Posts Tagged ‘business news’

HIGHGATE PUBLISHES FIRST ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE (ESG) REPORT

Reinforces the Company’s Commitment to Making a Positive Impact on the Hospitality Industry and the Greater Global Community

NEW YORK, May 18, 2023 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ – Highgate released today its environmental, social and governance (ESG) report which includes a comprehensive analysis of its successful sustainability performance to-date as well as its strategies for reducing the environmental impact of its hotels. It is believed to be among the first reports of its kind by a major hotel management company.

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Highgate has company goals to expand on numerous initiatives highlighted in the report, including increasing its number of carbon neutral hotels, onsite solar systems, biodiversity projects, third-party eco-certified hotels, and electric vehicle (EV) charging station installations. Tracking and reporting carbon, energy, water and waste performance data is another critical program component to monitor and share progress. Comparing 2021 to 2019, Highgate reduced its total GHG emissions by 21.8% and has cut energy use by more than 170,000 megawatt hours (MWh).

“We all share an urgent responsibility to reduce our impact on climate change, and this is especially true for the hospitality industry,” said Highgate CEO Arash Azarbarzin. “Highgate is very proud to be a leader on this front by presenting this analysis that can serve as a roadmap to help drive hospitality management toward a net-zero future without compromising the guest experience.”

“With this report, we endeavored to exhibit our most successful initiatives and to provide visibility into our full carbon footprint, including initial emissions calculations for our entire supply chain. We will use these data to establish achievable goals and measure our progress,” said Marianne Balfe, Vice President of Sustainability of Highgate.

As an example of the ambitious environmental standards and objectives that Highgate is pursuing, the report highlights how the Alohilani Resort became the first hotel in Hawaii to commit to PAS 2060 carbon neutrality certification. As part of this initiative, the hotel partnered with the Hawaii Legacy Reforestation Initiative to reforest more than 1,200 acres of trees, which is the first carbon removal project in the United States to achieve Gold Standard certification.

As a member of the Clean Energy Buyers Association (CEBA), Highgate became the first hospitality company to sign CEBA’s Commercial Real Estate Principles, which supports the decarbonization of commercial buildings through energy optimization and renewable energy procurement. In 2021, Highgate made a large-scale investment in Green-e certified renewable energy certificates (RECs) that allowed more than 200 hotels in its portfolio to be powered by 100% renewable energy. Highgate is also evaluating onsite renewable energy feasibility and is conducting a comprehensive analysis of onsite solar and battery storage opportunities across its entire portfolio.

Highgate is also increasing the utilization of energy efficient technologies at its hotels, while also increasing the use of renewable energy. As part of its Environmental Brand Standards, Highgate requires hotels to install smart guestroom thermostats, 100% LED lighting, and intelligent kitchen hood fans for properties with large kitchens. As of 2021, approximately 65% of its properties already use high-efficiency lighting.

Other areas of focus in Highgate’s sustainability program include improving water management, preventing food waste, reducing landfill waste and bolstering recycling, single-use plastics elimination, responsible sourcing, supporting biodiversity projects, and implementing green construction and design practices.

“We are deeply focused on sustainable design and construction practices, partners and opportunities,” said Paul McElroy, Executive Vice President of Design and Construction. ”We are actively seeking the right partnerships that will not only help us hold ourselves accountable to minimize our carbon footprint, but can also inspire a “more conscious” ripple effect across the larger design and construction community.”

The full report can be found here.

About Highgate

Highgate is a leading real estate investment and hospitality management company with over $20 billion of assets under management. Highgate has a 30-year track record as an investment manager, operating partner, and developer for REITs, private equity firms, sovereign wealth funds, high net worth individuals, and other institutional investors. With a particular focus in hospitality real estate, Highgate’s portfolio includes over 500 owned and/or managed hotels comprising over 80,000 rooms across the United States, Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Highgate’s capabilities extend to adjacent real estate verticals including multifamily, short-term rentals, and diversified healthcare real estate, as well as investments in real estate-linked securities, technology platforms, and hospitality-related operating businesses. Highgate maintains corporate offices in London, New York, Dallas, Miami, Seattle, and Waikiki. For more information, visit: www.highgate.com.

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Wells Fargo and T.D. Jakes Group Announce Ten-Year Strategic Partnership to Build Inclusive Communities

SAN FRANCISCO, April 27, 2023 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) and the T.D. Jakes Group, which includes T.D. Jakes Real Estate Ventures, LLC (TDJREV), TDJ Enterprises (TDJE) and T.D. Jakes Foundation (TDJF), today announced a strategic partnership to drive economic vitality and inclusivity in communities across America. Over the next 10 years, the partnership between these organizations could result in up to $1 billion in capital and financing from Wells Fargo, as well as grants from the Wells Fargo Foundation, with the goal of revitalizing neighborhoods, fostering economic opportunity and creating long-term change in communities most in need. The partnership marks the first of its kind in driving long-term transformational impact over the next decade.

T.D. Jakes Group

“We are excited to collaborate with the T.D. Jakes Group as they play a key role in the transformation of communities that will have a lasting impact for generations to come,” said Charlie Scharf, CEO of Wells Fargo. “This strategic partnership goes beyond a one-off capital investment and underscores our continued commitment to diverse and inclusive communities. We look forward to seeing the meaningful difference we’ll make together in communities across the country.”

“This alliance with our organization allows us to further our four decades-long work to provide economic justice, eradicate food deserts, construct desirable workplaces and affordable housing, closing the digital divide and ultimately help families leave a rich and lasting legacy for the next generation,” remarked T.D. Jakes, Chairman & CEO of the T.D. Jakes Group. “We recognize the need for CEOs like Charlie Scharf bending the arc and aim of Wells Fargo toward correcting systemic inequalities. We are committed to ensuring additional opportunities actually reach as many areas of need that we can influence. Disruptive partnerships like this create a paradigm shift in how we can collectively bring long overdue transformation, particularly to Black and Brown communities and other marginalized groups around our nation.”

In 2022, TDJREV began purchasing nearly 100 acres of Fort McPherson, the historic former army base situated in enviable proximity to downtown Atlanta with plans to create an innovative community of commercial and residential space. The plans for this land include mixed-income housing with an array of living choices such as single-family homes, townhomes and apartments positioned in well-designed neighborhoods with ample amenities aimed at enhancing the quality of life through healthy food choices, healthcare options and other wraparound services. One of the first prominent projects that Wells Fargo intends to support as a financial partner is the revitalization of the Fort McPherson property, with the vision of aiding TDJREV in developing the area into an inclusive neighborhood equipped with ample green space, a bike path, recreation centers, impacting the Historic Business and Cultural districts at Fort McPherson.

The Wells Fargo Foundation and T.D. Jakes Foundation also expect to provide financial empowerment education and revitalize neighborhoods in underserved low-and moderate-income communities by increasing homeownership and fostering business creation in several cities including Atlanta, Chicago and Dallas.

Charlie Scharf will join T.D. Jakes on stage on May 5, during Jakes’ International Leadership Summit in Orlando, Florida for a conversation about this unique partnership and other topics. There is a press registration link for media who want to attend in person or virtually.

Wells Fargo – A Builder of Communities

Wells Fargo has been a leader in the development of and investment in affordable housing across the nation. Since 2016, the Company has held the position of the top Fannie Mae DUS® Affordable Housing Lender. Coming out of the pandemic over the last two years, (2021 and 2022), the Company closed $10 billion in financing through its Community Lending and Investment (CLI) group and $5.7 billion in financing through its Multifamily Capital (MFC) group directed towards affordable housing and community development. In addition, the Company provides LIHTC investments and has a portfolio of approximately 1500 transactions with a book value of $12.2 billion. Further, in March of 2020, the Company made a $50 million investment in Minority Depository Institutions (MDI’s); the pledge included advisory services to help these important local institutions to flourish. As of the end of 2021, all 15 institutions received their investment. Wells Fargo has donated more than $525 million to support housing affordability solutions for individuals and families (2019-2022).

About Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a leading financial services company that has approximately $1.9 trillion in assets, proudly serves one in three U.S. households and more than 10% of small businesses in the U.S., and is a leading middle market banking provider in the U.S. We provide a diversified set of banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through our four reportable operating segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth & Investment Management. Wells Fargo ranked No. 41 on Fortune’s 2022 rankings of America’s largest corporations. In the communities we serve, the company focuses its social impact on building a sustainable, inclusive future for all by supporting housing affordability, small business growth, financial health, and a low-carbon economy.

News, insights, and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories.

Additional information may be found at www.wellsfargo.com | Twitter: @WellsFargo

About The T.D. Jakes Group

The T.D. Jakes Group is a global conglomerate that’s worked for more than four decades at the intersection of mission, ministry and marketplace to solve society’s problems through strategic alliances creating equity and providing solutions for underrepresented and underserved communities. The organization’s four pillars operate globally: T.D. Jakes Enterprises is a civil rights award-winning social impact holding company reaching millions through entrepreneurial training, minority business accelerator initiatives and trailblazing representation in streaming unscripted series, film, music and publishing that has grossed over $500 million worldwide through original entertainment content; T.D. Jakes Foundation is building bridges by unlocking the power of global competition through workforce training that prepares workers to compete in today’s economy through STEM/STEAM education, financial literacy and inclusion, and a laser focus to close the racial wealth gap and support minority women in corporate leadership; T.D. Jakes Real Estate Ventures is actively developing sustainable communities with a focus on economic development, eradicating food deserts and opening doors for home ownership and wealth building where none existed before.; T.D. Jakes Ministries is a faith-based international organization who’s inspiring content is translated to over 90 languages each week, and whose returning citizen advocacy work has helped over 30,000 individuals create lasting, generational change.

Learn how the T.D. Jakes Group is creating a more equitable society through innovative concepts and disruptive partnerships by visiting tdjakes.org/newsroom.

[Cautionary Statement About Forward-Looking Statements]
This release contains forward-looking statements about our future business. Because forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding the future, they are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. Do not unduly rely on forward-looking statements as actual results could differ materially from expectations. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and we do not undertake to update them to reflect changes or events that occur after that date. For information about factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations, refer to our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the discussion under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on its website at www.sec.gov.]

Wells Fargo & Company (NSYE: WFC)

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PaySett Corporation expands its payments partnership with the Barbados Automated Clearing House Services Inc. (BACHSI)

The real time payments (RTP) solution PayExpedite® will complement the current electronic payments ecosystem to allow for the creation of new payment services in Barbados.

ATLANTA and BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, April 26, 2023 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ – PaySett Corporation, a global provider of payment solutions, and BACHSI announced today the launch of the new RTP platform based on the ISO 20022 messaging standard.

Natalie Garraway, immediate past chairman (2020-2022) and current deputy chair (2023) commented, “We are elated to have this platform launched in Barbados. This system will be integral in our digital journey as a country as it offers speed, convenience, and reliability. We are grateful to PaySett for partnering with us (BACHSI) to provide such a solution that covers all those key areas that our citizens and customers have been eagerly requesting in a banking solution.”

Jesus Garcia, VP of Business Development, added, “Our market proven PayExpedite® solution will integrate seamlessly into the Barbados payments ecosystem to serve the government of Barbados’ plans to reduce (and longer term eliminate) the number of cash and cheque transactions while reducing the costs of these traditional payment methods. Each participating financial institution will have at its disposal a robust real time payments platform capable of supporting new service offerings such as emergency payments, P2P payments, digital wallets, eCommerce, and others. The ease, speed, and security capabilities of the PayExpedite® platform will facilitate the country’s transition to a more digital economy.”

These same financial institutions will be able to process consumer, corporate and government payments in real time through a multitude of banking channels. PaySett’s PayExpedite® product has been deployed across multiple countries offering regional financial institutions the opportunity to manage real time payments across their entire geographical market.

About PaySett Corporation

Atlanta Georgia based PaySett Corporation is a global provider of payment software solutions. PaySett provides products/services to assist global financial entities to effectively manage the way money moves throughout their organizations and for their customers. PaySett’s two decades of experience moving payments through national and international payment networks has allowed for the development of advance payment software for assisting global banks with the capability to enhance their regional and global payment network processing capabilities. Twelve of the top twenty global banks process payments through PaySett software.

Natalie Garraway, Deputy Chairman, BACHSI Barbados.

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Doc Popcorn Scoops Up Dippin’ Dots to Create Co-Branded Store in Outlets Canovanas

CANOVANAS, Puerto Rico, April 8, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ – A well-known stop for fresh-popped, kettle-cooked popcorn is adding flash-frozen ice cream to its menu in Outlets Canovanas. The local Doc Popcorn business has turned into a co-branded location that now serves Dippin’ Dots and will celebrate with a grand opening event April 13 from 1-3 p.m. The business is located at 18400 Autopista Roberto Sanchez Vilella, and guests who attend will get a free small serving of Dippin’ Dots and Doc Popcorn. Throughout the day, guests can participate in face painting and register for a chance to win free Doc Popcorn and Dippin’ Dots for an entire year.

Dippin' Dots, the original beaded ice cream, founded in 1988.

By combining two leading snack and treat brands in one space, the dual-concept store gives shoppers the opportunity to satisfy both sweet and savory snack cravings. The new co-branded franchise location is the third Dippin Dots/Doc Popcorn store in Puerto Rico, all owned and operated by local entrepreneurs Angel Diaz and Jorge Marcano. After 20 years of managing construction together, the duo decided to bring the popcorn concept to Puerto Rico and has since tacked on ice cream to all three.

“We couldn’t believe how long lines were to buy Doc Popcorn when we visited the continental U.S., and we’re thrilled to add Dippin’ Dots to our third store, sweetening all of Puerto Rico’s locations,” said Diaz. “We know shoppers will enjoy the treats we have year-round at this location.”

In addition to the new Outlets Canovanas store, there are more than 20 other Dippin’ Dots and Doc Popcorn co-branded locations around the world, with more opportunities in the pipeline.

About Dippin’ Dots
Dippin’ Dots has produced and distributed its flash frozen tiny beads of ice cream, yogurt, sherbet and flavored ice products since 1988. For more information, including franchise opportunities, please visit www.dippindots.com.

About Doc Popcorn
Using whole grain kernels, proprietary flavor blends and other high-quality ingredients, Doc Popcorn handcrafts a wide variety of fresh-popped specialty flavors of popcorn free of trans fat, MSG, artificial colors and preservatives. Doc Popcorn started franchising in 2009 and has been consistently recognized as one of the top food franchises in the country by Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500. For more information and to inquire about franchise opportunities, please visit www.docpopcorn.com.

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Parkland Fuel Corporation Hosts Investor Day

CaribPR Wire, CALGARY, Alberta, April 03, 2019: Parkland Fuel Corporation (“Parkland”, the “Company”) (TSX:PKI) will host its Investor Day later this morning, with webcast details confirmed below.

Parkland’s executive team will be providing a business overview, update on corporate strategy and a review of Parkland’s financial outlook.  Highlights of the presentation include:

  • An expected growth capital investment of approximately $200 million for 2019;
  • An update on Parkland’s 2020 Burnaby refinery turnaround, which has an initial cost estimate of approximately $85 million and is expected to take 8 weeks to complete. This cost estimate may vary by plus or minus 30% depending on scope finalization and discoveries made during the actual turnaround. The 2020 major turnaround was previously outlined and is considered an approximate 5-year cycle event; and
  • Additional details regarding the product offerings and geographic breakdowns that contributed to Parkland 2018 Adjusted EBITDA in its various segments.

Investor Day Webcast Details

The Investor Day presentation will be webcast beginning at 9 a.m. Eastern Time (7 a.m. Mountain Time) today, and will be available using the following link:

https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/1939128/F208F2F5CA75B5006B4B051A8BB0DF9A

Please connect and log in approximately 10 minutes before the beginning of the presentation. The webcast will be available for replay two hours after the conference call ends at the link above. It will remain available for one year and will also be posted to www.parkland.ca.

For analysts and investors interested in attending in person, or if you require additional information, please contact Melanie Forsyth at [email protected].

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information and statements (collectively, “forward-looking statements”). When used in this news release the words “expect”, “will”, “could”, “would”, “continue”, “pursue” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. This news release contains forward-looking statements with respect to, 2019 growth capital estimates, 2020 turnaround costs and timing, corporate strategy and financial positions, plans and objectives of or involving Parkland. Please review the forward-looking statement in the linked presentation for further details regarding forward-looking information included in the presentation.

These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Parkland does not undertake any obligations to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements except as required by securities law. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of numerous risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, general economic, market and business conditions; industry capacity; competitive action by other companies; refining and marketing margins; the ability of suppliers to meet commitments; actions by governmental authorities and other regulators including but not limited to increases in taxes or restricted access to markets; changes and developments in environmental and other regulations; and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Parkland. See also the risks and uncertainties described in “Forward-Looking Information” and “Risk Factors” included in Parkland’s Annual Information Form dated March 29, 2019 and in “Forward-Looking Information” and “Risk Factors” in the Q4 2018 MD&A, each as filed on SEDAR and available on the Parkland website at www.parkland.ca.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted EBITDA is a measures of segment profit. See Section 13 of the Q4 2018 MD&A and Note 24 of the 2018 Consolidated Financial Statements for a reconciliation of this measures of segment profit. Investors are encouraged to evaluate this measure and the reasons Parkland considers it appropriate for supplemental analysis.

Investors are cautioned, however, that this measures should not be construed as an alternative to net earnings determined in accordance with IFRS as an indication of Parkland’s performance. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

About Parkland Fuel Corporation

Parkland is Canada and the Caribbean’s largest, and one of America’s fastest growing, independent suppliers and marketers of fuel and petroleum products and a leading convenience store operator. Parkland services customers in 25 countries through three channels: Retail, Commercial and Wholesale. Parkland optimizes its fuel supply across these three channels by operating and leveraging a growing portfolio of supply relationships and storage infrastructure. Parkland provides trusted and locally relevant fuel brands and convenience store offerings in the communities it serves.

Parkland creates value for shareholders by focusing on its proven strategy of growing organically, realizing a supply advantage and acquiring prudently and integrating successfully. At the core of our strategy are our people, as well as our values of safety, integrity, community and respect, which are embraced across our organization.

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Nasdaq to Deliver Market Technology to the Jamaica Stock Exchange

The Exchange will leverage Nasdaq’s matching engine and market surveillance technology

CaribPR Wire, STOCKHOLM, Sweden, and KINGSTON, Jamaica, April 01, 2019: Nasdaq Inc. (Nasdaq:NDAQ) and the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) have signed a new seven-year agreement for Nasdaq to deliver matching engine and market surveillance technology (SMARTS) to the Jamaica Stock Exchange.

By tapping Nasdaq’s technology, the JSE, as part of its strategy will be able to bolster their product and service delivery regionally and globally. Further, via the Nasdaq Matching Engine, JSE will have the ability to offer new products, enhance current trading capabilities and improve the latency of order execution. The market surveillance technology will provide the exchange the ability to closely monitor trade activities while strengthening market integrity.

”There are no boundaries that are beyond the JSE, as the organization continues to explore the use of technology that Nasdaq provides to ensure that our shareholders value are maximized and the confidence of the market remains high,” said Marlene Street Forrest, Managing Director, JSE. “This partnership with Nasdaq is another step to keep apace with the world’s financial markets. We expect that this relationship will enable the JSE and its member dealers to design and create new products and services facilitated by the cutting-edge technology that Nasdaq will provide.”

“The Jamaica Stock Exchange has been at the forefront of modernizing the Caribbean region’s financial markets,” said Carlos Patino, Head of Latin America and the Caribbean, Market Technology, Nasdaq. “By leveraging our trading and surveillance solutions, JSE will be operating on the world’s most widely-used trading technology for exchanges in the world. This is a key indicator of their dedication to build Jamaica’s capital market ecosystem into an important hub for finance and commerce. We look forward to a productive, long-term partnership with the JSE.”

Nasdaq’s market technology powers more than 250 of the world’s market infrastructure organizations and market participants, including broker-dealers, exchanges, clearinghouses, central securities depositories and regulators, in over 50 countries with end-to-end, mission-critical technology solutions.

About the Jamaica Stock Exchange

The Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) provides a fair and efficient stock market. It is a well regulated and agile organization which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. It continues to provide the local, regional and global financial markets with opportunities to invest, grow businesses and mobilize capital.

As the leading Exchange in the Caribbean, The JSE has been strategically forging partnership with other industry players to ensure that our subsidiary, the Jamaica Central Securities Depository (JCSD), our shareholders and the general public are able to maximize any opportunities that arises.

The impact of the JSE on the local economy and its consistent performance of have not gone unnoticed, and in 2015 and 2018 the Jamaican Stock Market was declared the ”Best performing Stock Market in the World” (Bloomberg).

About Nasdaq

Nasdaq (Nasdaq:NDAQ) is a leading global provider of trading, clearing, exchange technology, listing, information and public company services. Through its diverse portfolio of solutions, Nasdaq enables customers to plan, optimize and execute their business vision with confidence, using proven technologies that provide transparency and insight for navigating today’s global capital markets. As the creator of the world’s first electronic stock market, its technology powers more than 100 marketplaces in 50 countries, and 1 in 10 of the world’s securities transactions. Nasdaq is home to approximately 4,000 total listings with a market value of approximately $15 trillion. To learn more, visit: http://business.nasdaq.com.

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Canada Life Reinsurance enters into €5.5bn longevity risk reinsurance agreement with SRLEV N.V. (VIVAT)

DUBLIN, March 6, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Canada Life Reinsurance is pleased to announce that it has recently entered into a long-term longevity reinsurance agreement with VIVAT covering 70% of €8 billion of in-force liabilities. More than 150,000 of in-payment and deferred pensioners are reinsured by Canada Life Reinsurance under this agreement.

Jeff Poulin, Global Head of Canada Life Reinsurance, commented, “I am pleased to announce this significant reinsurance transaction, which highlights our strength in working effectively with VIVAT to structure a longevity risk solution to efficiently manage their overall risk. This transaction adds to our diverse longevity reinsurance portfolio and demonstrates how, together with Arpian, we create large, complex and unique risk transfer structures backed by our financial strength to benefit our clients.”

Canada Life Reinsurance offers a range of innovative risk and capital management solutions covering mortality, longevity, health and lapse risks for insurers, reinsurers and pension funds across the U.S. and Europe, including the Netherlands, the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Belgium and Ireland.

About VIVAT
VIVAT NV is the holding company for, among others, SRLEV NV, VIVAT Schadeverzekeringen NV, Proteq Levensverzekeringen NV, ACTIAM NV and Zwitserleven PPI NV. VIVAT’s subsidiaries are also active on the Dutch market with, among others, the Zwitserleven, Reaal and ACTIAM brands. A balance sheet total of €56 billion (end of December 2018) makes VIVAT one of the largest insurers in the Netherlands. Anbang Group Holdings Co. Ltd., a full subsidiary of Anbang Insurance Group Co. Ltd, is the sole shareholder of VIVAT NV. For more information please visit www.vivat.nl.

About Canada Life
Canada Life is part of a group of companies owned by Great-West Lifeco Inc., a diversified financial services holding company headquartered in Winnipeg, Canada. Great-West Lifeco and its insurance subsidiaries have received strong ratings from major rating agencies. To learn more, visit canadalifere.com.

About Great-West Lifeco Inc.
Great-West Lifeco is an international financial services holding company with interests in life insurance, health insurance, retirement and investment services, asset management and reinsurance businesses. Great-West Lifeco has operations in Canada, the United States and Europe through Great-West Life, London Life, Canada Life, Irish Life, Great-West Financial and Putnam Investments. Great-West Lifeco and its companies have approximately €0.9 trillion (C$1.4 trillion) in consolidated assets under administration as of December 31, 2018 and are members of the Power Financial Corporation group of companies. Great-West Lifeco trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the ticker symbol GWO. To learn more, visit greatwestlifeco.com.

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Scotiabank completes acquisition of 51% of Banco Cencosud in Peru

TORONTO and LIMA, Peru, March 1, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Scotiabank announced today it has successfully completed the acquisition of 51% of the controlling interest of Banco Cencosud after receiving regulatory approval from Peruvian authorities. Scotiabank and Banco Cencosud will jointly manage the credit card operations and offer other products and services to customers in partnership for 15 years. Scotiabank and Cencosud have similar agreements in Chile and Colombia. With the closing of this acquisition, Scotiabank has become Peru’s second largest credit card issuer.

“Partnering with Cencosud has been a rewarding process in which we have begun to leverage the potential of the consumer finance business”, said Miguel Uccelli, CEO & Country Head of Scotiabank Peru.” With this acquisition we have completed one more phase in our strategy to strengthen our consumer financing and credit card business in Peru, which aligns with our global vision to increase scale in the countries of the Pacific Alliance; Colombia, Chile, Mexico and Peru”, he concluded.

“Our objective is to leverage the teams from Banco Cencosud and Scotiabank to build an improved experience for all our customers”, said Carlos Morante, CEO of Banco Cencosud, and who will be in charge of the operation under the new name of CAJA CAT PERÚ. “Our customers will continue to enjoy the products they have with us, under the same conditions, but with greater support. We will continue operating separately, taking into account the special features of each business and we will continue to work with our current team of employees”, he said. Morante indicated that no customer has to change their credit cards or other products, “Everything remains the same”, he concluded.

Cencosud Peru owns the second-largest supermarket and the fourth-largest department store chain in the country. Cencosud has operated in Peru since 2007 through the Wong supermarket brand Metro supermarket and Paris department stores. It is also the owner of various shopping malls.

About Scotiabank

Scotiabank is Canada’s international bank and a leading financial services provider in the Americas. We are dedicated to helping our more than 25 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of more than 98,000 employees1 and assets of over $1 trillion (as at January 31, 2019), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: BNS) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BNS). For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankViews.

1Employees are reported on a full-time equivalent basis.

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Scotiabank completes acquisition of 97.44% of Banco Dominicano del Progreso

TORONTO and SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, March 1, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ – Scotiabank announced today that it has successfully completed the acquisition of 97.44% of Banco Dominicano del Progreso (BDP), after receiving regulatory approval by the Superintendency of Banks and the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic.

“We are excited to have completed this transaction that is fueled by the strategy of gaining greater scale in economically stable markets with prospects for growth, and allows us to expand and strengthen our operations in the country. We are building a leaner, more modern digital bank, to continue improving our customers’ experience with enhanced financial services and products” said Gonzalo Parral, CEO, Scotiabank Dominican Republic.

With the closing of this acquisition, Scotiabank doubles its customer base and strengthens its fourth-place position in terms of assets in full-service banking and its third-place ranking in the credit card segment in the Dominican Republic, with a 17% share of the market. The acquired Banco Dominicano del Progreso operations include 57 branches, 184 ABMs and more than 160 banking sub-agents, which serve more than 250,000 personal and commercial banking customers.

For further information on the integration stage, please visit www.scotiabank.com.do and www.progreso.com.do.

About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is Canada’s international bank and a leading financial services provider in the Americas. We are dedicated to helping our more than 25 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of more than 98,000 employees¹ and assets of over $1 trillion (as at January 31, 2019), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: BNS) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BNS). For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankViews.

¹Employees are reported on a full-time equivalent basis.

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Trinidad & Tobago’s First Citizens Group Becomes Visa Loyalty Solutions Premium Partner

- Bank is one of the first in the Caribbean to implement Visa Loyalty Solutions, a cutting-edge digital payment platform and loyalty program co-created by fintech and insurtech company novae and leading payment technology company Visa

- With VLS, First Citizens, already a pioneer in Internet banking and mobile banking in Trinidad & Tobago, has incorporated a powerful tool to increase customer loyalty

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago, Feb. 22, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ – Trinidad-based First Citizens Group has received the Premium Partner designation from fintech and insurtech company novae and leading payment technology company Visa for being one of the first banks in the Caribbean to adopt Visa Loyalty Solutions (VLS), the white-label digital loyalty platform the two companies recently co-created.

From left to right: Jorge Salum, Sr. Director, Business Development, Caribbean for Visa; Jorge Lemus, SVP and Group Country Head, Caribbean and Central America for Visa; Avril Edwards, General Manager of Electronic Banking for First Citizens Group; and Facundo Mendez, Managing Director of Enterprise, Growth & Loyalty for novae.

Over the years First Citizens has introduced a number of innovations locally, including Internet banking and mobile banking. It has also been recognized on several occasions for excellence in innovation, communications technology and e-commerce by the Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago.

VLS is a user-centric, universal, cross-border, all-digital, mobile-first, white-label loyalty platform for banks that enables consumers and merchants to redeem points anytime, anywhere, from any device (mobile, desktop or wearable) and using multiple payment methods (credit, debit, points or split payment), while offering banks superior customer care, same-day activation and easy administration.

Thanks to VLS’s single, smart payment solution on an invisible and securely encrypted payment platform, First Citizens clients will be able to register rewards as digital currency that can be used alone or split with other payment methods, such as credit or debit cards registered on the platform, to make payments online and contactless in-store around the world.

Finally, by integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning, VLS’s technologies will help First Citizens better analyze the interactions and purchase behaviors of its clients to present increasingly relevant offers, while retaining contact information, payment and travel preferences.

novae not only created the technology behind the digital platform, but also the program’s impressive network of international travel rewards, to which First Citizens customers will now have access. A powerful metasearch engine and partnerships with major worldwide travel aggregators enable users to get preferential pricing and exclusive deals at more than 400,000 hotels in 25,000 cities; 70,000 flights to 1,700 destinations on 130 airlines; 500 car rental companies at 30,000 locations in 170 countries; 2 million vacation rental properties in 190 countries; and 10,000 tours and other entertainment options in 90 countries.

First Citizens Group’s VLS Premier Partner designation is the latest of several awards and recognitions the bank has received. The bank was awarded the Best Bank in Trinidad and Tobago by Euromoney Award for Banking Excellence 2016 and also received an affirmed rating of BBB+/A-2 from Standard & Poor’s. Other awards bestowed on the bank over the years include Safest Bank in the English-speaking Caribbean in 2015, 2011 and 2010 (Global Finance Magazine); Best Bank In Trinidad & Tobago in 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010 and 2009 (World Finance); Bank Of The Year 2015 and 2009 (The Banker Magazine) and Bank of The Year in 2009 (Latin Finance).

“First Citizens Group is proud to have received the Visa Loyalty Solutions Premium Partner designation, which recognizes our bank’s positioning as a first adopter of cutting-edge digital and mobile solutions,” said Avril Edwards, General Manager of Electronic Banking for First Citizens Group.

“Visa Loyalty Solutions offers First Citizens a seamless and flexible digital experience that adds value and provides an unmatched customer experience,” said Ricardo Tafur, Vice President of Consumer Products for Visa in Latin America and the Caribbean.

“VLS gives First Citizens an important differentiator in this competitive retail banking market,” said Jorge Lemus, SVP and Group Country Head, Caribbean and Central America for Visa.

“As a pioneer in mobile and Internet banking, First Citizens has always offered customers cutting-edge solutions to meet their banking needs. With Visa Loyalty Solutions, they have added a powerful tool in their arsenal to maximize loyalty, boost spend and increase operational efficiency,” said Facundo Mendez, Managing Director of Enterprise, Growth and Loyalty for novae.

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The Bevertec Group to Implement Shared Financial Delivery Services for St. Lucia Credit Unions

CaribPR Wire, TORONTO, Feb. 06, 2019: Bevertec CST Inc., a leading provider of retail financial services technology and services in the Caribbean and worldwide, is pleased to announce that the company has reached an agreement with Capita Financial Services Inc. (Barbados) to implement an Automated Teller Machine network and related technology to serve the credit unions of St. Lucia.

The ATM driving, transaction switching and debit card issuing solution will be run from Bevertec’s processing centre in Antigua. All credit union ATMs in St. Lucia will be shared among the subscribing institutions forming a de-facto national network for credit unions. Bevertec’s Client Services Workstation will be available to all ATM-owner institutions enabling local, real-time, ATM monitoring and report retrieval over and above centralized monitoring and support delivered from Bevertec’s operations centre.

Bevertec’s President, Mr. Barry Walsh, commented, “We are very proud to be an integral participant in the digital transformation of St. Lucia’s Credit Unions. This project provides Bevertec with an opportunity to further demonstrate our commitment to the financial services industry in the region. We are looking forward to working with Capita and the Credit Unions of St. Lucia in building a showcase of innovation and service delivery.”

Mr. Paul Maxwell, President & CEO of Capita Financial Services Inc. said, “This partnership is transformative, both for the credit unions who can now offer their members a more complete range of services and for individual members who would now be able to perform ordinary day-to-day transactions in a way that was not before possible.”

About Bevertec Group

Since 1981, the Bevertec Group, a Canadian enterprise, has been supplying technology and services to various industry sectors. The Group has over 100 customers in the financial services sector spread across five continents but focuses primarily in the Caribbean, Central and South American markets. The Group also provides consulting services, staffing solutions and subject matter expertise to assist institutions at all business levels including development/project work, project management and strategic direction and planning.

About Capita Financial Services Inc.

Capita Financial Services Inc., a Barbados company, is a one-stop financial services company. Capita provides residential and commercial mortgages, land loans, vehicle loans, premium finance loans, leases, general insurance, term deposits, mutual funds and stock brokerage services. The company serves private individuals, insurance companies, credit unions, government statutory corporations, pension funds, and institutional investors.

About St. Lucia Co-operative League Limited

The St. Lucia Co-operative League Limited is the umbrella body for Co-operatives in St. Lucia. At the local level they function as the link between government and the individual Credit Unions. Key responsibilities include fostering the growth and welfare of Credit Unions both by direct effort and co-operation with other agencies having similar objectives and providing information and guidance to co-operative leaders and personnel so that the societies they serve will offer the best possible service to members and to make such opportunity equitable.

El Grupo Bevertec implementará servicios de entrega financiera compartida para las cooperativas de ahorro y crédito de Santa Lucía

CARIBPR WIRE TORONTO, Feb. 06, 2019:  Bevertec CST Inc., un proveedor líder de servicios y tecnología de servicios financieros para el consumidor en el Caribe y en todo el mundo, se complace en anunciar que la compañía ha alcanzado un acuerdo con Capita Financial Services Inc. (Barbados) para implementar una red de cajeros automáticos y tecnología relacionada para atender a las cooperativas de ahorro y crédito de Santa Lucía (St. Lucia Co-operative League Limited).

La solución para manejo de cajeros automáticos, cambio de transacciones y emisión de tarjetas de débito se ejecutará desde el centro de procesamiento de Bevertec en Antigua. Todos los cajeros automáticos de St. Lucia Co-operative League Limited será compartida entre las instituciones suscritas que forman una red nacional de facto para las cooperativas de crédito. La estación de trabajo de Servicios para Clientes de Bevertec estará disponible para todas las instituciones propietarias de cajeros automáticos, lo que permitirá el monitoreo de cajeros automáticos en tiempo real en tiempo real y la recuperación de informes por encima del monitoreo y la asistencia centralizados que ofrece el centro de operaciones de Bevertec.

El presidente de Bevertec, el Sr. Barry Walsh, comentó: “Estamos muy orgullosos de ser un participante integral en la transformación digital de las cooperativas de crédito de Santa Lucía. Este proyecto le brinda a Bevertec la oportunidad de demostrar aún más nuestro compromiso con la industria de servicios financieros en la región. Estamos ansiosos por trabajar con Capita y las cooperativas de ahorro y crédito de Santa Lucía en la construcción de una muestra de innovación y prestación de servicios “.

El Sr. Paul Maxwell, Presidente y CEO de Capita Financial Services Inc. dijo: “Esta asociación es transformadora, tanto para las cooperativas de ahorro y crédito que ahora pueden ofrecer a sus miembros una gama de servicios más completa como para los miembros individuales que ahora podrían realizar transacciones cotidianas ordinarias de una manera que antes no era posible “.

Acerca del Grupo Bevertec

Desde 1981, el Grupo Bevertec, una empresa canadiense, ha estado suministrando tecnología y servicios a diversos sectores de la industria. El Grupo tiene más de 100 clientes en el sector de servicios financieros distribuidos en los cinco continentes, pero se centra principalmente en los mercados del Caribe, América Central y América del Sur. El Grupo también proporciona servicios de consultoría, soluciones de personal y expertos para ayudar a las instituciones en todos los niveles de negocios, incluido el desarrollo / trabajo de proyectos, gestión de proyectos y dirección estratégica y planificación.

Acerca de Capita Financial Services Inc.

Capita Financial Services Inc., una compañía de Barbados, es una compañía integral de servicios financieros. Capita otorga hipotecas residenciales y comerciales, préstamos sobre terrenos, préstamos para vehículos, préstamos con financiamiento premium, arrendamientos, seguros generales, depósitos a plazo, fondos mutuos y servicios de corretaje de valores. La compañía presta servicios a personas privadas, compañías de seguros, cooperativas de crédito, corporaciones gubernamentales, fondos de pensiones e inversionistas institucionales.

Sobre St. Lucia Co-operative League Limited

St. Lucia Co-operative League Limited es el organismo que une a las cooperativas en Santa Lucía. A nivel local, funciona como el vínculo entre el gobierno y las cooperativas de crédito individuales. Las responsabilidades clave incluyen fomentar el crecimiento y el bienestar de las cooperativas de crédito, tanto por el esfuerzo directo como por la cooperación con otras agencias que tienen objetivos similares y brindar información y orientación a los líderes y al personal de las cooperativas para que las sociedades a las que sirven ofrezcan el mejor servicio posible a sus miembros y para asegurar que oportunidades como esta sean equitativas.

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Parkland Completes Acquisition of 75% of the Shares of Sol Investment Limited, the Largest Independent Fuel Marketer in the Caribbean

CaribPR Wire, CALGARY, Alberta, Jan. 08, 2019:  Parkland Fuel Corporation (“Parkland”) (TSX:PKI), a leading convenience store operator and one of the fastest growing independent marketers of fuel and petroleum products in the Americas, today announced the closing of its acquisition of 75% of the shares of Sol Investments Limited (“SIL” and together with its subsidiaries “Sol”). Sol is the largest independent marketer and supplier of petroleum products in the Caribbean, operating in 23 jurisdictions. As expected, this close enables Sol to effectively contribute to Parkland’s earnings for the full calendar year of 2019. Parkland will update its guidance for 2019 when it discloses its year-end results for 2018.

“The opportunity to expand to a new geography and market through a strong business platform like Sol is an exciting time for Parkland. The assets and infrastructure we have acquired are proven, well known, and will enable Parkland to extend its supply advantage into a new region,” said Bob Espey, President and Chief Executive Officer of Parkland. “I would like to welcome the Sol team to Parkland. Our two businesses are stronger together, and I look forward to the opportunities this acquisition will enable for all of us.”

Pierre Magnan, Parkland’s Vice-President of Corporate Development and former head of Supply, Trading & Refining will assume the role of President, Parkland International and will oversee the Sol business based  from Grand Cayman.

“I look forward to working with the Sol team to build on Sol’s strong foundation of safe and reliable supply in the region,” said Mr. Magnan. “We are committed to investing in Sol’s people and infrastructure to grow our presence in the region.”

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain information included herein is forward-looking. Many of these forward looking statements can be identified by words such as “expects”, “expected”, “will”, “anticipate”, “continue”, or similar words. Forward-looking information in this press release includes, but is not limited to, potential benefits to be realized from the business combination, Parkland’s future investment in the assets of Sol and expansion of operations in the Caribbean region. Parkland believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties some of which are described in Parkland’s annual information form and other continuous disclosure documents. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause Parkland’s actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general economic, market and business conditions; industry capacity; competitive action by other companies; refining and marketing margins; the ability of suppliers to meet commitments; actions by governmental authorities including increases in taxes; changes in environmental and other regulations; and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Parkland.

Any forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and Parkland does not undertake any obligation, except as required under applicable law, to publicly update or revise such statements to reflect new information, subsequent or otherwise. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

ABOUT PARKLAND FUEL CORPORATION

Parkland is Canada’s largest and one of North America’s fastest growing independent suppliers and marketers of fuel and petroleum products and a leading convenience store operator.  Parkland services customers through three channels: Retail, Commercial and Wholesale. Parkland optimizes its fuel supply across these three channels by operating the Parkland Burnaby Refinery, and leveraging a growing portfolio of supply relationships and storage infrastructure.  Parkland provides trusted and locally relevant fuel brands and convenience store offerings, including its On the Run/Marché Express banners, in the communities it serves.

Parkland creates value for shareholders by focusing on its proven strategy of growing organically, realizing a supply advantage and acquiring prudently and integrating successfully. At the core of our strategy are our people, as well as our values of safety, integrity, community and respect, which are embraced across our organization.

To sign up for Parkland news alerts, please go to http://bit.ly/PKI-Alert or visit www.parkland.ca.

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DoubleLine UCITS Funds Now Available on Allfunds Bank Platform

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 24, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ – DoubleLine Capital LP has begun offering its Luxembourg-domiciled UCITS funds on the Allfunds Bank platform, an open architecture, worldwide distributor of mutual funds.

“Allfunds is one of the leading international distribution platforms,” said Ron Redell, executive vice president of DoubleLine. “The availability of DoubleLine Funds (Luxembourg) on this distribution network is strategically important for DoubleLine’s UCITS funds global expansion.”

The term UCITS stands for Undertakings for the Collective Investment of Transferable Securities, an open-end fund vehicle available in Europe, Latin America and many other countries outside the U.S. The sub-funds of the DoubleLine Funds (Luxembourg) UCITS currently include the DoubleLine Shiller Enhanced CAPE® equity sub-fund, which is co-managed by DoubleLine Alternatives LP and DoubleLine Capital LP, and DoubleLine Short Duration fixed income sub-fund, which is managed by DoubleLine Capital LP. Depending on an investor’s country of residence, the sub-funds are available via retail and institutional share classes denominated in various currencies.

Allfunds Bank Group offers integrated fund solutions (operational, analysis and information). Created in 2000, today Allfunds Bank has more than €370 Billion assets under administration and offers more than 64,400 funds from over 1,200 fund managers. Allfunds Bank Group has a local presence in Luxembourg, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Chile and Colombia and has more than 605 institutional clients, including major commercial banks, private banks, insurance companies, pension funds, fund managers, financial supermarkets, international brokers, and specialist firms from 45 different countries. Allfunds Bank Group operates in Asia through the entity of Allfunds Singapore Branch.

About DoubleLine Capital LP

DoubleLine Capital LP is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. As of the September 30, 2018 end of the third quarter, DoubleLine Capital and its related companies (”DoubleLine”) managed approximately $123 billion in assets across all vehicles, including open-end mutual funds, collective investment trusts, closed-end funds, exchange-traded funds, hedge funds, variable annuities, UCITS and separate accounts. DoubleLine’s offices can be reached by telephone at (213) 633-8200 or by e-mail at [email protected]. Media can reach DoubleLine by e-mail at [email protected]. DoubleLine® is a registered trademark of DoubleLine Capital LP.

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COSME ANNOUNCES THREE FINALISTS FOR GLOBAL ENTREPRENEUR WEEK

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CaribPR Wire, TORTOLA, BVI, November 17, 2016 COSME, an European Union funded programme and key supporter of entrepreneurs in the Caribbean region, is proud to announce its three finalists in their Confessions of an Entrepreneur contest.  The three finalists are: Libbie Oliver, Owner of Caribbean Mountain Coffee, British Virgin Islands, Cristal Legrand of SSSAS Tourism Ambassador in Sint Maarten and Madhavi Mathura of Accounting & Enterprise Solutions in Cayman Islands.  These finalists were able to deliver a short, well-articulated message about being an Entrepreneur. The contest was open to all entrepreneurs in the 12 Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT’s): Anguilla, Aruba, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Montserrat, Saba, St. Barthelemy, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten and Turks and Caicos.

The three videos have been posted on Facebook with voting boxes. The final winner will be selected by the public through online voting, which can be done here or at  http://bit.ly/COSMEVideo. The video with the most votes by midnight November 20th, 2016 will win a HD Kindle Fire.

Ms. Oliver of Caribbean Mountain Coffee focused on the need for passion and how it will carry you through in a well-crafted message that tied into her own passion for coffee. Ms. Legrand of SSSAS Tourism is a brand new entrepreneur that was bubbling with enthusiasm and commitment for her upcoming opening.  Ms. Mathura of Accounting & Enterprise Solutions was clear about her dream and the need to just make a start or nothing can happen. All videos presented excellent messages.

As part of Global Entrepreneurship Week VI initiatives, COSME adopted the Confessions of an Entrepreneur series in its efforts to learn more and share more stories from entrepreneurs in the Overseas Territories.  This contest generated awareness and coordinated with a number of Entrepreneur activities taking place during Global Entrepreneur week, November to 14 – 20, 2016.

“The Confessions of an Entrepreneur contest enables COSME to show its support through results driven social media in profiling these successful entrepreneurs. This contest demonstrates that social media implemented in addition to traditional channels is an effective tool that OCT entrepreneurs can use to create awareness for their businesses in and beyond their country borders. During the video submission week COSME received over 30,000 visits,” stated, Diana Hendrickson-Fleming, COSME, Key Expert.

The public will choose which of the three entrepreneurs’ videos at http://bit.ly/COSMEVideo has the best Confession. Join in on the fun and cast your vote.  Voting will close November 20, 2016.

ABOUT COSME

COSME is a 54-month programme with the responsibility to disperse 15M Euros to projects benefiting participating Caribbean Territories. The funds were made available by the European Union (EU). The programme’s overall objective is to contribute to the sustainable and climate-resilient economic diversification and prosperity of Caribbean OCTs by improving the competitiveness of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the participating territories.

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Media Contact:

Samuel K. Kruiner

Private Sector Development Expert/SME Expert (British OCTs)

Caribbean OCTs SME (COSME) Programme SME Regional Project Office

Email: [email protected]

SME Regional Project Office

Road Town

Tortola

British Virgin Islands

www.cosmeprogramme.org

www.facebook.com/cosmeprogramme

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Ernst & Young Ltd. announces two senior leadership changes in Bermuda

David Brown appointed as Senior Partner in Bermuda and Regional Insurance Leader and Jessel Mendes named Regional Growth Markets Leader

HAMILTON, Bermuda, Nov. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Ernst & Young Ltd. today announced two leadership changes. David Brown will become the firm’s Senior Partner in Bermuda and Insurance Leader for the EY Bahamas, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands region, replacing Pete Cangany, who will retire from EY after 37 years with the organization. This transition will take effect on July 1, 2017, and Cangany will remain in the role until that time. Effective immediately, Jessel Mendes will assume the new role of Regional Growth Markets Leader, in addition to his current responsibilities as Partner of Ernst & Young Ltd. (EY Bermuda).

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Brown most recently served as the Insurance Industry leader for the Southwest Region of Ernst & Young LLP in the US and directed the Southwest Region FSO Assurance practice. He has more than 27 years of experience working with large multinational clients, including insurance companies with global operations, US domestic insurance enterprises and Bermuda-based global reinsurance companies. Cangany has served as Senior Bermuda Partner since July 2014, and has been regional Insurance Leader since January 2013.

“Under Pete’s leadership, we have been able to build a high-performing team in Bermuda, enhance our relationships with stakeholders across the market and expand our range of services and expertise,” said Dan Scott, Regional Managing Partner for the EY region including Bahamas, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands. “We are very excited to have David assume this role and contribute to our legacy of leadership. His deep insurance and reinsurance experience, coupled with his knowledge of the market, will allow us to bring even more global resources to our Bermuda clients and help them capitalize on new opportunities. We are pleased to have Pete remain in the role through the end of June to provide guidance and assist in the transition process.”

In taking on the new role of Growth Markets Leader for the region, Jessel Mendes will be adding to his current responsibilities as EY Bermuda Partner. In addition to continuing to interact with EY Bermuda clients and other market stakeholders, as Growth Markets Leader he will focus on driving growth for EY firms across the region, maintaining a pulse on the market, overseeing the growth of EY service offerings, programs and initiatives, and determining how resources and capabilities can be best deployed to benefit clients. Mendes, who is a member of the board of the Bermuda Business Development Agency (BDA), will also leverage his extensive network of relationships to uncover new opportunities and help EY Bermuda and the region’s other firms build on their market position.

“We are positioned for the next phase of growth in Bermuda and across the region, so the timing for these changes is ideal,” added Scott. “We have been working diligently with Pete, David and our clients to lay the groundwork for a smooth transition. David has a deep understanding of the challenges organizations are facing and great insurance industry knowledge, so he was a natural choice to lead our Bermuda practice. With Jessel taking on a new role, we now have a great opportunity to serve our clients’ rapidly-evolving needs and accelerate growth.”

About EY

EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

This news release has been issued by Ernst & Young Ltd., Bermuda, a member of the global EY organization serving clients in Bermuda.

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Markel completes acquisition of assets of CATCo Investment Management Ltd.

RICHMOND, Virginia, LONDON and HAMILTON, Bermuda, Dec. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Markel Corporation (”Markel”) (NYSE: MKL) and CATCo Investment Management Ltd. (”CATCo”) jointly announced today the completion of the acquisition by Markel of substantially all of the assets of CATCo.

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The business, which provides collateralized protections to over 35 global reinsurance buyers, will now operate as Markel CATCo Investment Management Ltd. (”Markel CATCo”). Every member of the CATCo team, led by Chief Executive Officer Tony Belisle, has transferred to Markel CATCo.

Richard R. Whitt, President and Co-Chief Operating Officer of Markel, commented, “We welcome Tony and the CATCo team into the Markel family. The reception by existing CATCo reinsurance buyers and investors to the newly established Markel platform has been overwhelmingly positive. We truly will be hitting the ground running.”  Whitt further remarked, “Joining CATCo’s insurance linked investment management capabilities alongside Markel’s traditional reinsurance capabilities should make for a powerful combination.”

Tony Belisle, Chief Executive Officer of Markel CATCo Investment Management Ltd., said, ”I am delighted with the successful closure of the transaction and the bringing together of two fantastic organisations that share similar goals and cultures.

“The extra support our new owner brings will enable us to offer enhanced product ranges and secure capital efficiencies for our growing number of reinsurance buyers. With a significant amount of next year’s renewals already committed and projected AUM expected to exceed $3bn, 2016 is shaping up to be a positive and exciting year.”

Willis Capital Markets & Advisory served as exclusive financial advisor and Hogan Lovells International LLP served as legal advisor to CATCo. Sidley Austin LLP served as legal advisor to Markel.

About Markel Corporation

Markel Corporation is a diverse financial holding company serving a variety of niche markets. The Company’s principal business markets and underwrites specialty insurance products. In each of the Company’s businesses, it seeks to provide quality products and excellent customer service so that it can be a market leader. The financial goals of the Company are to earn consistent underwriting and operating profits and superior investment returns to build shareholder value. Visit Markel Corporation on the web at www.markelcorp.com.

About Markel CATCo Investment Management Ltd.

Markel CATCo Investment Management Ltd. is a specialist investment management business. From its headquarters in Hamilton, Bermuda, Markel CATCo manages retrocession and traditional reinsurance portfolios for clients around the world, including financial institutions, charities, pension funds, family offices and investment funds. Markel CATCo Investment Management Ltd. is authorized and regulated by the Bermuda Monetary Authority.

Disclaimer

Some of the statements in this release may be considered forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Markel’s and Markel CATCo’s beliefs, plans or expectations, are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on Markel’s and Markel CATCo’s current plans, estimates and expectations. There are risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by such statements. Neither Markel nor Markel CATCo assumes any obligation to update this release (including any forward-looking statements herein) as a result of new information, developments or otherwise. This release speaks only as of the date issued.Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140415/73238

CONTACT: Markel Corporation, Media, Paul Broughton, Managing Director, Marketing, 804-527-7618, [email protected]; Markel Corporation, Investors, Bruce Kay, Managing Director, Investor Relations, 804-747-0136, [email protected]; Markel CATCo Investment Management Ltd., Media, Mark Way, Investor Relations Director, +44 7786 116 991, [email protected]; Markel CATCo Investment Management Ltd., Investors, Tony Belisle, Chief Executive Officer, 508-259-1640, [email protected]

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