Qaasid News

Download Our App

Category: 3. Business

  • Access Denied



    Access Denied

    Access Denied

    The BLS is committed to providing data promptly and according to established schedules. Automated retrieval programs (commonly called “robots” or “bots”) can cause delays and interfere with other customers’ timely access to information. Therefore, bot activity that doesn’t conform to BLS usage policy is prohibited.

    We apologize for any inconvenience. If you believe we have made an error, please contact us.

    Please contact your administrator with the error code: 0.8c5e6cc1.1766510746.24338e45

    Continue Reading

  • ATA Truck Tonnage Index Rose 0.2% in November

    ATA Truck Tonnage Index Rose 0.2% in November

    “November’s tonnage reading continues to point to a constrained freight market despite the small sequential increase,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. “The index was also down from a year earlier, the second straight year-over-year decline. In addition to challenging volumes, more capacity appears to be leaving the industry after a prolonged freight downturn and increased government enforcement measures targeting unqualified drivers and noncompliant carriers.”

    In November, the ATA advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index equaled 112.4, up from 112.2 in October. The index, which is based on 2015 as 100, contracted 0.3% from the same month last year after decreasing 1.5% in October. Year-to-date, compared with the same period in 2024, tonnage was unchanged. 

    October’s SA decrease was revised up slightly from what was first reported in our November 18 press release.

    The not seasonally adjusted index, which calculates raw changes in tonnage hauled, equaled 107.3 in November, 10.2% below October’s reading of 119.5. 

    Trucking serves as a barometer of the U.S. economy, representing 72.7% of tonnage carried by all modes of domestic freight transportation, including manufactured and retail goods. Trucks hauled 11.27 billion tons of freight in 2024.  Motor carriers collected $906 billion, or 76.9% of total revenue earned by all transport modes. 

    Both indices are dominated by contract freight, as opposed to traditional spot market freight. The tonnage index is calculated on surveys from its membership and has been doing so since the 1970s. This is a preliminary figure and subject to change in the final report issued around the 5th day of each month. The report includes month-to-month and year-over-year results, relevant economic comparisons, and key financial indicators. 

    * 2024 estimates include forecasts.

    Continue Reading

  • Public Workshop and Request for Information (RFI) Space Conditioning And Water Heating Equipment Data Tracking Second RFI on Draft Express Terms

    The California Energy Commission (CEC) is considering development of data collection regulations to ensure that it has access to sufficient information for its analytical, policy, and program mandates. The CEC is requesting that stakeholders and interested members of the public provide written information and feedback on potential data reporting requirements for space heating, air conditioning, and water heating equipment sales in California as described further below.

    In addition to seeking written feedback, the CEC staff will host a public workshop to discuss the proposed regulations and receive oral feedback from participants. This is a hybrid meeting, with both a publicly accessible physical location and public access online or by phone through Zoom. 

    A quorum of commissioners may participate in person, but no votes will be taken. The public can participate in the workshop consistent with the attendance instructions below. The CEC aims to begin promptly at the start time posted and the end time is an estimate based on the proposed agenda. The workshop may end sooner or later than the posted end time.

    Notice and Agenda

    Remote Attendance

    Remote participants may join via Zoom by internet or phone.

    • Attend Workshop via Zoom, or log in at the Zoom website, enter the Webinar ID 889 1273 6019 and passcode 754963, and follow all prompts.
    • To join by telephone. Call toll-free at (888) 475-4499 or toll at (669) 219-2599. When prompted, enter the Webinar ID 889 1273 6019 and passcode 754963.

    Zoom Closed Captioning Service. At the bottom of the screen, click the Live Transcript CC icon and choose “Show Subtitle” or “View Full Transcript” from the pop-up menu. To stop closed captioning, close the “Live Transcript” or select “Hide Subtitle” from the pop-up menu. If joining by phone, closed captioning is automatic and cannot be turned off. While closed captioning is available in real-time, it can include errors. A more accurate transcript of the workshop will be docketed and posted as soon as possible after the meeting concludes.

    Zoom Difficulty. Contact Zoom at (888) 799-9666 ext. 2, or the CEC Public Advisor at publicadvisor@energy.ca.gov, or by phone at (916) 269-9595.

    In-Person Attendance

     

    California Natural Resources Agency Building
    CNRA Media Room
    715 P Street, 
    Sacramento, CA 95814

     

    CNRA Media Room (go directly north from the main entrance on P Street, passing the lobby and two-story display screen, take the stairs on the left to the second floor, turn left at the landing and head directly forward. Meeting room is through the double doors.).

    If participants bring a device to join the meeting via Zoom at the physical location, the system audio must be muted, or the audio should not be joined. This is to avoid disruptive feedback during the meeting. Audio will be provided through an onsite sound system.

    Continue Reading

  • SEC Issues Further Crypto Asset Security Guidance, Addresses Broker-Dealer Physical Possession and Asset Pairs Trading | Insights

    SEC Issues Further Crypto Asset Security Guidance, Addresses Broker-Dealer Physical Possession and Asset Pairs Trading | Insights

    On December 17, 2025, the staff in the SEC of Trading and Markets (Staff) issued a statement expressing its views on how a broker-dealer can maintain physical possession of a crypto asset security it carries for the account of a customer for purposes of complying with the Customer Protection Rule, Securities Exchange Act (SEA) Rule 15c3-3(b)(1).1 The same day, the Staff supplemented its FAQs on Crypto Asset Activities and Distributed Ledger Technology with new Q&As addressing crypto asset trading and settlement activities involving national securities exchanges (NSEs) and alternative trading systems (ATSs).2 Commissioner Hester Peirce posed a number of related questions to solicit feedback regarding NSE and ATS trading.3

    How Can a Broker-Dealer Maintain Physical Possession of Crypto Asset Securities?

    A broker-dealer that takes the following measures will be deemed to have “physical possession” of a fully paid or excess margin security of a customer that is a crypto asset security:

    • maintain full access to the crypto asset security and the ability to transfer that asset on the relevant distributed ledger technology — in other words, the broker-dealer has access to the private keys necessary to sign transactions on the relevant blockchain for the crypto asset security4
    • establish and enforce written policies and procedures aligned with industry customs to protect against access to private keys
    • establish and enforce written policies and procedures to identify and assess potential risks of the distributed ledger technology and associated network prior to undertaking the asset and at continuous intervals after
    • establish and enforce written policies and procedures that (i) identify steps the broker-dealer will take if certain events occur that could affect the firm’s possession of crypto asset securities, including blockchain malfunctions, 51% attacks, hard forks, or airdrops; (ii) allow for the broker-dealer to comply with a lawful order as to seizing, freezing, burning, or prevention of transfer of the crypto asset securities; and (iii) allow for the transfer of the crypto asset securities held by the broker-dealer to a trustee or similar person in the event the broker-dealer can no longer continue or self-liquidates

    Additionally, a broker-dealer does not have possession of a crypto asset security if it is aware of any material security or operational problems related to the distributed ledger technology and associated network used to access and transfer the asset or is aware of risks associated with custody of the asset.

    What Is Different From Previous SEC Staff Custody Guidance?

    In May 2025, the Staff expressed views only on how a broker-dealer could establish “control” of a crypto asset security that is a fully paid or excess margin security of a customer for purposes of SEA Rule 15c3-3(b). The guidance was silent on the question of how a broker-dealer could maintain “physical possession” of any such crypto asset security.5 The May guidance noted that the Staff would not object to a broker-dealer establishing “control” if the crypto asset securities are held at a qualifying control location under SEA Rule 15c3-3(c), such as a federal bank.

    The SEC’s 2020 Special Purpose Broker Dealer Statement,6 which is set to expire soon, permit limited-purpose broker-dealers to custody crypto asset securities. The new guidance expands the path for broker-dealers that are not special-purpose broker dealers to engage in activities in crypto asset securities.

    What Is the Significance of the Custody Guidance?

    The May 2025 crypto asset security custody guidance addressed reliance by a broker-dealer on a “control” location to satisfy the requirements in SEA Rule 15c3-3(b)(1) regarding fully paid or excess margin securities of customers, including through use of certain arrangements with banking entities.7 The latest guidance contemplates “possession” to satisfy the requirement.

    What Custody Questions Remain Unanswered?

    In connection with the “possession” guidance, additional clarifying guidance from the SEC and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) would be helpful to establish what they will view to be “reasonably designed written policies” and being “aware of any material security or operational problems or weaknesses” regarding the relevant distributed ledger technology and associated network. Questions also remain about how broker-dealers that custody crypto asset securities can comply with other broker-dealer financial responsibility rules. These areas include the following.

    • A carrying broker-dealer is subject to an annual audit of its financial statements and a compliance report under SEA Rule 17a-5(d) that generally is subject to the requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). The new standards in the guidance must also be judged through the lens of PCAOB requirements that govern external auditors.
    • A broker-dealer will have to reasonably satisfy its auditor’s need to determine whether securities are in the “possession” of the broker-dealer. This raises a question of whether the broker-dealer would hand over the private key to the auditor, which would give full transferability to a third party and consequently introduce additional risks.
    • Broker-dealers are required, pursuant to SEA Rule 17a-13, to engage in quarterly count of all securities held, or custodied, for proprietary accounts or the accounts of customers. Failing to maintain possession or control over customers’ fully paid or excess margin securities would constitute noncompliance with SEA Rules and a “material weakness” in internal compliance controls.
    • Broker-dealers will need to decide how to reflect crypto asset securities on their stock record. For example, this includes what constitutes the appropriate “short” location to ensure adequate stock record “counts” and to test against short securities differences.

    The guidance therefore highlights some tension between crypto-native infrastructure and legacy broker-dealer regulatory constructs. As audit methodologies, custody technologies, and on-chain market structures continue to evolve, further engagement among regulators, auditors, and market participants will likely be necessary to ensure that regulatory requirements appropriately reflect technological realities without undermining the core principles of customer protection, financial responsibility, and market integrity.

    Absent additional regulatory guidance, it may be easier for a broker-dealer to rely on the May 2025 FAQ guidance on “control” rather than try to show “possession.” FINRA has not yet provided its own guidance and could impose substantial other conditions. Firms that seek to achieve “possession” of crypto asset securities may wish to discuss with FINRA whether a “materiality consultation” or “continuing membership application” is needed.

    Can NSEs and ATSs List and Trade Both Crypto Asset Securities and Nonsecurities?

    Yes. The FAQs provide that an NSE or ATS can offer pairs trading — trading that involves a crypto asset that is a security and a crypto asset that is not a security — as long as the NSE or ATS satisfies its obligations under the federal securities laws. An NSE trading pair may need to amend its rules, and National Market System (NMS) plan amendments may be necessary. An ATS trading pair would need to comply with Regulation ATS (among other applicable rules), including by noticing its pairs trading activities as required by Form ATS or Form ATS-N. According to the FAQs, Form ATS and ATS-N can sufficiently accommodate disclosures about trading operations that involve crypto asset securities, including pairs trading.

    The FAQs address how an ATS should comply with the requirements in Regulation ATS Rules 301(b)(8) and (9) regarding recording and reporting transactions in USD when a transaction is based on the value of non-USD assets, such as nonsecurity crypto assets. For these transactions, an ATS could provide transaction value data in USD using consistent and impartial methods commonly applied for converting the value of an asset that is not quoted in USD.

    Separately, the FAQs confirm that a broker-dealer operator of an ATS can engage in certain broker, custodial, or clearing functions in addition to operating its ATS. For example, according to the guidance, a broker-dealer operator of an ATS does not need to register as a clearing agency when it clears and settles transactions in crypto asset securities for its own customers by debiting and crediting the appropriate customer accounts on its internal books and records.

    How Soon Can NSEs and ATSs Facilitate Trading of Securities and Nonsecurities?

    The FAQs state that the federal securities laws do not prohibit NSEs and ATSs from offering pairs trading of securities and nonsecurities. However, the process for implementing rule updates for an NSE or ATS to facilitate such trading and remain in compliance with the federal securities laws will likely delay the facilitation of these activities. An NSE that seeks to change its rules must submit the proposed rule changes to the SEC for consideration, a process that includes a period for public notice and comment.8 A similar process is required for NMS plan amendments.9 Broker-dealer operators of ATSs may also need FINRA approval to operate an ATS that offers trading in nonsecurity crypto assets if the operation of the ATS is a change to the broker-dealer’s business plan.

    Can NSEs/ATSs Trade Tokenized NMS Securities?

    The FAQs state that an ATS that trades NMS stock that displays subscriber orders in an NMS stock to non-ATS employees and meets certain volume thresholds would need to comply with Rules 301(b)(3) and (4) of Regulation ATS, which set forth order display and fee cap obligations for certain NMS stock ATSs. For orders based on non-USD, the ATS could convert the value of the non-USD asset using the process described above before providing the orders to the NSE or national securities association.

    In response to the FAQs, Commissioner Peirce posed questions inviting feedback to the Crypto Task Force in a number of areas.10 The questions include a statement that ATSs that trade crypto asset securities that are NMS stocks are subject to Rule 304 of Regulation ATS, which requires an NMS stock ATS to file public disclosures on Form ATS-N.11

    Will the SEC Object to Crypto Exchange-Traded Product Trading Under Regulation M?

    No, the Staff would not recommend enforcement action against persons who transact in crypto exchange-traded products as long as they operate under circumstances described in the Staff’s no-action letter related to commodity-based investment vehicles.12 Such persons must still abide by other antifraud and antimanipulation securities laws in conducting these transactions.

    What Other Rules Might Still Apply to Trading Crypto Asset Securities?

    Other rules that may apply to the trading of the crypto asset securities depend in large part on the nature of the underlying security (e.g., NMS stock, over-the-counter equity security, fixed-income, security etc.). In this regard, the FAQs notably do not provide relief from the requirements for Regulation SHO, Regulation SCI, the market access rule (SEA Rule 15c3-5), SEA Rule 15c2-11 (with respect to non-NMS stocks), and Regulation NMS (with respect to NMS stocks).

    How Does This All Fit Together?

    The guidance expressly contemplates activities in crypto asset securities in a way that further opens the door for the development of a robust tokenized securities market. The SEC’s issuance last week of a no-action letter permitting DTC to launch a tokenization service combined with the new guidance on broker-dealer possession or control and tokenized ATS trading move toward supporting a complete trading and post-trade environment for crypto asset securities. Additionally, the ability for financial intermediaries to support multiple asset types, including NMS securities, crypto asset securities, and nonsecurity crypto assets, moves toward Chairman Paul Atkins’s vision of a unified “superapp” capable of seamlessly accommodating diverse financial instruments within a single platform.

    1 Div. of Trading & Mkts., SEC, Statement on the Custody of Crypto Asset Securities by Broker-Dealers (Dec. 17, 2025).

    2 Div. of Trading & Mkts., SEC, Frequently Asked Questions Relating to Crypto Asset Activities and Distributed Ledger Technology (Updated Dec. 17, 2025).

    3 Commn’r Hester M. Peirce, And Then Some: Request for Information Regarding National Securities Exchanges and Alternative Trading Systems Trading Crypto Assets (Dec. 17, 2025).

    4 Alternatively, it could be sufficient signing authority to transact in a multiparty computation (MPC) arrangement. Previously, under now-withdrawn guidance, the staff raised concerns with the fact that a broker-dealer (or its third-party custodian) who maintains a private key may not be sufficient evidence by itself that the broker-dealer has exclusive control of the digital asset security (e.g., it may not be able to demonstrate that no other party has a copy of the private key and could transfer the digital asset security without the broker-dealer’s consent). The staff no longer raises this as a concern, likely a reflection of developments in market practices around private key storage.

    5 See SEC Paves the Way for Crypto Asset Activities by Broker-Dealers and Transfer Agents, Sidley Update (May 19, 2025).

    6 See Custody of Digital Asset Securities by Special Purpose Broker-Dealers, Securities Exchange Act Release No. 90788 (Dec. 23, 2020), 86 FR 11627 (Feb. 26, 2021).

    Digital Asset Securities Custody: U.S. SEC Issues Broker-Dealers Enforcement Relief and Requests Industry Comment, Sidley Update (Dec. 28, 2020).

    7 On December 12, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency conditionally approved five national trust bank charter applications for firms seeking to provide crypto asset custody, signaling an expansion in bank control locations. See Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, OCC Announces Conditional Approvals for Five National Trust Bank Charter Applications (Dec. 12, 2025).

    8 15 U.S.C. § 78s(b)(2); 17 C.F.R. § 240.19b-4.

    9 17 C.F.R. § 242.608(b)(2)(i).

    10 See supra note 3.

    11 Commn’r Hester M. Peirce, No Longer Special: Statement on the Division of Trading and Markets’ Statement Related to the Custody of Crypto Asset Securities by Broker-Dealers (Dec. 17, 2025).

    12 SEC No-Action Letter, June 21, 2006, TP 06-81, https://www.sec.gov/divisions/marketreg/mr-noaction/currencyshares062106-10a1.pdf.

    Continue Reading

  • VISN 8 Innovators Poised To Transform Veteran Care At The 2025 Veterans Health Make-a-thon | VA Tampa Health Care

    VISN 8 Innovators Poised To Transform Veteran Care At The 2025 Veterans Health Make-a-thon | VA Tampa Health Care

    VISN 8 continues to lead the way in health care innovation within the Veterans Health Administration.

    After the successful completion of the 2024 Veterans Health Venture Studio program, which saw 7 teams create working prototypes, the 2025 cohort kicked off with the Hackathon this past August. Of the 51 concepts developed at the Hackathon, 17 teams were selected to join the Make-a-thon (December 2025 – March 2026), where teams will advance their concepts into technical designs ready to prototype. A subset of these teams will advance to the Accelerator, where they will collaborate with technical experts to create working prototypes prepared for pilot testing within VA.

    Dr. Sandal describes the vision of VHVS as “simple yet powerful: to create technology by the people who will use it, alongside those people.” The Studio aims to develop five or more technologies each year, created by clinicians and Veterans, that can be rolled out across the entire VA system—delivering solutions that Veterans can proudly say they helped create.

    Representing James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital, Orlando VAMC, San Juan VAMC, Malcolm Randall VAMC, C.W. Bill Young VAMC , Thomas H. Corey VAMC, and VA facilities from across Florida, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean, these innovators are prepared to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing Veteran care. Their participation reflects VISN 8’s commitment to fostering collaboration and breakthrough solutions that improve outcomes for Veterans across the region and beyond.

    David Dunning, Interim Director of Veterans Integrated Service Network 8 (VISN 8), The Sunshine Network, shares the personal motivation behind this innovation effort:

    “It’s very personal for me. I get my care here, my spouse is a Veteran, my dad was a Veteran, her dad was a Veteran. So, seeing how we can get better at what we’re doing—it’s about tearing it down and building it back up into something transformational.”

    Veterans Health Venture Studio: Founded and Led by VISN 8 Innovation Leader

    The Veterans Health Venture Studio (VHVS), founded and led by Dr. Indra Sandal, Chief of Innovation at James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital, fuels innovation by providing a structured pipeline that supports projects from initial ideation to pilot and scale phases. Focused on People Development, Technology Development, and Community Development, VHVS cultivates innovation capacity, launches new technologies, and builds partnerships to enhance health care delivery.

    The VHVS program includes a Hackathon, Make-a-thon, and Accelerator in Year 1, followed by piloting and scaling in Year 2. This structure ensures VISN 8 projects receive the mentorship, resources, and support needed to evolve from concepts into practical, deployable solutions.

    Highlights from the 2025 Veterans Health Hackathon

    The 2025 Hackathon energized VISN 8 with over 350 participants collaborating across 17 VISNs and more than 100 VA and community organizations. Teams competed across three critical tracks:

    • Timely Access to Care
    • Optimizing Enterprise-wide Costs and Operational Efficiency
    • Improving Community Care Coordination

    Judged by 17 experts, nine winning teams emerged, showcasing innovative solutions ranging from appointment scheduling portals to AI-powered referral management tools. VISN 8 proudly claims several winners and finalists from its regional facilities, reflecting a strong culture of innovation dedicated to Veteran-centered care.

    VISN 8 Teams Advancing to the Make-a-thon

    Seventeen teams—comprising the nine Hackathon winners and eight additional rigorously selected projects—will advance to the Make-a-thon. These teams represent a powerful cross-section of VISN 8 expertise, including:

    Timely Access to Care

    • Bravo Zulu Health – Streamlines appointment and test scheduling into a single portal to reduce missed care and cancellations.
      • Antonio Romero, C.W. Bill Young VAMC
      • Onelis Cardona Lorenzo, Malcolm Randall VAMC
    • SPEED Access Care – Uses AI to screen high-risk symptoms, preventing delayed diagnoses and guiding provider routing.
      • Claudia Legaspi, C.W. Bill Young VAMC
      • Alysa Werkheiser-Quillen, James A. Haley VAMC
      • Sylvia Santiago-Rodriguez, James A. Haley VAMC
      • Dana Glenn, James A. Haley VAMC
      • Yolanda Showers, James A. Haley VAMC

         

    • CareBridge – Empowers Veterans and providers with real-time access to care plans, discharge summaries, and chatbot support.
    • Referral IQ – Enhances consult completeness through AI pre-validation against service line rules.
      • Pedro Diaz-Rosario, San Juan VAMC
      • Jorge Montanez, San Juan VAMC
      • Grace Cruz-Lamboy, San Juan VAMC

         

    • PIVOT – Reduces no-shows and boosts engagement via an AI hub enabling appointment rescheduling across preferred channels.
      • Richard Paul, Orlando VAMC
      • Erin Bohannon-Chenault, James A. Haley VAMC

     

    Optimizing Costs and Efficiency

    • VA Resource Allocation Mapping (VA R.A.M.) – Tracks medical supply inventories using AI to limit waste from surpluses and expirations.
      • Farrah Noronha, Orlando VAMC
      • Robert Eaton, Malcolm Randall VAMC

         

    • autoVAte – Streamlines ePAS workflows with AI-driven assessment, triaging, and auto-approval.
      • Ashley Rush, Orlando VAMC
      • Candace McNulty, Orlando VAMC
      • Catherine Javellana, Malcolm Randall VAMC

         

    • CareNav – Reduces misdiagnosis by suggesting CPT/ICD codes from clinical notes using AI.
      • Nitza Robles Sanchez, James A. Haley VAMC
      • Hayley Stevenson, James A. Haley VAMC
    • Exit Strategy – Improves discharge planning and clinical capacity through a real-time dashboard.
      • Alexandra Kennedy, James A. Haley VAMC
      • Hope Hunter, James A. Haley VAMC

         

    • Improving Outcomes – Uses a digital CHF tool to promote adherence and monitor patient weight, reducing readmissions.
      • David Beck, James A. Haley VAMC
      • Mohamad Anas Sukkari, Malcolm Randall VAMC
      • Caitlyn Morley, Thomas H. Corey VAMC

     

    Enhancing Community Care Coordination

    • Mission Fax Impossible – Automates community care records management to reduce treatment delays.
      • Edward Martin, Malcolm Randall VAMC

         

    • Laser Focus – Increases referral transparency through AI-powered document scanning and validation.
      • Jessica DelleChiaie, James A. Haley VAMC
      • Gilberto Balderas, Orlando VAMC
      • Carlos Gonzalez-Rodriguez, San Juan VAMC
      • Rafael Giraud Carcano, San Juan VAMC
      • Mia Lind Correa, San Juan VAMC

         

    • Care Continuity – Provides Veteran-focused tracking with real-time views, AI alerts, and secure messaging.
      • Karen Cionci, James A. Haley VAMC

         

    • Care Ninjas  – Integrates a scalable mobile and MyHealtheVet referral tracker to build Veteran trust.
      • Tiffany Anthony, James A. Haley VAMC
      • Angela Rozar, James A. Haley VAMC
      • Catherine Clark Martin, James A. Haley VAMC
      • Sandra Dompkosky, Thomas H. Corey VAMC
      • Michele Laney, James A. Haley VAMC

         

    • Care Connect – Streamlines prescribing with pharmacist-led, standardized intake and secure messaging.
      • Michael Pitter, Orlando VAMC
      • Charmaine Leighton‑Stewart, James A. Haley VAMC

         

    • Shadow PACT – Preserves care continuity by scanning provider notes with AI for clinical triggers and auto-generating information packets.

    The Path Forward: Make-a-thon and Beyond

    The Make-a-thon will begin with an immersive bootcamp, providing teams with training, mentorship, and strategic support to refine their solutions into functional prototypes ready for pilot testing across VISN 8 and the broader VA system. This phase is designed to align leadership, cultivate innovation, and prepare high-potential projects for sustainable impact.

    VISN 8’s innovators have already benefited from nearly 5,000 person-hours of training, demonstrating their readiness to deliver transformative solutions that enhance Veteran care and operational efficiency.

    Collaboration Powering VISN 8 Innovation

    The Make-a-thon thrives on collaboration among VA leadership, the Office of Healthcare Innovation and Learning, The American Legion, and Microsoft. Microsoft plays a pivotal role by providing comprehensive training, and mentorship, empowering teams to accelerate their innovations.

    These partners serve as Advisory Council members and expert faculty, guiding VHVS’s strategic vision and working closely with teams throughout the Make-a-thon to refine and validate solutions. This collective expertise ensures VISN 8’s innovations are positioned for meaningful, scalable impact throughout the VA.

    Continue Reading

  • The U.S. stock market had a rocky start to the year, thanks to tariffs and Trump’s fight with the Fed. But it’s ending on a high note

    The U.S. stock market had a rocky start to the year, thanks to tariffs and Trump’s fight with the Fed. But it’s ending on a high note

    NEW YORK (AP) — It was a scary good year for investors.

    It was scary because the U.S. stock market plunged to several historic drops on worries about everything from President Donald Trump’s tariffs to interest rates to a possible bubble in artificial-intelligence technology. In the end, though, it was a great year for anyone with the stomach to stick through the swings.

    S&P 500 index funds, which sit at the heart of many savers’ 401(k) accounts, returned more than 18% in 2025 through Dec. 11 and set a record high that day. It’s their third straight year of big returns.

    Here’s a look at some of the surprises that shaped financial markets along the way:

    Tariff tremors

    Trump dropped the biggest surprise on “Liberation Day” in April, when he announced a sweeping set of tariffs that were more severe than investors expected.

    It immediately triggered worries about a possible recession and spiking inflation. The S&P 500 plunged nearly 5% on April 3 for its worst day since the 2020 COVID crash. The very next day, it dropped 6% after China’s response raised fears of a tit-for-tat trade war.

    The tariffs’ impact went beyond the stock market. The value of the U.S. dollar fell, and fear even shook the U.S. Treasury market, which is seen as perhaps the safest in existence.

    Trump eventually put his tariffs on pause on April 9 after seeing the U.S. bond market get “queasy,” as he put it, which sent relief through Wall Street. Since then, Trump has negotiated agreements with countries to lower his proposed tariff rates on their imports, helping calm investors’ nerves.

    Wall Street motored higher through a remarkably calm summer thanks to euphoria around artificial-intelligence technology and strong profit reports from companies. The market also got a boost from three cuts to interest rates by the Federal Reserve.

    READ MORE: AI darlings prop up Wall Street as most other stocks fall

    Trade worries can still cause havoc in markets, and Trump sent stocks spiraling as recently as October with threats of higher tariffs on China.

    Trump and the Fed

    Another surprise was how hard, and how personally, Trump lobbied to get the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates.

    The Fed has traditionally operated separately from the rest of Washington, making its decisions on interest rates without having to bend to political whims. Such independence, the thinking goes, gives it freedom to make unpopular moves that are necessary for the economy’s long-term health.

    Keeping interest rates high, for example, could slow the economy and frustrate politicians looking to please voters. But it could also be the medicine needed to get high inflation under control.

    As inflation stubbornly remained above the Fed’s 2% target, the central bank kept rates steady through August. This drew Trump’s ire – even though it was his own trade policies that were driving fears about inflation higher.

    Trump continuously picked on Fed Chair Jerome Powell, even giving him the nickname “Too Late.” Their tense relationship reached a head in July when Trump, in front of cameras, accused Powell of mismanaging the costs of a renovation of the Fed’s headquarters. Powell, in turn, shook his head.

    Even though Wall Street loves lower rates, the personal attacks caused some queasiness in financial markets because of the possibility of a less independent Fed. Powell’s turn as Fed chair is set to expire in May, and the wide expectation is that Trump will choose a replacement more likely to cut rates.

    Good but not first

    “America first” didn’t extend to global markets. Even as U.S. stocks soared to another double-digit gain, many foreign markets fared even better.

    The technology frenzy that helped fuel gains for the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq composite drove Korea’s KOSPI higher in 2025, enjoying its biggest gain in more than two decades. South Korea is a technology hub and companies including Samsung and SK Hynix surged amid the focus on artificial intelligence investments and advancements.

    Japan’s Nikkei 225 had a double-digit gain for a third straight year. Besides the focus on AI and the technology sector, the gains were boosted in October and November following national elections and plans for a $135 billion stimulus package.

    European markets also had a strong year. Germany’s DAX got a boost as the government announced plans to ramp up spending on infrastructure and defense, which could fuel economic growth in Europe’s largest economy.

    The European Central Bank spent the first half of the year cutting interest rates, which helped give financial markets across Europe a boost. France’s CAC 40 was a laggard, up 10% as of Monday.

    Crypto’s ups and downs

    Even with a reputation for volatility, cryptocurrencies still managed to surprise market watchers.

    Bitcoin dropped along with most other assets early in the year as Trump’s trade policies scared investors away from riskier investments.

    The most widely used cryptocurrency roared back as the White House and Congress threw their support behind digital assets and the Trump family launched a number of crypto ventures. Retail investors joined in by pouring money into bitcoin ETFs, stock-like investments that allowed them to benefit from the run-up in price without having to actually store bitcoin in digital wallets. Some companies, notably Strategy Inc., made buying and holding crypto the crux of their business and their stocks jumped.

    READ MORE: How a Trump business deal with a crypto firm exposes potential conflicts of interest

    Bitcoin and hit a high around $125,000 in early October. But, almost as quickly, digital assets tanked as investors worried the prices for shining stars such as tech stocks and crypto had jumped too high. As of Monday afternoon, bitcoin traded around $89,400, down roughly 28% from the peak and 4% below where it started the year.

    What’s ahead?

    Many professional investors think more gains could be ahead in 2026.

    That’s because most expect the economy to plod ahead and avoid a recession. That should help U.S. companies grow their profits, which stock prices tend to track over the long term. For companies in the S&P 500, analysts are expecting earnings per share to rise 14.5% in 2026, according to FactSet. That would be an acceleration from the 12.1% growth estimated for 2025.

    But some of this year’s concerns will linger. Chief among them is the worry that all the investment in artificial-intelligence technology may not produce enough profits and productivity to make it worth it. That could keep the pressure on AI stocks like Nvidia and Broadcom, which were responsible for so much of the market’s gains this year.

    And it’s not just AI stocks that critics say are too pricey. Stocks across the market still look expensive after their prices climbed faster than profits.

    That has strategists at Vanguard estimating U.S. stocks may return only about 3.5% to 5.5% in annualized returns over the next 10 years. Only twice in the last 10 years has the S&P 500 failed to meet that bar, assuming this year ends without another sell-off.

    At Bank of America, strategist Savita Subramanian says the S& P 500 could rise by less than half as much as profits do in 2026. She said that could be a result of companies reducing stock buybacks, as well as global central banks implementing fewer rate cuts.

    Reporter Damian Troise contributed.

    A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy.

    Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue.


    Continue Reading

  • AI in asset management: Opportunity, oversight and the path to responsible adoption | Global law firm

    AI in asset management: Opportunity, oversight and the path to responsible adoption | Global law firm

    AI has moved from the margins to the mainstream of asset management. Firms are deploying AI to accelerate research, modernize operations, sharpen risk surveillance, and enhance client service. A significant percentage of managers are either already using or planning to use AI to inform asset class research and portfolio decisions.1 A Mercer survey found that 91 percent of managers are engaged with AI – 54 percent  are currently using it, while 37 percent  plan to incorporate it into their investment strategies or asset class research.2 An EY survey of 100 firms found that 95 percent  have scaled GenAI adoption across multiple use cases, with 78 percent  already exploring agentic AI for deeper strategic benefits.3

    At the same time, regulators have made clear that longstanding rules governing supervision, marketing, recordkeeping, and fiduciary duty apply equally to AI-enabled activity. The result is one of significant promise, but also heightened scrutiny, where managers who balance innovation with strong governance are most likely to gain a competitive advantage.

    Where AI adds the most value

    Across the investment and operating lifecycle, AI is already proving useful as a companion rather than an autonomous decision-maker. On the investment side, managers are using AI to synthesize large unstructured data sets, summarize earnings calls and filings, compare investment guidelines to portfolio rules, and prioritize signals for human review. These tools can significantly shorten research and quality-control cycles, enabling professionals to focus on strategic decision-making.

    In risk and compliance, AI-powered surveillance assists with scale and consistency. Email and communications review, trade surveillance, and behavioral analytics can be triaged by models that flag outliers for escalation, supporting timely detection of potential issues. In marketing and client service, AI can pre-screen communications, including social content and performance claims, to help identify statements that may be unfair, unbalanced, or unsubstantiated. In legal and operations, AI expedites document review, contract clause extraction, privilege tagging, and e-discovery tasks – areas where speed and accuracy can translate into meaningful cost savings.

    These use cases share two common traits. First, AI is most effective when constrained to tasks with clear objectives and well-understood boundaries. Second, the strongest results come when human experts remain firmly “in the loop”, supervising inputs and validating outputs.



    The regulatory landscape: Old rules, new tools

    While there are few prescriptive AI-specific rules for US asset managers today, existing frameworks apply with full force. The Investment Advisers Act prohibits investment advisers from making false or misleading statements about a firm’s capabilities, including claims about AI use. The SEC’s Marketing Rule requires fair, balanced presentation and substantiation of performance claims. That extends to AI-generated materials and to representations about AI-driven forecasts. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s communications communications standards similarly apply to AI-enabled content and chatbots; guidance emphasizes pre-deployment evaluation, explainability, and ongoing supervision.

    Recent enforcement actions underscore two themes. First, “AI washing” – overstating or fabricating the role of AI in investment processes, will attract antifraud scrutiny. Second, hypothetical or AI-enhanced performance claims, if unsubstantiated or improperly presented to the public, can violate the Marketing Rule.

    Regulators are also modernizing their own toolkits. Units focused on cyber and emerging technologies have highlighted AI-related risks and are using analytics to detect market abuse. Their posture remains technology-neutral: innovative tools are permitted, but fiduciary duty, supervision, and recordkeeping expectations remain unchanged. Managers must still be able to explain the “why” behind decisions and the “how” behind models sufficient to satisfy oversight inquiries. 



    Key risks to manage

    Even as AI accelerates workflows, it introduces distinct risks that require active management. Model risk, including errors, bias, or weak explainability, can undermine outcomes and erode trust. Hallucinations and overconfident summaries can produce inaccurate or misleading outputs, especially when models are applied outside their training domain. Over-reliance on AI for nuanced judgment can miss context that experienced professionals would catch. 

    Data governance is equally central. Using public or consumer-grade tools for sensitive inputs can jeopardize confidentiality or privilege; in some configurations, user prompts and documents may be retained and used to train third-party models. Discovery and recordkeeping obligations also extend to AI-generated content and prompt histories in many contexts; if AI is used within a decision process subject to books-and-records rules, the inputs and outputs should be captured. 

    Finally, integration risk is real. Poorly specified implementations, weak vendor diligence, or unclear user policies can result in inconsistent practices across business lines. The result can be a perception of disorder, even when the firm’s actual risk controls are sound.



    A practical playbook for responsible adoption

    A pragmatic governance approach can unlock AI’s benefits while mitigating downside risk. The most effective programs begin with an inventory of use cases: what tools are in use across research, trading, client service, compliance, legal, and operations; what data they touch; and where human review sits in the workflow. Clear scoping helps identify high-impact, low-risk opportunities and highlights areas requiring tighter controls. 

    From there, firms should align policies and procedures to existing obligations rather than reinvent the rulebook. Communications generated or screened with AI must meet the same standards as traditional content. Where AI informs investment decisions, contemporaneous documentation should describe data inputs, key prompts or parameters, backtesting or validation steps where applicable, and the human rationale for the final decision.

    Tool selection and configuration matter. Enterprise-grade solutions that offer tenant isolation, data control options, and audit logs are generally preferable to public tools for sensitive workflows. Contracting and vendor diligence should evaluate retention settings, model training practices, security controls, export and logging capabilities, and support for prompt/output capture. Where feasible, enable features that preserve an audit trail of inputs and outputs. 

    Human oversight remains the foundation. Users should be trained to craft precise prompts, anticipate common failure modes, and sanity-check answers against known facts or source documents. For critical outputs such as marketing claims, investor communications, and legal conclusions, AI should augment, not replace, professional review. Periodic testing of models against known benchmarks, plus spot checks for bias or drift, helps sustain confidence over time. Firms should also maintain thorough records of all testing activities, including methodologies, results, and any remedial actions taken, to support oversight and demonstrate compliance. 

    Finally, governance should be right-sized and iterative. Some firms convene cross-functional committees; others designate an accountable owner within compliance or risk with input from technology and the business. What matters is that someone is paying attention, policies are consistent across disclosures and channels, and the program can evolve as tools and use cases mature.



    The bottom line


    AI is rapidly becoming an essential component of asset management. Used thoughtfully, it enhances speed, consistency, and insight across the enterprise. Deployed carelessly, it can amplify old risks and create new ones, from misleading claims to data leakage and inadequate documentation. Success lies in pairing ambition with accountability: candid, accurate disclosures about how AI is used; enterprise-grade tooling with appropriate data controls; robust human oversight and recordkeeping; and a governance framework that is practical today and adaptable tomorrow. Managers who strike that balance will be best placed to capture AI’s upside while staying on the right side of evolving regulatory expectations. 


    Continue Reading

  • Regulatory Update: National Association of Insurance Commissioners Fall 2025 National Meeting | Insights

    Continue Reading

  • Modified District Government Services for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

    (Washington, DC) – On Wednesday, December 24, District Government offices will be open with modified hours, closing early in observance of Christmas Eve. On Thursday, December 25, District Government will observe the Christmas Day holiday. While some services will be affected, many District employees will continue serving to maintain essential District operations.

    What’s Open on Wednesday, December 24 and Thursday, December 25

    Access to Emergency Shelter 
    All low-barrier shelters for individuals experiencing homelessness operate year-round. The following low-barrier shelters are open 24 hours and will remain open all day on Wednesday, December 24 and Thursday, December 25 (except where noted). 

    Women 

    • Harriet Tubman – 1910 Massachusetts Avenue SE 
    • Pat Handy – 810 5th Street NW 
    • St. Josephine Bakhita – 6010 Georgia Avenue NW (7 pm -7 am only)  

    Men    

    • 801 East – 2722 Martin L. King Jr Avenue SE   
    • Adams Place – 2210 Adams Place NE  
    • Emery – 1725 Lincoln Road NE 
    • New York Avenue – 1355 New York Avenue NE  

    LGBTQ+

    • Living Life Alternative – 400 50th Street SE 

    From November through March, the District increases its shelter capacity by mobilizing hypothermia shelters. The following hypothermia shelters will be open around the clock from Wednesday, December 24 at 7 am until Friday, December 26 at 7 am.

    Women 

    • Eve’s Place – 2210 Adams Place NE  
    • Harbor Light – 2100 New York Avenue NE 

    Men    

    • 801 East Day Center – 2722 Martin L. King Jr Avenue SE  
    • Emery Hypothermia – 1725 Lincoln Road NE 
    • Federal City 1 North – 425 2nd Street NW  
    • Naylor Road – 2601 Naylor Road SE 
    • Salvation Army – 3335 Sherman Avenue NW     

    Please note: Adjustments to hours and facilities may occur if circumstances dictate (e.g., utility issues, weather-related access, etc.) 

    Individuals and families seeking accessible transportation to homeless services should call the DC Shelter Hotline at 202-399-7093 or the Mayor’s Citywide Call Center at 311 at any time of the day or night. 

    The Downtown Day Services Center (The Center), located at 1313 New York Avenue NW, provides walk-in services to individuals experiencing homelessness with no appointment required. The Center will be open on Wednesday, December 24 from 9 am to 5 pm and on Thursday, December 25 from 9 am to 3 pm. Entry will be permitted on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests will be provided with a wristband that must be worn while in the Center.    

    Zoe’s Doors Youth Drop-In Center for residents experiencing homelessness, located at 900 Rhode Island Avenue NE, offers a safe place for youth 24 hours a day and will be open on Wednesday, December 24 and Thursday, December 25.      

    DC Department of Behavioral Health (DBH): Anyone feeling anxious or depressed or facing mental health or substance use disorders can call/text 988 anytime to talk with a trained, caring crisis counselor for free, confidential support.  If you are concerned about a family member or friend, you can call and talk about ways to support them.  

    The following services also are open on Thursday, December 25:      

    • The 24/7 DC Stabilization Center, located at 35 K Street NE, supports adults experiencing a substance use disorder crisis at no cost. Walk in anytime.    
    • The 24/7 emergency psychiatric clinic (called CPEP), located at 1905 E Street SE, provides 24/7 emergency psychiatric care for adults at no cost. Walk in anytime.    
    • The 24/7 Community Response Team (CRT) will travel to the home or a community location to support adults and youth experiencing a psychiatric or alcohol/drug crisis with an on-the-spot assessment and counseling. Call 202-673-6495.         

    Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) outdoor parks, playgrounds, athletic courts, and fields will be open. All previously permitted events will take place as scheduled.      

    Modified Service Adjustments              
    The DC Department of Public Works (DPW) will not collect household trash, recycling, and food waste on Thursday, December 25. Trash, recycling, and food waste collections will “slide” for the remainder of the week into Saturday. For example, households that normally receive trash, recycling, and food waste collections on Thursday, December 25 will be serviced on Friday, December 26. Leaf collection will operate on schedule.   

    • The Benning Road Transfer Station is closed for renovations until further notice. The Fort Totten Transfer Station will be closed to the public on Thursday, December 25. All services will resume on Friday, December 26 for bulk trash and recycling.

    Construction:      
    The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will suspend construction and work zones for non-emergency work in roadways, alleys, and sidewalks within the District’s right of way. This includes manhole access and construction-related deliveries. Approved construction activities may resume Friday, December 26 during permitted work hours.                          

    Lane Restrictions:                 
    DDOT will suspend reversible lane operations citywide on Thursday, December 25 on the following roads:            

    • Canal Road between Chain Bridge and Foxhall Road NW 
    • 16th Street NW between Irving Street and Arkansas Avenue NW     

    Reversible lane operations on Rock Creek Parkway (controlled by the National Park Service) will be suspended from Wednesday, December 24 through Friday, December 26.

    The DC Department of Buildings (DOB) will not allow construction on Thursday, December 25 without an issued after-hours permit. Regular construction activity may resume on Friday, December 26. Construction activity that proceeds on the holiday without this required permit will result in a Stop Work Order. Illegal construction reports can be made using the Illegal Construction Inspection Request Form or after-hours by calling 311. To learn more about the authorized construction hours and how to apply for an after hours permit, please view the After Hours Permit webpage. DOB offers many online services, tools, and resources, enabling customers to conduct business 24 hours per day, seven days per week.         

    Parking Enforcement:  
    All parking enforcement will be suspended on Thursday, December 25, except for Streetcar ticketing and towing. Parking enforcement will resume on Friday, December 26.

    DC Streetcar will not operate on Thursday, December 25. Riders can visit dcstreetcar.com for the latest updates on routes and schedules.

    What’s Closed on Wednesday, December 24 and Thursday, December 25  

    DC Public Schools (DCPS) will be closed for Winter Break starting Monday, December 22 and will reopen on Monday, January 5.     

    DC Public Library (DCPL) locations will be closed on Thursday, December 25, 2025. Additionally, Library hours will be reduced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025. On that day, Neighborhood Libraries will be open from 9 am to 1 pm, Co-Located Libraries from 10 am to 1 pm, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library will operate from 9:30 am to 1 pm. The Library will be available online at dclibrary.org. For more information on available Library programs, visit dclibrary.org or download the Library’s app.      

    Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) recreation centers, community centers, indoor aquatic centers, and offices will close at 2 pm on Wednesday, December 24 and remain closed on Thursday, December 25. DPR facilities will resume normal hours on Friday, December 26.  

    The Department of Human Services Economic Security Administration Service Centers will close at 2 pm on Wednesday, December 24 and remain closed on Thursday, December 25.  

    The Virginia Williams Family Resource Center, the central intake office for all families in the District of Columbia seeking assistance with their housing needs, will close at 2 pm on Wednesday, December 24 and remain closed on Thursday, December 25. 

    The DC Health & Wellness Center (77 P Street NE) will close at 2 pm on Wednesday, December 24 and remain closed on Thursday, December 25.      

    DC Health’s Vital Records Division will close at 2 pm on Wednesday, December 24 and remain closed on Thursday, December 25.     

    DC Health’s Licensing and Renewal Division will close at 2 pm on Wednesday, December 24 and remain closed on Thursday, December 25, with the exception of the online license applications system which will be available at doh.force.com/dchealthrenewals/s/portal-page.  

    All Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) locations will close at 2 pm on Wednesday, December 24 and remain closed on Thursday, December 25 in observance of Christmas Day.  Customers are encouraged to visit the DMV website at dmv.dc.gov for available services online or download the agency’s free mobile app.       

    The Department of Employment Services Navigation Call Center and all-American Job Centers will close at 2 pm on Wednesday, December 24 and remain closed on Thursday, December 25. Residents are encouraged to file unemployment insurance claims online at does.dc.gov.                

    The Sasha Bruce Youth Drop-In Centers for District residents experiencing homelessness will be open on Wednesday, December 24 and closed on Thursday, December 25.    

    The Latin American Youth Center Youth Drop-In Center for District residents experiencing homelessness, located at 3045 15th Street NW, will be open on Wednesday, December 24 and closed on Thursday, December 25.

      The Adams Place Day Center for District residents experiencing homelessness, located at 2210 Adams Place NE, will close at 2 pm on Wednesday, December 24 and remain closed on Thursday, December 25.

    The 801 East Day Center for District residents experiencing homelessness, located at 2722 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, will close at 2 pm on Wednesday, December 24 and remain closed on Thursday, December 25.    

    Mayor Bowser X: @MayorBowser
    Mayor Bowser Instagram: @Mayor_Bowser
    Mayor Bowser Bluesky: @MayorBowser
    Mayor Bowser Facebook: facebook.com/MayorMurielBowser
    Mayor Bowser YouTube: https://www.bit.ly/eomvideos
    Mayor Bowser LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mayorbowser


    Continue Reading

  • EBRD partners with Landeslease to boost Albanian businesses

    EBRD partners with Landeslease to boost Albanian businesses

    • EBRD extends up to €5 million to Landeslease under the SME Reboot Programme
    • At least 70 per cent of sub‑leases dedicated to GET‑eligible green technologies
    • Technical assistance and grant incentives funded by Switzerland through SBIF

    The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is strengthening its support for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Albania through a new partnership with Landeslease. The Bank will provide a senior loan of up to €5 million to expand access to finance for MSMEs nationwide.

    The funding, supplied under the EBRD’s SME Reboot Programme, will enable Landeslease to offer sub-leases for MSME investments in higher-performance technologies and services. It will help local firms go beyond business as usual and upgrade processes to meet European Union (EU) directives and other internationally recognised standards, boosting competitiveness at home and abroad.

    To further reduce the cost of investment and ensure high-quality implementation, the programme provides technical cooperation, including support for implementation, marketing and monitoring. Eligible MSMEs will benefit from grant incentives of up to 10 per cent of each sub-lease, released after the investment has been verified. For this Landeslease loan, both the technical assistance and the investment grants are funded by Switzerland through the EBRD Small Business Impact Fund (SBIF).*

    At least 70 per cent of the funds will finance green technologies eligible under the EBRD’s Green Economy Transition (GET) approach, supporting energy and resource efficiency and the adoption of cleaner solutions across Albania’s MSME sector.

    Ekaterina Solovova, EBRD Head of Albania, said: “We are pleased to initiate a new partnership with Landeslease under our SME Reboot Programme. Through this collaboration, we are expanding access to affordable finance for Albanian MSMEs. With a strong focus on green investments, businesses can upgrade equipment, improve efficiency and align with EU standards, helping them grow sustainably and compete beyond the domestic market.”

    Rezart Ferzaj, CEO of Landeslease said: “We greatly value this collaboration with the EBRD, which will enable Landeslease to combine leasing solutions, technical assistance and incentive programmes to help SMEs upgrade their business, improve efficiency and grow in alignment with EU standards.”

    Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Tirana, Landeslease is one of Albania’s largest leasing companies. It specialises in finance and operating leases, with a strong focus on vehicles and equipment.

    The EBRD’s SME Reboot Programme is designed to combine finance, advisory support and investment incentives to help small firms recover from recent macroeconomic challenges and raise performance standards.

    To date, the EBRD has invested more than €2.3 billion through 175 projects in Albania.

    *Other SBIF donors include: Italy, Ireland, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, the TaiwanBusiness-EBRD Technical Cooperation Fund, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

    Continue Reading