations in Hawaii,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge Lucy Cabral-DeArmas. “HSI will continue to hold accountable those who significantly harm our communities by breaking federal laws. By bringing justice to the Miske Enterprise, HSI sends the message that we will not tolerate any violent activity on our islands.”

    “By falsifying documents, defendant obstructed EPA and the state’s criminal investigation of a pesticide applicator that illegally applied restricted use pesticides,” said Benjamin Carr, Special Agent in Charge for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division in Hawaii. “Yesterday’s sentencing reflects the seriousness of defendant’s fraudulent conduct and the importance of complying with pesticide reporting requirements so EPA and Hawaii Department of Agriculture can keep our communities safe.”

    This prosecution was 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, intelligencedriven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Criminal Investigation Division of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, with assistance from the Honolulu Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Coast Guard Investigative Service, the United States Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, the Cybercrime Lab of the Department of Justice Criminal Division Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center, the Honolulu Fire Department, the Hawaii National Guard, 93rd Civil Support Team, the Office of Investigations–Office of the Inspector General for the Social Security Administration, and the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Inciong, Michael Nammar, KeAupuni Akina, and Aislinn Affinito prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen Addresses Nevada State Legislature at State Capitol Outlining Her Work to Deliver for Nevadans, Oppose Harmful Actions Threatening to Raise Costs & Cut Medicaid

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

    Watch Senator Rosen’s Full Remarks HERE.
    CARSON CITY, NV – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) delivered remarks to the Nevada State Legislature detailing how she is working to deliver for hardworking Nevada families, including by fighting back against cost-raising tariffs and cuts to Medicaid to give tax breaks to the wealthy. Senator Rosen also reiterated her commitment to finding areas to work with Republicans to take meaningful action to lower costs and improve the lives of hardworking Nevadans.
    Below are excerpts of Senator Rosen’s remarks:
    Since the last time I spoke here, a lot has changed in Washington.
    But there’s something that hasn’t changed, and will not change. And it’s my commitment to always put Nevada first. 
    I’ve built a record as one of the most bipartisan, independent, and effective U.S. Senators because I focus on getting things done for our state. Agree where you can and fight where you must.
    No matter who’s in the White House or who’s in control of Congress, I will do everything I can to deliver for Nevada families who work hard every day. They count on me and they count on all of you.
    And as I said, as some of you know, my motto has always been: Agree where you can, fight where you must. 
    […]
    Nevadans are practical and pragmatic and they want solutions…They want stability… They want us to work together to tackle rising costs, create better paying jobs, and protect the freedoms and opportunities that define our state. 
    And I can tell you what they don’t want. They don’t want the reckless actions this new Administration is taking: Funding Cuts. Mass Firings. Economic chaos.
    These actions have put millions of dollars that our state depends on, that all of you are depending on as you do our budgets, putting it all at risk. Every single bit of it.
    These actions have led to many Nevadans losing their jobs. They are jeopardizing the jobs of veterans who were hired by the federal government to help and serve our veterans, our local communities.
    […]
    This is no way to run a country. It’s no way to treat the men and women who risked their lives to protect our freedoms.
    We should be doing everything we can to honor their service, recognize their sacrifice, and make sure they can access every benefit that is owed to them, that they earned. We sit here free, able to do what we do because they put their lives on the line. And I want those calls to be answered at the Veterans Hotline, and I know you all do too. 
    Earlier this year, I helped introduce bipartisan bills to help veterans access their VA benefits more easily, and to increase veterans’ awareness of things like the VA Home Loan Program.
    For those who were injured while fighting to protect all of us, the least we can do is ensure they all have full benefits. 
    Current red tape is preventing more than 50,000 combat-injured veteran retirees from receiving both their retirement pay through the Department of Defense and their disability payments through the VA.
    That’s wrong. They earned it, they deserve it, and I helped introduce a bill with colleagues on both sides of the aisle, because veterans come from all over this great country, to fix and repeal the offsets that are currently in place. I’m proud of that bill and hope that we can pass it.
    Now at a time when families are seeing their budgets tighten, I’m working across party lines to eliminate taxes on military retirement pay so our veterans can keep more of their money.
    Military families aren’t the only ones being squeezed by higher prices. Because when costs go up, they hurt all Nevadans.
    This is why Nevadans I’ve talked to are worried about the Trump tariffs.
    These tariffs – they’re essentially a national sales tax – are going to raise the cost of everything you buy: your groceries, your gas, your medications, not to mention construction materials, which will make housing even MORE expensive. Interest rates go up, prices go up, everything goes up and up. 
    This is the complete opposite of what I believe we should be doing right now. We should be finding ways – every way we can – to lower costs. 
    It’s why I took action to help stop the Kroger-Albertsons mega-merger that would’ve raised those grocery prices for Nevada families.
    It’s why I introduced bipartisan legislation to lower housing costs by helping to train and grow our housing construction workforce – because houses don’t build themselves – and I’ve introduced a bill to crack down on corporations who buy up housing and jack up prices for families.
    It’s also why I’ve introduced bipartisan legislation to help lower the costs of child care and provide some relief for working families.
    And just last week, I helped introduce legislation to provide those hardworking Nevada families with a much-needed tax cut, and expand the Child Tax Credit. 
    This is in addition to the bipartisan bill I helped introduce to eliminate taxes on tips, and allow working families to keep more of their paychecks.
    I’m doing all of this because we should be providing relief for our Nevada families, for people who work hard and play by the rules, and we shouldn’t be giving more tax breaks to billionaires who frankly don’t need the money.
    […] 
    And that’s exactly why I’m fighting back. 
    I recently helped pass legislation overturning Trump’s tariffs on Canada, which is Nevada’s largest trading partner. That was bipartisan legislation we voted to pass, by the way.
    I also helped introduce a bill to require the United States International Trade Commission to investigate how Trump’s recent tariffs will impact the American people, and make that information public.
    And I am leading the charge in the Senate in making sure the Administration knows how destructive its tariffs are for small businesses.
    […]
    I know many in this room know just how important, how critical Medicaid is. It makes up a sizable portion of our state budget, and we stand to lose more than half billion dollars if Medicaid is cut.
    It’s more than just funding. It’s a lifeline for families. It’s a lifeline for moms and for children. I’ll talk about my special guest in a moment. This is more than a number. It’s more than a number they’re cutting. These are our families, our friends, our neighbors. And attempts to cut this important lifeline for children is going to put more than 300,000 children in Nevada at risk of losing their only source of health care coverage.
    Nevada children like Levi, Levi is my guest, along with his really incredible mother Allyson Marchus.
    They are here tonight because Medicaid has made a difference in their lives. And with their permission, I’m going to share just a little bit of Levi’s story because sometimes we look at budgets and there’s numbers you’re trying to balance and make all of this work, but there’s people behind every one of those numbers.
    When Levi was just three years old, Allyson noticed a strange mole behind his ear.
    So she thought she was just going to go to the doctor, like all of us who are parents here, you just go to the doctor, it’s just a little thing, you’ve got a bug bite. Simple doctor’s visit. But every parent’s worst fear was realized when a biopsy came back positive for melanoma — not just a person who’s been in the sun their whole life, that happens when you’re three years old, skin cancer –  he had to have further tests, and his cancer spread. 
    Levi and Allyson have had to jump through hoop after hoop in order to implement a care plan — treatments, and medications, and surgery, and radiation – they had to repeatedly travel out of state to get special pediatric care, you have to go to hospitals where they know how to take care of young children. 
    […]
    No family should have to go through this, but Allyson never gave up. She and Levi have shown awe-inspiring strength and resilience every step of the way –  they refused to quit fighting this awful disease.
    And, the one thing that they didn’t have to worry about on this journey was how they were going to pay for that care, how are they going to get to the doctor, how are they going to go to these treatments, how are they going to be cared for, because they had Medicaid. So thanks to Medicaid she was able to be there for her son.
    [Medicaid] made sure they had not one expense while dealing with some of the worst moments any parent can go through. Not one out-of-pocket expense. It took that burden, that one extra stress right off their back.
    Today, Levi is five years old, and we are glad to say that he is in remission. It’s a pretty good thing. Of course he’s going to continue to be watched and cared for, but it’s a success story. It’s a success story because she had Medicaid.
    This is why Medicaid matters. Not just for Levi and his family, but for all the Levis and all the families in Nevada and across the country, story after story after story, this is just one of them. I’m sure many of you in this room can tell stories like this as well. 
    Medicaid has made the difference in their lives. It covered medical care, it covered travel expenses, just like it did for Allyson and Levi. 
    It is literally a lifeline. All of these children, every one of them, have a name, have a family, and I want everyone in Nevada and in America to see these kids and see these families and know their names before they cut that budget.
    So it’s shameful and immoral, I believe, that Republicans want to cut this program just to give tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy. 
    [..]
    And while all of you in this legislature work to expand health care access in rural communities and tackle our doctor shortage, I want to tell you that in the Senate I’m doing the same thing. I have multiple bills to help bringmore nurses, doctors, and dentists to underserved areas. […] So I’ll tell you about a couple of bills I have, I know I’m going to partner with you on some of them, and they’re all bipartisan.
    The first one is called the Physicians for Underserved Areas Act. It’s going to take the long overdue step of revising the graduate medical education process to increase the likelihood of states with physician shortages – like we are – to get more medical residency slots. We don’t have enough slots to take care of the people we have. So we’re going to fight to do that.
    These bills are all bipartisan. Why? Because we’re not the only state who has a physician shortage. So we find our friends across the aisle, agree where you can and fight where you must. This is what we agree on. So I have a bipartisan bill called the REDI Act. It’s going to help increase the number of doctors and dentists – we never can forget the dentists because dental care is important too – in Nevada’s underserved areas by allowing them to defer their student loan payments without interest until they complete their residencies and internships. So they can go serve some of our rural communities, it’s hard for them to get dentists and doctors out there. We know this. This is a benefit. Everybody benefits.
    My bipartisan SPARC Act, which I introduced just last week, will help increase the number of medical specialists in rural communities. 
    And finally, my Train More Nurses Act. We’ve been lucky in the past few years, we’ve been able to fund programs in our community colleges and universities to build out our nursing training. We’re about 4,000 nurses short, like I said. But we need nurse educators to train the new nurses. So the Train More Nurses Act does just that, makes new nurse educators. It passed the Senate unanimously last Congress, and we’re going to get it through again, and that’s going to help us address Nevada’s nursing shortage because we have all the space, but if we don’t have all the teachers, you all know it’s for nothing. So we’re hoping to get that through.
    So much to do there. Health care, housing. We have to complement the efforts we work on together to improve access to tackle our housing crisis by creating new legislation to help small home builders, small local home builders, access financing to build new affordable housing.
    […] 
    Nevadans chose each and every one of you here for a reason, and they are counting on all of us together to support each other and support success in our state. It doesn’t always mean you agree on everything – find the things you agree on and do those. People are counting on us. They sent us here to find the places we agree – do that. Don’t let it stop you.
    There is a lot to fight about in Washington, but there are a lot of places for agreement too, especially right here in Carson City. 
    I just really want to leave you all with a call to action and something that in my eight years now in the United States Congress I’ve really been using every day, and it has shown in my work that I’m proud of. The call to action is to find places to work together to deliver for the Nevada families, for our home, for the Nevada we care about. 
    I’m not asking anyone to compromise your values. What I’m asking you to do is value compromise. Find the places where you can agree and do that because babies are counting on you, seniors are counting on you, the vets are counting on you. Twelve things on the to-do list; you can find six. Do them. People will applaud you for that. You can argue about the other six, but trust me, they will send you back here and be proud, and they will tell you how proud that makes them to see you do that. You don’t have to compromise your values, just value compromise where you can agree. People are counting on all of us to lead. They’re looking to us in these tough times. […]
    It’s not easy. It takes energy. It takes passion. It takes commitment. It takes care. Something I know every person in this room has or you wouldn’t have fought to be here. You could all be doing something else but you chose to come here and do this. 
    So in Nevada, we are not just Democrats or Republicans—we are Nevadans first. In this room especially, we are Nevadans first.
    So I want us to think about moving forward together – with common purpose, shared values, and that unshakable commitment to build a stronger, more prosperous, and just a better Nevada for all of us. For the Levis, for our parents and grandparents, and all the kids in the future. I’m so grateful to have you all as partners and to be here today and speak to all of you. Thank you for your work.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Chu, CAPAC Chair Meng, & House Colleagues Express Outrage and Demand Accountability as Trump Administration Limits Access to Government Services for Limited English Proficient Taxpayers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

    Members slam President Trump’s decision to target language accessibility: “There is no data that supports the assertion made by your administration that linguistical diversity threatens the integrity of the nation…  [by] withdrawing guidance that helps to provide meaningful language accessibility, your administration risks disconnecting millions of limited English proficient people across the United States from government services.”

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — As reported in NOTUS yesterday, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) and Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06), led 54 other House Democratic colleagues in condemning President Trump’s recent decision to weaken language accessibility protections within the federal government. In a letter sent to the President and the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Members requested swift answers from the administration regarding the impacts this decision will have on limited English proficient communities and what steps are being taken to ensure essential services meant for every taxpayer, no matter what primary language they speak, are not disrupted. 

    On March 1, 2025, President Trump announced an Executive Order (EO) that declared English as the official language of the United States and rescinded EO 13166, a Clinton-era policy that had been in place for the past 25 years, requiring agencies and recipients of federal funding to provide meaningful language accessibility. Under EO 13166, all federal agencies and institutions, from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to health care services to universities to the legal system, were required to provide language translation, interpretation, and accessibility services. President Trump’s decision to revoke this EO threatens the federal government’s compliance and enforcement of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and needlessly jeopardizes millions of Americans’ access government services, resources, and programs.

    In the letter addressed to President Trump and Attorney General Bondi, the Members detail the harms of rescinding EO 13166 and call attention to concerning reports that language accessibility services are already being affected: “More than 25.7 million individuals in the United States – over 8% of the population –are limited English proficient…Language barriers can pose a significant obstacle for individuals attempting to integrate into our society and access public services and institutions, including health care, emergency preparedness, the legal system, schools, and employment. All Americans deserve to access the services and resources their taxes are paying for without barriers based solely on language proficiency.”

    Of the limited English proficient (LEP) population, 20% are residents of California, 14% of Texas, and 12% in Florida. With more than 350 languages spoken across the country, language barriers within government can pose insurmountable obstacles for individuals attempting to integrate and access public services and institutions, including health care, emergency preparedness, the legal system, schools, and employment.

    “By [revoking EO 13166], your administration is no longer detailing the language accessibility regulations or policies that agencies must follow, risking systemic noncompliance with civil rights laws and jeopardizing the quality of language services or translated materials these agencies provide,” they continue. “Additionally, we have received reports that the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, has cancelled at least ten contracts that provided federal agencies with language or translation services. This is including a contract that provided translation services to Americans or businesses calling the Department of Homeland Security about their employment status or benefits, leading to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services directing employees to discontinue any call when they are not fluent in the caller’s language.” 

    Since the Lau v. Nichols decision in 1974, the Supreme Court has held that discrimination against people with limited English proficiency is a type of national origin discrimination. As a result, the Members demanded accountability and answers from the Trump Administration: “We have serious concerns that your decision to rescind EO 13166, and remove language accessibility guidance, will reduce the availability of language services and translated materials across the federal government. Consequently, we seek information to confirm that your administration is ensuring that language accessibility for Americans with LEP remains a priority and language translation services are not disrupted.”

    Click here to access the full letter.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI China: Comprehensive bonded zones fuel China’s foreign trade growth

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

    BEIJING, April 17 — A truck loaded with 1.3 tonnes of clothing, hats, sunglasses and other goods departed from the cross-border e-commerce warehouse at the comprehensive bonded zone of Beijing Daxing International Airport (BDIA), heading to the international cargo terminal of China Southern Air Logistics Co., Ltd. at the airport.

    At 4 p.m., these made-in-China daily necessities were shipped to Tashkent in Uzbekistan via flight CZ6027.

    “Almost every flight on this route carries goods in and out of the bonded zone,” said Song Bing, a manager at the logistics company.

    Comprehensive bonded zones are customs-supervised areas with streamlined clearance procedures, serving as vital platforms for China’s opening-up endeavors. Policies such as tax refunds upon entry, bonded imports and the free flow of goods within the zone help enterprises significantly reduce institutional transaction costs.

    Over 160 such zones nationwide play a crucial role in expanding trade, attracting foreign investment and driving industrial upgrades.

    At the BDIA bonded zone, trucks carrying goods arrive continuously. Inside bonded warehouses and production workshops, modern machinery operates at full capacity, fueling a bustling environment featuring manufacturing and research and development (R&D).

    Having settled in the zone in 2022, Beijing CRS Medical Device Co., Ltd. now produces 700,000 dental implants annually, serving clients nationwide.

    “Our imported equipment and materials from Germany and Japan enter the zone duty-free. Taxes are only paid when our products are sold outside the zone in China, easing our financial pressure,” said Xu Chang, manager of the company’s external relations department.

    In 2024, duty exemptions on imported machinery alone saved them over 2.7 million yuan (374,558 U.S. dollars), and the company plans to expand production and explore global markets, Xu added.

    Straddling Beijing and Hebei Province in north China, the bonded zone saw its foreign trade value grow by fourfold to reach 9.89 billion yuan in 2024, said Zhang Jizhou, deputy head of BDIA customs, adding that more enterprises are encouraged to settle there to boost regional foreign trade.

    Fan Taoyu, general manager of the north China marketing center of China Southern Air Logistics, said the company’s cargo terminal at BDIA had handled more than 35,000 tonnes of cross-border e-commerce goods, electronics, industrial accessories and agricultural products in 2024, linking to markets in Europe and Asia via hubs like London, Amsterdam and Tashkent.

    “The BDIA bonded zone is unleashing growing potential, benefiting logistics firms like us,” said Fan.

    Despite global challenges, China’s trade value continues to rise, with bonded zones serving as important drivers of such growth. The country’s total goods imports and exports in yuan-denominated terms expanded 1.3 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2025, demonstrating stable growth and strong resilience, according to the General Administration of Customs (GAC).

    In the first two months of this year, two comprehensive bonded zones in the coastal city of Qingdao in east China’s Shandong Province saw over 20 billion yuan in total foreign trade value — up 6 percent year on year, while bonded zones in Anhui Province, also in east China, recorded trade value of 23.11 billion yuan, a 16.1 percent increase.

    Beyond trade growth, bonded zones are accelerating industrial transformation, leveraging policies to establish R&D centers and foster high-tech industries. In May 2024, the GAC introduced 23 measures to advance high-quality development in comprehensive bonded zones.

    Notably, the BDIA bonded zone welcomed a firm specializing in flight simulator R&D and training, which trained 1,000 airline personnel in 2024. Meanwhile, Beijing’s Zhongguancun comprehensive bonded zone, the country’s first bonded zone featuring R&D and innovation, hosts a series of tech companies, dedicating 90 percent of its space to experimental R&D.

    “Joining the zone means saving costs on tax-free R&D equipment and bonded materials, allowing us to focus on innovation,” said Wang Shicheng, chairman and general manager of Beijing Soaring Electric Technology Co., Ltd., a clean energy and energy saving tech firm based in the Zhongguancun bonded zone.

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI USA: DOGE’s Data Dive Denied: Court Grants Preliminary Injunction and Blocks Access to SSA System

    Source: American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Union

    Baltimore, MD — A federal court has granted a preliminary injunction blocking Elon Musk’s so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) from further accessing sensitive personal data stored within the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) systems. The ruling comes in response to a motion filed by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO; the American Federation of Teachers (AFT); and the Alliance for Retired Americans, all represented by Democracy Forward.

    Today’s decision provides significant relief and is essential in halting DOGE’s unlawful and dangerous overreach. The court recognized that Musk’s operatives’ unprecedented access to private Social Security data, ranging from immigration records to health and financial information, violated critical privacy protections and would cause irreparable harm.

    This decision sends a clear message to Elon Musk and his DOGE minions to keep their hands off Social Security,” said AFSCME President Lee Saunders. This regime of billionaires is wreaking havoc on the Social Security Administration – rolling out plans to cut services, sowing confusion, disregarding court orders and then denying how their actions will hurt those most vulnerable. We won’t stand for it. Working people spend their entire careers paying into Social Security so they can one day retire with dignity. AFSCME and our partners will keep working to protect that promise for all.

    This is an important ruling that upholds our grave concern that millions of Americans have had their private information and retirement security violated by Elon Musk’s illegal actions. It stops, for now, the exploitation of data by an unelected billionaire who wants to weaponize it or use it for his and others’ personal ends. The promise of Social Security is that if you work hard and play by the rules, you can retire with dignity and grace. Elon Musk broke that basic bond of trust and today, the judge agreed that he must be held accountable,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten.

    Older Americans can breathe easier knowing that Elon Musk and his DOGE team have been clearly ordered to stay away from their most personal financial and health information,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans. We will always fight to ensure that every American after a lifetime of work receives the Social Security benefits they have earned and that their most sensitive information remains protected.

    This is a significant relief for the millions of people who depend on the Social Security Administration to safeguard their most personal and sensitive information, said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. The court’s ruling sends a clear message: no one can bypass the law to raid government data systems for their own purposes. We will continue working with our partners to ensure that DOGE’s overreach is permanently stopped and that people’s rights are protected.

    The preliminary injunction halts DOGE personnel from accessing SSA data without complying with certain legal requirements while the broader lawsuit moves forward. Plaintiffs argue that DOGE’s access violates the Privacy Act, the Social Security Act, the Internal Revenue Code, and the Administrative Procedure Act.

    This decision follows a first-of-its-kind order requiring Musk and DOGE to “disgorge” and “delete” any personal data and highlighting that DOGE affiliates have been concerned that the disclosure of even their names would expose them to harassment and thus invade their privacy. However, DOGE does not appear to share a privacy concern for the millions of people whose SSA records were made available to its affiliates without their consent.

    Read the complaint, the motion for temporary restraining order, the motion for preliminary injunction, and today’s ruling.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Leader and Money Launderer for the KDY Drug Trafficking Crew Sentenced to 160 Months in Federal Prison

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

    WASHINGTON – Kenneth Amedola Olugbenga, 29, a leader of and money launderer for the violent Kennedy Street Crew (KDY), was sentenced today to 160 months in federal prison for his role in a massive drug trafficking organization that operated open-air markets in Northwest Washington D.C.

                The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), Agent in Charge Ibrar A. Mian of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Washington Division, Special Agent in Charge Kareem Carter, of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Washington D.C. Field Office , and ATF Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives – Washington Field Division.

                Olugbenga, of Washington D.C., pleaded guilty Sept. 20, 2024, to a two-count Superseding Information, charging him with conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, cocaine base, and marijuana and for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. In addition to the 160-month prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell ordered Olugbenga to serve four years of supervised release. Judge Howell also ordered Olugbenga to forfeit $374,598.00 as part of his sentence.

                KDY members operated open-air drug markets on an 11-block stretch of Kennedy Street in Northwest Washington, D.C., as well as surrounding streets. Like many drug trafficking organizations (DTOs), KDY armed itself with fire power to facilitate the drug trade defend its territory from rival crews and commit other violent crimes. Olugbenga was arrested in June 2023 as part of a coordinated arrest operation in this case and has remained in federal custody since his arrest.

                According to court documents, and by his own admission, Olugbenga served as an organizer and leader of the Kennedy Street Crew. Olugbenga was one of the originators of KDY’s drug trafficking operation via commercial flights from California. He served as the lead money launderer for the crew, establishing phony companies that included an auto detailing business to project an illusion of legitimacy for the crew’s drug trafficking. From 2019 until the date of his arrest, Olugbenga also used a local casino to launder $1.8 million in illegal proceeds from drug trafficking. In addition, Olugbenga used one of the phony businesses to apply for and receive a forgivable Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) from the Small Business Administration during the COVID-19 pandemic. He used the SBA funds to buy more bulk narcotics.

                Olugbenga took nearly six dozen roundtrip flights to the West Coast over the course of the four-year conspiracy and spent more than $21,000 on one-way airline tickets in one year alone.

                Olugbenga was a bulk supplier of cocaine, both powdered and crack, along with marijuana. He regularly referred customers to other KDY drug trafficking operations when they sought pills or other narcotics that he himself was unable to readily access. He tracked drug expenses and debts within the crew, pooling resources and noting law enforcement seizures over the course of the four-year conspiracy.

                He also engaged in drug activity on KDY turf. Within the open-air drug market in Kennedy Street territory, MPD officers conducted 15 controlled purchases from Olugbenga totaling 52.3 grams of cocaine base.

                On February 20, 2023, in the 500 block of Emerson Street NW, the MPD’s Fourth District Crime Suppression Team observed a Ford Econoline van driving recklessly as it swerved into oncoming traffic to pass a bicyclist. This van was the same vehicle that Olugbenga had been seen using around the open-air drug market on Kennedy Street since the beginning of the investigation. MPD officers attempted to stop the van, chasing it as it fled. The vehicle eventually stopped near the intersection of 7th and Longfellow Streets NW. Olugbenga abandoned the van and fled on foot. The van was subsequently searched, and law enforcement recovered distribution quantities of crack cocaine and marijuana, a loaded Glock handgun, a drug ledger, and a brochure for one of Olugbenga’s shell companies.

                On June 27, 2023, law enforcement arrested Olugbenga and served search warrants at two residences associated with him. At his residence in KDY territory, officers recovered five kilos of marijuana, nearly a kilo of cocaine, and various scales. 

               Of the 17 KDY members charged in connection with the investigation, 16 have now been sentenced. Co-defendant Jovan Williams, aka Chewy, will be sentenced tomorrow, April 18.

               This investigation was conducted under the auspices of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. 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.

               This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department, the DEA’s Washington Division, the IRS Criminal Investigation Washington, D.C. Field Office, and ATF’s Washington Field Division.

               The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew W. Kinskey and Sitara Witanachchi, of the of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. 

    KDY DEFENDANTS

    NAME

    AGE

    CHARGES/SENTENCES

    Kenneth Ademola Olugbenga 29 Sentenced March 17, 2025, to 360 Months in Prison after Pleading Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with the Intent to Distribute 500 Grams or more of Cocaine Base, and a Detectable Amount of Marijuana; and Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Offense.
    Khali Ahmed Brown, aka “Migo Lee” 24 Sentenced January 16, 2025, to 168 Months after Pleading Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute 100 Kilograms or More of Marijuana and 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl and Oxycodone; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Offense; and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon.
    Keion Michael Brown 21 Sentenced January 16, 2025, to 147 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute 100 Kilograms or More of Marijuana and Oxycodone and Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime.
    Miasiah Jamal Brown, aka “Michael Jamal Crawford” 23 Sentenced August 16, 2024, to Five Years for Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime.
    Tristan Miles Ware, aka “Greedy” 24 Sentenced December 13, 2024, to 120 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute 100 Kilos of Marijuana; and Possessing a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking Crime.
    Jovan Williams, aka “Chewy” and “Choo” 20 Sentencing Scheduled for April 18, 2025. Pleaded Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute 100 Kilograms or More of Marijuana and Armed Carjacking.
    Herman Eric-Bibmin Signou, aka “Herman Signour” 25 Sentenced March 22, 2024, to 40 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 100 Kilograms of More of Marijuana
    Cameron Xavier Reid 28 Sentenced May 31, 2024, to 60 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute 100 Kilograms of More of Marijuana.
    Warren Lawrence Fields, III, aka B-Dub 26 Sentenced May 16, 2024, to 60 Months for Possessing a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking Offense and for Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering.
    Juwan Demetrius Clark, aka “Squirrel” 28 Sentenced January 10, 2025, to 37 Months for Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering.
    Aaron DeAndre Mercer, aka “Curby,” 34 Sentenced September 13, 2024, to 120 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl, Marijuana, and Cocaine Base.
    David Penn, aka “Turtle” 32 Sentenced November 15, 2024, to 220 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana, 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl, and a Mixture of Cocaine Base; and Two Counts of Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Offense.
    Ronald Lynn Dorsey, aka “Ron G” and “HBGeezy” 31 Sentenced September 13, 2024, to 30 Months for Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering.
    Antonio Reginald Bailey, aka “Boy Boy,” and “Fellow King” 24 Sentenced February 8, 2024, to 24 Months for Receiving a Firearm While Under Indictment.
    Anthony Trayon Bailey, aka “Fat Ant,” and “Bizzle” 29 Sentenced April 26, 2024, to 15 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute 100 Kilograms or More of Marijuana, 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl, and a Mixture and Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Cocaine Base.
    Angel Enrique Suncar, aka “Coqui” 31 Sentenced December 12, 2024, to 60 Months for Possessing a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking Crime.
    Adebayo Adediji Green 31 Sentenced August 16, 2024, to 60 Months for Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime.

                Defendant Cameron Reid is from Falmouth, VA; all remaining defendants are from Washington, D.C.

    Kenneth Olugbenga photographed at the local casino where he laundered illicit drug proceeds.

    Olugbenga frequented the open-air drug market in the Kennedy Street Corridor, often with his panel van or one of several sedans he operated.

     

    At Olugbenga’s residence in KDY territory, officers recovered nearly five kilograms of marijuana, and nearly a kilogram of cocaine.

    23cr202

    ##

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Owner of Money Service Business Faces Federal Charges for Laundering Drug Proceeds

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PORTLAND, Ore.—The owner and operator of La Popular, a money service business with locations in Oregon and Washington, was arraigned in federal court today after she was charged with laundering drug proceeds.

    Brenda Lili Barrera Orantes, 39, a Guatemalan national residing in Beaverton, Oregon, has been charged by criminal complaint with money laundering.

    According to court documents, between 2021 and 2024, Barrera Orantes is alleged to have accepted cash from drug proceeds and wired the funds through La Popular stores in Oregon and Washington. In return, Barrera Orantes charged a ten percent commission. Barrera Orantes is further alleged to have worked with others to divide large sums of money into several smaller transactions and used fictitious sender information to conceal her money laundering activities. Financial records indicate that Barrera Orantes transferred more than $89 million through her La Popular stores, including $18.5 million to regions in Mexico and Honduras that are associated with drug trafficking organizations.

    “This investigation has revealed the pivotal role that money service businesses play in laundering the enormous proceeds of trafficking illegal drugs in our community,” said Katie de Villiers, Chief of the Asset Recovery and Money Laundering Division for the District of Oregon. “The amount of dirty money allegedly flowing through these small businesses and back to Mexico and Honduras is truly staggering. We intend to hold accountable the operators of these businesses who profit by assisting drug trafficking organizations in laundering their proceeds.”

    “Because crime is such a coordinated effort, it is critical that we respond in kind,” said Special Agent in Charge Adam Jobes, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Seattle Field Office. “IRS-CI specializes in fighting illicit financial activity, and we are proud to partner closely with our law enforcement partners to keep our communities safe.”

    “Money laundering allows drug traffickers to thrive in the shadows, and by severing their cash flow we are striking at the very thing that incentivizes their illicit pursuits,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Seattle acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Murphy. “By stopping those that try to conceal criminal profits, communities are protected from the violence, addiction, and instability caused by the drug trade.”

    “The defendant in this case is suspected of providing financial support to overseas drug organizations under the guise of business transactions,” said FBI Portland Special Agent in Charge Doug Olson. “These are serious allegations that cause significant harm to our communities. We will never tolerate individuals who profit from activities that support a drug epidemic that harms our citizens.”

    On April 16, 2025, investigators executed federal search warrants at Barrera Orantes’ residence and three La Popular stores located in Beaverton, Hillsboro, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington. Barrera Orantes was arrested in Beaverton without incident.

    Barrera Orantes made her first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. She was ordered detained pending further court proceedings.

    If convicted, Barrera Orantes faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, five years’ supervised release, and a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the money laundered.

    This case is being investigated by the IRS-CI, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), FBI, and the Westside Interagency Narcotics team. It is being prosecuted by Christopher L. Cardani and Julia Jarrett, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.

    The Westside Interagency Narcotics team is a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force and is composed of members from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Beaverton Police Department, Hillsboro Police Department, FBI, HSI, and the Oregon National Guard. The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates with and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement initiatives.

    A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).

    The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. For more information about Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, please visit Justice.gov/OCDETF.

    Since 2018, IRS-CI has maintained a Third Party Money Laundering (3PML) Project. This project focuses on Complicit Money Service Businesses (MSB) working for Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations. The purpose of this project is to develop high-impact 3PML cases for IRS-CI and other agencies across the United States, by utilizing data analytics.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI: Purpose Investments Inc. Announces April 2025 Distributions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Purpose Investments Inc. (“Purpose”) is pleased to announce distributions for the month of April 2025 for its open-end exchange-traded funds and closed-end funds (“the Funds”).

    The ex-distribution date for all Open-End Funds is April 28, 2025. The ex-distribution date for all closed-end funds is April 30, 2025. 

    Open-End Funds Ticker Symbol Distribution per share/unit Record Date Payable Date Distribution Frequency
    Apple (AAPL) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Units APLY $0.1667 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Canadian Financial Income Fund – ETF Series BNC $0.1225¹ 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Global Bond Fund – ETF Units BND $0.0840 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Berkshire Hathaway (BRK) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Units BRKY $0.1000 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Bitcoin Yield ETF – ETF Units BTCY $0.0850 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Bitcoin Yield ETF – ETF Non-Currency Hedged Units BTCY.B $0.0970 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Bitcoin Yield ETF – ETF USD Units BTCY.U US $0.0815 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Credit Opportunities Fund – ETF Units CROP $0.0875 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Credit Opportunities Fund – ETF USD Units CROP.U US $0.0975 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Ether Yield – ETF Units ETHY $0.0405 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Ether Yield ETF – ETF Non-Currency Hedged Units ETHY.B $0.0500 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Ether Yield ETF – ETF Units Non-Currency Hedged USD Units ETHY.U US $0.0395 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Global Flexible Credit Fund – ETF Units FLX $0.0461 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Global Flexible Credit Fund – Non-Currency Hedged – ETF Units FLX.B $0.0551 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Global Flexible Credit Fund – Non-Currency Hedged USD – ETF Units FLX.U US $0.0385 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Global Bond Class – ETF Units IGB $0.0860¹ 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Microsoft (MSFT) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF units MSFY $0.1100 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Enhanced Premium Yield Fund – ETF Series PAYF $0.1375¹ 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Total Return Bond Fund – ETF Series PBD $0.0590¹ 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Core Dividend Fund – ETF Series PDF $0.1050¹ 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Enhanced Dividend Fund – ETF Series PDIV $0.0950¹ 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Real Estate Income Fund – ETF Series PHR $0.0720¹ 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Purpose International Dividend Fund – ETF Series PID $0.0780 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Monthly Income Fund – ETF Series PIN $0.0830¹ 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Multi-Asset Income Fund – ETF Units PINC $0.0840 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Conservative Income Fund – ETF Series PRP $0.0600¹ 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Premium Yield Fund – ETF Series PYF $0.1100¹ 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Premium Yield Fund Non-Currency Hedged – ETF Series PYF.B $0.1230¹ 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Premium Yield Fund Non-Currency Hedged – ETF USD Series PYF.U US $0.1200¹ 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Core Equity Income Fund – ETF Series RDE $0.0875¹ 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Emerging Markets Dividend Fund – ETF Units REM $0.0950 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Canadian Preferred Share Fund – ETF Units RPS $0.0950 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Purpose US Preferred Share Fund – ETF Series RPU $0.0940 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Purpose US Preferred Share Fund Non-Currency Hedged – ETF Units2 RPU.B / RPU.U $0.0940 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Strategic Yield Fund – ETF Units SYLD $0.0970 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    AMD (AMD) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Series YAMD $0.2000 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Amazon (AMZN) Yield Shares Purpose ETF- ETF Units YAMZ $0.4000 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Broadcom (AVGO) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Series YAVG $0.1500 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Coinbase (COIN) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Series YCON $0.3000 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Costco (COST) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Series YCST $0.1000 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Alphabet (GOOGL) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Units YGOG $0.2500 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Tech Innovators Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Series YMAG $0.2000 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    META (META) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Series YMET $0.1600 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Netflix (NFLX) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Series YNET $0.1100 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    NVIDIA (NVDA) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Units YNVD $0.7500 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Palantir (PLTR) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Series YPLT $0.2500 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Tesla (TSLA) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Units YTSL $0.5500 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    UnitedHealth Group (UHN) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Series YUNH $0.1100 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
               
    Closed-End Funds Ticker Symbol Distribution
    per share/unit
    Record Date Payable Date Distribution Frequency
    Big Banc Split Corp, Class A BNK $0.1200¹ 04/30/2025 05/14/2025 Monthly
    Big Banc Split Corp – Preferred Shares BNK.PR.A $0.0700¹ 04/30/2025 05/14/2025 Monthly


    Estimated April 2025 Distributions for Purpose USD Cash Management Fund, Purpose Cash Management Fund, Purpose High Interest Savings Fund, and Purpose US Cash Fund

    The April 2025 distribution rates for Purpose USD Cash Management Fund, Purpose Cash Management Fund, Purpose High Interest Savings Fund, and Purpose US Cash Fund are estimated to be as follows:

    Fund Name Ticker Symbol Estimated Distribution per unit Record Date Payable Date Distribution Frequency
    Purpose USD Cash Management Fund – ETF Units MNU.U US $ 0.3785 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Cash Management Fund – ETF Units MNY $0.2705 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Purpose High Interest Savings Fund – ETF Units PSA $0.1146 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly
    Purpose US Cash Fund – ETF Units PSU.U US $ 0.3720 04/28/2025 05/02/2025 Monthly

    Purpose expects to issue a press release on or about April 25, 2025 , which will provide the final distribution rate for Purpose USD Cash Management Fund, Purpose Cash Management Fund, Purpose High Interest Savings Fund, and Purpose US Cash Fund. The ex-distribution date will be April 28, 2025.

    (1) Dividend is designated as an “eligible” Canadian dividend for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and any similar provincial and territorial legislation.
    (2) Purpose US Preferred Share Fund Non-Currency Hedged – ETF Units have both a CAD and USD purchase option. Distribution per unit is declared in CAD, however, the USD purchase option (RPU.U) distribution will be made in the USD equivalent. Conversion into USD will use the end-of-day foreign exchange rate prevailing on the ex-distribution date.

    About Purpose Investments Inc.

    Purpose Investments is an asset management company with more than $21 billion in assets under management. Purpose Investments has an unrelenting focus on client-centric innovation and offers a range of managed and quantitative investment products. Purpose Investments is led by well-known entrepreneur Som Seif and is a division of Purpose Unlimited, an independent technology-driven financial services company.

    For further information please contact:
    Keera Hart
    Keera.Hart@kaiserpartners.com
    905-580-1257

    Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investment fund investments. Please read the prospectus and other disclosure documents before investing. Investment funds are not covered by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government deposit insurer. There can be no assurance that the full amount of your investment in a fund will be returned to you. If the securities are purchased or sold on a stock exchange, you may pay more or receive less than the current net asset value. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Security: Iranian National Indicted for Operating Online Marketplace Offering Fentanyl, Other Drugs, and Money Laundering Services

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CLEVELAND – A federal grand jury has charged Behrouz Parsarad, an Iranian national, for his role as the creator and operator of Nemesis Market, a dark web marketplace designed to enable users to buy and sell illegal drugs and other illicit goods and criminal cyber-services, such as obtaining stolen financial information, fraudulent identification documents, counterfeit currencies, and computer malware.

    According to the indictment, Parsarad, 36, of Tehran, Iran, launched Nemesis Market in or around March 2021. Nemesis Market operated on the dark web, a network that uses The Onion Router (TOR) to encrypt traffic and hide users’ Internet Protocol (IP) address. At its peak, Nemesis Market had over 150,000 users and more than 1,100 vendor accounts registered worldwide. Between 2021 and 2024, Nemesis Market processed more than 400,000 orders, including more than 60,000 orders in 2022 and more than 250,000 orders in 2023. Of these, more than 55,000 orders were categorized as stimulants, which included sub-categories for methamphetamine, cocaine, cocaine base (crack), and other controlled substances. More than 17,000 orders were categorized as opioids, which included sub-categories for fentanyl, heroin, and oxycodone. All of the substances covertly purchased by the government and marketed on Nemesis as “isotonitazene,” “M30s” (purporting to be oxycodone), and “Percs” (purporting to be Percocet) were confirmed by laboratory reports to be mixtures and substances containing fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance and/or acetylfentanyl, heroin, and/or protonitazene, each a Schedule I controlled substance.

    “The allegations in this indictment span over four hundred thousand transactions involving fentanyl, other dangerous drugs, and a wide range of contraband made accessible on the darknet for more than three years,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Through cooperation with German and Lithuanian partners, the alleged administrator of this marketplace has been charged, servers and other infrastructure have been seized, and dangerous drugs and other contraband have been stopped from entering the United States. This case demonstrates the Department’s tireless commitment to protecting U.S. communities from the harms caused by fentanyl and darknet marketplaces and pursuing accountability for those who would endanger our communities no matter where they are located.”

    “Anyone who tries to profit from the sale of illegal drugs – whether it’s on the streets or online – will face consequences. Whether you sell or help others sell these dangerous drugs, you will be held accountable,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik for the Northern District of Ohio. “I want to acknowledge the excellent investigative work of our federal agency partners here in Ohio who helped us to bring the charges in this case. Together, we remain committed to keeping our neighborhoods safe and our streets free from illegal narcotics.”

    “This indictment, made possible by the assistance of our German and Lithuanian allies, underscores the importance of global partnerships and international collaboration,” said FBI Cleveland Acting Special Agent in Charge Charles Johnston. “Nemesis Market, through the darknet, was a borderless powerhouse of criminal activity that not only fueled the drug epidemic, but also a multitude of illegal acts with the capacity to harm our citizens and destroy our communities. The FBI stands firm in its commitment to identify and investigate unlawful individuals and dismantle their networks operating with criminal intent.”

    Parsarad is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of controlled substances in the Northern District of Ohio and elsewhere. In addition, Parsarad is also charged with money laundering conspiracy for both using proceeds to promote illegal drug dealing and for offering money laundering services through Nemesis Market by mixing cryptocurrencies used to pay for goods and services to obscure their origins. Nemesis users were not allowed to conduct transactions in official, government-backed currencies.

    On March 20, 2024, U.S. law enforcement, in cooperation with German and Lithuanian authorities, seized Nemesis Market and stemmed the flow of these drugs into the United States and elsewhere. In March 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions against Parsarad for his role as the administrator of Nemesis Market. According to OFAC, Nemesis Market facilitated the sale of nearly $30 million worth of drugs between 2021 and 2024.

    If convicted, Parsarad faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in federal prison and a maximum penalty of life.

    The FBI Cleveland Division is investigating the case with assistance from the DEA and IRS-CI. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and Cybercrime Liaison Prosecutor to Eurojust provided significant assistance.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Segev Phillips for the Northern District of Ohio and Trial Attorney Gaelin Bernstein of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section are prosecuting the case, with substantial assistance from the U.S. Attorneys Offices for the Northern District of Illinois and District of Massachusetts.

    This case was investigated as part of an FBI-led interagency Joint Criminal Opioid and Darknet Enforcement (J-CODE) operation. J-CODE brings together experts from the DEA, the Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, as well as the Department of Defense and the Customs and Border Protection, along with the FBI. The Justice Department appreciates the cooperation and significant assistance provided by law enforcement partners in the British Virgin Islands, Germany, Lithuania, and Türkiye.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: Iranian National Indicted for Operating Online Marketplace Offering Fentanyl and Money Laundering Services

    Source: US State of California

    A federal grand jury has charged Behrouz Parsarad, an Iranian national, for his role as the founder and operator of Nemesis Market, a dark web marketplace for illegal drugs and criminal cyber-services, such as stolen financial information, fraudulent identification documents, counterfeit currencies, and computer malware.

    According to the indictment, Parsarad, 36, of Tehran, launched Nemesis Market on the dark web in March 2021. At its peak, Nemesis Market had over 150,000 users and more than 1,100 vendor accounts registered worldwide. Between 2021 and 2024, Nemesis Market processed more than 400,000 orders. Of these, more than 55,000 orders were categorized as orders for stimulants, including methamphetamine, cocaine, cocaine base (crack cocaine), and other controlled substances. An additional 17,000 orders were categorized as orders for opioids, including fentanyl, heroin, and oxycodone. Certain substances covertly purchased by the government from Nemesis were confirmed by laboratory reports to be mixtures and substances containing fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, and/or acetylfentanyl, heroin, and/or protonitazene, each a Schedule I controlled substance.

    “The allegations in this indictment span over four hundred thousand transactions involving fentanyl, other dangerous drugs, and a wide range of contraband made accessible on the darknet for more than three years,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Through cooperation with German and Lithuanian partners, the alleged administrator of this marketplace has been charged, servers and other infrastructure have been seized, and dangerous drugs and other contraband have been stopped from entering the United States. This case demonstrates the Department’s tireless commitment to protecting U.S. communities from the harms caused by fentanyl and darknet marketplaces and pursuing accountability for those who would endanger our communities no matter where they are located.”

    “Anyone who tries to profit from the sale of illegal drugs – whether it’s on the streets or online – will face consequences. Whether you sell or help others sell these dangerous drugs, you will be held accountable,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik for the Northern District of Ohio. “I want to acknowledge the excellent investigative work of our federal agency partners here in Ohio who helped us to bring the charges in this case. Together, we remain committed to keeping our neighborhoods safe and our streets free from illegal narcotics.”

    “This indictment, made possible by the assistance of our German and Lithuanian allies, underscores the importance of global partnerships and international collaboration,” said FBI Cleveland Acting Special Agent in Charge Charles Johnston. “Nemesis Market, through the darknet, was a borderless powerhouse of criminal activity that not only fueled the drug epidemic, but also a multitude of illegal acts with the capacity to harm our citizens and destroy our communities. The FBI stands firm in its commitment to identify and investigate unlawful individuals and dismantle their networks operating with criminal intent.”

    Parsarad is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of controlled substances in the Northern District of Ohio and elsewhere. In addition, Parsarad is also charged with money laundering conspiracy for both using proceeds to promote illegal drug dealing and for offering money laundering services through Nemesis Market by mixing cryptocurrencies used to pay for goods and services to obscure their origins. Nemesis users were not allowed to conduct transactions in official, government-backed currencies.

    On March 20, 2024, U.S. law enforcement, in cooperation with German and Lithuanian authorities, seized Nemesis Market and blocked the flow of these drugs into the United States and elsewhere. In March 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions against Parsarad for his role as the administrator of Nemesis Market. According to OFAC, Nemesis Market facilitated the sale of nearly $30 million worth of drugs between 2021 and 2024.

    If convicted, Parsarad faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a maximum penalty of life.

    The FBI Cleveland Division is investigating the case with assistance from the DEA and IRS-CI. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and Cybercrime Liaison Prosecutor to Eurojust provided significant assistance.

    Trial Attorney Gaelin Bernstein of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Segev Phillips for the Northern District of Ohio are prosecuting the case, with substantial assistance from the U.S. Attorneys Offices for the Northern District of Illinois and District of Massachusetts.

    This case was investigated as part of an FBI-led interagency Joint Criminal Opioid and Darknet Enforcement (J-CODE) operation. J-CODE brings together experts from the DEA, the Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, as well as the Department of Defense and the Customs and Border Protection, along with the FBI. The Justice Department appreciates the cooperation and significant assistance provided by law enforcement partners in the British Virgin Islands, Germany, Lithuania, and Türkiye.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Extension of Hiring Freeze

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    class=”has-text-align-center”>April 17, 2025
    MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES
    SUBJECT:       Extension of Hiring Freeze
    By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby extend through July 15, 2025, the freeze on the hiring of Federal civilian employees within the executive branch, as initially directed in the Presidential Memorandum of January 20, 2025 (Hiring Freeze).  No Federal civilian position that is presently vacant may be filled, and no new position may be created, except as otherwise provided for in this memorandum or required by applicable law.  In addition, once a merit hiring plan has been adopted pursuant to Executive Order 14170 of January 20, 2025 (Reforming the Federal Hiring Process and Restoring Merit to Government Service), any hiring shall be consistent with that plan.
    Except as provided below, this freeze continues to apply to all executive departments and agencies (agencies) regardless of their sources of operational and programmatic funding.  This memorandum does not affect the deadline for the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to submit a plan for reducing the size of the Federal Government’s workforce through efficiency improvements and attrition, as provided in Executive Order 14210 of February 11, 2025 (Implementing the President’s “Department of Government Efficiency” Workforce Optimization Initiative).
    This memorandum does not apply to military personnel of the Armed Forces or to positions related to immigration enforcement, national security, or public safety, and does not apply to the Executive Office of the President or the components thereof.  Positions that fall within these categories do not require review by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).  Moreover, nothing in this memorandum shall adversely impact the provision of Social Security, Medicare, or veterans’ benefits.  In addition, the Director of OPM may continue to grant exemptions from this freeze where those exemptions are otherwise necessary.  Exemptions previously granted by OPM shall remain in effect unless withdrawn by OPM.
    Contracting outside the Federal Government to circumvent the intent of this memorandum is prohibited.
    In carrying out this memorandum, the heads of agencies shall seek efficient use of existing personnel and funds to improve public services and the delivery of those services.  Accordingly, this memorandum does not prohibit making reallocations or reassignments to meet the highest priority needs; maintain essential services; and protect national security, homeland security, and public safety. 
    This memorandum does not restrict the nomination and appointment of officials to positions requiring Presidential appointment or Senate confirmation; the appointment of officials to non-career positions in the Senior Executive Service or to Schedule A or C positions in the Excepted Service; the appointment of officials through temporary organization hiring authority pursuant to section 3161 of title 5, United States Code; or the appointment of any other non-career employees or officials if approved by the head of an agency appointed by the President.  Moreover, it does not limit the hiring of personnel where such a limit would conflict with applicable law. 
    This memorandum shall remain in effect for the Internal Revenue Service until the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Director of OMB and the Administrator of the United States DOGE Service, determines that it is in the national interest to terminate the freeze and publishes notice of such determination in the Federal Register.
    This memorandum does not abrogate any collective bargaining agreement in effect on the date of this memorandum.
                                   DONALD J. TRUMP

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Iranian National Indicted for Operating Online Marketplace Offering Fentanyl and Money Laundering Services

    Source: United States Department of Justice

    A federal grand jury has charged Behrouz Parsarad, an Iranian national, for his role as the founder and operator of Nemesis Market, a dark web marketplace for illegal drugs and criminal cyber-services, such as stolen financial information, fraudulent identification documents, counterfeit currencies, and computer malware.

    According to the indictment, Parsarad, 36, of Tehran, launched Nemesis Market on the dark web in March 2021. At its peak, Nemesis Market had over 150,000 users and more than 1,100 vendor accounts registered worldwide. Between 2021 and 2024, Nemesis Market processed more than 400,000 orders. Of these, more than 55,000 orders were categorized as orders for stimulants, including methamphetamine, cocaine, cocaine base (crack cocaine), and other controlled substances. An additional 17,000 orders were categorized as orders for opioids, including fentanyl, heroin, and oxycodone. Certain substances covertly purchased by the government from Nemesis were confirmed by laboratory reports to be mixtures and substances containing fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, and/or acetylfentanyl, heroin, and/or protonitazene, each a Schedule I controlled substance.

    “The allegations in this indictment span over four hundred thousand transactions involving fentanyl, other dangerous drugs, and a wide range of contraband made accessible on the darknet for more than three years,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Through cooperation with German and Lithuanian partners, the alleged administrator of this marketplace has been charged, servers and other infrastructure have been seized, and dangerous drugs and other contraband have been stopped from entering the United States. This case demonstrates the Department’s tireless commitment to protecting U.S. communities from the harms caused by fentanyl and darknet marketplaces and pursuing accountability for those who would endanger our communities no matter where they are located.”

    “Anyone who tries to profit from the sale of illegal drugs – whether it’s on the streets or online – will face consequences. Whether you sell or help others sell these dangerous drugs, you will be held accountable,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik for the Northern District of Ohio. “I want to acknowledge the excellent investigative work of our federal agency partners here in Ohio who helped us to bring the charges in this case. Together, we remain committed to keeping our neighborhoods safe and our streets free from illegal narcotics.”

    “This indictment, made possible by the assistance of our German and Lithuanian allies, underscores the importance of global partnerships and international collaboration,” said FBI Cleveland Acting Special Agent in Charge Charles Johnston. “Nemesis Market, through the darknet, was a borderless powerhouse of criminal activity that not only fueled the drug epidemic, but also a multitude of illegal acts with the capacity to harm our citizens and destroy our communities. The FBI stands firm in its commitment to identify and investigate unlawful individuals and dismantle their networks operating with criminal intent.”

    Parsarad is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of controlled substances in the Northern District of Ohio and elsewhere. In addition, Parsarad is also charged with money laundering conspiracy for both using proceeds to promote illegal drug dealing and for offering money laundering services through Nemesis Market by mixing cryptocurrencies used to pay for goods and services to obscure their origins. Nemesis users were not allowed to conduct transactions in official, government-backed currencies.

    On March 20, 2024, U.S. law enforcement, in cooperation with German and Lithuanian authorities, seized Nemesis Market and blocked the flow of these drugs into the United States and elsewhere. In March 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions against Parsarad for his role as the administrator of Nemesis Market. According to OFAC, Nemesis Market facilitated the sale of nearly $30 million worth of drugs between 2021 and 2024.

    If convicted, Parsarad faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a maximum penalty of life.

    The FBI Cleveland Division is investigating the case with assistance from the DEA and IRS-CI. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and Cybercrime Liaison Prosecutor to Eurojust provided significant assistance.

    Trial Attorney Gaelin Bernstein of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Segev Phillips for the Northern District of Ohio are prosecuting the case, with substantial assistance from the U.S. Attorneys Offices for the Northern District of Illinois and District of Massachusetts.

    This case was investigated as part of an FBI-led interagency Joint Criminal Opioid and Darknet Enforcement (J-CODE) operation. J-CODE brings together experts from the DEA, the Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, as well as the Department of Defense and the Customs and Border Protection, along with the FBI. The Justice Department appreciates the cooperation and significant assistance provided by law enforcement partners in the British Virgin Islands, Germany, Lithuania, and Türkiye.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Dedham Man Charged with Submitting Multiple Fraudulent Bank Loan Applications

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – A Dedham man was charged on April 14, 2025 in federal court in Boston with bank fraud and money laundering.

    Wyoming Killingbarrows, 30, who was born with the name Patricio Junio Brito Pontes Barros, was charged with four counts of bank fraud and one count of money laundering.

    It is alleged that Killingbarrows submitted 18 fraudulent bank loan applications between June 2, 2021 and July 17, 2021. In the various loan applications, Killingbarrows allegedly used his birth name of Patricio Barros, misrepresented his income and submitted fraudulent paystubs from a company in support of his applications. Based on these misrepresentations, various banks issued loans to Killingbarrows totaling $329,002.  It is alleged that Killingbarrows failed to pay back any of the loans.  

    According to court documents, Killingbarrows used the money for various personal expenses, including investments. He was also charged with one count of money laundering for the use of the criminally derived funds.

    The charges of bank fraud each provide for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1,000,000. The money laundering charge provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the amount of the criminally derived property involved in the transaction. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.  

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Andrew Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service, Boston Field Office; and Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian J. Sullivan of the Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case. 

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: New Jersey Woman Sentenced to 5 years in Prison for Residential Marijuana Grows in Sacramento and Placer Counties

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Xiu Ping Li, 48, residing in Skillman, New Jersey, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Daniel J. Calabretta to five years in prison and four years of supervised release for three counts of manufacturing marijuana, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.

    According to court documents, Li operated multiple residential marijuana grows in Sacramento and Placer Counties that yielded more than 8,000 marijuana plants and 21.4 pounds of processed marijuana found during the execution of search warrants in 2016 and 2017. Li also acknowledged using proceeds from a marijuana grow to buy another property to continue growing marijuana.

    This case was the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, IRS Criminal Investigation, the Elk Grove Police Department, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, and the Sacramento Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Roger Yang prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Sixteen Charged in Takedown of Drug Trafficking Network

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN DIEGO – Four indictments were unsealed in federal court charging 16 individuals throughout San Diego County with distributing large quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl and heroin and laundering drug-trafficking proceeds.

    In a coordinated takedown yesterday, more than 115 federal, state and local law enforcement officials arrested 10 defendants and executed three search warrants in the Nestor, Palm City, and Encanto neighborhoods within the City of San Diego. Six defendants were still being sought.

    Including seizures today and throughout this investigation, authorities have confiscated 26.8 kilograms of powdered fentanyl; 5.7 kilograms of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl (estimated to be 57,000 pills); 25.7 kilograms of methamphetamine; 1.5 kilograms of cocaine; 1.1 kilograms of heroin; ketamine; MDMA; more than $40,000 in U.S. currency; a Maserati Ghibili; and nine firearms including an AK-47.

    U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon said: “Together with our law enforcement partners, this office will disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations throughout the district. We are focused on the Department’s Take Back America priorities, and this investigation shows the direct results of implementing these priorities.”

    “Drug trafficking organizations fuel addiction and erode the safety of our communities,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian Clark. “This extensive drug trafficking investigation exposed a criminal network that peddled poison from coast to coast. Law enforcement put their collective authorities together to dismantle this organization brick by brick. We stand with our fellow law enforcement partners to ensure the community is safe and those involved in drug trafficking are brought to justice.”

    “The indictments unsealed today paint a picture of an organization responsible for trafficking dangerous drugs into our communities – drugs that are killing Americans daily,” said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher, IRS Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office. “These indictments should send a clear signal to drug trafficking organizations that where there’s money, there’s a trail, and IRS-CI is the best in the world at finding and following those trails.  We are proud to partner with fellow law enforcement agencies to flush out DTOs that put our communities at risk.”

    Today’s charges are the result of a 16-month investigation that included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, undercover agents, and confidential sources. According to the indictments, the defendants distributed dangerous drugs such as fentanyl throughout the U.S., including in Ohio and Kansas, on behalf of a San Diego County-based drug trafficking organization. The investigation uncovered the use of shell companies to gather and launder the proceeds of the drug trafficking enterprise from other states, including Colorado, Minnesota and Nebraska. 

    These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Deshong.

    DEFENDANTS                                           

    Case Number 25cr0818-BAS

    Rodrigo Maciel-Cortez                                  Age: 25

    SUMMARY OF CHARGES

    Possession with Intent to Distribute more than 500 Grams of Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)

    Maximum Penalty: Life in prison; Mandatory Minimum: Ten years in prison; $10 million fine

    Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and 846

    Maximum Penalty: Twenty years in prison; $1 million fine.

    Criminal Forfeiture; Title 21 U.S.C. § 853

    Case Number 25cr0819-BAS

    Elijah Roman                                                Age: 28

    Leonela Veronica Leal                                  Age: 26

    Cindy Camarena-Gonzalez                          Age: 27

    Adan Antonio Sandoval-Luna                      Age: 30

    SUMMARY OF CHARGES

    Conspiracy to Distribute more than 50 Grams of Methamphetamine (Actual) and more than 400 grams of Fentanyl, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and 846

    Maximum Penalty: Life in prison; Mandatory Minimum: Ten years in prison; $10 million fine

    Distribution of more than 50 Grams of Methamphetamine (Actual), in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)

    Maximum Penalty: Life in prison; Mandatory Minimum: Ten years in prison; $10 million fine

    Possession with Intent to Distribute more than 50 Grams of Methamphetamine (Actual), in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)

    Maximum Penalty: Life in prison; Mandatory Minimum: Ten years in prison; $10 million fine

    Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 1956

    Maximum Penalty: Twenty years in prison; $5,000 fine

    Criminal Forfeiture; Title 21 U.S.C. § 853

    Case Number 25cr0820-AJB

    Luis Carlos Franco                                         Age: 24

    Jesus Adrian Garcia Jr.                                  Age: 32

    Jose Alexander Flores                                   Age: 23

    Andres Emilio Arce-Corrales                        Age: 18

    SUMMARY OF CHARGES

    Conspiracy to Distribute more than 100 Grams of Heroin, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and 846

    Maximum Penalty: Life in prison; Mandatory Minimum: Ten years in prison; $10,000,000 fine

    Distribution of more than 100 Grams of Heroin, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)

    Maximum Penalty: Life in prison; Mandatory Minimum: Ten years in prison; $10 million fine

    Conspiracy to Distribute more than 500 Grams of Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and 846

    Maximum Penalty: Life in prison; Mandatory Minimum: Ten years in prison; $10 million fine

    Possession with Intent to Distribute more than 500 Grams of Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)

    Maximum Penalty: Life in prison; Mandatory Minimum: Ten years in prison; $10 million fine

    Criminal Forfeiture; Title 21 U.S.C. § 853

    Case Number 25cr0821-WQH

    Diego Hernandez                                           Age: 24

    SUMMARY OF CHARGES

    Distribution of more than 400 Grams of Fentanyl, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)

    Maximum Penalty: Life in prison; Mandatory Minimum: Ten years in prison; $10 million fine

    Criminal Forfeiture; Title 21 U.S.C. § 853

    INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

    Drug Enforcement Administration

    Oceanside Police Department

    IRS Criminal Investigation

    U.S. Bureau of Land Management

    San Diego Police Department

    San Diego County Sheriff’s Department

    Carlsbad Police Department

    United States Marshals Service

    * Six defendants are still being sought

    *The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    This case is the result of ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership that brings together the combined expertise and unique abilities of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, dismantle and prosecute high-level members of drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations and enterprises.

    This investigation is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program, created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, provides assistance to federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States. This grant program is administered by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). There are currently 33 HIDTAs, and HIDTA-designated counties are located in 50 states, as well as in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI: Subskribe Unveils DealDesk AI: Revolutionizing Deal Management with Conversational Intelligence

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New Platform Brings Conversational AI to CPQ, Setting New Standards for Speed and Accuracy in Deal Management

    SAN RAMON, April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Subskribe, the leader in modern quote-to-revenue solutions, today announced the launch of DealDesk AI, an intelligent assistant that revolutionizes how businesses create, manage, and close deals. This innovative platform brings AI-powered intelligence to every stage of the deal process, eliminating friction and accelerating time-to-close while enabling teams to focus on strategic deal optimization.

    As businesses face increasing pressure to streamline sales processes and maximize efficiency, DealDesk AI addresses these challenges by providing conversational quote creation, AI-powered summarization, and an intelligent deal assistant that works around the clock.

    “Sales representatives shouldn’t need to become CPQ experts to create accurate quotes,” said Prakash Raina, Co-founder of Subskribe. “DealDesk AI fundamentally changes this paradigm by bringing conversational intelligence to quote creation and deal management. Now teams can simply describe what they need in conversational language and our AI handles the complexity behind the scenes, allowing sales and finance professionals to work smarter and close deals faster than ever before.”

    Key Features of DealDesk AI

    • Conversational Quote Creation: Users can simply describe what they need in natural language, and DealDesk AI automatically creates perfectly structured quotes in seconds.
    • AI-Powered Guided Selling: Step-by-step guidance ensures sales teams structure complex deals optimally, maximizing value while maintaining compliance with pricing policies.
    • Slack Integration: Seamless integration with Slack enables teams to create and approve quotes without leaving their familiar communication environment.
    • AI-Powered Summarization: Automatic summaries of quotes, subscriptions, and invoices with critical deal terms highlighted for faster approvals and decision-making.
    • 24/7 Deal Guidance: Sales teams gain instant access to crucial product and pricing information through a conversational assistant, available any time they need it.
    • Intelligent Sales Rooms: Personalized deal environments that engage buyers while providing real-time insights on their behavior and content engagement.

    “DealDesk AI has the potential to introduce a new, streamlined way of working for our team. We’re particularly excited about how it could automate processes and integrate with our existing tools, like Slack. The demo showcased how deals could come together seamlessly with approval processes flowing naturally — ultimately freeing up our deal desk team to focus on strategic initiatives instead of administrative tasks. An intelligent solution like this could be exactly what the industry has been waiting for,” said Jason Weinreb, Director, Sales Operations at Chainguard.

    Subskribe continues to gain strong recognition in the Quote-to-Revenue market. Rated as the #1 Momentum Leader by G2, Subskribe has also maintained its position as a G2 High Performer in all three categories – CPQ, Subscription Billing, and Revenue Management – for several consecutive quarters. The company’s industry leadership extends beyond G2, with Subskribe named a Notable Vendor in Forrester’s Billing Solutions Landscape, ranked among Top 50 Billing Solutions and Top 25 CPQ Solutions by MGI Research, and featured in IDC’s Worldwide ProductScape for CPQ Applications. DealDesk AI builds upon this success, extending Subskribe’s capabilities with cutting-edge conversational intelligence.

    The introduction of Deal Desk AI represents a significant advancement in Subskribe’s mission to streamline the quote-to-revenue process. By removing technical barriers for sales representatives while maintaining administrative control for deal desk professionals, the solution balances flexibility with governance.

    “After seeing DealDesk AI in action, I’m confident it will fundamentally transform our quote creation process. What’s currently a complex, time-consuming workflow will become effortless with this technology. The ability for our sales team to create quotes through simple conversations, streamline approvals, and free our deal desk specialists to become strategic advisors rather than administrative processors is exactly what we need. It’s like having a deal expert available 24/7 for every rep on the team. DealDesk AI has the potential to be the most innovative addition to our quoting process in years,” said Erik Eklund, VP, Enterprise Applications, Neostella.

    “As companies increasingly look for alternatives to complex, costly CPQ implementations, DealDesk AI represents the future of intelligent deal management,” added Durga Pandey, CEO at Subskribe. “Our platform eliminates the need for technical expertise while providing enterprise-grade capabilities that scale with your business.”

    DealDesk AI is now in beta and available immediately for early adopter customers, with general availability planned for summer 2025.

    About Subskribe

    Subskribe is revolutionizing the CPQ and billing space with modern, AI-powered solutions designed for today’s subscription businesses. Trusted by Zip, Beamery, Chainguard, EvenUp, and other top companies, Subskribe helps businesses streamline their quote-to-revenue processes, eliminate friction, and accelerate growth. Subskribe’s platform includes CPQ, Billing, Revenue Recognition, and Advanced Analytics solutions designed to help customers with what matters most – growing their revenue.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Enterprise Bancorp, Inc. Announces First Quarter Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LOWELL, Mass., April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Enterprise Bancorp, Inc. (“Enterprise”) (NASDAQ: EBTC), parent of Enterprise Bank, announced its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2025. Net income amounted to $10.4 million, or $0.84 per diluted common share, for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $10.7 million, or $0.86 per diluted common share, for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and $8.5 million, or $0.69 per diluted common share, for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

    On December 9, 2024, Enterprise announced its intention to merge with Rockland Trust Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Independent Bank Corp. (NASDAQ: INDB). The proposed merger is expected to close in the second half of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. As previously announced, Enterprise shareholders approved of the proposed merger on April 3, 2025. No vote of Independent Bank Corp. shareholders is required.

    Selected financial results at or for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to December 31, 2024, were as follows:

    • The returns on average assets and average equity were 0.87% and 11.45%, respectively.
    • Tax-equivalent net interest margin (non-GAAP) (“net interest margin”) was 3.32%.
    • Total loans amounted to $4.05 billion, an increase of 1.7%.
    • Total customer deposits (non-GAAP) amounted to $4.15 billion, a decrease of 0.9%.
    • Wealth assets under management and administration amounted to $1.51 billion, a decrease of 1.6%.

    Chief Executive Officer Steven Larochelle commented, “As we continue to work toward the upcoming merger with Rockland Trust, I am pleased to announce our team delivered strong results in the first quarter. Loan growth was solid at 1.7% for the quarter and 11% for the last twelve months. Operating results compared to the prior year quarter were positively impacted by net interest income growth of 10% resulting from strong loan growth and an increase in net interest margin.”

    Executive Chairman & Founder George Duncan stated, “Our anticipated merger with Rockland Trust has been well received by our shareholders, customers and communities with shareholders approving the merger on April 3rd. The planning for our integration into Rockland Trust is going well and the anticipated synergies and cultural alignment of our two banks remains attractive.”

    Net Interest Income
    Net interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2025, amounted to $38.7 million, an increase of $3.5 million, or 10%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2024. The increase was due primarily to an increase in loan interest income of $6.6 million, partially offset by increases in deposit interest expense of $1.0 million and borrowings interest expense of $1.0 million as well as a decrease in income on other interest-earning assets of $637 thousand.

    Net Interest Margin
    Net interest margin for the three months ended March 31, 2025, December 31, 2024 and March 31, 2024, amounted to 3.32%, 3.29% and 3.20%, respectively.

    During the first quarter of 2025, the Company sold non-performing loans with a net book value of $956 thousand, resulting in net recoveries of $461 thousand and loan interest income of $486 thousand. The sale of non-performing loans impacted both loan yields and net interest margin favorably by 5 basis points for the quarter ended March 31, 2025.

    Three months ended – March 31, 2025, compared to March 31, 2024

    The increase in net interest margin was due to loan growth and, to a lesser extent, an increase in loan yields, partially offset by increases in the average balance of funding liabilities and funding costs.

    The increase in interest-earning asset yields of 21 basis points was due primarily to loan repricing and originations at higher interest rates, partially offset by an increase in funding costs of 9 basis points driven by higher market rates and increases in certificate of deposits and borrowed funds.

    Provision for Credit Losses
    The provision for credit losses for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2024, are presented below:

        Three months ended   Increase / (Decrease)
    (Dollars in thousands)   March 31,
    2025
      March 31,
    2024
    Provision for credit losses on loans – collectively evaluated   $                         685     $                         417     $                         268  
    Provision for credit losses on loans – individually evaluated                             (565 )                            1,451                            (2,016 )
    Provision for credit losses on loans                               120                              1,868                            (1,748 )
                 
    Provision for unfunded commitments                               211                            (1,246 )                            1,457  
                 
    Provision for credit losses   $                         331     $                         622     $                       (291 )

    The provision for credit losses on collectively evaluated loans of $685 thousand for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, resulted mainly from loan growth, partially offset by net recoveries, which were primarily from the sale of non-performing loans noted above.

    The decrease in the provision for credit losses of $291 thousand, compared to the prior year quarter, was due primarily to a net decrease in reserves on individually evaluated loans of $2.0 million, partially offset by an increase in reserves for unfunded commitments of $1.5 million.

    The decrease in reserves on individually evaluated loans was due primarily to two commercial relationships that experienced improvement in their collateral valuation compared to the prior year period, while the increase in reserves for unfunded commitments resulted primarily from an increase in off-balance sheet commitments that required a reserve.

    Non-Interest Income
    Non-interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2025, amounted to $5.2 million, a decrease of $307 thousand, or 6%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2024. The decrease was due primarily to a decrease in gains on equity securities of $766 thousand, partially offset by an increase in wealth management fees of $247 thousand.

    Non-Interest Expense
    Non-interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2025, amounted to $29.9 million, an increase of $1.0 million, or 4%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2024. The increase was due primarily to increases in salaries and employee benefits expense of $760 thousand and merger-related expenses of $290 thousand.

    Income Taxes
    The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2025, amounted to 23.3%, compared to 23.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

    Balance Sheet
    Total assets amounted to $4.90 billion at March 31, 2025, compared to $4.83 billion at December 31, 2024, an increase of 2%.

    Total investment securities at fair value amounted to $603.9 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $593.6 million at December 31, 2024, an increase of 2%. The increase during the three months ended March 31, 2025, was largely attributable to a decrease in unrealized losses on debt securities resulting from decreases in market interest rates during the period, partially offset by principal pay-downs, calls and maturities. Unrealized losses on debt securities amounted to $79.9 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $101.8 million at December 31, 2024, a decrease of 22%.

    Total loans amounted to $4.05 billion at March 31, 2025, compared to $3.98 billion at December 31, 2024, an increase of 2%. The increase during the three months ended March 31, 2025, was due primarily to an increase in commercial real estate loans of $70.2 million.

    Total deposits amounted to $4.30 billion at March 31, 2025, compared to $4.19 billion at December 31, 2024, an increase of 3%. The increase during the three months ended March 31, 2025, was due primarily to an increase in brokered deposits of $150.0 million. Excluding brokered deposits, total deposits decreased $37.0 million during the first quarter of 2025.

    Total borrowed funds amounted to $94.5 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $153.1 million at December 31, 2024, a decrease of 38%. The decrease during the three months ended March 31, 2025, resulted primarily from the increase in brokered deposits during the period.

    Total shareholders’ equity amounted to $385.4 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $360.7 million at December 31, 2024, an increase of 7%. The increase during the three months ended March 31, 2025, was due primarily to a decrease in the accumulated other comprehensive loss of $17.0 million and an increase in retained earnings of $7.3 million.

    Credit Quality

    Selected credit quality metrics at March 31, 2025, compared to December 31, 2024, were as follows:

    • The allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) for loans amounted to $64.0 million, or 1.58% of total loans, compared to $63.5 million, or 1.59% of total loans. The decrease in the ACL for loans to total loan ratio was due primarily to a decrease in reserves on individually evaluated loans.
    • The reserve for unfunded commitments (included in other liabilities) amounted to $4.6 million, compared to $4.4 million. The increase was driven primarily by an increase in off-balance sheet commitments that required a reserve.
    • Non-performing loans amounted to $28.5 million, or 0.70% of total loans, compared to $26.7 million, or 0.67% of total loans.

    Net recoveries for the three months ended March 31, 2025, amounted to $424 thousand, or 0.04% of average total loans, which included $461 thousand in recoveries from the sale of non-performing loans noted above. Net charge-offs for the three months ended March 31, 2024, amounted to $122 thousand, or 0.01% of average total loans.

    Wealth Management
    Wealth assets under management and administration, which are not carried as assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, amounted to $1.51 billion at March 31, 2025, a decrease of $24.7 million, or 2%, compared to December 31, 2024, resulting primarily from a decrease in market values.

    ABOUT ENTERPRISE BANCORP, INC.
    Enterprise Bancorp, Inc. is a Massachusetts corporation that conducts substantially all its operations through Enterprise Bank and Trust Company, commonly referred to as Enterprise Bank, and has reported 142 consecutive profitable quarters. Enterprise Bank is principally engaged in the business of attracting deposits from the general public and investing in commercial loans and investment securities. Through Enterprise Bank and its subsidiaries, the Company offers a range of commercial, residential and consumer loan products, deposit products and cash management services, electronic and digital banking options, as well as wealth management, and trust services. The Company’s headquarters and Enterprise Bank’s main office are located at 222 Merrimack Street in Lowell, Massachusetts. The Company’s primary market area is the Northern Middlesex, Northern Essex, and Northern Worcester counties of Massachusetts and the Southern Hillsborough and Southern Rockingham counties in New Hampshire. Enterprise Bank has 27 full-service branches located in the Massachusetts communities of Acton, Andover, Billerica (2), Chelmsford (2), Dracut, Fitchburg, Lawrence, Leominster, Lexington, Lowell (2), Methuen, North Andover, Tewksbury (2), Tyngsborough and Westford and in the New Hampshire communities of Derry, Hudson, Londonderry, Nashua (2), Pelham, Salem and Windham.

    FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
    This earnings release contains statements about future events that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by references to a future period or periods or by the use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “upcoming,” “estimate,” “assume,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “plan,” and other similar terms or expressions. Forward-looking statements should not be relied on because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the control of the Company. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors may cause the actual results, performance, and achievements of the Company to be materially different from the anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to, (i) disruption from the proposed merger with Independent; (ii) the risk that the proposed merger with Independent may not be completed in a timely manner or at all; (iii) the occurrence of any event, change, or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the proposed merger with Independent; (iv) the failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals for the proposed merger with Independent; (v) the ability to successfully integrate the combined business; (vi) the possibility that the amount of the costs, fees, expenses, and charges related to the proposed merger with Independent may be greater than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected or unknown factors, events, or liabilities; (vii) the failure of the conditions to the proposed merger with Independent to be satisfied; (viii) reputational risk and the reaction of the parties’ customers to the proposed merger with Independent; (xi) the risk of potential litigation or regulatory action related to the proposed merger with Independent; (x) the impact on us and our customers of a decline in general economic conditions and any regulatory responses thereto; (xi) potential recession in the United States and our market areas; (xii) the impacts related to or resulting from uncertainty in the banking industry as a whole; (xiii) increased competition for deposits and related changes in deposit customer behavior; (xiv) the impact of changes in market interest rates, whether due to a continuation of the elevated interest rate environment or further reductions in interest rates and a resulting decline in net interest income; (xv) the lingering inflationary pressures, and the risk of the resurgence of elevated levels of inflation, in the United States and our market areas; (xvi) the uncertain impacts of ongoing quantitative tightening and current and future monetary policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; (xvii) increases in unemployment rates in the United States and our market areas; (xviii) adverse changes in customer spending and savings habits; (xix) declines in commercial real estate values and prices; (xx) a deterioration of the credit rating for U.S. long-term sovereign debt or uncertainty regarding United States fiscal debt, deficit and budget matters; (xxi) cyber incidents or other failures, disruptions or breaches of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of our third-party vendors or other service providers, including as a result of cyber-attacks; (xxii) severe weather, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism, geopolitical instability or other external events, including as a result of changes in U.S. presidential administrations or Congress, including potential changes in U.S. and international trade and tariff policies and the resulting impact on the Company and its customers; (xxiii) the effect of volatility in the capital markets on our fee income from our wealth management business; (xxiv) competition and market expansion opportunities; (xxv) changes in non-interest expenditures or in the anticipated benefits of such expenditures; (xxvi) changes in tax laws; (xxvii) the risks related to the development, implementation, use and management of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learnings; (xxviii) potential increased costs related to the impacts of climate change; and (xxix) current or future litigation, regulatory examinations or other legal and/or regulatory actions. Therefore, the Company can give no assurance that the results contemplated in the forward-looking statements will be realized and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. For more information about these factors, please see our reports filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q on file with the SEC, including the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Any forward-looking statements contained in this earnings release are made as of the date hereof, and we undertake no duty, and specifically disclaim any duty, to update or revise any such statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WHERE TO FIND IT
    This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

    In connection with the proposed transaction between Independent and Enterprise, Independent has filed with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”) that includes a proxy statement for a special meeting of Enterprise’s shareholders to approve the proposed transaction and that also constitutes a prospectus for the Independent common stock that will be issued in the proposed transaction, as well as other relevant documents concerning the proposed transaction. INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF INDEPENDENT AND ENTERPRISE ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS REGARDING THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT INDEPENDENT, ENTERPRISE AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Copies of the Registration Statement and of the proxy statement/prospectus and other filings incorporated by reference therein, as well as other filings containing information about Independent and Enterprise, can be obtained, free of charge, as they become available at the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov). Copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and the filings with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference in the proxy statement/prospectus can also be obtained, without charge, by directing a request to Independent Investor Relations, 288 Union Street, Rockland, Massachusetts 02370, telephone (774) 363-9872 or to Enterprise Bancorp, Inc., 222 Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA 01852, Attention: Corporate Secretary, telephone (978) 656-5578.

    ENTERPRISE BANCORP, INC.
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (unaudited)
     
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)   March 31,
    2025
      December 31,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
    Assets            
    Cash and cash equivalents:            
    Cash and due from banks   $       52,194     $       42,689     $       41,443  
    Interest-earning deposits with banks             34,543               41,152             106,391  
    Total cash and cash equivalents             86,737               83,841             147,834  
    Investments:            
    Debt securities at fair value (amortized cost of $674,601, $685,766 and $749,561 respectively)           594,691             583,930             643,924  
    Equity securities at fair value               9,242                 9,665                 8,102  
    Total investment securities at fair value           603,933             593,595             652,026  
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock               4,932                 7,093                 2,482  
    Loans held for sale               1,069                    520                    400  
    Loans:            
    Total loans        4,049,642          3,982,898          3,654,322  
    Allowance for credit losses           (64,042 )           (63,498 )           (60,741 )
    Net loans        3,985,600          3,919,400          3,593,581  
    Premises and equipment, net             41,464               42,444               44,671  
    Lease right-of-use asset             23,946               24,126               24,645  
    Accrued interest receivable             21,782               20,553               20,501  
    Deferred income taxes, net             42,338               49,096               47,903  
    Bank-owned life insurance             67,927               67,421               65,878  
    Prepaid income taxes               4,099                 2,583                 5,771  
    Prepaid expenses and other assets             11,006               11,398               12,667  
    Goodwill               5,656                 5,656                 5,656  
    Total assets   $ 4,900,489     $ 4,827,726     $ 4,624,015  
    Liabilities and Shareholders Equity            
    Liabilities            
    Deposits:            
    Customer deposits   $ 4,150,668     $ 4,187,698     $ 4,106,119  
    Brokered deposits           149,975                      —                      —  
    Total deposits        4,300,643          4,187,698          4,106,119  
    Borrowed funds             94,493             153,136               63,246  
    Subordinated debt             59,894               59,815               59,577  
    Lease liability             23,699               23,849               24,303  
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities             29,422               33,425               30,945  
    Accrued interest payable               6,983                 9,055                 6,386  
    Total liabilities        4,515,134          4,466,978          4,290,576  
    Commitments and Contingencies            
    Shareholders Equity            
    Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share; 1,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued                    —                      —                      —  
    Common stock, $0.01 par value per share; 40,000,000 shares authorized; 12,510,019, 12,447,308 and 12,376,562 shares issued and outstanding, respectively.                  125                    124                    124  
    Additional paid-in capital           111,621             111,295             108,246  
    Retained earnings           335,568             328,243             306,943  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss           (61,959 )           (78,914 )           (81,874 )
    Total shareholders’ equity           385,355             360,748             333,439  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 4,900,489     $ 4,827,726     $ 4,624,015  
    ENTERPRISE BANCORP, INC.
    Consolidated Statements of Income
    (unaudited)
     
        Three months ended
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)   March 31,
    2025
      December 31,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
    Interest and dividend income:            
    Other interest-earning assets   $               535     $               833     $            1,172
    Investment securities                  3,608                    3,881                    4,034
    Loans and loans held for sale                55,408                  54,528                  48,817
    Total interest and dividend income                59,551                  59,242                  54,023
    Interest expense:            
    Deposits                18,288                  19,488                  17,272
    Borrowed funds                  1,706                       394                       694
    Subordinated debt                     867                       867                       867
    Total interest expense                20,861                  20,749                  18,833
    Net interest income                38,690                  38,493                  35,190
    Provision for credit losses                     331                     (106 )                     622
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses                38,359                  38,599                  34,568
    Non-interest income:            
    Wealth management fees                  2,097                    2,043                    1,850
    Deposit and interchange fees                  2,157                    2,240                    2,069
    Income on bank-owned life insurance, net                     506                       522                       458
    Net gains on sales of loans                       47                         33                         22
    Net (losses) gains on equity securities                   (301 )                     (30 )                     465
    Other income                     682                       808                       631
    Total non-interest income                  5,188                    5,616                    5,495
    Non-interest expense:            
    Salaries and employee benefits                19,936                  19,276                  19,176
    Occupancy and equipment expenses                  2,582                    2,364                    2,459
    Technology and telecommunications expenses                  2,709                    2,687                    2,745
    Advertising and public relations expenses                     752                       609                       743
    Audit, legal and other professional fees                     541                       460                       734
    Deposit insurance premiums                     878                       950                       859
    Supplies and postage expenses                     229                       242                       237
    Merger-related expenses                     290                    1,137                         —
    Other operating expenses                  2,032                    2,117                    1,955
    Total non-interest expense                29,949                  29,842                  28,908
    Income before income taxes                13,598                  14,373                  11,155
    Provision for income taxes                  3,163                    3,646                    2,648
    Net income   $          10,435     $          10,727     $            8,507
                 
    Basic earnings per common share   $              0.84     $              0.86     $              0.69
    Diluted earnings per common share   $              0.84     $              0.86     $              0.69
                 
    Basic weighted average common shares outstanding         12,464,721           12,433,895           12,292,417
    Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding         12,495,458           12,460,063           12,304,203
    ENTERPRISE BANCORP, INC.
    Selected Consolidated Financial Data and Ratios
    (unaudited)
         
        At or for the three months ended
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)   March 31,
    2025
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
    Balance Sheet Data                    
    Total cash and cash equivalents   $        86,737     $        83,841     $        88,632     $      199,719     $      147,834  
    Total investment securities at fair value            603,933              593,595              631,975              636,838              652,026  
    Total loans         4,049,642           3,982,898           3,858,940           3,768,649           3,654,322  
    Allowance for credit losses           (64,042 )           (63,498 )           (63,654 )           (61,999 )           (60,741 )
    Total assets         4,900,489           4,827,726           4,742,809           4,773,681           4,624,015  
    Customer deposits         4,150,668           4,187,698           4,189,461           4,248,801           4,106,119  
    Brokered deposits            149,975                       —                       —                       —                       —  
    Borrowed funds              94,493              153,136                59,949                61,785                63,246  
    Subordinated debt              59,894                59,815                59,736                59,657                59,577  
    Total shareholders’ equity            385,355              360,748              368,109              340,441              333,439  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity         4,900,489           4,827,726           4,742,809           4,773,681           4,624,015  
                         
    Wealth Management                    
    Wealth assets under management   $   1,214,050     $   1,230,014     $   1,212,076     $   1,129,147     $   1,105,036  
    Wealth assets under administration   $      297,233     $      305,930     $      302,891     $      267,529     $      268,074  
                         
    Shareholders’ Equity Ratios                    
    Book value per common share   $          30.80     $          28.98     $          29.62     $          27.40     $          26.94  
    Dividends paid per common share   $            0.25     $            0.24     $            0.24     $            0.24     $            0.24  
                         
    Regulatory Capital Ratios                    
    Total capital to risk weighted assets     13.06 %     13.06 %     13.07 %     13.07 %     13.20 %
    Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets(1)     10.39 %     10.38 %     10.36 %     10.34 %     10.43 %
    Tier 1 capital to average assets     8.98 %     8.94 %     8.68 %     8.76 %     8.85 %
                         
    Credit Quality Data                    
    Non-performing loans   $        28,479     $        26,687     $        25,946     $        17,731     $        18,527  
    Non-performing loans to total loans     0.70 %     0.67 %     0.67 %     0.47 %     0.51 %
    Non-performing assets to total assets     0.58 %     0.55 %     0.55 %     0.37 %     0.40 %
    ACL for loans to total loans     1.58 %     1.59 %     1.65 %     1.65 %     1.66 %
    Net (recoveries) charge-offs   $          (424 )   $             221     $              (7 )   $          (130 )   $             122  
                         
    Income Statement Data                    
    Net interest income   $        38,690     $        38,493     $        38,020     $        36,161     $        35,190  
    Provision for credit losses                   331                  (106 )                1,332                     137                     622  
    Total non-interest income                5,188                  5,616                  6,140                  5,628                  5,495  
    Total non-interest expense              29,949                29,842                29,353                29,029                28,908  
    Income before income taxes              13,598                14,373                13,475                12,623                11,155  
    Provision for income taxes                3,163                  3,646                  3,488                  3,111                  2,648  
    Net income   $        10,435     $        10,727     $          9,987     $          9,512     $          8,507  
                         
    Income Statement Ratios                    
    Diluted earnings per common share   $            0.84     $            0.86     $            0.80     $            0.77     $            0.69  
    Return on average total assets     0.87 %     0.89 %     0.82 %     0.82 %     0.75 %
    Return on average shareholders’ equity     11.45 %     11.82 %     11.20 %     11.55 %     10.47 %
    Net interest margin (tax-equivalent)(2)     3.32 %     3.29 %     3.22 %     3.19 %     3.20 %
    (1) Ratio also represents common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets as of the periods presented.
    (2) Tax-equivalent net interest margin is net interest income adjusted for the tax-equivalent effect associated with tax-exempt loan and investment income, expressed as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.
    ENTERPRISE BANCORP, INC.
    Consolidated Loan and Deposit Data
    (unaudited)
     
    Major classifications of loans at the dates indicated were as follows:
     
    (Dollars in thousands)   March 31,
    2025
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
    Commercial real estate owner-occupied   $      708,645     $      704,634     $      660,063     $      660,478     $      635,420  
    Commercial real estate non owner-occupied         1,629,394           1,563,201           1,579,827           1,544,386           1,524,174  
    Commercial and industrial            483,165              479,821              415,642              426,976              417,604  
    Commercial construction            664,936              679,969              674,434              622,094              583,711  
    Total commercial loans         3,486,140           3,427,625           3,329,966           3,253,934           3,160,909  
                         
    Residential mortgages            450,456              443,096              424,030              413,323              400,093  
    Home equity loans and lines            105,779              103,858                95,982                93,220                85,144  
    Consumer                7,267                  8,319                  8,962                  8,172                  8,176  
    Total retail loans            563,502              555,273              528,974              514,715              493,413  
    Total loans         4,049,642           3,982,898           3,858,940           3,768,649           3,654,322  
                         
    ACL for loans           (64,042 )           (63,498 )           (63,654 )           (61,999 )           (60,741 )
    Net loans   $   3,985,600     $   3,919,400     $   3,795,286     $   3,706,650     $   3,593,581  
    Deposits are summarized at the periods indicated were as follows:
     
    (Dollars in thousands)   March 31,
    2025
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
    Non-interest checking   $     1,028,326   $     1,077,998   $     1,064,424   $     1,041,771   $     1,038,887
    Interest-bearing checking              715,517              699,671              682,050              788,822              730,819
    Savings              284,960              270,367              279,824              294,566              285,090
    Money market           1,437,907           1,454,443           1,488,437           1,504,551           1,469,181
    CDs $250,000 or less              393,890              377,958              375,055              358,149              337,367
    CDs greater than $250,000              290,068              307,261              299,671              260,942              244,775
    Total customer deposits           4,150,668           4,187,698           4,189,461           4,248,801           4,106,119
    Brokered deposits              149,975                       —                       —                       —                       —
     Deposits   $     4,300,643   $     4,187,698   $     4,189,461   $     4,248,801   $     4,106,119
    ENTERPRISE BANCORP, INC.
    Consolidated Average Balance Sheets and Yields (tax-equivalent basis)
    (unaudited)
     
    The following table presents the Company’s average balance sheets, net interest income and average rates for the periods indicated:
     
        Three months ended March 31, 2025   Three months ended December 31, 2024   Three months ended March 31, 2024
    (Dollars in thousands)   Average
    Balance
      Interest(1)   Average
    Yield(1)
      Average
    Balance
      Interest(1)   Average
    Yield(1)
      Average
    Balance
      Interest(1)   Average
    Yield(1)
    Assets:                                    
    Other interest-earning assets(2)   $            44,673   $           535   4.86 %   $            68,224   $           833   4.85 %   $            86,078   $         1,172   5.48 %
    Investment securities(3) (tax-equivalent)                689,138               3,705   2.15 %                704,629               3,985   2.26 %                763,692               4,157   2.18 %
    Loans and loans held for sale(4) (tax-equivalent)              4,015,667             55,555   5.60 %              3,911,386             54,673   5.56 %              3,608,157             48,960   5.46 %
    Total interest-earnings assets (tax-equivalent)              4,749,478             59,795   5.10 %              4,684,239             59,491   5.06 %              4,457,927             54,289   4.89 %
    Other assets                  98,003                        101,952                          91,794        
    Total assets   $        4,847,481           $        4,786,191           $        4,549,721        
                                         
    Liabilities and stockholders’ equity:                                    
    Non-interest checking   $        1,034,122                   —       $        1,106,823                   —       $        1,069,145                   —    
    Interest checking, savings and money market              2,405,722             10,332   1.74 %              2,471,854             11,728   1.89 %              2,418,947             11,356   1.89 %
    CDs                686,689               7,121   4.21 %                683,248               7,760   4.52 %                549,097               5,916   4.33 %
    Brokered deposits                  76,647                 835   4.42 %                        —                   —   %                        —                   —   %
    Total deposits              4,203,180             18,288   1.68 %              4,261,925             19,488   1.82 %              4,037,189             17,272   1.72 %
    Borrowed funds                154,911               1,706   4.47 %                  37,812                 394   4.15 %                  63,627                 694   4.38 %
    Subordinated debt(5)                  59,847                 867   5.79 %                  59,768                 867   5.80 %                  59,530                 867   5.82 %
    Total funding liabilities              4,417,938             20,861   1.91 %              4,359,505             20,749   1.89 %              4,160,346             18,833   1.82 %
    Other liabilities                  59,976                          65,720                          62,500        
    Total liabilities              4,477,914                      4,425,225                      4,222,846        
    Stockholders’ equity                369,567                        360,966                        326,875        
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $        4,847,481           $        4,786,191           $        4,549,721        
                                         
    Net interest-rate spread (tax-equivalent)           3.19 %           3.17 %           3.07 %
    Net interest income (tax-equivalent)                 38,934                     38,742                     35,456    
    Net interest margin (tax-equivalent)           3.32 %           3.29 %           3.20 %
    Less tax-equivalent adjustment                     244                         249                         266    
    Net interest income       $       38,690           $       38,493           $       35,190    
    Net interest margin           3.29 %           3.27 %           3.17 %
    (1) Average yields and interest income are presented on a tax-equivalent basis, calculated using a U.S. federal income tax rate of 21% for each period presented, based on tax-equivalent adjustments associated with tax-exempt loans and investments interest income.
    (2) Average other interest-earning assets include interest-earning deposits with banks, federal funds sold and Federal Home Loan Bank stock.
    (3) Average investment securities are presented at average amortized cost.
    (4) Average loans and loans held for sale are presented at average amortized cost and include non-accrual loans.
    (5) Subordinated debt is net of average deferred debt issuance costs.

    Contact Info: Joseph R. Lussier, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (978) 656-5578

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick Introduces Landmark Tax Bill to Provide Economic Opportunity to Working Families

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Florida 20th district))

    Washington D.C. ─ Today, Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick introduced the All-Americans Tax Relief Act, comprehensive tax relief legislation that boosts economic mobility, lowers costs, and improves the financial security and well-being of hard-working South Florida families and families across the country.

    “For far too long, the U.S. tax code has deprived Americans of economic opportunity and remains a barrier to financial advancement,” said Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL). “My legislation will lay the necessary foundation for working families to achieve the American Dream, accounting for those everyday expenses — from rent to commuting — that stand in the way of economic mobility. Every American, regardless of their income or ZIP code, should have the tools to create wealth.”

    “The Financial Services Innovation Coalition (FSIC) fully supports the All-Americans Tax Relief Act of 2025 because it’s a real win for middle-class families,” said Kevin B. Kimble, Founder and CEO of FSIC. “This bill helps regular people by letting them deduct everyday costs like childcare, medical bills, commuting, and even tutoring. At a time when folks are struggling with high prices and flat wages, this is the kind of tax relief that can make a real difference. It’s about making the system work for the people who keep this country running, not just the wealthy.”

    The All-Americans Tax Relief Act puts the needs of working families first by:

    • Creating above-the-line deductions for medical expenses, rent expenses, daycare expenses, commuting costs, tutoring costs, and credit card debt interest payments for working- and middle-class families
    • Expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit by an average amount of $1,418.75 for single taxpayers and $1,656.25 for married couples filing jointly
    • Increasing the Child Tax Credit to $2,000 for up to three qualifying children and $500 for each additional qualifying child
    • Converting the Child Tax Credit to a fully refundable credit
    • Making the wealthy pay their fair share by increasing the top capital gains rate from 20% to 25%

    The Financial Services Innovation Coalition, HBCU Wall Street, Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Homeless Coalition of Dallas, Government Executives International, Texas Justice and Education Fund, Partnership for Innovation and Empowerment Advocacy, FederalReserve.Black, Tuskeegee Macon County Community Foundation, and the Hispanic Institute have all endorsed this legislation. 

    The full text of the bill can be found here

    MIL OSI USA News