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Over 300 Financial Institutions Go Live with the Banno Digital Platform

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Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.® (NASDAQ: JKHY) is a leading provider of technology solutions and payment processing services primarily for the financial services industry. Jack Henry Digital today announced that more than 300 banks and credit unions are leveraging the Banno Digital Platform™ to facilitate seamless digital experiences, digital account opening and live, personal service within the digital channel. As of the end of June, the platform has over 2.6 million monthly active users.

Nashville, Tenn.-based FirstBank set out to be a leader in customer experience about two years ago, embracing digital as a powerful channel for customers to manage their financial lives. The $6.6 billion-asset bank found that the Banno Digital Platform strategically aligned with its vision; using technology to enhance the community banking model across every customer touchpoint. FirstBank already trusted Jack Henry’s customer-centric approach to service, having relied on its core and call center capabilities for years. The addition of the Banno Digital Platform enables the bank to extend its digital reach with an experience that is just as personal and relevant as in-person encounters.

Wade Peery, chief administrative officer of FirstBank, said, “We believe in allowing our customers to bank with us however they choose, and now more than ever, that typically means through digital channels. With Banno, we can provide a modern, consistent experience without sacrificing the personal touch and informed connections that set our institution apart. The pandemic really solidified our approach to digital; we know that excellent digital service can take our bank into the future and carve out a competitive advantage. We are committed to staying local while also providing a superior digital experience, and Banno enables us to do that.”

TruStone Financial Federal Credit Union has been live on Banno Mobile™ for more than two years and recently completed the experience by implementing Banno Online™. The $1.7 billion-asset credit union saw an almost 10% increase in enrollment for its mobile app within the first month of rolling out Banno Mobile and an approximately 70% boost in engagement within the first three weeks of going live with the browser version.

Jessica Grundhauser, online services manager for TruStone Financial Federal Credit Union, explained, “Our digital strategy prioritizes replicating the personal, meaningful branch experience within digital channels. Banno, and specifically the secure live, human chat powered by Banno ConversationsSM, has allowed us to accomplish this goal, which has been especially valuable over the past several months. During the pandemic’s onset, we saw approximately 5,000 conversations each month, a 189% increase in normal activity. This method of communication was critical to helping us serve members during a time of extreme need. We are excited about the future, especially as we grow our footprint and member base, and the digital journey Jack Henry Digital will support.”

Jack Henry recently opened the Banno Digital Platform with the Banno Digital ToolkitSM, providing financial institutions access to the same APIs on which Banno operates. This allows banks and credit unions to easily plug leading third-party technology directly into their apps, empowering them to innovate faster and deliver the features and functionality that differentiate them competitively. With the toolkit, there’s no need to develop code from scratch; Jack Henry has already done the heavy lifting, providing an effective way for institutions to partner with any third-party of choice or to build custom solutions.

Ben Metz, head of digital at Jack Henry, commented, “Competing on local trust and service in digital has never been more important. We are proud to bring together more than 300 financial institutions on the Banno Digital Platform, providing them with leading technology that extends their relationship-based business models into digital channels, making digital banking full-service, open and relational. The demand for our Banno Digital Platform continues to increase every month. This pace has remained steady through the pandemic, and we expect that demand to increase over the coming months and years. To be future-ready, institutions must have the technical agility to adapt, innovate and differentiate quickly, all while keeping personal service and human connection at the center of the digital experience. Today’s milestone is both a testament to and celebration of making that vision a reality.”

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Sandbrook Capital and PSP Investments Announce Sale of Offshore Wind Pioneer Havfram to DEME

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LONDON, MONTREAL, and OSLO, Norway, April 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Sandbrook Capital, a private investment firm focused on building leading climate infrastructure companies, and the Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments), one of Canada’s largest pension investors, today announced the signing of an agreement to sell Havfram, an international offshore wind infrastructure company, to DEME (Euronext: DEME), a global leader in offshore energy and marine engineering.

Established in 2021 through a strategic partnership between Sandbrook Capital and PSP Investments, Havfram was created to provide critical offshore wind installation capacity to the world’s leading energy companies. Under their ownership, Havfram has evolved into a world-class operator of Wind Turbine Installation Vessels (WTIVs), with two state-of-the-art vessels currently under construction and a strong contract backlog to build some of the largest offshore wind farms.

“We partnered with PSP Investments to build Havfram because we saw a unique market opportunity to provide the state-of-the-art vessels required to build today’s enormous offshore wind farms” said Christopher Hunt, Partner at Sandbrook Capital. “In just a few years, Havfram has become one of the most important players in the offshore wind industry. We are proud of what the team has achieved and the positive financial returns delivered to our investors.  DEME will be an outstanding steward of the company in its next phase of growth.”

“Our investment in Havfram reflects our broader capabilities and commitment to invest in assets essential to the renewables value chain, while generating strong risk-adjusted returns,” said Sandiren Curthan, Managing Director and Global Head of Infrastructure Investments, PSP Investments. “We are proud to have partnered with Sandbrook Capital and with the Havfram team to build a fleet of next generation WTIVs.”

“The support and long-term vision of Sandbrook Capital and PSP Investments have been instrumental in building Havfram into what it is today,” said Ingrid Due-Gundersen, CEO of Havfram. “We’re incredibly excited to join forces with DEME, a global leader with a shared mission to accelerate offshore wind deployment. Together, we will play a major role in enabling the energy transition around the world.”

The transaction, valued at approximately € 900 million, is expected to close by the end of April 2025, subject to customary closing conditions.

Goldman Sachs served as financial advisors and Thommessen served as legal advisor to Sandbrook Capital and PSP Investments.

About Sandbrook Capital

Sandbrook Capital is a private investment firm dedicated to building the next generation of climate infrastructure companies. Founded by a team of seasoned investors and operators, Sandbrook partners with exceptional management teams to grow sustainable businesses that deliver attractive financial returns and meaningful climate benefits. For more information, visit www.sandbrook.com

About PSP Investments

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The Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments) is one of Canada’s largest pension investors with C$264.9 billion of net assets under management as of 31 March 2024. It manages a diversified global portfolio composed of investments in capital markets, private equity, real estate, infrastructure, natural resources, and credit investments. Established in 1999, PSP Investments manages and invests amounts transferred to it by the Government of Canada for the pension plans of the federal public service, the Canadian Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Reserve Force. Headquartered in Ottawa, PSP Investments has its principal business office in Montréal and offices in New York, London and Hong Kong. For more information, visit investpsp.com or follow us on LinkedIn

About Havfram

Havfram is a Norwegian offshore wind installation company providing critical services to the global renewable energy industry. With two newbuild WTIVs under construction and a robust backlog, Havfram is positioned as a leading player in enabling the deployment of next-generation offshore wind farms. For more information, visit www.havfram.com.

Media contacts: PSP Investments, Charles Bonhomme, +1 438 465-1260, media@investpsp.ca; Sandbrook Capital, Daniel Yunger / James Hartwell, Kekst-Sandbrook@kekstcnc.com, 917.574.8582 / 917.842.9560

Sandbrook Capital

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Strategic Value Partners and Blantyre Capital Acquire OQ Chemicals

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OQ Chemicals will reinstate its name to OXEA

LONDON, April 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Strategic Value Partners, LLC and its affiliates (together, “SVP”), a global alternative investment firm with approximately $22 billion of assets under management, and Blantyre Capital Limited (“Blantyre”), a London-based investment manager with more than €2.7 billion of long-term capital commitments, today announced that SVP-managed funds and Blantyre-managed funds have acquired OQ Chemicals (“the Company” or “OXEA”), a leading global producer and merchant of oxo chemicals. As part of the acquisition, OQ Chemicals will reinstate its name to OXEA, reaffirming its heritage and longstanding presence in the global chemicals industry.

OXEA is a premier manufacturer of oxo intermediates and oxo performance chemicals, supplying essential ingredients to specialty chemicals and additive manufacturers across key U.S. and European markets. The Company produces high-quality alcohols, polyols, plasticisers, carboxylic acids, specialty esters, and amines that are vital to the production of paints, coatings, plastics, lubricants, pharmaceuticals, and other essential sectors. OXEA plays a strategic role in global supply chains, supporting long-term demand across high-growth industries, including construction, automotive, and electronics. With more than 1,200 employees worldwide, OXEA markets its chemicals in over 60 countries, with primary production sites located in Germany and Texas, ensuring a strong global presence.

“OXEA’s leading market positions, global reach, and innovation capabilities provide a solid foundation for long-term growth,” said HJ Woltery, Co-Head of the European Investment Team at SVP. “We look forward to partnering with the OXEA team to build upon this strong foundation and continue delivering exceptional value to its customers and stakeholders across well-diversified markets.”

“We are pleased to partner with OXEA, a market leader with strong production capabilities,” said Mubashir Mukadam, Chief Investment Officer at Blantyre Capital. “OXEA’s significant expertise in oxo chemicals, combined with its global footprint, presents ample opportunities for growth. We look forward to supporting the Company as it continues to expand its product offerings and enhance its strategic position in the industry.”

SVP and Blantyre were advised on the transaction by Kirkland & Ellis, Akin, and Lazard.

About OXEA

OXEA is a global manufacturer of Oxo Intermediates and Oxo Performance Chemicals such as alcohols, polyols, carboxylic acids, specialty esters, and amines. These are used to produce high-quality coatings, lubricants, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, flavors and fragrances, printing inks, and plastics. OXEA employs more than 1,200 people worldwide and markets its chemicals in more than 60 countries. More information under chemicals.oq.com About SVP

SVP is a global alternative investment firm that focuses on special situations, private equity, opportunistic credit and financing opportunities. The firm uses a combination of sourcing, financial and operational expertise to unlock value in its portfolio companies. Today SVP manages approximately $22 billion in assets under management, and since inception, has invested more than $53 billion of capital, including more than $18 billion in Europe. The firm, established by Victor Khosla in 2001, has over 200 employees, including more than 100 investment professionals, across its main offices in Greenwich (CT) and London, and a presence in Tokyo. Learn more at www.svpglobal.com

About Blantyre

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Blantyre is a London-based investment manager specialising in middle market equity and debt special situations. The firm transforms businesses by providing time-sensitive capital that can support companies in financing growth, M&A, capital structure optimisation, operational enhancements, shareholder changes and recapitalisation, and liquidity solutions. Blantyre manages more than €2.7bn of long-term capital commitments on behalf of highly regarded institutional investors, including public and private pension plans, sovereign wealth funds, endowments, foundations, private funds, and family offices. Blantyre strives to be the middle market special situations firm of choice for its partners and investors. For more information, please visit www.blantyrecapital.com 

Media Contacts

Greenbrook
James Madsen / Ksenia Galouchko
SVP@greenbrookadvisory.com

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Kia announces strengthened growth engine strategy at 2025 CEO Investor Day

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  • Kia’s Plan S 2030 business strategy updated with growth strategies for new products, focus on electrification commitment
  • Kia aims for global sales of 4.19 mln units, market share of 4.5%, by 2030
  • EV: Target of 1.26 mln EV sales by 2030
     Global EV market share of 4.3%; expansion of volume EV lineup
  • PBV: To sell 250,000 PBVs by 2030
     Launches of PV5 in 2025, PV7 in 2027 and PV9 in 2029
  • Pickup Truck: To add an EV pickup model for North America, building on Tasman pickup’s success
     Targeting global Tasman sales of 80,000 units per year
  • Aim to achieve KRW 170 tln in revenue, over 10% operating profit margin by 2030
  • Kia to invest KRW 42 tln from 2025-2029, including KRW 19 tln for future business
  • 2025 business guidance
    Targeting more than KRW 112 tln in revenue, market share of 3.7% 
    Operating profit margin of 11% on global sales of more than 3.2 mln units

SEOUL, South Korea, April 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Kia Corporation today shared its mid-to-long-term business strategies and financial targets at its CEO Investor Day.

As part of Kia’s updated Plan S strategy – the brand’s mid-to-long-term business plan – the company outlined its bold strategy to achieve global sales of 4.19 million units by 2030, including 2.33 million hybrid and fully electric vehicles (EVs).

Leveraging its agility and flexibility in response to the market environment, Kia will diversify its growth engines by introducing new models – such as PBVs and pickup trucks – and other key future businesses.

“Since launching the Kia Transformation strategy in 2021, Kia has continuously progressed to become a provider of sustainable mobility solutions that innovate space and enable customers to make better use of their time beyond conventional means of transportation,” said Ho Sung Song, President and CEO of Kia. “We will continue to develop the brand by implementing mid-to-long-term strategies to strengthen our internal stability and respond effectively to changes in the auto industry.”

Kia is accelerating its transformation by expanding its hybrid and EV offerings, aiming to sell 1.26 million EVs and nearly one million hybrids by 2030. The company will strengthen its EV leadership through the launch of volume models, including the EV3, EV4, EV5, and the upcoming EV2, while enhancing cost efficiency, customer service, and production strategies.

Kia is also expanding its PBV business, targeting annual sales of 250,000 units by 2030. Its PBV lineup will include PV5 in 2025, PV7 in 2027, and PV9 in 2029. Furthermore, Kia has launched its Tasman for global markets, with an annual sales target of 80,000 units, and will develop an EV pickup model for North America.

By 2030, Kia aims to achieve KRW 170 trillion in revenue and an operating profit margin of over 10 percent. The company plans to invest a total of KRW 42 trillion from 2025 to 2029, with KRW 19 trillion allocated to future business.

Kia 2025 CEO Investor Day

 

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