26North Founder Josh Harris Sees Mid-Market as Private Credit Sweet Spot
Josh Harris, founder of 26North, told PEI Group’s NEXUS conference that the firm is targeting the mid‑market segment as the sweet spot for private credit. He noted that even though the credit cycle is in its later stages, a pronounced capital shortage is creating pricing dislocations. 26North is leveraging its balance sheet to provide bespoke financing to midsize companies that struggle to secure bank loans. The strategy aims to capture higher yields while managing credit risk through rigorous underwriting.
Report Shows Finance AI Automation Gap as 76% Plan Investment, Only 6% Deliver Advanced Implementation
Savant Labs' 2026 Trends Report reveals finance, tax and accounting leaders plan heavy AI investment. Seventy‑six percent intend to fund strategic agentic automation in 2026, yet only six percent have advanced, broad‑scale deployments. Governance, auditability and ERP integration emerge as...
Government Equity Investments Open a New Frontier for Industry
Since the start of President Trump’s second term, the administration has completed ten direct equity investments in private firms, highlighted by a $1 billion stake in L3Harris Technologies' rocket‑motor unit and minority positions in Intel and critical‑mineral suppliers. The moves target...
BEWI Invest - Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025
BEWI Invest has published its fourth‑quarter and full‑year 2025 financial results, delivering a consolidated view of the company’s performance for the period. The filing, filed on the Oslo Børs and Euronext Oslo platforms, includes detailed income statements, balance sheet data,...
The Future Is Fractional: How a Growing Model Is Reshaping the Accounting Profession
The accounting profession is witnessing a shift toward fractional financial leadership, where seasoned accountants provide part‑time, embedded CFO or controller services to multiple clients. Small‑ and mid‑size businesses, facing complex strategic decisions, can now access senior expertise for 5‑15 hours...
World Bank Plans to Pump $10bn Into Mozambique
The World Bank announced a $10 bn financing package for Mozambique, including $6 bn of mostly concessional public‑investment funding and an additional $4 bn earmarked for private‑sector projects. A $921 m grant from the International Development Association’s 21st replenishment is also part of the...
26North’s Josh Harris: Retail Capital Presents ‘Recipe for Problems’
Josh Harris of 26North warned that blending unaccredited investor capital with wealth‑managed funds in mixed‑regulation vehicles creates systemic risk. At PEI Group's NEXUS 2026 conference, he argued that such structures could trigger regulatory backlash and erode confidence in private markets....
RLI Now Has ‘A++’ Rating From AM Best
AM Best upgraded RLI Group’s financial strength ratings to A++ and its long‑term issuer credit ratings to aa+, reflecting superior balance‑sheet fundamentals and capital management. The insurer reported $1.9 billion policyholder surplus and $264.2 million underwriting income for 2025, marking the 30th consecutive...
Securities and Exchange Commission Schedules Roundtable to Discuss “Retailization” Of Private Securities
The SEC will host a Private Markets Roundtable on March 4, 2026 to discuss the retailization of private securities. Currently, non‑accredited investors are limited to Reg A and Reg CF, while most private offerings remain inaccessible. Pending legislation could relax accredited‑investor thresholds, adding a...
Connecting Revenue and Profitability: Flow Through and Flex Explained
The article introduces Flow Through and Flex as complementary metrics that translate hotel revenue changes into profitability outcomes. Flow Through measures the percentage of incremental revenue that becomes gross operating profit, while Flex gauges how well a property shields profit...
Evercore Sees Microsoft Growing FCF 5% as Hyperscaler Capex Jumps 58%
Evercore ISI projects Microsoft’s free cash flow to grow 5% in 2026 while hyperscaler capital spending jumps 58% to over $700 billion. In contrast, Amazon, Google, Meta and Oracle are expected to see FCF declines, whereas Nvidia and Apple are forecast...
Fintech Focused Banking as a Service Is Reshaping Bank Stability and Consumer Expectations : Analysis
Cornell Law professor Dan Awrey released a working paper titled "Banking, Technology, and Instability" analyzing fintech‑driven Banking‑as‑a‑Service (BaaS). The paper argues BaaS flips traditional outsourcing, with fintechs delegating core banking functions to partner banks, creating regulatory arbitrage. This shift destabilizes...
Societe Generale: Capital Decrease and Report on Share Buy-Back
Societe Generale announced a €1 billion capital decrease on 23 February 2026 by cancelling 15,170,791 treasury shares. The move reduces the bank’s share capital to €939.65 million, representing 751.7 million ordinary shares. In parallel, the bank reported that 34.3% of its €1.462 billion 2025‑2026 share‑buy‑back programme...
Transaction in Own Shares
Shell plc announced on 23 February 2026 that it repurchased 1,028,319 of its own shares for cancellation, executing trades on six European venues. The GBP‑denominated purchases (LSE, Chi‑X, BATS) were made at volume‑weighted average prices around £29.54 per share, while...
3 Major Buybacks Just Dropped—Here’s the Signal Investors See
Retail giant Walmart announced a $30 billion share buyback, its largest ever, representing about 3.1% of its $980 billion market value, while reporting 24% YoY e‑commerce growth and a 5% dividend increase. Ride‑hailing firm Lyft unveiled a $1 billion repurchase plan, equal to...
A New Index Wants to Prepare African Startups for London IPOs
In January, African investors and executives launched the Africa Tech 50 Index (AT50) at the London Stock Exchange to benchmark how prepared African startups are for public listings. The index uses a six‑pillar framework covering valuation momentum, revenue strength, liquidity,...
Mortgage Investors Expect Early Challenges With New Credit Score Models
Mortgage investors are bracing for short‑term disruption as major credit bureaus roll out next‑generation scoring models that incorporate alternative data and machine‑learning algorithms. The new frameworks promise finer risk granularity but also introduce uncertainty around model validation, regulatory approval, and...
Risks Seen in Potential Shift From Tri-Merge Process
Industry analysts warn that moving away from the established tri‑merge securitization framework could introduce significant operational and liquidity risks for mortgage lenders. The tri‑merge process, which bundles GSE‑eligible loans from multiple originators, has underpinned stable funding flows for years. A...
Short Takes: Expanded-Credit MBS From Redwood / MSRs on Offer / Rate Launches Crypto Option / Sales of New Homes...
Redwood introduced an expanded‑credit mortgage‑backed security, widening the pool of agency‑eligible assets as banks see their residential MBS holdings dip in Q4. Mortgage servicing rights (MSRs) are now being offered directly, reflecting heightened M&A activity that is reshaping the conventional...
Guidance: OFSI General Licence INT/2024/4761108
On 28 May 2024 the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) re‑issued General Licence INT/2024/4761108 under Regulation 64 of the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. The licence authorises individuals to use retail banking services of a designated credit or financial institution, provided any payments...
The Bond Buyer Survey Shows Respondents' Concern About Politics
The Bond Buyer’s 2026 Predictions Survey, conducted with 74 public‑finance professionals, identified political uncertainty as the top five‑year threat to municipal finance, with 82% of respondents flagging it. Nearly half see tariff‑related volatility as a moderate to significant risk for...
Frazier Healthcare-Backed RevSpring Acquires Healthcare Tech Firm TrustCommerce
RevSpring, a revenue‑cycle management platform backed by Frazier Healthcare, announced the acquisition of healthcare‑technology firm TrustCommerce. The deal was sourced from Waud Capital Partners, which acted as the seller. TrustCommerce brings a robust payment‑processing suite that complements RevSpring's existing billing...
CPI Card Group CFO Exits
CPI Card Group announced that CFO Jeffrey Hochstadt will leave the role on Feb. 13, with senior vice president Terra Grantham stepping in as interim CFO. The transition occurs just weeks before the company’s Q4 and full‑year earnings release scheduled for...
Sebi Chief Tuhin Kanta Pandey Flags Big PMS Overhaul, to Examine New RBI Funding Rules
Sebi chair Tuhin Kanta Pandey announced a sweeping review of portfolio‑management‑services (PMS) regulations, citing the sector’s Rs 10.5 lakh‑crore asset base and 17% CAGR growth. The draft overhaul will prioritize investor suitability, governance, and technology, with a public consultation slated before the...
Greg Prata Promoted to Chief Financial Officer at Sony Music Publishing, as Tom Kelly Retires After 35-Year Career
Sony Music Publishing announced Greg Prata as its new Chief Financial Officer, effective March 31, succeeding Tom Kelly who is retiring after a 35‑year career. Prata, who joined Sony in 2012 after a stint at EMI and has a background in...
Stanley Druckenmiller Just Exited Sandisk Stock. Should You Buy SNDK After Its Blowout Earnings?
Stanley Druckenmiller’s Duquesne Family Office disclosed a 13F filing that shows it exited Sandisk (SNDK) just before the memory‑chip maker posted a blockbuster earnings beat. Sandisk’s fiscal Q2 2026 revenue jumped 61% YoY to $3.03 billion, while GAAP EPS surged 615%...
3 Big Dividend Stocks Just Raised Payouts—Here’s Who’s Leading in 2026
NextEra Energy, Prologis, and Restaurant Brands International announced dividend increases in February 2026, keeping yields above 2.5%. NextEra boosted its quarterly payout 10% to $0.62, targeting 6% annual dividend growth through 2028, while its regulated utility and renewable segments support...
Building a Financial Backbone for Mixed-Application Enterprises with Unit4
Unit4’s Financials by Coda introduces a single, multidimensional financial modeling structure that consolidates entities, currencies, accounting standards, and tax regimes into one global ledger. The platform extends this core through cloud deployment and a low‑code Extension Kit, enabling seamless integration...
Evercore Taps Adams Street Partners for New APAC Secondaries Head
Evercore has appointed a senior executive from Adams Street Partners to lead its Asia‑Pacific secondary market advisory team. The move comes after the departure of Shane Gong, who had headed the APAC private‑capital advisory practice until January 2025. Adams Street...
Trump Pegs New Tariffs to a Payments Crisis Experts Doubt
President Donald Trump invoked Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act to impose a 15% tariff on a broad range of imports, framing it as a response to a purported balance‑of‑payments crisis. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the duties as a...
The New Frontier of Stablecoin Reporting
The Genius Act, the first U.S. federal framework for payment stablecoins, imposes strict issuer eligibility, dual federal‑state oversight, one‑to‑one reserve backing, and monthly reporting verified by accountants. The AICPA responded with a March 2025 presentation and disclosure framework, recently updated to...
BDO Adds Most New SEC Clients in Q4
BDO USA secured the most new SEC audit clients in Q4 2025, largely thanks to its November 2025 acquisition of Mississippi‑based Horne. Nine of the Top 10 Firm’s ten new engagements originated from Horne, propelling BDO ahead of peers. CBIZ followed...
Saks Saved with 1 Billion Dollar Emergency Loan
Saks Global secured a $1 billion emergency loan, part of a $1.75 billion financing package approved by a Houston court. The package also refinances existing debt and aims to stabilize the retailer's supply chain. Supplier approval was secured, allowing the deal to...
Breitling Valuation Slashed as CVC and Partners Group Reassess Strategy
Swiss watchmaker Breitling’s valuation has been slashed by up to half from 2023 levels as private‑equity owners CVC and Partners Group reassess strategy amid weaker demand, aggressive store expansion, and US tariffs. CVC now values its remaining 20% stake at...
Zim Takeover Raises Questions for Transpac Shippers – and MSC
Hapag‑Lloyd’s pending acquisition of Zim will reshape the Asia‑US east‑coast trade, especially the five vessel‑sharing services currently run with MSC. The carrier can either keep Zim’s premium, time‑sensitive strings separate or fold them into the Gemini alliance, each option raising...
European ETF Market Wrap: Flows, Performance and Leaders | Week 8, 2026
European equity ETFs recorded a record €7.69 billion net inflow during the week of 16‑20 February, dwarfing all other asset classes. Materials and Industrials led sector inflows, while Financials suffered the largest outflow at €382 million. Geographic flows were dominated by Developed Markets,...
Gilead Shows Belief in Its Partner’s Cancer Treatment with $7.8 Billion Buyout
Gilead Sciences agreed to acquire the remaining shares of Arcellx for an equity value of $7.8 billion, paying $115 per share—a 79.4% premium to the prior close. The deal secures full rights to Arcellx’s BCMA‑directed CAR‑T therapy anito‑cel, which is in...
Fazer Looks to M&A After “Record” 2025 Sales
Finland's Fazer Group reported record €1.19 bn sales in 2025, up from €1.18 bn, despite a 2.5% dip in comparable EBITDA to €137.8 m. CEO Christoph Vitzthum signaled openness to M&A to reinforce growth, especially after strong confectionery performance and easing cocoa prices....
Global Buyout Firms Face Exit Challenges in China
Major private‑equity firms such as KKR, Blackstone and CVC reported no publicly disclosed full exits from mainland Chinese portfolio companies in 2025. The exit drought reflects strained liquidity, higher interest rates and depressed valuations that have throttled deal activity. While...
Bharti Airtel Shares to Be in Focus After ₹20,000 Crore Capital Infusion in NBFC Arm Airtel Money
Bharti Airtel announced a ₹20,000 crore capital infusion into its non‑banking financial company arm, Airtel Money, to accelerate its digital finance push. The funding is expected to expand the company’s payments, credit and savings offerings across its telecom customer base. Following...
Financial Services Roundup: Market Talk
Malaysia’s banking sector is poised for further gains despite a recent rally, according to AmInvestment Bank analyst Paul Yap. He cites continued buying from local and foreign investors and relatively attractive valuations versus Singapore peers as key drivers. The note...
Why February Is a Financial Reality Check for Startups
February often becomes the first reality check for startups as revenue lags behind optimistic pipelines and cash outflows intensify. UK SMEs face a £22 billion funding gap, with loan approval rates dropping below 50 % and late‑payment‑driven closures around 14,000 annually. The...
Hedge Funds Retreat to Cash as Bitcoin Trading Turns Defensive
Crypto hedge funds are dramatically cutting exposure as Bitcoin steadies in a narrow mid‑$60,000 range, a full 50% drop from its October peak. The market’s steepest single‑day fall in four years triggered a wave of liquidations, prompting managers to prioritize...
What Are Internal Controls in Accounting?
Internal controls are a cornerstone of financial governance, blending preventive measures that stop fraud and cyber threats with detective mechanisms that flag anomalies after they occur. Finance leaders, especially those overseeing IT, must balance these controls to match their organization’s...
Policy Paper: Charter for Budget Responsibility: Autumn 2025
The UK government published an updated Charter for Budget Responsibility (Autumn 2025) on 26 January 2026, with a final version laid in Parliament on 23 February 2026. The revision makes small technical changes to operationalise the Budget 2025 pledge for an annual fiscal‑rules assessment, dovetailing with...
New German Firm to Offer ETF White Labelling
Chartered Investment, a German fintech, received BaFin approval to operate a regulated fund platform and launched Opus PRIME, a white‑label service for active and thematic ETFs. The subsidiary will also support tokenised fund units, leveraging AI and blockchain to streamline...
Stocks Sell Off as Traders Wake up to the Realization that Trump Has ‘Highly Punitive’ Options for New Trade Tariffs
Stocks in Asia and Europe fell as investors digested the U.S. Supreme Court’s tariff ruling and President Trump’s threat of new 10‑15 percent duties. Goldman Sachs’ Risk Appetite Indicator slipped, and gold jumped 1.81 % toward a record high. While the S&P 500...
Debt Restructuring Is Senegal’s Best Bet
Senegal’s public debt has surged to roughly 132% of GDP, placing the country in a severe fiscal bind. With limited access to cheap financing, the government faces a stark choice between costly debt service and a structured debt‑restructuring process. Analysts...
RemotePass Launches SpendCards to Eliminate Reimbursement Chaos for Global Teams
RemotePass, a global HR and payroll platform, introduced SpendCards, corporate cards tailored for distributed workforces in over 150 countries. The solution gives finance teams instant visibility, automated limits, real‑time categorization and eliminates cross‑border reimbursement tax liabilities. Employees can spend without...
The EBA Publishes Follow-Up Report on ICT Risk Assessment Under the Supervisory Review and Evaluation Process
The European Banking Authority released a follow‑up to its 2022 peer‑review on ICT risk assessment under the Supervisory Review and Evaluation Process (SREP). The report finds that competent authorities have markedly strengthened ICT risk supervision, largely due to the Digital...