Trade – Page 337 – NewzIntel.com

MIL-OSI Australia: Australian produce in high demand for Lunar New Year Celebrations in China

Source: Minister for Trade

The Lunar New Year marks exciting new opportunities for Australian food and agriculture exporters to China, with $20 billion worth of trade impediments now removed.

China’s consumers can celebrate the Year of the Snake by dining on a smorgasbord of Aussie cuisine, including delicious lobsters, the world’s best wines, and high-quality beef steaks.

The Albanese Labor Government has worked calmly and consistently to restore dialogue to Australia’s relationship with China and secure the removal of $20 billion of trade impediments.

Following the removal of the final trade impediments in December 2024, dining tables in China will now feature Australian live rock lobsters, a welcome outcome for Chinese consumers and Australian businesses alike.

Over 900 tonnes of live rock lobsters has already been exported to China since the removal of impediments. This has supported the jobs of 3,000 Australians employed in the industry, 2,000 of which are in Western Australia.

Australian fresh cherries are also highly prized as a gift to celebrate the Lunar New Year, and demand is expected to grow this financial year, after strong growth last year. Australia exported $14 million or 582 tonnes of cherries in 2023-24, an increase of 129 per cent in value and 137 per cent in volume.

Exports to China of Australian agricultural products previously affected by trade impediments have rebounded in 2024 year-on-year (January to October):

barley increased 221 per cent in value;
wine increased over 5,000 per cent in value; and
timber logs (specifically, wood in the rough) increased over 8,000 per cent in value.

China remains Australia’s largest market for agricultural exports, worth $17.1 billion and accounting for around a quarter of total agricultural exports in 2023-24.

Quotes attributable to Foreign Minister Penny Wong:

“The Albanese Labor Government’s calm and consistent approach to our relationship with China is delivering for Australians and for our national interest.

“It’s the result of hard work and a responsible Government that doesn’t play reckless political games with Australia’s most important relationships.

“Labor will continue to support Australian businesses to sell their products to the world, including through our efforts to diversify our trade.”

Quotes attributable to Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell:

“Sustained engagement and advocacy by the Albanese Labor Government has resulted in the removal of around $20 billion of Chinese trade impediments, benefiting Australian farmers, exporters and our regions.

“But we will not rest on our laurels – we are committed to creating even more export opportunities for Australian farmers and producers.

“Every product we export means more national income and more well-paying Australian jobs.”

Quotes attributable to Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Julie Collins:

“Australia has an outstanding reputation as a supplier of high-quality agricultural products in China.

“Our Government is focused on strengthening our trade relationships and expanding opportunities for Australia’s farmers and producers.

“In 2023-24, we recorded 88 market access achievements which opened, improved, maintained, or restored access for Australian businesses, including unlocking 10 new markets.

“Australia exports over 70 per cent of our agricultural, fisheries and forestry production to 169 markets globally – the most diversified trade has ever been – thanks to the Albanese Labor Government.”

MIL OSI News –

January 29, 2025

MIL-Evening Report: Trump 2.0 chaos and destruction — what it means Down Under

What will happen to Australia — and New Zealand — once the superpower that has been followed into endless battles, the United States, finally unravels?

COMMENTARY: By Michelle Pini, managing editor of Independent Australia

With President Donald Trump now into his second week in the White House, horrific fires have continued to rage across Los Angeles and the details of Elon Musk’s allegedly dodgy Twitter takeover began to emerge, the world sits anxiously by.

The consequences of a second Trump term will reverberate globally, not only among Western nations. But given the deeply entrenched Americanisation of much of the Western world, this is about how it will navigate the after-shocks once the United States finally unravels — for unravel it surely will.

Leading with chaos
Now that the world’s biggest superpower and war machine has a deranged criminal at the helm — for a second time — none of us know the lengths to which Trump (and his puppet masters) will go as his fingers brush dangerously close to the nuclear codes. Will he be more emboldened?

The signs are certainly there.

President Donald Trump 2.0 . . . will his cruelty towards migrants and refugees escalate, matched only by his fuelling of racial division? Image: ABC News screenshot IA

So far, Trump — who had already led the insurrection of a democratically elected government — has threatened to exit the nuclear arms pact with Russia, talked up a trade war with China and declared “all hell will break out” in the Middle East if Hamas hadn’t returned the Israeli hostages.

Will his cruelty towards migrants and refugees escalate, matched only by his fuelling of racial division?

This, too, appears to be already happening.

Trump’s rants leading up to his inauguration last week had been a steady stream of crazed declarations, each one more unhinged than the last.

He wants to buy Greenland. He wishes to overturn birthright citizenship in order to deport even more migrant children, such as “pet-eating Haitians” and “insane Hannibal Lecters” because America has been “invaded”.

It will be interesting to see whether his planned evictions of Mexicans will include the firefighters Mexico sent to Los Angeles’ aid.

At the same time, Trump wants to turn Canada into the 51st state, because, he said,

“It would make a great state. And the people of Canada like it.”

Will sexual predator Trump’s level of misogyny sink to even lower depths post Roe v Wade?

Probably.

Denial of catastrophic climate consequences
And will Trump be in even further denial over the catastrophic consequences of climate change than during his last term? Even as Los Angeles grapples with a still climbing death toll of 25 lives lost, 12,000 homes, businesses and other structures destroyed and 16,425 hectares (about the size of Washington DC) wiped out so far in the latest climactic disaster?

The fires are, of course, symptomatic of the many years of criminal negligence on global warming. But since Trump instead accused California officials of “prioritising environmental policies over public safety” while his buddy and head of government “efficiency”, Musk blamed black firefighters for the fires, it would appear so.

Will the madman, for surely he is one, also gift even greater protections to oligarchs like Musk?

Trump has already appointed billionaire buddies Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to:

“…pave the way for my Administration to dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures and restructure Federal agencies”.

So, this too is already happening.

All of these actions will combine to create a scenario of destruction that will see the implosion of the US as we know it, though the details are yet to emerge.

The flawed AUKUS pact sinking quickly . . . Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with outgoing President Joe Biden, will Australia have the mettle to be bigger than Trump. Image: Independent Australia

What happens Down Under?
US allies — like Australia — have already been thoroughly indoctrinated by American pop culture in order to complement the many army bases they house and the defence agreements they have signed.

Though Trump hasn’t shown any interest in making it a 52nd state, Australia has been tucked up in bed with the United States since the Cold War. Our foreign policy has hinged on this alliance, which also significantly affects Australia’s trade and economy, not to mention our entire cultural identity, mired as it is in US-style fast food dependence and reality TV. Would you like Vegemite McShaker Fries with that?

So what will happen to Australia once the superpower we have followed into endless battles finally breaks down?

As Dr Martin Hirst wrote in November:

‘Trump has promised chaos and chaos is what he’ll deliver.’

His rise to power will embolden the rabid Far-Right in the US but will this be mirrored here? And will Australia follow the US example and this year elect our very own (admittedly scaled down) version of Trump, personified by none other than the Trump-loving Peter Dutton?

If any of his wild announcements are to be believed, between building walls and evicting even US nationals he doesn’t like, while simultaneously making Canadians US citizens, Trump will be extremely busy.

There will be little time even to consider Australia, let alone come to our rescue should we ever need the might of the US war machine — no matter whether it is an Albanese or sycophantic Dutton leadership.

It is a given, however, that we would be required to honour all defence agreements should our ally demand it.

It would be great if, as psychologists urge us to do when children act up, our leaders could simply ignore and refuse to engage with him, but it remains to be seen whether Australia will have the mettle to be bigger than Trump.

Republished from the Independent Australia with permission.

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI Submissions: Business – Consultants And Interim Managers Launch BRICS Network

Source: German Technology & Engineering Corporation (GTEC)

Karlheinz Zuerl, Interim Manager of the Year 2024*, has set up an international business network to bridge the gap between Western industrialized nations and the BRICS countries.

Berlin, January 28 2025 – A new international network of consultants and interim managers has been launched under the name “BRICS Project Network” to support Western companies in expanding their business in BRICS countries and vice versa. “The BRICS nations account for nearly half of the global population and produce over a third of the world’s economic output, surpassing the G7 countries,” explained Karlheinz Zuerl, CEO of the German Technology & Engineering Corporation (GTEC) based in Shanghai, China, which spearheads this initiative.

Karlheinz Zuerl said: “The further development of economic relations between the Western industrialized nations and the BRICS community helps all parties involved. The new network reportedly includes China, Hong Kong, India and Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand), the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Brazil and South America, Mexico, Canada (USMCA customs union), Russia, Eastern Europe and a number of African countries in the global south, such as South Africa, Ethiopia and Egypt.

Wide Range Of Services

Acting as a “bridge-builder” between these countries and the Western industrialized world, the new network offers a wide range of services: Management Consulting, Business Development, Project Management, Interim Management, Training and Education. Karlheinz Zuerl gave specific examples: “We carry out market analyses, set up international sales networks, initiate business partnerships and takeovers, represent companies at trade fairs and other events, take care of organizational development, look after human resources, set up branches on behalf of companies, carry out relocations and company transfers, optimize finances and local production and carry out restructuring to improve earnings.”

According to the information provided, the consultants and managers in the network have many years of experience in a wide range of sectors. Examples given include: Manufacturing, automotive, mechanical and plant engineering, construction, electrical and electronics, domestic appliances, environmental technology, information technology, pharmaceuticals and communications technology. If required, interim managers can take on operational roles such as general management, commercial management, project or quality management, research and development, human resources and finance, sales and marketing or change management.

Trade Disputes And Sanctions Weigh On Relations

Trade disputes between the US and China and sanctions against Russia are putting a strain on economic relations. The economic relationship between the Western industrialized nations and the BRICS countries is under severe strain. These tensions have led the BRICS to seek alternatives to reduce their dependence on Western financial systems, for example by discussing a common currency or reducing the use of the US dollar in trade.

“We are not politicians,” said Karlheinz Zuerl, “but business consultants and interim managers who build cross-border business relationships and investments that benefit all parties. Given the geopolitical tensions, the enormous economic potential for both parties is often underestimated. With experienced professionals like those in our network, this potential can be realized.”

He points out that a number of BRICS countries play an important role in technological development, as attractive manufacturing locations and as suppliers of raw materials and energy to the Western industrial world. Without China, India, Russia and Brazil, the Western economy would be much poorer,” said Karlheinz Zuerl, underlining the importance of the BRICS countries today.

* Karlheinz Zuerl was honoured by United Interim, the leading community for interim managers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and Steinbeis Augsburg Business School.

GTEC (https://gtec.asia) helps Western industrial companies to overcome challenges in Asia. The focus is on business development, the establishment and expansion of branches and production facilities, as well as restructuring and turnaround measures to bring automotive suppliers and mechanical engineering companies in critical phases back into the profit zone. Under the direction of CEO Karlheinz Zuerl, a team of consultants, experts and interim managers is on hand to work on-site with the client if necessary. The CEO himself is available for tasks as an interim general manager and for executive consulting. GTEC’s list of references includes corporations such as BMW, Bosch, General Motors and Siemens, large medium-sized companies such as Hella, Schaeffler, Valeo and ZF, as well as smaller medium-sized companies that are less well known but are operating all the more.

MIL OSI – Submitted News –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI: CNB Financial Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2024 Results

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

CLEARFIELD, Pa., Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CNB Financial Corporation (“Corporation”) (NASDAQ: CCNE), the parent company of CNB Bank, today announced its earnings for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024.

Executive Summary

Net income available to common shareholders (“earnings”) was $14.0 million, or $0.66 per diluted share, for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to earnings of $12.9 million, or $0.61 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2024. The quarterly increase was a result of an increase in net interest income combined with a reduction in non-interest expense, partially offset by a decrease in non-interest income, as discussed in more detail below. The increase in fourth quarter 2024 earnings and diluted earnings per share when compared to earnings of $12.9 million, or $0.62 per diluted share, in the quarter ended December 31, 2023 was primarily due to increases in both net interest income and non-interest income, coupled with a decrease in non-interest expense, partially offset by an increase in the provision for credit losses.
Earnings were $50.3 million, or $2.39 per diluted share, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, compared to earnings of $53.7 million, or $2.55 per diluted share, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in earnings and diluted earnings per share comparing the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 to the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 was primarily due to the rise in deposit costs year over year, as discussed in more detail below.
At December 31, 2024, loans totaled $4.5 billion excluding the balances of syndicated loans. This adjusted total of $4.5 billion in loans represented a quarterly increase of $6.6 million, or 0.15% (0.58% annualized), compared to the same adjusted total loans measured as of September 30, 2024, and a year-over-year increase of $169.4 million, or 3.88%, compared to the same adjusted total loans measured as of December 31, 2023. The increase in loans for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2024 was primarily driven by commercial and residential real estate growth across our regions, including growth in CNB’s Private Banking division. This growth was partially offset by a larger volume of loan payoffs during the quarter. The year-over-year growth in loans as of December 31, 2024 compared to loans as of December 31, 2023 resulted primarily from growth in commercial and residential real estate loans in the Corporation’s more recent expansion markets of Cleveland, OH and Roanoke, VA. Additional growth occurred in commercial and residential real estate loans in the Columbus, OH market, commercial industrial loans in the Erie, PA market, and residential real estate loans in CNB Bank’s Private Banking division.
- At December 31, 2024, the Corporation’s balance sheet reflected an increase in syndicated lending balances of $10.4 million compared to September 30, 2024. The increase in syndicated lending balances was the result of the Corporation identifying loans with the combination of meeting the Corporation’s traditionally disciplined high credit quality standards, and with favorable yields versus investment alternatives. Year over year, the Corporation’s balance sheet reported a decrease in syndicated lending balances of $28.8 million compared to December 31, 2023, resulting from scheduled paydowns or early payoffs of certain syndicated loans. The syndicated loan portfolio totaled $79.9 million, or 1.73% of total loans, at December 31, 2024, compared to $69.5 million, or 1.51% of total loans, at September 30, 2024 and $108.7 million, or 2.43% of total loans, at December 31, 2023. The Corporation closely manages the level and composition of its syndicated loan portfolio to ensure it continues to provide a high credit quality, profitable use of excess liquidity to complement the Corporation’s loan growth from its in-market customer relationships.
At December 31, 2024, total deposits were $5.4 billion, reflecting a quarterly increase of $154.4 million, or 2.96% (11.78% annualized), compared to September 30, 2024, and a year-over-year increase of $372.6 million, or 7.45%, compared to total deposits measured as of December 31, 2023. The increase in deposit balances compared to September 30, 2024 was primarily attributable to an increase in retail and business savings and retail time deposits. Additional deposit and liquidity profile details were as follows:
- At December 31, 2024, the total estimated uninsured deposits for CNB Bank were approximately $1.5 billion, or approximately 27.71% of total CNB Bank deposits. However, when excluding $101.9 million of affiliate company deposits and $429.0 million of pledged-investment collateralized deposits, the adjusted amount and percentage of total estimated uninsured deposits was approximately $986.0 million, or approximately 18.01% of total CNB Bank deposits as of December 31, 2024.
  - The level of adjusted uninsured deposits at December 31, 2024 was relatively unchanged compared to the level at September 30, 2024, when the total estimated uninsured deposits for CNB Bank were approximately $1.5 billion, or approximately 28.50% of total CNB Bank deposits. Excluding $103.1 million of affiliate company deposits and $462.7 million of pledged-investment collateralized deposits, the adjusted amount and percentage of total estimated uninsured deposits was approximately $950.6 million, or approximately 17.87% of total CNB Bank deposits as of September 30, 2024.
- At December 31, 2024, the average deposit balance per account for CNB Bank was approximately $34 thousand, which has remained consistently at this level for an extended period. CNB Bank has experienced increases in the volume of business deposits, as well as retail customer household deposits, including those that continue to be added after the 2023 launches of (i) CNB Bank’s “At Ease” account, a service for U.S. service member and veteran families, and (ii) CNB Bank’s women-focused banking division, Impressia Bank.
- At December 31, 2024, the Corporation had $375.0 million of cash equivalents held in CNB Bank’s interest-bearing deposit account at the Federal Reserve. These excess funds, when combined with collective contingent liquidity resources of $4.6 billion including (i) available borrowing capacity from the Federal Home Bank of Pittsburgh (“FHLB”) and the Federal Reserve, and (ii) available unused commitments from brokered deposit sources and other third-party funding channels, including previously established lines of credit from correspondent banks, resulted in the total on-hand and contingent liquidity sources for the Corporation as of December 31, 2024 to be approximately 5.0 times the estimated amount of adjusted uninsured deposit balances discussed above.
At December 31, 2024, September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Corporation had no outstanding short-term borrowings from the FHLB or the Federal Reserve’s Discount Window.
At December 31, 2024, the Corporation’s pre-tax net unrealized losses on available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities totaled $74.8 million, or 12.25% of total shareholders’ equity, compared to $62.5 million, or 10.30% of total shareholders’ equity, at September 30, 2024 and $82.2 million, or 14.40% of total shareholders’ equity, at December 31, 2023. The change in unrealized losses during the fourth quarter 2024 was primarily due to changes in the yield curve compared to the third quarter of 2024, coupled with the Corporation’s scheduled bond maturities, which were all realized at par. Importantly, all regulatory capital ratios for the Corporation would still exceed regulatory “well-capitalized” levels as of December 31, 2024, September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023 if the net unrealized losses at the respective dates were fully recognized. Additionally, the Corporation maintained approximately $100.7 million of liquid funds at its holding company, which more than covers the $74.8 million in unrealized losses on investments held primarily in its wholly-owned banking subsidiary, as an immediately available source of contingent capital to be down-streamed to CNB Bank, if necessary.
Total nonperforming assets were approximately $59.5 million, or 0.96% of total assets, as of December 31, 2024, compared to $42.0 million, or 0.70% of total assets, as of September 30, 2024, and $31.8 million, or 0.55% of total assets, as of December 31, 2023. The increase in nonperforming assets for the three months ended December 31, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2024 was primarily due to one commercial multifamily relationship totaling $20.4 million with a specific reserve balance of $885 thousand. Management does not believe there is a risk of significant additional loss exposure beyond the specific reserves related to this loan relationship and is actively working with the borrower and their real estate broker to facilitate the sale of the property. The increase in non-performing assets at December 31, 2024 compared to December 31, 2023 was due to the loan relationship discussed above, as well as certain commercial and industrial and owner-occupied commercial real estate relationships as previously disclosed in the second quarter of 2024 and a commercial relationship (consisting of various loan types) in the third quarter of 2024. For the three months ended December 31, 2024, net loan charge-offs were $2.1 million, or 0.19% (annualized) of average total loans and loans held for sale, compared to $1.2 million, or 0.11% (annualized) of average total loans and loans held for sale, during the three months ended September 30, 2024, and $1.2 million, or 0.11% (annualized) of average total loans and loans held for sale, during the three months ended December 31, 2023. The increase in net loan charge-offs during the quarter ended December 31, 2024 was primarily related to (i) an owner-occupied commercial real estate relationship with a charge-off of $750 thousand (remaining balance of approximately $3.8 million with specific reserves of $1.4 million), and (ii) a nonowner-occupied commercial real estate relationship for $625 thousand (no remaining balance).
Pre-provision net revenue (“PPNR”), a non-GAAP measure, was $21.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to $19.7 million and $18.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.¹ The fourth quarter 2024 PPNR, when compared to the third quarter of 2024, reflected increases in net interest income and reductions in non-interest expense, partially offset by a reduction in quarterly non-interest income. The increase in PPNR for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2023 was primarily attributable to the increases in net interest income and non-interest income. PPNR was $76.6 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 compared to $77.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023.¹ The decrease in PPNR for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 was primarily attributable to the significant year-over-year increase in deposit costs, coupled with increases in certain personnel costs (primarily from new offices and personnel added in the recently added expansion markets of Cleveland, OH and Roanoke, VA). Also, the Corporation incurred additional technology expenses for the recently completed full implementation of certain franchise-wide business development and customer relationship management applications.

¹ This release contains references to certain financial measures that are not defined under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). Management believes that these non-GAAP measures provide a greater understanding of ongoing operations, enhance comparability of results of operations with prior periods and show the effects of significant gains and charges in the periods presented. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures is provided in the “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section.

Commenting on the Corporation’s positive quarterly results, Michael Peduzzi, President and CEO of both the Corporation and CNB Bank, stated, “CNB’s performance for the fourth quarter of 2024 continued the favorable trend of increased earnings for each of the most recent three quarters. This favorable earnings trend is the result of a continued implementation of the fundamental strategic initiatives that we continue to focus on – deepening existing customer relationships while adding new clients in both interest-earning and fee-based activities, remaining committed to our traditionally disciplined loan and investment underwriting standards, employing risk-based and market-relevant loan and deposit pricing, and continuing solid risk measurement and management practices. While we remain confident in the continued growth and increasing profitability of our current multi-state core franchise, we are very excited by the prospect of expanding our business development model across all of our financial services, and realizing even greater back-office efficiencies of operating scale, with our recently announced plan to add over $2 billion in assets with our intended acquisition of ESSA Bancorp, Inc. (“ESSA Bancorp”) and its banking subsidiary, ESSA Bank & Trust, based primarily in northeastern Pennsylvania (collectively, “ESSA”).

With full consideration of the impact of the prospective merger and the additional skilled employees and resources from both internal leadership development efforts and the ESSA employee base, we remain intently focused on achieving qualitative growth across our commercial, retail, and wealth management activities, while controlling the growth in staffing levels and overhead costs. Our collective Board and employee team is committed to our core strategic principles, including a focus on delivering increasing profitable and desirable financial services, while striving to most effectively realize the accretive value of our prospective acquisition, for the mutually beneficial and sustainable success of our valued investors and growing client base across our expanding franchise.”

Other Balance Sheet Highlights

Book value per common share was $26.34 at December 31, 2024, reflecting an increase from $26.13 at September 30, 2024 and $24.57 at December 31, 2023. Tangible book value per common share, a non-GAAP measure, was $24.24 as of December 31, 2024, reflecting an increase of $0.21, or 3.48% (annualized) from $24.03 as of September 30, 2024 and a year-over-year increase of $1.78, or 7.93%, from $22.46 as of December 31, 2023.¹ The increases in book value per common share and tangible book value per common share from September 30, 2024 to December 31, 2024 were primarily due to a $10.2 million increase in retained earnings, partially offset by a $6.3 million increased in accumulated other comprehensive loss primarily from the after-tax impact of temporary unrealized valuation changes in the Corporation’s available-for-sale investment portfolio for the fourth quarter of 2024. The increases in book value per common share and tangible book value per common share from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024 were primarily due to (i) a $35.4 million increase in retained earnings over the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, (ii) the Corporation’s repurchase of 23,988 common shares at a weighted average price of $18.38 in the second quarter of 2024, and (iii) a $2.5 million decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss primarily from the after-tax impact of temporary unrealized valuation changes in the Corporation’s available-for-sale investment portfolio for the past twelve months.

Loan Portfolio Profile

As part of its lending policy and risk management activities, the Corporation tracks lending exposure by industry classification and type to determine potential risks associated with industry concentrations, and if any concentration risk issues could lead to additional credit loss exposure. In the current post-pandemic and relatively inflationary economic environment, the Corporation has continued to evaluate its exposure to the office, hospitality, and multifamily industries within its commercial real estate portfolio. Even given the Corporation’s historically sound underwriting protocols and high credit quality standards for borrowers in the commercial real estate industry segments, the Corporation monitors numerous relevant sensitivity elements, including occupancy, loan-to-value, absorption and cap rates, debt service coverage and covenant compliance, and developer/lessor financial strength both in the project and globally. At December 31, 2024, the Corporation had the following key metrics related to its office, hospitality and multifamily portfolios:
- Commercial office loans:
  - There were 112 outstanding loans, totaling $113.7 million, or 2.47% of total Corporation loans outstanding;
  - There were no nonaccrual commercial office loans at December 31, 2024;
  - There were no past due commercial office loans at December 31, 2024; and
  - The average outstanding balance per commercial office loan was $1.0 million.
- Commercial hospitality loans:
  - There were 170 outstanding loans, totaling $321.6 million, or 6.98% of total Corporation loans outstanding;
  - There were no nonaccrual commercial hospitality loans at December 31, 2024;
  - There were no past due commercial hospitality loans at December 31, 2024; and
  - The average outstanding balance per commercial hospitality loan was $1.9 million.
- Commercial multifamily loans:
  - There were 225 outstanding loans, totaling $367.6 million, or 7.98% of total Corporation loans outstanding;
  - There were two nonaccrual commercial multifamily loan that totaled $20.7 million, or 5.62% of total multifamily loans outstanding. As previously discussed, one customer relationship did have a specific reserve of $885 thousand, while the other customer relationship did not have a related specific loss reserve at December 31, 2024;
  - There were three past due commercial multifamily loans that totaled $21.1 million, or 5.75% of total commercial multifamily loans outstanding at December 31, 2024; and
  - The average outstanding balance per commercial multifamily loan was $1.6 million.

The Corporation had no commercial office, hospitality or multifamily loan relationships considered by the banking regulators to be high volatility commercial real estate (“HVCRE”) credits.

Performance Ratios

Annualized return on average equity was 9.79% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to 9.28% and 9.97% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Return on average equity was 9.21% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 compared to 10.54% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023.
Annualized return on average tangible common equity, a non-GAAP measure, was 10.90% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to 10.33% and 11.27% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.¹ Return on average tangible common equity, a non-GAAP measure, was 10.25% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 compared to 11.98% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023.¹
The Corporation’s efficiency ratio was 63.68% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to 66.34% and 67.66% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The efficiency ratio on a fully tax-equivalent basis, a non-GAAP measure, was 63.02% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to 65.58% and 66.93% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.¹ The decrease for the three months ended December 31, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2024 was primarily driven by an increase in net interest income, coupled with lower non-interest expenses, primarily due to decreases in salaries and benefits, as discussed in more detail below.
The Corporation’s efficiency ratio was 66.20% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, compared to 65.13% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. The efficiency ratio on a fully tax-equivalent basis, a non-GAAP ratio, was 65.47% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, compared to 64.45% the twelve months ended December 31, 2023.¹

Revenue

Total revenue (net interest income plus non-interest income) was $59.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, an increase when compared to $58.5 million and $56.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
- Net interest income was $49.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to $47.5 million and $47.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. When comparing the fourth quarter of 2024 to the third quarter of 2024, the increase in net interest income of $1.6 million, or 3.28% (13.05% annualized), was primarily driven by targeted interest-bearing deposit rate decreases as a result of the Federal Reserve rate decreases since mid-September 2024.
- Net interest margin was 3.44%, 3.43% and 3.54% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Net interest margin on a fully tax-equivalent basis, a non-GAAP measure, was 3.43%, 3.42% and 3.51% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.¹
  - The yield on earning assets of 5.84% for the three months ended December 31, 2024 decreased 14 basis points from September 30, 2024 and increased 2 basis points from December 31, 2023. The decrease in yield compared to September 30, 2024 was attributable to the net impact of declining interest rates on floating-rate loans as a result of the Federal Reserve decreases to the Prime rate (upon which the majority of the Corporation’s floating rate loans are indexed).
  - The cost of interest-bearing liabilities of 3.03% for the three months ended December 31, 2024 decreased 18 basis points from September 30, 2024 and increased 14 basis points from December 31, 2023. When comparing the fourth quarter of 2024 to the third quarter of 2024, the decrease in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities is primarily the result of the Corporation’s targeted interest-bearing deposit rate decreases in response to the Federal Reserve rate decreases since mid-September 2024.
Total revenue was $226.6 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 compared to $223.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023.
- Net interest income was $187.5 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 compared to $189.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. When comparing the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 to the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, the decrease in net interest income of $2.4 million, or 1.24%, was due to an increase in the Corporation’s interest expense, as a result of targeted interest-bearing deposit rate increases to ensure both deposit growth and retention, more than offsetting the interest income growth from both year-over-year loan growth and the impact of higher interest rates for much of the 2024 year resulting in greater income on loans, coupled with a higher average balance of earnings on excess liquidity maintained as interest-bearing deposits with the Federal Reserve.
- Net interest margin was 3.41% and 3.63% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Net interest margin on a fully tax-equivalent basis, a non-GAAP measure, was 3.39% and 3.61% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.¹
  - The yield on earning assets of 5.88% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 increased 31 basis points from the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. The increase in yield compared to December 31, 2023 was attributable to the net benefit of higher interest rates on both variable-rate loans and new loan production.
  - The cost of interest-bearing liabilities of 3.11% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 increased 62 basis points from the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 primarily as a result of the Corporation’s targeted interest-bearing deposit rate increases for deposit retention and growth initiatives given the competitive environment resulting from the numerous Federal Reserve rate hikes since the first quarter of 2022 that did not start to have some easing measures until late in 2024.
Total non-interest income was $10.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024 compared to $11.0 million and $9.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The three months ended December 31, 2024 included increases in net realized and unrealized losses on equity securities compared to the three months ended September 30, 2024. The increase in fourth quarter 2024 non-interest income compared to the three months ended December 31, 2023 was primarily due to increased wealth and asset management fees and higher pass-through income from small business investment companies (“SBICs”), partially offset by an increase in net realized and unrealized losses on equity securities.
Total non-interest income was $39.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 compared to $33.3 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. This increase was primarily due to higher pass-through income from SBICs coupled with an increase in net realized and unrealized gains on equity securities and an increase in wealth and asset management fees.

Non-Interest Expense

For the three months ended December 31, 2024 total non-interest expense was $37.8 million, compared to $38.8 million and $38.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The decrease of $979 thousand, or 2.52%, from the three months ended September 30, 2024, was primarily due to a decrease in salaries and benefits. The decrease in salaries and benefits resulted primarily from a decrease in incentive compensation accruals (which are based on various components of the Corporation’s financial performance for the year), coupled with the timing of retirement plan contribution accruals and lower supplemental executive retirement plan accruals with the departure of an executive during the fourth quarter, as previously disclosed. The $645 thousand decrease in non-interest expense compared to the three months ended December 31, 2023 was primarily due to lower salaries and benefits driven by reduced incentive compensation accruals, along with a decrease in quarterly advertising expense. These decreases were partially offset by higher card processing and interchange expenses resulting from fourth quarter 2023 accrual adjustments related to changes in the Corporation’s cardholder rewards program.
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 total non-interest expense was $150.0 million, compared to $145.3 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. The increase of $4.7 million, or 3.21%, from the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 was primarily a result of an increase in salaries and benefits and technology expenses The increase in salaries and benefits was driven by an increase in personnel costs related to annual merit increases and growth in the Corporation’s staff and new offices in its expansion markets (Cleveland, OH and Roanoke, VA), while the increase in technology was primarily due to usage and licensing increases in year-over-year investments in applications aimed at enhancing both customer online banking capabilities, customer call center communications, and in-branch technology delivery channels.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense for the three months ended December 31, 2024 was $3.6 million, representing a 19.14% effective tax rate, compared to $3.3 million, representing an 19.31% effective tax rate, for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and $3.2 million, representing a 18.45% effective tax rate, for the three months ended December 31, 2023. Income tax expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 was $12.8 million, representing an 18.98% effective tax rate compared to $13.8 million, representing a 19.22% effective tax rate, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023.

Asset Quality

Based upon the addition of one larger nonaccrual loan relationship in the fourth quarter of 2024 as discussed above, total nonperforming assets were approximately $59.5 million, or 0.96% of total assets, as of December 31, 2024, compared to $42.0 million, or 0.70% of total assets, as of September 30, 2024, and $31.8 million, or 0.55% of total assets, as of December 31, 2023.
The allowance for credit losses measured as a percentage of total loans was 1.03% as of December 31, 2024 compared to 1.02% as of September 30, 2024 and 1.03% as of December 31, 2023. In addition, the allowance for credit losses as a percentage of nonaccrual loans was 84.08% as of December 31, 2024, compared to 117.03% and 154.63% as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The change in the allowance for credit losses as a percentage of nonaccrual loans was primarily attributable to the levels of nonperforming assets, as discussed above.
The provision for credit losses was $2.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to $2.4 million and $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The $549 thousand increase in the provision expense for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2024 was primarily a result of increased net loan charge-offs in the fourth quarter of 2024. The $1.7 million increase in the provision expense for the three months ended December 31, 2024 compared to the three months ended December 31, 2023 was primarily due to both required provisioning to cover loan portfolio growth, and the increased net loan charge-offs in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023.
As discussed in more detail above, for the three months ended December 31, 2024, net loan charge-offs were $2.1 million, or 0.19% (annualized) of average total loans and loans held for sale, compared to $1.2 million, or 0.11% (annualized) of average total loans and loans held for sale, during the three months ended September 30, 2024, and $1.2 million, or 0.11% (annualized) of average total loans and loans held for sale, during the three months ended December 31, 2023.
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, net loan charge-offs were $7.5 million, or 0.17%, of average total loans and loans held for sale, compared to $3.4 million, or 0.08%, of average total loans and loans held for sale, during the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, with a couple of the larger charge-offs occurring in the first and second quarters of 2024, as previously disclosed in those periods.

Capital

As of December 31, 2024, the Corporation’s total shareholders’ equity was $610.7 million, representing an increase of $4.3 million, or 0.71% (2.84% annualized), from September 30, 2024 and an increase of $39.4 million, or 6.91%, from December 31, 2023. The changes resulted from an increase in the Corporation’s retained earnings (net income, partially offset by the common and preferred stock dividends paid) and a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss primarily from the after-tax impact of temporary unrealized valuation changes in the Corporation’s available-for-sale investment portfolio. The additions to shareholders equity from retained earnings were also partially offset by the Corporation’s repurchase of some of its common stock.
Regulatory capital ratios for the Corporation continue to exceed regulatory “well-capitalized” levels as of December 31, 2024, consistent with prior periods.
As of December 31, 2024, the Corporation’s ratio of common shareholders’ equity to total assets was 8.93% compared to 9.12% at September 30, 2024 and 8.93% at December 31, 2023. As of December 31, 2024, the Corporation’s ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets, a non-GAAP measure, was 8.28% compared to 8.45% at September 30, 2024 and 8.22% at December 31, 2023. The decrease in the December 31, 2024 ratio compared to September 30, 2024 was primarily the result of an increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss, partially offset by an increase in retained earnings, as discussed above.¹

Recent Events

On January 10, 2025, the Corporation announced that the Corporation and CNB Bank entered into a definitive merger agreement (the “Merger Agreement”) with ESSA in an all-stock transaction. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, each outstanding share of ESSA Bancorp common stock will be converted into the right to receive 0.8547 shares of the Corporation’s common stock. The transaction is currently expected to close in the third quarter of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals, and approval by the shareholders of ESSA Bancorp and the Corporation.

About CNB Financial Corporation

CNB Financial Corporation is a financial holding company with consolidated assets of approximately $6.2 billion. CNB Financial Corporation conducts business primarily through its principal subsidiary, CNB Bank. CNB Bank is a full-service bank engaging in a full range of banking activities and services, including trust and wealth management services, for individual, business, governmental, and institutional customers. CNB Bank operations include a private banking division, one drive-up office, one mobile office, and 55 full-service offices in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, and Virginia. CNB Bank, headquartered in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, with offices in Central and North Central Pennsylvania, serves as the multi-brand parent to various divisions. These divisions include ERIEBANK, based in Erie, Pennsylvania, with offices in Northwest Pennsylvania and Northeast Ohio; FCBank, based in Worthington, Ohio, with offices in Central Ohio; BankOnBuffalo, based in Buffalo, New York, with offices in Western New York; Ridge View Bank, based in Roanoke, Virginia, with offices in the Southwest Virginia region; and Impressia Bank, a division focused on banking opportunities for women, which operates in CNB Bank’s primary market areas. Additional information about CNB Financial Corporation may be found at www.CNBBank.bank.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, with respect to the Corporation’s financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, future performance and business. These forward-looking statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for “forward-looking statements” provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are those that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, estimates and intentions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors (some of which are beyond the Corporation’s control). Forward-looking statements often include the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “plans,” “targets,” “potentially,” “probably,” “projects,” “outlook” or similar expressions or future conditional verbs such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would” and “could.” The Corporation’s actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements, which are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance. Such known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the statements, include, but are not limited to, (i) adverse changes or conditions in capital and financial markets, including actual or potential stresses in the banking industry; (ii) changes in interest rates; (iii) the credit risks of lending activities, including our ability to estimate credit losses and the allowance for credit losses, as well as the effects of changes in the level of, and trends in, loan delinquencies and write-offs; (iv) effectiveness of our data security controls in the face of cyber attacks and any reputational risks following a cybersecurity incident; (v) changes in general business, industry or economic conditions or competition; (vi) changes in any applicable law, rule, regulation, policy, guideline or practice governing or affecting financial holding companies and their subsidiaries or with respect to tax or accounting principles or otherwise; (vii) governmental approvals of the Corporation’s pending merger with ESSA may not be obtained, or adverse regulatory conditions may be imposed in connection with governmental approvals of the merger; (viii) the Corporation’s shareholders and/or the shareholders of ESSA may fail to approve the merger; (ix) higher than expected costs or other difficulties related to integration of combined or merged businesses; (x) the effects of business combinations and other acquisition transactions, including the inability to realize our loan and investment portfolios; (xi) changes in the quality or composition of our loan and investment portfolios; (xii) adequacy of loan loss reserves; (xiii) increased competition; (xiv) loss of certain key officers; (xv) deposit attrition; (xvi) rapidly changing technology; (xvii) unanticipated regulatory or judicial proceedings and liabilities and other costs; (xviii) changes in the cost of funds, demand for loan products or demand for financial services; and (xix) other economic, competitive, governmental or technological factors affecting our operations, markets, products, services and prices. Such developments could have an adverse impact on the Corporation’s financial position and results of operations. For more information about factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of and the forward-looking statement disclaimers in the Corporation’s annual and quarterly reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The forward-looking statements are based upon management’s beliefs and assumptions and are made as of the date of this press release. Factors or events that could cause the Corporation’s actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Corporation to predict all of them. The Corporation undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this press release or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those contained in such statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this press release might not occur and you should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.


CNB FINANCIAL CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA Unaudited (dollars in thousands, except per share data)

	Three Months Ended									Twelve Months Ended
	December 31, 2024			September 30, 2024			December 31, 2023			December 31, 2024			December 31, 2023
Income Statement
Interest and fees on loans	$	74,164		$	75,725		$	73,014		$	293,544		$	273,223
Interest and dividends on securities and cash and cash equivalents		9,514			7,510			6,194			31,926			20,473
Interest expense		(34,634	)		(35,749	)		(31,514	)		(138,001	)		(103,867	)
Net interest income		49,044			47,486			47,694			187,469			189,829
Provision for credit losses		2,930			2,381			1,242			9,222			5,993
Net interest income after provision for credit losses		46,114			45,105			46,452			178,247			183,836
Non-interest income
Wealth and asset management fees		1,976			2,060			1,684			7,845			7,251
Service charges on deposit accounts		1,712			1,790			1,803			6,990			7,372
Other service charges and fees		770			796			727			2,973			3,010
Net realized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities		83			(9	)		—			74			52
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities		(13	)		656			543			754			(387	)
Mortgage banking		93			197			160			673			676
Bank owned life insurance		784			775			734			3,110			2,945
Card processing and interchange income		2,222			2,241			2,082			8,666			8,301
Other non-interest income		2,694			2,467			1,404			8,029			4,115
Total non-interest income		10,321			10,973			9,137			39,114			33,335
Non-interest expenses
Salaries and benefits		18,501			19,572			19,200			74,536			71,062
Net occupancy expense of premises		3,816			3,701			3,719			14,737			14,509
Technology expense		5,743			5,417			5,525			21,805			20,202
Advertising expense		684			623			1,048			2,545			3,133
State and local taxes		1,090			1,256			1,018			4,726			4,126
Legal, professional, and examination fees		986			940			1,247			4,217			4,414
FDIC insurance premiums		864			846			978			3,718			3,879
Card processing and interchange expenses		1,325			1,193			756			4,575			5,025
Other non-interest expense		4,796			5,236			4,959			19,143			18,992
Total non-interest expenses		37,805			38,784			38,450			150,002			145,342
Income before income taxes		18,630			17,294			17,139			67,359			71,829
Income tax expense		3,566			3,340			3,162			12,784			13,809
Net income		15,064			13,954			13,977			54,575			58,020
Preferred stock dividends		1,076			1,076			1,076			4,302			4,302
Net income available to common shareholders	$	13,988		$	12,878		$	12,901		$	50,273		$	53,718

Ending shares outstanding		20,987,992			20,994,730			20,896,439			20,987,992			20,896,439
Average diluted common shares outstanding		20,929,885			20,911,862			20,841,528			20,900,037			20,944,376
Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.66		$	0.61		$	0.62		$	2.39		$	2.55
Cash dividends per common share	$	0.180		$	0.180		$	0.175		$	0.710		$	0.700
Dividend payout ratio		27	%		30	%		28	%		30	%		27	%


CNB FINANCIAL CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA Unaudited (dollars in thousands, except per share data)

	Three Months Ended									Twelve Months Ended
	December 31, 2024			September 30, 2024			December 31, 2023			December 31, 2024			December 31, 2023
Average Balances
Total loans and loans held for sale	$	4,556,770		$	4,536,702		$	4,463,644		$	4,491,304		$	4,396,341
Investment securities		744,149			722,577			730,050			733,055			760,976
Total earning assets		5,674,794			5,503,832			5,343,817			5,499,187			5,232,117
Total assets		6,085,277			5,907,115			5,719,313			5,894,958			5,601,371
Noninterest-bearing deposits		832,168			795,771			759,781			781,780			793,713
Interest-bearing deposits		4,442,150			4,319,606			4,217,771			4,328,430			4,037,554
Shareholders’ equity		612,184			597,984			556,245			592,550			550,333
Tangible common shareholders’ equity (non-GAAP)⁽¹⁾		510,308			496,091			454,294			490,647			448,355

Average Yields (annualized)
Total loans and loans held for sale		6.50	%		6.66	%		6.51	%		6.55	%		6.23	%
Investment securities		2.40	%		2.19	%		1.96	%		2.19	%		1.96	%
Total earning assets		5.84	%		5.98	%		5.82	%		5.88	%		5.57	%
Interest-bearing deposits		3.00	%		3.19	%		2.86	%		3.08	%		2.42	%
Interest-bearing liabilities		3.03	%		3.21	%		2.89	%		3.11	%		2.49	%

Performance Ratios (annualized)
Return on average assets		0.98	%		0.94	%		0.97	%		0.93	%		1.04	%
Return on average equity		9.79	%		9.28	%		9.97	%		9.21	%		10.54	%
Return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP)⁽¹⁾		10.90	%		10.33	%		11.27	%		10.25	%		11.98	%
Net interest margin, fully tax equivalent basis (non-GAAP)⁽¹⁾		3.43	%		3.42	%		3.51	%		3.39	%		3.61	%
Efficiency Ratio, fully tax equivalent basis (non-GAAP)⁽¹⁾		63.02	%		65.58	%		66.93	%		65.47	%		64.45	%

Net Loan Charge-Offs
CNB Bank net loan charge-offs	$	1,719		$	837		$	747		$	5,782		$	1,702
Holiday Financial net loan charge-offs		425			383			487			1,730			1,739
Total Corporation net loan charge-offs	$	2,144		$	1,220		$	1,234		$	7,512		$	3,441
Annualized net loan charge-offs / average total loans and loans held for sale		0.19	%		0.11	%		0.11	%		0.17	%		0.08	%


CNB FINANCIAL CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA Unaudited (dollars in thousands, except per share data)

	December 31, 2024			September 30, 2024			December 31, 2023
Ending Balance Sheet
Cash and due from banks	$	63,771		$	75,214		$	54,789
Interest-bearing deposits with Federal Reserve		375,009			281,972			164,385
Interest-bearing deposits with other financial institutions		4,255			3,723			2,872
Total cash and cash equivalents		443,035			360,909			222,046
Debt securities available-for-sale, at fair value		468,546			378,965			341,955
Debt securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost		306,081			328,152			388,968
Equity securities		10,456			10,389			9,301
Loans held for sale		762			768			675
Loans receivable
Syndicated loans		79,882			69,470			108,710
Loans		4,529,074			4,522,438			4,359,718
Total loans receivable		4,608,956			4,591,908			4,468,476
Less: allowance for credit losses		(47,357	)		(46,644	)		(45,832	)
Net loans receivable		4,561,599			4,545,264			4,422,644
Goodwill and other intangibles		43,874			43,874			43,874
Core deposit intangible		206			223			280
Other assets		357,451			346,300			323,214
Total Assets	$	6,192,010		$	6,014,844		$	5,752,957

Noninterest-bearing demand deposits	$	819,680		$	841,292		$	728,881
Interest-bearing demand deposits		706,796			681,056			803,093
Savings		3,122,028			3,040,769			2,960,282
Certificates of deposit		722,860			653,832			506,494
Total deposits		5,371,364			5,216,949			4,998,750
Subordinated debentures		20,620			20,620			20,620
Subordinated notes, net of issuance costs		84,570			84,495			84,267
Other liabilities		104,761			86,417			78,073
Total liabilities		5,581,315			5,408,481			5,181,710
Common stock		—			—			—
Preferred stock		57,785			57,785			57,785
Additional paid in capital		219,876			219,304			220,495
Retained earnings		381,296			371,086			345,935
Treasury stock		(4,689	)		(4,516	)		(6,890	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(43,573	)		(37,296	)		(46,078	)
Total shareholders’ equity		610,695			606,363			571,247
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	6,192,010		$	6,014,844		$	5,752,957

Book value per common share	$	26.34		$	26.13		$	24.57
Tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP)⁽¹⁾	$	24.24		$	24.03		$	22.46


CNB FINANCIAL CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA Unaudited (dollars in thousands, except per share data)

	December 31, 2024			September 30, 2024			December 31, 2023
Capital Ratios
Tangible common equity / tangible assets (non-GAAP)⁽¹⁾		8.28	%		8.45	%		8.22	%
Tier 1 leverage ratio⁽²⁾		10.43	%		10.59	%		10.54	%
Common equity tier 1 ratio⁽²⁾		11.76	%		11.64	%		11.49	%
Tier 1 risk-based ratio⁽²⁾		13.41	%		13.30	%		13.20	%
Total risk-based ratio⁽²⁾		16.16	%		16.06	%		15.99	%

Asset Quality Detail
Nonaccrual loans	$	56,323		$	39,855		$	29,639
Loans 90+ days past due and accruing		653			666			55
Total nonperforming loans		56,976			40,521			29,694
Other real estate owned		2,509			1,514			2,111
Total nonperforming assets	$	59,485		$	42,035		$	31,805

Asset Quality Ratios
Nonperforming assets / Total loans + OREO		1.29	%		0.92	%		0.71	%
Nonperforming assets / Total assets		0.96	%		0.70	%		0.55	%
Ratio of allowance for credit losses on loans to nonaccrual loans		84.08	%		117.03	%		154.63	%
Allowance for credit losses / Total loans		1.03	%		1.02	%		1.03	%


Consolidated Financial Data Notes:
⁽¹⁾Management uses non-GAAP financial information in its analysis of the Corporation’s performance. Management believes that these non-GAAP measures provide a greater understanding of ongoing operations, enhance comparability of results of operations with prior periods and show the effects of significant gains and charges in the periods presented. The Corporation’s management believes that investors may use these non-GAAP measures to analyze the Corporation’s financial performance without the impact of unusual items or events that may obscure trends in the Corporation’s underlying performance. This non-GAAP data should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, and is not a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results. Limitations associated with non-GAAP financial measures include the risks that persons might disagree as to the appropriateness of items included in these measures and that different companies might calculate these measures differently. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures is provided below (dollars in thousands, except per share data).
⁽²⁾Capital ratios as of December 31, 2024 are estimated pending final regulatory filings.


CNB FINANCIAL CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA Unaudited (dollars in thousands, except per share data)

	Average Balances, Income and Interest Rates on a Taxable Equivalent Basis
	Three Months Ended,
	December 31, 2024							September 30, 2024							December 31, 2023
	Average Balance			Annual Rate		Interest Inc./Exp.		Average Balance			Annual Rate		Interest Inc./Exp.		Average Balance			Annual Rate		Interest Inc./Exp.
ASSETS:
Securities:
Taxable^{(1) (4)}	$	711,286		2.36	%	$	4,487	$	690,098		2.14	%	$	3,980	$	694,369		1.89	%	$	3,626
Tax-exempt^{(1) (2) (4)}		25,489		2.67			184		25,368		2.57			178		27,590		2.55			198
Equity securities^{(1) (2)}		7,374		5.77			107		7,111		5.71			102		8,091		5.54			113
Total securities⁽⁴⁾		744,149		2.40			4,778		722,577		2.19			4,260		730,050		1.96			3,937
Loans receivable:
Commercial^{(2) (3)}		1,458,902		6.77			24,824		1,457,192		7.02			25,708		1,467,452		7.07			26,165
Mortgage and loans held for sale^{(2) (3)}		2,965,914		6.12			45,633		2,947,787		6.25			46,278		2,860,619		5.99			43,166
Consumer⁽³⁾		131,954		11.93			3,956		131,723		11.93			3,950		135,573		11.38			3,890
Total loans receivable⁽³⁾		4,556,770		6.50			74,413		4,536,702		6.66			75,936		4,463,644		6.51			73,221
Interest-bearing deposits with the Federal Reserve and other financial institutions		373,875		5.08			4,771		244,553		5.33			3,279		150,123		6.06			2,292
Total earning assets		5,674,794		5.84		$	83,962		5,503,832		5.98		$	83,475		5,343,817		5.82		$	79,450
Noninterest-bearing assets:
Cash and due from banks		59,445							58,472							55,815
Premises and equipment		124,398							118,404							109,469
Other assets		273,326							272,377							256,253
Allowance for credit losses		(46,686	)						(45,970	)						(46,041	)
Total non interest-bearing assets		410,483							403,283							375,496
TOTAL ASSETS	$	6,085,277						$	5,907,115						$	5,719,313
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Demand—interest-bearing	$	686,359		0.83	%	$	1,437	$	682,690		0.86	%	$	1,477	$	778,488		0.55	%	$	1,081
Savings		3,068,451		3.26			25,139		3,076,351		3.55			27,461		2,920,026		3.36			24,712
Time		687,340		4.02			6,953		560,565		4.03			5,684		519,257		3.50			4,587
Total interest-bearing deposits		4,442,150		3.00			33,529		4,319,606		3.19			34,622		4,217,771		2.86			30,380
Short-term borrowings		—		0.00			—		—		0.00			—		0		0.00			0
Finance lease liabilities		212		3.75			2		236		5.06			3		305		3.90			3
Subordinated notes and debentures		105,153		4.17			1,103		105,077		4.26			1,124		104,849		4.28			1,131
Total interest-bearing liabilities		4,547,515		3.03		$	34,634		4,424,919		3.21		$	35,749		4,322,925		2.89		$	31,514
Demand—noninterest-bearing		832,168							795,771							759,781
Other liabilities		93,410							88,441							80,362
Total Liabilities		5,473,093							5,309,131							5,163,068
Shareholders’ equity		612,184							597,984							556,245
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	6,085,277						$	5,907,115						$	5,719,313
Interest income/Earning assets				5.84	%	$	83,962				5.98	%	$	83,475				5.82	%	$	79,450
Interest expense/Interest-bearing liabilities				3.03			34,634				3.21			35,749				2.89			31,514
Net interest spread				2.81	%	$	49,328				2.77	%	$	47,726				2.93	%	$	47,936
Interest income/Earning assets				5.84	%		83,962				5.98	%		83,475				5.82	%		79,450
Interest expense/Earning assets				2.41			34,634				2.56			35,749				2.31			31,514
Net interest margin (fully tax-equivalent)				3.43	%	$	49,328				3.42	%	$	47,726				3.51	%	$	47,936

_____________________________________
⁽¹⁾Includes unamortized discounts and premiums.
⁽²⁾Average yields are stated on a fully taxable equivalent basis (calculated using statutory rates of 21%) resulting from tax-free municipal securities in the investment portfolio and tax-free municipal loans in the commercial loan portfolio. The taxable equivalent adjustment to net interest income for the three months ended December 31, 2024, September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 was $284 thousand, $240 thousand and $242 thousand, respectively.
⁽³⁾Average loans receivable outstanding includes the average balance outstanding of all nonaccrual loans. Loans receivable consist of the average of total loans receivable less average unearned income. In addition, loans receivable interest income consists of loans receivable fees, including PPP deferred processing fees.
⁽⁴⁾Average balance is computed using the fair value of AFS securities and amortized cost of HTM securities. Average yield has been computed using amortized cost average balance for AFS and HTM securities. The adjustment to the average balance for securities in the calculation of average yield for the three months ended December 31, 2024, September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 was $(47.0) million, $(51.1) million and $(68.5) million, respectively.


CNB FINANCIAL CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA Unaudited (dollars in thousands, except per share data)

	Average Balances, Income and Interest Rates on a Taxable Equivalent Basis
	Twelve Months Ended,
	December 31, 2024							December 31, 2023
	Average Balance			Annual Rate		Interest Inc./Exp.		Average Balance			Annual Rate		Interest Inc./Exp.
ASSETS:
Securities:
Taxable^{(1) (4)}	$	700,078		2.14	%	$	16,059	$	720,818		1.89	%	$	14,766
Tax-exempt^{(1) (2) (4)}		25,919		2.60			731		30,153		2.59			844
Equity securities^{(1) (2)}		7,058		5.71			403		10,005		5.09			509
Total securities⁽⁴⁾		733,055		2.19			17,193		760,976		1.96			16,119
Loans receivable:
Commercial^{(2) (3)}		1,440,667		6.88			99,184		1,501,202		6.63			99,587
Mortgage and loans held for sale^{(2) (3)}		2,920,537		6.15			179,645		2,765,484		5.77			159,606
Consumer⁽³⁾		130,100		11.95			15,547		129,655		11.47			14,868
Total loans receivable⁽³⁾		4,491,304		6.55			294,376		4,396,341		6.23			274,061
Interest-bearing deposits with the Federal Reserve and other financial institutions		274,828		5.41			14,856		74,800		6.03			4,513
Total earning assets		5,499,187		5.88		$	326,425		5,232,117		5.57		$	294,693
Noninterest-bearing assets:
Cash and due from banks		56,295							54,824
Premises and equipment		116,341							107,635
Other assets		269,167							251,725
Allowance for credit losses		(46,032	)						(44,930	)
Total non interest-bearing assets		395,771							369,254
TOTAL ASSETS	$	5,894,958						$	5,601,371
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Demand—interest-bearing	$	705,488		0.77	%	$	5,451	$	853,632		0.54	%	$	4,626
Savings		3,052,031		3.46			105,675		2,666,905		2.92			77,782
Time		570,911		3.92			22,367		517,017		2.97			15,362
Total interest-bearing deposits		4,328,430		3.08			133,493		4,037,554		2.42			97,770
Short-term borrowings		—		0.00			—		35,224		5.07			1,787
Finance lease liabilities		247		4.45			11		339		4.42			15
Subordinated notes and debentures		105,039		4.28			4,497		104,735		4.10			4,295
Total interest-bearing liabilities		4,433,716		3.11		$	138,001		4,177,852		2.49		$	103,867
Demand—noninterest-bearing		781,780							793,713
Other liabilities		86,912							79,473
Total Liabilities		5,302,408							5,051,038
Shareholders’ equity		592,550							550,333
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	5,894,958						$	5,601,371
Interest income/Earning assets				5.88	%	$	326,425				5.57	%	$	294,693
Interest expense/Interest-bearing liabilities				3.11			138,001				2.49			103,867
Net interest spread				2.77	%	$	188,424				3.08	%	$	190,826
Interest income/Earning assets				5.88	%		326,425				5.57	%		294,693
Interest expense/Earning assets				2.49			138,001				1.96			103,867
Net interest margin (fully tax-equivalent)				3.39	%	$	188,424				3.61	%	$	190,826

_____________________________________
⁽¹⁾Includes unamortized discounts and premiums.
⁽²⁾Average yields are stated on a fully taxable equivalent basis (calculated using statutory rates of 21%) resulting from tax-free municipal securities in the investment portfolio and tax-free municipal loans in the commercial loan portfolio. The taxable equivalent adjustment to net interest income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, was $955 thousand and $997 thousand, respectively.
⁽³⁾Average loans receivable outstanding includes the average balance outstanding of all nonaccrual loans. Loans receivable consist of the average of total loans receivable less average unearned income. In addition, loans receivable interest income consists of loans receivable fees, including PPP deferred processing fees.
⁽⁴⁾Average balance is computed using the fair value of AFS securities and amortized cost of HTM securities. Average yield has been computed using amortized cost average balance for AFS and HTM securities. The adjustment to the average balance for securities in the calculation of average yield for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was $(53.1) million and $(61.1) million, respectively.


CNB FINANCIAL CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA Unaudited (dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

	December 31, 2024			September 30, 2024			December 31, 2023
Calculation of tangible book value per common share and tangible common equity / tangible assets (non-GAAP):
Shareholders’ equity	$	610,695		$	606,363		$	571,247
Less: preferred equity		57,785			57,785			57,785
Common shareholders’ equity		552,910			548,578			513,462
Less: goodwill and other intangibles		43,874			43,874			43,874
Less: core deposit intangible		206			223			280
Tangible common equity (non-GAAP)	$	508,830		$	504,481		$	469,308

Total assets	$	6,192,010		$	6,014,844		$	5,752,957
Less: goodwill and other intangibles		43,874			43,874			43,874
Less: core deposit intangible		206			223			280
Tangible assets (non-GAAP)	$	6,147,930		$	5,970,747		$	5,708,803

Ending shares outstanding		20,987,992			20,994,730			20,896,439

Book value per common share (GAAP)	$	26.34		$	26.13		$	24.57
Tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP)	$	24.24		$	24.03		$	22.46

Common shareholders’ equity / Total assets (GAAP)		8.93	%		9.12	%		8.93	%
Tangible common equity / Tangible assets (non-GAAP)		8.28	%		8.45	%		8.22	%


CNB FINANCIAL CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA Unaudited (dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

	Three Months Ended									Twelve Months Ended
	December 31, 2024			September 30, 2024			December 31, 2023			December 31, 2024			December 31, 2023
Calculation of net interest margin:
Interest income	$	83,678		$	83,235		$	79,208		$	325,470		$	293,696
Interest expense		34,634			35,749			31,514			138,001			103,867
Net interest income	$	49,044		$	47,486		$	47,694		$	187,469		$	189,829

Average total earning assets	$	5,674,794		$	5,503,832		$	5,343,817		$	5,499,187		$	5,232,117

Net interest margin (GAAP) (annualized)		3.44	%		3.43	%		3.54	%		3.41	%		3.63	%

Calculation of net interest margin (fully tax equivalent basis) (non-GAAP):
Interest income	$	83,678		$	83,235		$	79,208		$	325,470		$	293,696
Tax equivalent adjustment (non-GAAP)		284			240			242			955			997
Adjusted interest income (fully tax equivalent basis) (non-GAAP)		83,962			83,475			79,450			326,425			294,693
Interest expense		34,634			35,749			31,514			138,001			103,867
Net interest income (fully tax equivalent basis) (non-GAAP)	$	49,328		$	47,726		$	47,936		$	188,424		$	190,826

Average total earning assets	$	5,674,794		$	5,503,832		$	5,343,817		$	5,499,187		$	5,232,117
Less: average mark to market adjustment on investments (non-GAAP)		(46,988	)		(51,075	)		(68,546	)		(53,087	)		(61,089	)
Adjusted average total earning assets, net of mark to market (non-GAAP)	$	5,721,782		$	5,554,907		$	5,412,363		$	5,552,274		$	5,293,206

Net interest margin, fully tax equivalent basis (non-GAAP) (annualized)		3.43	%		3.42	%		3.51	%		3.39	%		3.61	%


CNB FINANCIAL CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA Unaudited (dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

	Three Months Ended						Twelve Months Ended
	December 31, 2024		September 30, 2024		December 31, 2023		December 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
Calculation of PPNR (non-GAAP):⁽¹⁾
Net interest income	$	49,044	$	47,486	$	47,694	$	187,469	$	189,829
Add: Non-interest income		10,321		10,973		9,137		39,114		33,335
Less: Non-interest expense		37,805		38,784		38,450		150,002		145,342
PPNR (non-GAAP)	$	21,560	$	19,675	$	18,381	$	76,581	$	77,822

⁽¹⁾Management believes that this is an important metric as it illustrates the underlying performance of the Corporation, it enables investors and others to assess the Corporation’s ability to generate capital to cover credit losses through the credit cycle and provides consistent reporting with a key metric used by bank regulatory agencies.

	Three Months Ended									Twelve Months Ended
	December 31, 2024			September 30, 2024			December 31, 2023			December 31, 2024			December 31, 2023
Calculation of efficiency ratio:
Non-interest expense	$	37,805		$	38,784		$	38,450		$	150,002		$	145,342

Non-interest income	$	10,321		$	10,973		$	9,137		$	39,114		$	33,335
Net interest income		49,044			47,486			47,694			187,469			189,829
Total revenue	$	59,365		$	58,459		$	56,831		$	226,583		$	223,164
Efficiency ratio		63.68	%		66.34	%		67.66	%		66.20	%		65.13	%

Calculation of efficiency ratio (fully tax equivalent basis) (non-GAAP):
Non-interest expense	$	37,805		$	38,784		$	38,450		$	150,002		$	145,342
Less: core deposit intangible amortization		16			18			19			73			84
Adjusted non-interest expense (non-GAAP)	$	37,789		$	38,766		$	38,431		$	149,929		$	145,258

Non-interest income	$	10,321		$	10,973		$	9,137		$	39,114		$	33,335

Net interest income	$	49,044		$	47,486		$	47,694		$	187,469		$	189,829
Less: tax exempt investment and loan income, net of TEFRA (non-GAAP)		1,508			1,473			1,383			5,635			5,425
Add: tax exempt investment and loan income (fully tax equivalent basis) (non-GAAP)		2,111			2,123			1,968			8,068			7,635
Adjusted net interest income (fully tax equivalent basis) (non-GAAP)		49,647			48,136			48,279			189,902			192,039
Adjusted net revenue (fully tax equivalent basis) (non-GAAP)	$	59,968		$	59,109		$	57,416		$	229,016		$	225,374

Efficiency ratio (fully tax equivalent basis) (non-GAAP)		63.02	%		65.58	%		66.93	%		65.47	%		64.45	%


CNB FINANCIAL CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA Unaudited (dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

	Three Months Ended									Twelve Months Ended
	December 31, 2024			September 30, 2024			December 31, 2023			December 31, 2024			December 31, 2023
Calculation of return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP):
Net income	$	15,064		$	13,954		$	13,977		$	54,575		$	58,020
Less: preferred stock dividends		1,076			1,076			1,076			4,302			4,302
Net income available to common shareholders	$	13,988		$	12,878		$	12,901		$	50,273		$	53,718

Average shareholders’ equity	$	612,184		$	597,984		$	556,245		$	592,550		$	550,333
Less: average goodwill & intangibles		44,091			44,108			44,166			44,118			44,193
Less: average preferred equity		57,785			57,785			57,785			57,785			57,785
Tangible common shareholders’ equity (non-GAAP)	$	510,308		$	496,091		$	454,294		$	490,647		$	448,355

Return on average equity (GAAP) (annualized)		9.79	%		9.28	%		9.97	%		9.21	%		10.54	%
Return on average common equity (GAAP) (annualized)		10.04	%		9.48	%		10.27	%		9.40	%		10.91	%
Return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP) (annualized)		10.90	%		10.33	%		11.27	%		10.25	%		11.98	%

The MIL Network –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI: Hanmi Reports 2024 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hanmi Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: HAFC, or “Hanmi”), the parent company of Hanmi Bank (the “Bank”), today reported financial results for the fourth quarter of 2024 and full year.

Net income for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $17.7 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, compared with $14.9 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2024. The return on average assets for the fourth quarter of 2024 was 0.93% and the return on average equity was 8.89%, compared with a return on average assets of 0.79% and a return on average equity of 7.55% for the third quarter of 2024.

For the full year of 2024, net income was $62.2 million, or $2.05 per diluted share, compared with $80.0 million, or $2.62 per diluted share, for 2023. The return on average assets for 2024 was 0.83% and the return on average equity was 7.97%.

CEO Commentary
“Hanmi achieved exceptional results in the fourth quarter, delivering our best quarterly performance of the year and closing 2024 with strong momentum,” said Bonnie Lee, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our team’s outstanding execution generated significant earnings growth fueled by our net interest margin expansion of 17 basis points to 2.91%, disciplined expense management, and vigilant credit administration. These robust results highlight the strength of our relationship-driven banking model.”

“For the full year, we had a number of key accomplishments to advance our growth and diversification strategy. We delivered 16% growth in our C&I loan portfolio, driven primarily by the strong contribution from our Corporate Korea initiative. Noninterest-bearing demand deposits grew by 5% and now represent 33% of our total deposits. Finally, through our proactive monitoring of the portfolio and our successful resolution efforts, we further improved asset quality with nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets decreasing to 0.19%.”

“With our strong capital foundation, we are well positioned to execute on our growth strategy. Our performance is the result of our team’s unwavering dedication to serving our customers and the communities in which we operate. I want to thank each of them for their continued commitment to deliver long-term value for our shareholders,” concluded Lee.

Fourth Quarter 2024 Highlights:

Fourth quarter net income was $17.7 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, up 18.8% from $14.9 million, or $0.49 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2024. The increase reflects a $3.4 million, or 6.8%, increase in net interest income, primarily due to a decrease in interest expense on deposits.
Loans receivable were $6.25 billion at December 31, 2024, essentially unchanged from the end of the third quarter of 2024; loan production for the fourth quarter was $339.0 million, with a weighted average interest rate of 7.37%, compared with loan production for the third quarter of $347.8 million, with a weighted average interest rate of 7.92%.
Deposits were $6.44 billion at December 31, 2024, up 0.5% from the end of the third quarter of 2024; noninterest-bearing demand deposits were 32.6% of total deposits. During the quarter, noninterest-bearing demand deposits grew 2.2%, while time deposits declined 2.0% from the prior quarter.
Net interest income for the fourth quarter was $53.4 million, up 6.8% from the third quarter of 2024. Net interest margin (taxable equivalent) increased 17 basis points to 2.91%; the average yield on loans declined three basis points to 5.97%, while the cost of interest-bearing deposits fell 31 basis points to 3.96%.

Credit loss expense for the fourth quarter was $0.9 million, a decrease from $2.3 million for the prior quarter. The allowance for credit losses increased $1.0 million to $70.1 million at December 31, 2024, or 1.12% of loans. For the fourth quarter, net loan recoveries were $0.1 million.
Asset quality remained strong, as nonperforming loans declined by 7.9% to $14.3 million, or 0.23% of loans, which included pay-offs of $1.8 million, while criticized loans increased to $165.3 million, as special mention loans increased to $139.6 million and classified loans fell to $25.7 million.

For more information about Hanmi, please see the Q4 2024 Investor Update (and Supplemental Financial Information), which is available on the Bank’s website at www.hanmi.com and via a current report on Form 8-K on the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov. Also, please refer to “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” herein for further details of the presentation of certain non-GAAP financial measures.

Quarterly Highlights
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

	As of or for the Three Months Ended																Amount Change
	December 31,			September 30,				June 30,			March 31,			December 31,			Q4-24			Q4-24
	2024				2024			2024			2024			2023			vs. Q3-24			vs. Q4-23

Net income	$	17,695			$	14,892		$	14,451		$	15,164		$	18,633		$	2,803		$	(938	)
Net income per diluted common share	$	0.58			$	0.49		$	0.48		$	0.50		$	0.61		$	0.09		$	(0.03	)

Assets	$	7,677,925			$	7,712,299		$	7,586,347		$	7,512,046		$	7,570,341		$	(34,374	)	$	107,584
Loans receivable	$	6,251,377			$	6,257,744		$	6,176,359		$	6,177,840		$	6,182,434		$	(6,367	)	$	68,943
Deposits	$	6,435,776			$	6,403,221		$	6,329,340		$	6,376,060		$	6,280,574		$	32,555		$	155,202

Return on average assets		0.93	%			0.79	%		0.77	%		0.81	%		0.99	%		0.14			-0.06
Return on average stockholders’ equity		8.89	%			7.55	%		7.50	%		7.90	%		9.70	%		1.34			-0.81

Net interest margin		2.91	%			2.74	%		2.69	%		2.78	%		2.92	%		0.17			-0.01
Efficiency ratio ⁽¹⁾		56.79	%			59.98	%		62.24	%		62.42	%		58.86	%		-3.19			-2.07

Tangible common equity to tangible assets ⁽²⁾		9.41	%			9.42	%		9.19	%		9.23	%		9.14	%		-0.01			0.27
Tangible common equity per common share ⁽²⁾	$	23.88			$	24.03		$	22.99		$	22.86		$	22.75			-0.15			1.14


⁽¹⁾Noninterest expense divided by net interest income plus noninterest income.
⁽²⁾Refer to “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for further details.

Results of Operations
Net interest income for the fourth quarter was $53.4 million, up 6.8% from $50.1 million for the third quarter of 2024. The increase was primarily due to a decrease in deposit interest expense. The decrease in deposit interest expense was primarily a result of decreases in deposit rates and the average balances of interest-bearing deposits, coupled with a 3.1% increase in the average balance of noninterest-bearing demand deposits. The rate on deposits for the fourth quarter decreased 31 basis points to 3.96%, from 4.27% for the third quarter of 2024. The average balance of interest-bearing deposits decreased to $4.36 billion for the fourth quarter of 2024, from $4.40 billion for the third quarter. The average balance of noninterest-bearing deposits for the fourth quarter increased to $1.97 billion, from $1.91 billion for the third quarter of 2024. Net interest margin (taxable equivalent) for the fourth quarter was 2.91%, up 17 basis points from 2.74% for the third quarter of 2024.

Net interest income was $202.8 million for the full year of 2024 compared with $221.3 million for 2023, a decline of 8.4%. The decrease reflected higher interest rates during 2024 compared with 2023, including an increase in the cost of interest-bearing deposits, partially offset by an increase in interest-earning asset yields. The cost of interest-bearing deposits for 2024 year increased 81 basis points to 4.16% from 3.35% for 2023. The yield on average interest-earning assets for 2024 increased 31 basis points to 5.46% from 5.15% for 2023. The average balance of interest-bearing deposits for 2024 increased to $4.39 billion from $4.02 billion for 2023. The average balance of interest-earning assets for 2024 year increased 1.7% to $7.30 billion from $7.18 billion for 2023. The average balance of loans for 2024 year was $6.11 billion, up 2.4% from $5.97 billion for 2023. Net interest margin (taxable-equivalent) for 2024 year was 2.78% compared with 3.08% for 2023. The 30 basis point decrease in the net interest margin reflected the increase in the cost of interest-bearing deposits, partially offset by the increase in average loan yields.

	For the Three Months Ended (in thousands)										Percentage Change
	Dec 31,		Sep 30,		Jun 30,		Mar 31,		Dec 31,		Q4-24			Q4-24
Net Interest Income	2024		2024		2024		2024		2023		vs. Q3-24			vs. Q4-23

Interest and fees on loans receivable⁽¹⁾	$	91,545	$	92,182	$	90,752	$	91,674	$	89,922		-0.7	%		1.8	%
Interest on securities		5,866		5,523		5,238		4,955		4,583		6.2	%		28.0	%
Dividends on FHLB stock		360		356		357		361		341		1.1	%		5.6	%
Interest on deposits in other banks		2,342		2,356		2,313		2,604		2,337		-0.6	%		0.2	%
Total interest and dividend income	$	100,113	$	100,417	$	98,660	$	99,594	$	97,183		-0.3	%		3.0	%

Interest on deposits		43,406		47,153		46,495		45,638		40,277		-7.9	%		7.8	%
Interest on borrowings		1,634		1,561		1,896		1,655		2,112		4.7	%		-22.6	%
Interest on subordinated debentures		1,624		1,652		1,649		1,646		1,654		-1.7	%		-1.8	%
Total interest expense		46,664		50,366		50,040		48,939		44,043		-7.4	%		6.0	%
Net interest income	$	53,449	$	50,051	$	48,620	$	50,655	$	53,140		6.8	%		0.6	%

⁽¹⁾Includes loans held for sale.

	For the Three Months Ended (in thousands)										Percentage Change
Average Earning Assets and Interest-bearing Liabilities		Dec 31, 2024		Sep 30, 2024		Jun 30, 2024		Mar 31, 2024		Dec 31, 2023		Q4-24 vs. Q3-24		Q4-24 vs. Q4-23
Loans receivable ⁽¹⁾	$	6,103,264	$	6,112,324	$	6,089,440	$	6,137,888	$	6,071,644		-0.1	%	0.5	%
Securities		998,313		986,041		979,671		969,520		961,551		1.2	%	3.8	%
FHLB stock		16,385		16,385		16,385		16,385		16,385		0.0	%	0.0	%
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks		204,408		183,027		180,177		201,724		181,140		11.7	%	12.8	%
Average interest-earning assets	$	7,322,370	$	7,297,777	$	7,265,673	$	7,325,517	$	7,230,720		0.3	%	1.3	%

Demand: interest-bearing	$	79,784	$	83,647	$	85,443	$	86,401	$	86,679		-4.6	%	-8.0	%
Money market and savings		1,934,540		1,885,799		1,845,870		1,815,085		1,669,973		2.6	%	15.8	%
Time deposits		2,346,363		2,427,737		2,453,154		2,507,830		2,417,803		-3.4	%	-3.0	%
Average interest-bearing deposits		4,360,687		4,397,183		4,384,467		4,409,316		4,174,455		-0.8	%	4.5	%
Borrowings		141,604		143,479		169,525		162,418		205,951		-1.3	%	-31.2	%
Subordinated debentures		130,567		130,403		130,239		130,088		129,933		0.1	%	0.5	%
Average interest-bearing liabilities	$	4,632,858	$	4,671,065	$	4,684,231	$	4,701,822	$	4,510,339		-0.8	%	2.7	%

Average Noninterest Bearing Deposits
Demand deposits – noninterest bearing	$	1,967,789	$	1,908,833	$	1,883,765	$	1,921,189	$	2,025,212		3.1	%	-2.8	%

⁽¹⁾Includes loans held for sale.

	For the Three Months Ended															Yield/Rate Change
	Dec 31,			Sep 30,			Jun 30,			Mar 31,			Dec 31,			Q4-24		Q4-24
Average Yields and Rates	2024			2024			2024			2024			2023			vs. Q3-24		vs. Q4-23
Loans receivable⁽¹⁾		5.97	%		6.00	%		5.99	%		6.00	%		5.88	%		-0.03		0.09
Securities ⁽²⁾		2.38	%		2.27	%		2.17	%		2.07	%		1.93	%		0.11		0.45
FHLB stock		8.75	%		8.65	%		8.77	%		8.87	%		8.25	%		0.10		0.50
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks		4.56	%		5.12	%		5.16	%		5.19	%		5.12	%		-0.56		-0.56
Interest-earning assets		5.45	%		5.48	%		5.46	%		5.47	%		5.34	%		-0.03		0.11

Interest-bearing deposits		3.96	%		4.27	%		4.27	%		4.16	%		3.83	%		-0.31		0.13
Borrowings		4.59	%		4.33	%		4.50	%		4.10	%		4.07	%		0.26		0.52
Subordinated debentures		4.97	%		5.07	%		5.07	%		5.06	%		5.09	%		-0.10		-0.12
Interest-bearing liabilities		4.01	%		4.29	%		4.30	%		4.19	%		3.88	%		-0.28		0.13

Net interest margin (taxable equivalent basis)		2.91	%		2.74	%		2.69	%		2.78	%		2.92	%		0.17		-0.01

Cost of deposits		2.73	%		2.97	%		2.98	%		2.90	%		2.58	%		-0.24		0.15

⁽¹⁾Includes loans held for sale.
⁽²⁾Amounts calculated on a fully taxable equivalent basis using the federal tax rate in effect for the periods presented.

Credit loss expense for the fourth quarter was $0.9 million, compared with $2.3 million for the third quarter of 2024. Fourth quarter credit loss expense included a $0.9 million credit loss expense for loan losses. Fourth quarter net loan recoveries were $0.1 million, compared to third quarter net loan charge-offs of $0.9 million.

Credit loss expense was $4.4 million for 2024, compared with $4.3 million for 2023. The credit loss expense for 2024 was comprised of a $4.8 million credit loss expense for loan losses and a $0.4 million credit loss expense recovery for off-balance sheet items. 2023 credit loss expense was comprised of a $4.9 million credit loss expense for loan losses and a $0.6 million credit loss expense recovery for off-balance sheet items.

Noninterest income for the fourth quarter decreased $1.0 million, or 12.8%, to $7.4 million, from $8.4 million for the third quarter of 2024. The decrease was primarily due to a $0.9 million gain from the sale and leaseback of a branch property included in third quarter noninterest income. Gains on sales of SBA loans were $1.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with $1.5 million for the third quarter of 2024. The volume of SBA loans sold for the fourth quarter decreased to $21.6 million, from $23.0 million for the third quarter of 2024, while trade premiums were 8.53% for the fourth quarter of 2024, slightly lower than 8.54% for the third quarter. Mortgage loans sold for the fourth quarter were $18.3 million, with a premium of 1.96%, compared with $20.9 million and 2.32% for the third quarter. Gains on mortgage loans sold were $0.3 million for both quarters.

Noninterest income decreased $2.6 million, or 7.6%, to $31.6 million for 2024, from $34.2 million for 2023, primarily due to a $4.0 million gain on the sale-and-leaseback of a branch property in 2023 and a $0.8 million decrease in service charges on deposits. Those items were partially offset by a $1.5 million gain on the sale of mortgage loans and a $0.9 million gain from the sale and leaseback of a branch property in 2024. The volume of SBA loans sold in 2024 declined to $93.7 million, from $100.5 million for 2023, while trade premiums increased to 8.18% for 2024, from 7.12% for 2023.

	For the Three Months Ended (in thousands)											Percentage Change
	Dec 31,		Sep 30,		Jun 30,		Mar 31,		Dec 31,			Q4-24			Q4-24
Noninterest Income	2024		2024		2024		2024		2023			vs. Q3-24			vs. Q4-23
Service charges on deposit accounts	$	2,192	$	2,311	$	2,429	$	2,450	$	2,391			-5.1	%		-8.3	%
Trade finance and other service charges and fees		1,364		1,254		1,277		1,414		1,245			8.8	%		9.6	%
Servicing income		668		817		796		712		772			-18.2	%		-13.5	%
Bank-owned life insurance income (expense)		316		320		638		304		(29	)		-1.3	%	N/M
All other operating income		1,037		1,008		908		928		853			2.9	%		21.6	%
Service charges, fees & other		5,577		5,710		6,048		5,808		5,232			-2.3	%		6.6	%

Gain on sale of SBA loans		1,443		1,544		1,644		1,482		1,448			-6.5	%		-0.3	%
Gain on sale of mortgage loans		337		324		365		443		–			4.0	%		0.0	%
Gain on sale of bank premises		–		860		–		–		–			-100.0	%		0.0	%
Total noninterest income	$	7,357	$	8,438	$	8,057	$	7,733	$	6,680			-12.8	%		10.1	%

N/M – Not meaningful.

Noninterest expense for the fourth quarter decreased by $0.6 million to $34.5 million from $35.1 million for the third quarter of 2024. The decrease primarily reflects a $1.6 million gain on the sale of an other real estate owned property. Absent this gain, fourth quarter noninterest expense was up 3.1% sequentially, due to increases in advertising and promotion expense and legal fees from collections and business activities. In addition, other operating expense for the fourth quarter included a $0.5 million charge related to an SBA loan acquired in a previous acquisition, while the third quarter included a $0.3 million reimbursement for property taxes. The efficiency ratio for the fourth quarter was 56.8%, compared with 60.0% for the third quarter of 2024.

Noninterest expense increased by $4.8 million, or 3.5%, to $141.3 million for 2024, from $136.5 million for 2023. The increase reflected a $2.0 million, or 2.4%, increase in salaries and benefits, a $1.2 million increase in data processing expense, a $0.7 million increase in professional fees, and a $1.4 million increase in other operating expenses. Decreases of $0.2 million in occupancy and equipment expense and $0.2 million in supplies and communication expense partially offset the increases. The efficiency ratio for 2024 increased to 60.3%, from 53.5% for 2023, primarily due to higher expenses and lower revenue.

	For the Three Months Ended (in thousands)											Percentage Change
	Dec 31,			Sep 30,		Jun 30,		Mar 31,		Dec 31,		Q4-24		Q4-24
	2024			2024		2024		2024		2023		vs. Q3-24		vs. Q4-23
Noninterest Expense
Salaries and employee benefits	$	20,498		$	20,851	$	20,434	$	21,585	$	20,062	-1.7	%	2.2	%
Occupancy and equipment		4,503			4,499		4,348		4,537		4,604	0.1	%	-2.2	%
Data processing		3,800			3,839		3,686		3,551		3,487	-1.0	%	9.0	%
Professional fees		1,821			1,492		1,749		1,893		1,977	22.1	%	-7.9	%
Supplies and communication		551			538		570		601		613	2.4	%	-10.1	%
Advertising and promotion		821			631		669		907		990	30.1	%	-17.1	%
All other operating expenses		3,847			2,875		3,251		3,160		3,252	33.8	%	18.3	%
Subtotal		35,841			34,725		34,707		36,234		34,985	3.2	%	2.4	%

Branch consolidation expense		–			–		301		–		–	0.0	%	0.0	%
Other real estate owned (income) expense		(1,588	)		77		6		22		15	N/M		N/M
Repossessed personal property expense		281			278		262		189		211	1.1	%	33.2	%
Total noninterest expense	$	34,534		$	35,080	$	35,276	$	36,445	$	35,211	-1.6	%	-1.9	%

N/M – Not meaningful.

Hanmi recorded a provision for income taxes of $7.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with $6.2 million for the third quarter of 2024, representing an effective tax rate of 30.1% and 29.5%, respectively. The effective tax rates for 2024 and 2023 years were 29.8% and 30.1%, respectively.

Financial Position
Total assets at December 31, 2024, decreased 0.4%, or $33.7 million, to $7.68 billion from $7.71 billion at September 30, 2024. The decrease reflected a $45.8 million decrease in loans held-for-sale and a $6.4 million decrease in loans, offset partially by a $17.0 million increase in cash and due from banks. From December 31, 2023, total assets increased 1.4%, or $108.2 million. This year-over-year increase reflected a 1.1%, or $68.9 million, growth in loans receivable, and a 4.6%, or $40.1 million increase in securities, supported by a 2.5%, or $155.2 million increase in deposits.

Loans receivable, before allowance for credit losses, were $6.25 billion at December 31, 2024, down from $6.26 billion at September 30, 2024.

Loans held-for-sale were $8.6 million at December 31, 2024, down from $54.3 million at September 30, 2024. At the end of the fourth quarter, loans held-for-sale consisted of the guaranteed portion of SBA 7(a) loans. The prior quarter included $18.3 million of residential mortgage loans and a $27.2 million nonaccrual loan, all of which were sold in the fourth quarter.

	As of (in thousands)										Percentage Change
	Dec 31,		Sep 30,		Jun 30,		Mar 31,		Dec 31,		Q4-24			Q4-24
	2024		2024		2024		2024		2023		vs. Q3-24			vs. Q4-23
Loan Portfolio
Commercial real estate loans	$	3,949,622	$	3,932,088	$	3,888,505	$	3,878,677	$	3,889,739		0.4	%	1.5	%
Residential/consumer loans		951,302		939,285		954,209		970,362		962,661		1.3	%	-1.2	%
Commercial and industrial loans		863,431		879,092		802,372		774,851		747,819		-1.8	%	15.5	%
Equipment finance		487,022		507,279		531,273		553,950		582,215		-4.0	%	-16.4	%
Loans receivable		6,251,377		6,257,744		6,176,359		6,177,840		6,182,434		-0.1	%	1.1	%
Loans held for sale		8,579		54,336		10,467		3,999		12,013		-84.2	%	-28.6	%
Total	$	6,259,956	$	6,312,080	$	6,186,826	$	6,181,839	$	6,194,447		-0.8	%	1.1	%

	As of
	Dec 31,		Sep 30,		Jun 30,		Mar 31,		Dec 31,
	2024		2024		2024		2024		2023
Composition of Loan Portfolio
Commercial real estate loans	63.1	%	62.3	%	62.9	%	62.7	%	62.8	%
Residential/consumer loans	15.2	%	14.9	%	15.4	%	15.7	%	15.5	%
Commercial and industrial loans	13.8	%	13.9	%	13.0	%	12.5	%	12.1	%
Equipment finance	7.8	%	8.0	%	8.5	%	9.0	%	9.4	%
Loans receivable	99.9	%	99.1	%	99.8	%	99.9	%	99.8	%
Loans held for sale	0.1	%	0.9	%	0.2	%	0.1	%	0.2	%
Total	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%

New loan production was $339.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2024 at an average rate of 7.37%, while payoffs were $137.9 million during the quarter at an average rate of 6.78%.

Commercial real estate loan production for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $146.7 million. Commercial and industrial loan production was $60.2 million, SBA loan production was $49.7 million, equipment finance production was $42.2 million, and residential mortgage loan production was $40.2 million.

New loan production for 2024 was $1.20 billion, a decrease of 7.4%, or $96.0 million, from $1.29 billion for the full year 2023. The average rate for new loan production for 2024 was 7.87% compared with 7.66% for 2023. Payoffs for 2024 were $450.2 million with an average rate of 7.34% compared with $386.0 million and 7.13% for 2023.

	For the Three Months Ended (in thousands)
	Dec 31,			Sep 30,			Jun 30,			Mar 31,			Dec 31,
	2024			2024			2024			2024			2023
New Loan Production
Commercial real estate loans	$	146,716		$	110,246		$	87,632		$	60,085		$	178,157
Commercial and industrial loans		60,159			105,086			59,007			50,789			52,079
SBA loans		49,740			51,616			54,486			30,817			48,432
Equipment finance		42,168			40,066			42,594			39,155			57,334
Residential/consumer loans		40,225			40,758			30,194			53,115			53,465
subtotal		339,008			347,772			273,913			233,961			389,467


Payoffs		(137,932	)		(77,603	)		(148,400	)		(86,250	)		(77,961	)
Amortization		(60,583	)		(151,674	)		(83,640	)		(90,711	)		(106,610	)
Loan sales		(67,852	)		(43,868	)		(42,945	)		(55,321	)		(29,861	)
Net line utilization		(75,651	)		9,426			1,929			(4,150	)		(11,609	)
Charge-offs & OREO		(3,356	)		(2,668	)		(2,338	)		(2,123	)		(1,777	)

Loans receivable-beginning balance		6,257,744			6,176,359			6,177,840			6,182,434			6,020,785
Loans receivable-ending balance	$	6,251,377		$	6,257,744		$	6,176,359		$	6,177,840		$	6,182,434

Deposits were $6.44 billion at the end of the fourth quarter of 2024, up $32.6 million, or 0.5%, from $6.40 billion at the end of the prior quarter. Driving the change was a $44.8 million increase in noninterest-bearing demand deposits and a $34.7 million increase in money market and savings deposits, partially offset by a $48.0 million decrease in time deposits. Noninterest-bearing demand deposits represented 32.6% of total deposits at December 31, 2024, and the loan-to-deposit ratio was 97.1%.

	As of (in thousands)										Percentage Change
	Dec 31,		Sep 30,		Jun 30,		Mar 31,		Dec 31,		Q4-24		Q4-24
	2024		2024		2024		2024		2023		vs. Q3-24		vs. Q4-23
Deposit Portfolio
Demand: noninterest-bearing	$	2,096,634	$	2,051,790	$	1,959,963	$	1,933,060	$	2,003,596	2.2	%	4.6	%
Demand: interest-bearing		80,323		79,287		82,981		87,374		87,452	1.3	%	-8.2	%
Money market and savings		1,933,535		1,898,834		1,834,797		1,859,865		1,734,658	1.8	%	11.5	%
Time deposits		2,325,284		2,373,310		2,451,599		2,495,761		2,454,868	-2.0	%	-5.3	%
Total deposits	$	6,435,776	$	6,403,221	$	6,329,340	$	6,376,060	$	6,280,574	0.5	%	2.5	%

	As of
	Dec 31,		Sep 30,		Jun 30,		Mar 31,		Dec 31,
	2024		2024		2024		2024		2023
Composition of Deposit Portfolio
Demand: noninterest-bearing	32.6	%	32.0	%	31.0	%	30.3	%	31.9	%
Demand: interest-bearing	1.2	%	1.2	%	1.3	%	1.4	%	1.4	%
Money market and savings	30.0	%	29.7	%	29.0	%	29.2	%	27.6	%
Time deposits	36.2	%	37.1	%	38.7	%	39.1	%	39.1	%
Total deposits	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%

Stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2024, was $732.2 million, down $4.5 million from $736.7 million at September 30, 2024. The decrease was due to a $14.6 million increase in unrealized after-tax losses on securities available for sale and a $1.0 million increase in unrealized after-tax losses on cash flow hedges, all due to changes in interest rates during the fourth quarter of 2024. Hanmi also repurchased 24,500 shares of common stock, at a cost of $0.6 million, during the quarter at an average share price of $22.91. At December 31, 2024, 1,230,500 shares remain under Hanmi’s share repurchase program. Partially offsetting these decreases was $10.2 million of net income, net of dividends paid, for the fourth quarter. Tangible common stockholders’ equity was $721.1 million, or 9.41% of tangible assets, at December 31, 2024, compared with $725.7 million, or 9.42% of tangible assets at the end of the prior quarter. Please refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section below for more information.

Hanmi and the Bank exceeded minimum regulatory capital requirements, and the Bank continues to exceed the minimum for the “well capitalized” category. At December 31, 2024, Hanmi’s preliminary common equity tier 1 capital ratio was 12.11% and its total risk-based capital ratio was 15.24%, compared with 11.95% and 15.03%, respectively, at the end of the prior quarter.

	As of										Ratio Change
	Dec 31,		Sep 30,		Jun 30,		Mar 31,		Dec 31,		Q4-24	Q4-24
	2024		2024		2024		2024		2023		vs. Q3-24	vs. Q4-23
Regulatory Capital ratios ⁽¹⁾
Hanmi Financial
Total risk-based capital	15.24	%	15.03	%	15.24	%	15.20	%	14.95	%	0.21	0.29
Tier 1 risk-based capital	12.46	%	12.29	%	12.46	%	12.40	%	12.20	%	0.17	0.26
Common equity tier 1 capital	12.11	%	11.95	%	12.11	%	12.05	%	11.86	%	0.16	0.25
Tier 1 leverage capital ratio	10.63	%	10.56	%	10.51	%	10.36	%	10.37	%	0.07	0.26
Hanmi Bank
Total risk-based capital	14.43	%	14.27	%	14.51	%	14.50	%	14.27	%	0.16	0.16
Tier 1 risk-based capital	13.36	%	13.23	%	13.47	%	13.44	%	13.26	%	0.13	0.10
Common equity tier 1 capital	13.36	%	13.23	%	13.47	%	13.44	%	13.26	%	0.13	0.10
Tier 1 leverage capital ratio	11.46	%	11.43	%	11.41	%	11.29	%	11.32	%	0.03	0.14

⁽¹⁾Preliminary ratios for December 31, 2024

Asset Quality
Loans 30 to 89 days past due and still accruing were 0.30% of loans at the end of the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with 0.24% at the end of the prior quarter.

Criticized loans totaled $165.3 million at December 31, 2024, up from $160.0 million at the end of the third quarter of 2024. The $5.3 million increase resulted from an $8.0 million increase in special mention loans and a $2.7 million decrease in classified loans. The $8.0 million increase in special mention loans included additions of $13.4 million, offset by loan reductions and pay-downs of $3.8 million, upgrades of $1.3 million and downgrades of $0.3 million. The $2.7 million decrease in classified loans resulted from $2.9 million of charge-offs, $2.4 million of payoffs, $1.4 million of upgrades and $1.6 million of amortization and paydowns, offset by loan downgrades of $2.7 million and lease downgrades of $2.9 million.

Nonperforming loans were $14.3 million at December 31, 2024, down from $15.5 million at the end of the prior quarter. The decrease primarily reflects pay-offs of $1.8 million, $1.0 million in loan upgrades, $0.8 million in paydowns, and charge-offs of $2.9 million. Offsetting the decrease were additions of $5.5 million.

Nonperforming assets were $14.4 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2024, down from $16.3 million at the end of the prior quarter. As a percentage of total assets, nonperforming assets were 0.19% at December 31, 2024, and 0.21% at the end of the prior quarter.

Gross charge-offs for the fourth quarter of 2024 were $3.4 million, compared with $3.8 million for the preceding quarter. Charge-offs included $2.9 million on equipment financing agreements. Recoveries of previously charged-off loans were $3.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. As a result, there were $0.1 million of net recoveries for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to net charge-offs of $0.9 million for the prior quarter. For 2024, net charge-offs were 0.07% of average loans, compared with 0.12% for 2023.

The allowance for credit losses was $70.1 million at December 31, 2024, compared with $69.2 million at September 30, 2024. Specific allowances for loans increased $1.0 million, while the allowance for quantitative and qualitative considerations remained relatively unchanged. The ratio of the allowance for credit losses to loans was 1.12% at December 31, 2024 and 1.11% at September 30, 2024.

	As of or for the Three Months Ended (in thousands)															Amount Change
	Dec 31,			Sep 30,			Jun 30,			Mar 31,			Dec 31,			Q4-24			Q4-24
	2024			2024			2024			2024			2023			vs. Q3-24			vs. Q4-23
Asset Quality Data and Ratios

Delinquent loans:
Loans, 30 to 89 days past due and still accruing	$	18,454		$	15,027		$	13,844		$	15,839		$	10,263		$	3,427		$	8,191
Delinquent loans to total loans		0.30	%		0.24	%		0.22	%		0.26	%		0.17	%		0.06			0.13

Criticized loans:
Special mention	$	139,612		$	131,575		$	36,921		$	62,317		$	65,314		$	8,037		$	74,298
Classified		25,683			28,377			33,945			23,670			31,367			(2,694	)		(5,684	)
Total criticized loans	$	165,295		$	159,952		$	70,866		$	85,987		$	96,681		$	5,343		$	68,614

Nonperforming assets:
Nonaccrual loans	$	14,274		$	15,248		$	19,245		$	14,025		$	15,474		$	(974	)	$	(1,200	)
Loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing		–			242			–			–			–			(242	)		–
Nonperforming loans*		14,274			15,490			19,245			14,025			15,474			(1,216	)		(1,200	)
Other real estate owned, net		117			772			772			117			117			(655	)		–
Nonperforming assets**	$	14,391		$	16,262		$	20,017		$	14,142		$	15,591		$	(1,871	)	$	(1,200	)

Nonperforming assets to assets*		0.19	%		0.21	%		0.26	%		0.19	%		0.21	%		-0.02			-0.02
Nonperforming loans to total loans		0.23	%		0.25	%		0.31	%		0.23	%		0.25	%		-0.02			-0.02

* Excludes a $27.2 million nonperforming loan held-for-sale as of September 30, 2024.
** Excludes repossessed personal property of $0.6 million, $1.2 million, $1.2 million, $1.3 million, and $1.3 million as of Q4-24, Q3-24, Q2-24, Q1-24, and Q4-23, respectively

	As of or for the Three Months Ended (in thousands)
	Dec 31,			Sep 30,			Jun 30,			Mar 31,			Dec 31,
	2024			2024			2024			2024			2023
Allowance for credit losses related to loans:
Balance at beginning of period	$	69,163		$	67,729		$	68,270		$	69,462		$	67,313
Credit loss expense (recovery) on loans		855			2,312			1,248			404			(2,880	)
Net loan (charge-offs) recoveries		129			(878	)		(1,789	)		(1,596	)		5,029
Balance at end of period	$	70,147		$	69,163		$	67,729		$	68,270		$	69,462

Net loan charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans ⁽¹⁾		-0.01	%		0.06	%		0.12	%		0.10	%		-0.33	%
Allowance for credit losses to loans		1.12	%		1.11	%		1.10	%		1.11	%		1.12	%

Allowance for credit losses related to off-balance sheet items:
Balance at beginning of period	$	1,984		$	2,010		$	2,297		$	2,474		$	2,463
Credit loss expense (recovery) on off-balance sheet items		90			(26	)		(287	)		(177	)		11
Balance at end of period	$	2,074		$	1,984		$	2,010		$	2,297		$	2,474

Unused commitments to extend credit	$	782,587		$	739,975		$	795,391		$	792,769		$	813,960

⁽¹⁾Annualized

Corporate Developments
On October 24, 2024, Hanmi’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend on its common stock for the 2024 fourth quarter of $0.25 per share. Hanmi paid the dividend on November 20, 2024, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 4, 2024.

Earnings Conference Call
Hanmi Bank will host its fourth quarter 2024 earnings conference call today, January 28, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. PST (5:00 p.m. EST) to discuss these results. This call will also be webcast. To access the call, please dial 1-877-407-9039 before 2:00 p.m. PST, using access code Hanmi Bank. To listen to the call online, either live or archived, please visit Hanmi’s Investor Relations website at https://investors.hanmi.com/ where it will also be available for replay approximately one hour following the call.

About Hanmi Financial Corporation
Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Hanmi Financial Corporation owns Hanmi Bank, which serves multi-ethnic communities through its network of 31 full-service branches and eight loan production offices in California, Texas, Illinois, Virginia, New Jersey, New York, Colorado, Washington and Georgia. Hanmi Bank specializes in real estate, commercial, SBA and trade finance lending to small and middle market businesses. Additional information is available at www.hanmi.com.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hanmi Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

	December 31,			September 30,			Percentage		December 31,			Percentage
	2024			2024			Change		2023			Change
Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	304,800		$	287,767		5.9	%	$	302,324		0.8	%
Securities available for sale, at fair value		905,798			908,921		-0.3	%		865,739		4.6	%
Loans held for sale, at the lower of cost or fair value		8,579			54,336		-84.2	%		12,013		-28.6	%
Loans receivable, net of allowance for credit losses		6,181,230			6,188,581		-0.1	%		6,112,972		1.1	%
Accrued interest receivable		22,937			21,955		4.5	%		23,371		-1.9	%
Premises and equipment, net		21,404			21,371		0.2	%		21,959		-2.5	%
Customers’ liability on acceptances		1,226			67		N/M			625		96.2	%
Servicing assets		6,457			6,683		-3.4	%		7,070		-8.7	%
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net		11,031			11,031		0.0	%		11,099		-0.6	%
Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) stock, at cost		16,385			16,385		0.0	%		16,385		0.0	%
Bank-owned life insurance		57,168			56,851		0.6	%		56,335		1.5	%
Prepaid expenses and other assets		140,910			138,351		1.8	%		140,449		0.3	%
Total assets	$	7,677,925		$	7,712,299		-0.4	%	$	7,570,341		1.4	%

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Liabilities:
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing	$	2,096,634		$	2,051,790		2.2	%	$	2,003,596		4.6	%
Interest-bearing		4,339,142			4,351,431		-0.3	%		4,276,978		1.5	%
Total deposits		6,435,776			6,403,221		0.5	%		6,280,574		2.5	%
Accrued interest payable		34,824			52,613		-33.8	%		39,306		-11.4	%
Bank’s liability on acceptances		1,226			67		N/M			625		96.2	%
Borrowings		262,500			300,000		-12.5	%		325,000		-19.2	%
Subordinated debentures		130,638			130,478		0.1	%		130,012		0.5	%
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		80,787			89,211		-9.4	%		92,933		-13.1	%
Total liabilities		6,945,751			6,975,590		-0.4	%		6,868,450		1.1	%

Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock		34			34		0.0	%		34		0.0	%
Additional paid-in capital		591,069			589,567		0.3	%		586,912		0.7	%
Accumulated other comprehensive income		(70,723	)		(55,140	)	-28.3	%		(71,928	)	1.7	%
Retained earnings		350,869			340,718		3.0	%		319,048		10.0	%
Less treasury stock		(139,075	)		(138,470	)	-0.4	%		(132,175	)	-5.2	%
Total stockholders’ equity		732,174			736,709		-0.6	%		701,891		4.3	%
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	7,677,925		$	7,712,299		-0.4	%	$	7,570,341		1.4	%

N/M – Not meaningful.

Hanmi Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

	Three Months Ended
	December 31,		September 30,		Percentage		December 31,			Percentage
	2024		2024		Change		2023			Change
Interest and dividend income:
Interest and fees on loans receivable	$	91,545	$	92,182	-0.7	%	$	89,922		1.8	%
Interest on securities		5,866		5,523	6.2	%		4,583		28.0	%
Dividends on FHLB stock		360		356	1.1	%		341		5.6	%
Interest on deposits in other banks		2,342		2,356	-0.6	%		2,337		0.2	%
Total interest and dividend income		100,113		100,417	-0.3	%		97,183		3.0	%
Interest expense:
Interest on deposits		43,406		47,153	-7.9	%		40,277		7.8	%
Interest on borrowings		1,634		1,561	4.7	%		2,112		-22.6	%
Interest on subordinated debentures		1,624		1,652	-1.7	%		1,654		-1.8	%
Total interest expense		46,664		50,366	-7.4	%		44,043		6.0	%
Net interest income before credit loss expense		53,449		50,051	6.8	%		53,140		0.6	%
Credit loss expense		945		2,286	-58.7	%		(2,870	)	132.9	%
Net interest income after credit loss expense		52,504		47,765	9.9	%		56,010		-6.3	%
Noninterest income:
Service charges on deposit accounts		2,192		2,311	-5.1	%		2,391		-8.3	%
Trade finance and other service charges and fees		1,364		1,254	8.8	%		1,245		9.6	%
Gain on sale of Small Business Administration (“SBA”) loans		1,443		1,544	-6.5	%		1,448		-0.3	%
Other operating income		2,358		3,329	-29.2	%		1,596		47.7	%
Total noninterest income		7,357		8,438	-12.8	%		6,680		10.1	%
Noninterest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits		20,498		20,851	-1.7	%		20,062		2.2	%
Occupancy and equipment		4,503		4,499	0.1	%		4,604		-2.2	%
Data processing		3,800		3,839	-1.0	%		3,487		9.0	%
Professional fees		1,821		1,492	22.1	%		1,977		-7.9	%
Supplies and communications		551		538	2.4	%		613		-10.1	%
Advertising and promotion		821		631	30.1	%		990		-17.1	%
Other operating expenses		2,540		3,230	-21.4	%		3,478		-27.0	%
Total noninterest expense		34,534		35,080	-1.6	%		35,211		-1.9	%
Income before tax		25,327		21,123	19.9	%		27,479		-7.8	%
Income tax expense		7,632		6,231	22.5	%		8,846		-13.7	%
Net income	$	17,695	$	14,892	18.8	%	$	18,633		-5.0	%

Basic earnings per share:	$	0.59	$	0.49			$	0.61
Diluted earnings per share:	$	0.58	$	0.49			$	0.61

Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Basic		29,933,644		29,968,004				30,189,578
Diluted		30,011,773		30,033,679				30,251,315
Common shares outstanding		30,195,999		30,196,755				30,368,655

Hanmi Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

	Twelve Months Ended
	December 31,		December 31,		Percentage
	2024		2023		Change
Interest and dividend income:
Interest and fees on loans receivable	$	366,153	$	339,811		7.8	%
Interest on securities		21,583		16,938		27.4	%
Dividends on FHLB stock		1,436		1,229		16.8	%
Interest on deposits in other banks		9,611		11,350		-15.3	%
Total interest and dividend income		398,783		369,328		8.0	%
Interest expense:
Interest on deposits		182,692		134,708		35.6	%
Interest on borrowings		6,746		6,867		-1.8	%
Interest on subordinated debentures		6,571		6,482		1.4	%
Total interest expense		196,009		148,057		32.4	%
Net interest income before credit loss expense		202,774		221,271		-8.4	%
Credit loss expense		4,419		4,342		1.8	%
Net interest income after credit loss expense		198,355		216,929		-8.6	%
Noninterest income:
Service charges on deposit accounts		9,381		10,147		-7.5	%
Trade finance and other service charges and fees		5,309		4,832		9.9	%
Gain on sale of Small Business Administration (“SBA”) loans		6,112		5,701		7.2	%
Other operating income		10,783		13,499		-20.1	%
Total noninterest income		31,585		34,179		-7.6	%
Noninterest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits		83,368		81,398		2.4	%
Occupancy and equipment		18,146		18,340		-1.1	%
Data processing		14,876		13,695		8.6	%
Professional fees		6,956		6,255		11.2	%
Supplies and communications		2,261		2,479		-8.8	%
Advertising and promotion		3,028		3,105		-2.5	%
Other operating expenses		12,700		11,255		12.8	%
Total noninterest expense		141,335		136,527		3.5	%
Income before tax		88,605		114,581		-22.7	%
Income tax expense		26,404		34,540		-23.6	%
Net income	$	62,201	$	80,041		-22.3	%

Basic earnings per share:	$	2.06	$	2.63
Diluted earnings per share:	$	2.05	$	2.62

Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Basic		30,019,815		30,269,740
Diluted		30,102,336		30,330,258
Common shares outstanding		30,195,999		30,368,655

Hanmi Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Average Balance, Average Yield Earned, and Average Rate Paid (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

	Three Months Ended
	December 31, 2024								September 30, 2024								December 31, 2023
				Interest		Average						Interest		Average						Interest		Average
	Average			Income /		Yield /			Average			Income /		Yield /			Average			Income /		Yield /
	Balance			Expense		Rate			Balance			Expense		Rate			Balance			Expense		Rate
Assets
Interest-earning assets:
Loans receivable ⁽¹⁾	$	6,103,264		$	91,545		5.97	%	$	6,112,324		$	92,182		6.00	%	$	6,071,644		$	89,922		5.88	%
Securities ⁽²⁾		998,313			5,866		2.38	%		986,041			5,523		2.27	%		961,551			4,582		1.93	%
FHLB stock		16,385			360		8.75	%		16,385			356		8.65	%		16,385			341		8.25	%
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks		204,408			2,342		4.56	%		183,027			2,356		5.12	%		181,140			2,338		5.12	%
Total interest-earning assets		7,322,370			100,113		5.45	%		7,297,777			100,417		5.48	%		7,230,720			97,183		5.34	%

Noninterest-earning assets:
Cash and due from banks		54,678								54,843								61,146
Allowance for credit losses		(69,291	)							(67,906	)							(68,319	)
Other assets		246,744								251,421								251,660

Total assets	$	7,554,501							$	7,536,135							$	7,475,207

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Deposits:
Demand: interest-bearing	$	79,784		$	26		0.13	%	$	83,647		$	31		0.15	%	$	86,679		$	29		0.13	%
Money market and savings		1,934,540			16,564		3.41	%		1,885,799			17,863		3.77	%		1,669,973			14,379		3.42	%
Time deposits		2,346,363			26,816		4.55	%		2,427,737			29,259		4.79	%		2,417,803			25,869		4.24	%
Total interest-bearing deposits		4,360,687			43,406		3.96	%		4,397,183			47,153		4.27	%		4,174,455			40,277		3.83	%
Borrowings		141,604			1,634		4.59	%		143,479			1,561		4.33	%		205,951			2,113		4.07	%
Subordinated debentures		130,567			1,624		4.97	%		130,403			1,652		5.07	%		129,933			1,653		5.09	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities		4,632,858			46,664		4.01	%		4,671,065			50,366		4.29	%		4,510,339			44,043		3.88	%

Noninterest-bearing liabilities and equity:
Demand deposits: noninterest-bearing		1,967,789								1,908,833								2,025,212
Other liabilities		162,064								171,987								177,321
Stockholders’ equity		791,790								784,250								762,335

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	7,554,501							$	7,536,135							$	7,475,207

Net interest income				$	53,449							$	50,051							$	53,140

Cost of deposits							2.73	%							2.97	%							2.58	%
Net interest spread (taxable equivalent basis)							1.44	%							1.19	%							1.47	%
Net interest margin (taxable equivalent basis)							2.91	%							2.74	%							2.92	%



⁽¹⁾ Includes average loans held for sale
⁽²⁾ Income calculated on a fully taxable equivalent basis using the federal tax rate in effect for the periods presented.

Hanmi Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Average Balance, Average Yield Earned, and Average Rate Paid (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

	Twelve Months Ended
	December 31, 2024								December 31, 2023
				Interest		Average						Interest		Average
	Average			Income /		Yield /			Average			Income /		Yield /
	Balance			Expense		Rate			Balance			Expense		Rate
Assets
Interest-earning assets:
Loans receivable ⁽¹⁾	$	6,110,713		$	366,153		5.99	%	$	5,968,339		$	339,811		5.69	%
Securities ⁽²⁾		983,434			21,583		2.22	%		967,231			16,938		1.78	%
FHLB stock		16,385			1,437		8.76	%		16,385			1,229		7.50	%
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks		192,342			9,610		5.00	%		230,835			11,350		4.92	%
Total interest-earning assets		7,302,874			398,783		5.46	%		7,182,790			369,328		5.15	%

Noninterest-earning assets:
Cash and due from banks		55,830								62,049
Allowance for credit losses		(68,553	)							(70,501	)
Other assets		248,820								240,779

Total assets	$	7,538,971							$	7,415,117

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Deposits:
Demand: interest-bearing	$	83,807		$	119		0.14	%	$	97,388		$	117		0.12	%
Money market and savings		1,870,541			68,304		3.65	%		1,547,911			44,066		2.85	%
Time deposits		2,433,516			114,269		4.70	%		2,371,520			90,525		3.82	%
Total interest-bearing deposits		4,387,864			182,692		4.16	%		4,016,819			134,708		3.35	%
Borrowings		154,193			6,746		4.38	%		197,409			6,867		3.48	%
Subordinated debentures		130,325			6,571		5.04	%		129,708			6,482		5.00	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities		4,672,382			196,009		4.20	%		4,343,936			148,057		3.41	%

Noninterest-bearing liabilities and equity:
Demand deposits: noninterest-bearing		1,920,492								2,173,813
Other liabilities		165,288								149,460
Stockholders’ equity		780,809								747,908

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	7,538,971							$	7,415,117

Net interest income				$	202,774							$	221,271

Cost of deposits							2.90	%							2.18	%
Net interest spread (taxable equivalent basis)							1.27	%							1.74	%
Net interest margin (taxable equivalent basis)							2.78	%							3.08	%


⁽¹⁾ Includes average loans held for sale
⁽²⁾ Amounts calculated on a fully taxable equivalent basis using the federal tax rate in effect for the periods presented.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets Ratio

Tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio is supplemental financial information determined by a method other than in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). This non-GAAP measure is used by management in the analysis of Hanmi’s capital strength. Tangible common equity is calculated by subtracting goodwill and other intangible assets from stockholders’ equity. Banking and financial institution regulators also exclude goodwill and other intangible assets from stockholders’ equity when assessing the capital adequacy of a financial institution. Management believes the presentation of this financial measure excluding the impact of these items provides useful supplemental information that is essential to a proper understanding of the capital strength of Hanmi. This disclosure should not be viewed as a substitute for results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor is it necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies.

The following table reconciles this non-GAAP performance measure to the GAAP performance measure for the periods indicated:

Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets Ratio (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share, per share data and ratios)

	December 31,			September 30,			June 30,			March 31,			December 31,
Hanmi Financial Corporation	2024			2024			2024			2024			2023
Assets	$	7,677,925		$	7,712,299		$	7,586,347		$	7,512,046		$	7,570,341
Less goodwill and other intangible assets		(11,031	)		(11,031	)		(11,048	)		(11,074	)		(11,099	)
Tangible assets	$	7,666,894		$	7,701,268		$	7,575,299		$	7,500,972		$	7,559,242

Stockholders’ equity ⁽¹⁾	$	732,174		$	736,709		$	707,059		$	703,100		$	701,891
Less goodwill and other intangible assets		(11,031	)		(11,031	)		(11,048	)		(11,074	)		(11,099	)
Tangible stockholders’ equity ⁽¹⁾	$	721,143		$	725,678		$	696,011		$	692,026		$	690,792

Stockholders’ equity to assets		9.54	%		9.55	%		9.32	%		9.36	%		9.27	%
Tangible common equity to tangible assets ⁽¹⁾		9.41	%		9.42	%		9.19	%		9.23	%		9.14	%

Common shares outstanding		30,195,999			30,196,755			30,272,110			30,276,358			30,368,655
Tangible common equity per common share	$	23.88		$	24.03		$	22.99		$	22.86		$	22.75


⁽¹⁾There were no preferred shares outstanding at the periods indicated.

The MIL Network –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI: Renasant Corporation Announces Earnings For the Fourth Quarter of 2024

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

TUPELO, Miss., Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Renasant Corporation (NYSE: RNST) (the “Company”) today announced earnings results for the fourth quarter of 2024.

(Dollars in thousands, except earnings per share)	Three Months Ended							Twelve Months Ended
	Dec 31, 2024		Sep 30, 2024		Dec 31, 2023			Dec 31, 2024		Dec 31, 2023
Net income and earnings per share:
Net income	$	44,747	$	72,455	$	28,124		$	195,457	$	144,678
After-tax gain on sale of insurance agency		—		38,951		—			38,951		—
After-tax loss on sale of securities (including impairments)		—		—		(17,859	)		—		(17,859	)
Basic EPS		0.70		1.18		0.50			3.29		2.58
Diluted EPS		0.70		1.18		0.50			3.27		2.56
Adjusted diluted EPS (Non-GAAP)⁽¹⁾		0.73		0.70		0.76			2.76		3.15
Impact to diluted EPS from after-tax gain on sale of insurance agency		—		0.63		—			0.65		—
Impact to diluted EPS from after-tax loss on sale of securities (including impairments)		—		—		—			—		(0.31	)

“The fourth quarter results marked the end to a successful year for Renasant. We announced a transformative merger with The First in July and, in the midst of diligently planning for a successful combination, our team maintained its focus on generating organic growth, disciplined pricing on both sides of the balance sheet and steady credit performance,” remarked C. Mitchell Waycaster, Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

Quarterly Highlights

Earnings

Net income for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $44.7 million; diluted EPS and adjusted diluted EPS (non-GAAP)⁽¹⁾ were $0.70 and $0.73, respectively
Net interest income (fully tax equivalent) for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $135.5 million, up $1.9 million on a linked quarter basis
For the fourth quarter of 2024, net interest margin was 3.36%, which was unchanged on a linked quarter basis
Cost of total deposits was 2.35% for the fourth quarter of 2024, down 16 basis points on a linked quarter basis
Noninterest income decreased $55.1 million on a linked quarter basis. The Company recognized a $53.3 million pre-tax gain on the insurance agency sale during the third quarter. Excluding the impact of this gain, noninterest income decreased $1.7 million from the third quarter
Mortgage banking income decreased $1.6 million on a linked quarter basis. The mortgage division generated $482.3 million in interest rate lock volume in the fourth quarter of 2024, down $61.3 million on a linked quarter basis. Gain on sale margin was 2.01% for the fourth quarter of 2024, up 45 basis points on a linked quarter basis
Noninterest expense decreased $7.2 million on a linked quarter basis. Merger and conversion expenses were $2.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, down from $11.3 million for the prior quarter

Balance Sheet

Loans increased $257.4 million on a linked quarter basis, representing 8.1% annualized net loan growth
Securities increased $41.8 million on a linked quarter basis. The Company purchased $113.6 million in securities during the fourth quarter, which was offset by cash flows related to principal payments, calls and maturities of $48.5 million and a negative fair market value adjustment in the Company’s available-for-sale portfolio of $24.3 million
Deposits at December 31, 2024 increased $62.9 million on a linked quarter basis. Brokered deposits outstanding at September 30, 2024 of $126.8 million matured or were called during the quarter. There were no outstanding brokered deposits at December 31, 2024. Noninterest bearing deposits decreased $125.8 million on a linked quarter basis and represented 23.4% of total deposits at December 31, 2024

Capital and Stock Repurchase Program

Book value per share and tangible book value per share (non-GAAP)⁽¹⁾ increased 0.7% and 1.3%, respectively, on a linked quarter basis
The Company has a $100.0 million stock repurchase program in effect through October 2025 under which the Company is authorized to repurchase outstanding shares of its common stock either in open market purchases or privately-negotiated transactions. There was no buyback activity during the fourth quarter of 2024

Credit Quality

The Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $2.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $0.9 million for the third quarter of 2024
The ratio of the allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans was 1.57% at December 31, 2024, down two basis points on a linked quarter basis
The coverage ratio, or the allowance for credit losses on loans to nonperforming loans, was 178.11% at December 31, 2024, compared to 168.07% at September 30, 2024
Net loan charge-offs for the fourth quarter of 2024 were $1.7 million, or 0.05% of average loans on an annualized basis
Nonperforming loans to total loans decreased to 0.88% at December 31, 2024 compared to 0.94% at September 30, 2024, and criticized loans (which include classified and Special Mention loans) to total loans decreased to 2.89% at December 31, 2024, compared to 3.02% at September 30, 2024

_{⁽¹⁾ This is a non-GAAP financial measure. A reconciliation of all non-GAAP financial measures disclosed in this release from GAAP to non-GAAP is included in the tables at the end of this release. The information below under the heading “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” explains why the Company believes the non-GAAP financial measures in this release provide useful information and describes the other purposes for which the Company uses non-GAAP financial measures.}

Income Statement

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)	Three Months Ended														Twelve Months Ended
	Dec 31, 2024			Sep 30, 2024			Jun 30, 2024			Mar 31, 2024			Dec 31, 2023		Dec 31, 2024			Dec 31, 2023
Interest income
Loans held for investment	$	199,240		$	202,655		$	198,397		$	192,390		$	188,535	$	792,682		$	704,649
Loans held for sale		3,564			4,212			3,530			2,308			3,329		13,614			11,807
Securities		10,510			10,304			10,410			10,700			10,728		41,924			50,488
Other		12,030			11,872			7,874			7,781			7,839		39,557			30,375
Total interest income		225,344			229,043			220,211			213,179			210,431		887,777			797,319
Interest expense
Deposits		85,571			90,787			87,621			82,613			77,168		346,592			232,331
Borrowings		6,891			7,258			7,564			7,276			7,310		28,989			45,661
Total interest expense		92,462			98,045			95,185			89,889			84,478		375,581			277,992
Net interest income		132,882			130,998			125,026			123,290			125,953		512,196			519,327
Provision for credit losses
Provision for loan losses		3,100			1,210			4,300			2,638			2,518		11,248			18,793
Recovery of unfunded commitments		(500	)		(275	)		(1,000	)		(200	)		—		(1,975	)		(3,200	)
Total provision for credit losses		2,600			935			3,300			2,438			2,518		9,273			15,593
Net interest income after provision for credit losses		130,282			130,063			121,726			120,852			123,435		502,923			503,734
Noninterest income		34,218			89,299			38,762			41,381			20,356		203,660			113,075
Noninterest expense		114,747			121,983			111,976			112,912			111,880		461,618			439,622
Income before income taxes		49,753			97,379			48,512			49,321			31,911		244,965			177,187
Income taxes		5,006			24,924			9,666			9,912			3,787		49,508			32,509
Net income	$	44,747		$	72,455		$	38,846		$	39,409		$	28,124	$	195,457		$	144,678

Adjusted net income (non-GAAP)⁽¹⁾	$	46,458		$	42,960		$	38,846		$	36,572		$	42,887	$	165,066		$	177,657
Adjusted pre-provision net revenue (“PPNR”) (non-GAAP)⁽¹⁾	$	54,177		$	56,238		$	51,812		$	48,231		$	52,614	$	210,458		$	233,403

Basic earnings per share	$	0.70		$	1.18		$	0.69		$	0.70		$	0.50	$	3.29		$	2.58
Diluted earnings per share		0.70			1.18			0.69			0.70			0.50		3.27			2.56
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (non-GAAP)⁽¹⁾		0.73			0.70			0.69			0.65			0.76		2.76			3.15
Average basic shares outstanding		63,565,437			61,217,094			56,342,909			56,208,348			56,141,628		59,350,157			56,099,689
Average diluted shares outstanding		64,056,303			61,632,448			56,684,626			56,531,078			56,611,217		59,748,790			56,448,163
Cash dividends per common share	$	0.22		$	0.22		$	0.22		$	0.22		$	0.22	$	0.88		$	0.88

_{⁽¹⁾ This is a non-GAAP financial measure. A reconciliation of all non-GAAP financial measures disclosed in this release from GAAP to non-GAAP is included in the tables at the end of this release. The information below under the heading “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” explains why the Company believes the non-GAAP financial measures in this release provide useful information and describes the other purposes for which the Company uses non-GAAP financial measures.}

Performance Ratios

	Three Months Ended										Twelve Months Ended
	Dec 31, 2024		Sep 30, 2024		Jun 30, 2024		Mar 31, 2024		Dec 31, 2023		Dec 31, 2024		Dec 31, 2023
Return on average assets	0.99	%	1.63	%	0.90	%	0.92	%	0.65	%	1.11	%	0.84	%
Adjusted return on average assets (non-GAAP)⁽¹⁾	1.03		0.97		0.90		0.86		0.99		0.94		1.03
Return on average tangible assets (non-GAAP)⁽¹⁾	1.07		1.75		0.98		1.00		0.71		1.20		0.92
Adjusted return on average tangible assets (non-GAAP)⁽¹⁾	1.11		1.05		0.98		0.93		1.08		1.02		1.12
Return on average equity	6.70		11.29		6.68		6.85		4.93		7.92		6.50
Adjusted return on average equity (non-GAAP)⁽¹⁾	6.96		6.69		6.68		6.36		7.53		6.69		7.99
Return on average tangible equity (non-GAAP)⁽¹⁾	10.97		18.83		12.04		12.45		9.26		13.63		12.29
Adjusted return on average tangible equity (non-GAAP)⁽¹⁾	11.38		11.26		12.04		11.58		13.94		11.55		15.02
Efficiency ratio (fully taxable equivalent)	67.61		54.73		67.31		67.52		75.11		63.57		68.33
Adjusted efficiency ratio (non-GAAP)⁽¹⁾	65.82		64.62		66.60		68.23		66.18		66.30		63.48
Dividend payout ratio	31.43		18.64		31.88		31.43		44.00		26.75		34.11

Capital and Balance Sheet Ratios

	As of
	Dec 31, 2024			Sep 30, 2024			Jun 30, 2024			Mar 31, 2024			Dec 31, 2023
Shares outstanding		63,565,690			63,564,028			56,367,924			56,304,860			56,142,207
Market value per share	$	35.75		$	32.50		$	30.54		$	31.32		$	33.68
Book value per share		42.13			41.82			41.77			41.25			40.92
Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP)⁽¹⁾		26.36			26.02			23.89			23.32			22.92
Shareholders’ equity to assets		14.85	%		14.80	%		13.45	%		13.39	%		13.23	%
Tangible common equity ratio (non-GAAP)⁽¹⁾		9.84			9.76			8.16			8.04			7.87
Leverage ratio		11.34			11.32			9.81			9.75			9.62
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio		12.72			12.88			10.75			10.59			10.52
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio		13.49			13.67			11.53			11.37			11.30
Total risk-based capital ratio		17.07			17.32			15.15			15.00			14.93

_{⁽¹⁾ This is a non-GAAP financial measure. A reconciliation of all non-GAAP financial measures disclosed in this release from GAAP to non-GAAP is included in the tables at the end of this release. The information below under the heading “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” explains why the Company believes the non-GAAP financial measures in this release provide useful information and describes the other purposes for which the Company uses non-GAAP financial measures.}

Noninterest Income and Noninterest Expense

(Dollars in thousands)	Three Months Ended											Twelve Months Ended
	Dec 31, 2024		Sep 30, 2024		Jun 30, 2024		Mar 31, 2024		Dec 31, 2023			Dec 31, 2024		Dec 31, 2023
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts	$	10,549	$	10,438	$	10,286	$	10,506	$	10,603		$	41,779	$	39,199
Fees and commissions		4,181		4,116		3,944		3,949		4,130			16,190		17,901
Insurance commissions		—		—		2,758		2,716		2,583			5,474		11,102
Wealth management revenue		6,371		5,835		5,684		5,669		5,668			23,559		22,132
Mortgage banking income		6,861		8,447		9,698		11,370		6,592			36,376		32,413
Gain on sale of insurance agency		—		53,349		—		—		—			53,349		—
Net losses on sales of securities (including impairments)		—		—		—		—		(19,352	)		—		(41,790	)
Gain on extinguishment of debt		—		—		—		56		620			56		620
BOLI income		3,317		2,858		2,701		2,691		2,589			11,567		10,463
Other		2,939		4,256		3,691		4,424		6,923			15,310		21,035
Total noninterest income	$	34,218	$	89,299	$	38,762	$	41,381	$	20,356		$	203,660	$	113,075
Noninterest expense
Salaries and employee benefits	$	70,260	$	71,307	$	70,731	$	71,470	$	71,841		$	283,768	$	281,768
Data processing		4,145		4,133		3,945		3,807		3,971			16,030		15,195
Net occupancy and equipment		11,312		11,415		11,844		11,389		11,653			45,960		46,471
Other real estate owned		590		56		105		107		306			858		267
Professional fees		2,686		3,189		3,195		3,348		2,854			12,418		13,671
Advertising and public relations		3,840		3,677		3,807		4,886		3,084			16,210		14,726
Intangible amortization		1,133		1,160		1,186		1,212		1,274			4,691		5,380
Communications		2,067		2,176		2,112		2,024		2,026			8,379		8,238
Merger and conversion related expenses		2,076		11,273		—		—		—			13,349		—
Other		16,638		13,597		15,051		14,669		14,871			59,955		53,906
Total noninterest expense	$	114,747	$	121,983	$	111,976	$	112,912	$	111,880		$	461,618	$	439,622

Mortgage Banking Income

(Dollars in thousands)	Three Months Ended										Twelve Months Ended
	Dec 31, 2024		Sep 30, 2024		Jun 30, 2024		Mar 31, 2024		Dec 31, 2023		Dec 31, 2024		Dec 31, 2023
Gain on sales of loans, net	$	2,379	$	4,499	$	5,199	$	4,535	$	1,860	$	16,612	$	14,573
Fees, net		2,850		2,646		2,866		1,854		2,010		10,216		9,051
Mortgage servicing income, net		1,632		1,302		1,633		4,981		2,722		9,548		8,789
Total mortgage banking income	$	6,861	$	8,447	$	9,698	$	11,370	$	6,592	$	36,376	$	32,413

Balance Sheet

(Dollars in thousands)	As of
	Dec 31, 2024			Sep 30, 2024			Jun 30, 2024			Mar 31, 2024			Dec 31, 2023
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,092,032		$	1,275,620		$	851,906		$	844,400		$	801,351
Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost		1,126,112			1,150,531			1,174,663			1,199,111			1,221,464
Securities available for sale, at fair value		831,013			764,844			749,685			764,486			923,279
Loans held for sale, at fair value		246,171			291,735			266,406			191,440			179,756
Loans held for investment		12,885,020			12,627,648			12,604,755			12,500,525			12,351,230
Allowance for credit losses on loans		(201,756	)		(200,378	)		(199,871	)		(201,052	)		(198,578	)
Loans, net		12,683,264			12,427,270			12,404,884			12,299,473			12,152,652
Premises and equipment, net		279,796			280,550			280,966			282,193			283,195
Other real estate owned		8,673			9,136			7,366			9,142			9,622
Goodwill and other intangibles		1,003,003			1,004,136			1,008,062			1,009,248			1,010,460
Bank-owned life insurance		391,810			389,138			387,791			385,186			382,584
Mortgage servicing rights		72,991			71,990			72,092			71,596			91,688
Other assets		300,003			293,890			306,570			289,466			304,484
Total assets	$	18,034,868		$	17,958,840		$	17,510,391		$	17,345,741		$	17,360,535

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Liabilities
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing	$	3,403,981		$	3,529,801		$	3,539,453		$	3,516,164		$	3,583,675
Interest-bearing		11,168,631			10,979,950			10,715,760			10,720,999			10,493,110
Total deposits		14,572,612			14,509,751			14,255,213			14,237,163			14,076,785
Short-term borrowings		108,018			108,732			232,741			108,121			307,577
Long-term debt		430,614			433,177			428,677			428,047			429,400
Other liabilities		245,306			249,102			239,059			250,060			249,390
Total liabilities		15,356,550			15,300,762			15,155,690			15,023,391			15,063,152

Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock		332,421			332,421			296,483			296,483			296,483
Treasury stock		(97,196	)		(97,251	)		(97,534	)		(99,683	)		(105,249	)
Additional paid-in capital		1,491,847			1,488,678			1,304,782			1,303,613			1,308,281
Retained earnings		1,093,854			1,063,324			1,005,086			978,880			952,124
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(142,608	)		(129,094	)		(154,116	)		(156,943	)		(154,256	)
Total shareholders’ equity		2,678,318			2,658,078			2,354,701			2,322,350			2,297,383
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	18,034,868		$	17,958,840		$	17,510,391		$	17,345,741		$	17,360,535

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

(Dollars in thousands)	Three Months Ended
	December 31, 2024						September 30, 2024						December 31, 2023
	Average Balance		Interest Income/ Expense		Yield/ Rate		Average Balance		Interest Income/ Expense		Yield/ Rate		Average Balance		Interest Income/ Expense		Yield/ Rate
Interest-earning assets:
Loans held for investment	$	12,746,941	$	201,562	6.29	%	$	12,584,104	$	204,935	6.47	%	$	12,249,429	$	190,857	6.18	%
Loans held for sale		250,812		3,564	5.69	%		272,110		4,212	6.19	%		199,510		3,329	6.68	%
Taxable securities		1,784,167		9,408	2.11	%		1,794,421		9,212	2.05	%		2,050,175		9,490	1.85	%
Tax-exempt securities⁽¹⁾		261,679		1,400	2.14	%		262,621		1,390	2.12	%		282,698		1,558	2.20	%
Total securities		2,045,846		10,808	2.11	%		2,057,042		10,602	2.06	%		2,332,873		11,048	1.89	%
Interest-bearing balances with banks		1,025,294		12,030	4.67	%		894,313		11,872	5.28	%		552,301		7,839	5.63	%
Total interest-earning assets		16,068,893		227,964	5.65	%		15,807,569		231,621	5.82	%		15,334,113		213,073	5.52	%
Cash and due from banks		188,493						189,425						180,609
Intangible assets		1,003,551						1,004,701						1,011,130
Other assets		682,211						679,969						669,988
Total assets	$	17,943,148					$	17,681,664					$	17,195,840
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing demand⁽²⁾	$	7,629,685	$	57,605	3.00	%	$	7,333,508	$	60,326	3.26	%	$	6,721,053	$	47,783	2.82	%
Savings deposits		804,132		706	0.35	%		815,545		729	0.36	%		888,692		765	0.34	%
Brokered deposits		60,298		1,013	6.68	%		150,991		1,998	5.25	%		632,704		8,594	5.39	%
Time deposits		2,512,097		26,247	4.16	%		2,546,860		27,734	4.33	%		2,185,737		20,026	3.63	%
Total interest-bearing deposits		11,006,212		85,571	3.09	%		10,846,904		90,787	3.32	%		10,428,186		77,168	2.94	%
Borrowed funds		556,966		6,891	4.94	%		562,146		7,258	5.14	%		564,715		7,310	5.16	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities		11,563,178		92,462	3.18	%		11,409,050		98,045	3.41	%		10,992,901		84,478	3.05	%
Noninterest-bearing deposits		3,502,931						3,509,266						3,703,050
Other liabilities		220,154						209,762						238,864
Shareholders’ equity		2,656,885						2,553,586						2,261,025
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	17,943,148					$	17,681,664					$	17,195,840
Net interest income/ net interest margin			$	135,502	3.36	%			$	133,576	3.36	%			$	128,595	3.33	%
Cost of funding					2.44	%					2.61	%					2.28	%
Cost of total deposits					2.35	%					2.51	%					2.17	%

_{⁽¹⁾ U.S. Government and some U.S. Government Agency securities are tax-exempt in the states in which the Company operates.}
_{⁽²⁾ Interest-bearing demand deposits include interest-bearing transactional accounts and money market deposits.}

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin, continued

(Dollars in thousands)	Twelve Months Ended
	December 31, 2024						December 31, 2023
	Average Balance		Interest Income/ Expense		Yield/ Rate		Average Balance		Interest Income/ Expense		Yield/ Rate
Interest-earning assets:
Loans held for investment	$	12,579,143	$	801,807	6.37	%	$	11,963,141	$	713,897	5.97	%
Loans held for sale		224,734		13,614	6.06	%		181,253		11,807	6.51	%
Taxable securities⁽¹⁾		1,825,404		37,383	2.05	%		2,313,874		44,619	1.93	%
Tax-exempt securities		264,615		5,746	2.17	%		332,749		7,634	2.29	%
Total securities		2,090,019		43,129	2.06	%		2,646,623		52,253	1.97	%
Interest-bearing balances with banks		772,274		39,557	5.12	%		568,155		30,375	5.35	%
Total interest-earning assets		15,666,170		898,107	5.73	%		15,359,172		808,332	5.26	%
Cash and due from banks		188,487						187,127
Intangible assets		1,006,665						1,012,239
Other assets		691,373						673,345
Total assets	$	17,552,695					$	17,231,883
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing demand⁽²⁾	$	7,254,646	$	226,563	3.12	%	$	6,357,753	$	138,730	2.18	%
Savings deposits		829,818		2,894	0.35	%		971,522		3,197	0.33	%
Brokered deposits		237,164		12,942	5.46	%		697,699		36,039	5.17	%
Time deposits		2,466,906		104,193	4.22	%		1,874,224		54,365	2.90	%
Total interest-bearing deposits		10,788,534		346,592	3.21	%		9,901,198		232,331	2.35	%
Borrowed funds		566,332		28,989	5.12	%		910,080		45,661	5.02	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities		11,354,866		375,581	3.31	%		10,811,278		277,992	2.57	%
Noninterest-bearing deposits		3,509,958						3,979,951
Other liabilities		221,487						216,148
Shareholders’ equity		2,466,384						2,224,506
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	17,552,695					$	17,231,883
Net interest income/ net interest margin			$	522,526	3.34	%			$	530,340	3.45	%
Cost of funding					2.53	%					1.88	%
Cost of total deposits					2.42	%					1.67	%

_{⁽¹⁾ U.S. Government and some U.S. Government Agency securities are tax-exempt in the states in which the Company operates.}
_{⁽²⁾ Interest-bearing demand deposits include interest-bearing transactional accounts and money market deposits.}

Supplemental Margin Information

(Dollars in thousands)	Three Months Ended									Twelve Months Ended
	Dec 31, 2024			Sep 30, 2024			Dec 31, 2023			Dec 31, 2024			Dec 31, 2023
Earning asset mix:
Loans held for investment		79.33	%		79.61	%		79.88	%		80.29	%		77.89	%
Loans held for sale		1.56			1.72			1.30			1.43			1.18
Securities		12.73			13.01			15.21			13.34			17.23
Interest-bearing balances with banks		6.38			5.66			3.61			4.94			3.70
Total		100.00	%		100.00	%		100.00	%		100.00	%		100.00	%

Funding sources mix:
Noninterest-bearing demand		23.25	%		23.52	%		25.20	%		23.61	%		26.91	%
Interest-bearing demand⁽¹⁾		50.64			49.16			45.73			48.80			42.98
Savings		5.34			5.47			6.05			5.58			6.57
Brokered deposits		0.40			1.01			4.31			1.60			4.72
Time deposits		16.67			17.07			14.87			16.60			12.67
Borrowed funds		3.70			3.77			3.84			3.81			6.15
Total		100.00	%		100.00	%		100.00	%		100.00	%		100.00	%

Net interest income collected on problem loans	$	151		$	642		$	283		$	770		$	219
Total accretion on purchased loans		616			1,089			1,117			3,402			4,166
Total impact on net interest income	$	767		$	1,731		$	1,400		$	4,172		$	4,385
Impact on net interest margin		0.02	%		0.04	%		0.04	%		0.03	%		0.03	%
Impact on loan yield		0.02			0.05			0.05			0.03	%		0.04	%

_{⁽¹⁾ Interest-bearing demand deposits include interest-bearing transactional accounts and money market deposits.}

Loan Portfolio

(Dollars in thousands)	As of
	Dec 31, 2024		Sep 30, 2024		Jun 30, 2024		Mar 31, 2024		Dec 31, 2023
Loan Portfolio:
Commercial, financial, agricultural	$	1,885,817	$	1,804,961	$	1,847,762	$	1,869,408	$	1,871,821
Lease financing		90,591		98,159		102,996		107,474		116,020
Real estate – construction		1,093,653		1,198,838		1,355,425		1,243,535		1,333,397
Real estate – 1-4 family mortgages		3,488,877		3,440,038		3,435,818		3,429,286		3,439,919
Real estate – commercial mortgages		6,236,068		5,995,152		5,766,478		5,753,230		5,486,550
Installment loans to individuals		90,014		90,500		96,276		97,592		103,523
Total loans	$	12,885,020	$	12,627,648	$	12,604,755	$	12,500,525	$	12,351,230

Credit Quality and Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans

(Dollars in thousands)	As of
	Dec 31, 2024			Sep 30, 2024			Jun 30, 2024			Mar 31, 2024			Dec 31, 2023
Nonperforming Assets:
Nonaccruing loans	$	110,811		$	113,872		$	97,795		$	73,774		$	68,816
Loans 90 days or more past due		2,464			5,351			240			451			554
Total nonperforming loans		113,275			119,223			98,035			74,225			69,370
Other real estate owned		8,673			9,136			7,366			9,142			9,622
Total nonperforming assets	$	121,948		$	128,359		$	105,401		$	83,367		$	78,992

Criticized Loans
Classified loans	$	241,708		$	218,135		$	191,595		$	206,502		$	166,893
Special Mention loans		130,882			163,804			138,343			138,366			99,699
Criticized loans⁽¹⁾	$	372,590		$	381,939		$	329,938		$	344,868		$	266,592

Allowance for credit losses on loans	$	201,756		$	200,378		$	199,871		$	201,052		$	198,578
Net loan charge-offs	$	1,722		$	703		$	5,481		$	164		$	1,713
Annualized net loan charge-offs / average loans		0.05	%		0.02	%		0.18	%		0.01	%		0.06	%
Nonperforming loans / total loans		0.88			0.94			0.78			0.59			0.56
Nonperforming assets / total assets		0.68			0.71			0.60			0.48			0.46
Allowance for credit losses on loans / total loans		1.57			1.59			1.59			1.61			1.61
Allowance for credit losses on loans / nonperforming loans		178.11			168.07			203.88			270.87			286.26
Criticized loans / total loans		2.89			3.02			2.62			2.76			2.16

_{⁽¹⁾ Criticized loans include classified and Special Mention loans.}

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION:
A live audio webcast of a conference call with analysts will be available beginning at 10:00 AM Eastern Time (9:00 AM Central Time) on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.

The webcast is accessible through Renasant’s investor relations website at www.renasant.com or https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=8ssY2K7l. To access the conference via telephone, dial 1-877-513-1143 in the United States and request the Renasant Corporation 2024 Fourth Quarter Earnings Webcast and Conference Call. International participants should dial 1-412-902-4145 to access the conference call.

The webcast will be archived on www.renasant.com after the call and will remain accessible for one year. A replay can be accessed via telephone by dialing 1-877-344-7529 in the United States and entering conference number 8623913 or by dialing 1-412-317-0088 internationally and entering the same conference number. Telephone replay access is available until February 12, 2025.

ABOUT RENASANT CORPORATION:

Renasant Corporation is the parent of Renasant Bank, a 120-year-old financial services institution. Renasant has assets of approximately $18.0 billion and operates 186 banking, lending, mortgage and wealth management offices throughout the Southeast as well as offering factoring and asset-based lending on a nationwide basis.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

This press release may contain, or incorporate by reference, statements about Renasant Corporation that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words “believes,” “expects,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates,” “plans,” “potential,” “focus,” “possible,” “may increase,” “may fluctuate,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “should,” “would” and “could,” are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts. Forward-looking statements include information about the Company’s future financial performance, business strategy, projected plans and objectives and are based on the current beliefs and expectations of management. The Company’s management believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, but they are all inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change. Actual results may differ from those indicated or implied in the forward-looking statements, and such differences may be material. Prospective investors are cautioned that any forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties and, accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made.

Important factors currently known to management that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the following: (i) the Company’s ability to efficiently integrate acquisitions (including its recently-announced acquisition of The First Bancshares, Inc.) into its operations, retain the customers of these businesses, grow the acquired operations and realize the cost savings expected from an acquisition to the extent and in the timeframe anticipated by management (including the possibility that such cost savings will not be realized when expected, or at all, as a result of the impact of, or challenges arising from, the integration of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities into the Company, potential adverse reactions or changes to business or employee relationships, or as a result of other unexpected factors or events); (ii) potential exposure to unknown or contingent risks and liabilities the Company has acquired, or may acquire, or target for acquisition, including in connection with the proposed merger with The First Bancshares, Inc.; (iii) the effect of economic conditions and interest rates on a national, regional or international basis; (iv) timing and success of the implementation of changes in operations to achieve enhanced earnings or effect cost savings; (v) competitive pressures in the consumer finance, commercial finance, financial services, asset management, retail banking, factoring and mortgage lending and auto lending industries; (vi) the financial resources of, and products available from, competitors; (vii) changes in laws and regulations as well as changes in accounting standards; (viii) changes in policy by regulatory agencies or increased scrutiny by, and/or additional regulatory requirements of, regulatory agencies as a result of the Company’s proposed merger with The First Bancshares, Inc.; (ix) changes in the securities and foreign exchange markets; (x) the Company’s potential growth, including its entrance or expansion into new markets, and the need for sufficient capital to support that growth; (xi) changes in the quality or composition of the Company’s loan or investment portfolios, including adverse developments in borrower industries or in the repayment ability of individual borrowers or issuers of investment securities, or the impact of interest rates on the value of the Company’s investment securities portfolio; (xii) an insufficient allowance for credit losses as a result of inaccurate assumptions; (xiii) changes in the sources and costs of the capital the Company uses to make loans and otherwise fund the Company’s operations, due to deposit outflows, changes in the mix of deposits and the cost and availability of borrowings; (xiv) general economic, market or business conditions, including the impact of inflation; (xv) changes in demand for loan and deposit products and other financial services; (xvi) concentrations of credit or deposit exposure; (xvii) changes or the lack of changes in interest rates, yield curves and interest rate spread relationships; (xviii) increased cybersecurity risk, including potential network breaches, business disruptions or financial losses; (xix) civil unrest, natural disasters, epidemics and other catastrophic events in the Company’s geographic area; (xx) geopolitical conditions, including acts or threats of terrorism or actions taken by the United States or other governments in response to acts or threats of terrorism and/or military conflicts, which could impact business and economic conditions in the United States and abroad; (xxi) the impact, extent and timing of technological changes; and (xxii) other circumstances, many of which are beyond management’s control.

Management believes that the assumptions underlying the Company’s forward-looking statements are reasonable, but any of the assumptions could prove to be inaccurate. Investors are urged to carefully consider the risks described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) from time to time, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are available at www.renasant.com and the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

The Company undertakes no obligation, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results over time, except as required by federal securities laws.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES:

In addition to results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”), this press release and the presentation slides furnished to the SEC on the same Form 8-K as this release contain non-GAAP financial measures, namely, (i) adjusted loan yield, (ii) adjusted net interest income and margin, (iii) pre-provision net revenue (including on an as-adjusted basis), (iv) adjusted net income, (v) adjusted diluted earnings per share, (vi) tangible book value per share, (vii) the tangible common equity ratio, (viii) the adjusted return on average assets and on average equity and certain other performance ratios (namely, the ratio of pre-provision net revenue to average assets and the return on average tangible assets and on average tangible common equity (including each of the foregoing on an as-adjusted basis)), and (ix) the adjusted efficiency ratio.

These non-GAAP financial measures adjust GAAP financial measures to exclude intangible assets, including related amortization, and/or certain gains or charges (such as, for the fourth quarter of 2024, merger and conversion expenses and the gain on the sale of mortgage servicing rights), with respect to which the Company is unable to accurately predict when these charges will be incurred or, when incurred, the amount thereof. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures when evaluating capital utilization and adequacy. In addition, the Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures facilitate the making of period-to-period comparisons and are meaningful indicators of its operating performance, particularly because these measures are widely used by industry analysts for companies with merger and acquisition activities. Also, because intangible assets such as goodwill and the core deposit intangible can vary extensively from company to company and, as to intangible assets, are excluded from the calculation of a financial institution’s regulatory capital, the Company believes that the presentation of this non-GAAP financial information allows readers to more easily compare the Company’s results to information provided in other regulatory reports and the results of other companies. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are included in the tables below under the caption “Non-GAAP Reconciliations”.

None of the non-GAAP financial information that the Company has included in this release or the accompanying presentation slides are intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for any measure prepared in accordance with GAAP. Investors should note that, because there are no standardized definitions for the calculations as well as the results, the Company’s calculations may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. Also, there may be limits in the usefulness of these measures to investors. As a result, the Company encourages readers to consider its consolidated financial statements in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.

Non-GAAP Reconciliations

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)	Three Months Ended															Twelve Months Ended
	Dec 31, 2024			Sep 30, 2024			Jun 30, 2024			Mar 31, 2024			Dec 31, 2023			Dec 31, 2024			Dec 31, 2023
Adjusted Pre-Provision Net Revenue (“PPNR”)
Net income (GAAP)	$	44,747		$	72,455		$	38,846		$	39,409		$	28,124		$	195,457		$	144,678
Income taxes		5,006			24,924			9,666			9,912			3,787			49,508			32,509
Provision for credit losses (including unfunded commitments)		2,600			935			3,300			2,438			2,518			9,273			15,593
Pre-provision net revenue (non-GAAP)	$	52,353		$	98,314		$	51,812		$	51,759		$	34,429		$	254,238		$	192,780
Merger and conversion expense		2,076			11,273			—			—			—			13,349			—
Gain on extinguishment of debt		—			—			—			(56	)		(620	)		(56	)		(620	)
Gain on sales of MSR		(252	)		—			—			(3,472	)		(547	)		(3,724	)		(547	)
Gain on sale of insurance agency		—			(53,349	)		—			—			—			(53,349	)		—
Losses on sales of securities (including impairments)		—			—			—			—			19,352			—			41,790
Adjusted pre-provision net revenue (non-GAAP)	$	54,177		$	56,238		$	51,812		$	48,231		$	52,614		$	210,458		$	233,403

Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Tangible Net Income
Net income (GAAP)	$	44,747		$	72,455		$	38,846		$	39,409		$	28,124		$	195,457		$	144,678
Amortization of intangibles		1,133			1,160			1,186			1,212			1,274			4,691			5,380
Tax effect of adjustments noted above⁽¹⁾		(283	)		(296	)		(233	)		(237	)		(240	)		(1,173	)		(1,012	)
Tangible net income (non-GAAP)	$	45,597		$	73,319		$	39,799		$	40,384		$	29,158		$	198,975		$	149,046

Net income (GAAP)	$	44,747		$	72,455		$	38,846		$	39,409		$	28,124		$	195,457		$	144,678
Merger and conversion expense		2,076			11,273			—			—			—			13,349			—
Gain on extinguishment of debt		—			—			—			(56	)		(620	)		(56	)		(620	)
Gain on sales of MSR		(252	)		—			—			(3,472	)		(547	)		(3,724	)		(547	)
Gain on sale of insurance agency		—			(53,349	)		—			—			—			(53,349	)		—
Losses on sales of securities (including impairments)		—			—			—			—			19,352			—			41,790
Tax effect of adjustments noted above⁽¹⁾		(113	)		12,581			—			691			(3,422	)		13,389			(7,644	)
Adjusted net income (non-GAAP)	$	46,458		$	42,960		$	38,846		$	36,572		$	42,887		$	165,066		$	177,657
Amortization of intangibles		1,133			1,160			1,186			1,212			1,274			4,691			5,380
Tax effect of adjustments noted above⁽¹⁾		(283	)		(296	)		(233	)		(237	)		(240	)		(1,173	)		(1,012	)
Adjusted tangible net income (non-GAAP)	$	47,308		$	43,824		$	39,799		$	37,547		$	43,921		$	168,584		$	182,025
Tangible Assets and Tangible Shareholders’ Equity
Average shareholders’ equity (GAAP)	$	2,656,885		$	2,553,586		$	2,337,731		$	2,314,281		$	2,261,025		$	2,466,384		$	2,224,506
Average intangible assets		(1,003,551	)		(1,004,701	)		(1,008,638	)		(1,009,825	)		(1,011,130	)		(1,006,665	)		(1,012,239	)
Average tangible shareholders’ equity (non-GAAP)	$	1,653,334		$	1,548,885		$	1,329,093		$	1,304,456		$	1,249,895		$	1,459,719		$	1,212,267

Average assets (GAAP)	$	17,943,148		$	17,681,664		$	17,371,369		$	17,203,013		$	17,195,840		$	17,552,695		$	17,231,883
Average intangible assets		(1,003,551	)		(1,004,701	)		(1,008,638	)		(1,009,825	)		(1,011,130	)		(1,006,665	)		(1,012,239	)
Average tangible assets (non-GAAP)	$	16,939,597		$	16,676,963		$	16,362,731		$	16,193,188		$	16,184,710		$	16,546,030		$	16,219,644

Shareholders’ equity (GAAP)	$	2,678,318		$	2,658,078		$	2,354,701		$	2,322,350		$	2,297,383		$	2,678,318		$	2,297,383
Intangible assets		(1,003,003	)		(1,004,136	)		(1,008,062	)		(1,009,248	)		(1,010,460	)		(1,003,003	)		(1,010,460	)
Tangible shareholders’ equity (non-GAAP)	$	1,675,315		$	1,653,942		$	1,346,639		$	1,313,102		$	1,286,923		$	1,675,315		$	1,286,923

Total assets (GAAP)	$	18,034,868		$	17,958,840		$	17,510,391		$	17,345,741		$	17,360,535		$	18,034,868		$	17,360,535
Intangible assets		(1,003,003	)		(1,004,136	)		(1,008,062	)		(1,009,248	)		(1,010,460	)		(1,003,003	)		(1,010,460	)
Total tangible assets (non-GAAP)	$	17,031,865		$	16,954,704		$	16,502,329		$	16,336,493		$	16,350,075		$	17,031,865		$	16,350,075

Adjusted Performance Ratios
Return on average assets (GAAP)		0.99	%		1.63	%		0.90	%		0.92	%		0.65	%		1.11	%		0.84	%
Adjusted return on average assets (non-GAAP)		1.03			0.97			0.90			0.86			0.99			0.94			1.03
Return on average tangible assets (non-GAAP)		1.07			1.75			0.98			1.00			0.71			1.20			0.92
Pre-provision net revenue to average assets (non-GAAP)		1.16			2.21			1.20			1.21			0.79			1.45			1.12
Adjusted pre-provision net revenue to average assets (non-GAAP)		1.20			1.27			1.20			1.13			1.21			1.20			1.35
Adjusted return on average tangible assets (non-GAAP)		1.11			1.05			0.98			0.93			1.08			1.02			1.12
Return on average equity (GAAP)		6.70			11.29			6.68			6.85			4.93			7.92			6.50
Adjusted return on average equity (non-GAAP)		6.96			6.69			6.68			6.36			7.53			6.69			7.99
Return on average tangible equity (non-GAAP)		10.97			18.83			12.04			12.45			9.26			13.63			12.29
Adjusted return on average tangible equity (non-GAAP)		11.38			11.26			12.04			11.58			13.94			11.55			15.02

Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share
Average diluted shares outstanding		64,056,303			61,632,448			56,684,626			56,531,078			56,611,217			59,748,790			56,448,163

Diluted earnings per share (GAAP)	$	0.70		$	1.18		$	0.69		$	0.70		$	0.50		$	3.27		$	2.56
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (non-GAAP)	$	0.73		$	0.70		$	0.69		$	0.65		$	0.76		$	2.76		$	3.15

Tangible Book Value Per Share
Shares outstanding		63,565,690			63,564,028			56,367,924			56,304,860			56,142,207			63,565,690			56,142,207

Book value per share (GAAP)	$	42.13		$	41.82		$	41.77		$	41.25		$	40.92		$	42.13		$	40.92
Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP)	$	26.36		$	26.02		$	23.89		$	23.32		$	22.92		$	26.36		$	22.92

Tangible Common Equity Ratio
Shareholders’ equity to assets (GAAP)		14.85	%		14.80	%		13.45	%		13.39	%		13.23	%		14.85	%		13.23	%
Tangible common equity ratio (non-GAAP)		9.84	%		9.76	%		8.16	%		8.04	%		7.87	%		9.84	%		7.87	%
Adjusted Efficiency Ratio
Net interest income (FTE) (GAAP)	$	135,502		$	133,576		$	127,598		$	125,850		$	128,595		$	522,526		$	530,340

Total noninterest income (GAAP)	$	34,218		$	89,299		$	38,762		$	41,381		$	20,356		$	203,660		$	113,075
Gain on sales of MSR		(252	)		—			—			(3,472	)		(547	)		(3,724	)		(547	)
Gain on extinguishment of debt		—			—			—			(56	)		(620	)		(56	)		(620	)
Gain on sale of insurance agency		—			(53,349	)		—			—			—			53,349			—
Losses on sales of securities (including impairments)		—			—			—			—			19,352			—			41,790
Total adjusted noninterest income (non-GAAP)	$	33,966		$	35,950		$	38,762		$	37,853		$	38,541		$	146,531		$	153,698

Noninterest expense (GAAP)	$	114,747		$	121,983		$	111,976		$	112,912		$	111,880		$	461,618		$	439,622
Amortization of intangibles		(1,133	)		(1,160	)		(1,186	)		(1,212	)		(1,274	)		(4,691	)		(5,380	)
Merger and conversion expense		(2,076	)		(11,273	)		—			—			—			(13,349	)		—
Total adjusted noninterest expense (non-GAAP)	$	111,538		$	109,550		$	110,790		$	111,700		$	110,606		$	443,578		$	434,242

Efficiency ratio (GAAP)		67.61	%		54.73	%		67.31	%		67.52	%		75.11	%		63.57	%		68.33	%
Adjusted efficiency ratio (non-GAAP)		65.82	%		64.62	%		66.60	%		68.23	%		66.18	%		66.30	%		63.48	%

Adjusted Net Interest Income and Adjusted Net Interest Margin
Net interest income (FTE) (GAAP)	$	135,502		$	133,576		$	127,598		$	125,850		$	128,595		$	522,526		$	530,340
Net interest income collected on problem loans		(151	)		(642	)		146			(123	)		(283	)		(770	)		(219	)
Accretion recognized on purchased loans		(616	)		(1,089	)		(897	)		(800	)		(1,117	)		(3,402	)		(4,166	)
Adjustments to net interest income	$	(767	)	$	(1,731	)	$	(751	)	$	(923	)	$	(1,400	)	$	(4,172	)	$	(4,385	)
Adjusted net interest income (FTE) (non-GAAP)	$	134,735		$	131,845		$	126,847		$	124,927		$	127,195		$	518,354		$	525,955

Net interest margin (GAAP)		3.36	%		3.36	%		3.31	%		3.30	%		3.33	%		3.34	%		3.45	%
Adjusted net interest margin (non-GAAP)		3.34	%		3.32	%		3.29	%		3.28	%		3.29	%		3.31	%		3.42	%

Adjusted Loan Yield
Loan interest income (FTE) (GAAP)	$	201,562		$	204,935		$	200,670		$	194,640		$	190,857		$	801,807		$	713,897
Net interest income collected on problem loans		(151	)		(642	)		146			(123	)		(283	)		(770	)		(219	)
Accretion recognized on purchased loans		(616	)		(1,089	)		(897	)		(800	)		(1,117	)		(3,402	)		(4,166	)
Adjusted loan interest income (FTE) (non-GAAP)	$	200,795		$	203,204		$	199,919		$	193,717		$	189,457		$	797,635		$	709,512

Loan yield (GAAP)		6.29	%		6.47	%		6.41	%		6.30	%		6.18	%		6.37	%		5.97	%
Adjusted loan yield (non-GAAP)		6.27	%		6.41	%		6.38	%		6.27	%		6.14	%		6.34	%		5.93	%

_{⁽¹⁾ Tax effect is calculated based on the respective legal entity’s appropriate federal and state tax rates (as applicable) for the period, and includes the estimated impact of both current and deferred tax expense. The tax effect of the discrete gain on sale of insurance agency was calculated based on an estimated tax rate of 27.0%.}

Contacts:	For Media:	For Financials:
	John S. Oxford	James C. Mabry IV
	Senior Vice President	Executive Vice President
	Chief Marketing Officer	Chief Financial Officer
	(662) 680-1219	(662) 680-1281

The MIL Network –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI New Zealand: Kauri dieback: clean bill of health for Hūnua Ranges

Source: Auckland Council

A Te Ngāherehere o Kohukohunui / Hūnua Ranges Kauri Population Health Monitoring Survey just published, has revealed no detectable signs of kauri dieback (P. agathidicida) in the Hūnua Ranges.

The health monitoring survey, the first for the Hūnua Ranges, was carried out between March and November 2023. It was designed to establish the health of kauri, including whether the pathogen might be present in the ranges and collected comprehensive data on 561 kauri trees.

The survey was a collaborative effort between Auckland Council, the Department of Conservation, and ngā iwi mana whenua o Te Ngāherehere o Kohukohunui – Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, Ngāti Tamaoho, Ngāti Whanaunga, and Ngāti Tamaterā.

Results indicate a robustly healthy kauri population, with over 95 per cent of trees surveyed in excellent health – a much higher rate than the 55 per cent of sites observed in the 2021 Waitākere survey.

Furthermore, over 92 per cent of surveyed sites showed the presence of healthy seedlings or saplings, indicating strong regeneration and a healthy ecosystem. Importantly, the survey found no evidence of kauri dieback within the study area.

Chair of the Policy and Planning Committee Councillor Richard Hills says Auckland Council has made significant investment into both kauri protection and surveillance since 2018 and the report shows these efforts are paying off.

“The kauri dieback pathogen has been detected in most regions where kauri grows in New Zealand, so to have 97 to 99.9 per cent confidence the Hūnua Ranges area is dieback free, is remarkable,” says Councillor Hills.

“As a popular destination, recreational activity in the Hūnua Ranges is high and the results demonstrate the importance the community places on protecting this special area and supporting the council in its efforts to keep kauri healthy and thriving.

“The assurance this report affords us is critical for ongoing forest management and underscores the necessity for proactive conservation efforts and community engagement to preserve the health of the Hūnua Ranges and all of our precious forests.”

Auckland Council’s Principal Biosecurity Advisor, Dr Sarah Killick says protecting kauri from the threat of dieback is paramount to ensuring the specie’s survival.

“The findings of this survey provide a baseline for monitoring kauri health and will guide future prevention strategies to safeguard this precious ecosystem.”

The survey’s risk assessment highlighted areas most vulnerable to pathogen introduction.

A similar survey in the Waitākere Ranges in 2022 indicated kauri dieback was strongly associated with historical and recent soil disturbances. In areas where it occurred, kauri appeared to be more prone to poor health and vulnerable to disease.

Evidence indicates soil and forest disturbances are introduction pathways for kauri dieback, emphasising the importance of preventing soil movement as key to protecting the health of this forest.

Enhanced AI and machine learning tools have helped map kauri, building on the successes of similar efforts in the Waitākere Ranges.

Dr Killick says ongoing monitoring will be critical to track changes in kauri health over time, considering factors such as land use, environmental management, and climate change.

The survey will continue to be carried out every five years.

Read the 2023 Hūnua Ranges Kauri Population Health Monitoring Report here

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI: Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 28.01.2025

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Nokia Corporation
Stock Exchange Release
28 January 2025 at 22:30 EET

Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 28.01.2025

Espoo, Finland – On 28 January 2025 Nokia Corporation (LEI: 549300A0JPRWG1KI7U06) has acquired its own shares (ISIN FI0009000681) as follows:

Trading venue (MIC Code)	Number of shares	Weighted average price / share, EUR*
XHEL	872,093	4.32
CEUX	–	–
BATE	–	–
AQEU	–	–
TQEX	–	–
Total	872,093	4.32

* Rounded to two decimals

On 22 November 2024, Nokia announced that its Board of Directors is initiating a share buyback program to offset the dilutive effect of new Nokia shares issued to the shareholders of Infinera Corporation and certain Infinera Corporation share-based incentives. The repurchases in compliance with the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 (MAR), the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 and under the authorization granted by Nokia’s Annual General Meeting on 3 April 2024 started on 25 November 2024 and end by 31 December 2025 and target to repurchase 150 million shares for a maximum aggregate purchase price of EUR 900 million.

Total cost of transactions executed on 28 January 2025 was EUR 3,763,605. After the disclosed transactions, Nokia Corporation holds 233,414,712 treasury shares.

Details of transactions are included as an appendix to this announcement.

On behalf of Nokia Corporation

BofA Securities Europe SA

About Nokia
At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

Inquiries:

Nokia Communications
Phone: +358 10 448 4900
Email: press.services@nokia.com
Maria Vaismaa, Global Head of External Communications

Nokia Investor Relations
Phone: +358 931 580 507
Email: investor.relations@nokia.com

Attachment

Daily Report 2025-01-28

The MIL Network –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI United Nations: Deputy Secretary-General’s remarks at the Opening of the African Heads of State Energy Summit [as delivered]

Source: United Nations secretary general

Your Excellency President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Excellencies, Majesties, Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a pleasure to join you here all today. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Her Excellency President Hassan and her Government of the United Republic of Tanzania for hosting the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit.

But I would also like to underscore that it is because of her incredible leadership and her vision, that we are all here today and gathered as an African continent.

I would also thank the African Union for keeping the fire under our feet to do right thing for the continent.

Congratulations to my two brothers, the African Development Bank Group, Akin, and the World Bank Group, Ajay. These are incredible partnerships, that bring genuine experience, decades of work from the public sector to the private sector.

That is why we are looking to them for the success of this union.

But we also look to the Rockefeller Foundation for a strong and meaningful partnership – one that brings key stakeholders together in this room.

Your bold investments are a testament to Africa’s potential for a sustainable and resilient future.

Today, Africa has one of the lowest levels of energy access, as we have heard, but it is also one of the most vulnerable to intensifying climate shocks.

Yet our continent is rich in renewable energy resources and critical minerals. Which are all essential for the energy transition, and benefit from limited sunk costs in fossil fuel-intensive energy infrastructures. Africa is also home to a vibrant, young, and enterprising population.

This provides immense potential for Africa to show the rest of the world what a new economic development paradigm grounded in sustainability, resilience, justice, and inclusivity can look like.

Enhanced energy access, affordability, and reliability is not only crucial for achieving our Sustainable Development Goal 7 but also serves as a catalyst for broader development goals. Access to clean and sustainable energy underpins progress in health, in education, in gender equality, while driving economic growth and climate action. Many of the 17 goals.

By advancing long-term energy security and sovereignty, we can foster peace, we can create green jobs, and build resilient livelihoods — paving the way for improved stability and prosperity across the continent.

With renewables now being the cheapest source of new electricity almost everywhere on earth, Mission 300’s bold commitment to connect 300 million people to electricity by 2030 represents a transformative opportunity for Africa.

Combined with systemic initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, Africa is uniquely positioned to lead the global energy transition.

By powering essential sectors such as healthcare, education, and commerce, bolstering industries like solar manufacturing, grid infrastructure, and clean energy solutions, renewable energy can unlock unprecedented economic potential.

With reliable energy access, the continent’s 147 million small and medium enterprises — key drivers of economic growth — will have the tools to scale, innovate, and create jobs, turning energy into a true catalyst for inclusive and sustainable progress.

Tanzania stands as a shining example of how rural electrification and off-grid renewable energy solutions can transform lives, particularly in remote and underserved areas.

The country has made remarkable strides, with electricity access increasing from just 14% in 2011 to 46% in 2022. And what does that mean? It has led to over 1 million new connections, driving the rural electrification rate to 72%.

In November 2024, more than 60,000 social institutions were connected by REA, benefiting 12,905 educational institutions, 6,768 health facilities, over 8,000 places of worship, and 29,000 commercial areas.

This progress means that more boys and girls in remote areas can now study in well-lit classrooms, health workers can deliver life-saving services to off-grid populations, and rural businesses can thrive with reliable power. Tanzania demonstrates how energy access is not just about electricity—it’s about opportunity, equity, and the foundation of a brighter future and a life in dignity for everyone.

We must ensure that Mission 300 seizes the opportunity that lies ahead.

With five years to the endpoint of the SDGs and having completed the first decade of implementing the African Union’s 2063 Agenda, it is clear that transformation efforts remain insufficient.

I would like to deeply commend the African leadership that is here today, as you seek solutions to address Africa’s energy access, climate vulnerability, and development challenges holistically.

Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,

We must accelerate our collective efforts to fast-track solutions for SDG 7 but also the Paris Agreement and propel Africa to become a clean energy powerhouse.

This requires urgent action in three key areas beyond this Summit.

First, creating the right enabling environment to attract scaled private and public investments through stronger, stable, and more coherent policy and regulatory frameworks.

We are very pleased to see, thank you Ajay, the private sector that is here today and we hope they will accompany us through this very difficult but at the end profitable journey.

This year, every Party to the UN Climate Convention has committed to submit a new economy-wide national climate action plan, that is aligned with the 1.5 degrees world that we need, well before COP 30 in November.

If done right, these climate plans should align with national energy strategies and development priorities – and they would doubling as investment plans to seize the potential of renewables, helping to eradicate poverty and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement.

Furthermore, the Secretary-General’s panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals offers important Principles and Actionable Recommendations to ensure we do not repeat historical patterns of exploitation on this continent.

Second, mobilizing affordable, accessible, and adequate finance.

The chronic underinvestment in renewable energy in Africa, and long-standing structural barriers such as exorbitant capital costs, mean that a continent with the potential to be a renewable powerhouse accounts for less than one percent of global installed solar capacity.

It is why we are calling for an SDG Stimulus to scale up affordable, long-term financing for developing countries, and for the “Baku-to-Belém Roadmap to $1.3 trillion” to bridge the climate finance gap by leveraging all sources and by addressing unjust and structural barriers.

Last year’s Pact of the Future sent an unequivocal message — reform of the international finance architecture is urgent and essential to:

And this Pact would have not gotten over the line, if not for the leadership of the African leaders in the United Nations.

It spoke to strengthening the voice and the representation of developing countries;

It spoke to mobilizing far greater levels of financing for the SDGs, and directing that financing to countries most in need;

It spoke to enabling countries to borrow sustainably, and with confidence, to invest in their long-term development;

But it also spoke to provide effective and equal support to countries during systemic shocks.

Finally, multilateralism – our international cooperation- still remains our best hope for delivering solutions at the necessary scale and speed.

And I note to many of us, as I look to the geopolitical challenges that we have today. Multilateralism does not seem like the best offer on the table – but it is.

It is a place that we come to. It is a global townhall for our global village. It is where we have visibility and where we can shine a light on the opportunities. But also, where we can give hope to the millions that look to us – to serve them.

The United Nations remains dedicated to supporting your efforts every step of the way.

Through our UN expertise and presence in the country, we are committed to supporting Mission 300, the African Development Bank and the World Bank. And we are committed to help identify and attract investments, strengthen policy, and secure the support you need to make Mission 300 a success.

Finally, I would like to also commend our Special Representative. It is not often that we have women in leadership positions. Today, we are hosted by a great leader that is a woman.

But we also have the Special Representative of the UN on Sustainable Energy for All, Damilola Ogunbiyi, who is playing a critical role within the Mission 300.

In this critical countdown to 2030, let us ensure that Mission 300 delivers concrete outcomes towards the SDGs, the Paris Agreement, and the Agenda 2063.

Let us seize this moment to accelerate and to deliver transformative progress. Together, I am sure that Africa can lead the clean energy transition, creating lasting prosperity and resilience for generations to come and actions and aspiration fulfilled today for our women and our youth.

Thank you.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI Global: Commerce oversees everything from weather and salmon to trade and census − here are 3 challenges awaiting new secretary

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Linda J. Bilmes, Daniel Patrick Moynihan Senior Lecturer in Public Policy and Public Finance, Harvard Kennedy School

Howard Lutnick, left, is President Donald Trump’s nominee to run the Commerce Department. AP Photo/Evan Vucci

The U.S. secretary of commerce oversees the smallest but arguably most complex of all Cabinet-level departments.

Established as a distinct entity in 1913, it has evolved into a sprawling organization with 13 bureaus spanning a wide variety of critical areas that include weather forecasting, conducting the census, estimating gross domestic product, managing fisheries, promoting U.S. exports, setting standards for new technology and allocating radio frequency spectrum. It is even home to one of America’s eight uniformed military services, the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps with its own fleet of ships, aircraft and 321 commissioned officers. Its main mission is to monitor oceans, waterways and the atmosphere in support of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration.

As a result, there is no other Cabinet position that has to engage with lawmakers in Congress across so many disparate technical issues, committees and stakeholders. This medley reflects both the historical evolution of the U.S. economy and a degree of political happenstance.

I served at the Commerce Department in several roles, including as chief financial officer and assistant secretary for administration, management and budget, and have watched several administrations attempt to craft an overarching strategic narrative around this diverse set of missions.

Besides the difficult job of formulating a unifying strategy for the department’s many activities, I believe there are three specific challenges in particular that await the next secretary, a position that requires Senate confirmation.

The Commerce Department manages salmon as part of its National Marine Fisheries Service.
AP Photo/Manuel Valdes

Commerce: A sprawling bureauocracy

From its earliest days, the Commerce Department has collected trade statistics, overseen lighthouses and issued patents and trademarks. But since then, its portfolio has expanded significantly.

In 1970, NOAA was placed inside Commerce, partly as a result of a feud between President Richard Nixon and his interior secretary, Wally Hickel, over the Vietnam War. NOAA now accounts for more than half the department’s US$11 billion budget and has created some peculiar departmental overlaps.

As President Barack Obama joked in his 2011 State of the Union speech, “The Interior Department is in charge of salmon while they’re in freshwater, but the Commerce Department handles them when they’re in saltwater.”

While the joke wasn’t quite accurate – a division of Commerce manages salmon in both fresh and saltwater, though Interior does restore their habitat – it does reflect some odd situations. For example, when it comes to sea turtles, Interior oversees their nests on shore, whereas Commerce protects them in the open sea.

Due to the department’s broad interests, the commerce secretary has a role in nearly every important issue facing the country.

He or she needs to be a quick study who is able to multitask, respond to congressional inquiries on a myriad of topics, as well as manage a 50,000-strong workforce including economists, scientists, statisticians, meteorologists and other experts.

One example of the caliber of experts Commerce oversees is the National Institute for Standards and Technology, which does cutting-edge research in bioscience, artificial intelligence, materials science and industrial measurement standards. The institute currently has five Nobel laureates in physics and chemistry on its staff and is on the front lines on cybersecurity and national defense.

While it’s unclear how Trump nominee Howard Lutnick plans to unify Commerce’s work, the previous secretary, Gina Raimondo, outlined five strategic goals for her department, including driving U.S. global competitiveness, using data to find new opportunities and modernizing its services and capabilities.

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation is holding a hearing on Jan. 29, 2025, to consider Lutnick’s nomination.

Challenge No. 1: Another census is just around the corner

The incoming secretary’s biggest challenge will be the decennial census due on April 1, 2030.

The census counts every person living in the U.S. and five U.S. territories. Census data is used to apportion the number of seats each state has in the House of Representatives and to adjust or redraw electoral districts, as well as to apportion federal funding allotted to each district. Consequently, the census receives huge attention in Congress. It will be an especially hot topic because the data collected in the 2020 census had errors due to the pandemic.

Conducting the census is highly labor intensive and takes many years of planning and preparation, which ramp up now.

The Commerce Department must hire 500,000 temporary workers, open local offices and run large-scale field tests, award billions of dollars in contracts, and work with every state, local, county and tribal government in the country to map where people live. This includes dorms, homeless shelters, nursing homes, prisons, oil rigs, boats, tents, hospitals and mobile homes as well as houses and apartments.

The Census Bureau says it began planning for 2030 as far back as 2019 and is preparing to do a test census in 2026.

Trump administration policies, such as ongoing efforts to round up and deport undocumented migrants, will make it even more challenging to count immigrants and other historically hard-to-reach groups. During his first term, President Donald Trump sought to prevent unauthorized immigrants from being counted at all – but ran out of time.

A NOAA crew on a reconnaissance flight into the eye of Hurricane Milton in October 2024.
Sim Aberson/NOAA via AP

Challenge No. 2: NOAA on the front lines of climate change fight

Second, NOAA is likely to be in the political crosshairs, due to its role as a global leader in studying oceans, climate and coastal ecosystems.

It tracks rising sea levels, ocean acidification and extreme weather events, and forecasts their impact on fisheries, shipping, marine protected areas and habitats. It also runs the National Weather Service and issues severe storm warnings. These and many other NOAA activities are vital to monitoring the pace of climate change and helping Americans adapt.

NOAA’s mission and its budget are sure to be scrutinized by the Trump administration, which has already reversed a variety of policies meant to slow the pace of climate change. Trump himself has called climate change a “hoax.” That and policy proposals that seek to break up or privatize NOAA suggest many of NOAA’s climate-related activities could be under threat.

Challenge No. 3: The patent problem

A third challenge the incoming secretary will face is an ongoing crisis at the Patent and Trademark Office.

Unlike most federal agencies, the Patent and Trademark Office is funded by user fees collected from applicants rather than from tax revenue. This is supposed to make it more efficient and easier to hire staff quickly, but the model is under stress due to a shortage of patent examiners with skills in assessing science, technology, engineering and math applications. The agency currently has a backlog of over 800,000 unexamined patent applications – near an all-time high.

The backlog is likely to continue to grow as artificial intelligence and other state-of-the-art technologies accelerate the discovery cycle, but the slow process of patent approval – two years on average – can throw a wrench in it.

Patents and trademarks are critical to U.S. competitiveness because they reward innovation and discovery and help inventors attract investors.

The Trump administration’s broad federal hiring freeze is likely to worsen the Patent and Trademark Office’s staffing issues, while the back-to-office mandate may make it harder to recruit patent examiners, who often work remotely.

On top of this, Elon Musk, whose companies hold large numbers of patents and who already holds tremendous sway in the Trump administration, says “patents are for the weak” and compared them with landmines in warfare. “They don’t actually help advance things,” he said. “They just stop others from following you.”

In addition to these three areas, Commerce’s roles in international trade, telecommunications, industrial security and other matters could also become epicenters of any global crisis.

This all adds up to an uncomfortable mix of political and operational challenges for the next secretary.

This story is part of a series of profiles explaining Cabinet and high-level administration positions.

Linda J. Bilmes is affiliated with the Harvard Kennedy School. She served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US Department of Commerce from 1997-1998 and as CFO and Assistant Secretary for Management, Budget and Administration from 1999-2001.

– ref. Commerce oversees everything from weather and salmon to trade and census − here are 3 challenges awaiting new secretary – https://theconversation.com/commerce-oversees-everything-from-weather-and-salmon-to-trade-and-census-here-are-3-challenges-awaiting-new-secretary-248087

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI United Nations: New Permanent Representative of New Zealand Presents Credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva

Source: United Nations – Geneva

Deborah Mary Geels, the new Permanent Representative of New Zealand to the United Nations Office at Geneva, today presented her credentials to Tatiana Valovaya, the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva.

Prior to her appointment to Geneva, Ms. Geels held the position of Deputy Secretary of the Americas and Asia Group from 2022 to 2024, and before that of Deputy Secretary of the Multilateral and Legal Affairs Group from 2019 to 2022 at the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Ms. Geels served as Permanent Representative of New Zealand to the United Nations Office at Vienna from 2013 to 2017, with bilateral accreditation as Ambassador to Austria, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia. She served at the Permanent Mission of New Zealand to the United Nations Office at Geneva from 1997 to 2002. She also served as New Zealand’s Deputy Head of Mission in Beijing from 2006 to 2008 and was earlier posted to Vanuatu. She has held a number of other positions within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade focusing on multilateral work, the Pacific Islands, Asia and development assistance.

________

Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the information media; not an official record.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DPIIT and JKEDI sign MoU to strengthen startup ecosystem in Jammu & Kashmir

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 28 JAN 2025 4:45PM by PIB Delhi

Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the Jammu & Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at fostering collaboration, mentorship, and support for startups in the region.

The signing took place during “Jammu Kashmir Konnect,” a special startup-focused program organized at JKEDI’s Baribrahamna campus, where startups, incubators, and key-way stakeholders gathered to discuss innovation and growth opportunities. DPIIT and JKEDI formally signed the MoU marking a significant step toward strengthening startup support systems in J&K.

The MoU between DPIIT and JKEDI paves the way for greater branding, outreach, and accessibility to Startup India’s ecosystem, fostering mentorship, knowledge exchange, and infrastructure support. It also focuses on market linkages, funding networks, and international expansion opportunities, aligning with India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

During the program, Director DPIIT and Director JKEDI held one-on-one interactions with all incubators, discussing their challenges, needs, and future plans. The session provided a unique platform for incubators to share insights, suggest improvements, and seek policy-level support for enhancing the startup ecosystem.

During the event, Shri Rajinder Kumar Sharma, JKAS, Director JKEDI highlighted the impact of the JK Startup Policy, launched in March 2024, which has led to over 250 new startup registrations on the DPIIT portal taken the total to 988 in a short span. He also emphasized the significant outreach efforts undertaken by JKEDI, stating that during the current financial year, the institute has successfully conducted 601 Entrepreneurship Awareness Programs (EAPs) across Universities, Colleges, Higher Secondary Schools, and IITs in 20 districts of J&K—without incurring any expenses.

The “Jammu Kashmir Konnect” program, coupled with the signing of the MoU, marks a major milestone in J&K’s startup ecosystem, ensuring that aspiring entrepreneurs receive the mentorship, funding opportunities, and ecosystem support needed to thrive.

The Head of the Incubators from IIT- Jammu, IIM-Jammu, Jammu University, SKUAST-Jammu, Cluster University and CIIIT Jammu along with the FICCI Flo attended the event physically. Incubators from NIT- Srinagar, IUST University, SKUAST – Kashmir and CIIIT Baramulla joined virtually.

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Abhisekh Dayal/Abhijith Narayanan/Asmitabha Manna

(Release ID: 2097035) Visitor Counter : 47

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI Africa: The Aid for Trade Initiative for Arab States (AfTIAS 2.0) Program Expands Regional Trade Initiatives Including Jordan Export Launchpad and Key Projects in Egypt and Algeria to Empower Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Drive Economic Growth

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, January 28, 2025/APO Group/ —

The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) (www.ITFC-IDB.org) is proud to continue its work on the Aid for Trade Initiative for Arab States (AfTIAS 2.0), a program designed to enhance the trade capacity and competitiveness of Arab states. Building on past achievements, AfTIAS 2.0 is focused on empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to navigate global markets and expand intra-regional trade.

With an emphasis on policy reform and capacity building, AfTIAS 2.0 addresses the core challenges faced by businesses across the region, fostering economic development and facilitating trade.

The AfTIAS 2.0 program is implemented across 10 Arab countries, all of which are members of the League of Arab States. These countries are the primary beneficiaries of the program, which aims to promote economic integration and sustainable development through trade in the Arab region.

One of the flagship initiatives under AfTIAS 2.0 is the Jordan Export Launchpad, which aims to equip Jordanian SMEs with the skills and resources to access international markets. In partnership with the Trade Facilitation Office (TFO) Canada and the Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation (JEDCO), the 13-month program offered specialized training to help export-ready businesses succeed globally. The initiative reflects AfTIAS 2.0’s commitment to fostering economic growth and creating jobs across the Arab region by enhancing the export potential of local enterprises.

The program concluded with a graduation ceremony on October 28th, where 27 trainers received certifications. The event featured key figures, including JEDCO’s CEO, a representative from the Canadian Embassy, and TFO Canada’s Executive Director, who participated virtually.

Another successful project under AfTIAS 2.0 is the initiative by the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport. This project established a comprehensive mechanism and database to support the shipbuilding and repair industry in Arab countries, marking a major achievement in regional collaboration. It underscores the program’s strategic focus on developing key industries to drive economic integration across the Arab world.

Also, under AfTIAS 2.0, is Egypt’s Training is a STEP towards Exports (STEP) Project. The STEP project is a comprehensive program designed to equip Egyptian youth and SMEs with the necessary skills to successfully navigate the global export market. By providing targeted training in agricultural production and manufacturing, the program aims to enhance the competitiveness of the country’s exports and create new opportunities for economic growth. Through the program, participants will receive valuable guidance on accessing loans and funding to support their export endeavors.

In Algeria, the AfTIAS 2.0 program is working to strengthen the agri-food and beverage sector through a project focused on improving the business environment for SMEs and enhancing institutional support. This 16-month initiative, launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, ALGEX, and the International Trade Centre (ITC), seeks to bolster Algeria’s export competitiveness and contribute to the country’s achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“Through AfTIAS 2.0, we are dedicated to enhancing the trade capabilities of SMEs in the Arab region, thus driving economic growth and promoting sustainable development,” explained Eng. Hani Salem Sonbol, CEO of the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC). “This program exemplifies our commitment to reducing economic disparities and fostering regional market integration.”

AfTIAS 2.0 continues to support a wide range of projects across the region, strengthening competitiveness, eliminating trade barriers, and fostering economic resilience. The program works in close partnership with key institutions, including the League of Arab States (LAS) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), to ensure that capacity building, infrastructure development, and institutional strengthening remain central to its goals.

By fostering intra-regional trade and reducing reliance on imports, AfTIAS 2.0 addresses economic inequalities and promotes sustainable growth across the Arab world.

MIL OSI Africa –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI Global: Global wildlife trade is an enormous market – a look at the billions of animals the US imports from nearly 30,000 species

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Michael Tlusty, Professor of Sustainability and Food Solutions, UMass Boston

U.S. Fish and Wildlife agents inspect a shipment of reptiles at the Port of Miami. U.S. GAO

When people think of wildlife trade, they often picture smugglers sneaking in rare and endangered species from far-off countries. Yet most wildlife trade is actually legal, and the United States is one of the world’s biggest wildlife importers.

New research that we and a team of colleagues published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that, over the last 22 years, people in the U.S. legally imported nearly 2.85 billion individual animals representing almost 30,000 species.

Some of these wild animals become pets, such as reptiles, spiders, clownfish, chimpanzees and even tigers. Thousands end up in zoos and aquariums, where many species on display come directly from the wild.

Medical research uses macaque monkeys and imports up to 39,000 of them every year. The fashion trade imports around 1 million to 2 million crocodile skins every year. Hunting trophies are also included in wildlife.

How many species are legally traded worldwide?
Benjamin Marshall, et al., 2024, PNAS, CC BY-SA

The largest number of imported species are birds – 4,985 different species are imported each year, led by Muscovy ducks, with over 6 million imported. Reptiles are next, with 3,048 species, led by iguanas and royal pythons. These largely become pets.

Not all wildlife are wild

We found that just over half of the animals imported into the U.S. come from the wild.

Capturing wildlife to sell to exporters can be an important income source for rural communities around the world, especially in Africa. However, wild imported species can also spread diseases or parasites or become invasive. In fact, these risks are so worrying that many imported animals are classed as “injurious wildlife” due to their potential role in transmitting diseases to native species.

Captive breeding has played an increasingly dominant role in recent years as a way to limit the impact on wild populations and to try to reduce disease spread.

However over half the individual animals from most groups of species, such as amphibians or mammals, still come from the wild, and there is no data on the impact of the wildlife trade on most wild populations.

Trade may pose a particular risk when species are already rare or have small ranges. Where studies have been done, the wild populations of traded species decreased by an average of 62% across the periods monitored.

Sustainable wildlife trade is possible, but it relies on careful monitoring to balance wild harvest and captive breeding.

Data is thin in many ways

For most species in the wildlife trade, there is still a lot that remains unknown, including even the number of species traded.

With so many species and shipments, wildlife inspectors are overwhelmed. Trade data may not include the full species name for groups like butterflies or fish. The values in many customs databases are reported by companies but never verified.

Macaques, used in medical research, are the most-traded primates globally, according to an analysis of U.S. Fish and Wildlife data.
Davidvraju, CC BY-SA

In our study, we relied on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Law Enforcement Management Information System, a wildlife import-export data collection system. However, few countries collate and release data in such a standardized way; meaning that for the majority of species legally traded around the world there is no available data.

For example, millions of Tokay geckos are imported as pets and for medicine, and are often reported to be bred in captivity. However, investigators cannot confirm that they weren’t actually caught in the wild.

Why tracking the wildlife trade is important

Biodiversity has a great number of economic and ecological benefits. There are also risks to importing wildlife. Understanding the many species and number of animals entering the country, and whether they were once wild or farmed, is important, because imported wildlife can cause health and ecological problems.

Wildlife can spread diseases to humans and to other animals. Wild-caught monkeys imported for medical research may carry diseases, including ones of particular risk to humans. Those with diseases are more likely to be wild than captive-bred.

The most-traded mammals worldwide are minks, which are valued for their fur but can spread viruses to humans and other species. About 48 million minks are legally traded annually, about 2.8% wild-caught and the majority raised, according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife data.
Colin Canterbury/USFWS

Species that aren’t native to the U.S. may also escape or be released into the wild. Invasive species can cause billions of dollars in damage by consuming and outcompeting native wildlife and spreading diseases.

We believe better data on the wildlife trade could be used to set management goals, such as harvest quotas or no-take policies for those species in their country of origin.

What’s next

The researchers involved in this study come from institutes around the world and are all interested in improving data systems for wildlife trade.

Some of us focus on how e-commerce platforms such as Etsy and Instagram have become hotspots of wildlife trade and can be challenging to monitor without automation. Esty announced in 2024 that it would remove listings of endangered or threatened species. Others build tools to help wildlife inspectors process the large number of shipments in real time. Many of us examine the problems imported species cause when they become invasive.

In the age of machine learning, artificial intelligence and big data, it’s possible to better understand the wildlife trade. Consumers can help by buying less, and making informed decisions.

Michael Tlusty is a founding member of the Wildlife Detection Partnership and co-developed the Nature Intelligence System, which assists governments in collecting more accurate wildlife data..

Andrew Rhyne is currently on sabbatical funded by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), focused on the wildlife trade data. He is a founding member of the Wildlife Detection Partnership and co-developed the Nature Intelligence System, which assists governments in collecting more accurate wildlife data.

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

– ref. Global wildlife trade is an enormous market – a look at the billions of animals the US imports from nearly 30,000 species – https://theconversation.com/global-wildlife-trade-is-an-enormous-market-a-look-at-the-billions-of-animals-the-us-imports-from-nearly-30-000-species-247197

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Wyden, Dexter Urge Trump to Make Good on Campaign Promises to Lower Food Prices for American Families

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
January 28, 2025
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and U.S. Representative Maxine Dexter today announced they have joined 19 legislative colleagues in a letter to Donald Trump urging him to take meaningful steps to lower grocery prices for American families.
During his campaign, Trump repeatedly promised he would lower food prices “immediately” if elected. However, during his first week, none of the many executive orders he signed addressed any sort of plan to lower food costs.
“Your sole action on costs was an executive order that contained only the barest mention of food prices and not a single specific policy to reduce them,” wrote the lawmakers. “You have tools you can use to lower grocery costs and crack down on corporate profiteering, and we write to ask if you will commit to using those tools to make good on your promises to the American people.”“To make food more affordable, you should look to the dominant food and grocery companies that have made record profits on the backs of working families who have had to pay higher prices,” continued the lawmakers. “If you are indeed committed to lowering food prices, we stand ready to work with you.”
The lawmakers laid out six recommendations for executive actions to lower prices by encouraging competition and fighting price-gouging at each level of the food supply chain:

Encourage the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to prohibit exclusionary contracting by dominant firms in the food industry, making it harder for major retailers and food brands to shut out smaller suppliers and drive up prices at smaller stores.

Encourage the FTC to issue guidance on potential violations of the Robinson Patman Act and Section 5 of the FTC Act within the food industry and take enforcement action where merited.

Work with the USDA to increase the number of government contract recipients that are very small businesses and to ensure that government contracting considers the long-term costs of food sector consolidation.

Help the Department of Justice (DOJ) and FTC scrutinize, and where appropriate, block mergers and acquisitions in the food and agricultural sectors.

Encourage the DOJ to prosecute actors in the agricultural and food sectors for price-fixing and other anticompetitive behavior.

Direct the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and FTC to form a joint task force to investigate food price manipulation throughout the supply chain.

“Americans are looking to you to lower food prices. Instead of working to lower their grocery bills, however, you have used the first week of your administration on attempting to end birthright citizenship, pardoning individuals who attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6, and renaming a mountain,” concluded the lawmakers. “We urge you to make good on your campaign promise to lower food prices for American families.”Read the full text of the letter here.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI Africa: Revisiting the Africa-Paris Declaration: Progress, Challenges and the Road Ahead for African Energy

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

PARIS, France, January 28, 2025/APO Group/ —

The Africa-Paris Declaration, forged during the 2024 Invest in African Energy (IAE) Forum in Paris, was a pivotal moment in Africa’s quest for sustainable energy solutions. Aimed at strengthening the continent’s energy transition while addressing the urgent issue of energy poverty, the declaration set ambitious targets for expanding access to clean, affordable and reliable energy. With the 2025 edition of the forum approaching, now is the time to reflect on the progress made since the Africa-Paris Declaration and assess how these initiatives are shaping Africa’s energy future.

Increased Engagement in Africa

In the months following the declaration, international investors, development banks and private equity firms have shown a steadfast interest in the African energy market. A key milestone was the launch of the Africa Energy Bank by the African Export-Import Bank and APPO, marking the creation of a first-of-its-kind institution designed to fund and facilitate energy initiatives across the continent. Several final investment decisions were successfully closed, including Shell’s $5.5 billion Bonga North deepwater project. Additionally, strategic partnerships, including new PSCs signed by Panoro Energy in Equatorial Guinea and BW Energy in Gabon, highlight how international collaborations are accelerating energy development and creating new opportunities for exploration and production. This increased engagement is key to addressing the financing gap that has long hindered the growth of Africa’s energy sector.

Natural gas continues to play a central role in Africa’s energy strategy as a transitional fuel. The Africa-Paris Declaration underscored its importance as a bridge between traditional energy sources and renewable energy. Over the past year, significant strides have been made in natural gas exploration and LNG exports. Notable developments include Senegal’s Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG reaching its first gas production, the Republic of Congo’s first LNG exports to Italy from the Congo LNG project, Nigeria’s UTM FLNG receiving its construction license, and Angola’s Sanha Lean Gas Connection project achieving first gas, among others. These initiatives are not only crucial for advancing Africa’s energy transition, but also serve as powerful drivers of economic growth by creating jobs and advancing infrastructure development.

Meanwhile, countries like South Africa, Egypt and Morocco are at the forefront of wind and solar energy development, with momentum expected to build as they meet renewable energy targets and explore new growth opportunities. These investments are driving a shift toward cleaner, more sustainable energy in Africa, though challenges remain. High costs of renewable technologies and insufficient grid infrastructure continue to hinder expansion, underscoring the need for more investment in off-grid and mini-grid solutions.

Investment Gaps Persist

Despite these advancements, Africa still faces significant investment challenges. The financing gap for large-scale energy projects remains substantial and while the private sector has become more engaged, many projects still struggle to secure the necessary capital. In particular, the cost of financing remains high due to the perceived risks associated with energy investments in Africa. This is where continued efforts to de-risk investments and foster public-private partnerships are critical to unlocking the continent’s full energy potential. Institutional capacity continues to be a challenge for many African countries. While progress has been made in improving regulatory frameworks, there is still a need for clearer policies, streamlined permitting processes and better enforcement of regulations. Governments must continue to strengthen their institutions to effectively implement energy projects and create an enabling environment for both local and international investors.

With the IAE 2025 forum just months away, industry stakeholders have an opportunity to reflect on the progress made since the Africa-Paris Declaration and determine next steps for the continent’s energy future. The forum serves as a platform for government officials, industry leaders and financial institutions to renew commitments, share success stories and address ongoing challenges. While the road to universal energy access and a sustainable energy future is long, the declaration has set the framework for a collective effort that can lead to meaningful change. With the right investments, regulatory frameworks and political will, Africa can emerge as a global leader in energy innovation and sustainability.

MIL OSI Africa –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI United Nations: Deputy Secretary-General Tells Africa Energy Summit Policy Coherence, Finance, Transparent Cooperation Key to ‘Illuminate the Lives of Millions’

Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks to the panel on “Policies and Reforms for Transforming African Energy” at the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit, in Dar es Salaam today:

I want to start by thanking the Government of Tanzania and the African Union for its leadership, and the World Bank, the African Development Bank and the Mission 300 partners for convening this summit.

Mission 300 has undertaken an enormous task: to help close the energy access gap and unlock sustainable development across the continent by delivering electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030. As we have heard, we face a stark reality: 685 million people across the continent still lack access to electricity, with the gap widening as population growth outpaces new electricity connections.

And yet, Africa is richly endowed with natural resources vital for renewable energy technologies: it is home to 60 per cent of the world’s best solar resources and possesses vast wind, hydro and geothermal potential. And critical minerals mined in Africa are powering the renewables revolution around the world.

Despite this abundance, and record global investments in renewable energies worldwide, Africa continues to be left behind and many Africans continue to lack access to clean, affordable energy. This injustice must be urgently resolved. Access to electricity is an essential development requirement, one that can also be the multiplier for acceleration in building a sustainable future for all.

Providing clean energy to local communities represents a unique opportunity to improve health, widen access to education and social protection, make food systems resilient and create green jobs, e-commerce and financial services, while at the same time protecting the environment and biodiversity.

We have heard our distinguished speakers discuss why companies and Governments should get involved. The business case is clear: the falling costs of renewables and storage offer a great opportunity to deliver access to energy, energy security and sovereignty and climate resilience.

With the new African Continental Free Trade Area, aiming at a trade zone without barriers to the transfer of goods and services, the business opportunities will further multiply if the right policy environments — coherent and predictable — are put in place.

As we move into discussing what policies and reforms for transforming African energy can enable millions to access energy, I would like to focus on three areas of urgent attention for policymakers.

First, fostering policy coherence. We are five years away from the target of our SDGs [Sustainable Development Goals], and we are not on track. Policymakers and the international institutions need to strive to ensure sector-wide plans are coherent and aligned with the achievement of the SDGs due in 2030, while investors need robust regulatory laws in place to ensure business can operate aligned with them.

At this Summit, Mission 300 target countries are presenting their first national energy strategies for achieving universal energy access. These strategies need to be part of a broader plan, one that — while achieving universal energy access — needs to be aligned with the new economy-wide national climate action plans, or NDCs, consistent with 1.5°C, well before COP 30 [the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference] in November.

NDCs represent a unique opportunity for all countries to align their new climate plans and energy strategies, together with addressing adaptation needs. NDCs must coordinate the transition from fossil fuels with scaling of renewables and grid modernization and expansion, ensuring energy security and affordability. And they must be anchored in justice — providing support for affected workers and communities.

If done right, climate plans align with national development priorities and double as investment plans — becoming blueprints for a more sustainable and prosperous future. The Secretary-General’s panel on critical energy transition minerals offers important principles and actionable recommendations to ensure this new era does not repeat historical patterns of exploitation. SEforALL [Sustainable Energy for All], UN Resident Coordinators and country teams will continue to support country-level policy reforms, integrate stakeholder innovations, build institutional capacities and boost infrastructure investments across the entire clean-energy supply chain.

Second, mobilizing finance and support. While private-sector investments and innovation are important, public financing remains vital — especially in modernizing grid infrastructure to expand access and integrate renewables. Blending concessional public funds with commercial funds can help multiply renewable-energy investments in developing countries. We must work to strengthen the health of Africa’s public finances and tackle unsustainable debt burdens that are crowding out essential public investments.

The fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, that will take place in July to underpin the needs for long-term concessional finance, and the 1.3 trillion roadmap, agreed in Baku, that needs to be delivered by COP 30 in Brazil, must provide investments to scale up, among others, the energy transition.

Third, enhancing transparent international cooperation. International investments and cross-border partnerships hold the key to delivering electricity projects at a massive scale. Institutions must be strengthened to operate in complex regulatory environments, with multiple actors across jurisdictions.

Public-private partnerships need to be subject to stable and transparent public procurement rules throughout the whole project cycle — rules that prioritize long-term sustainability and allow for mutually beneficial contractual relationships. Transparency and accountability should be a hallmark of Mission 300 and set a new standard for cooperation across the continent.

As we start the five-year countdown to delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals, and mark the ten-year anniversary of the Paris Agreement, let us work together to illuminate the lives of millions, power the industries of tomorrow and ensure that no one is left behind in the race to deliver universal clean energy, climate resilience and economic prosperity.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General James Secures $450,000 from Companies Selling Home Security Cameras that Failed to Secure Private Videos

Source: US State of New York

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James secured $450,000 from three companies that distribute eufy home security video cameras for failing to secure consumers’ private home security videos. The companies, Fantasia Trading LLC, Power Mobile Life LLC, and Smart Innovation, LLC distribute a line of video cameras, video doorbells, and video smart locks under the eufy brand. An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that video streams from the cameras were not always securely encrypted and could be accessible to anyone with the relevant link without authentication. The settlement requires these companies to take steps to ensure stronger protections for customers’ data and pay $450,000 in penalties and costs.

“New Yorkers buy home security cameras to protect themselves and their homes,” said Attorney General James. “The eufy cameras’ poor data security allowed anyone to access people’s security camera footage, defeating the purpose of having a home security system. Today my office is taking steps to ensure eufy cameras’ developers improve their data security so that New Yorkers home security footage is private and protected.”

In November 2022, a security researcher publicly disclosed tests indicating that marketing claims about the eufy products’ security and “end-to-end encryption” of data might not be accurate. The OAG opened an investigation focused on a line of eufy-branded internet-enabled video cameras, video doorbells, and video locks distributed by Fantasia Trading, Power Mobile Life, and Smart Innovation. The marketing for these home security products assured consumers that their data would be kept private and secure.

The OAG’s investigation revealed that, in certain situations, video sent over the internet from eufy home security products was not protected by end-to-end encryption, and that at least a portion of the connection did not use any type of encryption at all. The investigation also uncovered that an active video stream could be accessed by anyone with the relevant URL, without authentication, and that it may have been possible to deduce the URL without obtaining it from a user. The companies had not previously identified these security vulnerabilities because they did not have the necessary processes in place to test their safeguards or to identify risks to the security and privacy of consumers’ video.

As a result of this settlement, Fantasia Trading, Power Mobile Life LLC, and Smart Innovation will pay $450,000 in penalties and costs and take steps to ensure the eufy home security products they sell better protect consumers’ private videos. The agreement requires that the companies regularly substantiate that the developer of the eufy home security products:

Maintains a comprehensive information security program designed to protect the security, confidentiality, and integrity of consumer information;
Uses secure software development processes, including the use of third-party tools for testing software for security vulnerabilities;
Maintains a vulnerability management program that includes regular penetration testing and vulnerability testing; and
Implements appropriate encryption processes, including the encryption of video in storage and in transit.

Today’s announcement continues Attorney General James’ efforts to protect New Yorkers’ personal information and hold companies accountable for their poor data security practices. Last month, Attorney General James secured $500,000 from an auto insurance company for failing to protect New Yorkers’ data. In November 2024, Attorney General James and DFS Superintendent Adrienne Harris secured $11.3 million from GEICO and Travelers for having poor data security. In October 2024, Attorney General James secured $2.25 million from a Capital Region health care provider for failing to protect the private information and medical data of New Yorkers. In August 2024, Attorney General James and a multistate coalition secured $4.5 from a biotech company for failing to protect patient data. In July, Attorney General James launched two privacy guides, a Business Guide to Website Privacy Controls and a Consumer Guide to Tracking on the Web, to help businesses and consumers protect themselves. In April 2023, Attorney General James released a comprehensive data security guide to help companies strengthen their data security practices. In January 2022, Attorney General James released a business guide for credential stuffing attacks that detailed how businesses could protect themselves and consumers.

This matter was handled by Assistant Attorney General Nathaniel Kosslyn, Senior Enforcement Counsel Jordan Adler, and Deputy Bureau Chief Clark Russell of the Bureau of Internet and Technology, under the supervision of Bureau Chief Kim Berger. The Bureau of Internet and Technology is a part of the Division for Economic Justice, which is led by Chief Deputy Attorney General Chris D’Angelo and overseen by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI: Bybit Brings Gold and Forex Trading to the Forefront with Exclusive Copy Trading Fiesta

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has unveiled the Copy Trading Gold & FX Fiesta, an exclusive event offering a total prize pool of 130,000 USDT. This unique opportunity invites crypto traders to explore Gold and Forex markets through Bybit’s innovative Copy Trading platform, which simplifies trading for beginners and experienced participants alike. The event runs from now until Feb. 24, 2025, providing a seamless gateway for crypto traders to expand their strategies into new asset classes.

Participants can unlock rewards by completing a variety of engaging tasks. Traders who register as Master Traders and complete their first trade on the Copy Trading Gold & FX platform will be eligible to receive a 50 USDT airdrop. Those who choose to follow a Master Trader and execute their first copy trade are eligible for a 10 USDT airdrop. Participants can enhance their chances of winning by completing a daily trading task. By trading at least 2 lots of Gold or forex, they can unlock one Lucky Draw opportunity each day, adding more potential rewards to their experience.

Bybit’s Copy Trading Gold & FX Fiesta is designed to help traders diversify their portfolios, moving beyond traditional cryptocurrency markets to explore the potential of Gold and Forex. With the global economy showing positive growth, this is a chance to discover new opportunities and expand into promising asset classes. Bybit’s platform ensures convenience by leveraging USDT instead of fiat, simplifying transactions and making it easy for users to participate. Beginners can follow the strategies of experienced traders through Copy Trading, gaining confidence and insights as they trade alongside industry pros.

Joan Han, Sales and Marketing Director at Bybit, shared her thoughts on the event: “By combining exclusive features with a user-friendly platform, we’re making it easier than ever for our users to explore new trading opportunities and diversify their portfolios. This event is the perfect gateway for those looking to enter the Gold and Forex markets while leveraging the expertise of seasoned traders.”

Rewards for this event are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Lucky Draw rewards will be credited to winners’ Rewards Hub and must be claimed within 14 days. To qualify, participants must register via the designated event page and complete Identity Verification Level 1. Restrictions apply, and users are advised to read the terms and conditions.

For any questions or assistance, users can contact Bybit’s Customer Support team.

#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk

About Bybit
Bybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 60 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.

Contact

Head of PR
Tony Au
Bybit
tony.au@bybit.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d39060a8-34cf-4f63-bc50-08e09e6d083d

The MIL Network –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI Video: Visit by EFTA parliamentarians

Source: World Trade Organization – WTO (video statements)

European Free Trade Association (EFTA) parliamentarians met with WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on 28 January 2025 to discuss the importance of a rules-based multilateral trading system. The meeting addressed EFTA’s commitment to global trade, the need for WTO reform, and the role of trade in improving living standards. Both parties emphasized the importance of maintaining a stable and predictable trading system in the current geopolitical context.

Download this video from the WTO website:
https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/webcas_e/webcas_e.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ga2RXooYwyM

MIL OSI Video –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Charter Market traders offered FREE training in essential business skills

Source: St Albans City and District

Publication date: 28 Jan 2025

Traders at St Albans Charter Market are to be offered FREE training and advice to improve their skills and help their business grow.

St Albans City and District Council, which runs the market, has teamed up with St Albans Enterprise Agency (STANTA) to make the assistance available.

To qualify for the 12 hours of free help, a trader needs to be a regular at the Market and have run their business for up to five years.

They can then apply to have a choice of training and advice modules under the Government-backed Get Enterprising programme delivered by STANTA. This includes:

Business advice from an experienced adviser.
Assistance with choosing the most suitable business structure.
Free workshops with content ranging from business planning, bookkeeping to digital marketing and AI.

Get Enterprising is funded by the Government with the aim of helping new and fledgling businesses.

Councillor Paul de Kort, the Council’s Leader and Lead for Economic Development, said:

This is a great opportunity for some of our Charter Market entrepreneurs to get first class training and advice on a wide range of business matters.

We want to support our traders who not only create a great atmosphere in the City Centre, but also help the local economy by bringing in visitors and creating jobs.

This training will assist them, not just in managing their businesses but in growing them as well. A market is a wonderful place to start a business as some of Britain’s leading business people started out that way.

I am delighted that we are building a strong relationship with STANTA and together in the future we will look io provide more support and training opportunities for our traders.

STANTA’s Executive Director Steve Bedford said:

We are delighted to work alongside St Albans City and District Council to make available our business advice and skills workshop services to St Albans Market traders.

We have a wide remit in terms of supporting startups, young and small business in the area and look forward to working with the market traders.

STANTA is an independent enterprise agency which has been active in St Albans, Harpenden and the surrounding area for more than 40 years.

A not-for-profit service, it has helped local people start, grow and develop successful businesses: https://stanta.co.uk/.

Charter Market traders will receive details of how to apply to the scheme from the Council’s markets team.

Photo: the Charter Market.

Media contact: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer: 01727- 819533; john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI: Jeremy Michael Joins Guggenheim Securities to Expand Energy Investment Banking Practice

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

NEW YORK, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Guggenheim Securities, the investment banking and capital markets division of Guggenheim Partners, announced today that Jeremy Michael has joined the firm’s Energy, Power & Energy Transition investment banking business as a Senior Managing Director.

Mr. Michael brings more than two decades of investment banking experience to Guggenheim with a focus on upstream, midstream, and downstream energy. He joins the firm from Barclays where he served as Global Head of Natural Resources Investment Banking advising industry-leading companies and leading sector-defining transactions.

“We are pleased to welcome Jeremy to Guggenheim,” said Mark Van Lith, CEO of Guggenheim Securities. “Jeremy is a leading advisor in the energy sector and will play an important role as we continue to build our energy and power franchises. We look forward to his success at the firm.”

Mr. Michael earned his B.A. from Vanderbilt University.

About Guggenheim Securities

Guggenheim Securities is the investment banking and capital markets business of Guggenheim Partners, a global investment and advisory firm. Guggenheim Securities offers services that fall into four broad categories: Advisory, Financing, Sales and Trading, and Research. Guggenheim Securities is headquartered in New York, with additional offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, London, Menlo Park, and San Francisco. For more information, please visit GuggenheimSecurities.com, follow us on LinkedIn or contact us at GSinfo@GuggenheimPartners.com or 212.518.9200.

About Guggenheim Partners

Guggenheim Partners is a diversified financial services firm that delivers value to its clients through two primary businesses: Guggenheim Investments, a premier global asset manager and investment advisor, and Guggenheim Securities, a leading investment banking and capital markets business. Guggenheim’s professionals are based in offices around the world, and our commitment is to deliver long-term results with excellence and integrity while advancing the strategic interests of our clients. Learn more at GuggenheimPartners.com, and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter @GuggenheimPtnrs.

Media Contact

Steven Lee
Guggenheim Securities
212.293.2811
Steven.Lee@guggenheimpartners.com

The MIL Network –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI Global: Engineering the social: Students in this course use systems thinking to help solve human rights, disease and homelessness

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Raúl Ordóñez, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Dayton

An engineering education can equip students to work on broader social issues. Photosomnia/E+ via Getty Images

Uncommon Courses is an occasional series from The Conversation U.S. highlighting unconventional approaches to teaching.

Title of course:

Engineering Systems for the Common Good

What prompted the idea for the course?

As a control systems researcher, I have long felt that control systems – and systems science in general – have much to contribute to solving social problems.

Control systems make other systems behave in some desired manner. Think of the cruise control in a car, which keeps its speed constant, or the thermostat in a house that regulates temperature.

I wanted to know whether engineers could treat society and social phenomena as systems in the engineering sense. That way, students and researchers could mathematically model and even simulate these phenomena using computers.

Control systems engineering offers a set of powerful analysis and design tools. I wanted to know whether my students and I could apply these methods to things such as policymaking to help address societal problems.

What does the course explore?

In this course, students learn fundamental systems theory concepts, such as block diagrams, feedback loops and discrete-time dynamics. They apply these concepts to mathematically model and analyze social systems.

In the class, I talk with the students about human rights. We think about how this powerful idea applies to social systems. This systems framework helps us approach social justice issues in a methodical, mathematical manner.

In Raúl Ordóñez’s class at the University of Dayton, students take engineering concepts and apply them to societal issues.
Shawn Robinson/University of Dayton

Students use simulation software to model systems such as disease epidemics, the viral spread of ideas, the tragedy of the commons and homelessness, among others.

Importantly, they learn that some social phenomena can be methodically studied and engineered, in a quantifiable manner. For example, they can use numbers and data to experiment and evaluate how introducing vaccines affects disease spread.

By the end of the course, students gain a deeper understanding of the connection between engineering principles and tools and human rights and society.

Why is this course relevant now?

This course helps bridge the gap between engineering and social sciences by bringing concepts from human rights and social justice to engineering students. It teaches them how the powerful engineering tools they learn throughout the engineering curriculum can directly serve the common good.

What’s a critical lesson from the course?

The course is a concrete step toward teaching engineering and science students that engineering has more to offer to society than its direct applications. Students learn that a partnership between the humanities and engineering is not only possible but strongly desirable for the advancement of the common good.

What materials does the course feature?

There is no one textbook that deals with all the topics in this course, although the book “Humanitarian Engineering: Advancing Technology for Sustainable Development,” third edition, by Kevin M. Passino, is a very useful resource. I have mostly developed my own materials, including my set of lecture notes, projects and numerical simulation code.

Many engineers use tools in engineering to help people and communities.

What will the course prepare students to do?

The course aims to prepare students to apply common engineering tools such as differential equations, signals and systems, systems analysis, mathematical models and numerical simulation to the analysis of social problems, with an emphasis on human rights implications.

It also introduces social modeling as a powerful method for understanding social issues and assessing how various policies affect human rights.

My goal is to produce engineering students who can meaningfully contribute to policymaking by using engineering tools to assess the consequences of social and economic policies.

Dr. Kevin M. Passino was my doctoral research adviser at the Ohio State University, where I did my PhD.

– ref. Engineering the social: Students in this course use systems thinking to help solve human rights, disease and homelessness – https://theconversation.com/engineering-the-social-students-in-this-course-use-systems-thinking-to-help-solve-human-rights-disease-and-homelessness-242893

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI Global: Medical research depends on government money – even a day’s delay in the intricate funding process throws science off-kilter

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Aliasger K. Salem, Associate Vice President for Research and Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Iowa

Of the tens of thousands of grant applications submitted to the National Institutes of Health, only around 1 in 5 is funded. Sean Gladwell/Moment via Getty Images

In the early days of the second Trump administration, a directive to pause all public communication from the Department of Health and Human Services created uncertainty and anxiety among biomedical researchers in the U.S. This directive halted key operations of numerous federal agencies like the National Institutes of Health, including those critical to advancing science and medicine.

These operations included a hiring freeze, travel bans and a pause on publishing regulations, guidance documents and other communications. The directive also suspended the grant review panels that determine which research projects receive funding.

As a result of these disruptions, NIH staff has reported being unable to meet with study participants or recruit patients into clinical trials, delays submitting research findings to science journals, and rescinded job offers.

Shorter communication freezes in the first few days of a new administration aren’t uncommon. But the consequences of a freeze lasting weeks or potentially longer underscore the critical role the federal government plays in supporting biomedical research. It also brings the intricate processes through which federal research grants are evaluated and awarded into the spotlight.

I am a member of a federal research grant review panel, as well as a scientist whose own projects have undergone this review process. My experience with the NIH has shown me that these panels come to a decision on the best science to fund through rigorous review and careful vetting.

How NIH study sections work

At the heart of the NIH’s mission to advance biomedical research is a careful and transparent peer review process. Key to this process are study sections – panels of scientists and subject matter experts tasked with evaluating grant applications for scientific and technical merit. Study sections are overseen by the Center for Scientific Review, the NIH’s portal for all incoming grant proposals.

A typical study section consists of dozens of reviewers selected based on their expertise in relevant fields and with careful screening for any conflicts of interest. These scientists are a mix of permanent members and temporary participants.

I have had the privilege of serving as a permanent chartered member of an NIH study section for several years. This role requires a commitment of four to six years and provides an in-depth understanding of the peer review process. Despite media reports and social media posts indicating that many other panels have been canceled, a section meeting I have scheduled in February 2025 is currently proceeding as planned.

Evaluating projects for their scientific merit and potential impact is an involved process.
Center for Scientific Review

Reviewers analyze applications using key criteria, including the significance and innovation of the research, the qualifications and training of the investigators, the feasibility and rigor of the study design, and the environment the work will be conducted in. Each criterion is scored and combined into an overall impact score. Applications with the highest scores are sent to the next stage, where reviewers meet to discuss and assign final rankings.

Because no system is perfect, the NIH is constantly reevaluating its review process for potential improvements. For example, in a change that was proposed in 2024, new submissions from Jan. 25, 2025, onward will be reviewed using an updated scoring system that does not rate the investigator and environment but takes these criteria into account in the overall impact score. This change improves the process by increasing the focus of the review on the quality and impact of the science.

From review to award

Following peer review, applications are passed to the NIH’s funding institutes and centers, such as the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases or the National Cancer Institute, where program officials assess the applications’ alignment with the priorities and budgets of institutes’ relevant research programs.

A second tier of review is conducted by advisory councils composed of scientists, clinicians and public representatives. In my experience, study section scores and comments typically carry the greatest weight. Public health needs, policy directives and ensuring that one type of research is not overrepresented relative to other areas are also considered in funding decisions. These factors can change with shifts in administrative priorities.

Grant awards are typically announced several months after the review process, although administrative freezes or budgetary uncertainties can extend this timeline. Last year, approximately US$40 billion was awarded for biomedical research, largely through almost 50,000 competitive grants to more than 300,000 researchers at over 2,500 universities, medical schools and other research institutions across the U.S.

Getting federal funding for research is a highly competitive process. On average, only 1 in 5 grant applications is funded.

Medical research often follows a strict timeline.
gorodenkoff/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Consequences of an administrative freeze

The Trump administration’s initial freeze paused some of the steps in the federal research grant review process. Some study section meetings have been postponed indefinitely, and program officials faced delays in processing applications. Some research groups relying on NIH funding for ongoing projects can face cash flow challenges, potentially resulting in a need to scale back research activities or temporarily reassign staff.

Because my own study section meeting is still scheduled to take place in February, I believe these pauses are temporary. This is consistent with a recent follow-up memo from acting HHS Secretary Dorothy Fink, stating that the directive would be in effect through Feb. 1.

Importantly, the pause underscores the fragility of the research funding pipeline and the cascading effects of administrative uncertainty. Early-career scientists who often rely on timely grant awards to establish their labs are particularly vulnerable, heightening concerns about workforce sustainability in biomedical research.

As the NIH and research community navigate these pauses, this chapter serves as a reminder of the critical importance of stable and predictable funding systems. Biomedical research in the U.S. has historically maintained bipartisan support. Protecting the NIH’s mission of advancing human health from political or administrative turbulence is critical to ensure that the pursuit of scientific innovation and public health remains uncompromised.

Aliasger K. Salem receives funding from the National Institutes of Health. He serves on the Executive Board of the American Association for Pharmaceutical Scientists.

– ref. Medical research depends on government money – even a day’s delay in the intricate funding process throws science off-kilter – https://theconversation.com/medical-research-depends-on-government-money-even-a-days-delay-in-the-intricate-funding-process-throws-science-off-kilter-248290

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI Africa: International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) Launches New Environmental and Social Policy to Drive Sustainable Trade

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, January 28, 2025/APO Group/ —

The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) (www.ITFC-IDB.org), member of the Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDB), unveiled its new Environmental and Social (ES) policy. This policy reinforces ITFC’s commitment to embedding sustainable practices across its trade finance operations, recognizing the essential role trade finance and trade development can play in mitigating climate change and promoting social equity.

ITFC’s member countries are among the most vulnerable to climate change, social challenges, and economic inequality. This ongoing climate crisis requires urgent action. With trade being responsible for 20-30% of global CO₂ emissions, ITFC is aligning its operations with international frameworks such as the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to make trading greener in its markets of operations. By championing responsible and inclusive trade finance, ITFC aims to reduce its carbon footprint while supporting its member countries in achieving sustainable economic growth.

This new ES policy is focused on 5 key areas:

Environmental Action. ITFC is proactively incorporating green practices throughout every aspect of its operations and work environment. By prioritizing digitization, implementing paperless solutions, and enhancing energy efficiency, we aim to lead by example in embracing environmentally responsible initiatives and demonstrating our commitment to sustainability.

Sustainable and Inclusive Trade Finance. ITFC aims to increase its share of financing in goods and services that promote sustainability. By prioritizing sectors that strengthen resilience, such as sustainable agriculture, financial inclusion, and eco-friendly supply chains, ITFC is contributing to sustainable and inclusive growth in our member countries.
Empowering for Sustainable Impact. Through capacity-building programs and technical assistance, ITFC will help businesses and governments reduce climate risks, advance social inclusion, and access green financing opportunities.
Innovative Treasury Solutions. ITFC is dedicated to increasing investment in Shariah-compliant sustainable financial instruments, including exploring the issuance of green Sukuk to bolster climate-resilient trade and development for ITFC member countries.
Credible Assessment and Disclosure. ITFC is committed to adopting best practices to embed environmental and social considerations in its transactions and projects. We aim to transparently disclose our ES performance, adhering to international best practices, promote accountability and build trust with our stakeholders.

On this note, Eng. Hani Salem Sonbol, CEO ITFC stated: “Our work in some of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions have given us firsthand insight into the reality of climate change. From rural landscapes to urban centers, we are witnessing the effects of an accelerating environmental shift and as we remain true to our commitment to powering sustainable growth, it has become imperative for the Corporation to fully streamline and operationalize its new direction towards sustainability and climate change.”

ITFC’s new environmental and social policy reflects its vision to foster economic growth that is both inclusive and sustainable, setting a new standard for trade finance institutions globally. ITFC remains committed to fostering intra-OIC trade, enhancing member countries’ capacities to adopt green energy solutions.

MIL OSI Africa –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI: Golar LNG Limited – Q4 2024 results presentation

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Golar LNG’s 4^th Quarter 2024 results will be released before the NASDAQ opens on Thursday, February 27, 2025. In connection with this a webcast presentation will be held at 1:00 P.M (London Time) on Thursday February 27, 2025. The presentation will be available to download from the Investor Relations section at www.golarlng.com

We recommend that participants join the conference call via the listen-only live webcast link provided. Sell-side analysts interested in raising a question during the Q&A session that will immediately follow the presentation should access the event via the conference call by clicking on this link. We recommend connecting 10 minutes prior to the call start. Information on how to ask questions will be given at the beginning of the Q&A session. There will be a limit of two questions per participant.

a. Listen-only live webcast link
Go to the Investors, Results Centre section at www.golarlng.com and click on the link to “Webcast”. To listen to the conference call from the web, you need to have a sound card on your computer, but no special plug ins are required to access the webcast. There is a “Help” link available on the webcast pages for anyone who may have issues accessing.

b. Teleconference

Conference call participants should register to obtain their dial in and passcode details. This process eliminates wait times when joining the call.

When you log in, you can either dial in using the provided numbers and your unique PIN, or select the “Call me” option and type in your phone number to be instantly connected to the call. Use the following link to register.

Please download the presentation material from www.golarlng.com (Investors, Results Centre) to view it while listening to the conference.

If you are not able to listen at the time of the call, you can assess a replay of the event audio for a limited time on www.golarlng.com (Investors, Results Centre).

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act

The MIL Network –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI: Wintrust Financial Corporation Completes Integration with LPL Platform

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LPL Financial LLC, a subsidiary of LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: LPLA), today announced that Wintrust Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: WTFC) has transitioned support of the wealth management business of Wintrust Investments and certain private client business at Great Lakes Advisors (collectively “Wintrust”) to LPL Financial and its Institution Services platform.

“This strategic relationship with LPL Financial is a significant step forward for Wintrust and our mission to provide exceptional wealth management advice and superior service to our clients across the country,” said Tom Zidar, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Wintrust Wealth Management. “By leveraging LPL’s enhanced platform, we will deliver a more streamlined and personalized experience to our clients and a more intuitive, integrated experience for our advisors.”

“Wintrust’s advisors now have the capabilities, technology and centralized support to differentiate their service offering and grow their practices,” said Christopher Cassidy, Senior Vice President, Head of Institution Business Development at LPL. “This strategic relationship reflects the value LPL brings to help financial institutions scale their wealth management businesses and deliver personalized experiences for their clients.”

LPL and Wintrust Financial Corporation signed an agreement in February 2024. On January 25, about $15 billion of brokerage and advisory assets were onboarded to LPL. The remaining $1 billion of assets are expected to onboard over the next several months.

About Wintrust  

Wintrust is a financial holding company with approximately $64.9 billion in assets whose common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. Guided by its “Different Approach, Better Results^®” philosophy, Wintrust offers the sophisticated resources of a large bank while providing a community banking experience to each customer. Wintrust operates more than 200 retail banking locations through 16 community bank subsidiaries in the greater Chicago, southern Wisconsin, west Michigan, northwest Indiana, and southwest Florida market areas. In addition, Wintrust operates various non-bank business units, providing residential mortgage origination, wealth management, commercial and life insurance premium financing, short-term accounts receivable financing/outsourced administrative services to the temporary staffing services industry, and qualified intermediary services for tax-deferred exchanges.

About LPL Financial 

LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: LPLA) is among the fastest growing wealth management firms in the U.S. As a leader in the financial advisor-mediated marketplace, LPL supports more than 28,000 financial advisors and the wealth management practices of approximately 1,200 financial institutions, servicing and custodying approximately $1.8 trillion in brokerage and advisory assets on behalf of 6 million Americans. The firm provides a wide range of advisor affiliation models, investment solutions, fintech tools and practice management services, ensuring that advisors and institutions have the flexibility to choose the business model, services, and technology resources they need to run thriving businesses. For further information about LPL, please visit www.lpl.com.

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial (LPL), a registered investment advisor and broker dealer, member FINRA/SIPC.

LPL Financial and its affiliated companies provide financial services only from the United States. LPL Financial and Wintrust are not affiliated.

Throughout this communication, the terms “financial advisors” and “advisors” are used to refer to registered representatives and/or investment advisor representatives affiliated with LPL Financial.

We routinely disclose information that may be important to shareholders in the “Investor Relations” or “Press Releases” section of our website.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain of the statements included in this release, such as those regarding the expected onboarding of assets associated with the strategic relationship and the benefits anticipated of the relationship, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “assumes,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “should,” “will,” “shall” or variations of such words are generally part of forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are made based on current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects upon Wintrust, LPL or both. In particular, no assurance can be provided that the assets reported as serviced by financial advisors affiliated with Wintrust will translate into assets serviced by LPL or that the benefits that are expected to accrue to Wintrust, LPL and advisors as a result of the strategic relationship will materialize. These forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, including economic, legislative, regulatory, competitive and other factors, and there are certain important factors that could cause actual results or the timing of events to differ, possibly materially, from expectations or estimates expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include: difficulties or delays of LPL in transitioning advisors affiliated with Wintrust, or in onboarding Wintrust’s clients and businesses or transitioning their assets from Wintrust’s current third-party custodian to LPL; the inability of LPL to sustain revenue and earnings growth or to fully realize revenue or expense synergies or the other expected benefits of the transaction, which depend in part on LPL’s success in onboarding assets currently served by Wintrust’s advisors; disruptions to Wintrust’s or LPL’s businesses due to transaction-related uncertainty or other factors making it more difficult to maintain relationships with financial advisors and clients, employees, other business partners or governmental entities; the inability of LPL or Wintrust to implement onboarding plans; the choice by clients of Wintrust-affiliated advisors not to open brokerage and/or advisory accounts at LPL; changes in general economic and financial market conditions, including retail investor sentiment; fluctuations in the value of assets under custody; and the effects of competition in the financial services industry, including competitors’ success in recruiting Wintrust-affiliated advisors. Certain additional important factors that could cause actual results or the timing of events to differ, possibly materially, from expectations or estimates expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements can be found in the “Risk Factors” and “Forward Looking Statements” (in the case of Wintrust) or the “Risk Factors” and “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” (in the case of LPL) sections included in each of Wintrust’s and LPL’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. Except as required by law, Wintrust and LPL do not undertake to update any particular forward-looking statement included in this document as a result of developments occurring after the date of this press release.

Contacts 

LPL Media Relations 
media.relations@lplfinancial.com 
(704) 996-1840

LPL Investor Relations 
investor.relations@lplfinancial.com 

Wintrust
David A. Dykstra
Vice Chairman & Chief Operating Officer
(847) 939-9000

Tracking: 686437

The MIL Network –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI: Data Storage Corporation’s CloudFirst Subsidiary Partners with Pulsant to Drive Platform Growth

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

MELVILLE, N.Y., Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Data Storage Corporation (Nasdaq: DTST) (“DSC” and the “Company”), a leading provider of multi-cloud hosting, managed cloud services, disaster recovery, cybersecurity, and IT automation, that integrates with AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, today announced that its subsidiary, CloudFirst Europe, has entered into a strategic partnership with Pulsant, the most geographically diverse UK provider of edge infrastructure and data centres.

This partnership aligns with CloudFirst’s ongoing growth strategy to strengthen its global footprint. The CloudFirst platform currently operates in six data centers, across three countries, serving more than 400 clients. The partnership will extend the platform across Pulsant facilities in the UK.

The partnership is driven by a shared vision to address the unique cloud-based hosting and disaster recovery needs of IBM customers. Many businesses encounter challenges with IBM environments, and this collaboration allows CloudFirst to deliver its specialized expertise to Pulsant’s extensive customer base. By leveraging Pulsant’s local infrastructure and trusted relationships, CloudFirst can extend its reach to new markets while providing tailored solutions to customers across Europe and the UK, including American enterprises with operations in the region.

“The UK and Ireland remain strategically important markets for IBM, and demand from businesses looking to modernise legacy systems continues to grow,” said Wendy Shearer, Director of Partnerships and Ecosystems at Pulsant. “Many organisations still haven’t found the right way forward. Our partnership with CloudFirst gives these companies the deep IBM expertise and a close, reliable network infrastructure. This combination makes it easier, simpler and faster for them to evolve their IBM environments, eliminating complexities and extending the return on their IBM investment.”

The expertise of the teams within both CloudFirst and Pulsant is a key strength of this collaboration. Pulsant’s skilled data center professionals and CloudFirst’s IBM specialists are working closely to ensure the partnership delivers seamless service and exceptional value to customers. This alignment of expertise and commitment illustrates the quality of the relationship and its potential to drive long-term success.

“At the core of this partnership is our ability to meet the demands of IBM platform users who need specialized expertise,” added, Hal Schwartz, President of CloudFirst. “By combining Pulsant’s extensive local infrastructure and trusted client relationships with CloudFirst’s focus on IBM platform solutions, we’re creating a robust and dynamic offering that allows us to address the critical needs of mid-market and enterprise customers.”

About Pulsant
Pulsant is the UK’s leading regional edge infrastructure. Our platformEDGE infrastructure connects 12 strategically located data centres through a low-latency network fabric, providing access to cloud, connectivity, and compute services across the UK and beyond.

Pulsant enables regional businesses and service providers to leverage the power of edge computing to improve application performance and user experience, reach new markets, and build innovative use cases. platformEDGE allows businesses to scale IT workloads in line with their ambitions, both locally and nationally, while ensuring continuous availability of data and applications through diverse connectivity options.

By choosing Pulsant, clients can optimise costs with local, secure infrastructure and access to an ecosystem of suppliers and partners, delivering exceptional time to value and supporting their digital ambitions. With almost three decades of experience and more than 1,200 clients who put their trust in our sustainable network infrastructure, we are committed to our ESG goals, holding multiple accreditations, including ISO27001 and PCI DSS, to deliver the highest standards of security and compliance.

About Data Storage Corporation
Data Storage Corporation (Nasdaq: DTST) through its subsidiaries is a leading provider of multi-cloud hosting, fully managed cloud services, disaster recovery, cybersecurity, IT automation, and voice & data solutions. Recognizing that data migration is a critical step in transitioning from on-premises systems to the cloud, DTST provides comprehensive migration services to ensure seamless, secure, and efficient data transfer, minimizing downtime and optimizing performance.

Through its CloudFirst platform, built on IBM Power Cloud infrastructure, DTST delivers high-performance, scalable, and secure cloud solutions with interoperability across its infrastructure partners, AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.

With data centers supporting cloud platform deployments across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, DTST provides mission-critical cloud services to a diverse clientele, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, educational institutions, and healthcare organizations.

As a leader in the multi-billion-dollar cloud hosting and business continuity market, DTST is recognized for its expertise in cloud infrastructure, IT modernization, and data migration, enabling clients to transition to the cloud with confidence and operational continuity.

For more information, please visit www.dtst.com or follow us on X @DataStorageCorp.

Safe Harbor Provision

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, that are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created thereby. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “projects,” “estimates,” “plans” and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “should,” “would,” “may” and “could” are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts, although not all forward-looking statements include the foregoing. The forward looking statements in this press release include statements such as the expected contribution of Mr. Freeman, the Company’s expansion of its innovative cloud business into the European market and solving the challenges the Company’s customers face today while delivering services that keep their businesses fully operational at all times by specializing in the migration of mission-critical workloads into the Company’s secure, enterprise managed cloud infrastructure providing complete recovery to guarantee service performance. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can provide no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations and assumptions from those set forth or implied by any forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include the Company’s ability to grow its presence in Europe. These risks should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read together with the other cautionary statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it was initially made. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise.

Contact:
Crescendo Communications, LLC
212-671-1020
DTST@crescendo-ir.com

The MIL Network –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI: The Trade Anything Vision: Unlocking Instant Liquidity and Infinite Markets on dYdX in 2025

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

NEW YORK, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The dYdX Foundation reflects on 2024 achievements, including $270B+ in trading volume, 175 markets, and $79M+ USDC in MegaVault, while highlighting the 2025 roadmap.
The dYdX Foundation (“the Foundation”), an organization focused on supporting and growing the dYdX protocol ecosystem, today released the 2024 dYdX Ecosystem Report and highlighted dYdX Trading’s 2025 software roadmap built around the ecosystem’s “Trade Anything” vision. The report showcases a notable year of growth for dYdX, with $270B in trading volume, pushing the total cumulative volume to $1.46T since 2021. The Unlimited upgrade, launched in November 2024, proved to be a significant catalyst for the protocol, introducing MegaVault, a liquidity tool that surpassed $79M USDC in TVL to support the over 175 markets available on dYdX, many of which have been added through the new instant market listings feature.
The traction behind decentralized trading, especially within perpetual markets, continues to project favorably in 2025 and beyond. Up 132% to $1.5T in 2024, the total perp DEX volumes skyrocketed – dYdX’s 2024 trading volume alone would’ve amounted to over one-third of the entire industry’s volume in 2023, and the exchange has remained at the forefront of what is projected to be one of the fastest growing sectors in the space in 2025. This momentum is reflected in the dYdX community with the number of DYDX holders increasing by 290% to 53,000 in 2024. To remain at the cutting edge of the market, dYdX is going all-in on its “Trade Anything” vision, seeking to empower users to trade thousands of markets with instant liquidity through the growth and evolution of MegaVault.
“dYdX is breaking barriers to enable a permissionless future where any asset can be traded instantly with immediate liquidity. In 2024, we saw transformative growth driven by our community, through upgrades, DAO proposals, grants, and the Affiliate Program. We’re carrying this momentum into 2025” said Charles d’Haussy, CEO of the dYdX Foundation.
The launch of dYdX Unlimited in November 2024 introduced innovative features like Instant Market Listings and MegaVault, unlocking hundreds of new markets. Over 150 have already been launched permissionless by the dYdX community, including the pioneering Trump prediction market perpetual ahead of the U.S. election, as well as perps on FX markets like the Turkish Lira and the Euro. In just six weeks, MegaVault reached a TVL of over $70M with an APR exceeding 40%, showcasing a strong product-market fit. As MegaVault continues to mature, liquidity across all markets will continue to improve, solidifying dYdX as DeFi’s pro trading platform for markets of all sizes.
According to the team, looking ahead, the community can anticipate instant deposits, an enhanced mobile UX, and various onboarding upgrades, all geared to onboard a slew of new traders entering the space in the new year. Trading enhancements, including permissioned keys and optimized execution speeds, are set to go live imminently.
“With institutional and retail interest continuing to evolve, we’re confident that dYdX is positioned as the go-to-market option for derivatives trading, catering to investors of all levels. Alongside the community, we’re excited about the enhancements coming to the protocol in 2025 to make the trading experience on dYdX best-in-market in terms of simplicity and efficiency”, added d’Haussy.
On the governance front, the number of DYDX holders increased by 290% to 53,000 in 2024, adding more voices to shape the future of the ecosystem. With the launch of a revamped Trading Rewards Program allowing traders to gain back a portion of the fees they pay in the form of rewards distributed in $DYDX, traders received over $63 million in rewards and incentives (excluding staking rewards), including instant rewards paid out by the protocol and the monthly Chaos Labs incentive program.
Looking ahead to 2025, trading rewards will continue at the protocol level, with an additional $1.5 million allocated for the monthly Chaos Labs incentive program. The DAO will focus on infrastructure optimization, comprehensive documentation, and quality assurance as key priorities in 2025.
To review the full report, users can visit here.
About dYdX Foundation
The dYdX Foundation‘s purpose is to support and grow the dYdX protocol ecosystem by enabling communities, developers, and decentralized governance.
The dYdX Chain software is open-source software to be used or implemented by any party in accordance with the applicable license. At no time should the dYdX Chain or its software be deemed to be a product or service provided or made available in any way by the dYdX Foundation. Interactions with the dYdX Chain software or any implementation thereof are permissionless and disintermediated, subject to the terms of the applicable licenses and code. Users who interact with the dYdX Chain software (or any implementations thereof) will not be interacting with the dYdX Foundation in any way whatsoever.
The dYdX Foundation does not make any representations, warranties, or covenants in connection with the dYdX Chain software (or any implementations and/or components thereof), including (without limitation) with regard to their technical properties or performance, as well as their actual or potential usefulness or suitability for any particular purpose. Nothing in this post should be used or considered as legal, financial, tax, or any other advice, nor as an instruction or invitation to act by anyone. The dYdX Foundation makes no recommendation as to how to vote on any proposal in dYdX governance or to take any action whatsoever. The dYdX community is sovereign to make decisions freely and at its sole discretion, in accordance with the governance rules, principles, and mechanisms adopted by the dYdX DAO. The dYdX Foundation does not participate in governance decisions to be made by the dYdX community, including, without limitation, by voting on governance proposals. The dYdX Foundation makes no guarantees and is under no obligation to undertake any of the activities contemplated herein.
Nothing in this post should be considered as financial, investment or any other advice. Crypto-assets can be highly volatile and trading crypto-assets involves risk of loss, particularly when using leverage. Investment into crypto-assets may not be regulated and may not be adequate for retail investors. Do your own research and due diligence before engaging in any activity involving crypto-assets.
Media Contact
M Group Strategic Communications (on behalf of dYdX Foundation)
dydx@mgroupsc.com

Contact

Dillon Arace
darace@mgroupsc.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1a75c40a-28bc-405e-afbe-b7d34a9df4b5

The MIL Network –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI Global: The global wildlife trade is an enormous market – the US imports billions of animals from nearly 30,000 species

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Michael Tlusty, Professor of Sustainability and Food Solutions, UMass Boston

U.S. Fish and Wildlife agents inspect a shipment of reptiles at the Port of Miami. U.S. GAO

When people think of wildlife trade, they often picture smugglers sneaking in rare and endangered species from far-off countries. Yet most wildlife trade is actually legal, and the United States is one of the world’s biggest wildlife importers.

New research that we and a team of colleagues published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that, over the last 22 years, people in the U.S. legally imported nearly 2.85 billion individual animals representing almost 30,000 species.

Some of these wild animals become pets, such as reptiles, spiders, clownfish, chimpanzees and even tigers. Thousands end up in zoos and aquariums, where many species on display come directly from the wild.

Medical research uses macaque monkeys and imports up to 39,000 of them every year. The fashion trade imports around 1 million to 2 million crocodile skins every year. Hunting trophies are also included in wildlife.

How many species are legally traded worldwide?
Benjamin Marshall, et al., 2024, PNAS, CC BY-SA

The largest number of imported species are birds – 4,985 different species are imported each year, led by Muscovy ducks, with over 6 million imported. Reptiles are next, with 3,048 species, led by iguanas and royal pythons. These largely become pets.

Not all wildlife are wild

We found that just over half of the animals imported into the U.S. come from the wild.

Capturing wildlife to sell to exporters can be an important income source for rural communities around the world, especially in Africa. However, wild imported species can also spread diseases or parasites or become invasive. In fact, these risks are so worrying that many imported animals are classed as “injurious wildlife” due to their potential role in transmitting diseases to native species.

Captive breeding has played an increasingly dominant role in recent years as a way to limit the impact on wild populations and to try to reduce disease spread.

However over half the individual animals from most groups of species, such as amphibians or mammals, still come from the wild, and there is no data on the impact of the wildlife trade on most wild populations.

Trade may pose a particular risk when species are already rare or have small ranges. Where studies have been done, the wild populations of traded species decreased by an average of 62% across the periods monitored.

Sustainable wildlife trade is possible, but it relies on careful monitoring to balance wild harvest and captive breeding.

Data is thin in many ways

For most species in the wildlife trade, there is still a lot that remains unknown, including even the number of species traded.

With so many species and shipments, wildlife inspectors are overwhelmed. Trade data may not include the full species name for groups like butterflies or fish. The values in many customs databases are reported by companies but never verified.

Macaques, used in medical research, are the most-traded primates globally, according to an analysis of U.S. Fish and Wildlife data.
Davidvraju, CC BY-SA

In our study, we relied on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Law Enforcement Management Information System, a wildlife import-export data collection system. However, few countries collate and release data in such a standardized way; meaning that for the majority of species legally traded around the world there is no available data.

For example, millions of Tokay geckos are imported as pets and for medicine, and are often reported to be bred in captivity. However, investigators cannot confirm that they weren’t actually caught in the wild.

Why tracking the wildlife trade is important

Biodiversity has a great number of economic and ecological benefits. There are also risks to importing wildlife. Understanding the many species and number of animals entering the country, and whether they were once wild or farmed, is important, because imported wildlife can cause health and ecological problems.

Wildlife can spread diseases to humans and to other animals. Wild-caught monkeys imported for medical research may carry diseases, including ones of particular risk to humans. Those with diseases are more likely to be wild than captive-bred.

The most-traded mammals worldwide are minks, which are valued for their fur but can spread viruses to humans and other species. About 48 million minks are legally traded annually, about 2.8% wild-caught and the majority raised, according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife data.
Colin Canterbury/USFWS

Species that aren’t native to the U.S. may also escape or be released into the wild. Invasive species can cause billions of dollars in damage by consuming and outcompeting native wildlife and spreading diseases.

We believe better data on the wildlife trade could be used to set management goals, such as harvest quotas or no-take policies for those species in their country of origin.

What’s next

The researchers involved in this study come from institutes around the world and are all interested in improving data systems for wildlife trade.

Some of us focus on how e-commerce platforms such as Etsy and Instagram have become hotspots of wildlife trade and can be challenging to monitor without automation. Esty announced in 2024 that it would remove listings of endangered or threatened species. Others build tools to help wildlife inspectors process the large number of shipments in real time. Many of us examine the problems imported species cause when they become invasive.

In the age of machine learning, artificial intelligence and big data, it’s possible to better understand the wildlife trade. Consumers can help by buying less, and making informed decisions.

Michael Tlusty is a founding member of the Wildlife Detection Partnership and co-developed the Nature Intelligence System, which assists governments in collecting more accurate wildlife data..

Andrew Rhyne is currently on sabbatical funded by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), focused on the wildlife trade data. He is a founding member of the Wildlife Detection Partnership and co-developed the Nature Intelligence System, which assists governments in collecting more accurate wildlife data.

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

– ref. The global wildlife trade is an enormous market – the US imports billions of animals from nearly 30,000 species – https://theconversation.com/the-global-wildlife-trade-is-an-enormous-market-the-us-imports-billions-of-animals-from-nearly-30-000-species-247197

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

January 29, 2025

Category: Trade

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