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A new London exhibition features portraits of Kate Moss, Christy Turlington, and Karlie Kloss.
Photographer Dave Heath captured beatniks and poets.
Princess Diana, Madonna, and Tilda Swinton all appear in Sam McKnight’s retrospective.
Malick Sidibé captured teens in prom-style dresses, flares, and trilby hats.
The Teds are showcased in this new photography exhibit.
Charcoal drawings and watercolor sketches, just in time for London Fashion Week.
A preview of Terence Donovan’s new retrospective.
Al Vandenberg’s vintage portraits.
From the corset to the thong.
Charlotte Olympia’s Kitty flats finally hit the catwalk.
British Vogue gets a major exhibit in London.
Models looked like comic-book creations at his Moschino show in London.
At Monday’s London menswear show.
Imagine a cross between Bettie Page and Nobuyoshi Araki.
You’re going to want to read this new British novel.
Live music, Benedict Cumberbatch, and super-sexy dresses.
From fashion icon to philanthropist.
A collaboration with the photographer Martin Parr.
Will the look catch on with the nine-to-five set?
While Sarah Burton mined a deep-sea inspiration at Alexander McQueen.


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New Raleigh Wegmans brings traffic, growth concerns for residents
The first Wegmans Food Markets store in the Triangle will open Sept. 29.
For some residents, the 104,000 sq. ft. store, located at the Midtown East Shopping Center on Wake Forest Road, feels like it popped up overnight.
“They’re definitely dedicated to getting it built,” resident Adam Wolfe said.
Along with Wegmans will be a brand new shopping center, featuring dozens of restaurants and retail.
“We’re expecting more business over here at Jet’s, praying for it. I can’t wait,” said Mayson Drigggins who works nearby and hopes Wegmans will bring increased foot traffic to the area.
While midtown residents are looking forward to the new options, many are also concerned about the traffic impacts they will bring.
“The citizens have requested, like loudly requested, that the city do something to manage growth better,” said Patrick Martin, who chairs the advisory council for midtown residents.
The City of Raleigh is working on an area plan for midtown at St. Albans Drive. Martin said there is also a corridor study planned for Six Forks Road.
“Nobody is opposed to growth, we just want it managed so it doesn’t overrun the existing residents,” he said. “The plan for traffic is never totally going to get figured out.”
This month, midtown residents will meet to discuss plans to handle the traffic and, in May, the city planner will present the progress to residents at a meeting and get feedback on the plan.
The store is hiring 325 part-time workers, including chefs and customer service representatives. In addition to its 150 full-time workers, the store will employ 475 people.
People who are at least 16 years old can apply for part-time positions at jobs.wegmans.com/Raleigh.
Wegmans is “basically the amusement park of grocery stores,” said WRAL’s Smart Shopper Faye Prosser. The family-owned business is based in Rochester, New York.
The store is known for its “open-air market” feel, according to a press release. The new Raleigh Wegmans will feature fresh-caught seafood, imported cheeses, deli and charcuterie and international foods.
The Burger Bar, a family-friendly, casual restaurant counter, will also be part of the space. The Burger Bar will serve burgers, salads, soup, sides and wine and beer by the glass.
Prosser said that Wegmans’ reputation among shoppers and employees has long ranked among the best in the country.
“They are not only ranked high for customer service, but they’re also ranked very high by employees,” she said.
Two Wegmans are planned for Cary, and stores are planned for Chapel Hill and Wake Forest, too.

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SHANGHAI — Fashion trade show The Hub moved to a new, sleek spot in Shanghai this season from Hong Kong, a sign that international brands are coming closer to embracing the mainland city as China’s fashion center.
The three-day event took place from Oct. 13 to 15 at Shanghai’s Central Studios, a former car park now a minimalist, white-washed creative space, located close to Shanghai Fashion Week that ran concurrently.
The Hub, a biannual trade event, is a platform for international brands and designers to connect with franchise, distribution and licensing partners in China, including independent retailers.
The move was a signal that organizers believe the fashion focus in Asia has shifted from Hong Kong, the traditional finance and business center that enjoys favorable import and tax duties, to Shanghai, where new media and fashion innovation is converging.
“We always planned to move to Shanghai,” said show organizer Richard Hobbs, who launched The Hub with Peter Caplowe in 2013. “Last year, we were at Shanghai Fashion Week and agreed the time was beginning to feel right — the atmosphere, the venues, the type of people. It’s where the action is now, and it’s where the government have decided China’s fashion center will be. We are staying here for the foreseeable future.”
This season’s show downsized to 40 brands, half the number present at the last Hong Kong event in March. Nonetheless, the condensed selection, offset by bare walls and simple rails, pleased the majority of brands, which hailed from 17 countries, including the U.S., U.K., Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia and China.
“The Hub is not too big and characterless like other fashion events in China where we get lost,” said Misun Song from South Korea’s People of Tastes.
A number of notable trends emerged. Buyers commented on the unusually high turnout of British heritage brands, which accounted for almost a quarter of labels present. These included Fox Umbrellas that date back to 1868, and Boy London from 1975.
Attention this year was focused on Jack Moran founder and shoe designer Oliver Sweeney. In 2005, the British designer suffered a stroke, leaving him paralyzed on his right side and unable to walk. Four years later, tragedy struck again when he lost his eponymous business label, Oliver Sweeney, which had been running successfully for 20 years. It continues without the founder at the helm. Undeterred, Sweeney launched Jack Moran, which bowed in Asia at The Hub.
“This is a chance to show the world his skill once again and to create new design classics,” said a spokesman for Jack Moran.
Brands expressed a desire to forge contacts and connect with independent retailers across China, not just the big name stores.
“We have come here with an open mind,” said Charlotte Blackmore, marketing and sales director of luxury British tweed specialists Chrysalis. She added their business has not been adversely affected by the recession in Europe.
Attendees also spoke of the need to appeal to a new type of Chinese consumer, who is younger, independently minded and tuned into international trends.
“The new generation doesn’t want luxury, they want lifestyle trends,” said Kevin Tallon, the Swiss designer behind Capitale Nord, a Beijing-based men’s wear label. “People want to be associated with values that certain brands represent, whether it be an organic focus or denim crafting that’s getting so popular in Europe now.”


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Infinix Hot 10i (X659B) Render and Key Specs Appears On Google Play Console
Infinix Hot 10i was recently spotted on Google Play Console and the listing revealed the key specs and the front design of this handset. Now, the smartphone has been spotted on FCC. The certification shows off the deviceâ€™s rear design and also confirms its battery capacity and charging speed.
The upcoming Infinix Hot 10i was certified by FCC in late February. In fact, its listing went live just a day after we reported onÂ Infinix X693â€™s FCC certification.
That said, as per theÂ FCC listing, the Infinix Hot 10i will come with model number X659B. The listing does not mention the phoneâ€™s marketing name. We found out that from an automated Google Play Certified Android devices list onÂ GitHub.
It is worth noting that the Infinix Hot 10i spotted on Google Play Console has a different model number (X658B). But these handsets could be the same but meant for different markets. However, we cannot rule the possibility of them being different devices.
Infinix Hot 10i (X659B) Specs
Anyway, according to FCC, the Infinix Hot 10i (X659B) will feature a 5,850mAh battery (rated) with support for 10W charging. In other words, this smartphone will be backed by a 6,000mAh battery (typical).
As far as rear design is concerned, it will house a squircle camera module on the top left corner and a fingerprint sensor slightly below it. Going by the size of the module, we can expect at least two cameras. Whereas, the power button and the volume rocker will be loathed on the right side.
Assuming the Infinix X659B to be the same as Infinix X658B, we can expect this phone to come with an HD+ (720 x 1600 pixels) display with 320 DPI and centered punch-hole,Â MediaTekÂ Helio A20 SoC, 2GB RAM, andÂ Android 11.
As of now, thereâ€™s no official word fromÂ InfinixÂ regarding the launch of Hot 10i.


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Hyundai expands the functionality of the already flexible Veloster with the C3 Roll Top concept that debuted today at the 2012 LA Auto Show.
Check out the rest of CNET's coverage of the 2012 LA Auto Show.
November 28, 2012 10:57 AM PST
Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET
| Caption by: Antuan Goodwin
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Since emerging from bankruptcy reorganization in mid-2009, General Motors has invested $3.4 billion and has added or saved more than 9,000 jobs. The U.S. automaker today announced an additional investment of $2 billion; an additional 4,000 jobs have been saved or created.
The announcement was made by GM Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson during an event at the 54-year-old Toledo Transmission Plant in Toledo, Ohio.
"We are doing this because we are confident about demand for our vehicles and the economy," Akerson said. The company also released an animated clip (after the jump) about … Read more


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DAILY BRIEFING: Oil services company Wood hired to help design Gulf of Mexico gas terminal
CONTRACT WIN Oil services company Wood has been hired by the Honghua Group to help design its offshore liquefied natural gas terminal in the Gulf of Mexico, in a contract worth £9million.
The facility will be designed to produce up to 4.2m tonnes per year of liquefied gas and store 300,000 cubic metres, which is enough to fill 120 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
DIAMOND DEALS Diamond seller De Beers has sold £280million of rough diamonds during the latest sales cycle, about £91million fewer than last year.
Sales are seasonally slower due to religious holidays in India and Israel, but demand has also been slow.
GOLD TALLY Gold miner Petropavlovsk produced 104,000 ounces of gold for the three months ending September 30, slightly up on the 102,4000 ounces produced in the same period last year.
NEW AUDITOR Chemicals company Croda has appointed KPMG as auditor from the start of next year, replacing PwC.
UBER RESCUE Board member Arianna Huffington says Softbank’s long-awaited £1billion investment in embattled Uber is expected within days. The Japanese software giant’s pledge was seen as a much-needed boost to the taxi app company when it was announced earlier this year.
AMEX FIGHT A US Supreme Court hearing looms for American Express over allegations it stifles competition by banning merchants from encouraging customers to pay with cards that have lower fees.
The case is being brought by the federal government and 11 states who want to cut the £38billion paid by retailers to credit card companies each year.
SALES LEAP Advertising trading platform Rhythmone boasted a strong half-year with sales of £85-87million in the six months to September 30 – up from £51million in the first half of its financial year.
BANKER'S BONANZA Bankers at Goldman Sachs pocketed an average £68,000 each in the three months to September 30. The US lender paid its 35,800 staff around the world a total of £2.4billion.
SAFE LOANS The boss of Virgin Money, Jayne-Anne Gadhia, has insisted its fast-growing credit card business is safer than those of larger rivals as it has a high-quality loan book that would suffer fewer defaults in a downturn.
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Bitcoin and other major digital currencies witnessed record highs over the course of trading last week. Bitcoin achieved 27% gains, recording the seventh consecutive weekly rise and the largest since the beginning of this year. These strong gains come with the entry of large cash liquidity into the digital market that made Prices are moving in an ascending range, and the positive atmosphere continues to dominate the performance of the digital market and drive its prices.
Bitcoin has added more than 20 billion dollars during the past week, bringing its total market value to about 93 billion dollars from 73 billion dollars in light of the widespread demand for its purchase, and the total market value of digital currencies rose to its highest level in nearly five months, as it recorded 185 billion dollars. With the strong rise of most major cryptocurrency prices.
Reuters reported that the reason for the price hike was an anonymous buy order of $100 million being distributed on three major cryptocurrency exchanges: Coinbase, US-based Kraken, and Luxembourg-based Bitstamp.
While Bloomberg Agency said that there is a rumor circulating among investors about the approval of the US Securities and Exchange Commission to list bitcoin in exchange-traded funds. XTB Perhaps it was the reason for the sudden rise of Bitcoin.
Cryptocurrency exchange BCB Group CEO Oliver von Landsberg said that a purchase order of about 20,000 bitcoins was made through three sites.
It has been reported that many investors have converted the British pound into Bitcoin before the country's final departure from the European Union, which is supposed to take place on April 12.
The digital markets still do not know the real reason behind the broad rise in the prices of cryptocurrencies.
Among the news that were circulated during the past week about the digital market:
The US Securities and Exchange Commission said that it will not issue its decision regarding the listing of bitcoin in exchange-traded funds until next month.
First Order by Cryptocurrency Index Fund Bitwise Asset Management The second request was submitted by the investment management company VA neck and SolidX.
The authority said in a statement that it needs more time to take appropriate action regarding changing the proposed rule for securities laws and allowing the inclusion of bitcoin in exchange-traded funds, and many analysts believe that approval of this decision will give bitcoin legitimacy and a broad base towards its adoption and adoption. more broadly.
Some reports have said that Japan is seeking more adoption of digital currencies, as Japan's largest railway company, JR East, is considering plans to make the payment method in digital currencies through the use of the Suica payment card.


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Recent data revealed that consumers in this country have exceeded $1 trillion in credit card debt. This translates to roughly $9,000 of debt for each household, according to reports. Understandably, this has propelled many families across the nation into the need for Debt Relief. There are, however, several cities that far exceed the average level of household debt. Unfortunately, two cities in Connecticut are in the top 10 in the nation with the highest averages.
Darien, Connecticut, has the distinction of having the second highest average household credit card debt in the country. At $28,714, this amount is significantly over the average household debt nationwide. Number six on the list was Westport, Connecticut, with an average of $25,627. The reports, from an online financial website, compiled data from the Census Bureau, Federal Reserve and credit-reporting agencies. They showed that many cities that fell within the top 10 were in states that typically have higher taxes and expenses.
The city with the highest average credit card debt was Ewa Beach, Hawaii, with an average just over $30,000. Two cities from New York, Dix Hills and Scarsdale, were included on the top 10 list. Calabasas and Beverly Hills, California, both with average debt over $24,000, also graced the list.
Since maintaining high levels of credit card debt can have an adverse effect on one’s finances, experts strongly recommend taking steps to eliminate it. Advisers stress the importance of fully understanding income streams and expenses, as well as establishing savings. Once a complete analysis is done, develop a plan to reduce credit card debt.
Even if a person does not live in one of the cities with the highest averages of credit card debt, any level of debt can create financial stress. When someone is in need of debt relief, it would be beneficial to contact a Connecticut bankruptcy attorney for assistance. A knowledgeable lawyer will work closely with clients to help them take the steps necessary to get them back on track with their budgets.


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- Booking.com is offering two travelers a chance to sleep in a giant avocado in honor of National Avocado Day.
- The "Avo-Condo," a green fruit-turned-camper, is located in Sydney's Circular Quay and boasts up-close views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.
- Guests can book the Avo-Condo on Booking.com this week for $70 USD ($100 AUD) per night.
- Visit INSIDER's homepage for more stories.
National Avocado Day is finally here, and one travel company is offering avocado superfans an unprecedented opportunity to celebrate the big day.
Travel website Booking.com is giving two lucky travelers the chance to sleep in a giant avocado, aptly dubbed "the Avo-Condo," in the heart of Sydney, Australia.
The green fruit-turned-camper is located in Sydney's Circular Quay and boasts up-close views of Sydney's two most famous sites, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.
Luke Wilson, the area manager at Booking.com Australia, told INSIDER that there's a window "located just above the top of the bed" that gives guests the opportunity to "wake up to the view of Sydney Harbour."
The Avo-Condo also comes stocked with goodies inspired by the popular fruit.
The interior of the Avo-Condo is every millennial's dream, with everything from avocado sheets and avocado pillows and plushies to an avocado lamp, avocado slippers, avocado mugs, and avocado socks.
Read more: Taco Bell has released a sneak peek of the wild foods arriving at its new hotel, including its own version of avocado toast
There's even an avocado green shag rug and an avocado plant to complement the rest of the fruit condo's offerings.
The avocado doesn't have room for much furniture beyond the bed, but guests can take in the view of their stunning surroundings from a porthole-style window.
Wilson told INSIDER that the Avo-Condo has been well received, especially considering Australians are "some of the biggest avo fans in the world, eating 3.5 kilograms of avocados per person every year."
"Who doesn't love avocados?" he added. "We've been receiving a lot of positive responses to the fun and quirky accommodation option."
The giant avocado became available to rent this week on Booking.com for $70 USD ($100 AUD) per night.
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Toy Fair Dallas will present FutureCast Gallery, a new experiential initiative offering retailers a fresh approach to shopping the show and a new avenue for exhibitors to feature product.
ZURU will collaborate with Fortnite gamer Ninja for a line of limited-edition X-SHOT Ninja dart blasters.
The Toy Association’s team of trend experts predicts that 2019 will see some of the most creative and imaginative new products to hit store shelves in recent years.
Mego Corporation revealed its Impractical Jokers line of action figure toys at Toy Fair.
Hasbro’s Baby Alive unveiled two new dolls, launching for fall, that are more diverse, emotive and interactive.
Funrise announced a new toy line of collectible farting figures called Fart Ninjas.
WowWee unveils new products and brand extensions at the North American International Toy Fair, including its debut of new interactive pets, Pixie Belles and UNTAMED Legends Dragon.
Hasbro’s new Star Wars Lightsaber Academy Interactive Training System lets kids train to become a lightsaber master


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By RICHARD TRUETT
Quality problems have delayed the continuously variable transmission slated for the 2002 Saturn Vue.
Saturn dealers expected to receive the Vue VTi in January, to accompany manual and automatic transmission versions. The fuel-saving transmission, which uses a steel belt and adjustable pulleys to keep the engine running in its most efficient rpm range, has been featured in Vue ads.
But no CVT-equipped vehicles have been delivered to customers, Saturn spokesman Mike Gardner said. He said the VTi will arrive at dealerships in the second quarter of this year. Several dealers said they were told to expect the vehicle in April.
While the gearbox was undergoing its final validation, GM officials discovered that several of the transmission's machined internal parts were defective, Gardner said. Teardowns showed that the parts were not machined to the same tolerances. He would not name the supplier of the faulty parts or identify the parts.
The transmission, designed by GM Powertrain, is built in an Adam Opel AG plant in Szentgotthard, Hungary, and shipped to Saturn's Spring Hill, Tenn., assembly plant.
The transmission also is slated to be used in the 2003 Saturn Ion, which goes on sale this fall and replaces the S series. GM has said it could use the CVT in several high-volume car lines, including the next-generation Chevrolet Cavalier, Pontiac Grand Am and several Opel models.
GM's CVT uses 45 percent fewer parts than a standard four-speed automatic transmission. Saturn says the CVT, mated to the 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine, delivers a 7 percent improvement in fuel economy over the automatic transmission and provides seamless acceleration.
Saturn had expected the Vue with the CVT to account for half of the projected volume of 50,000 units in 2002.
The use of CVTs is expected to grow, especially in small cars, as automakers seek ways to improve their corporate average fuel economy performance. The use of CVTs historically has been limited to smaller displacement engines because the transmission was not capable of handling the higher torque from larger engines.
Honda Motor Co. Ltd. has offered a CVT in the Civic since 1996, while
Audi AG added a CVT to the A4 lineup for the 2002 model year.
GM isn't the only automaker having trouble with CVTs. Ford's joint venture with ZF Friedrichshafen AG to build CVTs in Batavia, Ohio, is more than a year behind schedule.


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Flint sitdown strike
Originally published 01/10/2013
Crane at the Port of Long Beach in Long Beach, California. Credit: Wiki Commons.Last month, union activists across the country celebrated what they saw as the latest opportunity to kickstart the moribund labor movement: a strike at Walmart on Black Friday. Retail workers, or as Walmart calls them, "associates," across the country were to walk out on the greatest shopping day of the year. The walkout was to signal the national unity of retail workers and strike a blow that would stagger the giant from Bentonville. At the same time, it would galvanize liberal consumers who would support the walk-out by their refusal to shop. Bringing together consumers and workers, they believed, would force America's largest retailer to the negotiating table.It failed.Walkouts were erratic. Shoppers, most of whom were hard-pressed workers themselves, thought more about the presents under the tree than the picket lines, if there were any. It turns out, as one might expect, that coordinating a walkout at thousands of locations across the country was hard, even in this age of social media.
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Minority-owned businesses in the Valley will be getting some major help from the federal government over the next five years.
The U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency announced the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as a grant recipient to operate a MBDA Business Center in Phoenix.
The business center will receive $291,900 in federal funding over the next five years, which began April 1 to help minority-owned businesses create jobs, develop their business, and compete in the global economy.
That could be for business owners such as Jorge Torres of Palabra Hair Collective, who recently expanded his art gallery/hair salon in downtown Phoenix, or Huda and her husband Ahmed, from Iraq, who run their boutique Riham Fashion through a program started by the International Rescue Committee of Phoenix.
According to a recent study by WalletHub, Hispanic purchasing power in Gilbert is the third-strongest in the nation, while Gilbert and Scottsdale hold first and third, respectively, for highest median annual income for Hispanics.
There are 135,313 minority-owned firms, that contribute more than $17.9 million annually in economic output in Arizona. These firms employ more than 114,000 local residents.
Twenty-one cities, including Phoenix, are receiving the grant.


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CONSUMER watchdogs have urged Crewe and Nantwich people to beware of conmen selling shoddy goods on their doorsteps.
Cheshire Trading Standards wants people to be on their guard against salesmen calling at the door to sell them household goods after a string of householders complained about being sold fake leather suites.
Railway worker Roy Sumner, 57, of South Street in Crewe, claims he was conned out of his holiday savings by salesmen.
At £500 he thought he was getting a good deal for a three-piece suite - but when it was checked by an expert he discovered he had fallen victim to a scam.
He said: 'I asked a friend to come and check the chairs and he told me they were made of a cheap form of leatherette and were worth £250.
'So I rang the seller up to complain and he told me to accept the fact I had been ripped off and I would never track him down because he was a traveller.
'I now just feel really stupid. I was going to use the money to go on holiday, but now I won't be able to afford to go away.'
He added: 'They got in touch with me because they heard I wanted a three-piece suite and they made a really big fuss of showing me the chairs.
'Once they got them inside the house and took the wrappers off to show me how they looked, I just couldn't say no.
'I've been really gullible, but if me admitting my mistake stops one old lady from falling for the same con it will be money well spent.'
The man was stocky, between 5ft 6ins and 5ft 8ins and spoke with a broad Irish accent.
A Trading Standards spokesman said: 'We would always advise people not to buy off doorstep salesmen. It would be best if they can look into what they are buying and speak to a reputable shop.
'People should be wary of sellers who only give mobile phone numbers and can't be contacted on a land line or business name.'


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Apple is likely to upgrade its iPhone lineup in September this year. The 2019 iPhones are likely to follow the suit of their predecessors and include three smartphone models called the iPhone 11, the iPhone 11 Max and the iPhone 11R. In the past couple of months, a steady stream of rumours has already given us a fair idea as to what should be expected from Apple this year. And now adding to that stream is a series of CAD renders that gives us yet another glimpse of the upcoming iPhone 11.
The new CAD renders come as a courtesy of Slash Leaks which shared the images of the upcoming iPhone XI, the iPhone XI Max and the iPhone XIR online. The new images show the upcoming three phones sporting a multi-camera setup at the back that is housed inside a squared shaped camera bump that is placed on the top right quadrant of three iPhones - something that we have seen consistently over the course of reviews in the past.
To get down to the specifics, the CAD renders indicate that the iPhone XI and the iPhone XI Max, that will succeed the iPhone XS and the iPhone XS Max, will come with a triple camera setup and flash at the back, while the iPhone XIR, that will succeed the iPhone XR will come with a dual rear camera setup with a flash.
In terms of the screen, the iPhone XIR is expected to sport a 6.1-inch screen, while the iPhone XI and the iPhone XI Max are likely to come with 5.8-inch and 6.5-inch display sizes. The three iPhones - as has been pointed out by several reports in the past - are likely to retain the notch that will house multiple sensors, including the front camera, and the earpiece. In addition to this, the three images also indicate the presence of a speaker grille at the bottom along with the lightning port.
Sadly, the CAD renders do not reveal more details about the three iPhones. And it looks like we are back to waiting for the launch event to know the specific details about Apple's 2019 iPhone lineup.


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By Hiran H.Senewiratne
The CSE bounced back strongly yesterday with higher turnover as investors showed signs of renewed optimism, despite a worsening COVID-19 situation in the country.
Amid those developments most investors are now rallying round Expolanka stocks anticipating better profit results for the company as the Covid 19 pandemic has punctured many businesses in a big way, stock market analysts said,
Expolanka share prices moved up by 7 percent or Rs. 1.60. The company is in the sea and air cargo handling business and its shares started trading at Rs. 22.30 and at the end of the day they moved up to Rs. 23.90, which contributed approximately one third of the turnover, stock market analysts said.
Further, share prices of Piramal Glass Private Limited appreciated in the stock market by one percent or 15 cent with the entry of the new buyer of the company. Global private equity Bain Capital has joined the race to acquire a controlling stake in Ajay Piramal-promoted Piramal Glass Private Limited (PGPL).
Bain Capital’s offer which came over the weekend is higher than rival Blackstone Group’s binding bid of $790 million, sources said.
“Bain Capital is a late entrant but has made a higher offer which is close to $900 million for the company, said a source. “Piramal Group is seeking a valuation of around $1 billion in enterprise value.”analysts said. Its share price also started trading at Rs. 8.40 and at the end of the day it moved up to Rs. 8.50.
Another company, Dipped Products PLC also witnessed foreign selling and its share price also moved up by Rs. 10 or 3 percent. Its shares started trading at Rs. 323 and at the end of the day it moved up to Rs. 333.
The CSE was bullish and both indices moved upwards. The All Share Price Index was up by 81.5 points and S and P SL20 up by 23.6 points. The turnover stood at Rs. 3.53 billion with four crossings. Those crossings were reported in Vallibel Power, which crossed 33.5 million shares to the tune of Rs. 268 million, its share price traded at Rs. 8, JKH 609,000 shares crossed for Rs. 80.7 million, its share price traded at Rs. 132.50, Cargills 400,000 shares crossed for Rs. 76 million and its share prices traded at Rs. 190 and Kelani Valley 300,000 shares crossed for Rs. 25.5 million, its shares trading at Rs. 85.
In the retail market top five contributors to the turnover were, Expolanka Rs. 909 million (38.4 million shares traded), Vallibel Power Rs. 251 million (34.8 million shares traded), Piramal Glass Rs. 241 million (27.8 million shares traded), Dipped Products Rs. 182 million (556,000 shares traded) and RIL Properties Rs. 153 million (16.9 million shares traded). During the day 242 million share volumes changed hands in 27618 transactions.
It is said the bourse gained back momentum experiencing a Rs. 2 billion plus turnover after seven trading sessions, while recording a two-week high amid heavy retail buoyancy.
DFCC Bank’s Ranwarama pawning facility lends a helping hand to those with urgent cash requirements
DFCC Bank has increased the advances of its “DFCC Ranwarama” Pawning Facility as a solution for families to meet their urgent cash requirements as many families are experiencing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 outbreak that has had a significant impact on the Sri Lankan economy.
Through this scheme, all Sri Lankan citizens over 18 years of age with the contractual capacity to declare themselves as owners of the articles can now pawn gold or gold jewellery. DFCC Bank accepts jewellery made of 18 Karat -24 Karat gold, with the articles being assayed using the latest available equipment. Items of 24 Karate will hold an advanced value of LKR 82,000/-, while 22 Karat pieces will hold an advanced value of LKR 68,000/- at an interest rate of 0.75% per month. Those who engage in these transactions are provided a maximum of 12 months to settle the pawning advances at their convenience.
DFCC Bank’s Ranwarama Pawning Facility offers many other special features including the highest advance amount at competitive rates of interest, confidentiality and guaranteed security for the articles, flexible payment plans with redemption options when required and redemption without prior notification. All of these facilities are available with no hidden charges, offering customers the best service available in the market.
You may visit a DFCC Bank branch closest to you to transact or visit the Bank’s website at www.dfcc.lk for further information. Customers can also contact DFCC Bank’s 24-hour contact center on +94(11)2350000 for further inquiries.
HSBC Sri Lanka recognised as the Best Consumer Digital Bank by Global Finance
HSBC has been recognised as the Best Consumer Digital Bank in Sri Lanka for 2021 by Global Finance at the World’s Best Consumer Digital Banks Awards in Asia-Pacific. While this is the bank’s fourth award win for this year, this also marks the 13th time that HSBC Sri Lanka has been named the Best Consumer Digital Bank, since 2006.
HSBC Sri Lanka is also the only market in Asia Pacific to win the prestigious award this year.
According to Global Finance, the global health crisis accelerated the need for digital and contact-free solutions by banks in helping create safe and efficient banking services for customers. HSBC Sri Lanka was quick to react in supporting customers in providing seamless digital bank offerings in an increasingly demanding environment, while ensuring customers have a secure banking service with a full spectrum of client-centric banking services.
Through its wealth of digital capabilities and offerings, HSBC allowed customers to adopt a mobile-first approach, and provide them with faster, easier and more secure banking services 24/7. The bank introduced a virtual on boarding capability for account opening, loans and credit cards supported by Adobe Live Sign, eKYC and virtual PINs to provide a seamless on boarding experience for customers. HSBC also offers credit card activation through SMS and an e2e virtual registration process for online banking, offering a virtual banking experience.
In Sri Lanka more than 90% of its personal customers now use digital channels including mobile banking, e-wallets, real-time cash deposit machines and other digital services.
Nadeesha Senaratne, Country Head of Wealth & Personal Banking said, “We are truly honoured to be named the Best Consumer Digital Bank in Sri Lanka for 2021 by Global Finance in recognition of our digital capabilities, and delivering important everyday services and features that customers need and expect. As a leading international bank, we are putting the power of our bank in every customer’s pocket, with easier and more secure digital banking. We want to take the hassle out of everyday banking, and enable customers to easily manage their money online, from opening a new account in a few clicks, to making real time payments and accessing credit.”
Senaratne added: “We’re also blending the power of technology with the expertise of our people and empowering our frontline teams with the latest data and insights tools, to be better-equipped to check customer satisfaction in the moment, to understand, and respond to their evolving needs and give customers excellent service.”
Winners were selected by a world-class panel of judges and entries were judged based on the strength of strategy for attracting and servicing digital customers, success in getting clients to use digital offerings, growth of digital customers, breadth of product offerings and evidence of tangible benefits gained from digital initiatives.
Earlier this year, HSBC Sri Lanka was also named International Bank of the Year by Asiamoney and Finance Asia respectively, and International Retail Bank of the Year by Asian Banking & Finance.
BoardPAC appointed Strategic Partner of Commonwealth’s Business Network – CWEIC
BoardPAC, the Sri Lanka-based multinational Board meeting automation solutions company, has been appointed a Strategic Partner of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), the organisation officially mandated by the Commonwealth Heads of Government to promote trade and investment between the 54 Commonwealth member countries.
This prestigious appointment will see CWEIC relying on BoardPAC’s award-winning solutions to conduct board and committee meetings with members and maintain relationships across the Commonwealth network at a time when the global pandemic’s complete disruption of business activity has resulted in a surge in the demand for efficient board meeting automation.
The Company said the partnership will also effectively promote the BoardPAC platform to new users and facilitate its expansion into new territories and focus markets. BoardPAC already has a global user base in excess of 50,000 and a presence in more than 40 countries.
Noting that BoardPAC’s latest partnership serves as yet another testament to the quality of its solutions, BoardPAC Co-Founder/CEO, Lakmini Wijesundera stated: “Our growth plan includes expanding our worldwide network, and our strategic alliance with CWEIC will strongly help us extend our presence into Commonwealth territories. The strategic cooperation between CWEIC and BoardPAC is especially relevant in light of the worldwide pandemic, and the emerging need for secure remote working and filling the void in virtual board meetings.”
CWEIC Chairman, Rt. Hon. Lord Jonathan Marland said: “We are looking forward to work closely with BoardPAC. The alliance will not only help CWEIC to conduct virtual board meetings securely and safely, but also align ourselves with all governance, risk and compliance as well as environmental, social, and governance frameworks.” Echoing this sentiment, CWEIC Deputy Chair, Sir Hugo Swire stated: “We are excited to partner with BoardPAC and extend modern digital governance and compliance solutions to organisations operating in the Commonwealth.”
Disclosing that BoardPAC’s excellent track record inspired confidence within the CWEIC to implement its solution on a global scale, CWEIC Chief Executive, Samantha Cohen CVO added: “We’re delighted that BoardPAC, one of the most renowned virtual board meeting automation providers in the world, joined our network of Strategic Partners. BoardPAC will add significant value to our board and committee meetings, allowing the CWEIC to conduct meetings with its members throughout the Commonwealth more effectively. The partnership also demonstrates the opportunities within the Commonwealth, and the confidence businesses have towards the Commonwealth and CWEIC.”
A commercial, not-for-profit membership organisation, the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council’s network includes around 100 business and government Strategic Partners (members) including Standard Chartered, Zenith Bank, Trade & Investment Queensland and the Government of the Maldives from 30 countries and territories. Every two years, CWEIC hosts the Commonwealth Business Forum in association with the host country of The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
BoardPAC is an award winning, multinational, paperless board meeting automation solutions provider, recognised for driving simple, secure, sustainable and experiential communications for Board and Executive members. Leading corporates such as Petronas, Deloitte, EY, Mercedes Benz, Prudential, Hong Leong Group, Stock Exchange of Malaysia, Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Bombay Stock Exchange, Bank Negara, Maybank, Power Grid Corporation of India, Colombo Stock Exchange, and Sri Lankan Airlines are just some of BoardPAC’s success stories, and the Company said the partnership with the CWEIC will pave the way to several more high-profile additions to this list.
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U.S. Stocks Fall From Record as Small-Cap Selloff ResumesJoseph Ciolli
U.S. stocks fell, sending benchmark indexes down from all-time highs, as investors resumed selling in small-cap and Internet shares.
Groupon Inc. sank 4.4 percent to lead the Dow Jones Internet Index lower by 1.2 percent. Fossil Group Inc. fell 10 percent after the maker of watches and accessories forecast earnings that trailed analysts’ estimates. Deere & Co. slid 2 percent after cutting its full-year revenue projection. International Business Machines Corp. lost 1.8 percent to pace declines among large companies.
The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index dropped 0.5 percent to 1,888.53 at 4 p.m. in New York, ending a three-day rally. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 101.47 points, or 0.6 percent, to 16,613.97, halting five days of gains. The Russell 2000 Index of small stocks sank 1.6 percent after yesterday sliding 1.1 percent. About 5.4 billion shares changed hands on U.S. exchanges, 19 percent below the three-month average.
“The market is taking a bit of a breather,” Bill Schultz, chief investment officer who oversees about $1.1 billion at McQueen Ball & Associates in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, said in a phone interview. “Earnings have been OK, but now we’re in a slow period. We’re going to have to see earnings pick up to get us to the next level on stocks.”
The S&P 500 rebounded 4.5 percent from its low on April 11 through yesterday, recovering declines after a selloff in technology and small-cap stocks overshadowed optimism about the strength of the economy. The equities benchmark briefly surpassed 1,900 for the first time yesterday, ending the day little changed at an all-time high of 1,897.45. The Dow also finished yesterday at a record.
The Russell 2000 has fallen 2.7 percent in the past two days, extending its drop from a March high to 8.7 percent. The gauge retreated 1.9 percent last week to close below its average price for the past 200 days for the first time since 2012. The Dow Jones Internet Index has plunged 17 percent from a 13-year high in March.
“There’s potential for people to take profits as we reach this record-high area,” Joe Bell, senior equity analyst at Cincinnati-based Schaeffer’s Investment Research Inc., said in a phone interview. “When you get these run-ups, people start to look at economic data, and we haven’t exactly had a great run over the last month. People were expecting a pickup following a tough winter.”
Data today showed wholesale prices in the U.S. rose in April by the most in more than a year, reflecting broad-based gains that signal the threat of deflation is ebbing as the economy improves.
A report yesterday showed retail sales climbed 0.1 percent last month, as consumers were less inclined to ramp up spending again after March saw a release of pent-up demand caused by harsh winter weather.
Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen will speak tomorrow after saying last week the world’s biggest economy still requires a strong dose of stimulus. She told U.S. lawmakers that while data show “solid growth” in the second quarter, “many Americans who want a job are still unemployed” and inflation remains low.
Three rounds of monetary stimulus have helped fuel economic growth, sending the S&P 500 surging as much as 180 percent from its 2009 low.
Macy’s Inc., Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Kohl’s Corp. are among 12 companies in the S&P 500 scheduled to disclose results this week, giving investors insight into how retailers performed during the winter months.
Among the 457 companies in the S&P 500 that have posted results this earnings season, 76 percent beat analysts’ estimates for profits and 53 percent exceeded sales projections, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
Investors have also been watching developments in Ukraine, where rebels yesterday killed seven government soldiers and wounded eight others during an ambush in a breakaway eastern region.
The country “is as close to civil war as you can get,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview today with Bloomberg Television. Russia has “no intention” of send its troops anywhere, he said. The country is locked in the worst standoff since the end of the Cold War against the U.S. and Europe over Ukraine in the run-up to presidential elections later this month.
The Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index, a gauge for U.S. stock volatility known as the VIX, added 0.3 percent to 12.17. The gauge has fallen 43 percent since reaching a two-year high on Feb. 3 and closed yesterday at the lowest since August.
Five of the 10 main S&P 500 groups retreated today, with consumer-discretionary stocks losing 1.1 percent to pace declines. Phone shares added 0.5 percent.
IBM slid 1.8 percent to $188.72 for the steepest slide in the Dow. Chief Executive Officer Ginni Rometty spoke to Wall Street analysts today, saying she remains confident in the company’s 2015 profit forecast despite tumbling sales in hardware and emerging markets like China.
Fossil lost 10 percent to $100 for the biggest drop in the S&P 500. Second-quarter earnings will be 90 cents to 97 cents a share, the company said after the close of trading yesterday. Analysts had projected $1.16. The company predicted sales growth of 8 percent to 9.5 percent, also missing the 10 percent average estimate.
Deere fell 2 percent to $91.70. The largest agricultural-equipment maker said equipment sales will drop by about 4 percent for 2014, compared with a previous projection for a decline of about 3 percent. Equipment sales in the quarter through April slid to $9.25 billion from $10.3 billion, missing the average analyst estimate.
Sears Holdings Corp. fell 5.9 percent to $40.70 after saying it is considering a divestment of its 51 percent interest or the sale of Sears Canada as a whole.


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As the end of 2018 approaches, we thought it would be prudent to take a look back and pick out some of the biggest social media shifts we’ve seen in the last 12 months.
The big Facebook algorithm update
Right off the bat, it was clear 2018 wasn’t pulling any punches – in early January (the 11thto be exact) Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced major changes to the site’s algorithm. These changes would ‘prioritise content from friends and family over public content’, effectively making it much harder for publishers and organisations to reach and engage users organically.
The changes were specifically aimed at:
As a result, Facebook has become more of a ‘pay-to-play’ platform for businesses – with boosted posts and ad campaigns becoming more important than ever. The way reach is measured across Facebook has also changed: every time a person logs in, their newsfeed loads around 250 posts. Previously these were all counted as reach – even if the user didn’t scroll down to see the posts, whereas now reach is only measured on the posts a user sees on-screen.
So, whilst you have likely seen your organic reach drop dramatically this year, it’s important to remember that the previous stats were inflated. Some key points we have for Facebook marketers looking to emulate their reach and engagement stats of 2017 are: ensure you are posting video content, especially live videos (which receive six times as many interactions as regular videos) and utilise Facebook groups where possible.
Stories are growing faster than feeds
With the popularity of messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger continuing to grow rapidly, we’re seeing a drastic increase in the amount of story-based sharing that these apps allow. According to Facebook’s data – stories are growing 15 times faster than feeds and may soon overtake them.
This makes us wonder – will 2019 see LinkedIn and Twitter follow Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp’s lead in launching Story functionality? If so, how could this impact B2B social media marketing?
Instagram introduces shoppable media
Back in September, Instagram announced the integration of shoppable media on their platform – this is a significant leap forward for ecommerce. It began with shoppable posts and was quickly followed by shoppable stories and rumours are now circulating that a separate Instagram shopping app is currently in development. What this means, is that businesses can now effectively use Instagram to sell directly to their followers – considering the platform now has over 1 billion monthly active users, this is sure to have a considerable impact.
With the Cambridge Analytica scandal hitting the headlines in early 2018, Facebook’s ability to protect its users’ data was called into question. CEO Mark Zuckerberg was summoned to US Congress where he was grilled for over two days concerning the platform’s practices and its responsibility to protect users’ privacy. As a result of this political pressure, Facebook began restricting access to their APIs, reducing ad targeting options and marketers’ ability to target paid audiences with such granular detail.
Of course, how could we miss out one of the biggest talking points of 2018? The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has been designed to protect consumers’ information online. Whilst info such as email addresses and national insurance numbers have been treated as ‘personal’ for some time, GDPR expanded the scope to include IP addresses, behavioural data and much more. As such, the introduction of GDPR has had a significant impact upon businesses, in terms of both email and social media marketing. Under the new rules, collecting emails using lead ads, exporting or importing data using Facebook’s Custom Audiences and using web analytics to track user behaviour are now unacceptable. Should you still be unsure about GDPR regulations, be sure to check out an extensive guide here.
Visual search is not a new phenomenon, in fact it’s been around for years – but in 2018, the popularity of visual searches experienced a significant leap. Across Pinterest, monthly visual searches increased 140%, from 250 million in Feb 2017 to 600 million in Feb 2018. Despite this dramatic increase, only 27% of internet users are aware of visual search options in their online shopping experiences, with 62% saying they would be happy to use the technology. Amazon, who is arguably a leader when it comes to visual search technology, partnered with Snapchat in September 2018 to offer a new visual search tool on the platform.
We’d love to hear about how you have been using social media for your business in 2018 and your plans for 2019. Contact us here.


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At a recent business event in Fiji, Australian authorities were quizzed over long-term delays in clearing containers at Australian ports.
A new container cleaning deal with Fiji could lead to more efficient clearance times - something exporters say is well overdue.
The new Sea Container Hygiene System will allow for containers to be cleaned in Fiji before leaving.
Fijian exporters say for many years, the excuse for long delays in Australia was a concern over the Giant African Snail, that Fiji does not have.
A spokesperson for Australia's Department of Agriculture and Water Resources said it's not a problem with the snail, but an issue over soil contamination.
Michael Towler owns a business that exports flotation devices.
He said container hygiene is very different from biosecurity risks such as pests and Fiji should be treated fairly.
"The story has changed dramatically, they were simply saying to us we acknowledge that Fiji doesn't have a Giant African Snail problem, it's a container hygiene issue," he said.
"And I kept saying well treat it as one, instead of a biological problem."
Michael Towler said the problem has been around for more than a decade and has hurt his business and others.
He said his exports to China are cleared more quickly than those to Australia.
"Our products are taking longer to get to our customers from a port that's much closer to Australia. And secondly, until the actual product is delivered to the customers, we don't get paid," he said.
So it's actually having an impact on our cash flow."
In April, the Fiji Biosecurity Authority intercepted 28 adult Giant African Snails and 500 eggs - the largest effort in the history of quarantine operations in the country.
They said it was proof that Fiji's standards are high and officials are vigilant.
But Australia's biosecurity officials said they too need to be vigilant and there are pests that can hitchhike on ships, as well as dangerous seeds and microbes that can harm soil.
That's why Fiji remains on what Australia calls its Country Action List.
New entrepreneurs in Fiji said they work hard with Fiji Biosecurity to ensure products meet those high standards, and some have had surprising success.
Jodie Smith is the award-winning operator of the Ranadi Plantation, which exports organic ginger.
She said much of her success is due to her hard-working staff.
"They've undergone rigourous training too, training is one of the most important things that we do at Ranadi plantation," she said.
"We also have a lot of support from biosecurity, from farmer, and they have helped us, basically set the standards, and then our training has helped us implement them."
Ms Smith has now formed her own company, Cocoterra, and is exporting 100 percent coconut products.
At the recent business council meeting in Fiji, Australia's Pacific Minister, Concetta Fierravanti-Wells said Australian businesses were excited at being a part of Fiji's infrastructure boom, but said the benefit should be felt by Fijian businesses as well.
"It should also help Fiji's businesses secure competitive contracts and reliable and competitive-priced supplies."
Fiji's Trade Minister Faiyaz Koya said he is committed to helping local entrepreneurs like Ms Smith and will continue to work with Australia on biosecurity issues.


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- A recent McKinsey report calls for bold moves from banks as they prepare for a possible economic downturn.
- For 35% of banks, it’s a “do or die moment,” to reinvent their business models if they want to survive the next recession, the consulting firm said.
- The report identifies 5 disruptive trends that will make this late cycle period challenging for banks.
- Disruptions include a more digitally-focused customer, regulators smoothing the way for new players, and outdated tech at big banks hindering their ability to innovate.
- To survive, banks have both in-house options, like cost-cutting through process efficiencies, and outside options, like strategic acquisitions to broaden their service offerings
- Click here for more BI Prime stories.
For more than a third of banks, it’s a “do or die moment,” according to a new report from consulting firm McKinsey & Company.
This group of banks, which McKinsey calls “challenged,” is most vulnerable to the disruptive forces of technology, and the pressures of a slow-growth market environment.
“Their business models are flawed, and the sense of urgency is acute. To survive a downturn, merging with similar banks may be the only option if a full reinvention is not feasible,” the report said.
According to McKinsey, the current economic environment suggests that we are entering a late cycle phase of recovery from the 2008 Global Financial Crisis. Late cycles are typically marked by slowed growth and rising inflation. A recession typically follows the late cycle period.
Here are the five key themes of disruption at play in the late cycle environment.
Customers want digital solutions
According to the report, the rate of online banking usage increased globally on average by 13 percentage points from 2013 to 2018. In retail banking and asset management, consumers are accustomed to digital solutions, and expect real-time and personalized services on these platforms.
It’s not just consumers that have an interest in digital banking — companies are also eager to get in on the action. For example, they may want the ability to link their business bank account to their accounting software. Big banks need to offer these kinds of integrations to stay competitive with neobanks that already offer this to their customers.
Fintechs have raised the bar
New entrants to financial services have raised the bar on user experience. Neobanks offer intuitive apps and websites, so as customers get used to a digital-focused experience, big banks will need to offer the same.
Fintechs are also focused on offering price transparency, looking to provide cheaper services than the big banks. Big banks need to keep their tech on par with the neobanks, and ensure they offer as competitive a price for services like money transfers, the report said.
Regulators are welcoming competition
Regulators around the globe are taking steps to increase transparency and lower the barriers to entry for challenger fintechs. One of the key regulatory shifts McKinsey noted is that non-bank companies have more access to consumer financial data, which can help them access the market.
The advent of open banking has helped neobanks gain market share. “In the UK, where open banking is being rapidly rolled out, the number of new entrants in the market has increased by 65% in the past year alone,” the report said.
Read more: How open banking and bank APIs are boosting fintech growth.
Banks should act before it’s the obvious thing to do
In retail banking, asset management, and especially commercial banking, fintechs and big tech firms aren’t yet operating at the same level as the big banks. That said, the report suggests that across all industries, the legacy players that survive disruption tend to be those who can identify the trend and act before it’s obvious to do so.
So big banks shouldn’t ignore the threat of fintechs just because they’re still in early stages of growth. A July McKinsey survey found that two thirds of respondents would trust Amazon with their financial needs — a hint that big tech could make moves into traditional banking.
Fintechs outspend banks on innovation
Outdated technology is a major pain point for big banks. “While fintechs devote more than 70 percent of their budget to launching and scaling up innovative solutions, banks end up spending just 35 percent of their budget on innovation with the rest spent on legacy architecture,” the report said.
What’s more, operating in a late cycle environment with a decline in profits and slowed growth, big banks may struggle to come up with the money needed to truly invest in innovation.
Read more: Retail banks could see big tech move in on their turf. Here’s what they need to do to stay ahead.
Bold moves are needed
There has been no shortage of recession talk over the past year or so. If a downturn comes, it may be the most predicted yet. Given this, shouldn’t the big banks be ready?
“Unfortunately, not,” the report said, at least as compared to the state of the banks prior to the 2008 financial crisis. “Not only has growth over the past decade been slower than the decade preceding the global financial crisis, but most banks have not regained their pre-crisis level of profitability.”
McKinsey identified three things banks should do within their own companies to prepare themselves for a possible downturn. First, build resilience with strong risk management. Second, reduce costs by focusing on productivity and efficiency initiatives. Third, increase revenue by attracting more customers with a better user experience.
Additionally, banks should consider mergers & acquisitions, or partnerships to stay competitive with disruptive fintechs.
Join the conversation about this story »
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FINCA Launches Pakistan’s First Ever Digital Wallet
FINCA Microfinance Bank, one of the fastest growing microfinance banks in Pakistan, in partnership with Finja, internationally funded FinTech startup, announced the movement to make digital commerce and payments free in Pakistan. SimSim, a mobile payment platform, was introduced at its launch event on July 26th in Karachi, Pakistan
SimSim will give people access to frictionless payment options directed towards a diverse pool of merchants. It intends to act as a catalyst for financial inclusion and will spur digital payments by making even the smallest ‘payment event’ free. Moreover, in the near future, individuals will also be able to seek credit and buy insurance through the SimSim platform.


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On election day next month, a voter initiative in California puts mandatory GMO labeling on the ballot. The vote will determine whether to require, or not, the labeling of food products containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Although recent polls show that more than 90% of Americans want to know whether or not their food contains GMOs, many major corporations, including Monsanto, Dow Chemical, Pepsi and Coke are spending millions fighting the measure, which stands to impact labeling practices across the country.
To provide shoppers with a solution to unlabeled GMOs, many companies in the natural products sector are adopting the Non-GMO Project Verified seal with more that 6,000 Non-GMO Project Verified products.
Until GMO labeling is mandatory, look for the Non-GMO Project Verified seal and support the brands and products committed to ensuring the sustained availability of non-GMO options, and their belief that consumers deserve an informed choice.


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Plenty of brides-to-be envision themselves exchanging vows in glamorous crystal-embroidered wedding dresses, but one designer is set to offer a big-day gown that delivers more glitter and glitz than most women could ever imagine. In fact, it’s unlike anything that’s ever been available before. A wedding dress created by co-founder of the eponymous Italian bridal fashion brand Michela Ferriero has officially broken the world record for the most crystals on a bridal outfit. The grand total featured on the garmet? A whopping 50,890 Swarovski crystals.
The ensemble made its debut at the Sì Sposaitalia Collezioni fashion show in Milan, Italy, on April 14, 2023, per the report. The record-breaking dress features a figure-hugging silhouette, semi-sheer fabric, a corset top, an illusion neckline and cutouts, and an open back. The designer paired the gown with glittering gloves affixed with tulle fabric that’s reminiscent of a cape. “The brand’s ethos has always been to create not just unforgettable and high-quality dresses, but works of art,” the report says.
Ferriero kicked off the four-month-long process by first researching the materials that would bring his vision to life. After finalizing the concept, Ferriero tapped an entire team of seamstresses to create the gown. According to the report, the group sewed individual crystals onto the tulle base of the dress before adding them to the fringes on the bodice, the gloves, and the crystals chains on the back. From start to finish, the creation required 200 hours of sewing. To break the world record, the crystals had to be “genuine, commercially available, and have a certificate of quality and authenticity,” the report says.
Before Ferriero, Turkey-based designer Özden Gelinlik Moda Tasarim Ltd. held the World Record for the most crystals on a wedding dress for more than a decade. The designer created an ensemble with 45,024 crystals, about 5,000 less than the current record breaker. The item made its first appearance at Forum Istanbul Shopping Mall, in Istanbul, Turkey on January 29, 2011.
According to brides.com. Source of photos: internet


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[Laramie, Wyoming — Disruptive MedTech (DMTI), a provider of custom, innovative, private branded medical devices, and medical device manufacturing, today announced that the company was able to pivot and enter the personal protection equipment (PPE) arena with great success. The COVID-19 pandemic slowed its main business producing medical devices used in elective surgeries. By leveraging its worldwide supply chain connections DMTI was able to source medical PPE such as masks, nitrile gloves, gowns, hand sanitizers, and face shields. Due to its success in this market the company has partnered with clients throughout the United States and has expanded employment in Laramie, even during an economic downturn.
DMTI would like to thank the Laramie Area Business Alliance, Albany County, and the Wyoming Business Council, for their support and assistance with its expanding business opportunity and encouragement.


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Jim Nantz and Phil Simms remain as the commentators in EA Sports’ Madden NFL 16 game. This will be their 3rd year calling the action for the Madden franchise.
Multiple gameplay videos coming out of E3 confirmed that fact.
As is the case with a lot of things in Madden, some gamers have wanted a change to the announcers but it appears there won’t be one this year.
Larry Ridley will continue to do the pre-game and halftime shows for Madden NFL 16.
Are you happy with the commentary in Madden or would you like to see a change? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.


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Walmart has agreed to pay various agengies in the state of California $2.1 million for overcharging consumers after having been found to be in violation of a 2008 judgment that required pricing errors to be be resolved at checkout.
In 2005, Walmart was found to have items scanned at the registers with a higher price to what was listed on the shelf. In 2008 a judgment was issued that consumers who were overcharged at the cash register receive $3 off the lowest advertised price or get the item free if priced under $3.
That agreement was to end this November, but due to the new findings, the agreement will continue through November 2013.
So, if you are ever overcharged, make sure to get your $3 off!


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By Karen Axelton
Nearly four years after the nation’s financial meltdown, small business owners seeking financing find themselves between a rock and a hard place. Some 90 percent of small business owners say availability of credit is still a problem for small business, reports a new poll by the American Sustainable Business Council, Main Street Alliance and Small Business Majority. The survey of more than 500 small business owners found that 60 percent of small employers have personally faced difficulties trying to obtain loans to grow their businesses.
Getting capital wasn’t always such an issue for entrepreneurs. A 61 percent majority of respondents say it’s harder for them get loans now than it was four years ago, with 29 percent saying it’s much harder. Only 9 percent of respondents say it’s gotten easier to get a loan.
What do small business owners think would help ease the credit crunch? Some 90 percent of business owners support regulatory changes that would make it simpler for community banks and credit unions to lend to small businesses. Another 77 percent support providing incentives for community banks to lend more to entrepreneurs. Specifically, by more than a 2:1 ratio, small business owners support encouraging credit unions to lend more to entrepreneurs by increasing their member lending cap from 12.25 percent of their assets to 27.5 percent of their assets.
A large majority—82 percent of respondents—also supports tighter credit card regulations, such as clearer disclosure of terms and caps on interest rates. In addition, nearly half, or 47 percent, strongly support these kinds of regulations. The survey also found that 52 percent of small business owners have used credit cards to finance their own business.
Another way small business owners think loans could be made more accessible is by reducing collateral requirements. One-fourth of those surveyed have used their homes as a source of capital for their business through a home equity line of credit. With home equity values dropping in many parts of the country, this type of collateral is no longer available to many entrepreneurs.
Finally, the majority of small business owners, or 57 percent, think that reducing the principal on underwater mortgages to the homes’ current market value would boost consumer spending, which would help small businesses regain market share. Nearly three-fourths (73 percent) said the fallout from the mortgage crisis has hurt their businesses by reducing consumer spending and demand.
The poll also asked respondents about some specific proposals put forth in President Obama’s American Jobs Act. The vast majority (69 percent) supports committing $50 billion to new and existing infrastructure projects—such as making improvements to road, bridge and water systems—that would generate new jobs and help increase consumer spending. Another 59 percent favor creating a nationwide wireless network and improving the accessibility of high-speed wireless services, which would benefit both businesses and consumers.
Read the full report here.
Image by Flickr user Rojer (Creative Commons)


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There’s no doubt that Apple is looking to launch three new iPhones in 2018 as well.
Reputed KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had last year predicted the company’s plan to launch two iPhone variants with 5.8-inch and 6.5-inch OLED displays and one with a 6.1-inch TFT-LCD panel. In line with these predictions is a new rumor which suggests that Apple has begun the procurement process for these displays for this year’s devices.
As per a report by Taiwan’s Commercial Times, Apple has chosen Japan Display (JDI) to supply 6.1-inch “Full Active” LCD panels for the iPhone which will be present in the cheaper offering among the three to attract more buyers. These Full Active panels can be used to eliminate bezels to as thin as 0.5mm on all four sides.
As per the report, the display panels ordered by Apple will come in an 18:9 configuration with a Full HD+ resolution. Furthermore, JDI showed off an under-screen fingerprint scanner like the one by Synaptics and it wouldn’t be too wild to guess that Apple would want to use this as well, if it can be incorporated by the time production begins. Meanwhile, the touch panel modules will be supplied by TPK Holding and General Interface Solution, according the report.
As per earlier rumors, the cost of the ‘LCD iPhone’ is likely between $700-$800 in the U.S. and it will have similar design to the iPhone X, including the notch. This iPhone is also expected to carry Face ID sensors and to cut corners, Apple is betting on the LCD screen and an aluminum frame instead of stainless steel, a single rear camera instead of the dual setup.
Further, due to the lukewarm response of 3D Touch, Apple could be skipping the technology from the LCD iPhone while retaining it on the higher models which arrive this fall. It was also recently predicted that Apple could be looking to reduce the size of the notch but the step would make sense only if it is able to accomplish this without raising the price or supply chain hassles.


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As usual, there's a constant stream of rumours and speculations about which Apple products are coming next. The fact that another iPhone will be out soon is no secret, although the launch date is. The New iPad only launched back in March, but that doesn't stop Apple fans from getting excited about the possibility of a redesigned - and crucially, smaller - iPad. Everyone's talking about the iPad mini despite Apple having said nothing on the matter.
Rumour has is the Apple iPad mini is to be announced by October but is Apple really likely to launch a smaller version of the iPad?
Would a 7in model even be necessary? With the iOS devices the iPhone, small enough to fit in your pocket, and the iPad, competent enough to run most software, where is the need for an in-between model which would compromise on both areas?
Steve Jobs didn't think that a smaller iPad was a good idea, and neither do some of you in this forum discussion Should Apple sell a 7in iPad? but this may be part of Apple CEO Tim Cook's plan to continue pushing forward the company as late CEO Steve Jobs did.
Analyst Brian White thinks that an iPad mini would be a cheaper and more convenient alternative for educators, children and price-sensitive consumers. He would expect the mid-sized tablet to cannibalise Apple's current iPad, but claims, perhaps rightly, that surely it would be better for Apple to do this themselves rather than be shot down by a competitor.
Analysts agree that a smaller iPad is probably motivated by competition and the thought of a missed opportunity.
As our electronic age concentrates on making everything, lighter, smaller, thinner, faster and as cheap as possible, it seems fair enough to reason that a smaller iPad would be the way forward, especially with so many competitors already with 7in tablets on the market.
Analysts are expecting that the release of an iPad mini in September could result in instant success with it overtaking sales of the larger model by Christmas.
Fuelling the rumours of the product and grabbing the attention of Apple followers are the alleged leaked images of the iPad mini from China. But whenever a rumour arises, so do images to match and no one knows whether these are the real deal.
Apple has even hinted at the release of a new iPad this autumn confirming there will be a "fall transition" where Tim Cook will bring new products he is "super happy" about to the public.
Number 4 on Curry's predicted 2012 Christmas list is the elusive 'Apple mystery product' Mark Hosgood, manager for e-readers and tablets at Currys/PC World, commented: "While it's no surprise that the likes of the iPad and Kindle are going to be on everyone's gift lists this year, we also think the tablet market as a whole could be a big winner." Could this be the iPad Mini?
A smaller iPad wouldn't only be a popular Christmas gift. The iPad is already proving popular with schools - One million Apple iPads were sold to schools in third quarter, according to Apple.
The analysts are predicting it, photos are popping up and it seems the people want it, and now, even ex-Apple staff are claiming plans for an iPad mini are in fact already in place. It's getting hard to brush off the rumours as rumours.
If Apple took the initiative to launch the smaller, in-between model, some say they could guarantee a spot at the top of their game, dominating the tablet market until 2016.
So, why not?


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The Indian automobile industry’s dismal performance last month isn’t a one-off, according to analysts. Sales are expected to be under pressure through the second half of the fiscal year. This raises the question: Does any auto manufacturer stand the risk of reporting losses in the near future?
According to an analyst with a foreign brokerage, who did not want to be identified citing company policy, the likely candidates are Tata Motors Ltd, TVS Motor Co. Ltd and Ashok Leyland Ltd. A fund manager with a private sector mutual fund concurs.
It is no secret that Tata Motors’ medium and heavy commercial vehicles are much more profitable than its other products. In the last two months, sales of medium and heavy commercial vehicles have fallen by 50% and 60%, respectively, indicating that the country’s largest firm could be the closest to reporting losses. In the September quarter, when sales volumes were much better, the company had managed a pre-tax profit margin of a mere 3% of sales. This excludes other income and is before accounting for the impact of foreign currency translation losses. This also doesn’t take into account the high leverage of Tata Motors at the consolidated level and the fact that Jaguar-Land Rover’s sales are expected to be much worse and could drag down overall performance of the company.
Also See Profits in Q2 (Graphic)
TVS Motor currently has the lowest pre-tax margin of 1.25%, and if volumes continue to decline for a few months, it would be a ripe candidate for reporting losses. The decline in its sales haven’t been as bad so far—in November, sales fell by 12.7%. So, the company may continue reporting profit for a slightly longer time frame.
Ashok Leyland reported a pre-tax margin of 4.2% last quarter, but given the rate at which commercial vehicle sales are declining and are expected to decline in the next few months, it may report losses in a couple of quarters’ time, says the fund manager. It has curtailed its ambitious capital expenditure plan, but based on what it has already spent, its interest cost and depreciation charges are expected to rise. This is happening at a time when a drop in volumes would lead to lesser economies of scale and a drop in profitability.
It’s not that the other auto manufacturers will go unscathed. Given their superior profitability margins (see table), they may not go into losses in the near future, but most of them are set to report huge drops in profit. The only exception is Hero Honda Ltd, which has managed to maintain volumes by gaining market share. It is enjoying higher profitability this year compared with the previous year. Of course, even its volumes may drop as the slowdown gets worse, but it is still expected to be the best placed in the industry. Its pre-tax margins of 12.4% last quarter were the highest in the industry.
This is the reason Hero Honda is the only auto stock to enjoy a double-digit price-earnings multiple. Other auto stocks have all fallen sharply, but there may be room for further correction if there are no signs of a recovery in the next few months.


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Since: October 2015
Registered sales-based financing provider in VA
|Forward Financing appoints new CTO
|ICIC partners with Forward Financing
|Forward Financing an Inc. Power Partner
|New CFO at Forward Financing
|Forward Financing has new fresh image
Forward Financing announced a $250 million credit facility from one of their current capital providers.
“This is a big win for our business and a testament to our strong financial performance throughout this difficult past year,” said Eugene Wong, Vice President of Strategy and Finance. “The increased facility gives us the flexible capital we need to grow and expand so that we can support the small business economy as it recovers on the other side of the COVID pandemic.”
Forward said it reported growing 60% in the past six months and expected to double the employee headcount in the coming year. The numbers back this up: the firm originated a total of $165,826,203 across 6,142 advances in 2020, a representative said. Forward reached a total of $1B in funding as of March 2021 since the firm was founded in 2012.
Forward Financing won a Silver Stevie Award for the Best Customer Service Department of the Annual American Business Awards, for their work helping clients during the pandemic year. The firm originated a total of $165,826,203 across 6,142 advances in 2020, a representative said.
“We are truly honored to receive recognition for the fantastic job our Account Servicing team does every day to help our small business customers,” Justin Bakes, co-founder and CEO, said. “Particularly in 2020, that help was needed more than ever before to help small business owners get through the most difficult months of the pandemic.”
The firm said that in 2020, thousands of customers reached out to the Account Servicing Department (ASD) to request payment relief from the pandemic shutdown. The company trained 18 team members from different departments to join ASD, nearly tripling the size of the team, the firm said.
Forward competed with more than 3,800 nominations submitted this year for organizations across the US. Since 2012, Forward Financing has provided more than $1 billion in funding to more than 26,000 small businesses.
Boston-based Fintech Company Expands Main Street’s Access to Capital During Pandemic, Achieves Major Growth Milestone
Boston, Mass., March 1, 2021 – Forward Financing, a financial technology company that provides flexible revenue-based financing to small businesses, today announced that they have provided $1 billion in funding since their inception in 2012. The majority of this funding has gone to underserved small businesses nationwide; those that are unable to obtain financing through traditional sources like banks or the Small Business Administration.
“Nine years ago, we started this company upon the realization that so many small businesses lacked access to working capital,” said Forward Financing co-founder and CEO Justin Bakes. “As we look ahead to our next $1 billion milestone, we will continue to focus on providing best-in-class customer service and on helping our small business customers reach their full potential, no matter what challenges may arise.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the U.S. economy and many small businesses have needed additional financial resources to get by. Despite over $600 billion in loans provided through the Payroll Protection Program, this alone has been insufficient in fulfilling the need for capital. As a result, many small business owners have turned to funders like Forward Financing for support.
Forward Financing is uniquely suited to help small businesses during this economic downturn because it offers financing that is based on revenue, and is not a loan. Therefore, small business customers who may be experiencing a revenue slowdown can reduce their payments proportionately.
“Forward Financing has helped me grow my business and take advantage of opportunities,” a retail business owner recently said. “Their service has been excellent and when COVID hit, they easily and efficiently helped me adjust my payment schedule so I remained current and my business was not interrupted. I will use them again and again in the future!”
Over the past six months, Forward Financing has grown daily funding volume at an average rate of 17% per month as they continue to help small businesses navigate the pandemic economy. In order to help meet rapidly growing demand, they are currently expanding headcount in Boston by 20%.
About Forward Financing
Forward Financing is a Boston-based financial technology company that provides fast, flexible working capital to small businesses nationwide. Their dedicated account representatives and advanced proprietary technology help customers spend less time finding capital and more time growing their business. With a simple, secure online application, business owners can trust that Forward Financing works to get them approvals within minutes, funding within hours, and personalized support when they need it most.
Since 2012, Forward Financing has expanded Main Street’s access to capital by providing over $1 billion in funding to nearly 30,000 small businesses. The company is rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau and ‘Excellent / 4.9 stars’ on Trustpilot.com. Forward Financing was named a Best Place To Work by both
the Boston Business Journal and Built In Boston, and has been named by both Inc. Magazine and the Boston Business Journal as one of Massachusetts’ fastest-growing companies each year since 2017. Forward Financing is committed to helping more small business owners succeed and achieve their full potential. To learn more, visit www.forwardfinancing.com.
Maryland’s commercial financing bill, propelled by bi-partisan support, failed to overcome the final hurdle before the State’s 2022 legislative session adjourned sine die yesterday. SB 825 passed the Senate in March and became the subject of much debate in the House of Delegates on the 30th. Testimony from 17 people was considered, much of it oral.
The bill’s lofty idyllic intent is perhaps what contributed to its demise. Despite legislative enthusiasm for applying consumer style protections to commercial finance transactions, regulators tasked with its actual implementation were amongst its harshest critics.
The Consumer Protection Division of the State’s Attorney General’s Office said “the bill makes a violation an unfair, abusive or deceptive practice in violation of the Consumer Protection Act. With limited exceptions, violations of the Consumer Protection Act are limited to consumer transactions, i.e., transactions that are primarily for personal, family or household use, and expanding the CPA to cover business-to business transactions would open a door that could lead to a significant increase in the number of complaints received by the Division, requiring the Division to add corresponding resources.” The Division gave an official thumbs down on the bill.
Maryland’s Department of Labor stated that the requirements of the bill would make it “difficult to operationalize from a monitoring, investigatory and enforcement perspective” and that there would be too much uncertainty given that New York, a state that passed a similar law, has been unable to effectively implement their own version. “Maryland small businesses, lenders and borrowers alike, may be negatively impacted if the rollout of the system in New York is significantly delayed or New York enacts systems or procedures not appropriate to or anticipated by Maryland businesses,” it concluded.
Other states, like California, have encountered similar problems with commercial financing disclosure legislation. The bill it passed in 2018 still has not been implemented over lingering disputes over how to do the math it mandates.
Proponents and critics alike picked away at each other’s arguments in Maryland, but when the session ended late late Monday evening to a hail of confetti and balloons, SB 825 had not been called. This was the third year in a row that a commercial financing bill has failed. Another version will likely be introduced when the legislature eventually returns.
Coming to Las Vegas in 2024, an inaugural commercial financing expo powered by deBanked in collaboration with the Small Business Finance Association will be held in the Fall. The conference will bring together the leading lenders, funders, and brokers from across the spectrum of commercial finance, leasing, mortgage, and revenue-based capital products. The event will replace deBanked’s annual CONNECT event that has typically taken place in San Diego.
“We’ve had our eye on Las Vegas for a long time and resolved last September that we’d aim to go there next,” said deBanked founder Sean Murray. “We’ve built up years of experience through running the annual Broker Fair conference in New York City and this event will have everything from across the commercial finance and small business finance industries.”
“deBanked is a powerful industry leader and we look forward to working with them to produce a high level event where the commercial finance industry can learn and network together,” said SBFA Executive Director Steve Denis.
The deBanked team has produced nearly two dozen events since 2017. Additional information will be made available soon. For inquiries, email firstname.lastname@example.org or call 917-722-0808.
Federal Legislators Jump on Commercial Financing Disclosure Bandwagon, Renew Push to Give CFPB Authority Over IndustryJune 16, 2023
Feel like there’s a lot of state-level disclosure going around lately? Well now some members of Congress believe another layer is needed at the federal level. In a bill titled the “Small Business Financing Disclosure Act of 2023,” the language looks awfully familiar. There’s a Double Dipping clause in it, for example, which was a term first seen in a New York State law.
The federal bill, which was introduced by US Senator Robert Menendez and Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez, seeks to place the small business finance industry under the authority of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). As part of that, the Director (currently Rohit Chopra) would be responsible for devising all the rules and formulas, according to the bill. Furthermore, with regards to sales-based financing, the bill specifically states:
1. The provider must disclose an APR.
2. The estimated term of repayment and periodic payments based on projected sales volume must be disclosed.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of the American economy,” said Congresswoman Velázquez. “But for too long, predatory lenders have taken advantage of businesses in need of capital by offering loans and similar products with unclear terms and exorbitant interest rates.”
Supporters of the bill, including Senator Sherrod Brown and Senator Ron Wyden, also stated that the bill is aimed at “predatory lenders.”
In Senator Menendez’s press statement for the bill, it cites Funding Circle, a small business lending company, as a supporter.
“We believe a free and fair market operates most efficiently when there is transparency in pricing, terms and conditions,” said Ryan Metcalf, Head of U.S. Public Affairs at Funding Circle U.S. When a small business has all of the necessary information up front including the annual percentage rate (APR), they can comparison shop and make informed decisions that are best for their business. Funding Circle supports one national uniform small business financing disclosure law because it is in the best interests of small businesses and interstate commerce.”
The push for a small business financing bill is not new. A similar bill introduced by Velázquez last year did not move forward, nor did the one from 2021, nor the one from 2019. The difference is that previous versions focused on Confessions of Judgment and fairness in small business lending. The latest version takes on the air of disclosure while attempting to subjugate the whole industry to CFPB regulatory authority.
Update: the governor signed the bill into law on June 23.
It’s a new state disclosure law but with a twist. Florida’s bill, which passed both chambers of the legislature on May 4th and now awaits the governor’s signature, has a specific code of conduct aimed directly at brokers.
Among these rules is that the broker cannot:
- Offer its services in any advertisement without disclosing the actual address and telephone number of the business of the broker and the address and telephone number of any forwarding service the broker may use, if any.
- Make or use any false or misleading representation or omit any material fact in the offer or sale of the services of a broker or engage, directly or indirectly, in any act that operates or would operate as fraud or deception upon any person in connection with the offer or sale of the services of a broker, notwithstanding the absence of reliance by the business.
- Make or use any false or deceptive representation in its business dealings.
- Assess, collect, or solicit an advance fee from a business to provide services as a broker. However, this subsection does not preclude a broker from soliciting a business to pay for, or preclude a business from paying for, actual services necessary to apply for a commercial financing transaction, including, but not limited to, a credit check or an appraisal of security, if such payment is made by check or money order payable to a party independent of the broker.
The bill, as written, says it is poised to go into effect on July 1, 2023 (assuming the governor signs it). deBanked first reported on this bill on March 16th.
Is the revenue-based financing provider you do business with registered to operate in Virginia? On July 1, 2022, Virginia’s commercial financing disclosure law went into effect and with that the necessity to register one’s business. As of March 29, 2023, 101 companies had registered. This is the official list of registered sales-based financing providers as of that date (yellow means it has been added since our last update):
- Advance Servicing Inc.
- Accredited Business Solutions LLC dba The Accredited Group
- Advance Funds Network LLC dba Advance Funds Network
- AdvancePoint Capital LLC dba advancepoint
- Ally Merchant Services LLC
- Alpine Funding Partners, LLC
- Business Capital LLC
- Byzfunder NY LLC dba Tandem dba Nano-FI
- Bridge Capital Services, LLC
- CFG Merchant Solutions, LLC
- Clarify Capital II LLC dba Clarify Capital
- Cloudfund VA LLC dba Cloudfund LLC
- Capflow Funding Group Managers LLC
- Clear Finance Technology (U.S.) Corp. dba Clearco
- Coast Premier LLC dba Coast Funding
- Commercial Servicing Company, LLC
- Corporate Lodging Consultants, Inc.
- Crown Funding Source LLC dba Crown Funding Source
- Diesel Funding LLC
- Direct Capital Source Inc.
- Dealstruck Capital LLC
- EBF Holdings, LLC
- Essential Funding Group Inc
- Errant Ventures LLC
- FC Capital Holdings, LLC FundCanna
- Fidelity Funding Group LLC
- Front Capital LLC
- Finova Capital, LLC
- Fintegra, LLC
- First Data Merchant Services LLC
- First Path Capital Ventures LLC dba First Path Capital
- FleetCor Technologies Operating Company, LLC
- Flexibility Capital Inc.
- Fora Financial East LLC
- Forward Financing LLC
- Fox Capital Group Inc.
- Fundamental Capital LLC
- Funding Metrics, LLC dba Quick Fix Capital
- Good Funding, LLC
- Granite Merchant Funding, LLC
- Invision Funding LLC
- Itria Ventures LLC
- Jaydee Ventures, LLC dba 1 West Capital dba 1 West Commercial
- Kapitus LLC
- Knight Capital Funding III, LLC
- Lexington Capital Holdings Ltd
- LG Funding LLC
- Legend Advance Funding II, LLC dba Legend Funding
- Liberis US Inc.
- Libertas Funding, LLC
- Liquidibee 1 LLC dba Liquidibee LLC dba Altfunding.com
- Loanability, Inc.
- Millstone Funding Inc.
- National Funding, Inc.
- Nav Technologies, Inc.
- Orange Advance LLC
- Pearl Alpha Funding, LLC
- Pearl Beta Funding, LLC
- Pearl Delta Funding, LLC
- Proto Financial Corp.
- PWCC Marketplace, LLC
- Parafin, Inc.
- PayPal, Inc.
- Payability Commercial Factors, LLC
- Pinnacle Business Funding LLC dba Custom Capital USA dba EnN OD Capital
- Platform Funding LLC
- Prosperum Capital Partners LLC dba Arsenal Funding
- QFS Capital LLC
- RFG USA Inc.
- Rival Funding, LLC
- Riverpoint Financial Group Inc.
- Rocket Capital NY LLC
- ROKFI LLC
- Ruby Capital Group LLC
- Rapid Financial Services, LLC
- Reliant Services Group, LLC
- Retail Capital LLC dba Credibly
- Revenued LLC
- Rewards Network Establishment Services Inc.
- Secure Capital Solutions Inc.
- Sky Bridge Business Funding, LLC
- SMB Compass LLC dba SMB Compass
- Sunrise Funding LLC
- Santa Barbara Tax Products Group, LLC
- SellersFunding Corp.
- Sharpe Capital, LLC
- Shine Capital Group LLC
- Shopify Capital Inc.
- Shore Funding Solutions Inc.
- Streamline Funding, LLC
- Stripe Brokering, Inc.
- The LCF Group, Inc.
- Unique Funding Solutions LLC
- United Capital Source Inc.
- Upfront Rent Holdings LLC
- Upper Line Capital LLC
- Vader Servicing, LLC
- Velocity Capital Group LLC
- Vivian Capital Group LLC
- Vox Funding, LLC
- ZING Funding I, LLC
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forward financing are must adds. great companies run by good people...