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Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Happy Data Protection Day!

    Source: European Union 2

    If someone asked you to answer 100 questions about your personal life to sell the answers, would you agree? Most likely not.

    It can be difficult  to keep in control over your personal data and to keep it safe. From online shopping and browsing to social media, with every click, share and login-in you leave behind a digital trail. The GDPR ensures that your data can only be used in ways you agree to and that you can access any information about yourself.

    But do people actually know how to protect their data? 
    We asked passers-by on the streets of Brussels.

    Happy Data Protection Day!

    Sorry, your browser doesn’t support embedded videos.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    January 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Hinton — Alberta RCMP Traffic – Roving Traffic Unit makes significant drug seizure

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On Oct. 23, 2024, at approximately 9:30 p.m., an officer with the Alberta RCMP Traffic – Roving Traffic Unit, conducted a traffic stop with a pickup truck on Highway 16 near Hinton, Alberta. During the course of the traffic stop, the investigator made several observations that led him to be suspicious that the lone male occupant was in possession of illegal drugs. The driver was detained for a drug investigation, and a Police Service Dog was deployed around the exterior of the vehicle. The canine provided a positive indication around the vehicle for the odour of a controlled substance, leading to the driver’s arrest, and subsequent search of his vehicle.

    A total of 68 kilograms of cocaine, and a loaded handgun were seized from the vehicle.

    A 36-year-old individual, a resident of Edmonton, has been charged with the following:

    • Possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking

    • Unsafe storage of a firearm

    • Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose

    • Possess a firearm when knowing it possession is unauthorized

    • Possess a prohibited weapon

    • Possess a firearm in a motor vehicle

    • Possess a restricted weapon without registration/licence

    After a judicial interim release hearing, a subsequent court appearance, the individual has been remanded into custody until Nov. 21, 2024.

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Wabamun — Alberta RCMP Community Response Team recover stolen vehicles in Wabamun

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On Nov. 22, 2024, police were notified of a GMC Sierra that was stolen near Entwistle, Alta. and was being GPS tracked by its owner. Officers from the Alberta RCMP Community Response Team, Parkland and Central Alberta District Crime Reduction Units were able to locate the vehicle. When a safe opportunity presented itself, officer moved in and arrested all three occupants two of which attempted to flee on foot. Continued investigation led officers to a stolen Subaru Outback at a nearby residence associated to the three individuals.

    A 34-year-old individual, a resident of Spruce Grove, Alta., was charged with the following:

    • Possession of property obtained by Crime (x2);
    • Failure to comply with release order (x5);
    • Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose;
    • Operate motor vehicle while prohibited.

    A 40-year-old individual, a resident of Spruce Grove was charged with the following:

    • Possession of property obtained by crime;
    • Failure to comply with release order;
    • Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

    An 18-year-old individual, a resident of Spruce Grove, was charged with the following:

    • Possession of property obtained by Crime;
    • Failure to comply with release order;
    • Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

    All three individuals also had outstanding warrants on property related offenses in the Parkland County and Camrose areas at the time of the arrest.

    All individuals were taken before a justice of the peace. The 34-year-old and 18-year-old individuals were remanded into custody and the 40-year-old individual was released on bail with their next court date set for Nov. 27, 2024, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Stony Plain, Alta.

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Airdrie — Airdrie RCMP search warrant leads to drug seizure

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On Nov. 28, 2024, the Airdrie RCMP Crime Reduction Unit paired up with the RCMP Special Investigation Sections, RCMP Emergency Response Team and Calgary Police Tactical Team, and executed a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) search warrant. The search warrant was for two residences located in the Temple and Huntington Hills neighbourhoods of Calgary.

    As a result of the investigation, police seized the following:

    • Canadian currency as proceeds of crime
    • Unstamped tobacco cigarettes
    • Suspected controlled substances including:
      • fentanyl, fentanyl pills, methamphetamine, powder and crack cocaine

    In addition, police located an illegal cannabis grow operation where 265 cannabis plants in various stages of growth were seized.

    A 52-year-old individual, a resident of Calgary, has been charged with the following offences:

    • Possession for the purpose of trafficking (x3)
    • Cultivate more than four cannabis plants
    • Selling tobacco products
    • Fraud under $5000 (defrauding the Government of Alberta for tobacco tax)
    • Possession of proceeds of crime over $5000
    • Theft of electricity

    The individual was taken before a justice of the peace and was released on a release order with conditions. The individual is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 8, 2025, at the Calgary Courts Centre in Calgary, Alberta.

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Names 50 U.S. Schools as State Winners in the Solve for Tomorrow STEM Competition, Vying for a Share of $2 Million in Prizes

    Source: Samsung

    Gen Z and Gen Alpha students across the nation have accepted the challenge to boldly solve pressing community issues using STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Today, Samsung Electronics America announced that 50 U.S. public middle and high schools are moving forward as State Winners in the 15th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow national STEM competition. Each of these schools has been awarded a $12,000 Samsung technology prize package, including a Samsung Video Kit to showcase their proposed STEM solution. The full list of State Winners can be viewed at Samsung.com/Solve.
    “Congratulations to all the incredible State Winners in the 2024-2025 Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition,” said Allison Stransky, Chief Marketing Officer, Samsung Electronics America. “Solve for Tomorrow was born from Samsung’s deep belief in the power of STEM to improve lives and transform communities. It’s truly inspiring to see these bright Gen Z and Gen Alpha innovators harnessing emerging technologies, with nearly half of their STEM solutions incorporating AI, to address critical societal issues with creativity, determination, and purpose.”

    https://img.us.news.samsung.com/us/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/24154439/SFT_2_updated_MP4_large_v1.mp4

    By combining problem-based learning(PBL), STEM disciplines, social impact entrepreneurship, and environmental stewardship, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow engages middle and high school students to drive meaningful societal progress. Through hands-on, real-world experiences, the competition inspires young minds to see STEM as a pathway to becoming changemakers and pursuing fulfilling, impactful careers. The State Winner honor marks a key milestone toward the ultimate prize—being named one of three National Winners, each unlocking $100,000 for their school. Overall, Samsung will award more than $2 million* in prizes to this year’s participating schools.
    Ingenuity & Empathy Drive Gen Z & Gen Alpha STEM Solutions
    Samsung Solve for Tomorrow State Winners are redefining STEM’s potential—not as a field reserved for those attending elite institutions, but as a universal tool for solving real-world problems. Impressively, 58% of the State Winners represent Title 1 schools, aligned with Samsung’s commitment to bringing equitable STEM opportunities to underrepresented communities. Among the State Winners are several all-girl teams breaking barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields, while 48% of teams are from middle schools, showing Gen Alpha’s early passion for innovation and social good.

    The competition also provides a unique glimpse into the priorities of America’s Gen Alpha and Gen Z.  As a group, the State Winners are most concerned with environmental sustainability and climate disasters (28%), public health (26%), and accessibility (20%), followed by public safety and mental health. The student team from Oklahoma is using drones and AI to predict and manage wildfire risks, providing real-time data to firefighters and helping mitigate the devastating effects of climate events. In Arkansas, another school is addressing oral cancer detection by developing an AI-powered mobile app for affordable, non-invasive screenings, making early detection more accessible in rural areas and addressing public health disparities.
    “These 50 State Winners are recasting the role of STEM in solving matters close to their lives and their communities,” said Salman Taufiq, Head of Brand Marketing, Samsung Electronics America. “By addressing real-world issues with empathy and advanced technology like AI, machine learning, drones, and virtual reality, they’re preparing to lead in a rapidly evolving, impact-focused workforce.”
    The competing entries are embracing cutting-edge technologies like AI (42%), 3D printing (34%), and robotics (14%) to bring their ideas to life. Mississippi’s State Winner is developing an AI-driven app that uses biometric sensors to detect the early signs of anxiety in students with autism, giving them and their teachers real-time alerts to help prevent panic attacks. Meanwhile, Nevada’s team are designing a low-cost, fully recyclable modular prosthetic arm using 3D printing, enabling a classmate with a partial arm amputation to participate fully in orchestra performances.

    https://img.us.news.samsung.com/us/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/24153705/SFT_MP4-4_large_v2.mp4

    Innovation & Mentorship Power Next Phase of Competition
    For the next phase of the competition, State Winners will receive a $12,000 prize package, including a Samsung Video Kit consisting of a Galaxy Book and a Galaxy Z Flip to help create a three-minute STEM solution pitch video. The video must demonstrate how STEM is being applied to address the community issue outlined in the student teams’ Activity Plans. State Winners must submit their videos by the deadline of Thursday, March 6, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Judges will review the submissions to select 10 National Finalists, who will be announced in mid-March and are invited to participate in a live pitch event in April 2025.
    Samsung employees will once again serve as one-on-one mentors to the State Winners, guiding student teams through project development and prototype building. Using their professional expertise, mentors will also help teams create compelling video pitches for their STEM solutions to advance to the National Finalist phase.

    National FinalistsBased on their State Winner pitch videos, 10 National Finalists will be chosen to participate in a live pitch event and present their project to a panel of judges. Seven of these schools will be awarded $50,000 in Samsung technology and classroom supplies.
    National WinnersBased on the live pitch presentations, judges will name three National Winners, each earning a $100,00 prize package.
    From the 50 State Winners, one school will be selected for the Rising Entrepreneurship Award, receiving an added $25,000 prize package to nurture and develop their STEM solution into a venture extending beyond the competition.
    One of the 50 State Winner schools will be recognized with a Sustainability Innovation Award for driving sustainable change through STEM innovation, and an additional $25,000 prize package, including Samsung ENERGY STAR® technology.
    From the National Finalists, one Community Choice Winner, selected through online voting by the general public, will receive an additional $10,000 in prizes on top of their National Finalist winnings.
    One Employee Choice Winner will be chosen by Samsung employees from among the National Finalists to receive $10,000 in prizes in addition to their National Finalist winnings.
    *$2 million prize is based on an estimated retail value.

    MIL OSI Economics –

    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 United Kingdom: New humanitarian support for Gaza as ceasefire allows operations to scale up

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    The Minister for Development announces new £17 million package to support thousands of civilians across the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

    • UK aid package will ensure healthcare, food and shelter reaches tens of thousands of civilians and supports vital infrastructure across the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

    • Minister for Development, Anneliese Dodds announces £17 million package and reiterates need for much more aid to enter Gaza with the support of UN agencies including UNRWA.

    • Comes as 300,000 people now confirmed treated by UK-Med at field hospitals in Gaza thanks to UK funding.

    Thousands of civilians in Gaza will receive humanitarian aid funded by the UK.

    Food assistance programmes, water and sanitation services and maternal and children’s healthcare are some of the areas which will be scaled up with new funding.

    This will build on UK efforts over the past 15 months which have ensured more than half a million people have received essential healthcare in Gaza.  

    Within this £17 million package announced today, £2 million in funding for the World Bank will support critical water and energy infrastructure construction and restoration across the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs), including in Gaza. The UK’s ongoing support has meant 284,000 people in Gaza already have improved access to water, sanitation and hygiene services. 

    This announcement brings the total UK support for the OPTs this financial year to £129 million, demonstrating the UK’s commitment to playing a leading role in alleviating Palestinian suffering and helping to build security and economic recovery in the Middle East. This will help drive UK security, in support of the Government’s Plan for Change. 

    It comes as a Jordanian-led helicopter initiative flying aid directly to Gaza has started delivering lifesaving UK-funded medicines to civilians today. As well as providing up to £500,000 of supplies onboard, the UK has also deployed military planners to assist with logistics. Speaking in the House this afternoon, Minister Dodds will underscore the UK’s pride in working with Jordan – who have demonstrated leadership and commitment to deliver aid via all routes possible – to get the airbridge up and running in such challenging circumstances.

    Minister for Development Anneliese Dodds said: 

    The scale of suffering in Gaza cannot be overstated and the UN and its agencies, including UNRWA, must be allowed by Israel to do their vital work.  

    This announcement is part of the UK’s investment in the ceasefire deal, scaling up aid operations and helping the most desperate people access healthcare, water, food and shelter.  

    We must seize this opportunity to get a surge of humanitarian aid to Gaza, all the hostages released and a path towards a viable Palestinian state.

    Minister Dodds emphasised the UK will also continue to support the crucial role played by UN agencies and NGOs operating in Gaza. This includes UNRWA, which has played a vital role in the increase in humanitarian assistance since the ceasefire earlier this month.

    Ahead of the upcoming implementation of Israel’s UNRWA legislation on 30 January, which risks jeopardising the humanitarian response in Gaza and the delivery of essential services in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, the UK has urged Israel to ensure that UNRWA can continue its lifesaving operations for Palestinian refugees. Israel has a responsibility under international law to facilitate humanitarian assistance. Minister Dodds will again reiterate that humanitarian operations must not face a cliff edge on 30 January.

    The Minister for Development also confirmed that the UK provided an additional £4.5 million to UK-Med last year. The charity deploys staff, many of whom work in the NHS, to crisis-hit areas around the world to deliver life and limb-saving healthcare. NHS staff who work for UK-Med typically deploy to Gaza for a four-week period, supporting lifesaving efforts and gaining essential trauma experience.

    UK funding has helped doctors in Gaza treat more than 300,000 patients in Gaza with a range of medical conditions as well as treating injuries directly associated with the conflict. This funding is on top of the £5.5 million announced for the charity on the Foreign Secretary’s first visit to Israel and the OPTs in July last year. 

    UK-Med CEO, David Wightwick said:

    After more than two decades in humanitarian work, I have never seen a crisis of this scale and severity.

    That’s why UK Government funding is vital in providing support to UK-Med to deliver life-saving care to over 300,000 patients in Gaza during 2024. 

    I want to thank our 400-strong team on the ground for their determination, professionalism and tireless work to address the health impacts of this devastating conflict.

    This government’s steadfast support for UNRWA, including £41m of support this financial year, has helped the organisation deliver its humanitarian operation and provide essential services such as education, social care and vaccinations across the OPTs and to Palestinian refugees in the region.  

    Notes to editors 

    • The £17 million package announced today consists of: 
    • £15 million of UK funding comes from the Crisis Reserve pool to be allocated to partner agencies. 
    • £2 million of funding for the World Bank to deliver water and energy infrastructure across the OPTs, including in Gaza 
    • An additional £4.5 million of funding to UK-Med has previously been allocated and spent but not announced  
    • UK-Med operate two field hospitals in Gaza, Deir Al Balah and Al Mawasi. The Al Mawasi field hospital has, among other facilities, an operating theatre, a maternity unit and physical rehabilitation services for patients. At Deir Al Balah, UK-Med staff deliver primary care and see over 400 patients a day.  *This air bridge to Gaza is no substitute for the road routes. The terms of the ceasefire must be adhered to, so that many more trucks can safely and effectively distribute aid within Gaza.
    • Footage – b-roll of UK aid to Gaza via Jordanian helicopters and UK-Med field hospital

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

    Contact the FCDO Communication Team via email (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

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    Updates to this page

    Published 28 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    January 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin: The number of energy-efficient houses under construction has increased by 14%

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The Russian construction industry is increasingly using technologies aimed at increasing energy efficiency. Thus, according to DOM.RF, at the beginning of 2025, almost 3.7 thousand apartment buildings with energy efficiency of A and higher are being built. This is 14% more than the year before. This was reported by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin.

    “The development of energy-efficient housing construction in the country has become possible thanks to comprehensive approaches developed to improve the infrastructure. This is also facilitated by the green GOST R created by the Ministry of Construction and DOM.RF for apartment buildings. Also, to stimulate the construction of such housing, targeted financial support measures are being introduced in the country and systematic work is being carried out to improve the quality of data on the energy efficiency of the housing stock. All this together gives citizens comfortable living, since utility costs are significantly reduced in such houses. As of January 1, 2024, 3,139 energy-efficient houses were under construction, and a year later – already 3,667. The total living area of green buildings is 43.7 million square meters,” said Marat Khusnullin.

    At the beginning of 2025, Moscow became the leader in the construction of energy-efficient housing, reaching 12.4 million square meters. It is followed by the Moscow Region (4.4 million square meters) and the Tyumen Region (2.4 million square meters). Next on the list are the Sverdlovsk Region (2 million square meters), Primorsky Krai (1.8 million square meters), St. Petersburg (1.7 million square meters) and Krasnoyarsk Krai (1.1 million square meters).

    “Over the year, the geography of energy-efficient housing construction has expanded and now covers 82 regions. The share of green buildings among all buildings at the construction stage is also steadily growing – from 24.5% in 2021 to 32% at the beginning of 2025. All this is the result of comprehensive work on the sustainable development of the industry, which the Russian Government is carrying out together with DOM.RF. It includes the development of green standards, the launch of targeted measures to support high-quality projects within the framework of preferential project financing with a cluster approach and the creation of conditions for the transition of developers to a closed-loop economy,” said Vitaly Mutko, General Director of DOM.RF.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    January 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: International Winter Academy on Nuclear Energy for Students from China Concluded

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    The International Winter Academy on Energy has ended at the Institute of Energy. This project is aimed at developing international educational cooperation in energy with universities in different countries. This winter, the Nuclear Energy module was organized for Chinese students from Harbin Engineering University, Sichuan University, Shandong University, and Tsinghua University.

    The staff of the Higher School of Nuclear and Thermal Energy of the Institute of Power Engineering have been conducting classes in a hybrid format since the pandemic. The transition to online classes was inevitable then, and now it has become a convenient option for students who, for various reasons, cannot come.

    We will continue to accept students both online and in person, as there is demand for this. Our program is short-term, it covers both basic and special aspects of energy, so we provide some participants with the opportunity to study after their main classes and after finishing work, – said Ekaterina Sokolova, associate professor at HSE and founder of the academy.

    The Winter Academy received the “status” of an academy when the organizers and founders of the project realized that education is not the only area of cooperation in which students, teachers from foreign universities and polytechnics are interested.

    Now the program includes not only lectures and intensive courses, but also case studies and presentations of scientific research. The Academy participants presented projects on various topics: “Artificial Intelligence on the Path to Sustainable Energy”, “Small Modular Reactors”, “Nuclear Energy and Climate Change”, etc.

    Students wrote review articles and provided examples of the latest developments in their country, Russia and the world, based on the knowledge they had gained during the program. They presented their research results on the final day at the energy forum.

    The guys visited the laboratory of the Scientific and Educational Center “Thermal Physics in Power Engineering”, where Professor Vladimir Mityakov of the Higher School of Engineering and Technology gave a tour in English, showed the work of the wind tunnel and the results of experiments conducted with its help. Associate Professors of the Higher School of Engineering and Technology Khashayar Sadeghi and Hadi Seyed accompanied the students of the Academy, assistant Alexey Tarasenko gave a lecture on the basics of probabilistic safety analysis.

    We would like our academy to be able to provide not only knowledge, but also the skills required for conducting scientific activities and writing articles. The guys get acquainted with the Polytechnic, with teachers and students. We hold events that teach them to work in a team, overcome the language barrier and develop the skill of communicating with future colleagues and scientists. The language of science is, first of all, the language of cooperation, both in education and in culture, – shared Ekaterina Andreyevna.

    A cultural program was prepared for the Academy participants. The children visited the Hermitage and the Yusupov Palace. Senior lecturer of the Higher School of Architecture and Technical Ethics Natalia Donmez and specialist of the SPbPU History Museum Maria Zavyalova conducted a bilingual excursion dedicated to the history of the Polytechnic University.

    The academy’s organizers plan to attract Russian students and students from international educational programs to obtain different opinions and come to new solutions.

    In the near future, IE employees will begin preparing for the spring program on hydrogen energy, which is very popular. Scientists Competence Center for Advanced Nuclear Technologies in the Area of Sustainable Development and Decarbonization of Energy create a course taking into account the latest industry developments.

    In the summer, the team is preparing for the arrival of several delegations from China and students from other countries for modules on electric power, oil and gas industry, nuclear power, and renewable energy sources.

    Students can follow the updates and recruitment to the academy as tutors on the IE website.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    January 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Coastal Financial Corporation Announces Fourth Quarter 2024 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    EVERETT, Wash., Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Coastal Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: CCB) (the “Company”, “Coastal”, “we”, “our”, or “us”), the holding company for Coastal Community Bank (the “Bank”), through which it operates a community-focused bank with an industry leading banking as a service (“BaaS”) segment, today reported unaudited financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, including net income of $13.4 million, or $0.94 per diluted common share, compared to $13.5 million, or $0.97 per diluted common share, for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and $45.2 million, or $3.26 per diluted common share, for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $44.6 million, or $3.27 per diluted common share for the year ended December 31, 2023.

    Management Discussion of the Quarter and Full-year Results

    “2024 was highlighted by the completion of our $98.0 million capital raise during the fourth quarter, which we will utilize to support growth of the Bank including in our CCBX segment,” said CEO Eric Sprink. “We saw high quality net loan growth of $67.7 million despite selling $845.5 million in loans during the fourth quarter, and our CCBX program fee income continued to increase which was up 56.9% for full-year 2024 relative to the prior year. We continue to invest heavily in CCBX to support future growth, and we are pleased to have three letters of intent (“LOI”) signed going into 2025 with an active pipeline.”

    Key Points for Fourth Quarter and Our Go-Forward Strategy

    • Completed Capital Raise Allows CCBX Growth to Continue. During the fourth quarter of 2024, we completed a $98.0 million common equity raise, which was priced at $71.00/share. Proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes and to support growth of the Bank including in our CCBX segment. As of December 31, 2024 we had three signed LOIs and continue to have an active pipeline for 2025. The growth in common-equity tier 1 and total risk-based capital to 12.04% and 14.67%, respectively, includes the benefit of the capital raise.
    • Strong Annual Growth in CCBX Program Fees. Total BaaS program fee income was $25.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $9.3 million, or 56.9%, from the year ended December 31, 2023, and is representative of growth in partner transaction activity and expanded product offerings within our CCBX operating segment. Trends in CCBX noninterest income were also positive during the quarter, with total program fees of $8.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $1.8 million, or 27.6%, from the three months ended September 30, 2024.
    • Investments for Growth Continues. Total non-interest expense of $64.2 million was down $1.4 million, or 2.1%, as compared to $65.6 million in the third quarter of 2024, mainly driven by lower BaaS loan expense, partially offset by higher salaries and employee benefits, point of sale expense, and legal and professional expenses. As we increase the number of new CCBX partners and programs launching in 2025, we expect that expenses will tend to be front-loaded with a focus on compliance and operational risk before any new program reaches significant revenues.
    • Off Balance Sheet Activity Update. During the fourth quarter of 2024, we sold $845.5 million of loans, the majority of which were credit card receivables, and swept $273.2 million of deposits off balance-sheet. We are able to retain a portion of the fee income on these sold credit card loans. As of December 31, 2024 there were 182,449 credit cards with fee earning potential, an increase of 101,023 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2024 and an increase of 172,400 from December 31, 2023.
    • Continued Monitoring of CCBX Risk. We remain fully indemnified against fraud and 98.7% indemnified against credit risk with our CCBX partners as of year-end of 2024.

    Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights

    The tables below outline some of our key operating metrics.

      Three Months Ended
    (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data; unaudited) December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    Income Statement Data:                  
    Interest and dividend income $ 96,587     $ 105,079     $ 97,487     $ 90,472     $ 88,243  
    Interest expense   30,071       32,892       31,250       29,536       28,586  
    Net interest income   66,516       72,187       66,237       60,936       59,657  
    Provision for credit losses   61,867       70,257       62,325       83,158       60,789  
    Net interest (expense)/ income after provision for credit losses   4,649       1,930       3,912       (22,222 )     (1,132 )
    Noninterest income   76,756       80,068       69,918       86,955       64,694  
    Noninterest expense   64,206       65,616       58,809       56,018       51,703  
    Provision for income tax   3,832       2,926       3,425       1,915       2,847  
    Net income   13,367       13,456       11,596       6,800       9,012  
                       
      As of and for the Three Month Period
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    Balance Sheet Data:                  
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 452,513     $ 484,026     $ 487,245     $ 515,128     $ 483,128  
    Investment securities   47,321       48,620       49,213       50,090       150,364  
    Loans held for sale   20,600       7,565       —       797       —  
    Loans receivable   3,486,565       3,418,832       3,326,460       3,199,554       3,026,092  
    Allowance for credit losses   (176,994 )     (170,263 )     (147,914 )     (139,258 )     (116,958 )
    Total assets   4,121,208       4,065,821       3,961,546       3,865,258       3,753,366  
    Interest bearing deposits   3,057,808       3,047,861       2,949,643       2,888,867       2,735,161  
    Noninterest bearing deposits   527,524       579,427       593,789       574,112       625,202  
    Core deposits (1)   3,123,434       3,190,869       3,528,339       3,447,864       3,342,004  
    Total deposits   3,585,332       3,627,288       3,543,432       3,462,979       3,360,363  
    Total borrowings   47,884       47,847       47,810       47,771       47,734  
    Total shareholders’ equity   438,704       331,930       316,693       303,709       294,978  
                       
    Share and Per Share Data (2):                  
    Earnings per share – basic $ 0.97     $ 1.00     $ 0.86     $ 0.51     $ 0.68  
    Earnings per share – diluted $ 0.94     $ 0.97     $ 0.84     $ 0.50     $ 0.66  
    Dividends per share   —       —       —       —       —  
    Book value per share (3) $ 29.37     $ 24.51     $ 23.54     $ 22.65     $ 22.17  
    Tangible book value per share (4) $ 29.37     $ 24.51     $ 23.54     $ 22.65     $ 22.17  
    Weighted avg outstanding shares – basic   13,828,605       13,447,066       13,412,667       13,340,997       13,286,828  
    Weighted avg outstanding shares – diluted   14,268,229       13,822,270       13,736,508       13,676,917       13,676,513  
    Shares outstanding at end of period   14,935,298       13,543,282       13,453,805       13,407,320       13,304,339  
    Stock options outstanding at end of period   186,354       198,370       286,119       309,069       354,969  

    See footnotes that follow the tables below

      As of and for the Three Month Period
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    Credit Quality Data:                  
    Nonperforming assets (5) to total assets   1.52 %     1.63 %     1.34 %     1.42 %     1.43 %
    Nonperforming assets (5) to loans receivable and OREO   1.80 %     1.94 %     1.60 %     1.71 %     1.78 %
    Nonperforming loans (5) to total loans receivable   1.80 %     1.94 %     1.60 %     1.71 %     1.78 %
    Allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans   282.5 %     256.5 %     278.1 %     253.8 %     217.2 %
    Allowance for credit losses to total loans receivable   5.08 %     4.98 %     4.45 %     4.35 %     3.86 %
    Gross charge-offs $ 61,585     $ 53,305     $ 55,207     $ 58,994     $ 47,652  
    Gross recoveries $ 5,646     $ 4,069     $ 1,973     $ 1,776     $ 2,781  
    Net charge-offs to average loans (6)   6.51 %     5.65 %     6.57 %     7.34 %     5.92 %
                       
    Capital Ratios:                  
    Company                  
    Tier 1 leverage capital   10.78 %     8.40 %     8.31 %     8.24 %     8.10 %
    Common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital   12.04 %     9.24 %     9.03 %     8.98 %     9.10 %
    Tier 1 risk-based capital   12.14 %     9.34 %     9.13 %     9.08 %     9.20 %
    Total risk-based capital   14.67 %     11.89 %     11.70 %     11.70 %     11.87 %
    Bank                  
    Tier 1 leverage capital   10.64 %     9.29 %     9.24 %     9.19 %     9.06 %
    Common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital   11.99 %     10.34 %     10.15 %     10.14 %     10.30 %
    Tier 1 risk-based capital   11.99 %     10.34 %     10.15 %     10.14 %     10.30 %
    Total risk-based capital   13.28 %     11.63 %     11.44 %     11.43 %     11.58 %

    (1) Core deposits are defined as all deposits excluding brokered and time deposits.
    (2) Share and per share amounts are based on total actual or average common shares outstanding, as applicable.
    (3) We calculate book value per share as total shareholders’ equity at the end of the relevant period divided by the outstanding number of our common shares at the end of each period.
    (4) Tangible book value per share is a non-GAAP financial measure. We calculate tangible book value per share as total shareholders’ equity at the end of the relevant period, less goodwill and other intangible assets, divided by the outstanding number of our common shares at the end of each period. The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is book value per share. We had no goodwill or other intangible assets as of any of the dates indicated. As a result, tangible book value per share is the same as book value per share as of each of the dates indicated.
    (5) Nonperforming assets and nonperforming loans include loans 90+ days past due and accruing interest.
    (6) Annualized calculations.

    Key Performance Ratios

    Return on average assets (“ROA”) was 1.30% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to 1.34% and 0.97% for the quarters ended September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.  ROA for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, decreased 0.04% and increased 0.33% compared to September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Noninterest expenses were lower for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2024 largely due to a decrease in BaaS loan expense, which is directly related to the amount of interest earned on CCBX loans, and higher than the quarter ended December 31, 2023 largely due to an increase in salaries and employee benefits, data processing and software licenses, legal and professional expenses and point of sale expenses, all of which are related to the growth of Company and investments in technology and risk management.

    Yield on earning assets and yield on loans receivable decreased 1.14% and 0.99%, respectively, for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2024. This decrease is due to a combination of factors. We continue to refine our credit approach with partners, widening the scope of loans that we are moving to nonaccrual, which decreased loan interest income in the quarter ended December 31, 2024 as compared to prior quarters. Average loans receivable as of December 31, 2024 decreased $45.4 million compared to September 30, 2024 as we continue to sell CCBX loans as part of our on-going strategy to manage the loan portfolio and credit quality. New loans are being booked with enhanced credit standards, which typically results in a lower interest rate than some of the higher risk loans that have paid off or we have chosen to sell.

    The following table shows the Company’s key performance ratios for the periods indicated.  

        Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
    (unaudited)   December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
      December 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
                                 
    Return on average assets (1)   1.30%   1.34%   1.21%   0.73%   0.97%   1.15%   1.28%
    Return on average equity (1)   14.90%   16.67%   15.22%   9.21%   12.35%   14.11%   16.41%
    Yield on earnings assets (1)   9.65%   10.79%   10.49%   10.07%   9.77%   10.25%   9.82%
    Yield on loans receivable (1)   10.44%   11.43%   11.23%   10.85%   10.71%   10.99%   10.60%
    Cost of funds (1)   3.24%   3.62%   3.60%   3.52%   3.39%   3.49%   2.91%
    Cost of deposits (1)   3.21%   3.59%   3.58%   3.49%   3.36%   3.46%   2.87%
    Net interest margin (1)   6.65%   7.41%   7.13%   6.78%   6.61%   6.99%   7.10%
    Noninterest expense to average assets (1)   6.23%   6.54%   6.14%   6.04%   5.56%   6.24%   5.90%
    Noninterest income to average assets (1)   7.45%   7.98%   7.30%   9.38%   6.95%   8.00%   5.97%
    Efficiency ratio   44.81%   43.10%   43.19%   37.88%   41.58%   42.21%   45.92%
    Loans receivable to deposits (2)   97.82%   94.46%   93.88%   92.42%   90.05%   97.8%   90.1%

    (1) Annualized calculations shown for quarterly periods presented.
    (2) Includes loans held for sale.

    Management Outlook; CEO Eric Sprink

    “As we look forward to 2025, our strategy involves selectively expanding our current base of CCBX partners while continuing to invest in and enhance our technology and risk management infrastructure. This will enable us to support the next phase of growth within CCBX more efficiently. Additionally, we are focused on growing noninterest income through increased transaction activity and new product offerings with our established partners. We plan to continue selling credit card loans while retaining a portion of the fee income for our role in processing transactions, which offers an additional source of noninterest income without adding on-balance-sheet risk. We believe that by increasing noninterest income, we can mitigate the uncertainties associated with fluctuating interest rates and provide a more stable income stream in the future.” said CEO Eric Sprink.

    Coastal Financial Corporation Overview

    The Company has one main subsidiary, the Bank which consists of three segments: CCBX, the community bank and treasury & administration.  The CCBX segment includes all of our BaaS activities, the community bank segment includes all community banking activities, and the treasury & administration segment includes treasury management, overall administration and all other aspects of the Company.  

    CCBX Performance Update

    Our CCBX segment continues to evolve, and we have 24 relationships, at varying stages, including three signed letters of intent as of December 31, 2024.  We continue to refine the criteria for CCBX partnerships, exploring relationships with larger more established partners, with experienced management teams, existing customer bases and strong financial positions and will continue to exit relationships where it makes sense for us to do so.

    As we explore relationships with new partners we plan to continue expanding product offerings with our existing CCBX partners. As we become more proficient in the BaaS space we aim to cultivate new relationships that align with our long-term goals. We believe that a strategy of adding new partnerships and launching new products with existing partners positions us to reach a wide and established customer base with a modest increase in regulatory risk given that we have already vetted existing partners and have an operational history. Increases in partner activity/transaction counts is positively impacting noninterest income and we expect that trend to continue as products launched earlier in the year gain traction. We plan to continue selling loans as part of our strategy to balance partner and lending limits, and manage the loan portfolio and credit quality. We retain a portion of the fee income for our role in processing transactions on sold credit card balances, and plan to continue this strategy to provide an on-going and passive revenue stream with no on balance sheet risk.

    The following table illustrates the activity and evolution in CCBX relationships for the periods presented.

      As of
    (unaudited) December 31,
    2024
    September 30,
    2024
    December 31,
    2023
    Active 19 19 19
    Friends and family / testing 1 1 1
    Implementation / onboarding 1 1 1
    Signed letters of intent 3 1 0
    Wind down – active but preparing to exit relationship 0 0 0
    Total CCBX relationships 24 22 21
           

    CCBX loans increased $82.3 million, or 5.4%, to $1.60 billion despite selling $845.5 million loans during the three months ended December 31, 2024. In accordance with the program agreement for one partner, effective April 1, 2024, the portion of the CCBX portfolio that we are responsible for losses on decreased from 10% to 5%. At December 31, 2024 the portion of this portfolio for which we are responsible represented $20.6 million in loans.

    The following table details the CCBX loan portfolio:

    CCBX   As of
        December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   December 31, 2023
    (dollars in thousands; unaudited)   Balance   % to Total   Balance   % to Total   Balance   % to Total
    Commercial and industrial loans:                        
    Capital call lines   $ 109,017     6.8 %   $ 103,924     6.8 %   $ 87,494     7.3 %
    All other commercial & industrial loans     33,961     2.1       36,494     2.4       54,298     4.5  
    Real estate loans:                        
    Residential real estate loans     267,707     16.7       265,402     17.5       238,035     19.9  
    Consumer and other loans:                        
    Credit cards     528,554     33.0       633,691     41.6       505,837     42.3  
    Other consumer and other loans     664,780     41.4       482,228     31.7       310,574     26.0  
    Gross CCBX loans receivable     1,604,019     100.0 %     1,521,739     100.0 %     1,196,238     100.0 %
    Net deferred origination (fees) costs     (442 )         (447 )         (300 )    
    Loans receivable   $ 1,603,577         $ 1,521,292         $ 1,195,938      
    Loan Yield – CCBX (1)(2)     15.28 %         17.35 %         17.36 %    
                             

    (1) CCBX yield does not include the impact of BaaS loan expense.  BaaS loan expense represents the amount paid or payable to partners for credit enhancements and originating & servicing CCBX loans. See reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures at the end of this earnings release for the impact of BaaS loan expense on CCBX loan yield.
    (2) Loan yield is annualized for the three months ended for each period presented and includes loans held for sale and nonaccrual loans.

    The increase in CCBX loans in the quarter ended December 31, 2024, includes an increase of $77.4 million or 6.9%, in consumer and other loans, an increase of $5.1 million, or 4.9%, in capital call lines as a result of normal balance fluctuations and business activities, and an increase of $2.3 million, or 0.9%, in residential real estate loans. We continue to monitor and manage the CCBX loan portfolio, and sold $845.5 million in CCBX loans during the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to sales of $423.7 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2024. We continue to reposition ourselves by managing CCBX credit and concentration levels in an effort to optimize our loan portfolio and generate off balance sheet fee income.

    CCBX loan yield decreased 2.06% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2024 as a result of our widening the scope of loans that we are moving to nonaccrual, which decreased loan interest income in the quarter ended December 31, 2024. Also contributing to the decrease are lower interest rates on new CCBX loans, which are replacing higher risk and higher rate loans that have paid off or were sold as part of our strategy to manage the loan portfolio and credit quality. The recent decrease in the Fed funds interest rate further contributed to the change.

    The following chart show the growth in credit card accounts that we are able to generate fee income from. This includes accounts with balances, which are included in our loan totals, and accounts that have been sold and have no corresponding balance in our loan totals, but that we are still able to generate fee income on.

    The following table details the CCBX deposit portfolio:

    CCBX   As of
        December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   December 31, 2023
    (dollars in thousands; unaudited)   Balance   % to Total   Balance   % to Total   Balance   % to Total
    Demand, noninterest bearing   $ 55,686     2.7 %   $ 60,655     2.9 %   $ 63,630     3.4 %
    Interest bearing demand and
    money market
        1,958,459     94.9       1,991,858     94.6       1,794,168     96.3  
    Savings     5,710     0.3       5,204     0.3       4,964     0.3  
    Total core deposits     2,019,855     97.9       2,057,717     97.8       1,862,762     100.0  
    Other deposits     44,233     2.1       47,046     2.2       —     —  
    Total CCBX deposits   $ 2,064,088     100.0 %   $ 2,104,763     100.0 %   $ 1,862,762     100.0 %
    Cost of deposits (1)     4.19 %         4.82 %         4.90 %    

    (1)  Cost of deposits is annualized for the three months ended for each period presented.

    CCBX deposits decreased $40.7 million, or 1.9%, in the three months ended December 31, 2024 to $2.06 billion as a result of normal balance fluctuations. This excludes the $273.2 million in CCBX deposits that were transferred off balance sheet for increased Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance coverage and sweep purposes, compared to $214.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. Amounts in excess of FDIC insurance coverage are transferred, using a third party facilitator/vendor sweep product, to participating financial institutions.

    Community Bank Performance Update

    In the quarter ended December 31, 2024, the community bank saw net loans decrease $14.6 million, or 0.8%, to $1.88 billion.

    The following table details the Community Bank loan portfolio:

    Community Bank   As of
        December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   December 31, 2023
    (dollars in thousands; unaudited)   Balance   % to Total   Balance   % to Total   Balance   % to Total
    Commercial and industrial loans   $ 150,395     8.0 %   $ 152,161     8.0 %   $ 149,502     8.2 %
    Real estate loans:                        
    Construction, land and land development loans     148,198     7.8       163,051     8.6       157,100     8.5  
    Residential real estate loans     202,064     10.7       212,467     11.2       225,391     12.3  
    Commercial real estate loans     1,374,801     72.8       1,362,452     71.5       1,303,533     70.9  
    Consumer and other loans:                        
    Other consumer and other loans     13,542     0.7       14,173     0.7       1,628     0.1  
    Gross Community Bank loans receivable     1,889,000     100.0 %     1,904,304     100.0 %     1,837,154     100.0 %
    Net deferred origination fees     (6,012 )         (6,764 )         (7,000 )    
    Loans receivable   $ 1,882,988         $ 1,897,540         $ 1,830,154      
    Loan Yield(1)     6.53 %         6.64 %         6.32 %    

    (1) Loan yield is annualized for the three months ended for each period presented and includes loans held for sale and nonaccrual loans.

    Community bank loans decreased $14.9 million in construction, land and land development loans, decreased $1.8 million in commercial and industrial loans and decreased $631,000 in consumer and other loans, and were partially offset by an increase in commercial real estate loans of $12.3 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2024.

    The following table details the community bank deposit portfolio:

    Community Bank   As of
        December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   December 31, 2023
    (dollars in thousands; unaudited)   Balance   % to Total   Balance   % to Total   Balance   % to Total
    Demand, noninterest bearing   $ 471,838     31.0 %   $ 518,772     34.1 %   $ 561,572     37.5 %
    Interest bearing demand and money market     570,625     37.5       552,108     36.3       846,072     56.5  
    Savings     61,116     4.0       62,272     4.1       71,598     4.8  
    Total core deposits     1,103,579     72.5       1,133,152     74.5       1,479,242     98.8  
    Other deposits     400,118     26.3       373,681     24.5       1     0.0  
    Time deposits less than $100,000     5,920     0.4       6,305     0.4       8,109     0.5  
    Time deposits $100,000 and over     11,627     0.8       9,387     0.6       10,249     0.7  
    Total Community Bank deposits   $ 1,521,244     100.0 %   $ 1,522,525     100.0 %   $ 1,497,601     100.0 %
    Cost of deposits(1)     1.86 %         1.92 %         1.57 %    

    (1) Cost of deposits is annualized for the three months ended for each period presented.

    Community bank deposits decreased $1.3 million, or 0.1%, during the three months ended December 31, 2024 to $1.52 billion as result of normal balance fluctuations. The community bank segment includes noninterest bearing deposits of $471.8 million, or 31.0%, of total community bank deposits, resulting in a cost of deposits of 1.86%, which compared to 1.92% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, largely due to the decreases in the Fed funds rate late in the third quarter and during the fourth quarter of 2024. The cost of community bank deposits are projected to decline further as the Fed funds rate had a decrease of 0.25%, which occurred in December 2024 and the full quarterly effect of that decrease will not be recognized until the first quarter of 2025.

    Net Interest Income and Margin Discussion

    Net interest income was $66.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $5.7 million, or 7.9%, from $72.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, and an increase of $6.9 million, or 11.5%, from $59.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in net interest income compared to September 30, 2024, was a result of a decrease in average loans receivable as a result of selling $845.5 million in CCBX loans during the quarter ended December 31, 2024, the recent decrease in the Fed funds interest rate, and continued enhancements to our partner credit practices that resulted in a reduction of interest income on loans. The increase in net interest income compared to December 31, 2023 was largely related to increased yield on loans resulting from higher interest rates and growth in higher yielding loans, partially offset by an increase in cost of funds relating to higher interest rates and growth in interest bearing deposits.  

    Net interest margin was 6.65% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to 7.41% for the three months ended September 30, 2024, largely due to lower loan yield. Net interest margin, net of BaaS loan expense, (A reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures are set forth in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this earnings release.) was 4.16% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to 4.06% for the three months ended September 30, 2024. Net interest margin was 6.61% for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The increase in net interest margin for the three months ended December 31, 2024 compared to the three months ended December 31, 2023 was largely due to an increase in loan yield, partially offset by higher interest rates on interest bearing deposits. Interest and fees on loans receivable decreased $9.9 million, or 9.9%, to $89.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to $99.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, as a result of loan sales and a decrease in the Fed funds interest rate. Additionally, as we continue to refine our credit approach with partners, we are widening the scope of loans that we are moving to nonaccrual which decreased interest income in the quarter ended December 31, 2024 and lowered loan yield and net interest margin; however this also decreased BaaS loan expense (which is in noninterest expense) resulting in no impact to net income. Interest and fees on loans receivable increased $8.6 million, or 10.5%, compared to $81.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, due to an increase in outstanding balances and higher interest rates. Net interest margin, net of Baas loan expense (A reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures are set forth in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this earnings release.) increased 0.10% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2024 and increased 0.25% compared the three months ended December 31, 2023.

    The following tables illustrate how net interest margin and loan yield is affected by BaaS loan expense:

    Consolidated   As of and for the Three Months Ended As of and for the Twelve
    Months Ended
    (dollars in thousands; unaudited)   December 31
    2024
      September 30
    2024
      December 31
    2023
    December 31
    2024
      December 31
    2023
    Net interest margin, net of BaaS loan expense:              
    Net interest margin (1)     6.65 %     7.41 %     6.61 %   6.99 %     7.10 %
    Earning assets     3,980,078       3,875,911       3,581,772     3,802,275       3,364,406  
    Net interest income (GAAP)     66,516       72,187       59,657     265,876       238,727  
    Less: BaaS loan expense     (24,859 )     (32,612 )     (24,310 )   (111,384 )     (86,900 )
    Net interest income, net of BaaS loan expense(2)   $ 41,657     $ 39,575     $ 35,347   $ 154,492     $ 151,827  
    Net interest margin, net of BaaS loan expense (1)(2)     4.16 %     4.06 %     3.92 %   4.06 %     4.51 %
    Loan income net of BaaS loan expense divided by average loans:         
    Loan yield (GAAP)(1)     10.44 %     11.43 %     10.71 %   10.99 %     10.60 %
    Total average loans receivable   $ 3,419,476     $ 3,464,871     $ 3,007,289   $ 3,320,582     $ 2,936,908  
    Interest and earned fee income on loans (GAAP)     89,714       99,590       81,159     364,869       311,441  
    BaaS loan expense     (24,859 )     (32,612 )     (24,310 )   (111,384 )     (86,900 )
    Net loan income(2)   $ 64,855     $ 66,978     $ 56,849   $ 253,485     $ 224,541  
    Loan income, net of BaaS loan expense, divided by average loans (1)(2)     7.55 %     7.69 %     7.50 %   7.63 %     7.65 %

    (1) Annualized calculations shown for periods presented.
    (2) A reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures are set forth at the end of this earnings release.

    Average investment securities decreased $820,000 to $48.2 million compared to the three months ended September 30, 2024 and decreased $101.5 million compared to the three months ended December 31, 2023 as a result of principal paydowns and maturing securities.

    Cost of funds was 3.24% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of 38 basis points from the quarter ended September 30, 2024 and a decrease of 16 basis points from the quarter ended December 31, 2023. Cost of deposits for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 was 3.21%, compared to 3.59% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, and 3.36% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023. The decreased cost of funds and deposits compared to September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 was largely due to the recent reductions in the Fed funds rate.

    The following table summarizes the average yield on loans receivable and cost of deposits:

      For the Three Months Ended
      December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   December 31, 2023
      Yield on
    Loans (2)
      Cost of
    Deposits (2)
      Yield on
    Loans (2)
      Cost of
    Deposits (2)
      Yield on
    Loans (2)
      Cost of
    Deposits (2)
    Community Bank 6.53%   1.86%   6.64%   1.92%   6.32%   1.57%
    CCBX (1) 15.28%   4.19%   17.35%   4.82%   17.36%   4.90%
    Consolidated 10.44%   3.21%   11.43%   3.59%   10.71%   3.36%

    (1) Annualized calculations for periods shown for credit and fraud enhancements and originating & servicing CCBX loans.  To determine Net BaaS loan income earned from CCBX loan relationships, the Company takes BaaS loan interest income and deducts BaaS loan expense to arrive at Net BaaS loan income which can be compared to interest income on the Company’s community bank loans. See reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures at the end of this earnings release for the impact of BaaS loan expense on CCBX loan yield.
    (2) Annualized calculations for periods shown.

    The following table illustrates how BaaS loan interest income is affected by BaaS loan expense resulting in net BaaS loan income and the associated yield:

        For the Three Months Ended
        December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   December 31, 2023
    (dollars in thousands, unaudited)   Income /
    Expense
      Income /
    expense divided
    by average
    CCBX loans
    (2)
      Income /
    Expense
      Income /
    expense divided
    by average
    CCBX loans
    (2)
      Income /
    Expense
      Income /
    expense divided
    by average
    CCBX loans
    (2)
    BaaS loan interest income   $ 58,671   15.28%   $ 67,692   17.35 %   $ 52,327   17.36%
    Less: BaaS loan expense     24,859   6.48%     32,612   8.36 %     24,310   8.06%
    Net BaaS loan income (1)   $ 33,812   8.81%   $ 35,080   8.99 %   $ 28,017   9.30%
    Average BaaS Loans(3)   $ 1,527,178       $ 1,552,443       $ 1,196,137    

    (1) A reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures are set forth at the end of this earnings release.
    (2) Annualized calculations shown for quarterly periods presented.
    (3) Includes loans held for sale.

    Noninterest Income Discussion

    Noninterest income was $76.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $3.3 million from $80.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, and an increase of $12.1 million from $64.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in noninterest income for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2024 was primarily due to a decrease of $3.3 million in total BaaS income. The $3.3 million decrease in total BaaS income included an $8.0 million decrease in BaaS credit enhancements related to the provision for credit losses, partially offset by a a $3.0 million increase in BaaS fraud enhancements and an increase of $1.8 million in BaaS program income. The $1.8 million increase in BaaS program income is largely due to higher reimbursement of expenses as well as an increase in transaction fees and interchange fees, our primary BaaS source for recurring fee income, as well as higher reimbursement of expenses (see “Appendix B” for more information on the accounting for BaaS allowance for credit losses and credit and fraud enhancements).

    The $12.1 million increase in noninterest income over the quarter ended December 31, 2023 was primarily due to a $7.9 million increase in BaaS credit and fraud enhancements and an increase of $3.8 million in BaaS program income.

    Noninterest Expense Discussion
    Total noninterest expense decreased $1.4 million to $64.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to $65.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, and increased $12.5 million from $51.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in noninterest expense for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2024, was primarily due to a $4.8 million decrease in BaaS expense from a $7.8 million decrease in BaaS loan expense, partially offset by a $3.0 million increase in BaaS fraud expense. BaaS loan expense represents the amount paid or payable to partners for credit enhancements, fraud enhancements, and originating & servicing CCBX loans. BaaS fraud expense represents non-credit fraud losses on partner’s customer loan and deposit accounts. A portion of this expense is realized during the quarter in which the loss occurs, and a portion is estimated based on historical or other information from our partners. Other variances that partially offset the net decrease in noninterest expense include an increase of $1.4 million in point of sale expenses as a result of increased partner transaction activity, an increase of $893,000 in salaries and employee benefits and an increase of $1.0 million in legal and professional fees as part of our continued investments in technology and risk management.

    The increase in noninterest expenses for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2023 was largely due to an increase of $4.8 million in BaaS partner expense primarily from a $4.3 million increase in BaaS fraud expense, a $549,000 increase in BaaS loan expense, a $2.0 million increase in legal and professional expenses, a $1.8 million increase in point of sale expenses, a $1.5 million increase in salary and employee benefits, and a $1.2 million increase in data processing and software licenses due to enhancements in technology.

    Certain noninterest expenses are reimbursed by our CCBX partners. In accordance with GAAP we recognize all expenses in noninterest expense and all reimbursement of expenses from our CCBX partner in noninterest income. The following table reflects the portion of noninterest expenses that are reimbursed by partners to assist the understanding of how the increases in noninterest expense are related to expenses incurred for and reimbursed by CCBX partners:

        Three Months Ended
        December 31,   September 30,   December 31,
    (dollars in thousands; unaudited)   2024   2024   2023
    Total noninterest expense (GAAP)   $ 64,206   $ 65,616   $ 51,703
    Less: BaaS loan expense     24,859     32,612     24,310
    Less: BaaS fraud expense     5,043     2,084     779
    Less: Reimbursement of expenses (Baas)     3,468     1,843     1,076
    Noninterest expense, net of Baas loan expense, BaaS fraud expense and reimbursement of expenses (BaaS) (1)   $ 30,836   $ 29,077   $ 25,538

    (1) A reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures are set forth at the end of this earnings release.

    Provision for Income Taxes

    The provision for income taxes was $3.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, $2.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and $2.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2023.  The income tax provision was higher for the three months ended December 31, 2024 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2024 as a result of the deductibility of certain equity awards which reduced tax expense during the quarter ended September 30, 2024 compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2024 despite net income being higher fairly even, and higher than the quarter ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to higher net income compared to that quarter, partially offset by the deductibility of certain equity awards.

    The Company is subject to various state taxes that are assessed as CCBX activities and employees expand into other states, which has increased the overall tax rate used in calculating the provision for income taxes in the current and future periods. The Company uses a federal statutory tax rate of 21.0% as a basis for calculating provision for federal income taxes and 2.63% for calculating the provision for state income taxes.

    Financial Condition Overview

    Total assets increased $55.4 million, or 1.4%, to $4.12 billion at December 31, 2024 compared to $4.07 billion at September 30, 2024.  The increase is primarily due to stronger loan growth, partially offset by lower cash balances. Total loans receivable increased $67.7 million to $3.49 billion at December 31, 2024, from $3.42 billion at September 30, 2024.

    As of December 31, 2024, the Company had the capacity to borrow up to a total of $642.1 million from the Federal Reserve Bank discount window and Federal Home Loan Bank, and an additional $50.0 million from a correspondent bank. There were no borrowings outstanding on these lines as of December 31, 2024.

    The Company completed a $98.0 million capital raise during the quarter ended December 31, 2024. After contributing $50.0 million to the Bank, the Company had a cash balance of $47.7 million as of December 31, 2024, which is retained for general operating purposes, including debt repayment, and for funding $480,000 in commitments to bank technology investment funds.  

    Uninsured deposits were $543.0 million as of December 31, 2024, compared to $542.2 million as of September 30, 2024.

    Total shareholders’ equity as of December 31, 2024 increased $106.8 million since September 30, 2024.  The increase in shareholders’ equity was primarily due to an increase of $93.4 million in common stock outstanding as a result of the aforementioned capital raise and, to a lessor extent, equity awards exercised during the three months ended December 31, 2024 combined with $13.4 million in net earnings.

    The Company and the Bank remained well capitalized at December 31, 2024, as summarized in the following table.

    (unaudited)   Coastal Community
    Bank
      Coastal Financial
    Corporation
      Minimum Well
    Capitalized Ratios
    under Prompt
    Corrective Action
    (1)
    Tier 1 Leverage Capital (to average assets)   10.64%   10.78%   5.00%
    Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)   11.99%   12.04%   6.50%
    Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)   11.99%   12.14%   8.00%
    Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets)   13.28%   14.67%   10.00%

    (1) Presents the minimum capital ratios for an insured depository institution, such as the Bank, to be considered well capitalized under the Prompt Corrective Action framework. The minimum requirements for the Company to be considered well capitalized under Regulation Y include to maintain, on a consolidated basis, a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0 percent or greater and a tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.0 percent or greater.

    Asset Quality

    The total allowance for credit losses was $177.0 million and 5.08% of loans receivable at December 31, 2024 compared to $170.3 million and 4.98% at September 30, 2024 and $117.0 million and 3.86% at December 31, 2023. The allowance for credit loss allocated to the CCBX portfolio was $158.1 million and 9.86% of CCBX loans receivable at December 31, 2024, with $18.9 million of allowance for credit loss allocated to the community bank or 1.00% of total community bank loans receivable.

    The following table details the allocation of the allowance for credit loss as of the period indicated:

        As of December 31, 2024   As of September 30, 2024   As of December 31, 2023
    (dollars in thousands; unaudited)   Community
    Bank
      CCBX   Total   Community
    Bank
      CCBX   Total   Community
    Bank
      CCBX   Total
    Loans receivable   $ 1,882,988     $ 1,603,577     $ 3,486,565     $ 1,897,540     $ 1,521,292     $ 3,418,832     $ 1,830,154     $ 1,195,938     $ 3,026,092  
    Allowance for credit losses     (18,924 )     (158,070 )     (176,994 )     (20,132 )     (150,131 )     (170,263 )     (21,595 )     (95,363 )     (116,958 )
    Allowance for credit losses to total loans receivable     1.00 %     9.86 %     5.08 %     1.06 %     9.87 %     4.98 %     1.18 %     7.97 %     3.86 %
                                                                             

    Net charge-offs totaled $55.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, compared to $49.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 and $44.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023. Net charge-offs as a percent of average loans increased to 6.51% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to 5.65% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. CCBX partner agreements provide for a credit enhancement that covers the net-charge-offs on CCBX loans and negative deposit accounts by indemnifying or reimbursing incurred losses, except in accordance with the program agreement for one partner where the Company was responsible for credit losses on approximately 5% of a $324.6 million loan portfolio. At December 31, 2024, our portion of this portfolio represented $20.6 million in loans. Net charge-offs for this $20.6 million in loans were $1.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and $1.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023.

    The following table details net charge-offs for the community bank and CCBX for the period indicated:

        Three Months Ended
        December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   December 31, 2023
    (dollars in thousands; unaudited)   Community
    Bank
      CCBX   Total   Community
    Bank
      CCBX   Total   Community
    Bank
      CCBX   Total
    Gross charge-offs   $ 139     $ 61,446     $ 61,585     $ 398     $ 52,907     $ 53,305     $ 2     $ 47,650     $ 47,652  
    Gross recoveries     (3 )     (5,643 )     (5,646 )     (3 )     (4,066 )     (4,069 )     (4 )     (2,777 )     (2,781 )
    Net charge-offs   $ 136     $ 55,803     $ 55,939     $ 395     $ 48,841     $ 49,236     $ (2 )   $ 44,873     $ 44,871  
    Net charge-offs to average loans (1)     0.03 %     14.54 %     6.51 %     0.08 %     12.52 %     5.65 %     0.00 %     14.88 %     5.92 %

    (1) Annualized calculations shown for periods presented.

    During the quarter ended December 31, 2024, a $63.7 million provision for credit losses was recorded for CCBX partner loans, compared to the $72.1 million provision for credit losses was recorded for CCBX partner loans for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, the provision was based on management’s analysis, bringing the CCBX allowance for credit losses to $158.1 million at December 31, 2024 compared to $150.1 million at September 30, 2024. The increase in the allowance is due to the addition of new loans, partially offset by loan sales. CCBX loans have a higher level of expected losses than our community bank loans, which is reflected in the factors for the allowance for credit losses. Agreements with our CCBX partners provide for a credit enhancement which protects the Bank by indemnifying or reimbursing incurred losses.

    In accordance with accounting guidance, we estimate and record a provision for expected losses for these CCBX loans and reclassified negative deposit accounts. When the provision for CCBX credit losses and provision for unfunded commitments is recorded, a credit enhancement asset is also recorded on the balance sheet through noninterest income (BaaS credit enhancements). Expected losses are recorded in the allowance for credit losses. The credit enhancement asset is relieved when credit enhancement recoveries are received from the CCBX partner. If our partner is unable to fulfill their contracted obligations then the Bank could be exposed to additional credit losses. Management regularly evaluates and manages this counterparty risk.

    The factors used in management’s analysis for community bank credit losses indicated that a provision recapture of $1.1 million and was needed for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to a provision recapture of $519,000 and provision of $277,000 for the quarters ended September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The recapture in the current period was due to the decrease in the community bank loan portfolio combined with an improvement in the forward look, which is driven by the future projected unemployment and GDP curves, which flattened since last quarter, lessening the impact of this factor.

    The following table details the provision expense/(recapture) for the community bank and CCBX for the period indicated:

        Three Months Ended
    (dollars in thousands; unaudited)   December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    Community bank   $ (1,071 )   $ (519 )   $ 277
    CCBX     63,741       72,104       60,467
    Total provision expense   $ 62,670     $ 71,585     $ 60,744

    A recapture for unfunded commitments of $803,000 was recorded for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 as a result of a decrease in the overall available balance combined with an improvement in the reserve rates.

    At December 31, 2024, our nonperforming assets were $62.7 million, or 1.52%, of total assets, compared to $66.4 million, or 1.63%, of total assets, at September 30, 2024, and $53.8 million, or 1.43%, of total assets, at December 31, 2023. These ratios are impacted by nonperforming CCBX loans that are covered by CCBX partner credit enhancements. As of December 31, 2024, $60.8 million of the $62.6 million in nonperforming CCBX loans were covered by CCBX partner credit enhancements described above.

    Nonperforming assets decreased $3.7 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2024, compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2024. This change is due to a decrease in CCBX and community bank nonaccrual loans. Community bank nonperforming loans decreased $1.0 million from September 30, 2024 to $100,000 as of December 31, 2024, and CCBX nonperforming loans decreased $2.7 million to $62.6 million from September 30, 2024. The decrease in CCBX nonperforming loans is due to an decrease of $570,000 in nonaccrual loans from September 30, 2024 to $19.5 million. Some CCBX partners have a collection practice that places certain loans on nonaccrual status to improve collectability. $17.2 million of these loans are less than 90 days past due as of December 31, 2024. Additionally, there was a $2.2 million decrease in CCBX loans that are past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest. As a result of the type of loans (primarily consumer loans) originated through our CCBX partners we anticipate that balances 90 days past due or more and still accruing will generally increase as those loan portfolios grow. Installment/closed-end and revolving/open-end consumer loans originated through CCBX lending partners will continue to accrue interest until 120 and 180 days past due, respectively and are reported as substandard, 90 days or more days past due and still accruing. There were no repossessed assets or other real estate owned at December 31, 2024. Our nonperforming loans to loans receivable ratio was 1.80% at December 31, 2024, compared to 1.94% at September 30, 2024, and 1.78% at December 31, 2023.

    For the quarter ended December 31, 2024, there were $136,000 community bank net charge-offs and $55.8 million in net charge-offs were recorded on CCBX loans. These CCBX loans have a higher level of expected losses than our community bank loans, which is reflected in the factors for the allowance for credit losses.

    The following table details the Company’s nonperforming assets for the periods indicated.

    Consolidated As of
    (dollars in thousands; unaudited) December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    Nonaccrual loans:          
    Commercial and industrial loans $ 334     $ 531     $ —  
    Real estate loans:          
    Residential real estate   —       44       170  
    Commercial real estate   —       831       7,145  
    Consumer and other loans:          
    Credit cards   10,262       7,987       —  
    Other consumer and other loans   8,967       11,713       —  
    Total nonaccrual loans   19,563       21,106       7,315  
    Accruing loans past due 90 days or more:          
    Commercial & industrial loans   1,006       1,566       2,086  
    Real estate loans:          
    Residential real estate loans   2,608       3,025       1,115  
    Consumer and other loans:          
    Credit cards   34,490       34,562       34,835  
    Other consumer and other loans   4,989       6,111       8,488  
    Total accruing loans past due 90 days or more   43,093       45,264       46,524  
    Total nonperforming loans   62,656       66,370       53,839  
    Real estate owned   —       —       —  
    Repossessed assets   —       —       —  
    Total nonperforming assets $ 62,656     $ 66,370     $ 53,839  
    Total nonaccrual loans to loans receivable   0.56 %     0.62 %     0.24 %
    Total nonperforming loans to loans receivable   1.80 %     1.94 %     1.78 %
    Total nonperforming assets to total assets   1.52 %     1.63 %     1.43 %
                           

    The following tables detail the CCBX and community bank nonperforming assets which are included in the total nonperforming assets table above.

    CCBX As of
    (dollars in thousands; unaudited) December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    Nonaccrual loans:          
    Commercial and industrial loans:          
    All other commercial & industrial loans $ 234     $ 333     $ —  
    Consumer and other loans:          
    Credit cards   10,262       7,987       —  
    Other consumer and other loans   8,967       11,713       —  
    Total nonaccrual loans   19,463       20,033       —  
    Accruing loans past due 90 days or more:          
    Commercial & industrial loans   1,006       1,566       2,086  
    Real estate loans:          
    Residential real estate loans   2,608       3,025       1,115  
    Consumer and other loans:          
    Credit cards   34,490       34,562       34,835  
    Other consumer and other loans   4,989       6,111       8,488  
    Total accruing loans past due 90 days or more   43,093       45,264       46,524  
    Total nonperforming loans   62,556       65,297       46,524  
    Other real estate owned   —       —       —  
    Repossessed assets   —       —       —  
    Total nonperforming assets $ 62,556     $ 65,297     $ 46,524  
    Total CCBX nonperforming assets to total consolidated assets   1.52 %     1.61 %     1.24 %
    Community Bank As of
    (dollars in thousands; unaudited) December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    Nonaccrual loans:          
    Commercial and industrial loans $ 100   $ 198     $ —  
    Real estate:          
    Residential real estate   —     44       170  
    Commercial real estate   —     831       7,145  
    Total nonaccrual loans   100     1,073       7,315  
    Accruing loans past due 90 days or more:          
    Total accruing loans past due 90 days or more   —     —       —  
    Total nonperforming loans   100     1,073       7,315  
    Other real estate owned   —     —       —  
    Repossessed assets   —     —       —  
    Total nonperforming assets $ 100   $ 1,073     $ 7,315  
    Total community bank nonperforming assets to total consolidated assets < 0.01%     0.03 %     0.19 %
                       

    About Coastal Financial

    Coastal Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: CCB) (the “Company”), is an Everett, Washington based bank holding company whose wholly owned subsidiaries are Coastal Community Bank (“Bank”) and Arlington Olympic LLC.  The $4.12 billion Bank provides service through 14 branches in Snohomish, Island, and King Counties, the Internet and its mobile banking application.  The Bank provides banking as a service to broker-dealers, digital financial service providers, companies and brands that want to provide financial services to their customers through the Bank’s CCBX segment.  To learn more about the Company visit www.coastalbank.com.

    CCB-ER

    Contact

    Eric Sprink, Chief Executive Officer, (425) 357-3659
    Joel Edwards, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, (425) 357-3687

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This earnings release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, future events and our financial performance. Any statements about our management’s expectations, beliefs, plans, predictions, forecasts, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and may be forward-looking. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believes,” “can,” “could,” “may,” “predicts,” “potential,” “should,” “will,” “estimate,” “plans,” “projects,” “continuing,” “ongoing,” “expects,” “intends” and similar words or phrases. Any or all of the forward-looking statements in this earnings release may turn out to be inaccurate. The inclusion of or reference to forward-looking information in this earnings release should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that the future plans, estimates or expectations contemplated by us will be achieved. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the risks and uncertainties discussed under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recent period filed and in any of our subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    If one or more events related to these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from what we anticipate. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.

    COASTAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
    (Dollars in thousands; unaudited)

    ASSETS
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    Cash and due from banks $ 36,533     $ 45,327     $ 59,995     $ 32,790     $ 31,345  
    Interest earning deposits with other banks   415,980       438,699       427,250       482,338       451,783  
    Investment securities, available for sale, at fair value   35       38       39       41       99,504  
    Investment securities, held to maturity, at amortized cost   47,286       48,582       49,174       50,049       50,860  
    Other investments   10,800       10,757       10,664       10,583       10,227  
    Loans held for sale   20,600       7,565       —       797       —  
    Loans receivable   3,486,565       3,418,832       3,326,460       3,199,554       3,026,092  
    Allowance for credit losses   (176,994 )     (170,263 )     (147,914 )     (139,258 )     (116,958 )
    Total loans receivable, net   3,309,571       3,248,569       3,178,546       3,060,296       2,909,134  
    CCBX credit enhancement asset   181,890       167,251       143,485       137,276       107,921  
    CCBX receivable   14,138       16,060       11,520       10,369       9,088  
    Premises and equipment, net   27,431       25,833       24,526       22,995       22,090  
    Lease right-of-use assets   5,219       5,427       5,635       5,756       5,932  
    Accrued interest receivable   21,104       23,664       23,617       24,681       26,819  
    Bank-owned life insurance, net   13,375       13,255       13,132       12,991       12,870  
    Deferred tax asset, net   3,600       3,083       2,221       2,221       3,806  
    Other assets   13,646       11,711       11,742       12,075       11,987  
    Total assets $ 4,121,208     $ 4,065,821     $ 3,961,546     $ 3,865,258     $ 3,753,366  
                       
    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
    LIABILITIES                  
    Deposits $ 3,585,332     $ 3,627,288     $ 3,543,432     $ 3,462,979     $ 3,360,363  
    Subordinated debt, net   44,293       44,256       44,219       44,181       44,144  
    Junior subordinated debentures, net   3,591       3,591       3,591       3,590       3,590  
    Deferred compensation   332       369       405       442       479  
    Accrued interest payable   962       1,070       999       1,061       892  
    Lease liabilities   5,398       5,609       5,821       5,946       6,124  
    CCBX payable   29,171       39,188       34,536       33,095       33,651  
    Other liabilities   13,425       12,520       11,850       10,255       9,145  
    Total liabilities   3,682,504       3,733,891       3,644,853       3,561,549       3,458,388  
    SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                  
    Common Stock   228,177       134,769       132,989       131,601       130,136  
    Retained earnings   210,529       197,162       183,706       172,110       165,311  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax   (2 )     (1 )     (2 )     (2 )     (469 )
    Total shareholders’ equity   438,704       331,930       316,693       303,709       294,978  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 4,121,208     $ 4,065,821     $ 3,961,546     $ 3,865,258     $ 3,753,366  

    COASTAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts; unaudited)

      Three Months Ended
      December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME                  
    Interest and fees on loans $ 89,714   $ 99,590   $ 90,944     $ 84,621     $ 81,159  
    Interest on interest earning deposits with other banks   6,021     4,781     5,683       4,780       5,687  
    Interest on investment securities   661     675     686       1,034       1,225  
    Dividends on other investments   191     33     174       37       172  
    Total interest income   96,587     105,079     97,487       90,472       88,243  
    INTEREST EXPENSE                  
    Interest on deposits   29,404     32,083     30,578       28,867       27,916  
    Interest on borrowed funds   667     809     672       669       670  
    Total interest expense   30,071     32,892     31,250       29,536       28,586  
    Net interest income   66,516     72,187     66,237       60,936       59,657  
    PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES   61,867     70,257     62,325       83,158       60,789  
    Net interest income/(expense) after provision for credit losses   4,649     1,930     3,912       (22,222 )     (1,132 )
    NONINTEREST INCOME                  
    Service charges and fees   932     952     946       908       957  
    Loan referral fees   —     —     —       168       —  
    Unrealized gain (loss) on equity securities, net   1     2     9       15       80  
    Other income   473     486     257       308       60  
    Noninterest income, excluding BaaS program income and BaaS indemnification income   1,406     1,440     1,212       1,399       1,097  
    Servicing and other BaaS fees   1,043     1,044     1,525       1,131       1,015  
    Transaction fees   1,783     1,696     1,309       1,122       1,006  
    Interchange fees   1,916     1,853     1,625       1,539       1,272  
    Reimbursement of expenses   3,468     1,843     1,637       1,033       1,076  
    BaaS program income   8,210     6,436     6,096       4,825       4,369  
    BaaS credit enhancements   62,097     70,108     60,826       79,808       58,449  
    BaaS fraud enhancements   5,043     2,084     1,784       923       779  
    BaaS indemnification income   67,140     72,192     62,610       80,731       59,228  
    Total noninterest income   76,756     80,068     69,918       86,955       64,694  
    NONINTEREST EXPENSE                  
    Salaries and employee benefits   17,994     17,101     17,005       17,984       16,490  
    Occupancy   958     964     985       1,029       976  
    Data processing and software licenses   4,010     4,297     3,625       3,381       2,781  
    Legal and professional expenses   4,606     3,597     3,631       3,672       2,649  
    Point of sale expense   2,745     1,351     852       869       899  
    Excise taxes   778     762     (706 )     320       449  
    Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) assessments   750     740     690       683       665  
    Director and staff expenses   683     559     470       400       478  
    Marketing   28     67     14       53       138  
    Other expense   1,752     1,482     1,383       1,867       1,089  
    Noninterest expense, excluding BaaS loan and BaaS fraud expense   34,304     30,920     27,949       30,258       26,614  
    BaaS loan expense   24,859     32,612     29,076       24,837       24,310  
    BaaS fraud expense   5,043     2,084     1,784       923       779  
    BaaS loan and fraud expense   29,902     34,696     30,860       25,760       25,089  
    Total noninterest expense   64,206     65,616     58,809       56,018       51,703  
    Income before provision for income taxes   17,199     16,382     15,021       8,715       11,859  
    PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES   3,832     2,926     3,425       1,915       2,847  
    NET INCOME $ 13,367   $ 13,456   $ 11,596     $ 6,800     $ 9,012  
    Basic earnings per common share $ 0.97   $ 1.00   $ 0.86     $ 0.51     $ 0.68  
    Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.94   $ 0.97   $ 0.84     $ 0.50     $ 0.66  
    Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:                  
    Basic   13,828,605     13,447,066     13,412,667       13,340,997       13,286,828  
    Diluted   14,268,229     13,822,270     13,736,508       13,676,917       13,676,513  

    COASTAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION
    AVERAGE BALANCES, YIELDS, AND RATES – QUARTERLY
    (Dollars in thousands; unaudited)

      For the Three Months Ended
      December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   December 31, 2023
      Average
    Balance
      Interest &
    Dividends
      Yield /
    Cost (1)
      Average
    Balance
      Interest &
    Dividends
      Yield /
    Cost (1)
      Average
    Balance
      Interest &
    Dividends
      Yield /
    Cost (1)
    Assets                                  
    Interest earning assets:                                  
    Interest earning deposits with other banks $ 501,654     $ 6,021   4.77 %   $ 350,915     $ 4,781   5.42 %   $ 413,127     $ 5,687   5.46 %
    Investment securities, available for sale (2)   39       —   —       40       —   —       100,204       546   2.16  
    Investment securities, held to maturity (2)   48,126       661   5.46       48,945       675   5.49       49,469       679   5.45  
    Other investments   10,783       191   7.05       11,140       33   1.18       11,683       172   5.84  
    Loans receivable (3)   3,419,476       89,714   10.44       3,464,871       99,590   11.43       3,007,289       81,159   10.71  
    Total interest earning assets   3,980,078       96,587   9.65       3,875,911       105,079   10.79       3,581,772       88,243   9.77  
    Noninterest earning assets:                                  
    Allowance for credit losses   (156,687 )             (151,292 )             (95,391 )        
    Other noninterest earning assets   277,922               268,903               204,052          
    Total assets $ 4,101,313             $ 3,993,522             $ 3,690,433          
                                       
    Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity                                  
    Interest bearing liabilities:                                  
    Interest bearing deposits $ 3,068,357     $ 29,404   3.81 %   $ 2,966,527     $ 32,083   4.30 %   $ 2,660,235     $ 27,916   4.16 %
    FHLB advances and other borrowings   —       1   —       9,717       140   5.73       3       —   —  
    Subordinated debt   44,272       599   5.38       44,234       598   5.38       44,121       598   5.38  
    Junior subordinated debentures   3,591       67   7.42       3,591       71   7.87       3,590       72   7.96  
    Total interest bearing liabilities   3,116,220       30,071   3.84       3,024,069       32,892   4.33       2,707,949       28,586   4.19  
    Noninterest bearing deposits   577,453               588,178               640,424          
    Other liabilities   50,824               60,101               52,450          
    Total shareholders’ equity   356,816               321,174               289,612          
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 4,101,313             $ 3,993,522             $ 3,690,435          
    Net interest income     $ 66,516           $ 72,187           $ 59,657    
    Interest rate spread         5.82 %           6.46 %           5.59 %
    Net interest margin (4)         6.65 %           7.41 %           6.61 %

    (1) Yields and costs are annualized.
    (2) For presentation in this table, average balances and the corresponding average rates for investment securities are based upon historical cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts.
    (3) Includes loans held for sale and nonaccrual loans.
    (4) Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by the average total interest earning assets.

    COASTAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION
    SELECTED AVERAGE BALANCES, YIELDS, AND RATES – BY SEGMENT – QUARTERLY
    (Dollars in thousands; unaudited)

      For the Three Months Ended
      December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   December 31, 2023
    (dollars in thousands, unaudited) Average
    Balance
      Interest &
    Dividends
      Yield /
    Cost (1)
      Average
    Balance
      Interest &
    Dividends
      Yield /
    Cost (1)
      Average
    Balance
      Interest &
    Dividends
      Yield /
    Cost (1)
    Community Bank                                  
    Assets                                  
    Interest earning assets:                                  
    Loans receivable (2) $ 1,892,298   $ 31,043   6.53 %   $ 1,912,428   $ 31,898   6.64 %   $ 1,811,152   $ 28,832   6.32 %
    Total interest earning assets   1,892,298     31,043   6.53       1,912,428     31,898   6.64       1,811,152     28,832   6.32  
    Liabilities                                  
    Interest bearing liabilities:                                
    Interest bearing deposits   1,029,346     7,161   2.77 %     982,280     7,264   2.94 %     951,148     6,090   2.54 %
    Intrabank liability   357,442     4,290   4.77       406,641     5,540   5.42       275,995     3,799   5.46  
    Total interest bearing liabilities   1,386,788     11,451   3.28       1,388,921     12,804   3.67       1,227,143     9,889   3.20  
    Noninterest bearing deposits   505,510             523,507             584,009        
    Net interest income     $ 19,592           $ 19,094           $ 18,943    
    Net interest margin(3)         4.12 %           3.97 %           4.15 %
                                       
    CCBX                                  
    Assets                                  
    Interest earning assets:                                  
    Loans receivable (2)(4) $ 1,527,178   $ 58,671   15.28 %   $ 1,552,443   $ 67,692   17.35 %   $ 1,196,137   $ 52,327   17.36 %
    Intrabank asset   583,776     7,007   4.78       496,475     6,764   5.42       569,365     7,837   5.46  
    Total interest earning assets   2,110,954     65,678   12.38       2,048,918     74,456   14.46       1,765,502     60,164   13.52  
    Liabilities                                  
    Interest bearing liabilities:                            
    Interest bearing deposits   2,039,011     22,243   4.34 %     1,984,247     24,819   4.98 %     1,709,087     21,826   5.07 %
    Total interest bearing liabilities   2,039,011     22,243   4.34       1,984,247     24,819   4.98       1,709,087     21,826   5.07  
    Noninterest bearing deposits   71,943             64,671             56,415        
    Net interest income     $ 43,435           $ 49,637           $ 38,338    
    Net interest margin(3)         8.19 %           9.64 %           8.62 %
    Net interest margin, net of Baas loan expense (5)         3.50 %           3.31 %           3.15 %
      For the Three Months Ended
      December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   December 31, 2023
    (dollars in thousands, unaudited) Average
    Balance
      Interest &
    Dividends
      Yield /
    Cost (1)
      Average
    Balance
      Interest &
    Dividends
      Yield /
    Cost (1)
      Average
    Balance
      Interest &
    Dividends
      Yield /
    Cost (1)
    Treasury & Administration                            
    Assets                                  
    Interest earning assets:                                  
    Interest earning deposits with other banks $ 501,654   $ 6,021   4.77 %   $ 350,915   $ 4,781   5.42 %   $ 413,127   $ 5,687   5.46 %
    Investment securities, available for sale (6)   39     —   —       40     —   —       100,204     546   2.16  
    Investment securities, held to maturity (6)   48,126     661   5.46       48,945     675   5.49       49,469     679   5.45  
    Other investments   10,783     191   7.05       11,140     33   1.18       11,683     172   5.84  
    Total interest earning assets   560,602     6,873   4.88 %     411,040 —   5,489   5.31 %     574,483     7,084   4.89 %
    Liabilities                                  
    Interest bearing liabilities:                                  
    FHLB advances and borrowings $ —   $ 1   — %     9,717     140   5.73 %     3     —   — %
    Subordinated debt   44,272     599   5.38 %     44,234     598   5.38 %     44,121     598   5.38 %
    Junior subordinated debentures   3,591     67   7.42       3,591     71   7.87       3,590     72   7.96  
    Intrabank liability, net (7)   226,334     2,717   4.78       89,834     1,224   5.42       293,370     4,038   5.46  
    Total interest bearing liabilities   274,197     3,384   4.91       147,376     2,033   5.49       341,084     4,708   5.48  
    Net interest income     $ 3,489           $ 3,456           $ 2,376    
    Net interest margin(3)         2.48 %           3.34 %           1.64 %

    (1) Yields and costs are annualized.
    (2) Includes loans held for sale and nonaccrual loans.
    (3) Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by the average total interest earning assets.
    (4) CCBX yield does not include the impact of BaaS loan expense. BaaS loan expense represents the amount paid or payable to partners for credit enhancements, fraud enhancements and originating & servicing CCBX loans. See reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures at the end of this earnings release for the impact of BaaS loan expense on CCBX loan yield.
    (5) Net interest margin, net of BaaS loan expense, includes the impact of BaaS loan expense. BaaS loan expense represents the amount paid or payable to partners for credit enhancements, fraud enhancements, originating & servicing CCBX loans. See reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures at the end of this earnings release.
    (6) For presentation in this table, average balances and the corresponding average rates for investment securities are based upon historical cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts.
    (7) Intrabank assets and liabilities are consolidated for period calculations and presented as intrabank asset, net or intrabank liability, net in the table above.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    The Company uses certain non-GAAP financial measures to provide meaningful supplemental information regarding the Company’s operational performance and to enhance investors’ overall understanding of such financial performance.

    However, these non-GAAP financial measures are supplemental and are not a substitute for an analysis based on GAAP measures. As other companies may use different calculations for these adjusted measures, this presentation may not be comparable to other similarly titled adjusted measures reported by other companies.

    The following non-GAAP measures are presented to illustrate the impact of BaaS loan expense on net loan income and yield on loans and CCBX loans and the impact of BaaS loan expense on net interest income and net interest margin.

    Loan income, net of BaaS loan expense, divided by average loans, is a non-GAAP measure that includes the impact BaaS loan expense on loan income and the yield on loans. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is yield on loans.

    Net BaaS loan income divided by average CCBX loans is a non-GAAP measure that includes the impact BaaS loan expense on net BaaS loan income and the yield on CCBX loans. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is yield on CCBX loans.

    Net interest income, net of BaaS loan expense, is a non-GAAP measure that includes the impact BaaS loan expense on net interest income. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is net interest income.

    CCBX net interest margin, net of BaaS loan expense, is a non-GAAP measure that includes the impact of BaaS loan expense on net interest rate margin. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is CCBX net interest margin.

    Reconciliations of the GAAP and non-GAAP measures are presented below.

    CCBX   As of and for the Three Months Ended As of and for the Twelve Months Ended
    (dollars in thousands; unaudited)   December 31
    2024
      September 30
    2024
      December 31
    2023
    December 31
    2024
      December 31
    2023
    Net BaaS loan income divided by average CCBX loans:      
    CCBX loan yield (GAAP)(1)     15.28 %     17.35 %     17.36 %   16.89 %     16.89 %
    Total average CCBX loans receivable   $ 1,527,178     $ 1,552,443     $ 1,196,137   $ 1,427,571     $ 1,210,413  
    Interest and earned fee income on CCBX loans (GAAP)     58,671       67,692       52,327     241,134       204,458  
    BaaS loan expense     (24,859 )     (32,612 )     (24,310 )   (111,384 )     (86,900 )
    Net BaaS loan income   $ 33,812     $ 35,080     $ 28,017   $ 129,750     $ 117,558  
    Net BaaS loan income divided by average CCBX loans (1)     8.81 %     8.99 %     9.30 %   9.09 %     9.71 %
    CCBX net interest margin, net of BaaS loan expense:              
    CCBX net interest margin (1)     8.19 %     9.64 %     8.62 %   8.87 %     9.65 %
    CCBX earning assets     2,110,954       2,048,918       1,765,502     1,999,695       1,574,334  
    Net interest income (GAAP)     43,435       49,637       38,338     177,320       151,883  
    Less: BaaS loan expense     (24,859 )     (32,612 )     (24,310 )   (111,384 )     (86,900 )
    Net interest income, net of BaaS loan expense   $ 18,576     $ 17,025     $ 14,028   $ 65,936     $ 64,983  
    CCBX net interest margin, net of BaaS loan expense (1)     3.50 %     3.31 %     3.15 %   3.30 %     4.13 %
    Consolidated   As of and for the Three Months Ended As of and for the Twelve Months Ended
    (dollars in thousands; unaudited)   December 31
    2024
      September 30
    2024
      December 31
    2023
    December 31
    2024
      December 31
    2023
    Net interest margin, net of BaaS loan expense:              
    Net interest margin (1)     6.65 %     7.41 %     6.61 %   6.99 %     7.10 %
    Earning assets     3,980,078       3,875,911       3,581,772     3,802,275       3,364,406  
    Net interest income (GAAP)     66,516       72,187       59,657     265,876       238,727  
    Less: BaaS loan expense     (24,859 )     (32,612 )     (24,310 )   (111,384 )     (86,900 )
    Net interest income, net of BaaS loan expense   $ 41,657     $ 39,575     $ 35,347   $ 154,492     $ 151,827  
    Net interest margin, net of BaaS loan expense (1)     4.16 %     4.06 %     3.92 %   4.06 %     4.51 %
    Loan income net of BaaS loan expense divided by average loans:          
    Loan yield (GAAP)(1)     10.44 %     11.43 %     10.71 %   10.99 %     10.60 %
    Total average loans receivable   $ 3,419,476     $ 3,464,871     $ 3,007,289   $ 3,320,582     $ 2,936,908  
    Interest and earned fee income on loans (GAAP)     89,714       99,590       81,159     364,869       311,441  
    BaaS loan expense     (24,859 )     (32,612 )     (24,310 )   (111,384 )     (86,900 )
    Net loan income   $ 64,855     $ 66,978     $ 56,849   $ 253,485     $ 224,541  
    Loan income, net of BaaS loan expense, divided by average loans (1)     7.55 %     7.69 %     7.50 %   7.63 %     7.65 %

    (1) Annualized calculations for periods presented.

    The following non-GAAP measure is presented to illustrate the impact of BaaS loan expense, BaaS fraud expense and reimbursement of expenses (BaaS) on noninterest expense. The most comparable GAAP measure is noninterest expense.

        As of and for the Three Months Ended
    (dollars in thousands, unaudited)   December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    Noninterest expense, net of reimbursement of expenses (BaaS)
    Noninterest expense (GAAP)   $ 64,206   $ 65,616   $ 51,703
    Less: BaaS loan expense     24,859     32,612     24,310
    Less: BaaS fraud expense     5,043     2,084     779
    Less: Reimbursement of expenses     3,468     1,843     1,076
    Noninterest expense, net of BaaS loan expense, BaaS fraud expense and reimbursement of expenses   $ 30,836   $ 29,077   $ 25,538


    APPENDIX A –

    As of December 31, 2024

    Industry Concentration

    We have a diversified loan portfolio, representing a wide variety of industries. Our major categories of loans are commercial real estate, consumer and other loans, residential real estate, commercial and industrial, and construction, land and land development loans. Together they represent $3.49 billion in outstanding loan balances. When combined with $1.96 billion in unused commitments the total of these categories is $5.46 billion.

    Commercial real estate loans represent the largest segment of our loans, comprising 39.4% of our total balance of outstanding loans as of December 31, 2024. Unused commitments to extend credit represents an additional $34.2 million, and the combined total in commercial real estate loans represents $1.41 billion, or 25.8% of our total outstanding loans and loan commitments.

    The following table summarizes our loan commitment by industry for our commercial real estate portfolio as of December 31, 2024:

    (dollars in thousands; unaudited)   Outstanding
    Balance
      Available
    Loan
    Commitments
      Total
    Outstanding
    Balance &
    Available
    Commitment
      % of Total
    Loans

    (Outstanding
    Balance &

    Available
    Commitment)
      Average Loan
    Balance
      Number of
    Loans
    Apartments   $ 405,561   $ 4,953   $ 410,514   7.5 %   $ 3,937   103
    Hotel/Motel     154,691     68     154,759   2.8       6,726   23
    Convenience Store     139,735     575     140,310   2.6       2,329   60
    Office     122,897     7,687     130,584   2.4       1,366   90
    Retail     103,312     414     103,726   1.9       993   104
    Warehouse     103,130     —     103,130   1.9       1,748   59
    Mixed use     91,607     5,365     96,972   1.8       1,160   79
    Mini Storage     80,837     10,183     91,020   1.7       3,674   22
    Strip Mall     43,894     —     43,894   0.8       6,271   7
    Manufacturing     37,617     1,200     38,817   0.7       1,297   29
    Groups < 0.70% of total     91,520     3,777     95,297   1.7       1,173   78
    Total   $ 1,374,801   $ 34,222   $ 1,409,023   25.8 %   $ 2,102   654
                                       

    Consumer loans comprise 34.6% of our total balance of outstanding loans as of December 31, 2024. Unused commitments to extend credit represents an additional $735.8 million, and the combined total in consumer and other loans represents $1.94 billion, or 35.6% of our total outstanding loans and loan commitments. As illustrated in the table below, our CCBX partners bring in a large number of mostly smaller dollar loans, resulting in an average consumer loan balance of just $1,000. CCBX consumer loans are underwritten to CCBX credit standards and underwriting of these loans is regularly tested, including quarterly testing for partners with portfolio balances greater than $10.0 million.

    The following table summarizes our loan commitment by industry for our consumer and other loan portfolio as of December 31, 2024:

    (dollars in thousands; unaudited)   Outstanding
    Balance
      Available
    Loan
    Commitments
    (1)
      Total
    Outstanding
    Balance &
    Available
    Commitment
    (1)
      % of Total
     Loans

    (Outstanding
    Balance &

    Available
    Commitment)
      Average Loan
    Balance
      Number of
    Loans
    CCBX consumer loans
    Credit cards   $ 528,554   $ 717,198   $ 1,245,752   22.8 %   $ 1.8   301,799
    Installment loans     656,797     15,806     672,603   12.3       1.0   690,596
    Lines of credit     722     1     723   0.0       1.4   524
    Other loans     7,261     —     7,261   0.1       —   163,026
    Community bank consumer loans
    Installment loans     1,917     2     1,919   0.1       68.5   28
    Lines of credit     181     344     525   0.0       5.7   32
    Other loans     11,444     2,400     13,844   0.3       30.6   374
    Total   $ 1,206,876   $ 735,751   $ 1,942,627   35.6 %   $ 1.0   1,156,379

    (1)  Total exposure on CCBX loans is subject to CCBX partner/portfolio maximum limits.

    Residential real estate loans comprise 13.4% of our total balance of outstanding loans as of December 31, 2024. Unused commitments to extend credit represents an additional $499.5 million, and the combined total in residential real estate loans represents $969.3 million, or 17.8% of our total outstanding loans and loan commitments.

    The following table summarizes our loan commitment by industry for our residential real estate loan portfolio as of December 31, 2024:

    (dollars in thousands; unaudited)   Outstanding
    Balance
      Available
    Loan
    Commitments
    (1)
      Total
    Outstanding
    Balance &
    Available
    Commitment
    (1)
      % of Total 
    Loans

    (Outstanding
    Balance &

    Available
    Commitment)
      Average Loan
    Balance
      Number of
    Loans
    CCBX residential real estate loans
    Home equity line of credit   $ 267,707   $ 453,369   $ 721,076   13.2 %   $ 27   10,092
    Community bank residential real estate loans
    Closed end, secured by first liens     165,433     2,080     167,513   3.1       537   308
    Home equity line of credit     25,506     43,102     68,608   1.3       109   234
    Closed end, second liens     11,125     965     12,090   0.2       371   30
    Total   $ 469,771   $ 499,516   $ 969,287   17.8 %   $ 44   10,664

    (1) Total exposure on CCBX loans is subject to CCBX partner/portfolio maximum limits.

    Commercial and industrial loans comprise 8.4% of our total balance of outstanding loans as of December 31, 2024. Unused commitments to extend credit represents an additional $645.5 million, and the combined total in commercial and industrial loans represents $938.9 million, or 17.2% of our total outstanding loans and loan commitments. Included in commercial and industrial loans is $109.0 million in outstanding capital call lines, with an additional $550.9 million in available loan commitments which is limited to a $350.0 million portfolio maximum. Capital call lines are provided to venture capital firms through one of our CCBX BaaS clients. These loans are secured by the capital call rights and are individually underwritten to the Bank’s credit standards and the underwriting is reviewed by the Bank on every capital call line.

    The following table summarizes our loan commitment by industry for our commercial and industrial loan portfolio as of December 31, 2024:

    (dollars in thousands; unaudited)   Outstanding
    Balance
      Available
    Loan
    Commitments
    (1)
      Total
    Outstanding
    Balance &
    Available
    Commitment
    (1)
      % of Total
    Loans

    (Outstanding
    Balance &

    Available
    Commitment)
      Average Loan
    Balance
      Number of
    Loans
    Consolidated C&I loans
    Capital Call Lines   $ 109,017   $ 550,948   $ 659,965   12.1 %   $ 808   135
    Construction/Contractor Services     24,367     36,343     60,710   1.1       121   202
    Financial Institutions     48,648     —     48,648   0.9       4,054   12
    Retail     28,533     5,664     34,197   0.6       14   2,052
    Manufacturing     5,604     4,581     10,185   0.2       147   38
    Medical / Dental / Other Care     7,074     2,641     9,715   0.2       544   13
    Groups < 0.20% of total     70,130     45,360     115,490   2.1       55   1,275
    Total   $ 293,373   $ 645,537   $ 938,910   17.2 %   $ 79   3,727

    (1)  Total exposure on CCBX loans is subject to CCBX partner/portfolio maximum limits.

    Construction, land and land development loans comprise 4.2% of our total balance of outstanding loans as of December 31, 2024. Unused commitments to extend credit represents an additional $47.8 million, and the combined total in construction, land and land development loans represents $196.0 million, or 3.6% of our total outstanding loans and loan commitments.

    The following table details our loan commitment for our construction, land and land development portfolio as of December 31, 2024:

    (dollars in thousands; unaudited)   Outstanding
    Balance
      Available
    Loan
    Commitments
      Total
    Outstanding
    Balance &
    Available
    Commitment
      % of Total
    Loans

    (Outstanding
    Balance &

    Available
    Commitment)
      Average Loan
    Balance
      Number of
    Loans
    Commercial construction   $ 83,216   $ 30,500   $ 113,716   2.1 %   $ 6,935   12
    Residential construction     40,940     10,873     51,813   0.9       2,408   17
    Developed land loans     8,305     456     8,761   0.2       489   17
    Undeveloped land loans     8,665     4,816     13,481   0.2       619   14
    Land development     7,072     1,157     8,229   0.2       643   11
    Total   $ 148,198   $ 47,802   $ 196,000   3.6 %   $ 2,087   71
                                       

    Exposure and risk in our construction, land and land development portfolio is declining compared to previous periods as indicated in the following table:

        Outstanding Balance as of
    (dollars in thousands; unaudited)   December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      March 31,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    Commercial construction   $ 83,216   $ 97,792   $ 110,372   $ 102,099   $ 81,489
    Residential construction     40,940     35,822     34,652     28,751     34,213
    Undeveloped land loans     8,665     8,606     8,372     8,190     7,890
    Developed land loans     8,305     14,863     13,954     14,307     20,515
    Land development     7,072     5,968     5,714     7,515     12,993
    Total   $ 148,198   $ 163,051   $ 173,064   $ 160,862   $ 157,100
                                   

    Commitments to extend credit total $1.96 billion at December 31, 2024,   however we do not anticipate our customers using the $1.96 billion that is showing as available due to CCBX partner and portfolio limits.

    The following table presents outstanding commitments to extend credit as of December 31, 2024:

    Consolidated    
    (dollars in thousands; unaudited)   As of December 31, 2024
    Commitments to extend credit:    
    Commercial and industrial loans   $ 94,589
    Commercial and industrial loans – capital call lines     550,948
    Construction – commercial real estate loans     36,873
    Construction – residential real estate loans     10,929
    Residential real estate loans     499,516
    Commercial real estate loans     34,222
    Credit cards     717,198
    Consumer and other loans     18,553
    Total commitments to extend credit   $ 1,962,828
           

    We have individual CCBX partner portfolio limits with our each of our partners to manage loan concentration risk, liquidity risk, and counter-party partner risk. For example, as of December 31, 2024, capital call lines outstanding balance totaled $109.0 million, and while commitments totaled $550.9 million, the commitments are limited to a maximum of $350.0 million by agreement with the partner. If a CCBX partner goes over their individual limit, it would be a breach of their contract and the Bank may impose penalties and would have the choice to fund the loan.

    See the table below for CCBX portfolio maximums and related available commitments:

    CCBX                
    (dollars in thousands; unaudited)   Balance   Percent of CCBX
    loans receivable
    Available
    Commitments
    (1)
      Maximum Portfolio
    Size
    Cash
    Reserve/Pledge
    Account Amount
    (2)
    Commercial and industrial loans:            
    Capital call lines   $ 109,017     6.8 % $ 550,948   $ 350,000 $ —
    All other commercial & industrial loans     33,961     2.1     19,104     480,000   834
    Real estate loans:                
    Home equity lines of credit (3)     267,707     16.7     453,369     375,000   36,241
    Consumer and other loans:            
    Credit cards – cash secured     211         —       —
    Credit cards – unsecured     528,343         717,198       26,742
    Credit cards – total     528,554     33.0     717,198     807,484   26,742
    Installment loans – cash secured     127,014         15,806       —
    Installment loans – unsecured     529,783         —       5,332
    Installment loans – total     656,797     40.9     15,806     1,787,118   5,332
    Other consumer and other loans     7,983     0.5     1     5,398   196
    Gross CCBX loans receivable     1,604,019     100.0 %   1,756,426     3,805,000 $ 69,345
    Net deferred origination fees     (442 )            
    Loans receivable   $ 1,603,577              

    (1) Remaining commitment available, net of outstanding balance.
    (2) Balances are as of January 8, 2025.
    (3) These home equity lines of credit are secured by residential real estate and are accessed by using a credit card, but are classified as 1-4 family residential properties per regulatory guidelines.

    APPENDIX B –
    As of December 31, 2024

    CCBX – BaaS Reporting Information

    During the quarter ended December 31, 2024, $62.1 million was recorded in BaaS credit enhancements related to the provision for credit losses – loans and reserve for unfunded commitments for CCBX partner loans and negative deposit accounts. Agreements with our CCBX partners provide for a credit enhancement provided by the partner which protects the Bank by indemnifying or reimbursing incurred losses. In accordance with accounting guidance, we estimate and record a provision for expected losses for these CCBX loans, unfunded commitments and negative deposit accounts. When the provision for credit losses – loans and provision for unfunded commitments is recorded, a credit enhancement asset is also recorded on the balance sheet through noninterest income (BaaS credit enhancements) in recognition of the CCBX partner legal commitment to indemnify or reimburse losses. The credit enhancement asset is relieved as credit enhancement payments and recoveries are received from the CCBX partner or taken from the partner’s cash reserve account. Agreements with our CCBX partners also provide protection to the Bank from fraud by indemnifying or reimbursing incurred fraud losses. BaaS fraud includes noncredit fraud losses on loans and deposits originated through partners. Fraud losses are recorded when incurred as losses in noninterest expense, and the enhancement received from the CCBX partner is recorded in noninterest income, resulting in a net impact of zero to the income statement. Many CCBX partners also pledge a cash reserve account at the Bank which the Bank can collect from when losses occur that is then replenished by the partner on a regular interval. Although agreements with our CCBX partners provide for credit enhancements that provide protection to the Bank from credit and fraud losses by indemnifying or reimbursing incurred credit and fraud losses, if our partner is unable to fulfill their contracted obligation then the bank would be exposed to additional loan and deposit losses if the cash flows on the loans were not sufficient to fund the reimbursement of loan losses, as a result of this counterparty risk. If a CCBX partner does not replenish their cash reserve account the Bank may consider an alternative plan for funding the cash reserve. This may involve the possibility of adjusting the funding amounts or timelines to better align with the partner’s specific situation. If a mutually agreeable funding plan is not agreed to, the Bank could declare the agreement in default, take over servicing and cease paying the partner for servicing the loan and providing credit enhancements. The Bank would evaluate any remaining credit enhancement asset from the CCBX partner in the event the partner failed to determine if a write-off is appropriate. If a write-off occurs, the Bank would retain the full yield and any fee income on the loan portfolio going forward, and our BaaS loan expense would decrease once default occurred and payments to the CCBX partner were stopped.

    The Bank records contractual interest earned from the borrower on CCBX partner loans in interest income, adjusted for origination costs which are paid or payable to the CCBX partner. BaaS loan expense represents the amount paid or payable to partners for credit and fraud enhancements and originating & servicing CCBX loans. To determine net revenue (Net BaaS loan income) earned from CCBX loan relationships, the Bank takes BaaS loan interest income and deducts BaaS loan expense to arrive at Net BaaS loan income (A reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures are set forth in the preceding section of this earnings release.) which can be compared to interest income on the Company’s community bank loans.

    The following table illustrates how CCBX partner loan income and expenses are recorded in the financial statements:

    Loan income and related loan expense   Three Months Ended
    (dollars in thousands; unaudited)   December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    Yield on loans (1)     15.28 %     17.35 %     17.36 %
    BaaS loan interest income   $ 58,671     $ 67,692     $ 52,327  
    Less: BaaS loan expense     24,859       32,612       24,310  
    Net BaaS loan income (2)   $ 33,812     $ 35,080     $ 28,017  
    Net BaaS loan income divided by average BaaS loans (1)(2)     8.81 %     8.99 %     9.30 %

    (1) Annualized calculation for quarterly periods shown.
    (2) A reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures are set forth in the preceding section of this earnings release.

    A decrease in average CCBX loans receivable resulted in decreased interest income on CCBX loans during the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2024. The decrease in average CCBX loans receivable was primarily due to loan sales in the CCBX loan portfolio as part of our strategy to optimize the CCBX loan portfolio and strengthen our balance sheet through originating higher quality new loans and enhanced credit standards. These higher quality loans also have lower stated rates and expected losses. As a result, our yield on loans and our BaaS loan expense decrease by similar amounts. We continue to reposition ourselves by managing CCBX credit and concentration levels in an effort to optimize our loan portfolio and generate off balance sheet fee income. Growth in CCBX loans and deposits has resulted in increases in interest income and expense for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2023.

    The following tables are a summary of the interest components, direct fees, and expenses of BaaS for the periods indicated and are not inclusive of all income and expense related to BaaS.

    Interest income   Three Months Ended
    (dollars in thousands; unaudited)   December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    Loan interest income   $ 58,671   $ 67,692   $ 52,327
    Total BaaS interest income   $ 58,671   $ 67,692   $ 52,327
    Interest expense   Three Months Ended
    (dollars in thousands; unaudited)   December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    BaaS interest expense   $ 22,243   $ 24,819   $ 21,826
    Total BaaS interest expense   $ 22,243   $ 24,819   $ 21,826
    BaaS income   Three Months Ended
    (dollars in thousands; unaudited)   December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    BaaS program income:            
    Servicing and other BaaS fees   $ 1,043   $ 1,044   $ 1,015
    Transaction fees     1,783     1,696     1,006
    Interchange fees     1,916     1,853     1,272
    Reimbursement of expenses     3,468     1,843     1,076
    BaaS program income     8,210     6,436     4,369
    BaaS indemnification income:            
    BaaS credit enhancements     62,097     70,108     58,449
    BaaS fraud enhancements     5,043     2,084     779
    BaaS indemnification income     67,140     72,192     59,228
    Total noninterest BaaS income   $ 75,350   $ 78,628   $ 63,597

    Servicing and other BaaS fees decreased $1,000 in the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2024 while transaction fees and interchange fees increased $87,000 and $63,000, respectively. We expect servicing and other BaaS fees to decrease and transaction and interchange fees to increase as partner activity grows and contracted minimum fees are replaced with recurring fees and then exceed those minimum fees. Increases in BaaS reimbursement of fees offsets increases in noninterest expense from BaaS expenses covered by CCBX partners.

    BaaS loan and fraud expense:   Three Months Ended
    (dollars in thousands; unaudited)   December 31,
    2024
      September 30,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    BaaS loan expense   $ 24,859   $ 32,612   $ 24,310
    BaaS fraud expense     5,043     2,084     779
    Total BaaS loan and fraud expense   $ 29,902   $ 34,696   $ 25,089

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/20c5a089-a44b-483e-acb5-fccbbe07fc10

    The MIL Network –

    January 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Golar LNG Limited – Q4 2024 results presentation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Golar LNG’s 4th 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 Economics: “Risks in Focus 2025” – Climate change, geopolitics and a weak economy could put pressure on Germany’s financial system

    Source: Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht – In English

    In 2025, companies in the German financial sector should ensure that their risk management incorporates more comprehensive Information on the consequences of climate change. According to BaFin, physical risks such as extreme weather or natural disasters in the form of major fires, droughts or floods could have a much greater impact on banks’ loan portfolios and insurers’ loss amounts in future.
    In this year’s “Risks in Focus”, BaFin describes these increasing physical risks as a relevant trend for the financial sector. At a press conference to mark the publication, BaFin President Mark Branson explained: “The environment in which companies in the financial sector have to operate is highly challenging because, for many risk drivers – such as climate change, geopolitical upheavals and quantum leaps in technological progress – we lack relevant historical experience. This makes it all the more important for companies in the financial sector to think in terms of scenarios, manage risks wisely and prepare themselves for potential shocks with well-stocked capital and liquidity buffers.”

    In 2025, BaFin will focus particularly on six risks

    In its outlook on risks, BaFin explains at the beginning of each year where the financial system in Germany is particularly vulnerable and which risks are most capable of jeopardising financial stability or the integrity of German financial markets. BaFin also highlights what it considers to be relevant trends that companies in the financial sector should be paying attention to. For financial institutions, the outlook provides a useful guideline for their own risk management. It also gives an overview of BaFin’s supervisory priorities for the current year.

    In total, BaFin is focusing on six risks and three trends for the German financial sector:

    Opportunities and risks from three trends

    Alongside these risks, BaFin has identified three trends that offer opportunities for the economy and the financial sector, but that also harbour considerable risks: sustainability issues, digitalisation and geopolitical upheavals. In addition to the physical risks of advancing climate change, BaFin also sees risks in the uncertainties and costs associated with the transition to a low-carbon economy (transition risks). In BaFin’s view, “greenwashing”, i.e. attempts to sell products based on unfounded claims that they are particularly environmentally friendly or responsible, also still poses risks.

    Digitalisation and geopolitics

    When it comes to digitalisation, BaFin is concerned with increasing cyber risks, the responsible use of artificial intelligence, volatility in the market valuation of cryptoassets and, most recently, the future use of quantum computers. Although high-performance quantum computers have yet to be used on a mass scale, in the interests of IT security, financial companies should already be preparing for their potential application. In the future, quantum computers will be able to crack data encryption methods that are currently considered secure. Criminals could therefore steal data now to decrypt later with the aid of quantum computing. The development of protection plans is therefore crucial.

    According to Branson, “Many companies are aware of all these risks and have invested in their IT security. It is important to us that companies continuously monitor current developments and threats. They must also prepare for crisis situations and adapt their security measures. This is what we expect of them. It is also what their customers expect of them.”

    In terms of geopolitics, clear trends towards market fragmentation and increasing tensions between countries were observed in 2024. This could continue, with repercussions for the entire financial system. Although they are not an independent risk type, geopolitical crises can influence and exacerbate other relevant risks. The German financial system is particularly susceptible because of Germany’s close international trade links and the high export dependency of its economy.

    Contact:Jacque­line Juk­nat

    Head of Communications
    Phone: +49 (0) 228 / 4108 – 4629

    Contact:Christoph Blu­men­thal

    Head of Press Relations and Social Media
    Phone: +49 (0) 228 4108-7094

    MIL OSI Economics –

    January 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Verity and Landus Announce Agreement to Track and Verify Sustainable Agriculture Attributes at Soybean Facility

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Verity Holdings, LLC (“Verity”), a subsidiary of Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEVO), and Landus are pleased to announce a new agreement aimed at unlocking added value for farmers through sustainability premiums via export markets. This collaboration leverages Verity’s advanced platform to track and verify the attributes of agricultural products, enabling Landus to document and assign value metrics for soybeans processed at its soybean facility in Ralston, Iowa.

    This farmer-centric agreement reinforces Verity and Landus’ commitment to expanding opportunities in international markets for sustainably certified products, such as those derived from regeneratively grown soybeans and corn. By streamlining the certification and data-verification process, the partnership aims to deliver measurable premiums to farmers meeting program requirements while incentivizing processors to adopt efficiency-enhancing systems that drive long-term sustainable outcomes.

    “Landus and Verity will work together to capture and verify key attribute data that drives value throughout the supply chain,” said Paul Bloom, Chief Business Officer for Gevo. “As a leader in the industry, Landus recognizes the importance of collecting trustworthy, verifiable data to document agriculture attributes and connect them to finished products through the supply chain. Farmers and customers are realizing the power of collaboration across the supply chain to drive meaningful and scalable impact.”

    As part of this partnership, Landus and Verity plan to expand data-verification efforts to additional Landus facilities and pilot innovative market solutions. By sharing regular progress updates, they remain committed to building trust and transparency with farmer-owners and stakeholders.

    “Our focus on quality, a unique soybean supply chain, and our commitment to creating value-added opportunities for farmer-owners have always set us apart,” said Craig Mouchka, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Sustainability at Landus. “Verity equips us with the tools to maximize sustainability premiums through export markets while fulfilling our promise to deliver innovative solutions and new opportunities for our farmer-owners.”

    Farmer-owners interested in participating in sustainability initiatives or learning more about market premiums can contact their local Landus representative.

    “We are partnering with organizations that prioritize scalable solutions and sustainable agriculture done right,” said Bloom. “Landus and Verity are demonstrating the value of collaboration from field to finished product, ensuring that sustainability premiums benefit farmers, processors, and their customers alike—particularly in the growing export markets for differentiated agricultural goods.”

    About Gevo
    Gevo’s mission is to convert renewable energy and biogenic carbon into sustainable fuels and chemicals with a net zero or better carbon footprint. Gevo’s innovative technology can be used to make a variety of products, including sustainable aviation fuel (“SAF”), motor fuels, chemicals, and other materials. Gevo’s business model includes developing, financing, and operating production facilities for these renewable fuels and other products. It currently runs one of the largest dairy-based renewable natural gas (“RNG”) facilities in the United States. It also owns the world’s first production facility for specialty alcohol-to-jet (“ATJ”) fuels and chemicals. Gevo emphasizes the importance of sustainability by tracking and verifying the carbon footprint of its business systems through its Verity subsidiary.
    For more information, see www.gevo.com.

    About Verity
    Verity is at the forefront of creating the ability to track, verify, and empirically value carbon intensity across the full carbon lifecycle. Verity Holdings, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Gevo, Inc. For more information, see www.veritytracking.com.

    About Landus
    Landus is a forward-thinking agriculture solutions company that keeps the farmer at the center of every decision it makes. The company connects thousands of farmer-owners with the world through grain, agronomy, and distribution, deploying traditional and nontraditional methods fueled by innovation and sustainability. Landus’ businesses touch 34 states and 16 countries. To learn more about Landus, and the company’s commitment to solving critical issues for the farmer of tomorrow, please visit landus.ag.

    Forward Looking Statement
    Certain statements in this press release may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements relate to a variety of matters, including, without limitation, Verity’s technology and platform, the commercial benefits of using the Verity platform, and the attributes of Verity’s platform, the value of sustainability premiums and other statements that are not purely statements of historical fact. These forward-looking statements are made based on the current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the management of Gevo and are subject to significant risks and uncertainty. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Gevo undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Although Gevo believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements involve many risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from what may be expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. For a further discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to the business of Gevo in general, see the risk disclosures in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Gevo for the year ended December 31, 2023, and in subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K and other filings made with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission by Gevo.

    Media Contact
    Heather Manuel
    VP, Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships
    PR@gevo.com

    Kaylie Tighe
    Communications Manager
    Kaylie.tighe@trailrunnerint.com

    IR Contact
    Eric Frey
    VP, Finance & Strategy
    IR@Gevo.com

    The MIL Network –

    January 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Ushur Welcomes Deepak Vedarthan as SVP of Customer Success to Accelerate Growth in AI-Driven Solutions for Regulated Enterprises

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SANTA CLARA, Calif., Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ushur, the leader in Customer Experience Automation for regulated industries, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Deepak Vedarthan as Senior Vice President of Customer Success. In his new role, Deepak will oversee all post-sales customer functions, including onboarding, implementation, professional and managed services, customer success management, customer operations and customer support.

    “Joining Ushur at this pivotal moment in its evolution is incredibly exciting,” said Deepak Vedarthan. “The company’s groundbreaking AI-first approach to experience automation is reshaping how enterprises engage with their customers. As we continue to push the boundaries of innovation, I am thrilled to collaborate with the talented Ushur team to build a world-class customer success organization that delivers exceptional outcomes, accelerates time to value and empowers customers to unlock new opportunities. Together, we’ll elevate customer experiences to new heights, ensuring organizations thrive in an increasingly digital world.”

    Deepak joins Ushur with over 22 years of experience driving digital transformation for global enterprises. His expertise spans intelligent automation, business process management and workflow optimization. Most recently, Deepak served as Global Vice President of Professional Services at GRM and VisualVault, where he led transformative initiatives that elevated operational excellence, expanded market presence and launched the company into new verticals. Prior to that, he spent 17 years at Pegasystems, leading high-performing, cross-functional teams in delivering groundbreaking solutions to some of the world’s most iconic brands.

    Deepak holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science, an MBA and executive certifications from Cornell, Harvard and Stanford, where he completed the prestigious Learn, Engage, Accelerate and Disrupt (LEAD) Executive Leadership Program as a distinguished scholar.

    With a proven track record as a trusted advisor and thought leader, Deepak brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to Ushur. His extensive experience and strategic vision will be instrumental in delivering impactful strategies and meaningful outcomes for Ushur’s customers.

    “Building a world-class post-sales customer success charter is an essential prerequisite for our growth journey,” said Simha Sadasiva, Co-Founder and CEO of Ushur. “We could not have found a better leader than Deepak to help chart this next phase of our business. His deep expertise, leadership acumen and customer-centric approach make him the ideal choice to lead our customer success organization. We’re excited to have Deepak join the Ushur team and strengthen our mission of delivering exceptional value to our customers.”

    About Ushur: Ushur delivers the world’s first Customer Experience Automation platform built specifically for regulated industries. Purpose-built for delivering ideal self-service, Ushur infuses intelligence into digital experiences for the most delightful and impactful customer engagements. Equipped with guardrails and compliance-ready infrastructure, Ushur powers vertical AI Agents for healthcare, financial services and insurance use cases. Designed for rapid code-less deployment with flexible, advanced capabilities for IT and business teams, enterprises can transform customer and employee journeys at scale in the fastest time to value.

    Media Contact
    Anthony Stipa
    anthony@scribewise.com
    (610) 420-1724

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/025f8557-4bcc-4cab-9e8c-ac6b5997d08e

    The MIL Network –

    January 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Broadcom Delivers Industry’s First Quantum Resistant Network Encryption, Enabling Real-time Ransomware Detection

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALO ALTO, Calif., Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO) today announced an industry-first — the new, innovative Emulex Secure Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapters (HBA) — a cost-effective, easy-to-manage solution that encrypts all data as it moves between servers and storage.

    Encrypting mission-critical data is no longer a nice-to-have, but a must-have. The cost of ransomware attacks continues to rise with attacks in 2024 costing USD $5.37 million1 on average per attack. Upcoming generative AI and quantum computers magnify the risk if data is not encrypted at all points in the data center including the network.

    To address these cybersecurity issues, governments have responded with mandates, including the United States’ Commercial National Security Algorithm (CNSA) 2.0, the European Union’s Network and Information Security (NIS) 2, Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) and more that require enterprises to modernize their IT infrastructures with post-quantum cryptographic encryption algorithms and zero trust architecture.

    Today, data centers have the option of deploying application encryption or network encryption to protect their data. Network encryption offers several important advantages versus application-based encryption including preserving storage array services such as dedupe and compression, which is destroyed when using application-based encryption. Network encryption also enables real-time ransomware detection while application-based encryption hides ransomware attacks. Additional highlights of this solution include no encryption performance penalty and simple, session-based key management.

    “Customers are seeking ways to protect themselves against crippling and expensive ransomware attacks as well as complying with new government regulations mandating all data be encrypted,” said Jeff Hoogenboom, vice president and general manager, Emulex Connectivity Division, Broadcom. “The Emulex Secure Host Bus Adapter meets these needs by providing an elegantly simple solution that once installed, encrypts all data across all applications.”

    “As enterprises face an ever-growing wave of cybersecurity threats, the Emulex Secure HBA stands out as a simple drop-in solution that enhances SAN security without compromising performance,” said Brian Beeler, president, StorageReview.com. “In our testing, we found these HBAs excelled at securing in-flight SAN data encryption while seamlessly complementing existing security technologies. We’re excited to see these adapters become a standard layer of improved SAN security in 2025, providing enterprises with an essential tool to safeguard their critical data.”

    Emulex Secure HBAs Feature:

    • Security Built on Zero Trust, Post-Quantum Cryptography
      • Encryption algorithms support CNSA 2.0, DORA and NIS2 mandates.
      • Secures data in-flight between host servers and storage arrays.
      • Zero Trust platform with Security Protocol and Data Model (SPDM). cryptographic authentication of endpoints, and silicon root-of-trust authentication.
      • Compliance with the NIST 800-193 framework — secure boot, digitally signed drivers, T10-DIF, and more.
    • Cost effective encryption: Dedupe/compression storage services remain intact; protects all data across all applications versus application-specific solutions.
    • Runs on existing Fibre Channel infrastructure.
    • Maximum application performance: Cryptography offloaded to hardware, providing encryption with no performance impact.
    • Easy to manage and deploy: Simple session-based key management with on-demand key generation; transparent runs with existing operating systems, applications and SAN management tools.

    Emulex 32G and 64G Secure HBAs are available in 1, 2, and 4 port configurations and are shipping now. For further information please visit Broadcom.com here, and StorageReview.com here.

    About Broadcom
    Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ: AVGO) is a global technology leader that designs, develops, and supplies a broad range of semiconductor, enterprise software and security solutions. Broadcom’s category-leading product portfolio serves critical markets including cloud, data center, networking, broadband, wireless, storage, industrial, and enterprise software. Our solutions include service provider and enterprise networking and storage, mobile device and broadband connectivity, mainframe, cybersecurity, and private and hybrid cloud infrastructure. Broadcom is a Delaware corporation headquartered in Palo Alto, CA. For more information, go to www.broadcom.com.

    Broadcom, the pulse logo, and Connecting everything are among the trademarks of Broadcom. The term “Broadcom” refers to Broadcom Inc., and/or its subsidiaries. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

    1 Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024, Ponemon Institute

    Press Contact:
    Jon Piazza
    Global Communications
    press.relations@broadcom.com
    Telephone: +1 310 498 5254

    Industry Quotes

    Mark Jones, President Emeritus, Fibre Channel Industry Association (FCIA)
    “A standards-based solution to network security ensures industry-wide interoperability and gives customers the assurance of a working ecosystem that has been the hallmark of the Fibre Channel industry for over 30 years. The Emulex Secure HBA is leveraging the new INCITS FC-SP-3 standard; this security protocol will ensure that Fibre Channel will continue to be the most secure choice of storage network transport far into the future.”

    Dave Pearson, Vice President, Infrastructure Research, IDC
    “Cybersecurity ‘defense-in-depth’ best practices for enterprises means going beyond just data-at-rest encryption, but the tradeoff has traditionally meant losing data compression and deduplication capabilities. Secure HBAs aim to solve this problem by enabling in-flight encryption with full data compression.”

    The MIL Network –

    January 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Anjuna Security Recognized as a Tech Innovator in Preemptive Cybersecurity by Gartner®

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALO ALTO, Calif., Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Anjuna, creator of Anjuna Seaglass, the only Universal Confidential Computing Platform, and Anjuna Northstar, the first AI Fusion Clean Room, announced today that it has been named a Tech Innovator in Preemptive Cybersecurity in the 2024 Gartner Emerging Tech: Tech Innovators in Preemptive Cybersecurity report. Anjuna views this as a recognition of its pioneering role in enabling enterprises to proactively defend against increasingly sophisticated AI-enabled cyber threats.

    “We are proud about being named as a Tech Innovator by Gartner. We think this recognition underscores the growing demand for Confidential Computing in the evolving cybersecurity landscape, and reaffirms our commitment to innovating in this space.” said Ayal Yogev, CEO of Anjuna.

    Cybersecurity for the AI Era
    According to Gartner, “Emerging GenAI-driven threats are challenging traditional detection and response strategies. Preemptive cybersecurity technologies, like advanced deception and predictive threat intelligence, offer enriched insights that significantly enhance existing security controls and improve cyber defense capabilities.” .

    Anjuna Seaglass enables organizations to embrace this approach through Confidential Computing. By enabling hardware-assisted security to protect workloads during processing, it isolates data, code, and AI models from looming threats.

    Anjuna helps customers in a wide range of industries, including finserv and healthcare. A prominent finserv institution used Anjuna Seaglass to implement a data clean room, ensuring compliance while enabling secure AI-driven innovation.

    Preemptive Strategies: A Must-Have for Modern Security
    As AI-driven attacks grow, enterprises increasingly rely on preemptive cybersecurity. Anjuna Seaglass simplifies adoption by providing:

    • Proactive hardware-backed defense against emerging threats
    • Seamless integration with existing IT infrastructure
    • Scalability for enterprises of all sizes

    According to Gartner, “Organizations across several industry verticals and markets such as banking and financial services, healthcare and biosciences, and critical infrastructure and government can all benefit from this new innovative flexibility in adopting confidential computing
    within their business operations.”

    Read the full Gartner report here

    Gartner, Emerging Tech: Tech Innovators in Preemptive Cybersecurity, Luis Castillo, Isy Bangurah, 8 January 2025
    GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved.
    Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

    About Anjuna
    Anjuna unlocks secure, AI-driven innovation with two groundbreaking solutions. Anjuna Seaglass, the Universal Confidential Computing Platform, delivers ubiquitous data privacy and intrinsic cloud security. Anjuna Northstar, the AI Data Fusion Clean Room, builds on Seaglass to provide an out-of-the-box, private environment for limitless AI-driven data collaboration and value discovery. Anjuna works with enterprises around the globe, including financial services, government, healthcare and SaaS. Anjuna is backed by prominent investors, including Playground Global, Insight Partners, M Ventures, and SineWave Ventures.

    Media Contact:
    Mauricio Barra, VP of Marketing for Anjuna
    Email: mauricio.barra@anjuna.io 

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f75b9b82-ae54-4170-b787-e2668d5f7e3f

    The MIL Network –

    January 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Illumio Research Reveals 58% of Companies Hit With Ransomware Have Been Forced to Halt Operations

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SUNNYVALE, Calif., Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ransomware attacks are disrupting and undermining business operations and draining revenue streams, according to new research from the Ponemon Institute, commissioned by Illumio, Inc., the leader in breach containment.

    Findings from The Global Cost of Ransomware Study reveal that 58% of organizations had to shut down operations following a ransomware attack, up from 45% in 2021. Forty percent reported a significant loss of revenue (up from 22% in 2021); 41% lost customers; and 40% had to eliminate jobs.

    The research examined the scope of ransomware threats confronting organizations and the measures being implemented to reduce the risks and their impacts. Key findings include:

    • Attackers are reaching critical systems to cause maximum disruption: Ransomware attacks impacted 25% of critical systems, with systems down for 12 hours on average.
    • Organizations continue to spend significant time and money containing ransomware: On average, it took 17.5 people, 132 hours each to contain and remediate their largest ransomware attack.
    • Costs associated with reputation and brand damage now exceed those from legal and regulatory actions: 35% experienced significant brand damage from an attack (up from 21% in 2021).
    • Failure to prioritize investments that boost resilience is costing businesses: 44% lack the ability to quickly identify and contain attacks, and only 27% have implemented microsegmentation – a vital control for stopping the spread of breaches.

    “Ransomware is more pervasive and impactful than ever, with more organizations forced to suspend operations or experiencing major business failure because of attacks,” said Trevor Dearing, Director of Critical Infrastructure at Illumio. “Organizations need operational resilience and controls like microsegmentation that stop attackers from reaching critical systems. By containing attacks at the point of entry, organizations can protect critical systems and data, and save millions in downtime, lost business, and reputational damage.”

    Cloud and hybrid environments remain weak links, with attackers exploiting unpatched systems
    The increased connectivity of business systems and devices is making it harder for organizations to defend against ransomware attacks. Organizations perceive the cloud as being the most vulnerable, and 35% say a lack of visibility across hybrid environments makes it difficult to respond to ransomware attacks.

    Desktops and laptops remain the most compromised devices (50%), with phishing and Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) cited as top entry points for ransomware. Most attacks moved across the network to infect other devices. In over half of these cases (52%), attackers exploited unpatched systems to move laterally and escalate system privileges; up significantly from 33% in 2021.

    Organizations are investing heavily in ransomware defense, but efforts are falling short
    According to the research, nearly a third of IT budgets (29%) are allocated to staff and technologies meant to prevent, detect, contain, and resolve ransomware attacks, yet attacks are still successful. Eighty-eight percent of organizations have fallen victim to a ransomware attack, despite 54% being confident in their security posture.

    Organizations are also taking a chance on ransomware recovery and failing. Fifty-two percent of respondents believe having a full and accurate backup is a sufficient defense against ransomware. Yet only 13% were able to recover all impacted data following a ransomware attack.

    The report also found larger organizational challenges in defending against ransomware including:

    • Ransomware reporting is still not happening: 72% of those that experienced a ransomware attack didn’t report it to law enforcement. Top reasons for not reporting include fear of publicizing the incident (39%); a payment deadline (38%); and fear of retaliation (38%). 
    • Employees are more security conscious, but still a weak link: 40% are confident in the ability of employees to detect social engineering lures (up from 30% in 2021), however, insider negligence is the top challenge when responding to ransomware attacks.
    • Organizations are slow to adopt AI to combat ransomware: Only 42% have specifically adopted AI to help combat ransomware. More (51%) are concerned their organization may experience an AI-generated ransomware attack.

    To learn more, download the full Global Cost of Ransomware Study here or check out the blog here.

    Research Methodology  
    The research was conducted by Ponemon Institute on behalf of Illumio among 2,547 IT and cybersecurity practitioners in the US, UK, Germany, France, Australia and Japan. All participants have responsibility for addressing ransomware attacks within their organizations.

    About Illumio  
    Illumio, the most comprehensive Zero Trust solution for ransomware and breach containment, protects organizations from cyber disasters and enables operational resilience without complexity. By visualizing traffic flows and automatically setting segmentation policies, the Illumio Zero Trust Segmentation Platform reduces unnecessary lateral movement across the multi-cloud and hybrid infrastructure, protecting critical resources and preventing the spread of cyberattacks. 

    Contact Information 
    Comms-team@illumio.com 

    About Ponemon Institute 
    Ponemon Institute is dedicated to independent research and education that advances responsible information and privacy management practices within business and government. Our mission is to conduct high quality, empirical studies on critical issues affecting the management and security of sensitive information about people and organizations.

    We uphold strict data confidentiality, privacy and ethical research standards. We do not collect any personally identifiable information from individuals (or company identifiable information in our business research). Furthermore, we have strict quality standards to ensure that subjects are not asked extraneous, irrelevant or improper questions.

    The MIL Network –

    January 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Exela Technologies Announces Strategic Partnership with Michael Page

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    IRVING, Texas, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Exela Technologies, Inc. (“Exela” or the “Company”) (OTC: XELA, XELAP), a global business process automation (BPA) leader, has announced a strategic partnership between its Finance and Accounting Outsourcing (FAO) Business Unit and Michael Page, a leading recruitment firm specializing in leadership hiring for large enterprises.

    Michael Page, through this partnership, plans to expand Exela’s successful Center of Excellence across various corporate functions, including Finance Shared Services, by deploying Build-Operate-Transfer, Captive, and Business Processes as a Service to their enterprise customers. This collaboration is expected to further strengthen Exela’s position as a trusted partner for delivering tailored, scalable financial solutions.

    “Partnering with Michael Page opens up exciting new avenues for us,” said Sandeep Sapru, President, APAC, Exela Technologies. “This collaboration allows us to bring our deep expertise in finance outsourcing to a wider global audience, helping enterprise clients streamline operations, drive efficiency, and enhance financial outcomes.”

    The partnership reflects a rigorous, strategic process showcasing Exela’s expertise in consulting and executing BOT and captive models. Michael Page’s confidence in Exela was bolstered by the success of its Shared Services Center (SSC) and Full-Service Play (FSP) model, demonstrating Exela’s ability to meet the unique needs of enterprise clients.

    “India continues to be a hub of exceptional talent, with enterprises seeking innovative solutions to optimize their operations and drive strategic growth,” said Anshul Lodha, Managing Director of Michael Page India. “Our partnership with Exela Technologies combines our deep expertise in leadership recruitment with their proven capabilities in finance outsourcing, enabling us to deliver tailored solutions that meet the evolving needs of the Indian business landscape. Together, we are well-positioned to help organizations in India and beyond build resilient, high-performing teams that drive long-term success.”

    As Exela enters FY25, the partnership underscores its commitment to driving growth, innovation, and impactful collaborations that redefine finance outsourcing and shared services.

    About Exela

    Exela Technologies is a business process automation (BPA) leader, leveraging a global footprint and proprietary technology to provide digital transformation solutions enhancing quality, productivity, and end-user experience. With decades of experience operating mission-critical processes, Exela serves a growing roster of more than 4,000 customers throughout 50 countries, including over 60% of the Fortune® 100. Utilizing foundational technologies spanning information management, workflow automation, and integrated communications, Exela’s software and services include multi-industry, departmental solution suites addressing finance and accounting, human capital management, and legal management, as well as industry-specific solutions for banking, healthcare, insurance, and the public sector. Through cloud-enabled platforms, built on a configurable stack of automation modules, and approximately 15,000 employees operating in 21 countries, Exela rapidly deploys integrated technology and operations as an end-to-end digital journey partner.

    To automatically receive Exela financial news by email, please visit the Exela Investor Relations website, http://investors.exelatech.com/, and subscribe to Email Alerts.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements included in this press release are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “may”, “should”, “would”, “plan”, “intend”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “seem”, “seek”, “continue”, “future”, “will”, “expect”, “outlook” or other similar words, phrases or expressions. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding our industry, future events, estimated or anticipated future results and benefits, future opportunities for Exela, and other statements that are not historical facts. These statements are based on the current expectations of Exela management and are not predictions of actual performance. These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, and those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report and in subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In addition, forward-looking statements provide expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this communication. Exela anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause assessments to change. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Exela’s assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

    For more Exela news, commentary, and industry perspectives, visit:

    Website: https://investors.exelatech.com/
    X: @ExelaTech
    LinkedIn: /exela-technologies
    Facebook: @exelatechnologies
    Instagram: @exelatechnologies

    Investor and/or Media Contacts:

    ir@exelatech.com

    Source: Exela Technologies, Inc.

    The MIL Network –

    January 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Finance Teams Prioritize ESG Reporting but Lack Adequate Technology, Finds insightsoftware Report

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RALEIGH, N.C., Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — insightsoftware, the most comprehensive provider of solutions for the Office of the CFO, today released its 2025 ESG Insights and Challenges Report. The report highlights the growing complexities that global organizations face in ESG reporting, including the challenges finance leaders experience gathering, integrating, and analyzing data from multiple sources.

    With the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) set to take effect in the EU in 2025, the research explores how unprepared organizations are to meet the new regulatory requirements. Notably, 52% of businesses rely on data from more than five sources for ESG reporting, underscoring significant hurdles to achieving compliance.

    This report reveals that while many organizations across the EU and the UK express confidence in their ability to comply with regulations like the CSRD, they struggle to find the right tools to accomplish the necessary compliance tasks. In fact, 58% of organizations are already exploring new technology to enhance their ESG reporting capabilities. Complying with regulations like the CSRD and overcoming reporting roadblocks remain highly important for global organizations to meet their ESG goals.

    Key findings from the report include:

    • Technology capabilities are lacking: With 92% of organizations concerned that their ESG reporting processes won’t scale to meet future regulatory demands, organizations are finding it increasingly difficult to identify the necessary tools tailored to their operational needs. They cite data security and privacy concerns as the most prevalent issue (59%), given the sensitive nature of ESG data and regulatory scrutiny.
    • The compliance path forward is uncertain: Companies that do business in the EU need to comply with CSRD, however more than half of decision-makers remain heavily uncertain and confused about its requirements (52%). The primary goal of ESG reporting is to improve transparency and stakeholder engagement say 49%, and 86% of ESG decision-makers overwhelmingly value data visualization and dashboards as the most valuable features in an ESG technology solution.
    • Complex, timely processes hinder ESG reporting success: Amidst the digitalization wave, organizations fight against a steady influx of data. Data collection is the biggest hurdle, responded 95% of decision-makers. In fact, over half (52%) report spending more than four weeks each year solely on collecting data.

    “Without the proper tools, global businesses risk hampering their organization’s ability to comply with ESG regulatory requirements,” said insightsoftware General Manager, EPM & Controllership, Monica Boydston. “This is why tools like the insightsoftware ESG Reporting Solution are crucial to enable teams to seamlessly collect, consolidate, analyze, and disclose ESG data from any source, reducing the risk of non-compliance and costly reporting errors.”

    Leveraging established technologies in close and consolidation, disclosure management, and business intelligence (BI) that are trusted by thousands of customers worldwide, insightsoftware ESG provides the controls, audit trails, and security necessary for delivering investor-grade data and meeting regulatory filing requirements. It enables businesses to effectively measure the impact of their ESG initiatives, helping to attract ESG-focused investors.

    Download the complete findings of the 2025 ESG Insights & Challenges Report here to learn how finance decision-makers can begin to address their ESG reporting challenges.

    To explore insightsoftware ESG and how it can better support an organization’s sustainability goals from data collection to compliance and stakeholder communication, visit here.

    Research Methodology
    insightsoftware’s 2025 ESG Insights & Challenges report was developed in coordination with Hanover Research. It was conducted to gain insights into the current trends and challenges facing finance leaders. To achieve this objective, a quantitative survey was administered to a sample of 400 ESG decision-makers across France, Germany, Finland, Sweden, and the UK. The survey targeted professionals at the director level or higher from organizations with over 500 employees, spanning accounting, finance, compliance, executive teams, regulatory affairs, and sustainability roles.

    About insightsoftware

    insightsoftware is a global provider of comprehensive solutions for the Office of the CFO. We believe an actionable business strategy begins and ends with accessible financial data. With solutions across financial planning and analysis (FP&A), accounting, and operations, we transform how teams operate, empowering leaders to make timely and informed decisions. With data at the heart of everything we do, insightsoftware enables automated processes, delivers trusted insights, boosts predictability, and increases productivity. Learn more at insightsoftware.com.

    Media Contacts
    Inkhouse for insightsoftware
    insightsoftware@inkhouse.com  

    Daniel Tummeley
    Corporate Communications Manager
    PR@insightsoftware.com

    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: DMG Blockchain Solutions Inc. Announces Systemic Trust’s Registration as a Digital Asset Trust Company

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DMG Blockchain Solutions Inc. (TSX-V: DMGI) (OTCQB US: DMGGF) (FRANKFURT: 6AX) (“DMG”), a leading independent data center technology and blockchain solutions provider, has received registration for its wholly owned subsidiary, Alberta-based, Systemic Trust Company (“Systemic Trust” or “STC”), to operate as a special purpose trust company under the Loan and Trust Corporations Act (Alberta) with Alberta’s Treasury Board and Finance (“ATBF”).

    Lawrence Truong, CEO of Systemic Trust, remarked, “We are grateful to our parent company, DMG, for its unwavering support throughout this process and for providing the capital needed to operate as a Qualified Custodian. We extend our thanks to our regulators for their efforts and guidance, which made the licensing process so efficient. Receiving our certificate of registration marks a significant milestone that will enable us to increase the adoption of blockchain technology and build trust in the Canadian cryptocurrency ecosystem by offering a highly secure, independent custody solution. Alberta’s pragmatic, open-for-business attitude attracts talent, innovation and fintech companies like Systemic Trust to establish its headquarters in the province. We are proud to be part of Alberta’s vibrant and growing technology sector. With crypto-friendly regulatory changes underway beyond our borders, our team is preparing for what we believe will be greater adoption of our services in Canada.”

    Nate Horner, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance, remarked, “The registration of Systemic Trust Company marks another exciting milestone for Alberta’s growing financial services sector, giving investors more options to secure cryptocurrency. Alberta continues to lead the way in driving innovation and creating the ideal environment for forward-thinking companies to thrive. With the support of our financial services concierge, innovative businesses can efficiently navigate regulations and establish themselves in the province. By fostering growth in this dynamic sector, we are attracting investments, creating new opportunities for Albertans and building a stronger, more innovative economy.”

    Sheldon Bennett, DMG’s CEO, added, “This milestone is an important achievement towards realizing the full potential of DMG’s Core+ software and services strategy. We are proud of the team at Systemic Trust for successfully navigating the complexities of delivering the licensing for this prudentially regulated business and grateful for our shareholders’ support. Systemic Trust is proud to be the only Canadian Qualified Custodian to leverage Fireblocks’ industry-leading wallet infrastructure. Recognized globally as the foremost institutional-grade wallet platform, Fireblocks has managed over 250 million wallets and secured the transfer of more than $6 trillion in digital assets. This collaboration positions Systemic Trust as the trusted choice for Canadian institutions seeking a secure, compliant and scalable digital asset custody solution.”

    About Alberta’s Treasury Board and Finance

    Alberta’s Treasury Board and Finance (“ATBF”) is a key ministry within the Government of Alberta, Canada, responsible for overseeing the province’s financial and economic affairs. In addition to its roles in budget planning, financial management and economic analysis, ATBF regulates various financial sectors, including loan and trust corporations operating within Alberta. ATBF’s regulatory framework for loan and trust corporations is established under the Loan and Trust Corporations Act. This legislation sets out the requirements for registration, operation and supervision of these entities to ensure their soundness and the protection of consumers. ATBF’s regulatory activities authorize the registration of special purpose trusts under the Loan and Trust Corporations Act, enabling them to serve as a Qualified Custodian for digital assets. Through such regulatory oversight, ATBF aims to maintain the integrity and stability of Alberta’s financial system, fostering a secure environment for both financial institutions and consumers.

    About DMG Blockchain Solutions Inc.

    DMG is a publicly traded and vertically integrated blockchain and data center technology company that manages, operates and develops end-to-end digital solutions to monetize the digital asset and artificial intelligence compute ecosystems. Systemic Trust Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of DMG, is an integral component of DMG’s carbon neutral Bitcoin ecosystem, which enables financial institutions to move bitcoin in a sustainable and regulatory compliant manner.

    For additional information about DMG Blockchain Solutions and its initiatives, please visit www.dmgblockchain.com. Follow @dmgblockchain on X, LinkedIn and Facebook, and subscribe to the DMG YouTube channel to stay updated with the latest developments and insights.

    For further information, please contact:

    On behalf of the Board of Directors,

    Sheldon Bennett, CEO & Director
    Tel: +1 (778) 300-5406
    Email: investors@dmgblockchain.com
    Web: www.dmgblockchain.com

    For Investor Relations:
    investors@dmgblockchain.com

    For Media Inquiries:
    Chantelle Borrelli
    Head of Communications
    chantelle@dmgblockchain.com

    Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

    This news release contains forward-looking information or statements based on current expectations. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release include statements regarding DMG’s strategies and plans, the development of Systemic Trust and the expected outcomes and benefits, delivering products that enable the monetization of bitcoin transactions, developing and executing on the Company’s products and services, increasing self-mining, the launch of products and services, events, courses of action, and the potential of the Company’s technology and operations, among others, are all forward-looking information.

    Future changes in the Bitcoin network-wide mining difficulty rate or Bitcoin hash rate may materially affect the future performance of DMG’s production of bitcoin, and future operating results could also be materially affected by the price of bitcoin and an increase in hash rate mining difficulty.

    Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as “may”, “expect”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “believe” and “continue” or the negative thereof or similar variations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including but not limited to, market and other conditions, volatility in the trading price of the common shares of the Company, business, economic and capital market conditions; the ability to manage operating expenses, which may adversely affect the Company’s financial condition; the ability to remain competitive as other better financed competitors develop and release competitive products; regulatory uncertainties; access to equipment; market conditions and the demand and pricing for products; the demand and pricing of bitcoins; security threats, including a loss/theft of DMG’s bitcoins; DMG’s relationships with its customers, distributors and business partners; the inability to add more power to DMG’s facilities; DMG’s ability to successfully define, design and release new products in a timely manner that meet customers’ needs; the ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel; competition in the industry; the impact of technology changes on the products and industry; failure to develop new and innovative products; the ability to successfully maintain and enforce our intellectual property rights and defend third-party claims of infringement of their intellectual property rights; the impact of intellectual property litigation that could materially and adversely affect the business; the ability to manage working capital; and the dependence on key personnel. DMG may not actually achieve its plans, projections, or expectations. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the demand for its products, the ability to successfully develop software, that there will be no regulation or law that will prevent the Company from operating its business, anticipated costs, the ability to secure sufficient capital to complete its business plans, the ability to achieve goals and the price of bitcoin. Given these risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The securities of DMG are considered highly speculative due to the nature of DMG’s business. For further information concerning these and other risks and uncertainties, refer to the Company’s filings on www.sedarplus.ca. In addition, DMG’s past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance.

    Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, failure to obtain regulatory approval, the continued availability of capital and financing, equipment failures, lack of supply of equipment, power and infrastructure, failure to obtain any permits required to operate the business, the impact of technology changes on the industry, the impact of viruses and diseases on the Company’s ability to operate, secure equipment, and hire personnel, competition, security threats including stolen bitcoins from DMG or its customers, consumer sentiment towards DMG’s products, services and blockchain technology generally, failure to develop new and innovative products, litigation, adverse weather or climate events, increase in operating costs, increase in equipment and labor costs, equipment failures, decrease in the price of bitcoin, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, government regulations, loss of key employees and consultants, and general economic, market or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Additionally, the Company undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of or statements made by third parties in respect of the matters discussed above.

    The MIL Network –

    January 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Harel and Amitim to Acquire 44% of a Partnership Holding a Cluster of Enlight Projects Comprising 69 MW Solar Generation and 448 MWh of Energy Storage Capacity

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    The transaction is based on a valuation of $114 million for the entire Cluster, comprised of a $102 million base and an additional $12 million in deferred consideration upon fulfillment of the conditions of its payment

    Enlight will recognize a profit of $94 million upon fulfillment of the conditions of the deferred consideration, and will continue to operate and develop projects in the Cluster

    The partnership provides Harel and Amitim exposure to renewable energy infrastructure, with the potential for high returns and financial strength over time, while diversifying their investment portfolios and reinforcing their commitment to positive impacts on the Israeli economy and environment

    TEL AVIV, Israel, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Enlight Renewable Energy (“Enlight”, or the “Company”, NASDAQ: ENLT, TASE: ENLT.TA), a leading renewable energy platform, announces the signing of an agreement to sell 44% of a partnership (the “Partnership”), which holds the Sunlight cluster of Israeli renewable energy projects to Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. and Amitim Senior Pension Funds (the “Investors”, “the Sale Agreement”), who will acquire a 25% and 19% stake respectively.

    The Investors will purchase 44% of the Partnership for a total investment of $50 million1 in cash, of which $45 million will be paid upfront, and $5 million will be deferred consideration to be paid by the Investors upon fulfillment of certain conditions set forth in the Sale Agreement. Upon completion of the transaction, which is expected to occur during the first quarter of 2025, the Company will cease to consolidate the financial results of the Partnership in its financial statements, and will accordingly recognize a profit of $94 million.

    The Sunlight Cluster consists of operational and pre-construction projects totaling 69 MW of solar generation and 448 MWh of energy storage capacity, and accounts for 5% of the capacity of Enlight’s total portfolio in Israel and 1% of the capacity of Enlight’s total global portfolio2. The Investors will acquire 44% of the Limited Partner rights in the Partnership and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company will act as the General Partner in the Partnership. Completion of the transaction is contingent upon obtaining approval of the Israeli Competition Authority.

    In conjunction with the Sale Agreement, the parties have entered into a number of additional commercial arrangements:

    1. The parties commit to future investments in projects under construction.
     
    2. The Company will have the exclusive right to purchase all the electricity produced by the Cluster under a 20-year availability agreement whose commercial terms were set between the parties.
     
    3. The Company’s commitment to the duration and minimal level of holdings in the Limited Partnership.
     
    4. The right of the Investors to mandate the sale of 50% of the Company’s holdings in the General Partner to a third party and terminate the management agreements with the Company.
     

    More financial information regarding the Sale Agreement can be found here.

    The Herzog Fox & Neeman law firm and the Giza Singer Even consulting firm advised the Company on the transaction. The Piron law firm advised both Harel and Amitim, and the Escola consulting firm advised Amitim on the transaction.

    1 Amounts in U.S. dollars are calculated based on a U.S. dollar to Israeli Shekel conversion rate of 1 to 3.71, as reported in the Company’s financial statements for the period ending September 30, 2024.

    2 Enlight’s global projects consist of 19.2 GW of generation and 31.8 GWh of energy storage capacity, located in Israel, Europe, and the United States, and allocated into Mature, Advanced Development, and Development portfolios.

    Itzik Tawill, Deputy Director of the Investment Department and Director of the credit and real estate division at Harel, commented, “Harel selects its investments with thoroughness and professionalism, and is proud to continue investing in green energy and infrastructure in Israel. Our cooperation with leading companies such as Enlight diversify our investment portfolio in a stable sector, providing our fund members with attractive and long-term financial performance along with a positive environmental impact.”

    Nir Gavish, Head of Investments at Amitim Senior Pension Funds, commented, “The Sunlight transaction is a direct implementation of our strategy to invest in infrastructure assets in Israel, and in particular in renewable energy, with a commitment to delivering optimal returns for our fund members over time. Amitim has a long-standing relationship with Enlight, and we are pleased to deepen our collaboration with this investment.”

    Gilad Yaavetz, CEO of Enlight, commented, “We are very proud to extend our long-standing partnership with Harel and Amitim, some of Israel’s leading institutional investors, in the innovative field of integrated solar generation and energy storage facilities. The projects generate clean electricity at a competitive price, and the production will be sold by Enlight Enterprise, the Company’s supplier unit, to some of the most prestigious consumers in Israel.

    “We are proud of the asset value implied by the transaction, which reflects the quality of the projects and energy management system we have developed at Enlight. The transaction highlights the competitive advantage that the Company has in optimizing and establishing attractive funding sources to deliver on our significant growth plan.”

    About Enlight Renewable Energy

    Founded in 2008, Enlight is a global leader in initiating, developing, financing, setting up and operating renewable energy projects on a global scale. Enlight operates across the three largest renewable energy sectors today: solar, wind and energy storage. As a global company, Enlight operates in the United States, Israel and 9 countries throughout Europe. Enlight is currently a dual public company, with no controlling interest, that has been traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange since 2010 (TASE: ENLT).TA) and the U.S. Nasdaq Stock Exchange where it was successfully issued in 2023 (NASDAQ: ENLT).

    About Harel

    Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd is the largest insurance and finance group in Israel, operating in a variety of insurance, asset management and credit fields, with 90 years of experience. Assets under management amounted to approximately ILS 490 billion and premiums amounted to approximately NIS 31.2 billion in the first nine months of 2024. The transaction was led on behalf of Harel by Itzik Taweel, director of the credit and real estate division, and Inesa Laron, manager of the project and infrastructure financing department.

    About Amitim Senior Pension Funds

    Amitim Senior Pension Funds, managed by Ephi Senderov, is one of the largest institutional investors in Israel, managing approximately ILS 350 billion of assets in Israel and abroad through a variety of investment strategies. The transaction was led on behalf of Amitim by Ziv Frenkel, head of the credit division, and Roni Horvitz, credit manager. In recent years, Amitim’s credit division has led and participated in transactions worth billions of Shekels in the infrastructure sector in general and in the energy sector in particular.

    Investor Contact

    Yonah Weisz
    Director IR
    investors@enlightenergy.co.il

    Erica Mannion or Mike Funari
    Sapphire Investor Relations, LLC
    +1 617 542 6180
    investors@enlightenergy.co.il

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements as contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s expectations relating to the Project, the PPA and the related interconnection agreement and lease option, and the completion timeline for the Project, are forward-looking statements. The words “may,” “might,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “target,” “seek,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “contemplate,” “possible,” “forecasts,” “aims” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements use these words or expressions. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the following: our ability to site suitable land for, and otherwise source, renewable energy projects and to successfully develop and convert them into Operational Projects; availability of, and access to, interconnection facilities and transmission systems; our ability to obtain and maintain governmental and other regulatory approvals and permits, including environmental approvals and permits; construction delays, operational delays and supply chain disruptions leading to increased cost of materials required for the construction of our projects, as well as cost overruns and delays related to disputes with contractors; our suppliers’ ability and willingness to perform both existing and future obligations; competition from traditional and renewable energy companies in developing renewable energy projects; potential slowed demand for renewable energy projects and our ability to enter into new offtake contracts on acceptable terms and prices as current offtake contracts expire; offtakers’ ability to terminate contracts or seek other remedies resulting from failure of our projects to meet development, operational or performance benchmarks; various technical and operational challenges leading to unplanned outages, reduced output, interconnection or termination issues; the dependence of our production and revenue on suitable meteorological and environmental conditions, and our ability to accurately predict such conditions; our ability to enforce warranties provided by our counterparties in the event that our projects do not perform as expected; government curtailment, energy price caps and other government actions that restrict or reduce the profitability of renewable energy production; electricity price volatility, unusual weather conditions (including the effects of climate change, could adversely affect wind and solar conditions), catastrophic weather-related or other damage to facilities, unscheduled generation outages, maintenance or repairs, unanticipated changes to availability due to higher demand, shortages, transportation problems or other developments, environmental incidents, or electric transmission system constraints and the possibility that we may not have adequate insurance to cover losses as a result of such hazards; our dependence on certain operational projects for a substantial portion of our cash flows; our ability to continue to grow our portfolio of projects through successful acquisitions; changes and advances in technology that impair or eliminate the competitive advantage of our projects or upsets the expectations underlying investments in our technologies; our ability to effectively anticipate and manage cost inflation, interest rate risk, currency exchange fluctuations and other macroeconomic conditions that impact our business; our ability to retain and attract key personnel; our ability to manage legal and regulatory compliance and litigation risk across our global corporate structure; our ability to protect our business from, and manage the impact of, cyber-attacks, disruptions and security incidents, as well as acts of terrorism or war; changes to existing renewable energy industry policies and regulations that present technical, regulatory and economic barriers to renewable energy projects; the reduction, elimination or expiration of government incentives for, or regulations mandating the use of, renewable energy; our ability to effectively manage our supply chain and comply with applicable regulations with respect to international trade relations, tariffs, sanctions, export controls and anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws; our ability to effectively comply with Environmental Health and Safety and other laws and regulations and receive and maintain all necessary licenses, permits and authorizations; our performance of various obligations under the terms of our indebtedness (and the indebtedness of our subsidiaries that we guarantee) and our ability to continue to secure project financing on attractive terms for our projects; limitations on our management rights and operational flexibility due to our use of tax equity arrangements; potential claims and disagreements with partners, investors and other counterparties that could reduce our right to cash flows generated by our projects; our ability to comply with tax laws of various jurisdictions in which we currently operate as well as the tax laws in jurisdictions in which we intend to operate in the future; the unknown effect of the dual listing of our ordinary shares on the price of our ordinary shares; various risks related to our incorporation and location in Israel; the costs and requirements of being a public company, including the diversion of management’s attention with respect to such requirements; certain provisions in our Articles of Association and certain applicable regulations that may delay or prevent a change of control; and other risk factors set forth in the section titled “Risk factors” in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and our other documents filed with or furnished to the SEC.

    These statements reflect management’s current expectations regarding future events and speak only as of the date of this press release. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee that future results, levels of activity, performance and events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or will occur. Except as may be required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

    The MIL Network –

    January 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Economics: François Villeroy de Galhau: For a high speed and safe journey into the financial future

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Ladies and gentlemen,
    It is a great pleasure to welcome you to this high-level conference organised by the Banque de France on speed and innovation, and how they could be disruptive for financial markets and market infrastructures. Let me thank Emmanuelle Assouan and her teams for setting up this event. I would also like to extend my warm thanks to all participants from industry, public authorities and central banks who will give their views during three roundtables today, including my colleagues and friends Andrea Maechler, Piero Cipollone and Naoto Shimoda.

    It is a première for a Banque de France conference to be held here at the Cinémathèque française, which is definitely an excellent venue for our theme of today: we are here in the place where speed is made art. As you know, cinema was invented in France by the Lumière brothers in the late 19th century. During the projection in 1896 of one of their very first movies, The arrival of a train at La Ciotat station, the audience was so overwhelmed by the moving image of a train coming directly at them that people ran away. But we do not fear speed anymore, on the contrary: it has become a key success factor in financial markets and market infrastructures, yielding high benefits. Transactions and their settlement have already become dramatically swifter over the last decades – notably in France, which was at the forefront in dematerialising securities – and will continue gathering speed. I will first elaborate on the reasons why, in a fast-moving environment, resilience must be preserved in order to ensure financial stability (I). Our public-private partnership has to evolve, with a view to enhancing cross-border payments and the holistic project of creating a shared ledger (II). 

    I. A fast-moving financial system whose resilience must be preserved in order to ensure financial stability

    Markets are undergoing structural changes, all driven by increased speed aimed at achieving higher efficiency. Automation and high-frequency trading are driving a rise in daily trading volumes; new participants have emerged, and incumbents have evolved. Nowadays, robots and algorithms are unlocking new possibilities, while artificial intelligence offers the promise of value added in trading, customer relationships and investment decisions. From photography to digital movies, from local theatres to global web platforms, cinematography has gone through technological revolutions over the years. However, whether it’s in cinema or finance, speed is not a goal per se. The social utility of certain accelerations such as high-frequency trading remains to be seen, and they carry risks. We must reflect on new guardrails to protect against possible increased market volatility – and even potential flash crashes caused by poorly coordinated algorithms that can amplify massive sell-offs.
     
    Post-market processes are keeping pace with this acceleration in trading: settlement is getting ever faster. A few years ago, implementing T+2 (i.e. ensuring settlement within two days of transaction execution) was a major step forward for all players, as enshrined in the European CSDR regulation.i Nowadays we are once again aiming for more ambitious targets, with an objective of T+1 in Europe in 2027 – as has already been the case in the United States, Canada and Mexico since end-May last year. Interestingly, across the Atlantic, this evolution was driven by market players, who saw in the shortening of the settlement cycle an opportunity to further reduce liquidity, counterparty and operational risks. The American experience also shows that T+1 yields direct financial benefits, in particular a significant lowering of CCP margins. T+1 therefore received overall support in ESMA’s and the Commission’s public consultations. I trust that we are all well aware of the operational requirements and challenges to be met:ii  preparatory work must start now, with the adaptation of IT systems and further automation of processes. It is also important to coordinate with the United Kingdom and Switzerland, and to pay due attention to the consequences in terms of shorter cut-offs – notably for FX transactions.
     
    The tokenisation of assets is obviously another groundswell movement, which could further enhance the straight-through processing of trade and post-trade activities, and paves the way for yet another acceleration with a widespread implementation of T+0. It has the potential to generate even greater savings both for the financial industry and end-users. To date, the nascent DLTiii  finance has used new forms of commercial bank money as settlement assets, such as tokenised deposits or so-called stablecoins. As experience has shown in the last few years, they are far from immune, and Europe has made the right step by adopting the MiCA regulation. Failing to regulate crypto-assets and non-banks today would merely sow the seeds for tomorrow’s financial crisis.
     
    Beyond these regulatory issues, it has become more and more apparent that we currently lack the anchor provided by central bank money, which drastically reduces counterparty and liquidity risks, and crucially ensures the finality of payments. A wholesale central bank digital currency would ensure convertibility between tokenised assets, exactly as central banks currently ensure convertibility between commercial bank monies, allowing for delivery-versus-payment and payment-versus-payment. In short, tokenised central bank money would provide a “safety pivot”, and serve as a reliable basis of trust on which these new technologies could realise their full potential.

    II. A step further with the interlinking of fast-payment systems and a European shared ledger to meet the challenges of transition and growth

     
    Central banks must therefore keep up with these developments,iv  in order to explore the potential of DLT and foster innovation while preserving the anchoring role of central bank money. Building among others on the Banque de France’s pioneering experiments between 2020 and 2023,v  the Eurosystem conducted a series of new experiments on wholesale CBDC between April and November 2024,vi  with the active involvement of the Banque de France, Banca d’Italia and Bundesbank as solution providers. We witnessed active industry participation in the Eurosystem experiments, and I would like to take the opportunity to pay tribute to your strong commitment – which, I believe, also reflects the growing awareness of the need for a safe settlement asset.
     
    Together, we successfully tested numerous and very diverse use cases, ranging from primary issues to cross-currency payments, repos, margin calls and asset management, to give a few examples. Actual settlement was even tested for the lifecycle management of securities and secondary market transactions. With this ambitious programme, we have further delivered on our learning-by-doing approach, which is of the essence. As announced, the Eurosystem will draw lessons from the exploratory work, including on how to facilitate the provision of central bank money settlement for wholesale asset transactions on DLT platforms. Clearly, it is in the interest of both European commercial banks and the public sector to work together towards a tokenised European framework: money is and will remain a public-private partnership, which has to evolve.
     
    As regards cross-border payments, the Eurosystem has launched initiatives to help improve them, including exploratory work on linking TIPS with other fast-payment systems such as UPI in India. We thereby support the G20 roadmap for creating a faster, cheaper, more transparent and accessible global payments ecosystem, while ensuring secure and reliable instant payments. The G20 roadmap also foresees, in the longer term, the use of tokenisation to further enhance cross-border payments.
     
    We now need to bring all these advances together to create a global motion picture, in a holistic manner. Here, the idea of a “unified ledger” put forward by the BISvii  looks like more than a promising technology: a rallying concept, or even a utopia. This next-generation market infrastructure would take one day in the future the shape of a shared, seamless and programmable platform that integrates central bank money, commercial bank money and tokenised financial assets – which would call for redefined and improved public-private partnerships. Accordingly, in April 2024 the BIS launched Project Agorá,viii  to explore the tokenisation of cross-border payments to improve the existing correspondent banking model. This major project brings together seven central banks worldwide, including the Banque de France which represents the Eurosystem, and a large group of private financial firms. But a first and necessary step towards such a global infrastructure should be to build regional shared ledgers – one of which would be European.
     
    A European shared ledger could prove an efficient means to overcome European market fragmentation and current inefficiencies, by facilitating the provision of seamlessly connected services across Europe. It would therefore act as a catalyst for a Savings and Investments Union, and provide tools such as green bonds and securities to finance the green transition, at a time where we have to mobilise Europe’s private savings surplus of more than EUR 300 billion a year. In short, it would be an important lever for achieving our climate but also digital transformations, which are among our main challenges; it would also help Europe to gain in both size – by unifying its single market – and speed. Achieving this ambitious vision requires moving forward step by step, in a phased approach. Rather than replacing existing infrastructures which have already helped to reduce fragmentation in Europe – like the harmonised settlement system T2S –, this new shared infrastructure would tackle markets which still rely on manual processes and lack standardisation, such as OTC markets and unlisted stocks. A crucial first step will be to make central bank money available on this infrastructure: this makes it all the more important to offer a wholesale CBDC solution in the short term to prepare this long term target.

    Let me conclude with Billy Wilder, the director of Some like it hot. He once gave this sound piece of advice: “If you have a problem with the third act, the real problem is in the first act.” This leads me to a twofold conclusion: first, that it is the right time to engage in the design and experimentation of market infrastructures of the future; second, that fast-paced transformations should not be at the expense of past achievements in financial stability, and increase risks. Central bank money must remain the settlement asset at the core of the financial system, whether tokenised or not. Under this condition, our common technological breakthroughs could contribute to meeting our major challenges. Thank you for your attention. 


    MIL OSI Economics –

    January 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Global: 4 steps to building a healthier relationship with your phone

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Jamie Gruman, Professor of Organizational Behaviour, University of Guelph

    Being constantly connected to your electronic devices, and the social media they enable, may be bad for your health and well-being and working remotely only compounds these challenges.

    Until very recently, I didn’t have a smartphone. In 2018, I wrote an article outlining the benefits of not being connected to the world through a phone. I was perfectly content living a largely disconnected life.

    However, since that time, things have changed.

    It is increasingly difficult to manage life without a smartphone. I recently took my family to a baseball game and would have been unable to access the ballpark without a smartphone because the phone serves as your tickets. Without a phone, I might not be able to enter a concert I bought tickets for, and it is increasingly difficult to order takeout. Reluctantly, I now own a smartphone.


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    Working from home, or remotely, has only magnified these challenges. Being constantly electronically connected can make it difficult to separate work from home, leading you to being constantly “on call.” This can further keep you in a perpetual state of activation.

    In general, excessive smartphone use is associated with anxiety and depression and compromised sleep. Further evidence suggests that being in contact with work when physically outside of the workplace can lead to higher levels of distress as opposed to those who leave the workplace behind them when they depart.

    So how can you manage if your home is your remote workplace? These four tactics can help you establish a clear boundary between work and home.

    1. Create physical boundaries

    Use physical space or objects to create a separation between work and home. For example, closing or locking the door to a home office creates a physical and psychological barrier that keeps you away from your laptop and helps you split your work life from your home life.

    If you do not have a home office, you may have a dedicated work area. Erecting a divider, such as a folding screen or even an unused bed sheet, can serve the same purpose.

    To maintain a strict separation of work and home, consider getting a work phone to separate work from personal communications. Outside of work, consider leaving your phone at home when going out for leisure activities in the evening or on weekends to help you escape electronics completely — though be sure to let trusted individuals know where you will be if you plan on disconnecting for an extended period of time.

    Simply put, keep your work space separate and view your phone as nothing more than a highly advanced landline of old, plugged into a specific area of your home and unable to be taken further.

    2. Create temporal boundaries

    Set boundaries around when you will address things, and how much time you will devote to work. It is more and more common to see messages in email signatures noting the days and hours during which people will respond to messages. This is a positive development.

    You can also block out time in your schedule to address work and non-work issues. If you have a phone that you use exclusively for work, turn it off and charge it during the times you don’t intend to be working. Protecting your time with such tactics is an effective way to promote work-life balance and maintain a healthy relationship with technology.

    3. Create behavioural boundaries

    Establish behaviours which help you separate work from home. Turning off the ringer and buzzer on your phone prevents you from being distracted and disturbed when enjoying leisure time.

    If your work involves social media, then try using different social media platforms for work and non-work to help you avoid being inadvertently drawn into work-related matters when you are trying to enjoy personal time. Or, consider switching to one of the many new “dumbphones” entering the market.




    Read more:
    Does being away from your smartphone cause you anxiety? The fact that it makes you available 24/7 could be the reason


    You can also team up with others. In the same way that doctors in a clinic will schedule one partner to be on call at a time so that the other partners can fully escape from work after hours, you can join forces with others who do similar work and redirect calls on a rotating basis so you do not have to worry about always being contacted.

    4. Create communication boundaries

    Once these tactics have been established, you should communicate them. Establish expectations about when you will and won’t be available. Note that this may require some negotiation.

    If people contact you out of ignorance of your personal policy, simply advise them of it. If they intentionally violate your boundary, consider your relationship with the violator before addressing them. You don’t want to rebuke your boss, but you should be firm in protecting your boundaries.

    Stay in control

    In the end, you need to ensure that you own your phone and not the other way around.

    When used excessively, electronic devices can become a chain that shackles us, as opposed to a tool that enables us. Our phones can become an addiction. Like any other form of addiction, we lose control of our phones when they make demands of us that we feel compelled to answer.

    There are times when work or urgent situations require us to be electronically available. However, outside of the times you must be available, any time you feel your phone making a demand of you, turn it off.




    Read more:
    What millennials and gen Z professionals need to know about developing a meaningful career


    Now that I have a smartphone, some things in life are easier and more pleasant. I can avoid traffic jams when driving. My wife and I can discuss purchases before buying, and I can play games on my phone while waiting for a friend to arrive at a restaurant. But I don’t allow the phone to dictate how I live.

    Acquaintances of mine will sometimes get upset when they text me. Because I don’t keep my phone on my hip, I usually don’t respond right away. If they voice their displeasure, I’m secretly pleased; it reminds me that I have a healthy relationship with my phone. I’m in command of it. It’s not in command of me.

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

    – ref. 4 steps to building a healthier relationship with your phone – https://theconversation.com/4-steps-to-building-a-healthier-relationship-with-your-phone-235920

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    January 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Global: $Trump and $Melania crypto tokens illustrate the risks posed by trendy meme coins

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Anwar Sheluchin, PhD Candidate, Political Science, McMaster University

    An image on a Trump meme coin website. (GetTrumpMemes.com)

    Meme coins like the ones recently launched by United States President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, are a hot trend in the cryptocurrency ecosystem. The rise of these digital tokens reflects the influence of internet culture and community-driven hype on the market, distinguishing them from more traditional cryptocurrencies with well-defined uses or technical foundations.

    The value of a meme coin is often driven by social media hype, community engagement and celebrity endorsements. But political meme coins seem to offer a new use: the potential to turn civic engagement into speculative assets.

    As someone who researches financial governance and digital currencies, I want to delve into various cryptocurrency initiatives. This is not intended as financial advice.

    Politics meets crypto

    In recent years, the cryptocurrency landscape has witnessed the emergence of political meme coins, digital tokens centred around political figures or movements.

    During the 2024 U.S. presidential election, a number of political meme coins emerged, inspired by political figures like Trump, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. These coins, often unaffiliated with the politicians they reference, typically have misspelled names (for example, Jeo Boden instead of Joe Biden).

    Political meme coins merge finance, technology and politics in an unprecedented way, potentially serving as a gauge of public sentiment and political trends.

    Trump’s official $Trump token is a prime example of how cryptocurrencies can transform political support into a financial product. However, the value of a meme coin is highly speculative, as it often relies on public perception and market demand, among other things, rather than any intrinsic worth.

    According to the terms and conditions on the site where the coins are sold, “Trump Memes are intended to function as an expression of support” and come with “absolutely no promise or guarantee that the Trump Memes will increase in value or maintain the same value as the amount you paid.”

    This disclaimer highlights the speculative nature of such tokens while also raising ethical concerns about the potential to exploit political supporters for financial gain.

    MAGA credit card

    Trump’s meme coin isn’t his first venture into crypto. Previously, he released a series of digital trading cards (NFTs) that enabled cardholders to have dinner with the president.
    Third parties are building on the hype around Trump and his brand, releasing products like the limited-edition MAGA Card.

    Described as “a collector’s item and the ultimate way to spend your $TRUMP tokens,” the credit card claims to integrate Trump’s meme coin with everyday financial transactions in a bid to appeal to supporters of the president’s MAGA movement.

    However, The American Patriot’s Card — the company behind the credit card — does not appear to have any affiliation with Trump. Unlike the $Trump token, which clearly discloses its connection to Trump, the MAGA Card lacks such transparency, illustrating how the door has been opened to misrepresentation and opportunistic marketing schemes that exploit political supporters.

    Regulatory environment

    The cryptocurrency industry spent millions during the 2024 U.S. election backing crypto-friendly candidates and selling the story that crypto voters are an important voting bloc.

    This investment aimed to shape political discourse, leading presidential candidates to make promises and propose policies that aligned with the interests of the cryptocurrency industry.

    While Trump has signalled his intention to provide clear regulatory guidelines for the cryptocurrency industry, the launch of his meme coin — coupled with low public understanding of cryptoassets — could lead to financial losses from risky and speculative investments.

    Take for example, what are known as pump-and-dump schemes that have become relatively common in the cryptocurrency ecosystem. These schemes involve artificially inflating the price of an asset to sell it at a profit. After the asset is “dumped,” the price crashes, leaving investors with significant losses.

    Without appropriate guardrails in place, the need to protect investors becomes increasingly urgent.

    Relevance to Canada

    The Canadian government has expressed some concern over the role of cryptocurrency in politics. Compared to the U.S., Canada has strict campaign financing rules aimed at preventing the undue influence of money in politics and ensuring a fair and transparent democratic process.

    This means that the cryptocurrency industry likely won’t be able to influence Canadian elections in the same way they might have south of the border. Canada’s existing regulatory framework has already led to several cryptocurrency exchanges leaving the country.

    Currently, political entities in Canada can only accept cryptocurrency contributions if Elections Canada can verify the public wallet addresses and transaction amounts involved.

    However, Bill C-65 — the Electoral Participation Act — proposes regulatory requirements related to contributions that are “difficult to trace.” Specifically, political parties and candidates would be prohibited from accepting contributions in the form of “a cryptoasset, money order or prepaid payment method.” The recent prorogation of Parliament has shelved the amendments proposed in C-65, but these concerns remain relevant for future legislation.

    Risky convergence

    Discussions in the House of Commons on Bill C-65, particularly regarding cryptoasset donations, emphasize the need for a ban to prevent foreign entities from influencing Canadian elections.

    This was likely a response to concerns about foreign entities financially supporting the so-called Freedom Convoy through cryptocurrency donations, despite CSIS stating that the money did not appear to be coming from foreign states, organizations or citizens.

    The rise of political meme coins demonstrates how politics, finance and technology are merging in new and sometimes risky ways. While these coins may seem like a joke or a new way to engage with politics, the absence of proper regulations could leave political supporters vulnerable to exploitation for financial gain.

    Anwar Sheluchin receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

    – ref. $Trump and $Melania crypto tokens illustrate the risks posed by trendy meme coins – https://theconversation.com/trump-and-melania-crypto-tokens-illustrate-the-risks-posed-by-trendy-meme-coins-247781

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    January 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Global: Disaster evacuations can take much longer than people expect − computer simulations could help save lives and avoid chaos

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Ashley Bosa, Postdoctoral Researcher, Hazards and Climate Resilience Institute, Boise State University

    Wildfire smoke rises beyond homes near Castaic Lake as another California wildfire spread on Jan. 22, 2025. AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez

    When a wildfire notification goes off on your mobile phone, it can trigger all kinds of emotions and confusion.

    You might glance outside and see no smoke. Across the street, your neighbors have mixed reactions: One is leisurely walking their dog, another is calmly packing a small bag, while a third appears to be preparing for an extended vacation.

    The notification advises you to grab your “go bag,” but then panic can set in as you realize you don’t have one ready. So, you scour the local emergency management website for guidance and discover how much you’ve overlooked: important documents such as birth certificates, an extra flashlight, your children’s medications, a phone charger.

    Before you can gather your thoughts, a second notification arrives – this time telling you to evacuate.

    Packing the car, wrangling children or a skittish cat, figuring out where to go – it can feel frenzied in the face of danger. As you pull out, you join a traffic jam on your street, with a black smoke plume rising nearby and neighbors still loading their cars.

    This chaos highlights a worst-case scenario for wildfire evacuations – one that can cause delays, heighten risks for evacuees and complicate access for emergency responders. It’s why researchers like me who study natural hazards are developing ways to help communities recognize where residents may need the most help and avoid evacuation bottlenecks in the face of future disasters.

    The importance of being prepared

    Confusion is common in the face of disasters, and it underscores the need for communities and individuals to be prepared.

    Delays in evacuating, or the inability to evacuate safely, can have catastrophic consequences, not only for those trying to flee but also for the first responders and emergency managers working to manage the crisis. These delays often stem from a lack of preparedness or uncertainty about when and how to act.

    A study of survivors of an Australian wildfire that killed 172 people in the state of Victoria in 2009 found that two-thirds of survivors reported that they had carried out an existing disaster plan, while researchers found the majority of those who died either didn’t follow a disaster plan or couldn’t. Forecasters had warned that high temperatures were coming with very low humidity, and public alerts had gone out about the high fire risk.

    Residents had little time to evacuate as the Eaton Fire spread into Altadena, Calif., on Jan. 7, 2025. Source: NBC.

    How people perceive risks and the environmental and social cues around them – such as how much smoke they see, their neighbors’ choices or the wording of the notification – will directly affect the speed of their response.

    Past experience with a disaster evacuation also has an impact. Rapid population growth in recent years in the wildland-urban interface – areas where human development meets wildfire-prone areas – has meant that more people with little or no experience with wildfires are living in fire-risk areas. Wildland areas also tend to have fewer evacuation routes, making mass evacuations more difficult and time-consuming.

    Adding to the complexity is the fact that large wildfires are occurring in regions not historically prone to such events and during times of the year traditionally considered outside of wildfire season. This shift has left communities and emergency response teams grappling with unprecedented challenges, particularly when it comes to evacuations.

    Computer models can help spot risks

    To address these challenges, researchers are developing systems to help communities model how their residents are likely to respond in the event of a disaster.

    The results can help emergency crews understand where bottlenecks are likely to occur along evacuation routes, depending on the timing of the notice and the movement of the fire. They can also help fire managers understand where neighborhoods may need to be notified faster or need more help evacuating.

    Firefighters inspect burned out cars along a road in Paradise, Calif., after a deadly fire swept through the wooded area in November 2018. Some people abandoned their cars when they became trapped in traffic with few ways out.
    AP Photo/John Locher

    My team at the Hazard and Climate Resilience Institute at Boise State University is working on one of these projects. We have been surveying communities across Idaho and Oregon to assess how people living in the wildland-urban interface areas perceive wildfire risks and prepare for evacuations.

    Using those surveys, we can capture household-level decision data, such as which evacuation routes these residents would take, how many cars they plan to drive and where they would evacuate to.

    We can also gauge how prepared residents would be to evacuate, or whether they would likely stay and try to defend their home instead.

    Evacuating nursing homes takes time and special resources, including evacuation sites that can meet people’s health needs. When the Eaton Fire swept into Altadena, Calif., on Jan. 7, 2025, a senior care facility had little time to get its residents safely away.
    AP Photo/Ethan Swope

    With that data, we can simulate how long it will take emergency response teams to evacuate an entire community safely. The models could also show where difficulties with evacuations might be likely to arise and help residents understand how they can adjust their evacuation plans for a safer escape for everyone.

    Bridging the gap between awareness and action

    One of the key goals of this research is to bridge the gap between awareness and action.

    While many residents in wildfire-prone areas understand the risks, translating that knowledge into concrete preparations remains a challenge. The concept of a “go bag,” for example, is widely promoted but often poorly understood. Essential items such as medications, important documents and pet supplies are frequently overlooked until it’s too late.

    Clear and timely communication during wildfire crises is also essential. Evacuation warning messages such as “Ready, Set, Go!” are designed to prompt specific actions, but their effectiveness depends on residents understanding and trusting the system. Delayed responses or mixed signals can create confusion.

    As wildfire risk rises for many communities, preparedness is no longer optional – it’s a necessity. Emergency notifications vary by state and county, so check your local emergency management office to understand what to expect and sign up for alerts. Being prepared can help communities limit some of the most devastating impacts of wildfires.

    Ashley Bosa receives funding from the National Science Foundation Grant No. 2230595 for the project titled “Collaborative Research: Household Response to Wildfire ? Integrating Behavioral Science and Evacuation Modeling to Improve Community Wildfire Resilience.”

    – ref. Disaster evacuations can take much longer than people expect − computer simulations could help save lives and avoid chaos – https://theconversation.com/disaster-evacuations-can-take-much-longer-than-people-expect-computer-simulations-could-help-save-lives-and-avoid-chaos-247668

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    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
  • MIL-OSI Global: In asking Trump to show mercy, Bishop Budde continues a long tradition of Christian leaders ‘speaking truth to power’

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Joanne M. Pierce, Professor Emerita of Religious Studies, College of the Holy Cross

    Bishop Mariann Budde leads the national prayer service attended by President Donald Trump at the National Cathedral in Washington on Jan. 21, 2025. AP Photo/Evan Vucci

    Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde’s sermon on Jan. 21, 2025, in which she appealed to President Donald Trump to have mercy toward groups frightened by his position on immigrants and LGBTQ+ people – especially children – drew reactions from both sides of the aisle.

    In a post on his social networking site, Truth Social, Trump called her comments “nasty in tone” and remarked that she “brought her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way.”

    “She and her church owe the public an apology!,” he posted. Several conservatives criticized her sermon, while many progressives saw her as “speaking truth to power.”

    As a specialist in medieval Christianity, I was not surprised by the bishop’s words, as I know that Christian history is full of examples of people who have spoken out, unafraid to risk official censure, or even death.

    Early voices

    Even in the early centuries of Christianity, followers of Jesus Christ’s teachings could be outspoken toward political leaders.

    For example, in the first-century Gospels, John the Baptist, a contemporary of Jesus, confronts the ruler of Galilee, Herod Antipas, for marrying his brother’s wife – a practice forbidden in the Hebrew scriptures. For that, John the Baptist was ultimately beheaded.

    In a prayer later called the Magnificat, Mary, the mother of Jesus, praises the glory and power of God who casts down the mighty and raises the lowly. In recent interpretations, these words have been understood as a call for those in authority to act more justly.

    In the late fourth century – a time when Christianity had been made the official religion of the Roman Empire – a respected civil official named Ambrose became bishop of the imperial city of Milan in northern Italy. He became well known for his preaching and theological treatises.

    However, after imperial troops massacred innocent civilians in the Greek city of Thessaloniki, Ambrose reproached Emperor Theodosius and refused to admit him to church for worship until he did public penance for their deaths.

    Ambrose’s writings on scripture and heresy, as well as his hymns, had a profound influence on Western Christian theology; since his death, he has been venerated as a saint.

    In the early sixth century, the Christian Roman senator and philosopher Boethius served as an official in the Roman court of the Germanic king of Italy, Theodoric. A respected figure for his learning and personal integrity, Boethius was imprisoned on false charges after defending others from accusations by corrupt court officials acting out of greed or ambition.

    During his time in prison, he wrote a philosophical volume about the nature of what is true good – “On the Consolation of Philosophy” – that is studied even today. Boethius, who was executed in 524, is venerated as a saint and martyr in parts of Italy.

    Thomas Becket and St. Catherine

    One of the most famous examples of a medieval bishop speaking truth to power is that of Thomas Becket, former chancellor – that is, senior minister – of England in the 12th century. On becoming archbishop of Canterbury, Becket resigned his secular office and opposed the efforts of King Henry II to bring the church under royal control.

    A stained glass window at the Canterbury Cathedral in England depicting the murder of Thomas Becket, archbishop of Canterbury.
    Dukas/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

    After living in exile in France for a time, Becket returned to England and was assassinated by some of Henry’s knights. The king later did public penance for this at Becket’s tomb in Canterbury. Soon after, Becket was canonized a saint.

    Another influential saint was the 14th-century Italian mystic and writer Catherine of Siena. Because of the increasing power of the kings of France, the popes had moved their residence and offices from Rome to Avignon, on the French border. They remained there for most of the century, even though this Avignon papacy increased tensions in western Europee.

    Many Christian clerics and secular rulers in western Europe believed that the popes needed to return to Rome, to distance papal authority from French influence. Catherine herself even traveled to Avignon and stayed there for months, writing letters urging Pope Gregory XI to return to Rome and restore peace to Italy and the church – a goal the pope finally fulfilled in 1377.

    Leaders speak up across denominations

    The Reformation era of the 16th and early 17th centuries led to the splitting of Western Christianity into several different denominations. However, many Christian leaders across denominations continued to raise their voices for justice.

    One important and ongoing voice is that of the Religious Society of Friends, or Quakers. Early leaders, like Margaret Fell and George Fox, wrote letters to King Charles II of England in the mid-17th century, defending their beliefs, including pacifism, in the face of persecution.

    In the 18th century, based on their belief in the equality of all human beings, Quaker leaders spoke in favor of the abolition of slavery in both the United Kingdom and the United States.

    In fact, it was Bayard Rustin, a Black Quaker, who coined the phrase “to speak truth to power” in the mid-20th century. He adhered to the Quaker commitment to nonviolence in social activism and was active for decades in the American Civil Rights Movement. During the Montgomery bus boycott in the mid-1950s, he met and began working with Martin Luther King Jr., who was an ordained Baptist minister.

    In Germany, leaders from various Christian denominations have also united to speak truth to power. During the rise of the Nazis in the 1930s, several pastors and theologians joined forces to resist the influence of Nazi doctrine over German Protestant churches.

    Their statement, the Barmen Declaration, emphasized that Christians were answerable to God, not the state. These leaders – the Confessing Church – continued to resist Nazi attempts to create a German Church.

    Desmond Tutu and other leaders

    Bishop Desmond Tutu opposed the racial policies of the South African government.
    AP Photo/Jim Abrams

    Christians on other continents, too, continued this vocal tradition. Óscar Romero, the Roman Catholic archbishop of San Salvador, preached radio sermons criticizing the government and army for violence and oppression of the poor in El Salvador during a national civil war. As a result, he was assassinated while celebrating Mass in 1980. Romero was canonized a saint by Pope Francis in 2018.

    In South Africa, the Anglican bishop Desmond Tutu, archbishop of Cape Town, spent much of his active ministry condemning the violence of apartheid in his native country. After the end of the apartheid regime, Tutu also served as chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which was established to investigate acts of violence committed both by government forces and violent activists. Before his death in 2021, Tutu continued to speak out against other international acts of oppression. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984.

    For some, Bishop Budde’s words might seem radical, rude, inappropriate or offensive. But she did not speak in isolation; she is surrounded by a cloud of witnesses in the Christian tradition of speaking truth to power.

    Joanne M. Pierce 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. In asking Trump to show mercy, Bishop Budde continues a long tradition of Christian leaders ‘speaking truth to power’ – https://theconversation.com/in-asking-trump-to-show-mercy-bishop-budde-continues-a-long-tradition-of-christian-leaders-speaking-truth-to-power-248209

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    January 29, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Global: St. Thomas Aquinas’ skull just went on tour − here’s what the medieval saint himself would have said about its veneration

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Therese Cory, Associate Professor of Thomistic Studies, University of Notre Dame

    The skull of St. Thomas Aquinas during a stop at St. Patrick Church in Columbus, Ohio, in December 2024. Nheyob/Wikimedia Commons

    Once, on a road trip in Greece, I stopped with my husband and dad at a centuries-old Orthodox monastery to view its famous frescoes. We were in luck, the porter said: It was a feast day. The relics of the monastery’s saintly founder were on view for public veneration.

    As a Catholic and a medievalist, I can never resist meeting a new saint. The relic, it turned out, was the saint’s hand, though without any special ornament or reliquary, the ornate containers in which relics are often displayed. Nothing but one plain, severed hand in a glass box, its fingers partly contorted, and its discolored skin shriveled onto the bones.

    We gathered around the shrine, silently, to pray. Then my dad, whose piety sometimes runs up against his penchant for dramatic storytelling, leaned over and whispered, “What if at the hotel, in the middle of the night, I hear a scratching sound, and then The Claw …” His own hand started crawling dramatically up his shirt and then flew to his throat.

    “Dad!” I hissed furiously, with a horrified glance at the monks praying nearby.

    Relics can admittedly feel a bit morbid – and yet, so holy. What exactly is their appeal?

    To me, it’s the physical closeness, especially with parts of a saint’s own body – what the Catholic Church calls “first class” relics, which can be as small as a chip of bone. There are also objects the saint used during life: “second class” relics, such as the gloves worn by the Italian mystic Padre Pio.

    The veneration of relics of saints was already well established in the early church. But controversies go back hundreds of years. During the Protestant Reformation, for example, reformers decried the shameless use of relics to drive donations and the proliferation of faux relics. Today, the idea of intentionally dismembering and displaying human body parts can seem shocking, even repulsive.

    Yet venerating relics remains far from a “relic” of the past. At the end of 2024, the skull of St. Thomas Aquinas – the great Dominican medieval thinker whose writings I study – made its first tour of the United States. The journey commemorated the “triple anniversary” of 700 years since his canonization, 750 years since his death and 800 years since his birth.

    From Cincinnati to Rhode Island to Washington, D.C., thousands of Catholics turned out to pay their homage to this medieval saint.

    Religious sisters venerating the skull at St. Patrick Church in Columbus, Ohio.
    Nheyob/Wikimedia Commons

    God’s dwelling place

    What might Aquinas himself have thought about all the attention to his traveling skull – that fragile and now empty case for the brain behind one of the most productive minds of European philosophy?

    Aquinas’ answer lies in a short but poignant text from “Summa Theologiae,” his best-known work. Christians should venerate relics, Aquinas says, because the saints’ bodies were dwelled in by God. The very parts of their bodies were the instruments, or “organs,” of God’s actions.

    The saints as “organs” of God: What a riveting image! God is so intimately present to his friends, the saints, that their very bodies are sanctified by his presence. Those hands, now dead and desiccated, performed God’s own actions as they cared for the sick, fed the hungry, celebrated Mass and reconciled the lost sheep.

    According to Aquinas, honoring saints’ relics is ultimately about honoring this divine activity, a superhuman love working through ordinary human beings. But as he notes elsewhere, God is present in all of creation, working “most secretly” through all creatures at every moment. So by recognizing the special holiness of saints’ relics, Christians can better perceive the universal holiness that radiates through the whole created world.

    Cherished keepsakes

    Yet in discussing relics, Aquinas has some challenging things to say about what is perhaps their most immediate draw: the sense that when I see or touch a relic, I am physically present to a saint.

    Because the saints are brothers and sisters in the Christian family, he says, Christians should cherish their physical remains just as people cherish a memento of a loved one, like “a father’s coat or ring.”

    I did a double-take when I read this: A memento? Surely the saint’s body is more than that.

    Stained glass in St. Patrick Church in Columbus, Ohio, depicts a mystical vision St. Thomas Aquinas had in the 13th century.
    Nheyob/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

    But Aquinas insists that physical remains really are more like mementos of the deceased than parts of them. When St. Teresa of Calcutta died, for instance, she left behind a corpse and a soul. These bodily remains shouldn’t be confused with the saint herself, who was a living, breathing, bodily person. If I kiss a saint’s relic, as Catholics often do, I am not kissing the saint but something that was formerly part of a saint. The word “relic” literally goes back to the Latin word for “leaving something behind.”

    The holiness of a relic, then, derives from the person it was once part of, not what it is now.

    Not just “once was,” though, but also “will be.” Aquinas adds – and to me this is one of the most beautiful aspects of his reflections on relics – that venerating a relic is also a way of looking forward to the future resurrection of the body. Christian doctrine teaches that at the end of time, God will restore each person’s body, reuniting it with their soul. Relics represent that hope for everlasting life.

    Later this year, the skull formerly known as Aquinas’ will wend its way back to its permanent place of rest, buried under the altar of the Dominican church in Toulouse, France. During its visit to the U.S., I was down with pneumonia and never got a chance to pay my respects. But I cherish the “third class” relic that my sister-in-law mailed me from Cincinnati: a holy card that she had touched to the skull’s reliquary.

    Therese Cory 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. St. Thomas Aquinas’ skull just went on tour − here’s what the medieval saint himself would have said about its veneration – https://theconversation.com/st-thomas-aquinas-skull-just-went-on-tour-heres-what-the-medieval-saint-himself-would-have-said-about-its-veneration-245970

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    January 29, 2025
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