Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI Security: Support to German-led action to halt at least EUR 300 million in online fraud

    Source: Eurojust

    The General Public Prosecution Office of Dresden and the Police Directorate of Chemnitz started investigations in June 2020, following complaints from online investors. They had been lured to professionally designed websites, promising high returns on low investments. Victims only received a maximum of 3% of their initial investment, if any money was returned at all. Through the websites, the perpetrators managed to gain access to personal data and bank account details, creating fake customer accounts to lend credibility to the scheme.

    To date, around 120 German victims are known, who have lost approximately EUR 12 million. However, further assessments by German investigators indicate that there are many more victims worldwide, with the fraud totaling at least EUR 300 million. It could even be as high as EUR 500 million. As result of these investigations, a number of suspects have been identified, including the one alleged main perpetrator, who has now been arrested. Investigations into the fraud are ongoing.

    Due to links with Serbia, a JIT was set up with the help of the Agency in February this year, to ensure close cooperation between German and Serbian judicial and law enforcement investigators. Eurojust also organised four coordination meetings with participation of German, Cypriot and Serbian representatives to prepare for the action day and assisted with the execution of European Investigation Orders and requests for Mutual Legal Assistance to Serbia.

    During the action day, 22 places were searched in Cyprus and Serbia. Furthermore, computer equipment, hard drives, mobile phones and digital data have been seized. Germany will ask the Cypriot authorities to surrender the arrested suspect.

    The action day was carried out at the request of and by the following authorities on the ground:

    • Germany: General Public Prosecutor’s Office (Generalstaatsanwaltschaft) Dresden; Police Directorate (Kriminalpolizeiinspektion) Chemnitz
    • Cyprus: Cyprus Police
    • Serbia: Special Prosecutоr’s Office for High-Tech Crime, Service for Combating High-Tech Crime (MOI)

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI: Beam Global Announces Appointment of Sales Veteran to Lead and Expand Internal and External Sales Teams

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN DIEGO, Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Beam Global, (Nasdaq: BEEM), a leading provider of innovative and sustainable infrastructure solutions for the electrification of transportation and energy security, is pleased to announce the appointment of Andy Lovsted as Vice President of Sales. In this role Mr. Lovsted will spearhead Beam Global’s sales strategy to expand the company’s footprint in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and energy security markets.

    Mr. Lovsted is a proven leader in managing sales for large enterprises and in emerging markets with over 20 years of executive leadership experience in the technology sector. He is recognized for his ability to transform sales organizations and deliver exceptional results, most recently, as Vice President of Sales at Nice North America LLC, previously known as Nortek Security & Control, LLC, one of the largest smart commercial and industrial solutions manufacturing companies in the world. Mr. Lovsted managed a portfolio of products including partnerships with ADT, Brinks Home, Samsung and TELUS, responsible for approximately $500M in annual revenue. His expertise spans various industries including transportation, storage and security technologies where he has been instrumental in launching innovative products and driving significant revenue.

    “We are thrilled to welcome Andy to our team at a pivotal moment for Beam Global, to drive growth in commercial and government sectors through optimizing our internal team’s capabilities and, importantly, through the force multiplication effect of engaging agents, resellers and distributors,” said Desmond Wheatley, CEO of Beam Global. “Andy’s proven track record in driving high-performance teams and his extensive experience in growing distribution networks in the technology and automation sectors make him uniquely qualified to scale our sales programs and capture new opportunities in the rapidly expanding markets we target.”

    “I’m excited to join Beam Global as the company continues its leadership in providing rapidly deployed, scalable and sustainable EV charging, smart city and energy storage solutions,” said Mr. Lovsted. “The rapid adoption of electric vehicles, increased electrical capacity requirements and evermore challenging environmental conditions make me confident that Beam Global’s innovative products are well-positioned to meet the growing demand while creating a fantastic growth engine. Building a sales team that gets to sell industry leading, unique and patented products that are highly relevant, is exciting, fun and rewarding. I look forward to being at the sharp end of the company’s mission of providing sustainable energy solutions.”

    Throughout his career Mr. Lovsted has demonstrated an ability to build and execute effective go-to-market strategies, foster key industry relationships and implement transformative sales initiatives. He focuses on maximizing efficiency, driving accountability and implementing strategic change management to optimize team performance. His background includes driving significant sales and marketing and business development for Hewlett Packard, Seagate, Siemens, Nice and others where he has built and led teams of 100+. Mr. Lovsted holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Marketing from San Diego State University.

    About Beam Global

    Beam Global is a clean technology innovator which develops and manufactures sustainable infrastructure products and technologies. We operate at the nexus of clean energy and transportation with a focus on sustainable energy infrastructure, rapidly deployed and scalable EV charging solutions, safe energy storage and vital energy security. With operations in the U.S. and Europe, Beam Global develops, patents, designs, engineers and manufactures unique and advanced clean technology solutions that power transportation, provide secure sources of electricity, save time and money and protect the environment. Headquartered in San Diego with facilities in Chicago, Belgrade and Kraljevo, Beam Global has a deep patent portfolio and is listed on Nasdaq under the symbol BEEM. For more information visit BeamForAll.com, LinkedIn, YouTube and X (formerly Twitter).

    Media Contact:
    Skyya PR
    +1 651-335-0585
    Press@BeamForAll.com

    Investor Relations:
    Core IR
    +1 516-222-2560
    IR@BeamForAll.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: FirstCash Reports Record Third Quarter Operating Results; Strength in U.S. Pawn Segment Drives Record Revenue and Earnings; Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORT WORTH, Texas, Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FirstCash Holdings, Inc. (“FirstCash” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: FCFS), the leading international operator of more than 3,000 retail pawn stores and a leading provider of retail point-of-sale (“POS”) payment solutions through American First Finance (“AFF”), today announced operating results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2024. The Company also announced that the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.38 per share, which will be paid in November 2024.

    Mr. Rick Wessel, chief executive officer, stated, “FirstCash achieved record revenue and earnings results for both the third quarter and year-to-date periods. Impressive third quarter achievements also included a fifth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth in same-store pawn receivables for the U.S. pawn segment. The LatAm pawn segment also saw continued growth in local currency pawn revenues and receivables, while AFF recorded a 14% increase in third quarter gross origination volumes driven primarily by 25% growth in new merchant locations.

    “Expansion of retail pawn locations continues to be robust as well, with the opening of 16 new pawn stores in the third quarter and the combined opening and acquisition of 83 total stores during the first nine months of this year. Growth in the number of stores and earning assets, coupled with consistent shareholder returns through dividends and share repurchases, continue to be funded primarily through operating cash flows.”

    This release contains adjusted financial measures, which exclude certain non-operating and/or non-cash income and expenses, that are non-GAAP financial measures. Please refer to the descriptions and reconciliations to GAAP of these and other non-GAAP financial measures at the end of this release.

        Three Months Ended September 30,
        As Reported (GAAP)   Adjusted (Non-GAAP)
    In thousands, except per share amounts   2024   2023   2024   2023
    Revenue   $ 837,321   $ 786,301   $ 837,321   $ 786,301
    Net income   $ 64,827   $ 57,144   $ 75,179   $ 70,775
    Diluted earnings per share   $ 1.44   $ 1.26   $ 1.67   $ 1.56
    EBITDA (non-GAAP measure)   $ 138,134   $ 129,350   $ 139,278   $ 132,985
    Weighted-average diluted shares     44,970     45,374     44,970     45,374
        Nine Months Ended September 30,
        As Reported (GAAP)   Adjusted (Non-GAAP)
    In thousands, except per share amounts   2024   2023   2024   2023
    Revenue   $ 2,504,703   $ 2,299,662   $ 2,504,703   $ 2,299,662
    Net income   $ 175,268   $ 149,712   $ 207,266   $ 184,028
    Diluted earnings per share   $ 3.88   $ 3.27   $ 4.58   $ 4.02
    EBITDA (non-GAAP measure)   $ 388,372   $ 348,291   $ 392,752   $ 350,028
    Weighted-average diluted shares     45,214     45,747     45,214     45,747
                             

    Consolidated Operating Highlights

    • Gross revenues totaled $837 million in the third quarter, an increase of 6% on a U.S. dollar basis and 9% on a constant currency basis compared to the prior-year quarter. Year-to-date revenues totaled $2.5 billion, an increase of 9%, in both dollars and constant currency, compared to the prior-year period.
    • Diluted earnings per share for the third quarter increased 14% over the prior-year quarter on a GAAP basis while adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 7% compared to the prior-year quarter. Year-to-date diluted earnings per share increased 19% over the prior-year period on a GAAP basis while adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 14% compared to the prior-year period.
    • Net income for the third quarter increased 13% over the prior-year quarter on a GAAP basis while adjusted net income increased 6% compared to the prior-year quarter. Year-to-date, net income totaled $175 million on a GAAP basis while adjusted net income was $207 million. 
    • For the trailing twelve month period ended September 30, 2024:
      • Revenues totaled a record $3.4 billion
      • Net income totaled $245 million on a GAAP basis while adjusted net income was $300 million
      • Adjusted EBITDA was $554 million
      • Operating cash flows were $441 million and adjusted free cash flows were $217 million

    Store Base and Platform Growth

    • Pawn Stores – 16 new pawn locations were added in the third quarter through acquisitions and new store openings. Year-to-date through September 30, 2024, a total of 83 pawn locations have been added:
      • One U.S. store was acquired in Georgia during the third quarter. Year-to-date through September 30, 2024, a total of 29 new locations have opened or been acquired in the U.S.
      • There were 15 new store openings in Latin America in the third quarter which included 11 locations in Mexico and four locations in Guatemala. Year-to-date through September 30, 2024, a total of 54 new locations have opened in Latin America.
      • As of September 30, 2024, the Company had 3,025 locations, comprised of 1,201 U.S. locations and 1,824 locations in Latin America.
    • Retail POS Payment Solutions (AFF) Merchant Partnerships – At September 30, 2024, there were approximately 13,500 active retail and e-commerce merchant partner locations, representing a 25% increase in the number of active merchant locations compared to a year ago.

    U.S. Pawn Segment Operating Results

    • Segment pre-tax operating income in the third quarter of 2024 was a record $98 million, an increase of $14 million, or 16%, compared to the prior-year quarter. The resulting segment pre-tax operating margin was 25% for the third quarter of 2024 which is consistent with the margin for the prior-year quarter.
    • Year-to-date segment pre-tax operating income increased by $48 million, or 20%, compared to the prior-year period. The pre-tax operating margin increased to 25% for the year-to-date period, as compared to the 24% margin for the prior-year period.
    • Pawn receivables continued to grow to record levels, increasing 12% in total at September 30, 2024 compared to the prior year. The increase in total pawn receivables was driven by a 4% increase in the weighted-average U.S. store count coupled with an impressive 10% same-store increase. The same-store increase was driven by a 7% increase in average loan size and a 3% increase in the number of loans outstanding.
    • Pawn loan fees increased 13% for the third quarter and 18% year-to-date, while on a same-store basis, pawn loan fee revenue increased 8% for the quarter and 11% year-to-date compared to the respective prior-year periods. The increased pawn loan fee revenue reflected both store growth and continued growth in demand for pawn loans.
    • Retail merchandise sales increased 15% in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the prior-year quarter, while same-store retail sales increased 7% compared to the prior-year quarter.
    • Retail sales margins were 43% for the third quarter, improving sequentially over the second quarter and in-line with the prior-year margins. Year-to-date margins were 42% compared to 43% in the prior-year period.
    • Annualized inventory turnover was 2.8 times for the trailing twelve months ended September 30, 2024, which equaled the prior-year annualized inventory turnover. Inventories aged greater than one year at September 30, 2024 remained low at 2% of total inventories.
    • Operating expenses for the third quarter increased 12% in total due to the 4% weighted-average store count growth over the past year and increased same-store expenses of 6% compared to the prior-year period.

    Latin America Pawn Segment Operating Results

    Note: Certain growth rates below are calculated on a constant currency basis, a non-GAAP financial measure defined at the end of this release. The average Mexican peso to U.S. dollar exchange rate for the third quarter of 2024 was 18.9 pesos / dollar, an unfavorable change of 11% versus the comparable prior-year period, and for the nine month period ended September 30, 2024 was 17.7 pesos / dollar, a favorable change of 1% versus the prior-year period.

    • Third quarter segment pre-tax operating income totaled $38 million, a 6% decline on a U.S. dollar-basis compared to the prior year due primarily to an 11% decline in the Mexican peso exchange rate. On a constant currency basis, segment income increased 2% for the quarter. The resulting pre-tax operating margin was 19% compared to 20% in the prior-year quarter.
    • Year-to-date segment pre-tax operating income totaled $107 million, a 4% decline on a U.S. dollar-basis compared to the prior-year period due primarily to increased labor costs and store expansion expenses as described further below. The year-to-date pre-tax operating margin was 18% compared to 19% in the prior-year period.
    • While total and same-store pawn loan fees in the third quarter decreased 4% on a U.S. dollar-basis, they increased 6% on a constant currency basis compared to the prior-year quarter. Year-to-date pawn loan fees increased 7%, or 6% on a constant currency basis, compared to the prior-year period. Same-store pawn loan fees were up 6%, both in total and on a constant currency basis, compared to the prior year-to-date period.
    • While total and same-store receivables at September 30, 2024 were down 4% on a U.S. dollar basis, they increased 6% on a constant currency basis compared to the prior year.
    • Both total and same-store retail merchandise sales in the third quarter of 2024 decreased 3% on a U.S. dollar basis, but increased 7% on a constant currency basis compared to the prior-year quarter. Year-to-date retail merchandise sales increased 4% in total and on a constant currency basis while same-store retail merchandise sales increased 4%, or 3% on a constant currency basis.
    • Retail margins were 35% for the third quarter of 2024 compared to 36% in the prior-year quarter. Annualized inventory turnover was 4.2 times for the trailing twelve months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 4.3 times in the prior-year period. Inventories aged greater than one year at September 30, 2024 remained extremely low at 1%.
    • Operating expenses decreased 1% in total and 2% on a same-store basis compared to the prior-year quarter. On a constant currency basis, they increased 8% in total and on a same-store basis. The increase in constant currency expenses from all stores reflected increased store counts, accelerated store opening activity and higher labor costs (due primarily to further increases in the federal minimum wage and other mandated benefit programs), along with other inflationary impacts.

    American First Finance (AFF) – Retail POS Payment Solutions Segment Operating Results

    • Third quarter segment pre-tax operating income totaled $30 million compared to $39 million in the prior-year quarter, as a significant $35 million dollar increase in gross transaction origination volume over the same quarter last year drove an increase in up-front lifetime lease and loan loss provisioning of approximately $10 million.
    • Year-to-date segment pre-tax operating income totaled $89 million, a 1% increase over the prior-year period which was also generally consistent with year-to-date gross origination activity.
    • Segment revenues for the quarter, comprised of lease-to-own (“LTO”) fees and interest and fees on finance receivables, were flat compared to the prior-year quarter while increasing 4% year-to-date.
    • Gross transaction volume of lease and loan originations during the third quarter increased $35 million, or 14%, compared to last year, driven primarily by the 25% increase in active merchant door counts and continued growth in non-furniture verticals. Excluding furniture, third quarter origination volume increased approximately 35%. For the year-to-date period, overall gross transaction volume increased 5% over the same prior-year period and was up 23% excluding furniture.
    • Combined gross leased merchandise and finance receivables outstanding at September 30, 2024 increased 1% compared to the September 30, 2023 balances.
    • The combined lease and loan loss provision as a percentage of the total gross transaction volume originated was 28% for the third quarter of 2024, compared to the 29% provisioning rate in the third quarter of 2023. The resulting allowance on combined leased merchandise and finance receivables at September 30, 2024 was 44% of gross leased merchandise and receivables, which was consistent with the prior year.
    • The average monthly net charge-off (“NCO”) rate for combined leased merchandise and finance receivable products was 5.8% for the third quarter of 2024 and 5.2% for the year-to-date period. While slightly above the prior year, charge-offs remain within the range of forecast expectations.
    • Operating expenses were flat compared to the prior-year quarter and the year-to-date period, which was reflective of continued realization of operating synergies.

    Cash Flow and Liquidity

    • Each of the Company’s business segments generated significant operating cash flows during the twelve month period ended September 30, 2024. Consolidated operating cash flows for the twelve month period ended September 30, 2024 totaled $441 million and adjusted free cash flows (a non-GAAP measure) were $217 million.
    • The operating cash flows helped fund significant growth in earning assets and continued investments in the store platform over the past twelve months with a nominal increase in net debt:
      • A total of 36 pawn stores were acquired for a combined purchase price of $82 million.
      • 64 new, or de novo, pawn stores were added with a combined investment of $20 million in fixed assets and working capital.
      • Investments in real estate totaled $78 million as the Company purchased the underlying real estate at 63 of its existing pawn stores, bringing the number of owned properties to over 380 locations.
    • In August 2024, the Company amended its U.S. revolving commercial bank credit facility to increase the total lender commitment from $640 million to $700 million with two new banks added to the commercial bank lending group. The term of the facility was extended through August 8, 2029. In addition, the permitted consolidated leverage ratio was increased to 3.25 times adjusted EBITDA for the full term of the agreement, while the other financial covenants remain substantially unchanged.
    • Over $1.5 billion of the Company’s long-term financing remains fixed rate debt with favorable interest rates ranging from 4.625% to 6.875% and maturity dates that do not begin until 2028 and continue into 2032.
    • Based on trailing twelve month results, the net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio was 2.96x at September 30, 2024.

    Shareholder Returns

    • The Board of Directors declared a $0.38 per share fourth quarter cash dividend, which will be paid on November 27, 2024 to stockholders of record as of November 15, 2024. This represents an annualized dividend of $1.52 per share. Any future dividends are subject to approval by the Company’s Board of Directors.
    • Year-to-date, the Company has repurchased $85 million of common stock. The Company has $115 million available under the $200 million share repurchase program authorized in July 2023. Future share repurchases are subject to expected liquidity, acquisitions and other investment opportunities, debt covenant restrictions, market conditions and other relevant factors.
    • The Company generated a 12% return on equity and a 6% return on assets for the twelve months ended September 30, 2024. Using adjusted net income for the twelve months ended September 30, 2024, the adjusted return on equity was 15% while the adjusted return on assets was 7%.

    2024 Outlook

    The outlook for the remainder of 2024 continues to be highly positive, with expected year-over-year growth in consolidated revenue and earnings driven by the continued growth in earning asset balances coupled with store additions. Anticipated conditions and trends for the fourth quarter include the following:

    Pawn Operations:

    • Pawn operations are expected to remain the primary earnings driver in 2024 as the Company expects segment income from the combined U.S. and Latin America pawn segments to be over 80% of total segment level pre-tax income for the full year.
    • The company is targeting the addition of approximately 90 total pawn locations for 2024 through a combination of new store openings and acquisitions.

    U.S. Pawn

    • Pawn receivables were up 12% at September 30, 2024 compared to a year ago, with October balances to date up similarly. Resulting pawn fees are expected to increase in the range of 10% to 12%.
    • Retail sales growth is expected to remain in-line with the inventory growth of 10% at the most recent quarter end while retail margins are projected to remain consistent with the year-to-date results.

    Latin America Pawn

    • Latin America results in the fourth quarter are expected to be negatively impacted by the lower exchange rate for the Mexican peso which has recently been in a range of 19 to 20 pesos per U.S. dollar.
    • Pawn loan growth to-date in October is up approximately 8% on a constant currency basis, although down 2% on a U.S. dollar basis as compared to the prior year assuming the current exchange rate. A similar result is projected for constant currency fourth quarter pawn fees.
    • Retail sales in Latin America are also expected to increase in-line with inventory growth of 9% on a constant currency basis and are expected to be roughly flat to the prior year on a U.S. dollar basis, assuming the current exchange rate, with consistent retail margins.

    Retail POS Payment Solutions (AFF) Operations:

    • While weakness in the macro furniture retail environment continues to negatively impact performance from many of its merchant retail partners in the furniture retail vertical, year-over-year growth in gross transaction volumes is still projected for the full year and fourth quarter of 2024, driven by increasing active merchant doors and further expansion of non-furniture verticals. Resulting full year gross revenues for 2024 are expected to remain at or above the prior-year level. AFF now expects furniture to account for less than 40% of 2024 originations compared to almost 50% in 2023.
    • The origination and revenue outlook takes into consideration the previously announced bankruptcy filing of Conn’s Home Plus which now assumes minimal originations from November 2024 forward from this merchant relationship.
    • Anticipated provision rates (combined provision for lease and loan losses as a percentage of the total gross transaction volume originated) are expected to range between 25% and 28% in the fourth quarter of the year.

    Interest Expense, Tax Rates and Currency:

    • Interest expense for the fourth quarter is expected to be consistent with the prior year.
    • The full year 2024 effective income tax rate under current tax codes in the U.S. and Latin America is expected to range from 24.5% to 25.5%.
    • Each full point change in the exchange rate of the Mexican peso represents an annual earnings impact of approximately $0.10 per share.

    Additional Commentary and Analysis   

    Mr. Wessel provided additional insights on the Company’s third quarter results and outlook for the remainder of 2024, “Our results continue to demonstrate strong fundamental product demand trends which we expect to drive future revenue and earnings growth.

    “The U.S. pawn segment again saw continued record levels of demand for pawn loans and record per store loan balances. The 10% growth in same-store pawn receivables is especially strong given that the comparative prior-year comp was 11%. On a stacked, two-year basis, same-store pawn loans are up 21% compared to the third quarter of 2022, illustrating tremendous, continued momentum in the business. Demand trends in October remain strong and we believe lending volumes should continue to also benefit from increased gold prices while our inventories are well positioned for the holiday sales season.

    “In Latin America, currency adjusted pawn receivables and pawn fees continued to show impressive growth in the third quarter, with further acceleration to date in October, while third quarter retail sales grew even faster. While the volatility of the Mexican peso slightly impacted third quarter earnings results by approximately $0.04 per share, there is minimal impact on cash flows as we continue to reinvest a large portion of our cash flows in Latin America. We believe in the long term opportunity for Latin America, driven by near-shore manufacturing expansion and the use of pawn loans being an integral part of the economy for our customer base.

    “Unit growth in both pawn segments remains exceptional. We have now added 83 stores this year and a total of 240 stores since the beginning of 2023. Looking ahead, we continue to see and evaluate expansion opportunities across markets in both the U.S. and Latin America.

    “AFF’s gross transaction volumes in the third quarter improved both sequentially and year-over-year (even when excluding Conn’s Home Plus third quarter closeout volume) with significant contributions from both new doors and expanding non-furniture verticals driven largely by robust productivity from our field sales channel. Excluding furniture, third quarter origination volume increased approximately 35%. This growth has led to a further decrease in large merchant concentration risk, with the largest merchant partner now representing approximately 12% of current total gross transaction volume. Additionally, combined lease and loan losses remain well within our target metrics while the combined reserve remains consistent at over 40% of the total portfolio.

    “All of FirstCash’s business segments continue to generate strong cash flows while its balance sheet remains highly liquid. Over 60% of pawn loans are collateralized with jewelry, which is primarily gold and very liquid, while almost 50% of retail inventories are comprised of jewelry that typically has the highest margins. Our balance sheet maintains favorable unsecured financing featuring long-dated maturities at attractive rates. Accordingly, we believe that we are well positioned to drive continued shareholder value through organic store growth, strategic acquisitions, dividends and share repurchases,” concluded Mr. Wessel.

    About FirstCash

    FirstCash is the leading international operator of pawn stores focused on serving cash and credit-constrained consumers. FirstCash’s more than 3,000 pawn stores in the U.S. and Latin America buy and sell a wide variety of jewelry, electronics, tools, appliances, sporting goods, musical instruments and other merchandise, and make small non-recourse pawn loans secured by pledged personal property. FirstCash’s pawn segments in the U.S. and Latin America currently account for approximately 80% of segment earnings, with the remainder provided by its wholly owned subsidiary, AFF, which provides lease-to-own and retail finance payment solutions for consumer goods and services.

    FirstCash is a component company in both the Standard & Poor’s MidCap 400 Index® and the Russell 2000 Index®. FirstCash’s common stock (ticker symbol “FCFS”) is traded on the Nasdaq, the creator of the world’s first electronic stock market. For additional information regarding FirstCash and the services it provides, visit FirstCash’s websites located at http://www.firstcash.com and http://www.americanfirstfinance.com.

    Forward-Looking Information     

    This release contains forward-looking statements about the business, financial condition, outlook and prospects of FirstCash Holdings, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (together, the “Company”), including the Company’s outlook for 2024. Forward-looking statements, as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “outlook,” “believes,” “projects,” “expects,” “may,” “estimates,” “should,” “plans,” “targets,” “intends,” “could,” “would,” “anticipates,” “potential,” “confident,” “optimistic,” or the negative thereof, or other variations thereon, or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy, objectives, estimates, guidance, expectations, outlook and future plans. Forward-looking statements can also be identified by the fact these statements do not relate strictly to historical or current matters. Rather, forward-looking statements relate to anticipated or expected events, activities, trends or results. Because forward-looking statements relate to matters that have not yet occurred, these statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties.

    While the Company believes the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurances such expectations will prove to be accurate. Security holders are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Certain factors may cause results to differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements made in this release. Such factors may include, without limitation, risks related to the extensive regulatory environment in which the Company operates; risks associated with the legal and regulatory proceedings that the Company is a party to or may become a party to in the future, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”) lawsuit filed against the Company; risks related to the Company’s acquisitions, including the failure of the Company’s acquisitions to deliver the estimated value and benefits expected by the Company and the ability of the Company to continue to identify and consummate acquisitions on favorable terms, if at all; potential changes in consumer behavior and shopping patterns which could impact demand for the Company’s pawn loan, retail, lease-to-own (“LTO”) and retail finance products; labor shortages and increased labor costs; a deterioration in the economic conditions in the United States and Latin America, including as a result of inflation, elevated interest rates and higher gas prices, which potentially could have an impact on discretionary consumer spending and demand for the Company’s products; currency fluctuations, primarily involving the Mexican peso; competition the Company faces from other retailers and providers of retail payment solutions; the ability of the Company to successfully execute on its business strategies; contraction in sales activity at merchant partners of the Company’s retail POS payment solutions business; impact of store closures, financial difficulties or even bankruptcies at the merchant partners of the Company’s retail POS payment solutions business; and other risks discussed and described in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the risks described in Part 1, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” thereof, and other reports filed with the SEC. Many of these risks and uncertainties are beyond the ability of the Company to control, nor can the Company predict, in many cases, all of the risks and uncertainties that could cause its actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this release speak only as of the date of this release, and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to report any updates or revisions to any such statement to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law.

    FIRSTCASH HOLDINGS, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
    (unaudited, in thousands)
     
      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
      September 30,   September 30,
      2024   2023   2024   2023
    Revenue:              
    Retail merchandise sales $ 363,141     $ 335,081     $ 1,093,425     $ 983,860  
    Pawn loan fees   186,561       174,560       547,142       480,298  
    Leased merchandise income   188,560       189,382       588,801       562,625  
    Interest and fees on finance receivables   61,198       61,413       175,384       174,247  
    Wholesale scrap jewelry sales   37,861       25,865       99,951       98,632  
    Total revenue   837,321       786,301       2,504,703       2,299,662  
                   
    Cost of revenue:              
    Cost of retail merchandise sold   218,178       199,719       659,854       590,991  
    Depreciation of leased merchandise   104,928       103,698       335,369       307,824  
    Provision for lease losses   39,171       39,736       129,834       141,674  
    Provision for loan losses   40,557       33,096       102,091       90,571  
    Cost of wholesale scrap jewelry sold   29,880       21,405       81,711       79,012  
    Total cost of revenue   432,714       397,654       1,308,859       1,210,072  
                   
    Net revenue   404,607       388,647       1,195,844       1,089,590  
                   
    Expenses and other income:              
    Operating expenses   224,926       211,524       674,431       615,366  
    Administrative expenses   40,930       45,056       129,563       124,428  
    Depreciation and amortization   25,933       27,365       78,507       81,526  
    Interest expense   27,424       24,689       78,029       66,657  
    Interest income   (403 )     (328 )     (1,407 )     (1,253 )
    Loss (gain) on foreign exchange   882       (286 )     2,133       (1,905 )
    Merger and acquisition expenses   225       3,387       2,186       3,670  
    Other expenses (income), net   (490 )     (384 )     (841 )     (260 )
    Total expenses and other income   319,427       311,023       962,601       888,229  
                   
    Income before income taxes   85,180       77,624       233,243       201,361  
                   
    Provision for income taxes   20,353       20,480       57,975       51,649  
                   
    Net income $ 64,827     $ 57,144     $ 175,268     $ 149,712  
    FIRSTCASH HOLDINGS, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (unaudited, in thousands)
     
      September 30,   December 31,
      2024   2023   2023
    ASSETS          
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 106,320     $ 86,547     $ 127,018  
    Accounts receivable, net   74,378       72,336       71,922  
    Pawn loans   517,877       483,785       471,846  
    Finance receivables, net   123,751       113,307       113,901  
    Inventories   334,394       314,382       312,089  
    Leased merchandise, net   137,769       143,169       171,191  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets   34,861       21,114       38,634  
    Total current assets   1,329,350       1,234,640       1,306,601  
               
    Property and equipment, net   689,075       604,673       632,724  
    Operating lease right of use asset   329,228       312,097       328,458  
    Goodwill   1,788,795       1,713,354       1,727,652  
    Intangible assets, net   241,389       291,690       277,724  
    Other assets   10,339       10,057       10,242  
    Deferred tax assets, net   4,671       8,052       6,514  
    Total assets $ 4,392,847     $ 4,174,563     $ 4,289,915  
               
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 133,792     $ 146,873     $ 163,050  
    Customer deposits and prepayments   78,083       71,752       70,580  
    Lease liability, current   96,598       98,745       101,962  
    Total current liabilities   308,473       317,370       335,592  
               
    Revolving unsecured credit facilities   200,000       560,229       568,000  
    Senior unsecured notes   1,530,604       1,037,151       1,037,647  
    Deferred tax liabilities, net   127,425       139,713       136,773  
    Lease liability, non-current   227,151       202,516       215,485  
    Total liabilities   2,393,653       2,256,979       2,293,497  
               
    Stockholders’ equity:          
    Common stock   575       573       573  
    Additional paid-in capital   1,764,351       1,737,497       1,741,046  
    Retained earnings   1,344,542       1,164,228       1,218,029  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (114,807 )     (64,521 )     (43,037 )
    Common stock held in treasury, at cost   (995,467 )     (920,193 )     (920,193 )
    Total stockholders’ equity   1,999,194       1,917,584       1,996,418  
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 4,392,847     $ 4,174,563     $ 4,289,915  
    FIRSTCASH HOLDINGS, INC.
    U.S. PAWN SEGMENT RESULTS
    (UNAUDITED)
     
    U.S. Pawn Operating Results and Margins (dollars in thousands)
     
      Three Months Ended        
      September 30,    
      2024   2023   Increase
    Revenue:                  
    Retail merchandise sales $ 235,037     $ 203,769       15 %  
    Pawn loan fees   128,393       114,022       13 %  
    Wholesale scrap jewelry sales   26,685       17,140       56 %  
    Total revenue   390,115       334,931       16 %  
                       
    Cost of revenue:                  
    Cost of retail merchandise sold   134,966       115,670       17 %  
    Cost of wholesale scrap jewelry sold   21,393       14,297       50 %  
    Total cost of revenue   156,359       129,967       20 %  
                       
    Net revenue   233,756       204,964       14 %  
                       
    Segment expenses:                  
    Operating expenses   128,104       113,976       12 %  
    Depreciation and amortization   7,365       6,586       12 %  
    Total segment expenses   135,469       120,562       12 %  
                       
    Segment pre-tax operating income $ 98,287     $ 84,402       16 %  
                       
    Operating metrics:                  
    Retail merchandise sales margin 43 %   43 %        
    Net revenue margin 60 %   61 %        
    Segment pre-tax operating margin 25 %   25 %        
    FIRSTCASH HOLDINGS, INC.
    U.S. PAWN SEGMENT RESULTS (CONTINUED)
    (UNAUDITED)
     
      Nine Months Ended        
      September 30,    
      2024   2023   Increase
    Revenue:                  
    Retail merchandise sales $ 702,120     $ 610,493       15 %  
    Pawn loan fees   371,699       315,679       18 %  
    Wholesale scrap jewelry sales   70,722       61,108       16 %  
    Total revenue   1,144,541       987,280       16 %  
                       
    Cost of revenue:                  
    Cost of retail merchandise sold   407,329       349,138       17 %  
    Cost of wholesale scrap jewelry sold   57,928       49,604       17 %  
    Total cost of revenue   465,257       398,742       17 %  
                       
    Net revenue   679,284       588,538       15 %  
                       
    Segment expenses:                  
    Operating expenses   372,191       331,916       12 %  
    Depreciation and amortization   21,609       18,786       15 %  
    Total segment expenses   393,800       350,702       12 %  
                       
    Segment pre-tax operating income $ 285,484     $ 237,836       20 %  
                       
    Operating metrics:                  
    Retail merchandise sales margin 42 %   43 %        
    Net revenue margin 59 %   60 %        
    Segment pre-tax operating margin 25 %   24 %        
    FIRSTCASH HOLDINGS, INC.
    U.S. PAWN SEGMENT RESULTS (CONTINUED)
    (UNAUDITED)
     
    U.S. Pawn Earning Assets and Portfolio Metrics (dollars in thousands, except as otherwise noted)
     
      As of September 30,    
      2024   2023   Increase
    Earning assets:                  
    Pawn loans $ 380,962     $ 341,123       12 %  
    Inventories   238,668       217,406       10 %  
      $ 619,630     $ 558,529       11 %  
                       
    Average outstanding pawn loan amount (in ones) $ 264     $ 245       8 %  
                       
    Composition of pawn collateral:                  
    General merchandise 30 %   31 %        
    Jewelry 70 %   69 %        
      100 %   100 %        
                       
    Composition of inventories:                  
    General merchandise 43 %   45 %        
    Jewelry 57 %   55 %        
      100 %   100 %        
                       
    Percentage of inventory aged greater than one year 2 %   1 %        
                       
    Inventory turns (trailing twelve months cost of merchandise sales divided by average inventories) 2.8 times   2.8 times        
    FIRSTCASH HOLDINGS, INC.
    LATIN AMERICA PAWN SEGMENT RESULTS
    (UNAUDITED)
     
    Constant currency results are non-GAAP financial measures, which exclude the effects of foreign currency translation and are calculated by translating current-year results at prior-year average exchange rates. See the “Constant Currency Results” section below for additional discussion of constant currency operating results.
     
    Latin America Pawn Operating Results and Margins (dollars in thousands)
     
                          Constant Currency Basis
                          Three Months        
                    Ended        
        Three Months Ended           September 30,   Increase /
        September 30,   Increase /   2024   (Decrease)
        2024     2023   (Decrease)   (Non-GAAP)   (Non-GAAP)
    Revenue:                              
    Retail merchandise sales   $ 129,081       $ 132,784       (3 )%     $ 142,147       7 %  
    Pawn loan fees     58,168         60,538       (4 )%       64,130       6 %  
    Wholesale scrap jewelry sales     11,176         8,725       28 %       11,176       28 %  
    Total revenue     198,425         202,047       (2 )%       217,453       8 %  
                                   
    Cost of revenue:                              
    Cost of retail merchandise sold     83,729         84,816       (1 )%       92,131       9 %  
    Cost of wholesale scrap jewelry sold     8,487         7,108       19 %       9,378       32 %  
    Total cost of revenue     92,216         91,924       %       101,509       10 %  
                                   
    Net revenue     106,209         110,123       (4 )%       115,944       5 %  
                                   
    Segment expenses:                              
    Operating expenses     63,062         63,907       (1 )%       69,199       8 %  
    Depreciation and amortization     4,676         5,236       (11 )%       5,117       (2 )%  
    Total segment expenses     67,738         69,143       (2 )%       74,316       7 %  
                                     
    Segment pre-tax operating income   $ 38,471       $ 40,980       (6 )%     $ 41,628       2 %  
                                   
    Operating metrics:                              
    Retail merchandise sales margin 35 %   36 %         35 %        
    Net revenue margin 54 %   55 %         53 %        
    Segment pre-tax operating margin 19 %   20 %         19 %        
    FIRSTCASH HOLDINGS, INC.
    LATIN AMERICA PAWN SEGMENT RESULTS (CONTINUED)
    (UNAUDITED)
     
                          Constant Currency Basis
                          Nine Months        
                    Ended        
        Nine Months Ended           September 30,   Increase /
        September 30,   Increase /    2024   (Decrease)
         2024      2023   (Decrease)   (Non-GAAP)   (Non-GAAP)
    Revenue:                              
    Retail merchandise sales   $ 394,375       $ 378,302       4 %     $ 391,606       4 %  
    Pawn loan fees     175,443         164,619       7 %       174,228       6 %  
    Wholesale scrap jewelry sales     29,229         37,524       (22 )%       29,229       (22 )%  
    Total revenue     599,047         580,445       3 %       595,063       3 %  
                                   
    Cost of revenue:                              
    Cost of retail merchandise sold     254,188         244,439       4 %       252,377       3 %  
    Cost of wholesale scrap jewelry sold     23,783         29,408       (19 )%       23,627       (20 )%  
    Total cost of revenue     277,971         273,847       2 %       276,004       1 %  
                                   
    Net revenue     321,076         306,598       5 %       319,059       4 %  
                                   
    Segment expenses:                              
    Operating expenses     198,389         179,170       11 %       196,986       10 %  
    Depreciation and amortization     15,199         15,884       (4 )%       15,072       (5 )%  
    Total segment expenses     213,588         195,054       10 %       212,058       9 %  
                                   
    Segment pre-tax operating income   $ 107,488       $ 111,544       (4 )%     $ 107,001       (4 )%  
                                   
    Operating metrics:                              
    Retail merchandise sales margin 36 %   35 %         36 %        
    Net revenue margin 54 %   53 %         54 %        
    Segment pre-tax operating margin 18 %   19 %         18 %        
    FIRSTCASH HOLDINGS, INC.
    LATIN AMERICA PAWN SEGMENT RESULTS (CONTINUED)
    (UNAUDITED)
     
    Latin America Pawn Earning Assets and Portfolio Metrics (dollars in thousands, except as otherwise noted)
     
                          Constant Currency Basis
                          As of        
                          September 30,    
      As of September 30,       2024   Increase
      2024   2023   (Decrease)   (Non-GAAP)   (Non-GAAP)
    Earning assets:                              
    Pawn loans $ 136,915     $ 142,662       (4 )%   $ 151,486     6 %  
    Inventories   95,726       96,976       (1 )%     105,792     9 %  
      $ 232,641     $ 239,638       (3 )%   $ 257,278     7 %  
                                   
    Average outstanding pawn loan amount (in ones) $ 85     $ 89       (4 )%   $ 94     6 %  
                                   
    Composition of pawn collateral:                              
    General merchandise 62 %   66 %                    
    Jewelry 38 %   34 %                    
      100 %   100 %                    
                                   
    Composition of inventories:                              
    General merchandise 70 %   68 %                    
    Jewelry 30 %   32 %                    
      100 %   100 %                    
                                   
    Percentage of inventory aged greater than one year 1 %   1 %                    
                                   
    Inventory turns (trailing twelve months cost of merchandise sales divided by average inventories) 4.2 times   4.3 times                    
    FIRSTCASH HOLDINGS, INC.
    RETAIL POS PAYMENT SOLUTIONS SEGMENT RESULTS
    (UNAUDITED)
     
    Retail POS Payment Solutions Operating Results (dollars in thousands)
     
      Three Months Ended        
      September 30,   Increase /
      2024   2023   (Decrease)
    Revenue:              
    Leased merchandise income $ 188,560   $ 189,382     %  
    Interest and fees on finance receivables   61,198     61,413     %  
    Total revenue   249,758     250,795     %  
                   
    Cost of revenue:              
    Depreciation of leased merchandise   105,308     104,198     1 %  
    Provision for lease losses   39,268     39,640     (1 )%  
    Provision for loan losses   40,557     33,096     23 %  
    Total cost of revenue   185,133     176,934     5 %  
                   
    Net revenue   64,625     73,861     (13 )%  
                   
    Segment expenses:              
    Operating expenses   33,760     33,641     %  
    Depreciation and amortization   679     771     (12 )%  
    Total segment expenses   34,439     34,412     %  
                   
    Segment pre-tax operating income $ 30,186   $ 39,449     (23 )%  
    FIRSTCASH HOLDINGS, INC.
    RETAIL POS PAYMENT SOLUTIONS SEGMENT RESULTS (CONTINUED)
    (UNAUDITED)
     
      Nine Months Ended        
      September 30,   Increase /
      2024   2023   (Decrease)
    Revenue:              
    Leased merchandise income $ 588,801   $ 562,625     5 %  
    Interest and fees on finance receivables   175,384     174,247     1 %  
    Total revenue   764,185     736,872     4 %  
                   
    Cost of revenue:              
    Depreciation of leased merchandise   336,649     309,432     9 %  
    Provision for lease losses   130,272     141,854     (8 )%  
    Provision for loan losses   102,091     90,571     13 %  
    Total cost of revenue   569,012     541,857     5 %  
                   
    Net revenue   195,173     195,015     %  
                   
    Segment expenses:              
    Operating expenses   103,851     104,280     %  
    Depreciation and amortization   2,078     2,258     (8 )%  
    Total segment expenses   105,929     106,538     (1 )%  
                   
    Segment pre-tax operating income $ 89,244   $ 88,477     1 %  
    FIRSTCASH HOLDINGS, INC.
    RETAIL POS PAYMENT SOLUTIONS SEGMENT RESULTS (CONTINUED)
    (UNAUDITED)
     
    Retail POS Payment Solutions Gross Transaction Volumes (dollars in thousands)
     
      Three Months Ended        
      September 30,   Increase /
      2024   2023   (Decrease)
    Leased merchandise $ 143,146   $ 147,513     (3 )%  
    Finance receivables   142,910     103,183     39 %  
    Total gross transaction volume $ 286,056   $ 250,696     14 %  
                   
                   
      Nine Months Ended        
      September 30,   Increase /
      2024   2023   (Decrease)
    Leased merchandise $ 444,045   $ 452,792     (2 )%  
    Finance receivables   350,332     303,485     15 %  
    Total gross transaction volume $ 794,377   $ 756,277     5 %  
    Retail POS Payment Solutions Earning Assets (dollars in thousands)
     
      As of September 30,   Increase /
      2024   2023   (Decrease)
    Leased merchandise, net:              
    Leased merchandise, before allowance for lease losses $ 231,796     $ 250,298       (7 )%  
    Less allowance for lease losses   (93,823 )     (105,472 )     (11 )%  
    Leased merchandise, net $ 137,973     $ 144,826       (5 )%  
                   
    Finance receivables, net:              
    Finance receivables, before allowance for loan losses $ 232,948     $ 209,991       11 %  
    Less allowance for loan losses   (109,197 )     (96,684 )     13 %  
    Finance receivables, net $ 123,751     $ 113,307       9 %  
    FIRSTCASH HOLDINGS, INC.
    RETAIL POS PAYMENT SOLUTIONS SEGMENT RESULTS (CONTINUED)
    (UNAUDITED)
     
    Allowance for Lease and Loan Losses and Other Portfolio Metrics (dollars in thousands)
     
      Three Months Ended        
      September 30,   Increase /
        2024     2023   (Decrease)
    Allowance for lease losses:                  
    Balance at beginning of period   $ 103,301       $ 110,964       (7 )%  
    Provision for lease losses     39,268         39,640       (1 )%  
    Charge-offs     (50,394 )       (46,794 )     8 %  
    Recoveries     1,648         1,662       (1 )%  
    Balance at end of period   $ 93,823       $ 105,472       (11 )%  
                       
    Leased merchandise portfolio metrics:                  
    Provision rate(1) 27 %   27 %        
    Average monthly net charge-off rate(2) 6.8 %   5.9 %        
    Delinquency rate(3) 23.6 %   23.2 %        
                       
    Allowance for loan losses:                  
    Balance at beginning of period   $ 99,961       $ 93,054       7 %  
    Provision for loan losses     40,557         33,096       23 %  
    Charge-offs     (32,969 )       (30,890 )     7 %  
    Recoveries     1,648         1,424       16 %  
    Balance at end of period   $ 109,197       $ 96,684       13 %  
                       
    Finance receivables portfolio metrics:                  
    Provision rate(1) 28 %   32 %        
    Average monthly net charge-off rate(2) 4.8 %   4.7 %        
    Delinquency rate(3) 19.4 %   21.9 %        

    (1)   Calculated as provision for lease or loan losses as a percentage of the respective gross transaction volume originated.
    (2)   Calculated as charge-offs, net of recoveries, as a percentage of the respective average earning asset balance before allowance for lease or loan losses.
    (3)   Calculated as the percentage of the respective contractual earning asset balance owed that is 1 to 89 days past due (the Company charges off leases and finance receivables when they are 90 days or more contractually past due).

    FIRSTCASH HOLDINGS, INC.
    RETAIL POS PAYMENT SOLUTIONS SEGMENT RESULTS (CONTINUED)
    (UNAUDITED)
     
      Nine Months Ended        
      September 30,   Increase /
        2024     2023   (Decrease)
    Allowance for lease losses:                  
    Balance at beginning of period   $ 95,752       $ 79,576       20 %  
    Provision for lease losses     130,272         141,854       (8 )%  
    Charge-offs     (137,516 )       (120,966 )     14 %  
    Recoveries     5,315         5,008       6 %  
    Balance at end of period   $ 93,823       $ 105,472       (11 )%  
                       
    Leased merchandise portfolio metrics:                  
    Provision rate(1) 29 %   31 %        
    Average monthly net charge-off rate(2) 5.9 %   5.3 %        
    Delinquency rate(3) 23.6 %   23.2 %        
                       
    Allowance for loan losses:                  
    Balance at beginning of period   $ 96,454       $ 84,833       14 %  
    Provision for loan losses     102,091         90,571       13 %  
    Charge-offs     (95,061 )       (83,281 )     14 %  
    Recoveries     5,713         4,561       25 %  
    Balance at end of period   $ 109,197       $ 96,684       13 %  
                       
    Finance receivables portfolio metrics:                  
    Provision rate(1) 29 %   30 %        
    Average monthly net charge-off rate(2) 4.5 %   4.4 %        
    Delinquency rate(3) 19.4 %   21.9 %        

    (1)   Calculated as provision for lease or loan losses as a percentage of the respective gross transaction volume originated.
    (2)   Calculated as charge-offs, net of recoveries, as a percentage of the respective average earning asset balance before allowance for lease or loan losses.
    (3)   Calculated as the percentage of the respective contractual earning asset balance owed that is 1 to 89 days past due (the Company charges off leases and finance receivables when they are 90 days or more contractually past due).

    FIRSTCASH HOLDINGS, INC.
    PAWN STORE LOCATIONS AND MERCHANT PARTNER LOCATIONS
     
    Pawn Operations
     
    As of September 30, 2024, the Company operated 3,025 pawn store locations composed of 1,201 stores in 29 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, 1,723 stores in 32 states in Mexico, 72 stores in Guatemala, 17 stores in El Salvador and 12 stores in Colombia.
     
    The following tables detail pawn store count activity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024:
     
      Three Months Ended September 30, 2024
      U.S.   Latin America   Total
    Total locations, beginning of period 1,201     1,817     3,018  
    New locations opened(1)     15     15  
    Locations acquired 1         1  
    Consolidation of existing pawn locations(2) (1 )   (8 )   (9 )
    Total locations, end of period 1,201     1,824     3,025  
               
               
      Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024
      U.S.   Latin America   Total
    Total locations, beginning of period 1,183     1,814     2,997  
    New locations opened(1) 1     54     55  
    Locations acquired 28         28  
    Consolidation of existing pawn locations(2) (3) (11 )   (44 )   (55 )
    Total locations, end of period 1,201     1,824     3,025  

    (1)   In addition to new store openings, the Company strategically relocated three stores in the U.S. and one store in Latin America during the three months ended September 30, 2024. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company strategically relocated nine stores in the U.S and one store in Latin America.
    (2)   Store consolidations were primarily acquired locations which have been combined with overlapping stores and for which the Company expects to maintain a significant portion of the acquired customer base in the consolidated location.
    (3)   Includes 10 pawnshops located in Acapulco, Mexico that were severely damaged by a hurricane in the fall of 2023 which the Company elected to consolidate with other stores in this market. The Company expects to replace certain of these locations in this market over time as the city’s infrastructure recovers.

    Retail POS Payment Solutions

    As of September 30, 2024, AFF provided LTO and retail POS payment solutions for consumer goods and services through a network of approximately 13,500 active retail merchant partner locations located in all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. This compares to the active door count of approximately 10,800 locations at September 30, 2023.

    FIRSTCASH HOLDINGS, INC.
    RECONCILIATIONS OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
    TO GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
    (UNAUDITED)
     

    The Company uses certain financial calculations such as adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow, adjusted free cash flow, adjusted return on equity, adjusted return on assets and constant currency results as factors in the measurement and evaluation of the Company’s operating performance and period-over-period growth. The Company derives these financial calculations on the basis of methodologies other than generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), primarily by excluding from a comparable GAAP measure certain items the Company does not consider to be representative of its actual operating performance. These financial calculations are “non-GAAP financial measures” as defined under the SEC rules. The Company uses these non-GAAP financial measures in operating its business because management believes they are less susceptible to variances in actual operating performance that can result from the excluded items, other infrequent charges and currency fluctuations. The Company presents these financial measures to investors because management believes they are useful to investors in evaluating the primary factors that drive the Company’s core operating performance and provide greater transparency into the Company’s results of operations. However, items that are excluded and other adjustments and assumptions that are made in calculating these non-GAAP financial measures are significant components in understanding and assessing the Company’s financial performance. These non-GAAP financial measures should be evaluated in conjunction with, and are not a substitute for, the Company’s GAAP financial measures. Further, because these non-GAAP financial measures are not determined in accordance with GAAP, and are thus susceptible to varying calculations, the non-GAAP financial measures, as presented, may not be comparable to other similarly-titled measures of other companies.

    While acquisitions are an important part of the Company’s overall strategy, the Company has adjusted the applicable financial calculations to exclude merger and acquisition expenses and amortization of acquired AFF intangible assets. The Company does not consider these items to be related to the organic operations of the acquired businesses or its continuing operations and are generally not relevant to assessing or estimating the long-term performance of the acquired businesses. In addition, excluding these items allows for more accurate comparisons of the financial results to prior periods. Merger and acquisition expenses include incremental costs directly associated with merger and acquisition activities, including professional fees, legal expenses, severance, retention and other employee-related costs, contract breakage costs and costs related to the consolidation of technology systems and corporate facilities, among others.

    The Company has certain leases in Mexico which are denominated in U.S. dollars. The lease liability of these U.S. dollar-denominated leases, which is considered a monetary liability, is remeasured into Mexican pesos using current period exchange rates, resulting in the recognition of foreign currency exchange gains or losses. The Company has adjusted the applicable financial measures to exclude these remeasurement gains or losses (i) because they are non-cash, non-operating items that could create volatility in the Company’s consolidated results of operations due to the magnitude of the end of period lease liability being remeasured and (ii) to improve comparability of current periods presented with prior periods.

    FIRSTCASH HOLDINGS, INC.
    RECONCILIATIONS OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
    TO GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (CONTINUED)
    (UNAUDITED)
     

    Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share

    Management believes the presentation of adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share provides investors with greater transparency and provides a more complete understanding of the Company’s financial performance and prospects for the future by excluding items that management believes are non-operating in nature and are not representative of the Company’s core operating performance. In addition, management believes the adjustments shown below are useful to investors in order to allow them to compare the Company’s financial results for the current periods presented with the prior periods presented.

    The following tables provide a reconciliation between net income and diluted earnings per share calculated in accordance with GAAP to adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share, which are shown net of tax (in thousands, except per share amounts):

                      Trailing Twelve
      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended Months Ended
      September 30,   September 30, September 30,
      2024
    2023 2024
    2023 2024
    2023
      In Thousands   In Thousands   In Thousands   In Thousands   In Thousands   In Thousands
    Net income, as reported $ 64,827     $ 57,144     $ 175,268     $ 149,712     $ 244,857     $ 229,778  
    Adjustments, net of tax:                      
    Merger and acquisition expenses   171       2,605       1,675       2,818       4,946       4,379  
    Non-cash foreign currency loss (gain) related to lease liability   986       442       2,124       (1,171 )     1,517       (1,856 )
    AFF purchase accounting and other adjustments   9,572       10,880       28,717       32,869       50,189       50,529  
    Gain on revaluation of contingent acquisition consideration                                 (21,952 )
    Other expenses (income), net   (377 )     (296 )     (518 )     (200 )     (1,397 )     (208 )
    Adjusted net income $ 75,179     $ 70,775     $ 207,266     $ 184,028     $ 300,112     $ 260,670  
    FIRSTCASH HOLDINGS, INC.
    RECONCILIATIONS OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
    TO GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (CONTINUED)
    (UNAUDITED)
                   
      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
      September 30,   September 30,
      2024   2023   2024   2023
      Per Share   Per Share   Per Share   Per Share
    Diluted earnings per share, as reported $ 1.44     $ 1.26     $ 3.88     $ 3.27  
    Adjustments, net of tax:              
    Merger and acquisition expenses   0.01       0.06       0.04       0.06  
    Non-cash foreign currency loss (gain) related to lease liability   0.02       0.01       0.05       (0.03 )
    AFF purchase accounting and other adjustments   0.21       0.24       0.63       0.72  
    Other expenses (income), net   (0.01 )     (0.01 )     (0.02 )      
    Adjusted diluted earnings per share $ 1.67     $ 1.56     $ 4.58     $ 4.02  
    FIRSTCASH HOLDINGS, INC.
    RECONCILIATIONS OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
    TO GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (CONTINUED)
    (UNAUDITED)
     

    Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) and Adjusted EBITDA

    The Company defines EBITDA as net income before income taxes, depreciation and amortization, interest expense and interest income and adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA adjusted for certain items, as listed below, that management considers to be non-operating in nature and not representative of its actual operating performance. The Company believes EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are commonly used by investors to assess a company’s financial performance, and adjusted EBITDA is used as a starting point in the calculation of the consolidated total debt ratio as defined in the Company’s senior unsecured notes. The following table provides a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA (in thousands):

                Trailing Twelve
        Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended   Months Ended
        September 30,   September 30,   September 30,
        2024   2023   2024   2023   2024   2023
    Net income   $ 64,827     $ 57,144     $ 175,268     $ 149,712     $ 244,857     $ 229,778  
    Income taxes     20,353       20,480       57,975       51,649       79,874       73,189  
    Depreciation and amortization     25,933       27,365       78,507       81,526       106,142       107,863  
    Interest expense     27,424       24,689       78,029       66,657       104,615       86,616  
    Interest income     (403 )     (328 )     (1,407 )     (1,253 )     (1,623 )     (1,462 )
    EBITDA     138,134       129,350       388,372       348,291       533,865       495,984  
    Adjustments:                                    
    Merger and acquisition expenses     225       3,387       2,186       3,670       6,438       5,697  
    Non-cash foreign currency loss (gain) related to lease liability     1,409       632       3,035       (1,673 )     2,168       (2,652 )
    AFF purchase accounting and other adjustments(1)                             13,968       8,760  
    Gain on revaluation of contingent acquisition consideration                                   (26,760 )
    Other expenses (income), net     (490 )     (384 )     (841 )     (260 )     (1,983 )     (270 )
    Adjusted EBITDA   $ 139,278     $ 132,985     $ 392,752     $ 350,028     $ 554,456     $ 480,759  
    FIRSTCASH HOLDINGS, INC.
    RECONCILIATIONS OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
    TO GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (CONTINUED)
    (UNAUDITED)
     

    (1)   The following table details AFF purchase accounting and other adjustments for the trailing twelve months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):

      Trailing Twelve
      Months Ended
      September 30,
      2024   2023
    Amortization of fair value adjustment on acquired finance receivables included in interest and fees on finance receivables $   $ 7,859
    Amortization of fair value adjustment on acquired leased merchandise included in depreciation of leased merchandise       901
    Other non-recurring costs included in administrative expenses related to a discontinued finance product   13,968    
      $ 13,968   $ 8,760
    FIRSTCASH HOLDINGS, INC.
    RECONCILIATIONS OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
    TO GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (CONTINUED)
    (UNAUDITED)
     

    Free Cash Flow and Adjusted Free Cash Flow

    For purposes of its internal liquidity assessments, the Company considers free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow. The Company defines free cash flow as cash flow from operating activities less purchases of furniture, fixtures, equipment and improvements and net fundings/repayments of pawn loan and finance receivables, which are considered to be operating in nature by the Company but are included in cash flow from investing activities. Adjusted free cash flow is defined as free cash flow adjusted for merger and acquisition expenses paid that management considers to be non-operating in nature.

    Free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow are commonly used by investors as additional measures of cash generated by business operations that may be used to repay scheduled debt maturities and debt service or, following payment of such debt obligations and other non-discretionary items, that may be available to invest in future growth through new business development activities or acquisitions, repurchase stock, pay cash dividends or repay debt obligations prior to their maturities. These metrics can also be used to evaluate the Company’s ability to generate cash flow from business operations and the impact that this cash flow has on the Company’s liquidity. However, free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for cash flow from operating activities or other income statement data prepared in accordance with GAAP. The following table reconciles cash flow from operating activities to free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow (in thousands):

                        Trailing Twelve
        Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended   Months Ended
        September 30,   September 30,   September 30,
        2024   2023   2024   2023   2024   2023
    Cash flow from operating activities   $ 113,090     $ 111,368     $ 341,809     $ 317,037     $ 440,914     $ 460,544  
    Cash flow from certain investing activities:                        
    Pawn loans, net(1)     (48,836 )     (59,614 )     (69,723 )     (59,426 )     (45,275 )     (20,536 )
    Finance receivables, net     (48,623 )     (30,869 )     (86,186 )     (87,994 )     (113,634 )     (123,713 )
    Purchases of furniture, fixtures, equipment and improvements     (13,368 )     (18,375 )     (56,032 )     (46,723 )     (69,457 )     (52,679 )
    Free cash flow     2,263       2,510       129,868       122,894       212,548       263,616  
    Merger and acquisition expenses paid, net of tax benefit     171       2,605       1,675       2,818       4,946       4,379  
    Adjusted free cash flow   $ 2,434     $ 5,115     $ 131,543     $ 125,712     $ 217,494     $ 267,995  

    (1)   Includes the funding of new loans net of cash repayments and recovery of principal through the sale of inventories acquired from forfeiture of pawn collateral.

    FIRSTCASH HOLDINGS, INC.
    RECONCILIATIONS OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
    TO GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (CONTINUED)
    (UNAUDITED)
     

    Adjusted Return on Equity and Adjusted Return on Assets

    Management believes the presentation of adjusted return on equity and adjusted return on assets provides investors with greater transparency and provides a more complete understanding of the Company’s financial performance by excluding items that management believes are non-operating in nature and not representative of the Company’s core operating performance.

    Annualized adjusted return on equity and adjusted return on assets is calculated as follows (dollars in thousands):

      Trailing Twelve
      Months Ended
      September 30, 2024
    Adjusted net income(1) $ 300,112  
         
    Average stockholders’ equity (average of five most recent quarter-end balances) $ 1,987,405  
    Adjusted return on equity (trailing twelve months adjusted net income divided by average equity) 15 %
         
    Average total assets (average of five most recent quarter-end balances) $ 4,285,437  
    Adjusted return on assets (trailing twelve months adjusted net income divided by average total assets) 7 %

    (1)   See detail of adjustments to net income in the “Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share” section above.

    Constant Currency Results

    The Company’s reporting currency is the U.S. dollar, however, certain performance metrics discussed in this release are presented on a “constant currency” basis, which is considered a non-GAAP financial measure. The Company’s management uses constant currency results to evaluate operating results of business operations in Latin America, which are transacted in local currencies in Mexico, Guatemala and Colombia. The Company also has operations in El Salvador, where the reporting and functional currency is the U.S. dollar.

    The Company believes constant currency results provide valuable supplemental information regarding the underlying performance of its business operations in Latin America, consistent with how the Company’s management evaluates such performance and operating results. Constant currency results reported herein are calculated by translating certain balance sheet and income statement items denominated in local currencies using the exchange rate from the prior-year comparable period, as opposed to the current comparable period, in order to exclude the effects of foreign currency rate fluctuations for purposes of evaluating period-over-period comparisons. See the Latin America pawn segment tables elsewhere in this release for an additional reconciliation of certain constant currency amounts to as reported GAAP amounts.

    FIRSTCASH HOLDINGS, INC.
    RECONCILIATIONS OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
    TO GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (CONTINUED)
    (UNAUDITED)
     
    Exchange Rates for the Mexican Peso, Guatemalan Quetzal and Colombian Peso
     
      September 30,   Favorable /
      2024   2023   (Unfavorable)
    Mexican peso / U.S. dollar exchange rate:              
    End-of-period 19.6   17.6     (11 )%  
    Three months ended 18.9   17.1     (11 )%  
    Nine months ended 17.7   17.8     1 %  
                   
    Guatemalan quetzal / U.S. dollar exchange rate:              
    End-of-period 7.7   7.9     3 %  
    Three months ended 7.7   7.9     3 %  
    Nine months ended 7.8   7.8     %  
                   
    Colombian peso / U.S. dollar exchange rate:              
    End-of-period 4,164   4,054     (3 )%  
    Three months ended 4,095   4,048     (1 )%  
    Nine months ended 3,979   4,413     10 %  
                     
    FIRSTCASH HOLDINGS, INC.
    INTERSEGMENT TRANSACTIONS
    (UNAUDITED)
     

    Intersegment transactions relate to the Company offering AFF’s LTO payment solution in its U.S. pawn stores and are eliminated to arrive at consolidated totals. For the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, these intersegment amounts are as follows:

    • U.S. pawn retail merchandise sales includes $1.0 million and $1.5 million, respectively. Excluding these intersegment sales, consolidated U.S. retail merchandise sales totaled $234.1 million and $202.3 million, respectively.
    • U.S. pawn cost of retail merchandise sold includes $0.5 million and $0.8 million, respectively. Excluding these intersegment sales, consolidated U.S. cost of retail merchandise sold totaled $134.4 million and $114.9 million, respectively.
    • Retail POS payment solutions depreciation of leased merchandise includes $0.4 million and $0.5 million respectively. Excluding these intersegment transactions, consolidated depreciation of leased merchandise totaled $104.9 million and $103.7 million, respectively.
    • Retail POS payment solutions provision for lease losses includes an increase of $0.1 million and a provision reduction of $0.1 million, respectively. Excluding these intersegment transactions, consolidated provision for lease losses totaled $39.2 million and $39.7 million, respectively.

    For the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, these intersegment amounts are as follows:

    • U.S. pawn retail merchandise sales includes $3.1 million and $4.9 million, respectively. Excluding these intersegment sales, consolidated U.S. retail merchandise sales totaled $699.1 million and $605.6 million, respectively.
    • U.S. pawn cost of retail merchandise sold includes $1.7 million and $2.6 million, respectively. Excluding these intersegment sales, consolidated U.S. cost of retail merchandise sold totaled $405.7 million and $346.6 million, respectively.
    • Retail POS payment solutions depreciation of leased merchandise includes $1.3 million and $1.6 million, respectively. Excluding these intersegment transactions, consolidated depreciation of leased merchandise totaled $335.4 million and $307.8 million, respectively.
    • Retail POS payment solutions provision for lease losses includes $0.4 million and $0.2 million, respectively. Excluding these intersegment transactions, consolidated provision for lease losses totaled $129.8 million and $141.7 million, respectively.

    As of September 30, 2024 and 2023, these intersegment amounts are as follows:

    • Retail POS payment solutions leased merchandise, net includes $0.2 million and $1.7 million, respectively. Excluding these intersegment transactions, consolidated net leased merchandise totaled $137.8 million and $143.2 million, respectively.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Global: Ukraine cannot defeat Russia – the best the west can do is help Kyiv plan for a secure post-war future

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Frank Ledwidge, Senior Lecturer in Military Strategy and Law, University of Portsmouth

    A friend of mine, usually an intensely optimistic pro-Ukraine analyst, returned from Ukraine last week and told me: “It’s like the German Army in January 1945.” The Ukrainians are being driven back on all fronts – including in the Kursk province of Russia, which they had opened with much hope and fanfare in August. More importantly, they are running out of soldiers.

    For most of 2024, Ukraine has been losing ground. This week, the town of Selidove in the western Donetsk region is being surrounded and, like Vuhledar earlier this month, is likely to fall in the next week or so – the only variable being how many Ukrainians will be lost in the process. Over the winter, the terrible prospect of a major battle to hold the strategically significant industrial town of Pokrovsk beckons.

    Ukrainian forces are steadily losing ground close to the strategically vital town of Pokrovsk, western Donetsk region.
    Institute for the Study of War

    Ultimately, this is not a war of territory but of attrition. The only resource that counts is soldiers – and here the calculus for Ukraine is not positive.

    Ukraine claims to have “liquidated” nearly 700,000 Russian soldiers – with more than 120,000 killed and upwards of 500,000 injured. Its president, Volodymyr Zelensky, admitted in February this year to 31,000 Ukrainian fatalities, with no figure given for injured.

    The problem is these Ukrainian totals are apparently believed by western officials, when the reality is likely to be very different. US sources say the war has seen 1 million people killed and wounded on both sides. Crucially, this includes a growing number of Ukrainian civilians.

    Low morale and desertion, as well as draft-dodging, are now significant problems for Ukraine. These factors are exacerbating already serious recruitment issues, making it hard to supply the front lines with fresh troops.

    A dreadful debate is taking place in Ukraine. The question revolves around whether to mobilise – and risk serious casualties to – the 18-25 age group. Due to economic pressures in the early 2000s, Ukraine suffered a major drop in its birth rate, leaving relatively few people now aged between 15 and 25. Mobilisation and serious attrition of this group may be something Ukraine simply can’t afford, given the already serious demographic crisis the country faces.

    And even if this mobilisation does go ahead, by the time the necessary politics, legislation, bureaucracy and training have run their course, the war may be over.

    Victory look impossible

    History knows of no example where taking on Russia in an attritional contest has proved successful. Let’s be clear: this means there is a real possibility of defeat – there is no sugar-coating this.

    Zelensky’s maximalist war aims of restoring Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders, along with other unlikely conditions – which were unchallenged and encouraged by a confused but self-aggrandising west – will not be achieved, and the west’s leaders are partly to blame. Ill-advised wars in Afghanistan and the Middle East left western armed forces hollow, poorly armed, and entirely unprepared for a serious and prolonged conflict, with ammunition stocks likely to last weeks at best.

    European promises of millions of artillery rounds have failed to materialise – only 650,000 have been supplied to Kyiv this year, whereas the North Koreans have supplied at least twice that to Russia.

    Only the US has significant stocks of weaponry in the form of thousands of armoured vehicles, tanks and artillery pieces in reserve – and it is unlikely to change its policy of drip-feeding weapons to Ukraine now. Even if such a decision is made, the lead-time for delivery will be years, not months.

    In a confidential briefing I attended recently given by western defence officials, the atmosphere was downbeat. The situation is “perilous” and “as bad as it has ever been” for Ukraine. Western powers cannot afford another strategic disaster like Afghanistan which, in the words of Ernest Hemingway (aptly quoted by the strategist Lawrence Freedman), happened “gradually, then suddenly”.

    There will be no decisive breakthrough by Russia’s army when they take this town or that (say, Pokrovsk). They haven’t the capability to do it. So, there won’t be a collapse – no “Kyiv as Kabul” moment.

    However, there are limits to the losses Ukraine can take. We do not know where that limit lies, but we’ll know when it happens. Crucially, there will be no victory for Ukraine. Unforgivably, there is not, and never has been, a western strategy except to bleed Russia as long as possible.

    More fundamentally, two ancient ethical questions governing whether a war is just must now be asked and answered: whether there is a reasonable prospect of success, and whether the potential gain is proportionate to the cost.

    The problem, as so often before, is that the west has not defined what it considers a success. The cost, meanwhile, is becoming all-too clear.

    To have clearly defined its goals and limits would have constituted the beginnings of a strategy – and the west isn’t good at that. Nato’s leaders now need to move quickly beyond meaningless rhetoric or anything that smacks of “as long as it takes”. We saw where that led in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya.

    We need a realistic answer to what something like a “win”, or at least an acceptable settlement, now looks like – as well as the extent to which it is achievable, and whether the west is really going to pursue it. And then for western leaders to act accordingly.

    A starting point could be accepting that Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk are lost – something an increasing number of Ukrainians are beginning to say openly. Then we need to start planning seriously for a post-war Ukraine that will need the west’s suppport more than ever.

    Russia cannot possibly take all, or even the bulk of, Ukraine’s territory. Even if it could, it could not possibly hold it. It is amply clear there will be a compromise settlement.

    So, it is time for Nato – and the US in particular – to articulate a viable end to this nightmarish ordeal, and to develop a pragmatic strategy to deal with Russia in the coming decade. More importantly, the west must plan how to support a heroic, shattered – but still independent – Ukraine.

    Frank Ledwidge 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. Ukraine cannot defeat Russia – the best the west can do is help Kyiv plan for a secure post-war future – https://theconversation.com/ukraine-cannot-defeat-russia-the-best-the-west-can-do-is-help-kyiv-plan-for-a-secure-post-war-future-242010

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Global: There’s a crisis in special educational needs provision: here’s the situation across the UK and Ireland

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Cathryn Knight, Senior Lecturer in Psychology in Education, University of Bristol

    Ermolaev Alexander/Shutterstock

    In the UK and Ireland, children who have significant special educational needs and disabilities can receive their education outside mainstream school. This often takes place in “special schools” or “special classes”.

    In the UK, as well as the Republic of Ireland, legislation sets out that children have the right to attend mainstream education. This right cannot be refused based on the complexity of the child’s needs. However, many children are educated in specialist schools, and the devolved governments of the UK, and Ireland, have taken differing approaches to this provision.

    But there is a problem. Across the UK and Ireland, there are far fewer places available in specialist schools and classes for the number of children identified with needs significant enough to warrant a place.

    England

    In 2010, then-prime minister David Cameron set out the aim to “end the bias” towards including children with special educational needs and disabilities in mainstream schools.

    His government felt there had been an overemphasis on inclusion in mainstream schools. As a consequence, England has seen an expansion of specialist education provision. From 2015 to 2023, there has been a 47% increase in the number of pupils at special schools in England – from 109,177 to 161,072.
    However, as of May 2024, 4,407 children across England were waiting for school places in specialist provision.

    There has also been a large increase in the number of appeals against councils by parents or carers of children with special educational needs in England, challenging the decision made around a child’s school placement and provision.

    A new report from the National Audit Office on special educational needs suggests that the current system in England is unsustainable, with many councils set to run out of money by early 2026.

    Wales

    Wales has also seen a 25% increase in special school provision from 2017-18 to 2023-4.

    However, there has recently been a large decrease in the number of learners being identified with additional learning needs. This has coincided with the introduction of a new additional learning needs system.

    However, the proportion of all learners in special schools has increased. This means that this reduction in identification does not seem to have changed the number of those who require specialist placements.

    Scotland

    Scotland has taken a different route. Here, the legal right to mainstream schooling has been taken a step further: there is an underlying “presumption of mainstreaming”, in other words, a right to attend a mainstream school, although exceptions in which a specialist provision should be considered are set out.

    This presumption of mainstreaming means that there has been a reduction in the number of special schools. However, alongside this there has been an increase in the proportion of children not spending time in mainstream classes.

    There has been an increase in special needs provision in mainstream classes in Scotland.
    Evgeny Atamanenko/Shutterstock

    This implies that more children are being educated in units attached to mainstream schools, without necessarily participating in mainstream classes. A recent review has raised concerns that the children with additional support needs in mainstream schools are not having their needs met.

    Northern Ireland

    The number of children with a statement of special educational needs in Northern Ireland increased by 24% in the five years from 2017-18 to 2021-22. A Department of Education official recently told the Education Committee of the NI Assembly that there was a need for an additional 1,000 places for children with SEN. This would require 66 new special school classes and 94 new specialist classes in mainstream schools.

    Northern Ireland is addressing the increased demand for special school places by embarking on a programme to develop specialist provision in mainstream schools. It is important to note, however, that although attached to and often under the same roof as mainstream schools, these are separate, specialist classes for children whose needs would ordinarily have been met in special schools, if pupil places had been available.

    Republic of Ireland

    In the Irish republic, there has been a dramatic increase in demand for specialist provision. There has also been an increase in the number of special schools in recent years, from 123 in 2018-19 to 134 in 2024-25, and further schools are planned.

    However, the challenges experienced by children with SEN in accessing school places continues. Some children are receiving home tuition grants because they don’t have a school place, and even more students are waiting to secure a place for the school year 2024-25. To address this, the minister for education in Ireland is now able to compel schools to open special classes under amended legislation.

    The challenge

    The devolved governments of the UK, and the Republic of Ireland, are committed to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which upholds the right to inclusive education for all learners. This includes the right to be educated without segregation.

    Scotland have addressed this by reducing specialist provision – although there have been criticisms of how this has been implemented in practice. Elsewhere in the UK, the demand for specialist provision is leading to each government increasing the amount of specialist provision, as opposed to considering how the principles of inclusive education could be embedded in mainstream schools.

    In line with guidance from the UN, it is important to consider how mainstream schools can effectively support and include all learners. If these schools are designed to better accommodate a broader range of learners, the need for specialist placements could well decrease.

    However, criticisms of the Scottish system show that without adequate support, placing children with special educational needs in mainstream schools is not enough for students to feel fully included.

    Cathryn Knight receives funding from the ESRC Impact Acceleration Account.

    Joanne Banks receives funding from The Irish Research Council New Foundations Award.

    Noel Purdy 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. There’s a crisis in special educational needs provision: here’s the situation across the UK and Ireland – https://theconversation.com/theres-a-crisis-in-special-educational-needs-provision-heres-the-situation-across-the-uk-and-ireland-240264

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Global: Many important 20th-century philosophers investigated ghosts – here’s how they explained them

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Matyáš Moravec, Lecturer in Philosophy, Queen’s University Belfast

    Hamlet and the Ghost by Frederick James Shields (1901). Manchester Art Gallery

    Most people imagine philosophers as rational thinkers who spend their time developing abstract logical theories and strongly reject superstitious beliefs. But several 20th-century philosophers actively investigated spooky topics such as clairvoyance, telepathy – even ghosts.

    Many of these philosophers, including Henri Bergson and William James, were interested in what was called “psychical research”. This was the academic study of paranormal phenomena including telepathy, telekinesis and other-worldly spirits.

    These thinkers attended seances and were attempting to develop theories about ghosts, life after death and the powers exhibited by mediums in trances. My recent archival research has been looking at how these topics shaped 20th-century philosophy.

    CD Broad (1887-1971) was a professor of philosophy at the University of Cambridge. He is now recognised as one of the most important writers on the philosophy of time. He also published on ethics, logic and the history of philosophy. What is less known, though, is that he was an active member of the Society for Psychical Research, a learned society dedicated to the study of paranormal phenomena. The society twice elected him as their president, and he published widely on topics including clairvoyance and poltergeists.

    In his 1925 book, The Mind and Its Place in Nature, Broad developed what has come to be known as the “compound theory” of ghosts. Broad argued that the human mind was a compound of two components. One of these was the “physical factor,” roughly corresponding to the body. The other one was the “psychic factor,” which carries our mental content like emotions or thoughts. The two of them conjointly form the human mind – just like salt is composed of sodium and chloride.

    Broad believed that after death, the psychic factor can continue existing for a bit on its own and might enter, like a spirit, a medium during a seance.

    Images in the ether

    Another philosopher interested in ghosts and spirits of the dead was HH Price (1899-1984). He was a professor of logic at the University of Oxford and is mostly known for his publications on the philosophy of perception. However, just like Broad, he was heavily involved in the Society for Psychical Research and attended several international conferences dedicated to life after death and telepathy.

    Price believed ghosts could appear to sensitive people.
    Wellcome Collection, CC BY

    In his presidential address to the society in 1939, Price tried to offer an explanation of ghosts and hauntings.

    At any given moment, he argued, your mind is full of “mental images” – the memory of your last holiday, the things you see outside your window, your hopes and expectations for the future. Price theorised that there is a substance, which he called the “psychic ether” that exists halfway between matter and the human mind. He believed that this ether could carry the images that currently exist in your mind even after you die. A bundle of these images and memories can appear as a ghost to some particularly sensitive people.

    What does ‘ghost’ mean?

    Casimir Lewy (1919-1991) was one of the most influential philosophical logicians of the 20th century. He spent most of his career at the University of Cambridge – in fact, the philosophy faculty library there is named after him.

    Lewy is now mostly known for his work on logic, and few people know that he actually wrote his PhD thesis (which was examined by Broad) on life after death.

    Portrait of Casimir Lewy by Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz (1937).
    Trinity College

    He was primarily interested in language and in the meanings of the terms people use when they talk about ghosts and life after death. What does it mean to say that I might survive the death of my body? What sort of experiences would I need to have as a ghost for the statement “I have survived my death” to be true? Would I have to be able to see myself in the mirror, or to speak to people in the seance room?

    Lewy insisted that these questions need answering before looking at the empirical “evidence” for ghosts.

    Following a series of scandalous and widely publicised discoveries of fraudulent mediums faking their supernatural powers and accusations of pseudo-scientific research methods, psychical research eventually moved to the fringes of academia. Lewy, for example, never returned to write on these topics after passing the defence of his PhD in 1943.

    Nevertheless, despite its brief lifespan, academic psychical research had a significant influence on an entire generation of British philosophers. It shaped their views on time, causation and matter, and gave them an opportunity to think one of life’s most pressing questions: what happens after we die?



    Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.


    Matyáš Moravec 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. Many important 20th-century philosophers investigated ghosts – here’s how they explained them – https://theconversation.com/many-important-20th-century-philosophers-investigated-ghosts-heres-how-they-explained-them-241635

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Video: CEO Climate Alliance Letter | Sumant Sinha

    Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

    We need a global agency to regulate carbon pricing, says ReNew CEO Sumant Sinha. ‘All we’re tracking are pledges. If you start tracking actions, you’ll find actions are even further behind.’

    In an open letter ahead of COP29, the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders calls for urgent action to combat climate change. Highlighting the critical role of collaborative leadership from business and government, the world’s largest CEO-led climate community is advocating for ambitious, science-based targets to support climate action and spur investment.

    Read the full letter: wef.ch/COP29OpenLetter24

    #AllianceofCEOClimateLeaders #Climate #ClimateChange #COP29 #WorldEconomicForum

    The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.

    World Economic Forum Website ► http://www.weforum.org/
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    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SdNNaI52jc

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI USA: FACT SHEET: Biden-⁠ Harris Administration Outlines Coordinated Approach to Harness Power of AI for U.S. National  Security

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    Today, President Biden is issuing the first-ever National Security Memorandum (NSM) on Artificial Intelligence (AI). The NSM’s fundamental premise is that advances at the frontier of AI will have significant implications for national security and foreign policy in the near future. The NSM builds on key steps the President and Vice President have taken to drive the safe, secure, and trustworthy development of AI, including President Biden’s landmark Executive Order to ensure that America leads the way in seizing the promise and managing the risks of AI.
    The NSM directs the U.S. Government to implement concrete and impactful steps to (1) ensure that the United States leads the world’s development of safe, secure, and trustworthy AI; (2) harness cutting-edge AI technologies to advance the U.S. Government’s national security mission; and (3) advance international consensus and governance around AI.
    The NSM is designed to galvanize federal government adoption of AI to advance the national security mission, including by ensuring that such adoption reflects democratic values and protects human rights, civil rights, civil liberties and privacy. In addition, the NSM seeks to shape international norms around AI use to reflect those same democratic values, and directs actions to track and counter adversary development and use of AI for national security purposes.
    In particular, the NSM directs critical actions to:
    Ensure that the United States leads the world’s development of safe, secure, and trustworthy AI:
    Developing advanced AI systems requires large volumes of advanced chips. President Biden led the way when he signed the CHIPS Act, which made major investments in our capacity to manufacture leading-edge semiconductors. The NSM directs actions to improve the security and diversity of chip supply chains, and to ensure that, as the United States supports the development of the next generation of government supercomputers and other emerging technology, we do so with AI in mind.
    Our competitors want to upend U.S. AI leadership and have employed economic and technological espionage in efforts to steal U.S. technology. This NSM makes collection on our competitors’ operations against our AI sector a top-tier intelligence priority, and directs relevant U.S. Government entities to provide AI developers with the timely cybersecurity and counterintelligence information necessary to keep their inventions secure. 
    In order for the United States to benefit maximally from AI, Americans must know when they can trust systems to perform safely and reliably. For this reason, the NSM formally designates the AI Safety Institute asU.S. industry’s primary port of contact in the U.S. Government, one staffed by technical experts who understand this quickly evolving technology. It also lays out strengthened and streamlined mechanisms for the AI Safety Institute to partner with national security agencies, including the intelligence community, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Energy.
    The NSM doubles down on the National AI Research Resource, the pilot for which is already underway, to ensure that researchers at universities, from civil society, and in small businesses can conduct technically meaningful AI research. AI is moving too fast, and is too complex, for us to rely exclusively on a small cohort of large firms; we need to empower and learn from a full range of talented individuals and institutions who care about making AI safe, secure, and trustworthy.
    The NSM directs the National Economic Council to coordinate an economic assessment of the relative competitive advantage of the United States private sector AI ecosystem.
    Enable the U.S. Government to harness cutting-edge AI, while protecting human rights and democratic values, to achieve national security objectives:
    The NSM does not simply demand that we use AI systems in service of the national security mission effectively; it also unequivocally states we must do so only in ways that align with democratic values. It provides the first-ever guidance for AI governance and risk management for use in national security missions, complementing previous guidance issued by the Office of Management and Budget for non-national security missions.
    The NSM directs the creation of a Framework to Advance AI Governance and Risk Management in National Security, which is being published today alongside this NSM. This Framework provides further detail and guidance to implement the NSM, including requiring mechanisms for risk management, evaluations, accountability, and transparency. These requirements require agencies to monitor, assess, and mitigate AI risks related to invasions of privacy, bias and discrimination, the safety of individuals and groups, and other human rights abuses. This Framework can be updated regularly in order to keep pace with technical advances and ensure future AI applications are responsible and rights-respecting.
    The NSM directs changes across the board to make sure we are using AI systems effectively while adhering to our values. Among other actions, it directs agencies to propose streamlined procurement practices and ways to ease collaboration with non-traditional vendors.
    Advance international consensus and governance around AI:
    The NSM builds on substantial international progress on AI governance over the last twelve months, thanks to the leadership and diplomatic engagement of President Biden and Vice President Harris. Alongside G7 allies, we developed the first-ever International Code of Conduct on AI in 2023. At the Bletchley and Seoul AI Safety Summits, the United States joined more than two dozen nations in outlining clear principles. 56 nations have signed up to our Political Declaration on the Military Use of AI and Autonomy, which establishes principles for military AI capabilities. And at the United Nations, the United States sponsored the first-ever UN General Assembly Resolution on AI, which passed unanimously and included the People’s Republic of China as a co-sponsor.
    The NSM directs the U.S. Government to collaborate with allies and partners to establish a stable, responsible, and rights-respecting governance framework to ensure the technology is developed and used in ways that adhere to international law while protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms. 
    The release of today’s NSM is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s comprehensive strategy for responsible innovation, and builds on previous actions that President Biden and Vice President Harris have taken.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Statement from National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard on National Security Memorandum (NSM) on Artificial Intelligence  (AI)

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    Today, the President is issuing the first-ever National Security Memorandum (NSM) on Artificial Intelligence (AI). The fundamental premise is that AI will have significant implications for national security. The AI NSM sets out goals to enable the US Government to harness cutting-edge AI technologies, and to advance international consensus and governance around AI.
    In addition, there are implications for economic policy. The AI National Security Memorandum establishes that retaining US leadership in the most advanced AI models will be vital for our national security in coming years. The US lead today on the most advanced AI models reflects several important US economic strengths: our innovative private sector, the ability to develop and source world class talent, strengths in advanced semiconductor design, dynamic capital allocation, and abundant compute power.
    We should not take those strengths for granted in the future. Indeed, we are all familiar with past instances when we saw critical technologies and supply chains that were developed and commercialized here in the US migrate offshore for lack of critical public sector support. That is why we are laser focused on maintaining the strongest AI ecosystem in the world here in the United States. The NSM directs the National Economic Council to coordinate an economic assessment of the relative competitive advantage of the US private sector AI ecosystem.
    Sustaining US preeminence in frontier AI into the future will require strong domestic foundations in semiconductors, infrastructure, and clean energy—including the large datacenters that provide computing resources. The private sector is already making significant investments in AI innovation, and now we’re making sure the government is moving quickly on policy changes and the support necessary to enable rapid AI infrastructure growth over the next several years. The historic Biden-Harris investment laws will be critical enablers.
    Developing AI systems will require a large volume of the most advanced semiconductors. The CHIPS and Science Act is enabling major investments here in the US for the fabrication of the leading-edge semiconductors that are critical to AI frontier models, in close proximity to world-class chips designers and downstream customers.
    One of the most pressing needs is the rapid growth in computational power for the training and operation of frontier AI models. AI datacenters will need to run on clean energy and in order to meet their needs we will need to accelerate the deployment of transmission and clean energy projects. We will meet these needs while keeping residential electricity costs low and meeting our climate goals. Fortunately, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the clean energy provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act have given us a good foundation to build on. We are committed to helping navigate permitting processes across the federal government, and working with states and localities. We took a step towards supporting these goals with the Task Force on AI Datacenter Infrastructure that we launched last month. And we have seen a number of recent announcements of companies investing in projects that will bring new clean energy online to power AI data centers.
    Having the right workforce and talent will also play a key role in developing large-scale AI datacenters. This will range from AI experts to pipefitters and electrical workers. We are taking action to ensure AI infrastructure creates good jobs, while investing in our workforce to enable American workers to drive innovation.
    Of course, all of these efforts must be governed by the critical guardrails established last year by the Executive Order on Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence and commitments we secured last year from leading AI companies to manage the risks posed by AI. Today’s NSM is just the latest step in a series of actions thanks to the leadership and diplomatic engagement of the President and Vice President, and there will be additional steps taken in the coming months to further support US leadership in AI.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sullivan, Senate Vote to Confirm Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan

    01.24.25

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Colonel, USMCR (ret.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and chair of the SASC Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, voted tonight to confirm Pete Hegseth as the secretary of defense. Senator Sullivan met with Hegseth and received commitments from him to continue the historic build-up of the military in Alaska, in recognition of the state’s critical importance to national defense, and restore the military’s core warfighting mission. Hegseth has a decorated career of service in the U.S. Army, completing deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and earning two Bronze Stars and two Army Commendation Medals.

    “After a number of substantive discussions with Pete Hegseth, including during his confirmation hearing, I am confident Mr. Hegseth will work to refocus our military on lethality, warfighting and peace through strength, as well as getting rid of the damaging woke policies of the Biden administration, some of which I witnessed firsthand as a Marine Corps Reserve Officer,” said Sen. Sullivan. “These have been my top priorities as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and they will be Mr. Hegseth’s. Mr. Hegseth also assured me that he understands the important role that women play in our military, including in combat, as well as the strategic importance of Alaska. Along with President Trump, he is also committed to continuing the military build-up in our great state. I want to congratulate the incoming secretary of defense on his confirmation and look forward to welcoming him up to Alaska soon to see firsthand the critical strategic asset our state is to our national security.”

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Carols in the Chamber 2024

    Source: City of Preston

    This December, the Council’s Chamber will come alive with the sound of Christmas as the Mayor of Preston hosts the annual ‘Carols in the Chamber’.

    On Wednesday, 4 December, members of the community are invited to join the Mayor, civic leaders and Preston Gilbert and Sullivan Society, at Preston Town Hall for a heartwarming evening of traditional carols.

    Preston Gilbert and Sullivan Society will lead the audience in singing Christmas classics such as O Little Town of Bethlehem, Away in a Manger, Joy to the World, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, and Silent Night.

    Councillor Phil Crowe, Mayor of Preston, said:

    “This is a tradition that dates back many years, and I’m privileged to host this event once again. I look forward to welcoming the community for an evening of festivities and joyful singing.

    The money raised from the event will be going to my chosen charities which I am proud to support and all do fantastic work in their communities.”

    The evening will begin with a festive reception at 6:30pm, featuring complimentary mince pies and drink. Carols will commence at 7pm.

    Tickets for the evening cost £10, with all proceeds from the event going to the Mayor’s chosen charities:

    • Let’s Grow Preston
    • Disability Equality Northwest
    • Furniture for Education Worldwide.

    For tickets, please email The Mayor on themayor@preston.gov.uk, by 15 November 2024.

    Join us for an evening of music, community, and festive spirit, all in support of these causes.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/BURKINA FASO – Violence spreads: hundreds killed in an armed attack in the village of Manni

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Thursday, 24 October 2024

    Ouagadougou (Agenzia Fides) – For some time now, Burkina Faso has been confronted with several violence attacks by armed groups. In recent months the situation seems to be out of control.According to what was reported to Fides last October 6, the village of Manni, in the province of Gnagna in the eastern region of the country, suffered a serious attack.“More than 150 people lost their lives in the attack in Manni, including many Christians – reports the local source who requests anonymity for security reasons. Before the attack, the village’s mobile networks was interrupted to prevent any communication. The terrorists first hit the local market where many inhabitants had gathered after mass. Then they went into the houses and shops to kill those who had taken refuge there, and set fire on them, burning the victims alive. The next day they returned, setting fire on cars, shooting at medical personnels and other individuals. Many of the victims came from surrounding villages, which had already been driven out by the terrorists and had come to seek refuge in Manni.”“Deep sorrow and sincere compassion to all the bereaved families”, was expressed by the bishop of the diocese of Fada N’Gourma, Pierre Claver Malgo, who described the attack as ‘barbaric’. “Unfortunately – the source points out – these attacks are increasing the number of internally displaced people in the country.”More recently, in the month of August, terrorist attacks were recorded in Burkina Faso in the province of Nayala, in the village of Nimina, Mogwentenga and Gnipiru, until the end of August when the country experienced the worst massacre in its history in Barsalogho which, according to reports, caused at least 400 deaths.Since 2015, Burkina Faso has been under siege by terrorist groups, resulting in a constant state of insecurity and fear. Since interim President Ibrahim Traoré came to power on September 30, 2022, there have been at least six failed coup attempts against him, the last one in chronological order dates back to the end of August 2024.(AP) (Agenzia Fides, 24/10/2024)
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    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI: Amalgamated Financial Corp. Reports Record Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results; Margin Expands to 3.51%; Return on Average Assets of 1.32%

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Amalgamated Financial Corp. (the “Company” or “Amalgamated”) (Nasdaq: AMAL), the holding company for Amalgamated Bank (the “Bank”), today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024.

    Third Quarter 2024 Highlights (on a linked quarter basis)

    • Net income of $27.9 million, or $0.90 per diluted share, compared to $26.8 million, or $0.87 per diluted share.
    • Core net income1 of $28.0 million, or $0.91 per diluted share, compared to $26.2 million, or $0.85 per diluted share.

    Deposits and Liquidity

    • Total deposits increased $145.6 million, or 2.0%, to $7.6 billion including a $51.3 million decline in Brokered CDs.
    • Excluding Brokered CDs, on-balance sheet deposits increased $196.9 million, or 2.7%, to $7.5 billion.
    • Political deposits increased $231.9 million, or 13%, to $2.0 billion, which includes both on and off-balance sheet deposits.
    • Off-balance sheet deposits increased $114.1 million, or 11%, to $1.2 billion, comprised of both transactional political deposits and other segment deposits.
    • Average cost of deposits, excluding Brokered CDs, increased 3 basis points to 151 basis points, where non-interest-bearing deposits comprised 51% of total deposits excluding Brokered CDs.

    Assets and Margin

    • Net loans receivable increased $78.0 million, or 1.8%, to $4.5 billion.
    • Excluding a $40.9 million package of low yielding residential loans marked-to-market and moved to held-for-sale, net loans receivable increased $118.9 million or 2.7%.
    • Total PACE assessments grew $10.6 million, or 0.9%, to $1.2 billion.
    • Net interest income grew $2.9 million, or 4.2%, to $72.1 million.
    • Net interest margin increased 5 basis points to 3.51%.

    Capital and Returns

    • Tier 1 leverage ratio of 8.63%, increased by 21 basis points, and Common Equity Tier 1 ratio of 13.82%.
    • Tangible common equity1 ratio of 8.14%, representing an eighth consecutive quarter of improvement.
    • Tangible book value per share1 increased $1.69, or 8.2%, to $22.29, and has increased $4.87, or 27.9% since September 2023.
    • Strong core return on average tangible common equity1 of 17.04% and core return on average assets1 of 1.33%.

    ________________________
    1 Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP measure are set forth on the last page of the financial information accompanying this press release and may also be found on our website, www.amalgamatedbank.com.

    Priscilla Sims Brown, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Our third quarter financial results continue to demonstrate that Amalgamated remains positioned to achieve sustainable earnings and profitability.   During the quarter, we delivered outstanding deposit and loan growth, strong profitability and returns, and a growing capital base that positions us to invest in our strategic initiatives which will sustain our growth into the future.”

    Third Quarter Earnings

    Net income for the third quarter of 2024 was $27.9 million, or $0.90 per diluted share, compared to $26.8 million, or $0.87 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2024. The $1.1 million increase during the quarter was primarily driven by a $3.2 million increase in non-core ICS One-Way Sell fee income from our off-balance sheet deposits, a $2.9 million increase in net interest income, a $1.3 million decrease in provision for credit losses, and a $0.7 million increase in non-core income from solar tax equity investments, which was expected. This was offset by a $4.3 million reduction in fair value on a pool of lower yielding residential loans moved to held for sale, a $1.5 million increase in non-interest expense, and a $1.3 million increase in income tax expense, and a $0.5 million increase in losses on securities sales.

    Core net income1 for the third quarter of 2024 was $28.0 million, or $0.91 per diluted share, compared to $26.2 million, or $0.85 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2024. Excluded from core net income for the quarter, pre-tax, was $8.1 million of ICS One-Way Sell fee income, a $4.3 million reduction in fair value of held for sale residential loans, $3.2 million of losses on the sale of securities, $1.1 million of accelerated depreciation from solar tax equity investments, $0.7 million of gains on subordinated debt repurchases, and $0.2 million in severance costs. Excluded from core net income for the second quarter of 2024, pre-tax, was $4.9 million of ICS One-Way Sell fee income, $2.7 million of losses on the sale of securities, $1.8 million of accelerated depreciation from our solar tax equity investments, $0.4 million of gains on subordinated debt repurchases.

    Net interest income was $72.1 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $69.2 million for the second quarter of 2024. Loan interest income increased $2.8 million and loan yields increased 11 basis points mainly as a result of a $86.7 million increase in average loan balances. Adjusted for two discrete items; the effect of $2.1 million of accelerated amortization related to purchase premiums last quarter and the recognition in the current quarter of a $1.3 million acceleration of deferred costs on certain loans, loan interest income increased by $2.1 million in the quarter. Interest income on securities increased $1.7 million driven by an increase in the average balance of securities of $79.7 million. Interest expense on total interest-bearing deposits increased $1.2 million driven by a 26 basis point increase in cost despite a decrease in the average balance of total interest-bearing deposits of $235.6 million. The increase in deposit cost was primarily related to adjustments to rates on money market products and select non-time deposit accounts late in second quarter and early in the current quarter.   The decrease in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits was primarily driven by a mix shift as newly raised political deposits were mainly non-interest-bearing whereas related outflows were mainly interest-bearing. Additionally, the average balance on Brokered CD’s declined $25.0 million as certain long-term issuances were called. The average balance of borrowings also decreased $32.6 million, now substantially consisting of lower-cost subordinated debt.

    Net interest margin was 3.51% for the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 5 basis points from 3.46% in the second quarter of 2024. As noted above, there were two discrete items that affected the third quarter and second quarter margin. Excluding these discrete items, net interest margin improved 2 basis points from the prior quarter, all else equal. Prepayment penalties had no impact on our net interest margin in the third quarter of 2024, which is the same as in the prior quarter.

    Provision for credit losses totaled an expense of $1.8 million for the third quarter of 2024 compared to an expense of $3.2 million in the second quarter of 2024. The expense in the third quarter was primarily driven by charge-offs on our consumer solar and small business portfolios, and updates to CECL model assumptions, offset by decreases in reserves for unfunded loan commitments.

    Non-interest income was $8.9 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $9.3 million in the second quarter of 2024. Excluding all non-core income adjustments noted above, core non-interest income1 was $8.8 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $8.5 million in the second quarter of 2024. The increase was primarily related to higher commercial banking fees, increased fees from our treasury investment services, and modestly higher income from our trust business.

    Non-interest expense for the third quarter of 2024 was $41.0 million, an increase of $1.5 million from the second quarter of 2024. Core non-interest expense1 for the third quarter of 2024 was $40.7 million, an increase of $1.3 million from the second quarter of 2024. This was mainly driven by a $0.7 million increase in compensation and employee benefits expense due to strategic new hires and corporate performance accruals, as well as higher data processing expense related to the advance of digital initiatives scheduled for 2025.

    Our provision for income tax expense was $10.3 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $9.0 million for the second quarter of 2024. The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2024 was 26.9%. In the prior quarter, there were $0.5 million of discrete tax benefits resulting in an effective tax rate of 25.2%, or 26.6% excluding the discrete items.

    Balance Sheet Quarterly Summary

    Total assets were $8.4 billion at September 30, 2024, compared to $8.3 billion at June 30, 2024, which modestly grew the balance sheet above its target range but also carried $40.9 million in loans held for sale related to the residential loan sale that settled shortly after the quarter closed. Notable changes within individual balance sheet line items include a $91.2 million increase in cash and cash equivalents, a $24.1 million increase in securities, and a $78.0 million increase in net loans receivable. Additionally, deposits excluding Brokered CDs increased by $196.9 million while Brokered CDs decreased $51.3 million, and borrowings decreased by $8.8 million. Our off-balance sheet deposits increased by $114.1 million, or 11%, to $1.2 billion.

    Total net loans receivable, at September 30, 2024 were $4.5 billion, an increase of $78.0 million, or 1.8% for the quarter. The increase in loans is primarily driven by a $60.8 million increase in multifamily loans, a $46.0 million increase in commercial and industrial loans, and a $37.6 million increase in commercial real estate loans, offset by an $11.1 million decrease in consumer solar loans, and a $54.3 million decrease in residential loans, primarily due to the noted loan pool sale. During the quarter, criticized or classified loans decreased $5.9 million, largely related to a $6.9 million note sale (with a related fully reserved $4.5 million charge-off) on a legacy non-accrual leveraged loan. Additionally, payoffs of two delinquent commercial and industrial loans totaling $1.7 million and charge-offs of smaller commercial and industrial loans totaling $1.0 million were offset by the downgrade of one $3.2 million multifamily loan to substandard and accruing and downgrades of small business loans totaling $1.1 million.

    Total deposits at September 30, 2024 were $7.6 billion, an increase of $145.6 million, or 2.0%, during the quarter. Total deposits excluding Brokered CDs increased by $196.9 million to $7.5 billion, or a 2.7% increase. Including accounts currently held off-balance sheet, deposits held by politically active customers, such as campaigns, PACs, advocacy-based organizations, and state and national party committees were $2.0 billion as of September 30, 2024, an increase of $231.9 million during this quarter. Non-interest-bearing deposits represented 50% of average total deposits and 51% of ending total deposits for the quarter, excluding Brokered CDs, contributing to an average cost of total deposits of 158 basis points. Super-core deposits2 totaled approximately $4.5 billion, had a weighted average life of 16 years, and comprised 60% of total deposits, excluding Brokered CDs. Total uninsured deposits were $4.5 billion, comprising 59% of total deposits.

    Nonperforming assets totaled $28.6 million, or 0.34% of period-end total assets at September 30, 2024, a decrease of $7.1 million, compared with $35.7 million, or 0.43% on a linked quarter basis. The decrease in nonperforming assets was primarily driven by the note sale mentioned above, a $0.2 million decrease in residential real estate nonaccrual loans, a $0.2 million decrease in consumer and consumer solar nonaccrual loans, offset by a $0.3 million increase in commercial and industrial nonaccrual loans.

    During the quarter, the allowance for credit losses on loans decreased $1.9 million to $61.5 million. The ratio of allowance to total loans was 1.35%, a decrease of 7 basis points from 1.42% in the second quarter of 2024. The decrease was primarily the result of a release of reserves from the previously noted legacy leveraged commercial and industrial note sale, which carried a reserve of $4.5 million.

    ________________________
    2 Refer to Terminology on page 6 for definitions of certain terms used in this release.


    Capital Quarterly Summary

    As of September 30, 2024, the Common Equity Tier 1 Capital ratio was 13.82%, the Total Risk-Based Capital ratio was 16.25%, and the Tier 1 Leverage Capital ratio was 8.63%, compared to 13.48%, 16.04% and 8.42%, respectively, as of June 30, 2024. Stockholders’ equity at September 30, 2024 was $698.3 million, an increase of $52.2 million during the quarter. The increase in stockholders’ equity was primarily driven by $27.9 million of net income for the quarter and a $26.9 million improvement in accumulated other comprehensive loss due to the tax effected mark-to-market on our available for sale securities portfolio, offset by $3.7 million in dividends paid at $0.12 per outstanding share.

    Tangible book value per share was $22.29 as of September 30, 2024 compared to $20.61 as of June 30, 2024. Tangible common equity1 improved to 8.14% of tangible assets, compared to 7.66% as of June 30, 2024.

    Conference Call

    As previously announced, Amalgamated Financial Corp. will host a conference call to discuss its third quarter 2024 results today, October 24, 2024 at 11:00am (Eastern Time). The conference call can be accessed by dialing 1-877-407-9716 (domestic) or 1-201-493-6779 (international) and asking for the Amalgamated Financial Corp. Third Quarter 2024 Earnings Call. A telephonic replay will be available approximately two hours after the call and can be accessed by dialing 1-844-512-2921, or for international callers 1-412-317-6671 and providing the access code 13748697. The telephonic replay will be available until October 31, 2024.

    Interested investors and other parties may also listen to a simultaneous webcast of the conference call by logging onto the investor relations section of our website at https://ir.amalgamatedbank.com/. The online replay will remain available for a limited time beginning immediately following the call.

    The presentation materials for the call can be accessed on the investor relations section of our website at https://ir.amalgamatedbank.com/.

    About Amalgamated Financial Corp.

    Amalgamated Financial Corp. is a Delaware public benefit corporation and a bank holding company engaged in commercial banking and financial services through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Amalgamated Bank. Amalgamated Bank is a New York-based full-service commercial bank and a chartered trust company with a combined network of five branches across New York City, Washington D.C., and San Francisco, and a commercial office in Boston. Amalgamated Bank was formed in 1923 as Amalgamated Bank of New York by the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, one of the country’s oldest labor unions. Amalgamated Bank provides commercial banking and trust services nationally and offers a full range of products and services to both commercial and retail customers. Amalgamated Bank is a proud member of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values and is a certified B Corporation®. As of September 30, 2024, our total assets were $8.4 billion, total net loans were $4.5 billion, and total deposits were $7.6 billion. Additionally, as of September 30, 2024, our trust business held $35.4 billion in assets under custody and $14.6 billion in assets under management.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    This release (and the accompanying financial information and tables) refer to certain non-GAAP financial measures including, without limitation, “Core operating revenue,” “Core non-interest expense,” “Core non-interest income,” “Core net income,” “Tangible common equity,” “Average tangible common equity,” “Core return on average assets,” “Core return on average tangible common equity,” and “Core efficiency ratio.”

    Our management utilizes this information to compare our operating performance for September 30, 2024 versus certain periods in 2024 and 2023 and to prepare internal projections. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures facilitate making period-to-period comparisons and are meaningful indications of our operating performance. In addition, because intangible assets such as goodwill and other discrete items unrelated to our core business, which are excluded, vary extensively from company to company, we believe that the presentation of this information allows investors to more easily compare our results to those of other companies.

    The presentation of non-GAAP financial information, however, is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP financial measures. We strongly encourage readers to review the GAAP financial measures included in this release and not to place undue reliance upon any single financial measure. In addition, because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare the non-GAAP financial measures presented in this release with other companies’ non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial disclosures to comparable GAAP measures found in this release are set forth in the final pages of this release and also may be viewed on our website, amalgamatedbank.com.

    Terminology

    Certain terms used in this release are defined as follows:

    “Core efficiency ratio” is defined as “Core non-interest expense” divided by “Core operating revenue.” We believe the most directly comparable performance ratio derived from GAAP financial measures is an efficiency ratio calculated by dividing total non-interest expense by the sum of net interest income and total non-interest income.

    “Core net income” is defined as net income after tax excluding gains and losses on sales of securities, ICS One-Way Sell fee income, gains on the sale of owned property, costs related to branch closures, restructuring/severance costs, acquisition costs, tax credits and accelerated depreciation on solar equity investments, and taxes on notable pre-tax items. We believe the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is net income.

    “Core non-interest expense” is defined as total non-interest expense excluding costs related to branch closures, restructuring/severance, and acquisitions. We believe the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is total non-interest expense.

    “Core non-interest income” is defined as total non-interest income excluding gains and losses on sales of securities, ICS One-Way Sell fee income, gains on the sale of owned property, and tax credits and accelerated depreciation on solar equity investments. We believe the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is non-interest income.

    “Core operating revenue” is defined as total net interest income plus “core non-interest income”. We believe the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is the total of net interest income and non-interest income.

    “Core return on average assets” is defined as “Core net income” divided by average total assets. We believe the most directly comparable performance ratio derived from GAAP financial measures is return on average assets calculated by dividing net income by average total assets.

    “Core return on average tangible common equity” is defined as “Core net income” divided by average “tangible common equity.” We believe the most directly comparable performance ratio derived from GAAP financial measures is return on average equity calculated by dividing net income by average total stockholders’ equity.

    “Super-core deposits” are defined as total deposits from commercial and consumer customers, with a relationship length of greater than 5 years. We believe the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is total deposits.

    “Tangible assets” are defined as total assets excluding, as applicable, goodwill and core deposit intangibles. We believe the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is total assets.

    “Tangible common equity”, and “Tangible book value” are defined as stockholders’ equity excluding, as applicable, minority interests, preferred stock, goodwill and core deposit intangibles. We believe that the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is total stockholders’ equity.

    “Traditional securities portfolio” is defined as total investment securities excluding PACE assessments. We believe the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is total investment securities.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Statements included in this release that are not historical in nature are intended to be, and are hereby identified as, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical or current fact nor are they assurances of future performance and generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as “may,” “approximately,” “will,” “anticipate,” “should,” “would,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “continue,” “plan,” “possible,” and “intend,” or the negative thereof as well as other similar words and expressions of the future. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict as to timing, extent, likelihood and degree of occurrence, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in or by such statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) uncertain conditions in the banking industry and in national, regional and local economies in our core markets, which may have an adverse impact on our business, operations and financial performance; (ii) deterioration in the financial condition of borrowers resulting in significant increases in loan losses and provisions for those losses; (iii) deposit outflows and subsequent declines in liquidity caused by factors that could include lack of confidence in the banking system, a deterioration in market conditions or the financial condition of depositors; (iv) changes in our deposits, including an increase in uninsured deposits; (v) our ability to maintain sufficient liquidity to meet our deposit and debt obligations as they come due, which may require that we sell investment securities at a loss, negatively impacting our net income, earnings and capital; (vi) unfavorable conditions in the capital markets, which may cause declines in our stock price and the value of our investments; (vii) negative economic and political conditions that adversely affect the general economy, housing prices, the real estate market, the job market, consumer confidence, the financial condition of our borrowers and consumer spending habits, which may affect, among other things, the level of non-performing assets, charge-offs and provision expense; (viii) fluctuations or unanticipated changes in the interest rate environment including changes in net interest margin or changes in the yield curve that affect investments, loans or deposits; (ix) the general decline in the real estate and lending markets, particularly in commercial real estate in our market areas, and the effects of the enactment of or changes to rent-control and other similar regulations on multi-family housing; (x) changes in legislation, regulation, public policies, or administrative practices impacting the banking industry, including increased minimum capital requirements and other regulation in the aftermath of recent bank failures; (xi) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against us (xii) our inability to achieve organic loan and deposit growth and the composition of that growth; (xiii) the composition of our loan portfolio, including any concentration in industries or sectors that may experience unanticipated or anticipated adverse conditions greater than other industries or sectors in the national or local economies in which we operate; (xiv) inaccuracy of the assumptions and estimates we make and policies that we implement in establishing our allowance for credit losses; (xv) changes in loan underwriting, credit review or loss reserve policies associated with economic conditions, examination conclusions, or regulatory developments; (xvi) any matter that would cause us to conclude that there was impairment of any asset, including intangible assets; (xvii) limitations on our ability to declare and pay dividends; (xviii) the impact of competition with other financial institutions, including pricing pressures and the resulting impact on our results, including as a result of compression to net interest margin; (xix) increased competition for experienced members of the workforce including executives in the banking industry; (xx) a failure in or breach of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of third party vendors or other service providers, including as a result of unauthorized access, computer viruses, phishing schemes, spam attacks, human error, natural disasters, power loss and other security breaches; (xxi) increased regulatory scrutiny and exposure from the use of “big data” techniques, machine learning, and artificial intelligence; (xxii) downgrade in our credit rating; (xxiii) “greenwashing claims” against us and our Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) products and increased scrutiny and political opposition to ESG and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (“DEI”) practices; (xxiv) any unanticipated or greater than anticipated adverse conditions (including the possibility of earthquakes, wildfires, and other natural disasters)affecting the markets in which we operate; (xxv) physical and transitional risks related to climate change as they impact our business and the businesses that we finance; (xxvi) future repurchase of our shares through our common stock repurchase program; and (xxvii) descriptions of assumptions underlying or relating to any of the foregoing. Additional factors which could affect the forward-looking statements can be found in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC and available on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov/. We disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this release, which speak only as of the date hereof, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

    Investor Contact:
    Jamie Lillis
    Solebury Strategic Communications
    shareholderrelations@amalgamatedbank.com
    800-895-4172

    Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)

      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
      September 30,   June 30,   September 30,   September 30,
    ($ in thousands)   2024       2024       2023       2024       2023  
    INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME                  
    Loans $ 54,110     $ 51,293     $ 49,578     $ 157,355     $ 139,744  
    Securities   46,432       44,978       39,971       133,801       118,989  
    Interest-bearing deposits in banks   2,274       2,690       1,687       7,556       3,360  
    Total interest and dividend income   102,816       98,961       91,236       298,712       262,093  
    INTEREST EXPENSE                  
    Deposits   30,105       28,882       23,158       84,879       55,809  
    Borrowed funds   604       887       4,350       4,497       12,292  
    Total interest expense   30,709       29,769       27,508       89,376       68,101  
    NET INTEREST INCOME   72,107       69,192       63,728       209,336       193,992  
    Provision for credit losses   1,849       3,161       2,014       6,598       10,913  
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses   70,258       66,031       61,714       202,738       183,079  
    NON-INTEREST INCOME                  
    Trust Department fees   3,704       3,657       3,678       11,215       11,613  
    Service charges on deposit accounts   12,091       8,614       2,731       26,841       7,897  
    Bank-owned life insurance income   613       615       727       1,837       2,054  
    Losses on sale of securities   (3,230 )     (2,691 )     (1,699 )     (8,695 )     (5,052 )
    Gain (loss) on sale of loans and changes in fair value on loans held-for-sale, net   (4,223 )     69       26       (4,107 )     30  
    Equity method investments income (loss)   (823 )     (1,551 )     550       (301 )     1,261  
    Other income   807       545       767       1,636       2,127  
    Total non-interest income   8,939       9,258       6,780       28,426       19,930  
    NON-INTEREST EXPENSE                  
    Compensation and employee benefits   23,757       23,045       21,345       69,075       64,525  
    Occupancy and depreciation   3,423       3,379       3,349       9,705       10,184  
    Professional fees   2,575       2,332       2,222       7,284       7,211  
    Data processing   5,087       4,786       4,545       14,503       13,176  
    Office maintenance and depreciation   651       580       685       1,894       2,130  
    Amortization of intangible assets   183       182       222       548       666  
    Advertising and promotion   1,023       1,175       816       3,417       3,431  
    Federal deposit insurance premiums   900       1,050       1,200       3,000       3,018  
    Other expense   3,365       2,983       2,955       9,203       9,154  
    Total non-interest expense   40,964       39,512       37,339       118,629       113,495  
    Income before income taxes   38,233       35,777       31,155       112,535       89,514  
    Income tax expense   10,291       9,024       8,847       30,591       24,230  
    Net income $ 27,942     $ 26,753     $ 22,308     $ 81,944     $ 65,284  
    Earnings per common share – basic $ 0.91     $ 0.88     $ 0.73     $ 2.68     $ 2.13  
    Earnings per common share – diluted $ 0.90     $ 0.87     $ 0.73     $ 2.65     $ 2.12  

    Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

    ($ in thousands) September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    Assets (unaudited)   (unaudited)    
    Cash and due from banks $ 3,946     $ 4,081     $ 2,856  
    Interest-bearing deposits in banks   145,261       53,912       87,714  
    Total cash and cash equivalents   149,207       57,993       90,570  
    Securities:          
    Available for sale, at fair value          
    Traditional securities   1,617,045       1,581,338       1,429,739  
    Property Assessed Clean Energy (“PACE”) assessments   149,500       112,923       53,303  
        1,766,545       1,694,261       1,483,042  
    Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost:          
    Traditional securities, net of allowance for credit losses of $51, $53, and $54, respectively   583,788       606,013       620,232  
    PACE assessments, net of allowance for credit losses of $641, $655, and $667, respectively   1,028,588       1,054,569       1,076,602  
        1,612,376       1,660,582       1,696,834  
               
    Loans held for sale   38,623       1,926       1,817  
    Loans receivable, net of deferred loan origination costs   4,547,903       4,471,839       4,411,319  
    Allowance for credit losses   (61,466 )     (63,444 )     (65,691 )
    Loans receivable, net   4,486,437       4,408,395       4,345,628  
               
    Resell agreements   74,883       137,461       50,000  
    Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLBNY”) stock, at cost   4,625       4,823       4,389  
    Accrued interest receivable   54,268       52,575       55,484  
    Premises and equipment, net   6,413       6,599       7,807  
    Bank-owned life insurance   107,365       106,752       105,528  
    Right-of-use lease asset   16,125       17,971       21,074  
    Deferred tax asset, net   38,510       47,654       56,603  
    Goodwill   12,936       12,936       12,936  
    Intangible assets, net   1,669       1,852       2,217  
    Equity method investments   11,514       12,710       13,024  
    Other assets   32,144       26,214       25,371  
    Total assets $ 8,413,640     $ 8,250,704     $ 7,972,324  
    Liabilities          
    Deposits $ 7,594,564     $ 7,448,988     $ 7,011,988  
    Borrowings   68,436       77,252       304,927  
    Operating leases   22,292       24,784       30,646  
    Other liabilities   30,016       53,568       39,399  
    Total liabilities   7,715,308       7,604,592       7,386,960  
    Stockholders’ equity          
    Common stock, par value $.01 per share   308       307       307  
    Additional paid-in capital   287,167       286,021       288,232  
    Retained earnings   459,398       435,202       388,033  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes   (46,702 )     (73,579 )     (86,004 )
    Treasury stock, at cost   (1,972 )     (1,972 )     (5,337 )
    Total Amalgamated Financial Corp. stockholders’ equity   698,199       645,979       585,231  
    Noncontrolling interests   133       133       133  
    Total stockholders’ equity   698,332       646,112       585,364  
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 8,413,640     $ 8,250,704     $ 7,972,324  

    Select Financial Data

      As of and for the   As of and for the
      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
      September 30,   June 30,   September 30,   September 30,
    (Shares in thousands)   2024       2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Selected Financial Ratios and Other Data:                  
    Earnings per share                  
    Basic $ 0.91     $ 0.88     $ 0.73     $ 2.68     $ 2.13  
    Diluted   0.90       0.87       0.73       2.65       2.12  
    Core net income (non-GAAP)                  
    Basic $ 0.91     $ 0.86     $ 0.76     $ 2.61     $ 2.23  
    Diluted   0.91       0.85       0.76       2.59       2.22  
    Book value per common share (excluding minority interest) $ 22.77     $ 21.09     $ 17.93     $ 22.77     $ 17.93  
    Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP) $ 22.29     $ 20.61     $ 17.43     $ 22.29     $ 17.43  
    Common shares outstanding, par value $.01 per share(1)   30,663       30,630       30,459       30,663       30,459  
    Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic   30,646       30,551       30,481       30,558       30,601  
    Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted   30,911       30,832       30,590       30,868       30,738  
                       
    (1) 70,000,000 shares authorized; 30,776,163, 30,743,666, and 30,736,141 shares issued for the periods ended September 30, 2024, June 30, 2024, and September 30, 2023 respectively, and 30,662,883, 30,630,386, and 30,458,781 shares outstanding for the periods ended September 30, 2024, June 30, 2024, and September 30, 2023, respectively.

    Select Financial Data

      As of and for the   As of and for the
      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
      September 30,   June 30,   September 30,   September 30,
      2024   2024   2023   2024   2023
    Selected Performance Metrics:                  
    Return on average assets 1.32 %   1.30 %   1.12 %   1.33 %   1.11 %
    Core return on average assets (non-GAAP) 1.33 %   1.27 %   1.17 %   1.29 %   1.17 %
    Return on average equity 16.63 %   17.27 %   16.43 %   17.35 %   16.69 %
    Core return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP) 17.04 %   17.34 %   17.67 %   17.31 %   18.02 %
    Average equity to average assets 7.96 %   7.53 %   6.82 %   7.65 %   6.67 %
    Tangible common equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP) 8.14 %   7.66 %   6.72 %   8.14 %   6.72 %
    Loan yield 4.79 %   4.68 %   4.56 %   4.74 %   4.43 %
    Securities yield 5.25 %   5.22 %   4.94 %   5.23 %   4.84 %
    Deposit cost 1.58 %   1.55 %   1.33 %   1.53 %   1.08 %
    Net interest margin 3.51 %   3.46 %   3.29 %   3.48 %   3.40 %
    Efficiency ratio (1) 50.54 %   50.37 %   52.96 %   49.89 %   53.05 %
    Core efficiency ratio (non-GAAP) 50.35 %   50.80 %   51.71 %   50.52 %   51.88 %
                       
    Asset Quality Ratios:                  
    Nonaccrual loans to total loans 0.61 %   0.78 %   0.79 %   0.61 %   0.79 %
    Nonperforming assets to total assets 0.34 %   0.43 %   0.46 %   0.34 %   0.46 %
    Allowance for credit losses on loans to nonaccrual loans 222.30 %   182.83 %   197.58 %   222.30 %   197.58 %
    Allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans 1.35 %   1.42 %   1.56 %   1.35 %   1.56 %
    Annualized net charge-offs to average loans 0.61 %   0.25 %   0.27 %   0.35 %   0.27 %
                       
    Capital Ratios:                  
    Tier 1 leverage capital ratio 8.63 %   8.42 %   7.89 %   8.63 %   7.89 %
    Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio 13.82 %   13.48 %   12.63 %   13.82 %   12.63 %
    Total risk-based capital ratio 16.25 %   16.04 %   15.28 %   16.25 %   15.28 %
    Common equity tier 1 capital ratio 13.82 %   13.48 %   12.63 %   13.82 %   12.63 %
                       
    (1) Efficiency ratio is calculated by dividing total non-interest expense by the sum of net interest income and total non-interest income

    Loan and PACE Assessments Portfolio Composition

    (In thousands) At September 30, 2024   At June 30, 2024   At September 30, 2023
      Amount   % of total   Amount   % of total   Amount   % of total
    Commercial portfolio:                      
    Commercial and industrial $ 1,058,376     23.3 %   $ 1,012,400     22.6 %   $ 1,050,355     24.1 %
    Multifamily   1,291,380     28.4 %     1,230,545     27.5 %     1,094,955     25.1 %
    Commercial real estate   415,077     9.1 %     377,484     8.4 %     324,139     7.4 %
    Construction and land development   22,224     0.5 %     23,254     0.5 %     28,326     0.6 %
    Total commercial portfolio   2,787,057     61.3 %     2,643,683     59.0 %     2,497,775     57.2 %
                           
    Retail portfolio:                      
                           
    Residential real estate lending   1,350,347     29.7 %     1,404,624     31.4 %     1,409,530     32.3 %
    Consumer solar   374,499     8.2 %     385,567     8.6 %     415,324     9.5 %
    Consumer and other   36,000     0.8 %     37,965     1.0 %     42,116     1.0 %
    Total retail portfolio   1,760,846     38.7 %     1,828,156     41.0 %     1,866,970     42.8 %
    Total loans held for investment   4,547,903     100.0 %     4,471,839     100.0 %     4,364,745     100.0 %
                           
    Allowance for credit losses   (61,466 )         (63,444 )         (67,815 )    
    Loans receivable, net $ 4,486,437         $ 4,408,395         $ 4,296,930      
                           
    PACE assessments:                      
    Available for sale, at fair value                      
    Residential PACE assessments   149,500     12.7 %     112,923     9.7 %     38,526     3.5 %
                           
    Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost                      
    Commercial PACE assessments   256,128     21.7 %     256,663     22.0 %     270,020     24.3 %
    Residential PACE assessments   773,101     65.6 %     798,561     68.4 %     800,484     72.2 %
    Total Held-to-maturity PACE assessments   1,029,229     87.3 %     1,055,224     90.4 %     1,070,504     96.5 %
    Total PACE assessments   1,178,729     100.0 %     1,168,147     100.0 %     1,109,030     100.0 %
                           
    Allowance for credit losses   (641 )         (655 )         (670 )    
    Total PACE assessments, net $ 1,178,088         $ 1,167,492         $ 1,108,360      
                           
                           
    Loans receivable, net and total PACE assessments, net as a % of Deposits   74.6 %         74.9 %         77.3 %    
    Loans receivable, net and total PACE assessments, net as a % of Deposits excluding Brokered CDs   75.6 %         76.4 %         81.9 %    

    Net Interest Income Analysis

      Three Months Ended
      September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   September 30, 2023
    (In thousands) Average
    Balance
    Income /
    Expense
    Yield /
    Rate
      Average
    Balance
    Income /
    Expense
    Yield /
    Rate
      Average
    Balance
    Income /
    Expense
    Yield /
    Rate
                                       
    Interest-earning assets:                                  
    Interest-bearing deposits in banks $ 182,981   $ 2,274   4.94 %   $ 213,725   $ 2,690   5.06 %   $ 170,830   $ 1,687   3.92 %
    Securities(1)   3,388,580     44,678   5.25 %     3,308,881     42,937   5.22 %     3,208,334     39,971   4.94 %
    Resell agreements   104,933     1,754   6.65 %     122,618     2,041   6.69 %           0.00 %
    Loans receivable, net (2)   4,493,520     54,110   4.79 %     4,406,843     51,293   4.68 %     4,314,767     49,578   4.56 %
    Total interest-earning assets   8,170,014     102,816   5.01 %     8,052,067     98,961   4.94 %     7,693,931     91,236   4.70 %
    Non-interest-earning assets:                                  
    Cash and due from banks   6,144             6,371             6,129        
    Other assets   217,332             217,578             204,506        
    Total assets $ 8,393,490           $ 8,276,016           $ 7,904,566        
                                       
    Interest-bearing liabilities:                                  
    Savings, NOW and money market deposits $ 3,506,499   $ 26,168   2.97 %   $ 3,729,858   $ 24,992   2.69 %   $ 3,446,027   $ 17,157   1.98 %
    Time deposits   223,337     2,148   3.83 %     210,565     1,898   3.63 %     176,171     1,122   2.53 %
    Brokered CDs   131,103     1,789   5.43 %     156,086     1,992   5.13 %     371,329     4,879   5.21 %
    Total interest-bearing deposits   3,860,939     30,105   3.10 %     4,096,509     28,882   2.84 %     3,993,527     23,158   2.30 %
    Borrowings   71,948     604   3.34 %     104,560     887   3.41 %     376,585     4,350   4.58 %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   3,932,887     30,709   3.11 %     4,201,069     29,769   2.85 %     4,370,112     27,508   2.50 %
    Non-interest-bearing liabilities:                                  
    Demand and transaction deposits   3,721,398             3,390,941             2,920,737        
    Other liabilities   70,804             60,982             74,964        
    Total liabilities   7,725,089             7,652,992             7,365,813        
    Stockholders’ equity   668,401             623,024             538,753        
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 8,393,490           $ 8,276,016           $ 7,904,566        
                                       
    Net interest income / interest rate spread     $ 72,107   1.90 %       $ 69,192   2.09 %       $ 63,728   2.20 %
    Net interest-earning assets / net interest margin $ 4,237,127       3.51 %   $ 3,850,998       3.46 %   $ 3,323,819       3.29 %
                                       
    Total deposits excluding Brokered CDs / total cost of deposits excluding Brokered CDs $ 7,451,234       1.51 %   $ 7,331,364       1.48 %   $ 6,542,935       1.11 %
    Total deposits / total cost of deposits $ 7,582,337       1.58 %   $ 7,487,450       1.55 %   $ 6,914,264       1.33 %
    Total funding / total cost of funds $ 7,654,285       1.60 %   $ 7,592,010       1.58 %   $ 7,290,849       1.50 %
                                                   

    (1) Includes FHLBNY stock in the average balance, and dividend income on FHLBNY stock in interest income.
    (2) No material impact of prepayment penalty interest income in 3Q2024, 2Q2024, or 3Q2023

    Net Interest Income Analysis

      Nine Months Ended
      September 30, 2024   September 30, 2023
    (In thousands) Average
    Balance
    Income /
    Expense
    Yield /
    Rate
      Average
    Balance
    Income /
    Expense
    Yield /
    Rate
                           
    Interest-earning assets:                      
    Interest-bearing deposits in banks $ 200,627   $ 7,556   5.03 %   $ 125,560   $ 3,360   3.58 %
    Securities   3,289,635     128,679   5.23 %     3,276,065     118,557   4.84 %
    Resell agreements   102,197     5,122   6.69 %     8,003     432   7.22 %
    Total loans, net (1)(2)   4,431,801     157,355   4.74 %     4,216,391     139,744   4.43 %
    Total interest-earning assets   8,024,260     298,712   4.97 %     7,626,019     262,093   4.60 %
    Non-interest-earning assets:                      
    Cash and due from banks   5,862             5,067        
    Other assets   219,096             210,112        
    Total assets $ 8,249,218           $ 7,841,198        
                           
    Interest-bearing liabilities:                      
    Savings, NOW and money market deposits $ 3,608,927   $ 73,033   2.70 %   $ 3,248,278   $ 40,010   1.65 %
    Time deposits   207,374     5,622   3.62 %     161,756     2,030   1.68 %
    Brokered CDs   159,041     6,224   5.23 %     383,521     13,769   4.80 %
    Total interest-bearing deposits   3,975,342     84,879   2.85 %     3,793,555     55,809   1.97 %
    Borrowings   154,564     4,497   3.89 %     365,262     12,292   4.50 %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   4,129,906     89,376   2.89 %     4,158,817     68,101   2.19 %
    Non-interest-bearing liabilities:                      
    Demand and transaction deposits   3,417,970             3,086,482        
    Other liabilities   70,476             72,821        
    Total liabilities   7,618,352             7,318,120        
    Stockholders’ equity   630,866             523,078        
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 8,249,218           $ 7,841,198        
                           
    Net interest income / interest rate spread     $ 209,336   2.08 %       $ 193,992   2.41 %
    Net interest-earning assets / net interest margin $ 3,894,354       3.48 %   $ 3,467,202       3.40 %
                           
    Total deposits excluding Brokered CDs / total cost of deposits excluding Brokered CDs $ 7,234,271       1.45 %   $ 6,496,516       0.87 %
    Total deposits / total cost of deposits $ 7,393,312       1.53 %   $ 6,880,037       1.08 %
    Total funding / total cost of funds $ 7,547,876       1.58 %   $ 7,245,299       1.26 %
                                   

    (1) Includes Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) stock in the average balance, and dividend income on FHLB stock in interest income.
    (2) Includes prepayment penalty interest income in September YTD 2024 and September YTD 2023 of $18 thousand and $0, respectively.

    Deposit Portfolio Composition

      Three Months Ended
    (In thousands) September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   September 30, 2023
      Ending
    Balance
      Average
    Balance
      Ending
    Balance
      Average
    Balance
      Ending
    Balance
      Average
    Balance
    Non-interest-bearing demand deposit accounts $ 3,801,834   $ 3,721,398   $ 3,445,068   $ 3,390,941   $ 2,808,300   $ 2,920,737
    NOW accounts   186,557     188,250     192,452     191,253     192,654     192,883
    Money market deposit accounts   2,959,264     2,986,434     3,093,644     3,202,365     3,059,982     2,893,930
    Savings accounts   327,935     331,816     336,943     336,240     357,470     359,214
    Time deposits   216,901     223,337     227,437     210,565     180,529     176,171
    Brokered certificates of deposit (“CDs”)   102,073     131,103     153,444     156,086     391,919     371,329
    Total deposits $ 7,594,564   $ 7,582,338   $ 7,448,988   $ 7,487,450   $ 6,990,854   $ 6,914,264
                           
    Total deposits excluding Brokered CDs $ 7,492,491   $ 7,451,235   $ 7,295,544   $ 7,331,364   $ 6,598,935   $ 6,542,935
      Three Months Ended
      September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   September 30, 2023
    (In thousands) Average
    Rate Paid(1)
      Cost of
    Funds
      Average
    Rate Paid(1)
      Cost of
    Funds
      Average
    Rate Paid(1)
      Cost of
    Funds
                           
    Non-interest bearing demand deposit accounts 0.00 %   0.00 %   0.00 %   0.00 %   0.00 %   0.00 %
    NOW accounts 0.90 %   1.09 %   1.07 %   1.07 %   0.95 %   1.01 %
    Money market deposit accounts 3.00 %   3.24 %   3.08 %   2.93 %   2.31 %   2.14 %
    Savings accounts 1.42 %   1.64 %   1.67 %   1.37 %   1.16 %   1.14 %
    Time deposits 3.83 %   3.83 %   3.50 %   3.63 %   2.88 %   2.53 %
    Brokered CDs 4.89 %   5.43 %   4.98 %   5.13 %   5.14 %   5.21 %
    Total deposits 1.43 %   1.58 %   1.59 %   1.55 %   1.46 %   1.33 %
                           
    Interest-bearing deposits excluding Brokered CDs 2.80 %   3.02 %   2.88 %   2.74 %   2.16 %   2.00 %
                                       

    (1) Average rate paid is calculated as the weighted average of spot rates on deposit accounts. Off-balance sheet deposits are excluded from all calculations shown.

    Asset Quality

    (In thousands) September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      September 30,
    2023
    Loans 90 days past due and accruing $     $     $  
    Nonaccrual loans held for sale   989       989       2,189  
    Nonaccrual loans – Commercial   17,108       23,778       28,041  
    Nonaccrual loans – Retail   10,542       10,924       6,283  
    Nonaccrual securities   8       29       31  
    Total nonperforming assets $ 28,647     $ 35,720     $ 36,544  
               
    Nonaccrual loans:          
    Commercial and industrial $ 1,849     $ 8,428     $ 7,575  
    Multifamily                
    Commercial real estate   4,146       4,231       4,575  
    Construction and land development   11,113       11,119       15,891  
    Total commercial portfolio   17,108       23,778       28,041  
               
    Residential real estate lending   7,578       7,756       3,009  
    Consumer solar   2,848       2,794       2,817  
    Consumer and other   116       374       457  
    Total retail portfolio   10,542       10,924       6,283  
    Total nonaccrual loans $ 27,650     $ 34,702     $ 34,324  

    Credit Quality

      September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      September 30,
    2023
    ($ in thousands)          
    Criticized and classified loans          
    Commercial and industrial $ 45,329     $ 53,940     $ 45,959  
    Multifamily   13,386       10,242       10,999  
    Commercial real estate   8,186       8,311       8,762  
    Construction and land development   11,113       11,119       15,891  
    Residential real estate lending   7,578       7,756       3,009  
    Consumer solar   2,848       2,794       2,817  
    Consumer and other   116       374       457  
    Total loans $ 88,556     $ 94,536     $ 87,894  
    Criticized and classified loans to total loans          
    Commercial and industrial 1.00 %   1.21 %   1.05 %
    Multifamily 0.29 %   0.23 %   0.25 %
    Commercial real estate 0.18 %   0.19 %   0.20 %
    Construction and land development 0.24 %   0.25 %   0.36 %
    Residential real estate lending 0.17 %   0.17 %   0.07 %
    Consumer solar 0.06 %   0.06 %   0.06 %
    Consumer and other %   0.01 %   0.01 %
    Total loans 1.94 %   2.12 %   2.00 %
      September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   September 30, 2023
      Annualized net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans   ACL to total portfolio balance   Annualized net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans   ACL to total portfolio balance   Annualized net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans   ACL to total portfolio balance
    Commercial and industrial 2.14 %   1.01 %   0.32 %   1.44 %   %   1.71 %
    Multifamily %   0.37 %   %   0.38 %   0.45 %   0.46 %
    Commercial real estate %   0.40 %   %   0.40 %   %   0.64 %
    Construction and land development %   3.73 %   %   3.60 %   %   3.68 %
    Residential real estate lending (0.03 )%   0.91 %   (0.18 )%   0.88 %   (0.07 )%   1.13 %
    Consumer solar 1.58 %   7.68 %   2.57 %   7.00 %   1.88 %   6.72 %
    Consumer and other 1.05 %   6.44 %   0.01 %   6.49 %   0.04 %   6.00 %
    Total loans 0.61 %   1.35 %   0.25 %   1.42 %   0.27 %   1.60 %

    Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
    The information provided below presents a reconciliation of each of our non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

      As of and for the   As of and for the
      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    (in thousands) September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      September 30,
    2023
      September 30,
    2024
      September 30,
    2023
    Core operating revenue                  
    Net Interest Income (GAAP) $ 72,107     $ 69,192     $ 63,728     $ 209,336     $ 193,992  
    Non-interest income (GAAP)   8,939       9,258       6,780       28,426       19,930  
    Add: Securities loss   3,230       2,691       1,699       8,695       5,052  
    Less: ICS One-Way Sell Fee Income(1)   (8,085 )     (4,859 )           (15,847 )      
    Less: Changes in fair value of loans held-for-sale   4,265                   4,265        
    Less: Subdebt repurchase gain(2)   (669 )     (406 )     (637 )     (1,076 )     (1,417 )
    Add: Tax (credits) depreciation on solar investments(3)   1,089       1,815             1,095        
    Core operating revenue (non-GAAP)   80,876       77,691       71,570       234,894       217,557  
                       
    Core non-interest expense                  
    Non-interest expense (GAAP) $ 40,964     $ 39,512     $ 37,339     $ 118,629     $ 113,495  
    Add: Gain on settlement of lease termination(4)                     499        
    Less: Severance costs(5)   (241 )     (44 )     (332 )     (471 )     (617 )
    Core non-interest expense (non-GAAP)   40,723       39,468       37,007       118,657       112,878  
                       
    Core net income                  
    Net Income (GAAP) $ 27,942     $ 26,753     $ 22,308     $ 81,944     $ 65,284  
    Add: Securities loss   3,230       2,691       1,699       8,695       5,052  
    Less: ICS One-Way Sell Fee Income(1)   (8,085 )     (4,859 )           (15,847 )      
    Less: Changes in fair value of loans held-for-sale   4,265                   4,265        
    Less: Gain on settlement of lease termination(4)                     (499 )      
    Less: Subdebt repurchase gain(2)   (669 )     (406 )     (637 )     (1,076 )     (1,417 )
    Add: Severance costs(5)   241       44       332       471       617  
    Add: Tax (credits) depreciation on solar investments(3)   1,089       1,815             1,095        
    Less: Tax on notable items   (19 )     180       (396 )     764       (1,151 )
    Core net income (non-GAAP)   27,994       26,218       23,306       79,812       68,385  
                       
    Tangible common equity                  
    Stockholders’ equity (GAAP) $ 698,332     $ 646,112     $ 546,291     $ 698,332     $ 546,291  
    Less: Minority interest   (133 )     (133 )     (133 )     (133 )     (133 )
    Less: Goodwill   (12,936 )     (12,936 )     (12,936 )     (12,936 )     (12,936 )
    Less: Core deposit intangible   (1,669 )     (1,852 )     (2,439 )     (1,669 )     (2,439 )
    Tangible common equity (non-GAAP)   683,594       631,191       530,783       683,594       530,783  
                       
    Average tangible common equity                  
    Average stockholders’ equity (GAAP) $ 668,401     $ 623,024     $ 538,753     $ 630,866     $ 523,078  
    Less: Minority interest   (133 )     (133 )     (133 )     (133 )     (133 )
    Less: Goodwill   (12,936 )     (12,936 )     (12,936 )     (12,936 )     (12,936 )
    Less: Core deposit intangible   (1,759 )     (1,941 )     (2,547 )     (1,940 )     (2,768 )
    Average tangible common equity (non-GAAP)   653,573       608,014       523,137       615,857       507,241  
                                           

    (1) Included in service charges on deposit accounts in the Consolidated Statements of Income
    (2) Included in other income in the Consolidated Statements of Income
    (3) Included in equity method investments income in the Consolidated Statements of Income
    (4) Included in occupancy and depreciation in the Consolidated Statements of Income
    (5) Included in compensation and employee benefits in the Consolidated Statements of Income

    Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
    The information provided below presents a reconciliation of each of our non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

      As of and for the   As of and for the
      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    (in thousands) September 30,
    2024
      June 30,
    2024
      September 30,
    2023
      September 30,
    2024
      September 30,
    2023
                       
    Core return on average assets                  
    Numerator: Core net income (non-GAAP) $ 27,994     $ 26,218     $ 23,306     $ 79,812     $ 68,385  
    Denominator: Total average assets (GAAP) $ 8,393,490     $ 8,276,016     $ 7,904,566       8,249,218       7,841,198  
    Core return on average assets (non-GAAP)   1.33 %     1.27 %     1.17 %     1.29 %     1.17 %
                       
    Core return on average tangible common equity                  
    Numerator: Core net income (non-GAAP) $ 27,994     $ 26,218     $ 23,306     $ 79,812     $ 68,385  
    Denominator: Average tangible common equity (non-GAAP) $ 653,573     $ 608,014     $ 523,137       615,857       507,241  
    Core return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP)   17.04 %     17.34 %     17.67 %     17.31 %     18.02 %
                       
    Core efficiency ratio                  
    Numerator: Core non-interest expense (non-GAAP) $ 40,723     $ 39,468     $ 37,007     $ 118,657     $ 112,878  
    Denominator: Core operating revenue (non-GAAP)   80,876       77,691       71,570       234,894       217,557  
    Core efficiency ratio (non-GAAP)   50.35 %     50.80 %     51.71 %     50.52 %     51.88 %

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Donegal Group Inc. Announces Third Quarter and First Nine Months of 2024 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MARIETTA, Pa., Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Donegal Group Inc. (NASDAQ: DGICA) and (NASDAQ: DGICB) today reported its financial results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2024.

    Significant Items for third quarter of 2024 (all comparisons to third quarter of 2023):

    • Net income of $16.8 million, or 51 cents per diluted Class A share, compared to net loss of $0.8 million, or 2 cents per Class A share
    • Net premiums earned increased 6.0% to $238.0 million
    • Net premiums written1 increased 5.9% to $232.2 million
    • Combined ratio of 96.4%, compared to 104.5%
    • Net income included after-tax net investment gains of $1.5 million, or 5 cents per diluted Class A share, compared to after-tax net investment losses of $1.0 million, or 3 cents per Class A share
    • Book value per share of $15.22 at September 30, 2024, compared to $14.26

    Financial Summary

      Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30,
        2024       2023     % Change     2024       2023     % Change
      (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                           
    Income Statement Data                      
    Net premiums earned $ 237,957     $ 224,393     6.0 %   $ 700,017     $ 655,886     6.7 %
    Investment income, net   10,827       10,536     2.8       32,868       30,143     9.0  
    Net investment gains (losses)   1,876       (1,243 )   NM2     4,725       930     408.1  
    Total revenues   251,738       233,928     7.6       739,651       687,870     7.5  
    Net income (loss)   16,752       (805 )   NM      26,860       6,396     319.9  
    Non-GAAP operating income1   15,270       176     NM      23,127       5,661     308.5  
    Annualized return on average equity   13.4 %     -0.7 %   14.1 pts     7.2 %     1.8 %   5.4 pts
                           
    Per Share Data                      
    Net income (loss) – Class A (diluted) $ 0.51     $ (0.02 )   NM    $ 0.81     $ 0.20     305.0 %
    Net income (loss) – Class B   0.46       (0.02 )   NM      0.74       0.17     335.3  
    Non-GAAP operating income – Class A (diluted)   0.46       0.01     NM      0.70       0.17     311.8  
    Non-GAAP operating income – Class B   0.42           NM      0.63       0.15     320.0  
    Book value   15.22       14.26     6.7 %     15.22       14.26     6.7  
                           

    1The “Definitions of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this release defines and reconciles data that we prepare on an accounting basis other than U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).

    2Not meaningful.


    Management Commentary

    “We are pleased that many of the strategic initiatives we implemented in recent years contributed to significant improvement in our financial results for the third quarter of 2024,” said Kevin G. Burke, President and Chief Executive Officer of Donegal Group Inc.

    “With the exit from commercial lines markets in Georgia and Alabama essentially completed at the end of the second quarter of 2024, solid new business writings, rate achievement and retention levels led to a 6.4% increase in commercial lines net premiums written for the third quarter of 2024. Our personal lines net premiums written growth rate for the third quarter was 5.4%, primarily attributable to strong rate increases and policy retention that were partially offset by intentional strategic actions to slow growth and further improve profitability.

    “Despite higher-than-average weather-related losses during the quarter, primarily attributable to Hurricane Helene in late September, our combined ratio improved significantly to 96.4%, compared to 104.5% for the prior-year quarter. Our core loss ratios improved across all of our major lines of business. We attribute that improvement to the favorable impact of numerous ongoing underwriting initiatives and higher net premiums earned from renewal rate increases that we implemented over the past two years.”

    Mr, Burke concluded, “We have growing confidence that the continuing execution of our strategies will deliver sustained excellent financial performance.”

    Insurance Operations

    Donegal Group is an insurance holding company whose insurance subsidiaries and affiliates offer property and casualty lines of insurance in three Mid-Atlantic states (Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania), five Southern states (Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia), eight Midwestern states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin) and five Southwestern states (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Utah). Donegal Mutual Insurance Company and the insurance subsidiaries of Donegal Group conduct business together as the Donegal Insurance Group.

      Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30,
        2024     2023   % Change     2024     2023   % Change
      (dollars in thousands)
                           
    Net Premiums Earned                      
    Commercial lines $ 136,401   $ 135,432   0.7 %   $ 402,982   $ 399,427   0.9 %
    Personal lines   101,556     88,961   14.2       297,035     256,460   15.8  
    Total net premiums earned $ 237,957   $ 224,393   6.0 %   $ 700,017   $ 655,887   6.7 %
                           
    Net Premiums Written                      
    Commercial lines:                      
    Automobile $ 41,464   $ 37,535   10.5 %   $ 142,067   $ 134,853   5.3 %
    Workers’ compensation   23,934     24,371   -1.8       82,599     85,315   -3.2  
    Commercial multi-peril   50,155     44,949   11.6       163,528     147,622   10.8  
    Other   10,548     11,639   -9.4       35,649     39,913   -10.7  
    Total commercial lines   126,101     118,494   6.4       423,843     407,703   4.0  
    Personal lines:                      
    Automobile   65,150     58,038   12.3       188,958     161,348   17.1  
    Homeowners   38,288     39,633   -3.4       109,655     105,035   4.4  
    Other   2,669     3,021   -11.7       8,383     8,917   -6.0  
    Total personal lines   106,107     100,692   5.4       306,996     275,300   11.5  
    Total net premiums written $ 232,208   $ 219,186   5.9 %   $ 730,839   $ 683,003   7.0 %
                           
                           

    Net Premiums Written

    The 5.9% increase in net premiums written for the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023, as shown in the table above, represents the combination of 6.4% growth in commercial lines net premiums written and 5.4% growth in personal lines net premiums written. The $13.0 million increase in net premiums written for the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023 included:

    • Commercial Lines: $7.6 million increase that we attribute primarily to new business writings, strong premium retention, and a continuation of renewal premium increases in lines other than workers’ compensation, offset partially by planned attrition in states in which we are executing ongoing profit improvement initiatives as part of our state-specific strategies.
    • Personal Lines: $5.4 million increase that we attribute primarily to a continuation of renewal premium rate increases and strong policy retention, offset partially by planned attrition due to non-renewal actions.

    Underwriting Performance

    We evaluate the performance of our commercial lines and personal lines segments primarily based upon the underwriting results of our insurance subsidiaries as determined under statutory accounting practices. The following table presents comparative details with respect to the GAAP and statutory combined ratios1 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:

      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
      September 30,   September 30,
      2024     2023     2024     2023  
                   
    GAAP Combined Ratios (Total Lines)              
    Loss ratio – core losses 50.1 %   56.7 %   54.5 %   56.0 %
    Loss ratio – weather-related losses 10.3     11.5     8.6     9.1  
    Loss ratio – large fire losses 3.7     4.9     5.2     5.3  
    Loss ratio – net prior-year reserve development -2.6     -3.3     -2.2     -2.4  
    Loss ratio 61.5     69.8     66.1     68.0  
    Expense ratio 34.5     34.1     34.0     34.9  
    Dividend ratio 0.4     0.6     0.5     0.6  
    Combined ratio 96.4 %   104.5 %   100.6 %   103.5 %
                   
    Statutory Combined Ratios              
    Commercial lines:              
    Automobile 101.5 %   86.5 %   98.2 %   94.8 %
    Workers’ compensation 84.7     97.7     104.1     93.1  
    Commercial multi-peril 88.4     114.8     100.4     113.8  
    Other 59.4     76.2     78.4     82.7  
    Total commercial lines 89.8     97.5     98.6     100.2  
    Personal lines:              
    Automobile 97.8     109.8     97.8     106.1  
    Homeowners 116.8     128.9     107.5     111.2  
    Other 102.2     46.4     97.2     81.3  
    Total personal lines 104.7     119.4     101.2     107.2  
    Total lines 96.0 %   105.2 %   99.7 %   102.9 %
                   
                   

    Loss Ratio

    For the third quarter of 2024, the loss ratio decreased to 61.5%, compared to 69.8% for the third quarter of 2023. For the commercial lines segment, the core loss ratio of 48.5% for the third quarter of 2024 decreased from 53.7% for the third quarter of 2023, due largely to lower severity of large casualty losses. For the personal lines segment, the core loss ratio of 52.5% for the third quarter of 2024 decreased from 61.8% for the third quarter of 2023, due largely to the favorable impact of premium rate increases on net premiums earned for that segment. Core loss ratios in both segments improved compared to the respective ratios for the first half of 2024.

    Weather-related losses were $24.4 million, or 10.3 percentage points of the loss ratio, for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $25.7 million, or 11.5 percentage points of the loss ratio, for the third quarter of 2023. Weather-related loss activity for the third quarter of 2024 was higher than our previous five-year average of $18.8 million, or 9.4 percentage points of the loss ratio, for third-quarter weather-related losses. Our insurance subsidiaries incurred $6.0 million in net losses from Hurricane Helene in September 2024.

    Large fire losses, which we define as individual fire losses in excess of $50,000, for the third quarter of 2024 were $8.8 million, or 3.7 percentage points of the loss ratio. That amount was lower than large fire losses of $11.0 million, or 4.9 percentage points of the loss ratio, for the third quarter of 2023. We experienced a decrease in commercial property fire losses compared to the prior-year quarter.

    Net favorable development of reserves for losses incurred in prior accident years of $6.2 million decreased the loss ratio for the third quarter of 2024 by 2.6 percentage points, compared to $7.3 million that decreased the loss ratio for the third quarter of 2023 by 3.3 percentage points. Our insurance subsidiaries experienced favorable development primarily in the commercial multi-peril and other commercial lines of business.

    Expense Ratio

    The expense ratio was 34.5% for the third quarter of 2024, compared to 34.1% for the third quarter of 2023. The modest increase in the expense ratio primarily reflected an increase in underwriting-based incentive costs as well as higher technology systems-related expenses that were primarily due to increased costs related to our ongoing systems modernization project, a portion of which Donegal Mutual Insurance Company allocates to our insurance subsidiaries. This increase was offset partially by impacts of various expense reduction initiatives, including agency incentive program revisions, commission schedule adjustments, targeted staffing reductions, and hiring restrictions for open employment positions, among others. We expect the impact from allocated costs from Donegal Mutual Insurance Company to our insurance subsidiaries related to the ongoing systems modernization project will peak at approximately 1.3 percentage points of the expense ratio for the full year of 2024 before beginning to subside gradually in subsequent years.

    Investment Operations

    Donegal Group’s investment strategy is to generate an appropriate amount of after-tax income on its invested assets while minimizing credit risk through investment in high-quality securities. As a result, we had invested 96.2% of our consolidated investment portfolio in diversified, highly rated and marketable fixed-maturity securities at September 30, 2024.

      September 30, 2024   December 31, 2023
      Amount   %   Amount   %
      (dollars in thousands)
    Fixed maturities, at carrying value:              
    U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies $ 173,663     12.7 %   $ 176,991     13.3 %
    Obligations of states and political subdivisions   413,040     30.1       415,280     31.3  
    Corporate securities   427,372     31.2       399,640     30.1  
    Mortgage-backed securities   304,911     22.3       278,260     21.0  
    Allowance for expected credit losses   (1,483 )   -0.1       (1,326 )   -0.1  
    Total fixed maturities   1,317,503     96.2       1,268,845     95.6  
    Equity securities, at fair value   35,957     2.6       25,903     2.0  
    Short-term investments, at cost   15,805     1.2       32,306     2.4  
    Total investments $ 1,369,265     100.0 %   $ 1,327,054     100.0 %
                   
    Average investment yield   3.3 %         3.1 %    
    Average tax-equivalent investment yield   3.3 %         3.2 %    
    Average fixed-maturity duration (years)   5.1           4.3      
                   
                   

    Net investment income of $10.8 million for the third quarter of 2024 increased modestly compared to $10.5 million for the third quarter of 2023. The increase in net investment income primarily reflected an increase in average investment yield relative to the prior-year third quarter.

    Net investment gains of $1.9 million for the third quarter of 2024 were primarily related to unrealized gains in the fair value of equity securities held at September 30, 2024. Net investment losses of $1.2 million for the third quarter of 2023 were primarily related to unrealized losses in the fair value of equity securities held at September 30, 2023.

    Our book value per share was $15.22 at September 30, 2024, compared to $14.39 at December 31, 2023, with the increase related to net income as well as $11.9 million of after-tax unrealized gains within our available-for-sale fixed-maturity portfolio during 2024 that increased our book value by $0.37 per share, offset partially by cash dividends declared.

    Definitions of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    We prepare our consolidated financial statements on the basis of GAAP. Our insurance subsidiaries also prepare financial statements based on statutory accounting principles state insurance regulators prescribe or permit (“SAP”). In addition to using GAAP-based performance measurements, we also utilize certain non-GAAP financial measures that we believe provide value in managing our business and for comparison to the financial results of our peers. These non-GAAP measures are net premiums written, operating income or loss and statutory combined ratio.

    Net premiums written and operating income or loss are non-GAAP financial measures investors in insurance companies commonly use. We define net premiums written as the amount of full-term premiums our insurance subsidiaries record for policies effective within a given period less premiums our insurance subsidiaries cede to reinsurers. We define operating income or loss as net income or loss excluding after-tax net investment gains or losses, after-tax restructuring charges and other significant non-recurring items. Because our calculation of operating income or loss may differ from similar measures other companies use, investors should exercise caution when comparing our measure of operating income or loss to the measure of other companies.

    The following table provides a reconciliation of net premiums earned to net premiums written for the periods indicated:

                           
      Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30,
        2024       2023     % Change     2024     2023   % Change
      (dollars in thousands)
                           
    Reconciliation of Net Premiums                      
    Earned to Net Premiums Written                      
    Net premiums earned $ 237,957     $ 224,393     6.0 %   $ 700,017   $ 655,886   6.7 %
    Change in net unearned premiums   (5,749 )     (5,207 )   10.4       30,822     27,117   13.7  
    Net premiums written $ 232,208     $ 219,186     5.9 %   $ 730,839   $ 683,003   7.0 %
                           
                           

    The following table provides a reconciliation of net income (loss) to operating income for the periods indicated:

      Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30,
        2024       2023     % Change     2024       2023     % Change
      (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                           
    Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss)                      
    to Non-GAAP Operating Income                      
    Net income (loss) $ 16,752     $ (805 )   NM   $ 26,860     $ 6,396     319.9 %
    Investment (gains) losses (after tax)   (1,482 )     981     NM     (3,733 )     (735 )   407.9  
    Non-GAAP operating income $ 15,270     $ 176     NM   $ 23,127     $ 5,661     308.5 %
                           
    Per Share Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss)                      
    to Non-GAAP Operating Income                      
    Net income (loss) – Class A (diluted) $ 0.51     $ (0.02 )   NM   $ 0.81     $ 0.20     305.0 %
    Investment (gains) losses (after tax)   (0.05 )     0.03     NM     (0.11 )     (0.03 )   266.7  
    Non-GAAP operating income – Class A $ 0.46     $ 0.01     NM   $ 0.70     $ 0.17     311.8 %
                           
    Net income (loss) – Class B $ 0.46     $ (0.02 )   NM   $ 0.74     $ 0.17     335.3 %
    Investment (gains) losses (after tax)   (0.04 )     0.02     NM     (0.11 )     (0.02 )   450.0  
    Non-GAAP operating income – Class B $ 0.42     $     NM   $ 0.63     $ 0.15     320.0 %
                           
                           

    The statutory combined ratio is a non-GAAP standard measurement of underwriting profitability that is based upon amounts determined under SAP. The statutory combined ratio is the sum of:

    • the statutory loss ratio, which is the ratio of calendar-year incurred losses and loss expenses, excluding anticipated salvage and subrogation recoveries, to premiums earned;
    • the statutory expense ratio, which is the ratio of expenses incurred for net commissions, premium taxes and underwriting expenses to premiums written; and
    • the statutory dividend ratio, which is the ratio of dividends to holders of workers’ compensation policies to premiums earned.

    The statutory combined ratio does not reflect investment income, federal income taxes or other non-operating income or expense. A statutory combined ratio of less than 100% generally indicates underwriting profitability.

    Dividend Information

    On October 17, 2024, we declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.1725 per share for our Class A common stock and $0.155 per share for our Class B common stock, which are payable on November 15, 2024 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 1, 2024.

    Pre-Recorded Webcast

    At approximately 8:30 am ET on Thursday, October 24, 2024, we will make available in the Investors section of our website a pre-recorded audio webcast featuring management commentary on our quarterly results and general business updates. You may listen to the pre-recorded webcast by accessing the link on our website at http://investors.donegalgroup.com. A supplemental investor presentation is also available via our website.

    About the Company

    Donegal Group Inc. is an insurance holding company whose insurance subsidiaries and affiliates offer property and casualty lines of insurance in certain Mid-Atlantic, Midwestern, Southern and Southwestern states. Donegal Mutual Insurance Company and the insurance subsidiaries of Donegal Group Inc. conduct business together as the Donegal Insurance Group. The Donegal Insurance Group has an A.M. Best rating of A (Excellent).

    The Class A common stock and Class B common stock of Donegal Group Inc. trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbols DGICA and DGICB, respectively. We are focused on several primary strategies, including achieving sustained excellent financial performance, strategically modernizing our operations and processes to transform our business, capitalizing on opportunities to grow profitably and delivering a superior experience to our agents and customers.

    Safe Harbor

    We base all statements contained in this release that are not historic facts on our current expectations. Such statements are forward-looking in nature (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) and necessarily involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements we make may be identified by our use of words such as “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate” and similar expressions. Our actual results could vary materially from our forward-looking statements. The factors that could cause our actual results to vary materially from the forward-looking statements we have previously made include, but are not limited to, adverse litigation and other trends that could increase our loss costs (including social inflation, labor shortages and escalating medical, automobile and property repair costs), adverse and catastrophic weather events (including from changing climate conditions), our ability to maintain profitable operations (including our ability to underwrite risks effectively and charge adequate premium rates), the adequacy of the loss and loss expense reserves of our insurance subsidiaries, the availability and successful operation of the information technology systems our insurance subsidiaries utilize, the successful development of new information technology systems to allow our insurance subsidiaries to compete effectively, business and economic conditions in the areas in which we and our insurance subsidiaries operate, interest rates, competition from various insurance and other financial businesses, terrorism, the availability and cost of reinsurance, legal and judicial developments (including those related to COVID-19 business interruption coverage exclusions), changes in regulatory requirements, our ability to attract and retain independent insurance agents, changes in our A.M. Best rating and the other risks that we describe from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We disclaim any obligation to update such statements or to announce publicly the results of any revisions that we may make to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

    Investor Relations Contacts

    Karin Daly, Vice President, The Equity Group Inc.

    Phone: (212) 836-9623
    E-mail: kdaly@equityny.com

    Jeffrey D. Miller, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
    Phone: (717) 426-1931
    E-mail: investors@donegalgroup.com

    Financial Supplement

    Donegal Group Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss)
    (unaudited; in thousands, except share data)
               
          Quarter Ended September 30,
            2024     2023  
               
    Net premiums earned $ 237,957   $ 224,393  
    Investment income, net of expenses   10,827     10,536  
    Net investment gains (losses)   1,876     (1,243 )
    Lease income     77     86  
    Installment payment fees   1,001     156  
      Total revenues   251,738     233,928  
               
    Net losses and loss expenses   146,426     156,683  
    Amortization of deferred acquisition costs   40,200     39,332  
    Other underwriting expenses   41,827     37,155  
    Policyholder dividends   1,007     1,399  
    Interest     367     156  
    Other expenses, net     1,499     208  
      Total expenses   231,326     234,933  
               
    Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)   20,412     (1,005 )
    Income tax expense (benefit)   3,660     (200 )
               
    Net income (loss)   $ 16,752   $ (805 )
               
    Net income (loss) per common share:      
      Class A – basic and diluted $ 0.51   $ (0.02 )
      Class B – basic and diluted $ 0.46   $ (0.02 )
               
    Supplementary Financial Analysts’ Data      
               
    Weighted-average number of shares      
      outstanding:      
      Class A – basic   27,978,435     27,594,973  
      Class A – diluted   28,058,399     27,665,293  
      Class B – basic and diluted   5,576,775     5,576,775  
               
    Net premiums written $ 232,208   $ 219,186  
               
    Book value per common share      
      at end of period $ 15.22   $ 14.26  
               
    Donegal Group Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Income
    (unaudited; in thousands, except share data)
               
          Nine Months Ended September 30,
            2024     2023
               
    Net premiums earned $ 700,017   $ 655,886
    Investment income, net of expenses   32,868     30,143
    Net investment gains   4,725     930
    Lease income     237     262
    Installment payment fees   1,804     649
      Total revenues   739,651     687,870
               
    Net losses and loss expenses   462,683     446,024
    Amortization of deferred acquisition costs   120,458     115,065
    Other underwriting expenses   117,604     113,715
    Policyholder dividends   3,248     4,088
    Interest     677     464
    Other expenses, net     2,309     969
      Total expenses   706,979     680,325
               
    Income before income tax expense   32,672     7,545
    Income tax expense     5,812     1,149
               
    Net income   $ 26,860   $ 6,396
               
    Net income per common share:      
      Class A – basic $ 0.82   $ 0.20
      Class A – diluted $ 0.81   $ 0.20
      Class B – basic and diluted $ 0.74   $ 0.17
               
    Supplementary Financial Analysts’ Data      
               
    Weighted-average number of shares outstanding:      
      Class A – basic   27,878,552     27,390,883
      Class A – diluted   27,916,904     27,507,706
      Class B – basic and diluted   5,576,775     5,576,775
               
    Net premiums written $ 730,839   $ 683,003
               
    Book value per common share      
      at end of period $ 15.22   $ 14.26
     
    Donegal Group Inc.
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (in thousands)
               
          September 30,   December 31,
            2024       2023  
          (unaudited)    
               
    ASSETS
    Investments:      
      Fixed maturities:      
        Held to maturity, at amortized cost $ 694,663     $ 679,497  
        Available for sale, at fair value   622,840       589,348  
      Equity securities, at fair value   35,957       25,903  
      Short-term investments, at cost   15,805       32,306  
        Total investments   1,369,265       1,327,054  
    Cash   28,651       23,792  
    Premiums receivable   194,254       179,592  
    Reinsurance receivable   434,078       441,431  
    Deferred policy acquisition costs   78,484       75,043  
    Prepaid reinsurance premiums   185,364       168,724  
    Other assets   56,030       50,658  
        Total assets $ 2,346,126     $ 2,266,294  
               
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
    Liabilities:      
      Losses and loss expenses $ 1,134,853     $ 1,126,157  
      Unearned premiums   646,870       599,411  
      Accrued expenses   2,987       3,947  
      Borrowings under lines of credit   35,000       35,000  
      Other liabilities   13,046       22,034  
        Total liabilities   1,832,756       1,786,549  
    Stockholders’ equity:      
      Class A common stock   312       308  
      Class B common stock   56       56  
      Additional paid-in capital   342,186       335,694  
      Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (20,951 )     (32,882 )
      Retained earnings   232,993       217,795  
      Treasury stock   (41,226 )     (41,226 )
        Total stockholders’ equity   513,370       479,745  
        Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 2,346,126     $ 2,266,294  
               

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Legible Announces $2.1 Million Private Placement Unit Offering and Appointment of Chief Technology Officer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Legible Inc. (CSE: READ) (OTCQB: LEBGF) (FSE: D0T) (“Legible or “the Company”), a leading platform and innovator in digital literature, announces an offering of units (“Units”) for gross proceeds of $2,100,000 by way of a non-brokered private placement (the “Offering”) pursuant to exemptions from applicable securities laws. Each Unit consists of one common share (“Common Share(s)”) and one whole Common Share purchase warrant (“Warrant(s)”) with each Warrant entitling the holder to acquire 1 Common Share at a price of $0.14, at any time prior to 5:00 pm (PST) on the date that is two years from the closing date. If the volume weighted average trading price of the Common shares is at least $0.40 per Common Share for a period of 5 consecutive trading days, the expiry date of the Warrants may be accelerated by the Company to a date that is not less than 14 days after the date that notice of such acceleration is provided to the Warrant holders by way of a press release.

    The Company has received subscription agreements totaling $1.7 Million. Closing may occur in tranches, with the first tranche expected to close on or about October 31, 2024.

    Legible is also pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Andrew Nelson to the position of Chief Technology Officer. Mr. Nelson is a Senior Software Engineer who brings nearly 20 years of experience in a wide array of technological and business development roles spanning a wide array of industries, having held a number of senior positions. Prior to Mr. Nelson’s appointment as Legible’s CTO, Mr. Nelson held the position of Director of Technology at Legible as of January 2024. Mr. Nelson’s proficiencies in software development, web design, cybersecurity, data analytics, organizational planning, and product development have helped companies create and implement scalable, customer-focused solutions to drive business growth and brand recognition. Mr. Nelson also has extensive executive and board experience.

    Andrew Nelson stated, “I’m incredibly grateful to take on this leadership role at Legible, a company with such a positive mission to revolutionize how people read and interact with digital literature. Our technology roadmap is centered around creating personalized, accessible, and intuitive experiences that seamlessly integrate into everyday life. As CTO, I’m committed to ensuring that our product innovation and leadership align fully with Legible’s mission, enriching the way audiences engage with literature across the globe.”

    Kaleeg Hainsworth, CEO of Legible, commented, “We are deeply grateful for the support of our lead investor, a U.S.-based private financial services corporation, which has committed CDN$1.61 million to this Offering. This funding will strengthen our balance sheet and empower us to ramp up marketing and sales initiatives, fueling the growth of our Legible Unbound Subscription service. At just US$9.99 per month, Legible Unbound is gaining traction by offering unlimited access to a vast and growing catalogue of eBooks and audiobooks. We are thrilled also to welcome Andrew Nelson as our new Chief Technology Officer. Andrew’s sophisticated understanding of user experience, technological trends, and eCommerce will be invaluable as we scale globally across all our verticals. He is experienced, proven, genuinely understands what Legible is achieving, resilient, a fantastic people person, and is greatly respected in his community. Andrew enhances our executive team and supports Legible’s mission to innovate and lead in the digital literary space, now more than ever.”

    Further to Legible’s Press Release dated July 18, 2024 wherein Legible announced its warrant incentive program (the “WIP”), Legible is pleased to announce the WIP resulted in: (i) a total of 3,374,936 warrants being exercised at $0.07 for proceeds of $236,246, which included $180,233 in the settlement of outstanding indebtedness; and (ii) the issuance of new warrants exercisable on or before August 16, 2025 at $0.10 for an additional 3,374,936 common shares. In the event that the volume weighted average trading price of the common shares of Legible on the Canadian Securities Exchange is at least $0.30 for a minimum of 10 consecutive trading days (whether or not trading occurs on all such days), Legible may, in its sole discretion, issue a news release announcing that the exercise period has been reduced to twenty-one (21) days following the date of the issuance of such news release (the “Accelerated Expiry Date”). If such news release is issued, all such warrants that are not exercised prior to 5:00 p.m. Vancouver time on the Accelerated Expiry Date will expire immediately after such time on the Accelerated Expiry Date.

    In addition, further to the Company’s press release dated January 24, 2024, Legible announces the conclusion of its engagement with Investor Cubed Inc. (“Investor Cubed”), which provided investor relations and shareholder communication services, effective immediately. Legible extends its gratitude to Investor Cubed for their contributions and support during the engagement.

    About Legible Inc.

    Legible is a groundbreaking, mobile-centric global company specializing in eBook and audiobook entertainment. Its extensive partnerships encompass four of the Big 5 Publishers, the world’s largest eBook distributors, and outstanding publishers of all sizes, enabling Legible to deliver millions of eBooks and audiobooks, transforming any smart device into a source of cutting-edge infotainment.

    Legible recently released My Model Kitchen – Vol. 2: Vegetables – The Garden of Earthly Delights, the second of 15 video-enriched Living Cookbooks by former supermodel, bestselling author, TV host and celebrity chef Cristina Ferrare, with an AI Sous Chef for each recipe. The Living Cookbooks and Ms. Ferrare have been featured twice on the Drew Barrymore Show and in many other major US media outlets.

    A first mover in the rapidly expanding automotive infotainment market, Legible has partnered with media providers Faurecia Aptoide, Harman Ignite, LiveOne, and Visteon. Legible has the only Android Automotive app that delivers both audiobooks and eBooks to drivers and passengers in tens of millions of vehicles around the globe, positioning Legible at the forefront of the new world of in-car infotainment experiences.

    The 2024 EdTech Breakthrough Award winner for eLearning Innovation of the Year, Legible is reshaping the digital publishing landscape, committed to gaining significant market share through its innovative 21st-century publishing solutions and enriched reading experiences. Visit Legible.com, where eBooks come to life.

    Press Contacts:

    Legible Inc.

    Ms. Deborah Harford
    EVP, Global Strategic Partnerships
    invest@legible.com
    Website: https://invest.legible.com

    Legible Media Relations

    Krupp Kommunications, Inc.
    Ms. Kathy Giaconia
    VP Media Relations
    kgiaconia@kruppagency.com
    1-213-324-5665
    http://www.KruppAgency.com

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Information
    This Press Release contains certain statements which constitute forward-looking statements or information (“forward-looking statements”), including statements regarding Legible’s business. Such forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond Legible’s control, including the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, currency fluctuations, the lack of availability of qualified personnel or management, stock market volatility and the ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources. Although Legible believes that the expectations in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, they are based on factors and assumptions concerning future events which may prove to be inaccurate. Those factors and assumptions are based upon currently available information. Such statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could influence actual results or events and cause actual results or events to differ materially from those stated, anticipated or implied in the forward- looking information. As such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward- looking information, as no assurance can be provided as to future results, levels of activity or achievements. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are made as of the date of this document and, except as required by applicable law, Legible does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

    NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES
    OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/989cb8b1-ce9c-4e00-b6a0-53c60c30fc72

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Sicily – suppressed report on illegal slaughtering of animals and organised crime – E-001573/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission has not been aware of such ‘regional authority’s suppressed report on the common agricultural policy fund fraud’ and cannot thus currently comment on any related misuse of funds.

    When the Commission becomes aware of any suspected cases of fraud, corruption or any other illegal activity affecting the EU budget, it informs the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).

    OLAF analyses information of potential investigative interest to determine whether there are sufficient grounds to open an investigation.

    OLAF can carry out administrative investigations when there are suspicions of fraud, corruption or other illegal activities against the financial interests of the EU.

    In addition, in case of criminal conduct in respect of which the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) could exercise its competence, the case is reported to the EPPO, who can initiate a criminal investigation.

    From a food safety perspective, the current EU legal framework is considered fit for purpose. Its implementation and enforcement remain under the responsibility of the Member States.

    Italian authorities have neither informed the Commission nor other Member States within the Alert and Cooperation Network (ACN)[1] about the illegal slaughter of animals or the sale of meat unfit for human consumption in relation with the situation described.

    This absence of communication would conform with the EU legislation if the issue remains strictly limited to the Italian territory.

    • [1] https://food.ec.europa.eu/safety/acn_en
    Last updated: 24 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EU paves the way for investments in Timor-Leste’s water, waste, and forestry sectors, boosting the country’s sustainable development

    Source: European Investment Bank

    EIB

    • The EU-funded programme has supported the Government of Timor-Leste in identifying and preparing potential investment projects.
    • These projects have been identified in the sectors of forestry, water supply, and waste management, and were presented today as ready for financing, with a total investment need of approximately €260 million.
    • EIB Global is ready to assess these projects for financing.

     The European Union Delegation to Timor-Leste and the European Investment Bank (EIB Global) have worked closely with the Government of Timor-Leste to prepare investment projects aimed at improving the country’s infrastructure and fostering sustainable development. The three proposals resulting from this collaboration focus on water supply, solid waste management, and forestry, and are now ready to be transformed into tangible investments.

    The three projects include a commercial forestry initiative in the municipalities of Covalima and Bobonaro, a national solid waste management project including a health waste management component, and a water supply project for selected municipalities. The forestry project aims to transform underutilised state lands, generating essential resources like firewood and timber, while creating thousands of jobs for local communities. The national waste management project introduces solutions for the safe and efficient management of waste thus reducing significantly the pollution discharged into the environment. The water supply project focuses on improving access to clean water in key municipalities, addressing both urban and rural needs for better sanitation and reliable water sources. Together these initiatives require a total investment of about €260 million.

    The preparation of the three investment projects was made possible through the Project Preparation and Implementation Programme (PPIP), which concluded today with the final Steering Committee meeting where these projects were presented. Managed by EIB Global, the PPIP was supported by a €5 million budget, including €4.75 million in technical assistance from the EU and €250,000 from the Cotonou Partnership Agreement.

    The final Steering Committee meeting was chaired by H.E. the Minister for Planning and Strategic Investments, Gastão Francisco de Sousa, and attended by representatives from the Government of Timor-Leste, EIB Global, the EU Delegation to Timor-Leste, and other stakeholders.

    The Ambassador to the European Union Delegation to Timor-Leste, Mr Marc Fiedrich said: “If converted into a loan, the Project Preparation and Implementation Programme opens a new era of cooperation. Until today, our support, although significant in terms of funds, consisted of limited instruments: grants, technical assistance, and budget support. With this programme, we add loans and guarantees, and maybe later private investments. This is the new trend of cooperation promoted by the EU, the innovative Global Gateway strategy that may become the norm in the near future.”

    The Vice-President of the European Investment Bank Ambroise Fayolle said: “Alongside our EU partners on the ground, we have been supporting the Government of Timor-Leste in identifying and preparing investment projects. By focusing on strategic sectors such as forestry, water supply, and waste management, these initiatives will not only address immediate community needs but also lay the groundwork for sustainable economic growth. We look forward to turning these project proposals into tangible investments. As the EU’s financial arm, the EIB stands ready to provide the necessary financial support to make these projects a reality, in line with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy.”

    His Excellency the Minister for Planning and Strategic Investments, Gastão Francisco de Sousa said: “All three projects have the potential to make significant and long-term contributions to Timor-Leste’s development, and to improved rural and urban environments. The projects comply with and support our national development objectives for their respective sectors.” He emphasised the role of the Ministry of Planning and Strategic Investments in facilitating and coordinating efforts across the sectors.

    His Excellency the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry, Marcos da Cruz said: “I would like to thank the EIB, the EU Delegation and COWI for the design of the Timor-Leste Commercial Forestry Project. We welcome this innovative approach to the development of commercial forestry in Timor-Leste, using currently unproductive land. In addition, the project is expected to provide jobs for people living in the target areas, re-green vulnerable areas, increase incomes from forest products, and increase Government’s income.”

    His Excellency the Minister of State Administration, Tomás do Rosário Cabral said: “We are grateful for the European Investment Bank’s support for waste management projects. Providing adequate and affordable waste services to the entire population is of great concern for the Government. It will improve public health and is much needed for protecting the terrestrial and marine environment. Specifically, better healthcare risk waste management is urgently needed. In this respect, the EIB project proposal provides a modern, efficient, and sustainable solution that should be implemented as soon as possible.”

    Background information:

    Project Preparation and Implementation Programme (PPIP) is an EU-funded and EIB-managed project designed to assist the Government of Timor-Leste in the identifying, preparing and implementing projects that are technically sound, financially viable, and environmentally and socially responsible, and are ready for investments. The programme has identified potential projects in the three sectors — water, solid waste management and forestry — by conducting prefeasibility studies for six projects and completing three feasibility studies. Investment projects in forestry and solid waste are now ready for the Government of Timor-Leste to request loan from the EIB and EU grant funding, should they choose to move forward with these initiatives.

    Steering Committee of the Project Preparation and Implementation Programme is chaired by the Ministry for Planning and Strategic Investments. The committee also includes representatives from several key government entities of Timor-Leste, such as by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of State Administration, the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry and Bee Timor-Leste public utility company.

    The European Union (EU) is a unique economic and political union between 27 European countries that cover much of the continent together. In Timor-Leste, the EU is the second largest donor of development aid (grant funding). The EU is committed to supporting Timor-Leste’s 2011-2030 Strategic Development plan, which aims to transform Timor-Leste into an upper-middle-income country by 2030 based on rapid, inclusive growth enabling it to improve infrastructure, worker skills, education, training and health systems, and combat poverty and malnutrition. The EU assistance focuses on green and sustainable economic recovery and development, rural development, good governance for sustainable development and gender equality.

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term financing institution of the European Union owned by its Member States. EIB Global is the EIB’s specialised arm devoted to increasing the impact of international partnerships and development finance outside the European Union. EIB Global is a key partner of the EU Global Gateway strategy, and is designed to foster strong, focused partnerships within Team Europe, alongside fellow development finance institutions and civil society. EIB Global brings the EIB closer to local people, companies and institutions through our offices across the world.

    Global Gateway is the European Union’s strategy to reduce the worldwide investment gap, boost smart, clean and secure connections in the digital, energy and transport sectors, and strengthen health, education and research systems. The Global Gateway strategy embodies a Team Europe approach that brings together the European Union, EU Member States and European development finance institutions. It aims to mobilise up to €300 billion in public and private investments between 2021 and 2027, creating essential links rather than dependencies, and closing the global investment gap.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Impact of Regulation (EU) 2024/573 (on fluorinated greenhouse gases) on European industry – E-002128/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    17.10.2024

    Question for written answer  E-002128/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Isabella Tovaglieri (PfE)

    Annex IV to Regulation (EU) 2024/573 on fluorinated greenhouse gases bans all gases (including HFOs).

    Owing to the sudden need to cut the use of fluorinated gases, many European companies are announcing delays to investments in new heat pump production lines[1] and experiencing slumps in sales of air-conditioning and refrigeration systems[2].

    The development of the new generation of heat pumps and air-conditioning systems is also crucial for the implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.

    Article 35(5) of the Regulation provides that the entry into force of those bans is conditional on a re-evaluation of the technologies available on the market and their effectiveness on the basis of a report to be published by 2030, which implies that there will be six years of deadlock and uncertainty for industry.

    In the light of the above:

    • 1.Given the six-year wait for the report, with a view to giving industry greater regulatory certainty and enabling it to plan, can the Commission provide it with reassurance?
    • 2.In the light of the objectives of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive with regard to the decarbonisation of buildings, should the phasing out of HFOs not be reconsidered?

    Submitted: 17.10.2024

    • [1] https://www.coolingpost.com/world-news/daikin-to-axe-500-jobs-as-heat-pump-demand-falls/#:~:text=BELGIUM%3A%20Daikin%20Europe%20has%20said,before%20the%20end%20of%20December.
    • [2] https://www.ehpa.org/market-data/#:~:text=Heat%20pump%20sales%20fell%20by,seen%20in%20the%20annual%20sales.
    Last updated: 24 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa, a EUR 5 billion sinkhole – E-002169/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    18.10.2024

    Question for written answer  E-002169/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Fabrice Leggeri (PfE), Thierry Mariani (PfE), Julie Rechagneux (PfE), Philippe Olivier (PfE), Valérie Deloge (PfE), Malika Sorel (PfE), Julien Sanchez (PfE), Julien Leonardelli (PfE), Marie-Luce Brasier-Clain (PfE), Marie Dauchy (PfE), Anne-Sophie Frigout (PfE), Gilles Pennelle (PfE)

    The European Court of Auditors is sounding the alarm over the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa[1], a mechanism intended to tackle the causes of illegal migration and facilitate the return of migrants. Partly financed from our taxes, the Fund is turning out to be a EUR 5 billion sinkhole.

    The Commission has clearly not taken into account the recommendations already made by the Court in 2018.

    The Fund is apparently even being used by people to facilitate their illegal migration using traffickers, or even being misappropriated by the traffickers themselves, who are the very people the programme was intended to tackle.

    Out of a sample of 115 investments examined, 33 were no longer operational and a further 66 risked becoming unsustainable.

    There are almost no controls. These are just a few examples:

    In sub-Saharan Africa, blenders are distributed to cookery schools with no electricity.

    In Gambia, one beneficiary receives the same aid twice for poultry projects that do not even exist.

    Can the Commission:

    • 1.Explain why it continued to pay into the Fund without taking into account the recommendations made by the Court of Auditors in 2018?
    • 2.Say whether France has contributed to the Fund, and if so, how much?
    • 3.Guarantee that the Fund has not financed migrant traffickers?

    Submitted: 18.10.2024

    • [1] https://www.eca.europa.eu/ECAPublications/SR-2024-17/SR-2024-17_EN.pdf

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Minutes – Wednesday, 23 October 2024 – Strasbourg – Final edition

    Source: European Parliament

    PV-10-2024-10-23

    EN

    EN

    iPlPv_Sit

    Minutes
    Wednesday, 23 October 2024 – Strasbourg

    IN THE CHAIR: Sabine VERHEYEN
    Vice-President

    1. Opening of the sitting

    The sitting opened at 09:00.


    2. Managing migration in an effective and holistic way through fostering returns (debate)

    Commission statement: Managing migration in an effective and holistic way through fostering returns (2024/2882(RSP))

    Helena Dalli (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

    The following spoke: Tomas Tobé, on behalf of the PPE Group, Iratxe García Pérez, on behalf of the S&D Group, Kinga Gál, on behalf of the PfE Group, Nicola Procaccini, on behalf of the ECR Group, Valérie Hayer, on behalf of the Renew Group, Tineke Strik, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Estrella Galán, on behalf of The Left Group, Sarah Knafo, on behalf of the ESN Group, Jeroen Lenaers, Ana Catarina Mendes, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Marieke Ehlers, Jadwiga Wiśniewska, Malik Azmani, Diana Riba i Giner, Ilaria Salis, who also declined to take blue-card questions from Susanna Ceccardi and Anna Maria Cisint, Mary Khan, Erik Kaliňák, Lena Düpont, who also answered a blue-card question from András László, Cecilia Strada, Jean-Paul Garraud, Assita Kanko, Fabienne Keller, who also declined to take a blue-card question from Fabrice Leggeri, Erik Marquardt, Konstantinos Arvanitis, Monika Beňová, Dolors Montserrat, Matjaž Nemec, Paolo Borchia, who also answered a blue-card question from Maria Grapini, Charlie Weimers, Abir Al-Sahlani, who also answered a blue-card question from Rihards Kols, Ignazio Roberto Marino, Siegfried Mureşan, Jorge Buxadé Villalba, Elena Yoncheva, Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi, Tom Vandendriessche, Rasa Juknevičienė, Harald Vilimsky, François-Xavier Bellamy, who also answered a blue-card question from Malika Sorel, Paulo Cunha, Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz and Loránt Vincze.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Paulius Saudargas, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Susanna Ceccardi, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Hilde Vautmans and João Oliveira.

    IN THE CHAIR: Sophie WILMÈS
    Vice-President

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Lukas Sieper, Matej Tonin and Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis.

    The following spoke: Helena Dalli.

    The debate closed.


    3. Tackling the steel crisis: boosting competitive and sustainable European steel and maintaining quality jobs (debate)

    Commission statement: Tackling the steel crisis: boosting competitive and sustainable European steel and maintaining quality jobs (2024/2883(RSP))

    Helena Dalli (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

    The following spoke: Christian Ehler, on behalf of the PPE Group, Dan Nica, on behalf of the S&D Group, Paolo Borchia, on behalf of the PfE Group, Daniel Obajtek, on behalf of the ECR Group, Christophe Grudler, on behalf of the Renew Group, Terry Reintke, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Martin Schirdewan, on behalf of The Left Group, René Aust, on behalf of the ESN Group, Juan Ignacio Zoido Álvarez, Estelle Ceulemans, Ondřej Knotek, Elena Donazzan, Brigitte van den Berg, Sara Matthieu, Rudi Kennes, Marcin Sypniewski, Adam Jarubas, Jens Geier, Anna Bryłka, Anna Zalewska, Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, Dennis Radtke, Raphaël Glucksmann, Tom Berendsen, Giorgio Gori, Letizia Moratti, Elena Sancho Murillo, Radan Kanev, Eero Heinäluoma, Johan Danielsson and Idoia Mendia, who also answered a blue-card question from Bogdan Rzońca.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Susana Solís Pérez, Jadwiga Wiśniewska, Michał Kobosko, Branislav Ondruš, Massimiliano Salini, Michele Picaro, Kateřina Konečná, Manuela Ripa, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Seán Kelly, Ondřej Krutílek, Diego Solier and Mirosława Nykiel.

    The following spoke: Helena Dalli.

    The debate closed.

    (The sitting was suspended at 11:57.)


    IN THE CHAIR: Roberta METSOLA
    President

    4. Resumption of the sitting

    The sitting resumed at 12:03.


    5. Statement by the President

    The President made a statement to mark the 68th anniversary of the Hungarian Uprising of 1956. She paid tribute to the victims and to those who had suffered under Soviet oppression.

    The following spoke: Ondřej Knotek and Peter Liese (the President made some clarifications).


    6. Voting time

    For detailed results, see also ‘Results of votes’ and ‘Results of roll-call votes’.


    6.1. Deforestation Regulation: provisions relating to the date of application ***I (vote)

    Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 as regards provisions relating to the date of application [COM(2024)0452 – C10-0119/2024 – 2024/0249(COD)] – ENVI Committee

    REQUEST FOR AN URGENT DECISION from the ENVI Committee (Rule 170(6))

    Parliament approved the request for urgent procedure.

    The following tabling deadlines had been set:
    – amendments: Wednesday 6 November 2024 at 13:00
    – requests for separate votes and split votes: Thursday 12 November 2024 at 16:00.

    Vote: at a later part-session.


    6.2. Draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2025 all sections (vote)

    (Majority of Parliament’s component Members required)

    DRAFT AMENDMENTS

    (The draft amendments adopted would appear as an annex to the Texts Adopted)

    The following had spoken:

    After the vote, Péter Benő Banai (President-in-Office of the Council) had noted the differences between the positions of Parliament and of the Council and had agreed to the President’s convening of the Conciliation Committee in accordance with Article 314(4)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

    (‘Results of votes’, item 1)


    6.3. General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2025 – all sections (vote)

    Report on the Council position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2025 [12084/2024 – C10-0099/2024 – 2024/0176(BUD)] – Committee on Budgets. Rapporteurs: Victor Negrescu and Niclas Herbst (A10-0008/2024)

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

    Rejected

    The following had spoken:

    Before the vote, Victor Negrescu (rapporteur) on the basis of Rule 189(4).

    Leila Chaibi, to move an oral amendment to paragraph 68. Parliament had not agreed to put the oral amendment to the vote as more than 39 Members had opposed it.

    (‘Results of votes’, item 2)


    6.4. Guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States * (vote)

    Report on the proposal for a Council decision on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States [COM(2024)0599 – C10-0084/2024 – 2024/0599(NLE)] – Committee on Employment and Social Affairs. Rapporteur: Li Andersson (A10-0004/2024)

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    COMMISSION PROPOSAL

    Approved as amended (P10_TA(2024)0027)

    (‘Results of votes’, item 3)


    6.5. Urgent need to revise the Medical Devices Regulation (vote)

    Motions for resolutions RC-B9-0123/2024/REV1, B10-0121/2024, B10-0122/2024, B10-0123/2024, B10-0124/2024, B10-0125/2024, B10-0126/2024, B10-0127/2024 and B10-0128/2024 (minutes of 23.10.2023, item I) (2024/2849(RSP))

    The debate had taken place on 9 October 2024 (minutes of 9.10.2024, item 15).

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

    Adopted (P10_TA(2024)0028)

    (Motions for resolutions B10-0121/2024, B10-0122/2024 and B10-0127/2024 fell.)

    (‘Results of votes’, item 4)

    (The sitting was suspended at 12:53.)


    IN THE CHAIR: Roberts ZĪLE
    Vice-President

    7. Resumption of the sitting

    The sitting resumed at 12:56.


    8. Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

    The minutes of the previous sitting were approved.


    9. Continued war crimes committed by the Russian Federation, notably killing Ukrainian prisoners of war (debate)

    Commission statement: Continued war crimes committed by the Russian Federation, notably killing Ukrainian prisoners of war (2024/2897(RSP))

    Didier Reynders (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

    The following spoke: Sandra Kalniete, on behalf of the PPE Group, Chloé Ridel, on behalf of the S&D Group, Tomasz Buczek, on behalf of the PfE Group, Adam Bielan, on behalf of the ECR Group, Petras Auštrevičius, on behalf of the Renew Group, and Sergey Lagodinsky, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group.

    The following spoke: Didier Reynders.

    The following spoke: Lukas Sieper on the allocation of speaking time in the debate (the President made some clarifications).

    The debate closed.


    10. U-turn on EU bureaucracy: the need to axe unnecessary burdens and reporting to unleash competitiveness and innovation (topical debate)

    The following spoke: Jörgen Warborn to open the debate proposed by the PPE Group.

    The following spoke: Helena Dalli (Member of the Commission).

    The following spoke: Markus Ferber, on behalf of the PPE Group, René Repasi, on behalf of the S&D Group, Klara Dostalova, on behalf of the PfE Group, Antonella Sberna, on behalf of the ECR Group, Stéphanie Yon-Courtin, on behalf of the Renew Group, Jutta Paulus, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Jussi Saramo, on behalf of The Left Group, Milan Uhrík, on behalf of the ESN Group, Tom Berendsen, Lara Wolters, Vilis Krištopans, Kosma Złotowski, Svenja Hahn, Kim Van Sparrentak, Stanislav Stoyanov, Branislav Ondruš, Christine Schneider, Lina Gálvez, Ondřej Knotek, Stephen Nikola Bartulica, João Cotrim De Figueiredo, Marie Toussaint, Anja Arndt and Katarína Roth Neveďalová.

    IN THE CHAIR: Younous OMARJEE
    Vice-President

    The following spoke: Lídia Pereira, Nikos Papandreou, Raffaele Stancanelli, Stefano Cavedagna, Katri Kulmuni, Mirosława Nykiel, Tiemo Wölken, Julie Rechagneux, Ľudovít Ódor, Aura Salla, Jorge Martín Frías, Angelika Niebler, Susanna Ceccardi, Isabella Tovaglieri and Barbara Bonte.

    The following spoke: Helena Dalli.

    The debate closed.


    11. Presentation of the Court of Auditors’ annual report 2023 (debate)

    Presentation of the Court of Auditors’ annual report 2023 (2024/2784(RSP))

    Tony Murphy (President of the Court of Auditors) made the presentation.

    The following spoke: Helena Dalli (Member of the Commission).

    The following spoke: Tomáš Zdechovský, on behalf of the PPE Group, José Cepeda, on behalf of the S&D Group, Csaba Dömötör, on behalf of the PfE Group, Dick Erixon, on behalf of the ECR Group, Olivier Chastel, on behalf of the Renew Group, Daniel Freund, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Jonas Sjöstedt, on behalf of The Left Group, Niclas Herbst, Giuseppe Lupo, Virginie Joron, Marco Squarta, Joachim Streit, Giuseppe Antoci, Monika Hohlmeier, Eero Heinäluoma, Julien Sanchez, Bogdan Rzońca, Ciaran Mullooly, Jacek Protas, Fernand Kartheiser, Caterina Chinnici and Dirk Gotink.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Sebastian Tynkkynen and Grzegorz Braun.

    The following spoke: Helena Dalli and Tony Murphy.

    The debate closed.


    12. Findings of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on Poland’s abortion law (debate)

    Commission statement: Findings of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on Poland’s abortion law (2024/2867(RSP))

    Helena Dalli (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

    The following spoke: Ewa Kopacz, on behalf of the PPE Group, Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus, on behalf of the S&D Group, Anna Bryłka, non-attached Member, Marlena Maląg, on behalf of the ECR Group, Abir Al-Sahlani, on behalf of the Renew Group, Alice Kuhnke, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Manon Aubry, on behalf of The Left Group, Ewa Zajączkowska-Hernik, on behalf of the ESN Group (the President reminded the House of the rules on conduct), Arba Kokalari, Ana Catarina Mendes, Margarita de la Pisa Carrión, who also answered blue-card questions from Bruno Gonçalves, Raquel García Hermida-Van Der Walle and Irene Montero, Małgorzata Gosiewska, who also declined to take a blue-card question from Abir Al-Sahlani, Michał Kobosko, Mélissa Camara, Irene Montero, who also answered a blue-card question from Alvise Pérez, and Tomasz Froelich.

    IN THE CHAIR: Christel SCHALDEMOSE
    Vice-President

    The following spoke: Grzegorz Braun, Elżbieta Katarzyna Łukacijewska, Heléne Fritzon, Laurence Trochu, who also answered a blue-card question from Manon Aubry, Raquel García Hermida-Van Der Walle, who also answered a blue-card question from Margarita de la Pisa Carrión, Benedetta Scuderi, Hanna Gedin, Maria Walsh, Krzysztof Śmiszek, Paolo Inselvini, who also answered a blue-card question from Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar, who also answered a blue-card question from Robert Biedroń, Mirosława Nykiel, Lina Gálvez, Birgit Sippel, Elisabeth Grossmann, Evin Incir, who also answered a blue-card question from Margarita de la Pisa Carrión, and Alessandra Moretti.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Łukasz Kohut, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Emma Fourreau, Lukas Sieper, Magdalena Adamowicz, Bruno Gonçalves and João Oliveira.

    The following spoke: Helena Dalli.

    The debate closed.


    13. Seven years from the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia: lack of progress in restoring the rule of law in Malta (debate)

    Commission statement: Seven years from the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia: lack of progress in restoring the rule of law in Malta (2024/2868(RSP))

    Didier Reynders (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

    The following spoke: David Casa, on behalf of the PPE Group, Alex Agius Saliba, on behalf of the S&D Group, Fabrice Leggeri, on behalf of the PfE Group, Alessandro Ciriani, on behalf of the ECR Group, Moritz Körner, on behalf of the Renew Group, Daniel Freund, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Konstantinos Arvanitis, on behalf of The Left Group, Ana Miguel Pedro, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Sophie Wilmès, Gaetano Pedulla’, Judita Laššáková, Peter Agius, Daniel Attard, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, Isabel Wiseler-Lima, who also answered a blue-card question from Alex Agius Saliba, Evin Incir, Sunčana Glavak and Thomas Bajada.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Sandro Ruotolo, Katarína Roth Neveďalová and Lukas Sieper.

    The following spoke: Didier Reynders.

    IN THE CHAIR: Martin HOJSÍK
    Vice-President

    The debate closed.


    14. The important role of cities and regions in the EU – for a green, social and prosperous local development (debate)

    Commission statement: The important role of cities and regions in the EU – for a green, social and prosperous local development (2024/2869(RSP))

    Didier Reynders (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

    The following spoke: Andrey Novakov, on behalf of the PPE Group, Mohammed Chahim, on behalf of the S&D Group, Rody Tolassy, on behalf of the PfE Group, Denis Nesci, on behalf of the ECR Group, Ľubica Karvašová, on behalf of the Renew Group, Gordan Bosanac, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Valentina Palmisano, on behalf of The Left Group, Arno Bausemer, on behalf of the ESN Group, Elena Nevado del Campo, Jean-Marc Germain, Jorge Buxadé Villalba, Şerban-Dimitrie Sturdza, Ciaran Mullooly, Vladimir Prebilič, Younous Omarjee, who also answered a blue-card question from Ana Miranda Paz, Nora Junco García, Krzysztof Hetman, Marcos Ros Sempere, Anne-Sophie Frigout, Waldemar Buda, Raquel García Hermida-Van Der Walle, Ana Miranda Paz, Elena Kountoura, Isabelle Le Callennec, Nora Mebarek, Raffaele Stancanelli, Ruggero Razza, Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Mārtiņš Staķis, Gabriella Gerzsenyi, Carla Tavares, Mireia Borrás Pabón, Barry Cowen, Fredis Beleris, René Repasi, Nikolina Brnjac, Javi López, Marco Falcone, Camilla Laureti, Antonio Decaro, Rosa Serrano Sierra, Dario Nardella, Sabrina Repp, Raffaele Topo, Marko Vešligaj, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Stefano Bonaccini, Sakis Arnaoutoglou, Sofie Eriksson and Alex Agius Saliba.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Nina Carberry, Maria Grapini, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Niels Geuking, Juan Fernando López Aguilar and Maravillas Abadía Jover.

    The following spoke: Didier Reynders.

    The debate closed.


    15. Foreign interference and hybrid attacks: the need to strengthen EU resilience and internal security (debate)

    Commission statement: Foreign interference and hybrid attacks: the need to strengthen EU resilience and internal security (2024/2884(RSP))

    Didier Reynders (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

    The following spoke: Lena Düpont, on behalf of the PPE Group, Hannes Heide, on behalf of the S&D Group, András László, on behalf of the PfE Group, Beata Szydło, on behalf of the ECR Group, Helmut Brandstätter, on behalf of the Renew Group, Alexandra Geese, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Petar Volgin, on behalf of the ESN Group, and Mirosława Nykiel.

    IN THE CHAIR: Antonella SBERNA
    Vice-President

    The following spoke: Tobias Cremer, who also answered a blue-card question from Reinier Van Lanschot, Aleksandar Nikolic, Rihards Kols, Reinier Van Lanschot, Kateřina Konečná, Ana Miguel Pedro, Brando Benifei, Nikola Bartůšek, Geadis Geadi, Javier Zarzalejos, Mathilde Androuët, Ivaylo Valchev, Pekka Toveri, Aurelijus Veryga, Salvatore De Meo and Patryk Jaki.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Michał Szczerba, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Majdouline Sbai, András Tivadar Kulja, Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis and Magdalena Adamowicz.

    The following spoke: Didier Reynders.

    The debate closed.


    16. Proposals for Union acts

    The President announced that the President of Parliament had declared the following proposals for Union acts to be admissible under Rule 47(2):

    – Proposal for a Union act tabled by Jorge Buxadé Villalba, Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal, Mireia Borrás Pabón, Jorge Martín Frías, Margarita de la Pisa Carrión, Hermann Tertsch, on classifying the activity of military personnel, police officers, prison officers and private security guards as dangerous professions in the Union (B10-0018/2024)

    committee responsible: EMPL

    – Proposal for a Union act tabled by Jorge Buxadé Villalba, Hermann Tertsch, Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal, Mireia Borrás Pabón, Margarita de la Pisa Carrión, Jorge Martín Frías, on the need to protect families, businesses and self-employed persons from the rise in fuel prices in Europe (B10-0077/2024)

    committee responsible: ECON
    committee asked for opinion: ITRE

    – Proposal for a Union act tabled by Jorge Buxadé Villalba, Hermann Tertsch, Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal, Mireia Borrás Pabón, Margarita de la Pisa Carrión, Jorge Martín Frías, on the need for cheaper access to housing (B10-0078/2024)

    committee responsible: ECON
    committee asked for opinion: EMPL


    17. EU actions against the Russian shadow fleets and ensuring a full enforcement of sanctions against Russia (debate)

    Commission statement: EU actions against the Russian shadow fleets and ensuring a full enforcement of sanctions against Russia (2024/2885(RSP))

    Didier Reynders (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

    The following spoke: Sandra Kalniete, on behalf of the PPE Group, Thijs Reuten, on behalf of the S&D Group, András László, on behalf of the PfE Group, Reinis Pozņaks, on behalf of the ECR Group, Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, on behalf of the Renew Group, Isabella Lövin, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Jonas Sjöstedt, on behalf of The Left Group, Zsuzsanna Borvendég, on behalf of the ESN Group, Francisco José Millán Mon, Heléne Fritzon, Veronika Vrecionová, Karin Karlsbro, Ville Niinistö, Li Andersson, Pekka Toveri, Sérgio Gonçalves, Arkadiusz Mularczyk, Ivars Ijabs, Per Clausen, Mika Aaltola, Emma Wiesner, Ondřej Kolář, Lukas Mandl and Tom Berendsen.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis.

    The following spoke: Didier Reynders.

    Motions for resolutions to be tabled under Rule 136(2) would be announced at a later stage.

    The debate closed.

    Vote: next part-session.


    18. Need to strengthen rail travel and the railway sector in Europe (debate)

    Commission statement: Need to strengthen rail travel and the railway sector in Europe (2024/2896(RSP))

    Didier Reynders (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

    IN THE CHAIR: Javi LÓPEZ
    Vice-President

    The following spoke: Dariusz Joński, on behalf of the PPE Group, François Kalfon, on behalf of the S&D Group, Margarita de la Pisa Carrión, on behalf of the PfE Group, Marlena Maląg, on behalf of the ECR Group, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, on behalf of the Renew Group, Kai Tegethoff, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Elena Kountoura, on behalf of The Left Group, Arno Bausemer, on behalf of the ESN Group, Sophia Kircher, Vivien Costanzo, Jana Nagyová, Adrian-George Axinia, Ana Vasconcelos, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Tilly Metz, Arash Saeidi, Luis-Vicențiu Lazarus, Nikolina Brnjac, Ondřej Krutílek, Pär Holmgren, Sebastian Everding, Kostas Papadakis and Krzysztof Hetman.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Marta Wcisło, Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis, Ana Miranda Paz, João Oliveira, Elżbieta Katarzyna Łukacijewska, Per Clausen, Carmen Crespo Díaz and Magdalena Adamowicz.

    The following spoke: Didier Reynders.

    The debate closed.


    19. Explanations of vote

    Written explanations of vote

    Explanations of vote submitted in writing under Rule 201 appear on the Members’ pages on Parliament’s website.


    20. Agenda of the next sitting

    The next sitting would be held the following day, 24 October 2024, starting at 09:00. The agenda was available on Parliament’s website.


    21. Approval of the minutes of the sitting

    In accordance with Rule 208(3), the minutes of the sitting would be put to the House for approval at the beginning of the afternoon of the next sitting.


    22. Closure of the sitting

    The sitting closed at 21:57.


    LIST OF DOCUMENTS SERVING AS A BASIS FOR THE DEBATES AND DECISIONS OF PARLIAMENT


    I. Motions for resolutions tabled

    Urgent need to revise the Medical Devices Regulation

    Motions for resolutions tabled under Rule 136(2) to wind up the debate:

    on the urgent need to revise the Medical Devices Regulation (2024/2849(RSP)) (B10-0121/2024)
    Catarina Martins
    on behalf of The Left Group

    on the urgent need to revise the Medical Devices Regulation (2024/2849(RSP)) (B10-0122/2024)
    Christine Anderson
    on behalf of the ESN Group

    on the urgent need to revise the Medical Devices Regulation (2024/2849(RSP)) (B10-0123/2024)
    Tiemo Wölken
    on behalf of the S&D Group

    on the urgent need to revise the Medical Devices Regulation (2024/2849(RSP)) (B10-0124/2024)
    Andreas Glück
    on behalf of the Renew Group

    on the urgent need to revise the Medical Devices Regulation (2024/2849(RSP)) (B10-0125/2024)
    Peter Liese
    on behalf of the PPE Group

    on the urgent need to revise the Medical Devices Regulation (2024/2849(RSP)) (B10-0126/2024)
    Ignazio Roberto Marino
    on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

    on the urgent need to revise the Medical Devices Regulation (2024/2849(RSP)) (B10-0127/2024)
    Ondřej Knotek, Viktória Ferenc
    on behalf of the PfE Group

    on the urgent need to revise the Medical Devices Regulation (2024/2849(RSP)) (B10-0128/2024)
    Ruggero Razza, Pietro Fiocchi, Michele Picaro, Laurence Trochu, Aurelijus Veryga

    on behalf of the ECR Group

    Joint motion for a resolution tabled under Rule 136(2) and (4):

    on the urgent need to revise the Medical Devices Regulation (2024/2849(RSP)) (RC-B10-0123/2024/REV1) (replacing motions for resolutions B10-0123/2024, B10-0124/2024, B10-0125/2024, B10-0126/2024 and B10-0128/2024):

    Peter Liese
    on behalf of the PPE Group
    Tiemo Wölken
    on behalf of the S&D Group
    Ondřej Knotek
    on behalf of the PfE Group
    Ruggero Razza
    on behalf of the ECR Group
    Andreas Glück
    on behalf of the Renew Group
    Ignazio Roberto Marino
    on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group


    II. Delegated acts (Rule 114(2))

    Draft delegated acts forwarded to Parliament

    – Commission Delegated Regulation supplementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to regulatory technical standards on information to be exchanged between competent authorities (C(2024)06766 – 2024/2875(DEA))

    Deadline for raising objections: 3 months from the date of receipt of 10 October 2024

    referred to committee responsible: ECON

    – Commission Delegated Regulation amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688 as regards certain animal health requirements for movements within the Union of terrestrial animals (C(2024)06985 – 2024/2870(DEA))

    Deadline for raising objections: 2 months from the date of receipt of 9 October 2024

    referred to committee responsible: AGRI

    – Commission Delegated Regulation amending Regulation (EU) No 649/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the listing of pesticides and industrial chemicals (C(2024)07071 – 2024/2880(DEA))

    Deadline for raising objections: 2 months from the date of receipt of 15 October 2024

    referred to committee responsible: ENVI

    – Commission Delegated Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 as regards short-necked clam and red seabream (C(2024)07102 – 2024/2876(DEA))

    Deadline for raising objections: 2 months from the date of receipt of 11 October 2024

    referred to committee responsible: PECH

    – Commission Delegated Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 as regards changes on shipments of electrical and electronic waste agreed under the Basel Convention (C(2024)07198 – 2024/2900(DEA))

    Deadline for raising objections: 2 months from the date of receipt of 18 October 2024

    referred to committee responsible: ENVI

    – Commission Delegated Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 as regards changes on shipments of electrical and electronic waste agreed under the Basel Convention (C(2024)07199 – 2024/2899(DEA))

    Deadline for raising objections: 2 months from the date of receipt of 18 October 2024

    referred to committee responsible: ENVI

    – Commission Delegated Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2015/757 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the rules for the monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions from offshore ships and the zero-rating of sustainable fuels (C(2024)07210 – 2024/2894(DEA))

    Deadline for raising objections: 2 months from the date of receipt of 16 October 2024

    referred to committee responsible: ENVI


    III. Implementing measures (Rule 115)

    Draft implementing measures falling under the regulatory procedure with scrutiny forwarded to Parliament

    – Commission Regulation amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for fenbuconazole and penconazole in or on certain products (D096823/04 – 2024/2898(RPS) – deadline: 18 December 2024)
    referred to committee responsible: ENVI

    – Commission Regulation amending Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the removal of the flavouring substance 4-Methyl-2-phenylpent-2-enal (FL No 05.100) from the Union list (D099950/02 – 2024/2873(RPS) – deadline: 11 January 2025)
    referred to committee responsible: ENVI

    – Commission Regulation amending Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the inclusion of (E)‐3‐benzo[1,3]dioxol‐5‐yl‐N,N‐diphenyl‐2‐propenamide in the Union list of flavourings (D099953/02 – 2024/2874(RPS) – deadline: 11 December 2024)
    referred to committee responsible: ENVI

    – Commission Regulation amending Regulations (EC) No 2150/2002 and (EC) No 1552/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council, as well as Commission Regulations (EC) No 1726/1999, (EC) No 1916/2000, (EC) No 198/2006, (EC) No 1062/2008 and (EU) No 349/2011, as regards references to the statistical classification of economic activities NACE Revision 2 established by Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council (D100325/01 – 2024/2901(RPS) – deadline: 21 January 2025)
    referred to committees responsible: EMPL, ENVI


    IV. Documents received

    The following documents had been received:

    – Proposal for transfer of appropriations DEC 12/2024 – Section III – Commission (N10-0019/2024 – C10-0122/2024 – 2024/2059(GBD))
    referred to committee responsible: BUDG

    – Proposal for transfer of appropriations DEC 13/2024 – Section III – Commission (N10-0021/2024 – C10-0135/2024 – 2024/2060(GBD))
    referred to committee responsible: BUDG


    V. Transfers of appropriations and budgetary decisions

    In accordance with Article 29 of the Financial Regulation, the Committee on Budgets had decided to approve transfer of appropriations INF 5/2024 – Section VI – European Economic and Social Committee.

    In accordance with Article 29 of the Financial Regulation, the Committee on Budgets had decided to approve transfer of appropriations INF 3/2024 – Section VII – Committee of the Regions.

    In accordance with Article 29 of the Financial Regulation, the Committee on Budgets had decided to approve transfer of appropriations No 1/2024 – Section VIII – European Ombudsman.

    In accordance with Article 31(3) of the Financial Regulation, the Committee on Budgets had decided to approve Commission transfers of appropriations DEC 09/2024 and DEC 10/2024 – Section III – Commission.

    In accordance with Article 31(6) of the Financial Regulation, the Council of the European Union had decided to approve Commission transfers of appropriations DEC 09/2024 and DEC 10/2024 – Section III – Commission.


    ATTENDANCE REGISTER

    Present:

    Aaltola Mika, Abadía Jover Maravillas, Adamowicz Magdalena, Aftias Georgios, Agirregoitia Martínez Oihane, Agius Peter, Agius Saliba Alex, Alexandraki Galato, Allione Grégory, Al-Sahlani Abir, Anadiotis Nikolaos, Anderson Christine, Andersson Li, Andresen Rasmus, Andrews Barry, Andriukaitis Vytenis Povilas, Androuët Mathilde, Angel Marc, Annemans Gerolf, Antoci Giuseppe, Arimont Pascal, Arłukowicz Bartosz, Arnaoutoglou Sakis, Arndt Anja, Arvanitis Konstantinos, Asens Llodrà Jaume, Assis Francisco, Attard Daniel, Aubry Manon, Auštrevičius Petras, Axinia Adrian-George, Azmani Malik, Bajada Thomas, Baljeu Jeannette, Ballarín Cereza Laura, Bardella Jordan, Barna Dan, Barrena Arza Pernando, Bartulica Stephen Nikola, Bartůšek Nikola, Bausemer Arno, Bay Nicolas, Bay Christophe, Beke Wouter, Beleris Fredis, Bellamy François-Xavier, Benea Adrian-Dragoş, Benifei Brando, Benjumea Benjumea Isabel, Beňová Monika, Bentele Hildegard, Berendsen Tom, Berger Stefan, Berlato Sergio, Bernhuber Alexander, Biedroń Robert, Bielan Adam, Bischoff Gabriele, Blaha Ľuboš, Blinkevičiūtė Vilija, Blom Rachel, Bloss Michael, Bocheński Tobiasz, Boeselager Damian, Bonaccini Stefano, Bonte Barbara, Borchia Paolo, Borrás Pabón Mireia, Borvendég Zsuzsanna, Borzan Biljana, Bosanac Gordan, Boßdorf Irmhild, Bosse Stine, Botenga Marc, Boyer Gilles, Boylan Lynn, Brandstätter Helmut, Brasier-Clain Marie-Luce, Braun Grzegorz, Brejza Krzysztof, Bricmont Saskia, Brnjac Nikolina, Bryłka Anna, Buczek Tomasz, Buda Waldemar, Budka Borys, Bugalho Sebastião, Buła Andrzej, Burkhardt Delara, Buxadé Villalba Jorge, Bžoch Jaroslav, Camara Mélissa, Canfin Pascal, Carberry Nina, Cârciu Gheorghe, Carême Damien, Casa David, Caspary Daniel, Cassart Benoit, Castillo Laurent, del Castillo Vera Pilar, Cavazzini Anna, Cavedagna Stefano, Ceccardi Susanna, Cepeda José, Ceulemans Estelle, Chahim Mohammed, Chaibi Leila, Chastel Olivier, Chinnici Caterina, Christensen Asger, Ciccioli Carlo, Cifrová Ostrihoňová Veronika, Ciriani Alessandro, Cisint Anna Maria, Clausen Per, Clergeau Christophe, Cormand David, Corrado Annalisa, Costanzo Vivien, Cotrim De Figueiredo João, Cowen Barry, Cremer Tobias, Crespo Díaz Carmen, Crosetto Giovanni, Cunha Paulo, Dahl Henrik, Danielsson Johan, Dauchy Marie, Dávid Dóra, David Ivan, Decaro Antonio, de la Hoz Quintano Raúl, Della Valle Danilo, Deloge Valérie, De Masi Fabio, De Meo Salvatore, Demirel Özlem, Deutsch Tamás, Devaux Valérie, Dibrani Adnan, Diepeveen Ton, Dieringer Elisabeth, Di Rupo Elio, Disdier Mélanie, Dobrev Klára, Doherty Regina, Doleschal Christian, Dömötör Csaba, Donazzan Elena, Dorfmann Herbert, Dostalova Klara, Dostál Ondřej, Droese Siegbert Frank, Düpont Lena, Dworczyk Michał, Ecke Matthias, Ehler Christian, Ehlers Marieke, Eriksson Sofie, Erixon Dick, Eroglu Engin, Estaràs Ferragut Rosa, Everding Sebastian, Ezcurra Almansa Alma, Falcă Gheorghe, Falcone Marco, Farantouris Nikolas, Farreng Laurence, Farský Jan, Ferber Markus, Ferenc Viktória, Fidanza Carlo, Fiocchi Pietro, Firea Gabriela, Firmenich Ruth, Fita Claire, Fourlas Loucas, Fourreau Emma, Fragkos Emmanouil, Freund Daniel, Frigout Anne-Sophie, Friis Sigrid, Fritzon Heléne, Froelich Tomasz, Fuglsang Niels, Funchion Kathleen, Furet Angéline, Furore Mario, Gahler Michael, Gál Kinga, Galán Estrella, Gálvez Lina, Gambino Alberico, García Hermida-Van Der Walle Raquel, Garraud Jean-Paul, Gasiuk-Pihowicz Kamila, Geadi Geadis, Gedin Hanna, Geese Alexandra, Geier Jens, Geisel Thomas, Gemma Chiara, Georgiou Giorgos, Gerbrandy Gerben-Jan, Germain Jean-Marc, Gerzsenyi Gabriella, Geuking Niels, Gieseke Jens, Giménez Larraz Borja, Girauta Vidal Juan Carlos, Glavak Sunčana, Glucksmann Raphaël, Goerens Charles, Gomart Christophe, Gomes Isilda, Gonçalves Bruno, Gonçalves Sérgio, González Casares Nicolás, González Pons Esteban, Gori Giorgio, Gosiewska Małgorzata, Gotink Dirk, Gozi Sandro, Grapini Maria, Gražulis Petras, Grims Branko, Griset Catherine, Gronkiewicz-Waltz Hanna, Grossmann Elisabeth, Grudler Christophe, Gualmini Elisabetta, Guetta Bernard, Guzenina Maria, Gyürk András, Hadjipantela Michalis, Hahn Svenja, Haider Roman, Halicki Andrzej, Hansen Christophe, Hansen Niels Flemming, Hassan Rima, Häusling Martin, Hava Mircea-Gheorghe, Hazekamp Anja, Heide Hannes, Heinäluoma Eero, Henriksson Anna-Maja, Herbst Niclas, Herranz García Esther, Hetman Krzysztof, Hohlmeier Monika, Hojsík Martin, Holmgren Pär, Hölvényi György, Humberto Sérgio, Ijabs Ivars, Imart Céline, Incir Evin, Inselvini Paolo, Iovanovici Şoşoacă Diana, Jaki Patryk, Jalloul Muro Hana, Jamet France, Jarubas Adam, Jerković Romana, Jongen Marc, Joński Dariusz, Joron Virginie, Jouvet Pierre, Joveva Irena, Juknevičienė Rasa, Junco García Nora, Jungbluth Alexander, Kabilov Taner, Kalfon François, Kaliňák Erik, Kalniete Sandra, Kamiński Mariusz, Kanev Radan, Kanko Assita, Karlsbro Karin, Kartheiser Fernand, Karvašová Ľubica, Katainen Elsi, Kefalogiannis Emmanouil, Kelleher Billy, Keller Fabienne, Kelly Seán, Kennes Rudi, Khan Mary, Kircher Sophia, Knafo Sarah, Knotek Ondřej, Kobosko Michał, Köhler Stefan, Kohut Łukasz, Kokalari Arba, Kolář Ondřej, Kollár Kinga, Kols Rihards, Konečná Kateřina, Kopacz Ewa, Körner Moritz, Kountoura Elena, Kovatchev Andrey, Krah Maximilian, Krištopans Vilis, Kruis Sebastian, Krutílek Ondřej, Kubilius Andrius, Kubín Tomáš, Kuhnke Alice, Kulja András Tivadar, Kulmuni Katri, Kyllönen Merja, Lagodinsky Sergey, Lakos Eszter, Lange Bernd, Langensiepen Katrin, Laššáková Judita, László András, Latinopoulou Afroditi, Laurent Murielle, Laureti Camilla, Laykova Rada, Lazarov Ilia, Lazarus Luis-Vicențiu, Le Callennec Isabelle, Leggeri Fabrice, Lenaers Jeroen, Leonardelli Julien, Lewandowski Janusz, Lexmann Miriam, Liese Peter, Lins Norbert, Løkkegaard Morten, Lopatka Reinhold, López Javi, López Aguilar Juan Fernando, López-Istúriz White Antonio, Lövin Isabella, Lucano Mimmo, Luena César, Łukacijewska Elżbieta Katarzyna, Lupo Giuseppe, McAllister David, Madison Jaak, Maestre Cristina, Magoni Lara, Maij Marit, Maląg Marlena, Mandl Lukas, Maniatis Yannis, Maran Pierfrancesco, Marczułajtis-Walczak Jagna, Maréchal Marion, Mariani Thierry, Marino Ignazio Roberto, Marquardt Erik, Martín Frías Jorge, Martins Catarina, Martusciello Fulvio, Marzà Ibáñez Vicent, Matthieu Sara, Mavrides Costas, Mayer Georg, Mazurek Milan, McNamara Michael, Mebarek Nora, Meimarakis Vangelis, Meleti Eleonora, Mendes Ana Catarina, Mendia Idoia, Mertens Verena, Mesure Marina, Metsola Roberta, Metz Tilly, Mikser Sven, Milazzo Giuseppe, Millán Mon Francisco José, Minchev Nikola, Mînzatu Roxana, Miranda Paz Ana, Molnár Csaba, Montero Irene, Montserrat Dolors, Morace Carolina, Morano Nadine, Moratti Letizia, Moreira de Sá Tiago, Moreno Sánchez Javier, Moretti Alessandra, Mularczyk Arkadiusz, Müller Piotr, Mullooly Ciaran, Mureşan Siegfried, Muşoiu Ştefan, Nagyová Jana, Nardella Dario, Negrescu Victor, Nemec Matjaž, Nerudová Danuše, Nesci Denis, Neumann Hannah, Nevado del Campo Elena, Nica Dan, Niebler Angelika, Niedermayer Luděk, Niinistö Ville, Nikolaou-Alavanos Lefteris, Nikolic Aleksandar, Ní Mhurchú Cynthia, Noichl Maria, Nordqvist Rasmus, Novakov Andrey, Nykiel Mirosława, Obajtek Daniel, Ódor Ľudovít, Oetjen Jan-Christoph, Ohisalo Maria, Oliveira João, Olivier Philippe, Omarjee Younous, Ondruš Branislav, Ó Ríordáin Aodhán, Orlando Leoluca, Ozdoba Jacek, Paet Urmas, Pajín Leire, Palmisano Valentina, Papadakis Kostas, Papandreou Nikos, Pappas Nikos, Pascual De La Parte Nicolás, Paulus Jutta, Pedro Ana Miguel, Pedulla’ Gaetano, Pellerin-Carlin Thomas, Peltier Guillaume, Penkova Tsvetelina, Pennelle Gilles, Pérez Alvise, Peter-Hansen Kira Marie, Petrov Hristo, Picaro Michele, Picierno Pina, Picula Tonino, Piera Pascale, Pimpie Pierre, Piperea Gheorghe, de la Pisa Carrión Margarita, Pokorná Jermanová Jaroslava, Polato Daniele, Polfjärd Jessica, Pozņaks Reinis, Prebilič Vladimir, Princi Giusi, Protas Jacek, Pürner Friedrich, Rackete Carola, Radev Emil, Radtke Dennis, Rafowicz Emma, Ratas Jüri, Razza Ruggero, Rechagneux Julie, Regner Evelyn, Repasi René, Repp Sabrina, Reuten Thijs, Riba i Giner Diana, Ricci Matteo, Ridel Chloé, Riehl Nela, Ripa Manuela, Rodrigues André, Ros Sempere Marcos, Roth Neveďalová Katarína, Rougé André, Ruissen Bert-Jan, Ruotolo Sandro, Rzońca Bogdan, Saeidi Arash, Salini Massimiliano, Salis Ilaria, Salla Aura, Sánchez Amor Nacho, Sanchez Julien, Sancho Murillo Elena, Saramo Jussi, Sardone Silvia, Šarec Marjan, Sargiacomo Eric, Satouri Mounir, Saudargas Paulius, Sbai Majdouline, Sberna Antonella, Schaldemose Christel, Schaller-Baross Ernő, Schenk Oliver, Scheuring-Wielgus Joanna, Schieder Andreas, Schilling Lena, Schneider Christine, Schwab Andreas, Scuderi Benedetta, Seekatz Ralf, Sell Alexander, Serrano Sierra Rosa, Serra Sánchez Isabel, Sidl Günther, Sienkiewicz Bartłomiej, Sieper Lukas, Simon Sven, Singer Christine, Sippel Birgit, Sjöstedt Jonas, Śmiszek Krzysztof, Smith Anthony, Smit Sander, Sokol Tomislav, Solier Diego, Solís Pérez Susana, Sommen Liesbet, Sonneborn Martin, Sorel Malika, Sousa Silva Hélder, Søvndal Villy, Squarta Marco, Staķis Mārtiņš, Stancanelli Raffaele, Steger Petra, Stier Davor Ivo, Storm Kristoffer, Stöteler Sebastiaan, Stoyanov Stanislav, Strack-Zimmermann Marie-Agnes, Strada Cecilia, Streit Joachim, Strik Tineke, Strolenberg Anna, Sturdza Şerban-Dimitrie, Stürgkh Anna, Sypniewski Marcin, Szczerba Michał, Szekeres Pál, Szydło Beata, Tamburrano Dario, Tânger Corrêa António, Tarczyński Dominik, Tarquinio Marco, Tarr Zoltán, Tavares Carla, Tegethoff Kai, Teodorescu Georgiana, Teodorescu Måwe Alice, Ter Laak Ingeborg, Terras Riho, Tertsch Hermann, Thionnet Pierre-Romain, Timgren Beatrice, Tinagli Irene, Tobback Bruno, Tobé Tomas, Tolassy Rody, Tomac Eugen, Tomašič Zala, Tomaszewski Waldemar, Tomc Romana, Tonin Matej, Toom Jana, Topo Raffaele, Torselli Francesco, Tosi Flavio, Toussaint Marie, Tovaglieri Isabella, Toveri Pekka, Tridico Pasquale, Trochu Laurence, Tsiodras Dimitris, Turek Filip, Tynkkynen Sebastian, Uhrík Milan, Ušakovs Nils, Vaidere Inese, Valchev Ivaylo, Vălean Adina, Valet Matthieu, Van Brempt Kathleen, Van Brug Anouk, van den Berg Brigitte, Vandendriessche Tom, Van Dijck Kris, Van Lanschot Reinier, Van Leeuwen Jessika, Vannacci Roberto, Van Sparrentak Kim, Varaut Alexandre, Vasconcelos Ana, Vautmans Hilde, Vedrenne Marie-Pierre, Ventola Francesco, Verheyen Sabine, Verougstraete Yvan, Veryga Aurelijus, Vešligaj Marko, Vicsek Annamária, Vieira Catarina, Vigenin Kristian, Vilimsky Harald, Vincze Loránt, Virkkunen Henna, Vistisen Anders, Vivaldini Mariateresa, Volgin Petar, von der Schulenburg Michael, Vondra Alexandr, Voss Axel, Vozemberg-Vrionidi Elissavet, Vrecionová Veronika, Vázquez Lázara Adrián, Waitz Thomas, Walsh Maria, Walsmann Marion, Warborn Jörgen, Warnke Jan-Peter, Wąsik Maciej, Wcisło Marta, Wechsler Andrea, Weimers Charlie, Werbrouck Séverine, Wiesner Emma, Wiezik Michal, Wilmès Sophie, Winkler Iuliu, Winzig Angelika, Wiseler-Lima Isabel, Wiśniewska Jadwiga, Wölken Tiemo, Wolters Lara, Yar Lucia, Yon-Courtin Stéphanie, Yoncheva Elena, Zacharia Maria, Zajączkowska-Hernik Ewa, Zalewska Anna, Žalimas Dainius, Zan Alessandro, Zarzalejos Javier, Zdechovský Tomáš, Zdrojewski Bogdan Andrzej, Zīle Roberts, Zingaretti Nicola, Złotowski Kosma, Zoido Álvarez Juan Ignacio, Zovko Željana, Zver Milan

    Excused:

    Gómez López Sandra, Homs Ginel Alicia, Lalucq Aurore

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Greece’s railway network to be upgraded with EIB on board as adviser

    Source: European Investment Bank

    • EIB’s Advisory Hub to support major railway modernization across Greek rail network
    • Goal is to improve infrastructure, safety, and efficiency
    • EIB to provide targeted advisory services for free as part of InvestEU programme

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) will advise Greece on its planned major upgrade of the national railway network to improve safety, punctuality, and sustainability. Under the agreement with the Greek Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, the EIB  will assist authorities in developing a long-term  business plan for a newly established rail infrastructure management company and in outlining near-term network investments.

    The accord, which comes under the InvestEU programme, builds on the Greek government’s commitment to restructuring the national railway sector and to fulfilling European Union safety and environmental standards. It also highlights the EIB’s commitment to promoting modern and sustainable transport networks in the EU as part of the bank’s strategic roadmap.

    EIB Vice-President Ioannis Tsakiris and Greek Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Christos Staikouras signed the agreement today in Athens.

    “The EIB’s Advisory Services will provide the Greek government with the technical expertise necessary to implement long-term strategies, helping to ensure that the country’s railway system is both safe and competitive,” said Tsakiris. He added: “The EIB will support the Greek government in developing a multiyear investment plan for the railway sector, which will serve as a roadmap for the country’s infrastructure development over the next decade.”

    “The European Investment Bank, with its extensive expertise and experience, will provide a coherent strategic business plan, which will serve as a valuable guide in the organizational efforts of the new entity. This plan will support the Government’s priorities for developing a modern, safer, faster, and fully interoperable network, in line with the requirements of the Trans-European Transport Network and the standards set by the European Union. By utilizing the knowhow offered by the EIB, we are creating a sound and rational framework on which this crucial reform of the railway sector will be based. In this way, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport is implementing another important — and promising — initiative for the modernization and future development of the Greek railway system.”, said Staikouras.

    Strategic priorities for Greece’s railway sector

    Greece aims to develop a modern, safe, and fully interoperable rail system, aligning with Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) requirements.

    Key strategic priorities outlined for the Greek rail sector include:

    • Completing the Patras-Athens-Thessaloniki-Promachonas (PAThEP) corridor, a crucial part of the TEN-T network.
    • Expanding rail connections to ports and industrial zones, strengthening the economic infrastructure.
    • Facilitating cross-border rail connections with Europe to enhance regional connectivity.

    Shaping the future of Greek rail investment

    The advisory accord marks a significant opportunity for the EIB to help shape rail investment in Greece over the next two decades. The EIB  work will feed into the Greek National Recovery and Resilience Plan, which requires the adoption of a multiyear investment plan by mid-2025.

    The assignment will run for run for six months, during which the EIB will engage external service providers to execute three main tasks:

    ·        Development of a strategic business plan for the new rail infrastructure entity.

    ·        Preparation of a medium-term (2025-2034) implementation plan for the railway sector.

    ·        Creation of a comprehensive funding plan to support the implementation of priority projects.

    Background information

    About the EIB

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. It finances sound investments that further EU policy objectives. EIB projects bolster competitiveness, drive innovation, promote sustainable development, enhance social and territorial cohesion, and support a just and swift transition to climate neutrality.

     The European Investment Bank Group (EIB Group), consisting of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund (EIF), reported total financing signatures in Greece of €2.5 billion in 2023, 33% of which went to supporting sustainable energy and natural resources projects. Overall, the EIB Group signed €88 billion in new financing in 2023.

    Approximately half of the EIB’s financing within the EU is directed towards cohesion regions, where per capita income is lower. This underscores the Bank’s commitment to fostering inclusive growth and the convergence of living standards.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Salt batteries: The fireproof battery

    Source: Switzerland – Federal Administration in English

    Originally developed for electric cars, nowadays they supply mobile phone antennas with electricity, and tomorrow perhaps entire districts: The salt battery is a safe and long-lasting battery technology with huge potential. Empa researchers are collaborating with an industrial partner to further develop these special batteries.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Poor treatment of airline passengers – E-001628/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission would like to underline that, in accordance with the Air Services Regulation 1008/2008[1], airlines are free to set their own airfares.

    However, air carriers must also provide information to passengers on the elements of those fares, particularly as regards optional price supplements such as ‘priority boarding’ services.

    As regards the boarding process, it is up to air carriers and airports to design and implement it. It should be however emphasised that accordingly to EU rules on consumer protection and a common principle of consumer contract law, the customer can request a refund if a service has been paid for but is not provided.

    Furthermore, if an airline expects that the flight will be delayed beyond the scheduled departure time, passengers are entitled to assistance depending on the length of the delay and distance of the flight.

    Finally, while the Commission has no power to intervene in individual disputes between passengers and air carriers, passengers who believe their rights under the regulation have not been respected can contact the body in the country where the incident took place[2] or contact a European Consumer centre when it comes to general consumer rights[3].

    • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=celex%3A32008R1008
    • [2] List of National Enforcement Bodies : https://transport.ec.europa.eu/document/download/d7b5dd33-4083-4faa-8132-b6dc8b3a1c07_en?filename=2004_261_national_enforcement_bodies.pdf
    • [3] List of European Consumer Centres Network : https://commission.europa.eu/live-work-travel-eu/consumer-rights-and-complaints/resolve-your-consumer-complaint/european-consumer-centres-network-ecc-net_en
    Last updated: 24 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Expanding Clean Cooking in East Africa to strengthen communities, cut pollution and save lives: US $15 million financing from European Investment Bank for Kenya-based BURN

    Source: European Investment Bank

    EIB

    • The $15 million financing will enable BURN to produce and distribute its industry-leading ECOA Induction Cooker to over 1 million households across East Africa.
    • The investment will positively impact 6.5 million people, avoiding 12 million tons of carbon emissions over a period of 5 years.

    Today BURN, the world’s leading clean cooking appliance manufacturer, distributor, and carbon project developer, and the European Investment Bank signed an agreement to invest $15 million from the EIB to fund the distribution of BURN’s ECOA Electric Induction cooker to households across the East African region.

    Announced at a signature ceremony on the margins of the World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings in Washington, the US$15 million debt investment from EIB Global will finance a solution that could significantly reduce indoor air pollution in homes across the world – a problem that currently causes 4 million premature deaths a year, and disproportionally affects the health of women living in developing countries.

    Speaking from Washington the EIB Group President, Nadia Calviño said, “The investment that we have agreed today is not just about improving lives, but saving them as well. With relatively simple technology for clean cooking we will strengthen communities, especially by protecting the health of women, and their families.

    This will have a positive impact on the climate as well by lowering carbon emissions. Supporting potentially transformative projects like BURN’s expansion of affordable clean cooking for more than a million households in Africa is the kind of initiative that the European Union aims to support more of under our Global Gateway Initiative.” 

    From Washington, Peter Scott, Founder and CEO of BURN, stated, “BURN has already brought our unique PAYC electric cooking solution to thousands of households in Kenya and Tanzania that were previously relying on traditional charcoal stoves.   This investment by EIB will help us transition over a million low-income households to cooking with electricity, allowing them to cook on grids that are 80-95% powered by renewable energy.”

    The EIB financing announced today in Washington will enable the appliances to be offered via BURN’s innovative, Pay-As-You-Cook payment offering. This tech-enabled payment solution enables affordable financing for low-income households currently using solid biomass as their primary cooking fuel but who are unable to afford full upfront payments typically required for clean electric cooking appliances.

    This project is also actively supporting the empowerment of women – and has been qualified as a gender lens investment by the 2X Challenge, a global initiative launched at the G7 summit in 2018, with the EIB as one of  its members. The 2X Challenge aims to accelerate private sector investments that support women in low- and middle-income countries, using a standardized set of criteria known as the 2X criteria.

    The financing support to BURN is through the Desiree Investment Envelope under the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Impact Finance Envelope (“IFE”).

    The financing package from the European Commission aims to support the participation by the EIB in high-risk projects in ACP countries to support greater investments in energy efficiency and electrification ventures. The IFE supports projects that generate superior developmental impact with the overarching objective of poverty reduction through developing the private sector by taking a higher risk of investment for high developmental impact.

    The ECOA Induction cooker is bundled with a high-quality, 3-piece stainless steel induction cookware set, fully manufactured in Kenya. The appliances reduce indoor air pollution by 100%, decrease cooking time by 70%, and save households money on cooking fuels.

    BURN’s electric cooking appliances generate high-integrity carbon credits by using integrated cellular-enabled IoT technology which allows for effective, real-time and end-to-end monitoring of energy usage. These electric appliances reduce ~2.5 tonnes of carbon emissions annually, and contribute to EIB’s climate action, gender equality, and economic development objectives.

    The company, which is also exporting its products to other countries, is also showcasing Africa’s untapped manufacturing opportunities, that create sustainable job opportunities for many young people.

    To date, BURN has distributed over 5 million clean cookstoves across Africa, transforming the lives of 25 million people and preventing 26 million tons of CO2 emissions from entering the atmosphere. 

    ABOUT BURN

     Founded in 2011, BURN is Africa’s leading producer of clean cookstoves, committed to saving lives, protecting forests, and reducing CO2 emissions. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, BURN operates in 9 countries and employs over 3,500 people, with a mission to revolutionize the clean cooking sector and provide sustainable cooking solutions across the continent.

    The efficiency, safety, and benefits of BURN’s clean cooking appliances have been independently verified through peer-reviewed Randomized Control Trial (RCT) by the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Chicago.

    The study found a match to BURN’s usage and consumption measurements, finding a fuel savings of 39% against the baseline, saving families US$119 per year, with each cookstove reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 3.5 tons per year (their recent update to the study found these savings to be robust for 3 years and counting, with 98% of the stoves still in use). This study was peer-reviewed and published in the world’s leading economics journal, The American Economic Review (AER).

    Learn more at burnstoves.com

    ABOUT the EIB

     The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union owned by its Member States. It makes long-term finance available for sound investment in order to contribute towards EU policy goals.

    EIB Global is the EIB Group’s specialised arm devoted to increasing the impact of international partnerships and development finance, and a key partner in Global Gateway. We aim to support €100 billion of investment by the end of 2027, around one third of the overall target of this EU initiative. With Team Europe, EIB Global fosters strong, focused partnerships, alongside fellow development finance institutions and civil society. EIB Global brings the Group closer to local people, companies and institutions through our offices around the world.

    The EIB Group aims to embed gender equality and in particular women’s economic empowerment in its business model and is also committed to driving gender equality in its workplace. The EIB financed a total of 63 projects across the globe in 2023 that significantly contributed to gender equality and women’s economic empowerment, providing €5.8 billion of investment, more than half of which also supported climate action.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Sutton Connect – a new Green Travel District to encourage sustainable travel

    Source: City of Birmingham

    Sutton Connect, a new Green Travel District for the Sutton Walmley, Minworth & Reddicap area, has been launched to help encourage sustainable travel.

    Developed alongside the Peddimore employment park and Langley Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE) developments, which will bring thousands of new jobs and homes to the area, Sutton Connect brings a range of partners and stakeholders together to coordinate activity and ensure both developments are well connected and sustainable with the necessary infrastructure, policies and supporting initiatives in place.

    The vision of Sutton Connect is for less congestion, less pollution, fewer accidents and healthier, safer, more productive communities.

    Councillor Majid Mahmood, Cabinet Member for Transport at Birmingham City Council said: “I am so pleased we have worked closely with partners to set up a Green Travel District (Sutton Connect) for this part of Sutton Coldfield, bringing everyone together to discuss transport issues and collaborate on opportunities to enhance sustainable travel across the area. This is exciting news for the entire region and will see investment in schemes and initiatives that benefit all those living, working and travelling locally.” 

    David Smith, Director, Planning & Communities, IM Properties, development partner for Peddimore site, said: “Sustainable travel that prioritises walking, cycling and public transport is central to the Peddimore vision, connecting local people in Birmingham, Royal Sutton Coldfield and neighbouring North Warwickshire with new employment opportunities. We‘ve created a striking landscape setting that sensitively links with the surrounding area and provides attractive, safe, and accessible active travel routes. This contributes to an engaging and welcoming workplace, supporting the wellbeing of employees and visitors, while minimising impact on the environment.”

    Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council are also backing the Green Travel District approach, seeing the benefits it will bring to the town. Councillor Simon Ward, Leader of Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, said: “The Green Travel District clearly supports our Active Travel Vision across the town where residents and visitors can leave the car at home if they wish and move safely and efficiently through our streets and spaces. Providing real green transport choices supports better health, economic and environmental outcomes and will ensure future generations can continue to enjoy the rich heritage, biodiversity and natural beauty of our town.”

    People can sign up for regular Sutton Connect updates for more information about this initiative and to find out what support and activities will be available in future.  

    To enable people to travel by public transport two new bus services have been launched to serve the Peddimore site.  The 64/X64 Birmingham – Peddimore/Minworth via Erdington, The Fort, Bromford & Castle Vale.  Also, the 68 Birmingham – Peddimore/Minworth via Lichfield Road, Tyburn Road is in line with Amazon shift times at Peddimore but may be suitable for those living/travelling locally.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The Pandemic Institute celebrates three years of work

    Source: City of Liverpool

    The Pandemic Institute, a world leading facility committed to helping the world prevent, prepare, and respond more effectively to pandemics, celebrates three years of vital work to keep the public safe.

    Since opening in autumn 2021, the Institute has advanced research to predict and prepare for the next pandemic. It’s built resilience in society to respond and recover from COVID-19 and future health crises and worked to prevent disease outbreaks and epidemics from developing into pandemics.

    Ove the last three years The Pandemic Institute has:

    • Supported a portfolio of research worth more than £50m led by The Pandemic Institute’s investigators based at the University of Liverpool, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, and Liverpool John Moores University.
    • Established research industry partnerships with a value of more than £5m, strengthening the local economy and employment prospects. One such partnership is with CSL Seqirus, a global leader in influenza prevention. Together they are researching both the threat of seasonal influenza and the development of innovative approaches to pandemic preparedness and response.
    • Awarded £3.6m in critical pandemic research funding, and responded rapidly to emerging infections such as Mpox, which was recently declared a global emergency by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
    • Provided funding towards the development of diagnostics for some of the world’s deadliest viruses including Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF). Transmitted by tick bites, it has a mortality rate of around 30% but there is currently no vaccine. Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine has developed a rapid point-of-care lateral flow test, as well as conducting clinical trials to assess a potential treatment.
    • Supported researchers at Liverpool John Moores University who are looking at health inequalities and resilience in communities during a pandemic, and how future responses can be tailored and improved.
    • Invested in infrastructure including a new pre-clinical trials unit for testing new vaccines and treatments, based at the University of Liverpool.
    • Provided critical advice and support on pandemic prevention and preparedness to the UK Health Security Agency, Department of Health and Social Care, and other government departments.

    Professor Tom Solomon, Director of The Pandemic Institute said: “I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve done in just three short years, helping to develop new diagnostic tests, treatments and vaccines, for emerging infection threats, and strengthening the research infrastructure.

    “Thanks to our dedicated and ongoing efforts we are in a position to rapidly mobilise funding for essential research and be flexible in times of swiftly changing circumstances.”

    Director of Public Health for Liverpool, Professor Matthew Ashton, said: “Liverpool has a rich history of delivering bold public health interventions, and the launch of The Pandemic Institute continued our long and proud tradition.

    “The funding shows the ongoing commitment to delivering an innovative response to pandemics on an international scale.

    “It is playing a vital role in the global work to tackle the next pandemic, wherever and whenever that will be, and we should be immensely proud of the foresight the city showed in establishing it.”

    What’s next

    The Pandemic Institute will continue to develop new infrastructure in Liverpool to harness the combined expertise of the region.

    In spring, The Pandemic Institute was awarded funding as part of the Liverpool City Region’s Investment Zone plans. Part of the £160m Government pledge will support the Institutes’ ambitions to build a new Pandemic Preparedness and Response Facility in Liverpool containing state-of-the-art research laboratories that will strengthen the UK’s infectious disease research and innovation capabilities.

    For more information about The Pandemic Institute visit www.thepandemicinstitute.org.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: MHRA reminds healthcare professionals to advise patients of the side effects of GLP-1 agonists and to report misuse

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is reminding healthcare professionals to ensure patients are aware of the known side effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.

    These medicines are used to treat type 2 diabetes or obesity, with the common risk of gastrointestinal side effects which may affect more than 1 in 10 patients. While most side effects for these medicines are mild, some may also be serious.   

    Healthcare professionals should also be alert for signs of misuse of these medicines in their patients, warn these patients that they are at risk of side effects and report any adverse reactions via the Yellow Card scheme.   

    GLP-1 receptor agonists approved for weight management, are effective treatment options for patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) higher or equal to 30 kg/m2 or for patients whose BMI is higher or equal to 27 kg/m2 and have a weight-related medical condition, such as cardiovascular disease.

    GLP-1 receptor agonists can only be prescribed by a registered healthcare professional.

    When appropriately used in line with the product licence, the benefits of these medications outweigh the risks for patients. However, this benefit-risk balance is positive only for those patients within the approved indications for weight management or type 2 diabetes as described in the product information.

    If patients obtain a private prescription (from a non-NHS prescriber), they should ensure this is dispensed from an authorised source, such as a registered pharmacy, to avoid the risk of receiving a falsified pen. They should be aware that some falsified medicines have been found to contain insulin, which if used, could cause severe hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) requiring urgent medical attention. 

    It is vital for patients to carefully read the instructions in the Patient Information Leaflet and use the prescribed dose. Potential side effects of these medicines can include gastrointestinal conditions, such as vomiting and diarrhoea. In most cases, these are not usually serious, but may sometimes lead to more serious complications such as severe dehydration, resulting in hospitalisation. Patients are advised to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids throughout treatment.

    Gastrointestinal side effects are more likely to occur at the start of treatment or after a recent increase in dose. Healthcare professionals should also discuss the risk of serious, but less common side effects such as pancreatitis and gall bladder disorders.

    Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) can occur in non-diabetic patients using some GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight management and healthcare professionals should ensure patients are aware of the symptoms and signs of this condition, such as sweating, shaking, feelings of tiredness or weakness and confusion. Where this occurs, patients should eat or drink something that will raise their blood sugar quickly, and if symptoms persist they should seek medical attention.

    Patients prescribed GLP-1 receptor agonists should speak to a healthcare professional if they have any questions about potential side effects. 

    Dr Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer, said:

    “All medicines carry a risk of potential side effects and GLP-1RAs are no exception.

    “We encourage healthcare professionals to ensure patients being treated with these medicines are aware of the common side effects and how to minimise risk.

    “The balance of benefits and risks outside the licensed indication has not been shown to be favourable. Please report cases of misuse especially if harm occurs”

    Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said:

    “Weight-loss drugs have enormous potential. When taken alongside healthy diet and exercise, they can be game changers in tackling obesity and getting people back to good health. 

    “But these are not cosmetic drugs that should be taken to help get a body beautiful picture for Instagram. These are serious medicines and should only be used responsibly and under medical supervision. They’re not a quick fix to lose a few pounds and buying them online without appropriate assessment can put people’s health at risk.

    “Drugs approved for weight management should only be used by those tackling obesity, where diet and exercise has been tried first, and where patients are eligible.”

    Healthcare professionals should consult our Drug Safety Update for further advice.

    ENDS

    Notes to editors

    1. Further information is available in the Drug Safety Update.
    2. GLP-1 receptor agonists are used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity, with active ingredients including exenatide, lixisenatide, liraglutide, dulaglutide, semaglutide and tirzepatide. They work by mimicking the action of the natural hormone GLP-1, which helps regulate blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin secretion, reducing glucagon secretion, slowing gastric emptying, and promoting satiety.
    3. Not all GLP-1 receptor agonists are approved for weight management, products can include the active ingredients semaglutide (Wegovy), tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and liraglutide (Saxenda). GLP-1 receptor agonists can be used alone or in combination with other diabetes medications. Some GLP-1 receptor agonists have also been approved for weight management in obese patients with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 kg/m² or overweight patients with a BMI of 27 kg/m.
    4. Symptoms of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) can be found on the NHS website.
    5. Falsified medicines can cause a serious risk to health, patients should only receive prescriptions from authorised prescribers.
    6. A licensed indication refers to the approval to treat or manage a specific medical condition.
    7. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe.  All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks. 
    8. The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care. 
    9. For media enquiries, please contact newscentre@mhra.gov.uk or 020 3080 7651.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Lebanon Support Conference 2024: Minister Falconer intervention

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    The Minister for the Middle East attended the Lebanon Support Conference in Paris on 24 October 2024 to reiterate calls for a ceasefire in Lebanon.

    The situation in Lebanon is worsening daily, and civilian casualties are mounting.

    The risks of further escalation cannot be overstated. We cannot let Lebanon become another Gaza.

    This is why today the UK repeats our call for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Lebanese Hizballah.

    Let us not forget that this conflict started when Hizballah launched rockets at northern Israel, forcing the Israelis to flee their homes.

    The UK stands with Israel and recognises its right of self defence in the face of unlawful Iranian attacks.

    Iran must immediately halt those attacks, and stand down its proxies.

    Meanwhile, we are working with the Lebanese Armed Forces, the sole legitimate defender of that state, to support security and stability.

    I am pleased to be joined today by one of our most senior military officers, Air Marshal Harvey Smyth, who leads our work to support the Lebanese Armed Forces. We stand ready to do more.

    We are also committing £15 million to respond to the humanitarian emergency in Lebanon, supporting food, medicine and clean water.

    Many generous British citizens are now donating to the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal for Gaza, Lebanon and the wider region – my government will now pledge to match that generosity up to £10 million.

    The aid workers striving to alleviate suffering in Lebanon must be able to carry out their duties in safety – including UN workers, who have a vital role to play in resolving armed conflict and mitigating its impact.

    Britain condemns all threats to the security of UNIFIL.

    We call on all parties engaged in this conflict to take all necessary precautions to avoid civilian deaths and injuries and protect essential infrastructure.

    Before I conclude, let me reflect briefly on the wider crisis in the region.

    Following the death of the terrorist leader Yahya Sinwar, it is time for a new chapter in Gaza.

    We reiterate our call for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and an increase in humanitarian aid.

    We must focus all our efforts on stopping this cycle of violence.

    A political solution consistent with 1701 is the only answer – and the only way to secure a stable future for those on both sides of the Blue Line.

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko: BRICS summit showed colossal success of President Vladimir Putin

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    Previous news Next news

    Dmitry Chernyshenko spoke at the opening of the first international scientific conference “Science for Public Administration in Russia”, which is being held at the Presidential Academy in Moscow

    Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko spoke at the opening of the first international scientific conference “Science for Public Administration in Russia”, which is being held at the Presidential Academy in Moscow on October 24–25.

    At the beginning of his speech, the Deputy Prime Minister quoted President Vladimir Putin, noting that today science is the basis for solving many large-scale problems of the country. He also recalled the mission of a civil servant – service, the connection of his life with Russia and the people.

    “It is symbolic that this conference is taking place within the walls of the Presidential Academy, which trains professionals for public service according to the highest standards. Today, about 274 thousand students study at the Academy and its 47 branches,” noted Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that this is a difficult historical period, but Russia will be able to effectively confront challenges: this is evidenced by the unprecedentedly low level of unemployment and many other parameters.

    “We see the colossal success of President Vladimir Putin in terms of recognition of Russia. 35 countries arrived in Kazan to participate in the BRICS summit, 22 are represented at the highest level – by their presidents. It is clear that Russia has become a center of attraction instead of an outcast. The entire progressive world has appreciated how our economy has not only withstood unprecedented pressure and the largest number of sanctions in the world, but also shows growth,” the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.

    The economies of the BRICS countries are developing at an accelerated pace. The share of the BRICS countries in the world economy in terms of purchasing power parity confidently exceeds the share of the “Big Seven”.

    The plan to isolate Russia and ban everything Russian has failed. All countries want to live in a multipolar and fair world. Our policy is based on mutual respect, the sovereign equality of our states.

    “The effective work of civil servants will determine how Russia will realize the window of opportunity. President Vladimir Putin said that the authorities must work constantly and intensely, like fighters on the front lines of the SVO. Such a comparison obliges us to do a lot. We must do everything in our place to achieve results and correspond to our spiritual and moral values,” noted Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    The Deputy Prime Minister recalled that such traditional spiritual and moral values include serving the Fatherland and responsibility for its fate. Role models are needed to protect state sovereignty. To increase the number of such specialists, a Center for training managers for scientific and technological development and their teams was created this year at the Higher School of Public Administration of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration.

    “I consider it important to create and improve mechanisms to ensure a strong connection between the Government’s management decisions and the advanced achievements of Russian science,” concluded Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    The first international scientific conference “Science for Public Administration in Russia” brings together more than 2.8 thousand participants and 205 speakers. The event is dedicated to current issues of public administration and prospects for effective interaction between the economy, law and the social sphere in the context of modern global challenges.

    “Development of the scientific potential of the Presidential Academy is one of the most important tasks for the coming years. Today, RANEPA is a leader in training civil servants in Russia. The President has instructed us to prepare the country’s new elite. I am confident that the accumulated knowledge and work experience will allow us to conduct the most modern and relevant scientific research. So that decisions can be made on their basis on how to counter new threats and challenges. The international scientific conference “Public Administration in Russia” is an important step in the implementation of this plan and the first such large-scale scientific event in the history of our country dedicated to the topic of public administration,” said Alexey Komissarov, Rector of the Presidential Academy.

    Participants will also discuss priorities for scientific and technological development, strategic objectives for the development of science to ensure national security and technological independence of Russia, the economics of the scientific sphere, and much more.

    The conference will feature the presentation of five books, including the first Russian textbook on management, prepared by the authors’ collective of the Presidential Academy, a meeting of the expert council on the development of the creative economy, and the signing of a number of agreements.

    Participants in the plenary session included Vice President of the Russian Academy of Sciences Vladimir Ivanov, Rector of the Presidential Academy Alexey Komissarov, Dean of the Faculty of Economics of Lomonosov Moscow State University Alexander Auzan, Deputy Secretary of the Public Chamber of Russia Alexander Galushka. The moderator was Nikita Marchenkov, Chairman of the Coordination Council for Youth Affairs in Science and Education of the Presidential Council for Science and Education.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft Increases Efficiency of Hydraulic Fracturing

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    Samotlorneftegaz, a Rosneft production asset, has reduced the construction time of wells using multi-stage hydraulic fracturing (MSHF) in deep formations to 5 days from 47 to 42. This result was achieved by using domestically produced new-model HF couplings. They are driven by new-model bushings with soluble balls of a single size.

    Rosneft is systematically working on the development of domestic technologies and import substitution. Developments of corporate research institutes and equipment of domestic manufacturing plants are actively implemented at production sites.

    The design feature of the new couplings made it possible to ensure the tightness of horizontal wells by fully cementing the shank. This allows for faster multistage hydraulic fracturing and an economic effect of up to 9 million rubles per cycle on one well. With traditional technology, couplings activated by dropping soluble balls of different diameters were used, and horizontal sections were isolated using specialized devices (casing packers), which increased the cost of the operation and extended the drilling time of the well.

    The use of new-style couplings makes it possible to carry out hydraulic fracturing operations with an unlimited number of stages and increase the starting flow rate of wells.

    Reference:

    Samotlorneftegaz is one of the main production assets of Rosneft. The company is developing the largest Samotlor field in Russia, where industrial hydrocarbon production began in 1969. The share of wells with multistage hydraulic fracturing in the total volume of drilling of the company exceeds 86%.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft October 24, 2024

    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