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Ballast Rock Announces Launch of Sunbelt Multifamily Fund III

Ballast Rock

Ballast Rock, the diversified investment management firm, today announced it has launched Sunbelt Multifamily Fund III LP (“SB3”), the third private equity real estate fund in its Sunbelt series. Ballast Rock is targeting a raise of $100 million for the fund, which, like the previous Sunbelt Funds, will focus on acquiring and renovating a diversified portfolio of workforce multifamily properties in the U.S. Southeast. Ballast Rock has identified and is performing due diligence on a value-add property that would represent the first acquisition for the new fund. “The broader real estate market has experienced tremendous uncertainty, given the rise in interest rates and disruptions in the credit markets. The team have patiently been assessing the long-term impacts of these changes on our target markets and are excited to have found a potential first investment for SB3” said Thomas Carroll, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ballast Rock. “We have remained constructive on our core focus, which is workforce multifamily value-add, specifically in the Southeast.” “Our team has diligently been underwriting deals since our last acquisition in early 2023 and has looked at close to 400 assets in that time,” said Ian Garcia, Chief Operating Officer and Portfolio Manager for the Sunbelt Funds. “We are extremely conservative on our underwriting and will only ever consider investing in a deal if we have a high degree of confidence that it is going to clear our stringent investment objectives.” Prior Sunbelt Funds Ballast Rock launched Sunbelt Multifamily Fund I (“SB1”) in 2019 and between February 2019 and January 2021 acquired nine properties totaling 1,110 apartment units for $63,630,000. SB1 began dispositions in early 2022, generating gross proceeds of $60,450,000 from the first four properties sold. The 593 apartment units involved were acquired at an average cost of $53,583 per unit and sold at an average cost of $101,939 per unit. Ballast Rock anticipates exiting the remaining five assets in SB1 opportunistically over the next 12 to 18 months. Sunbelt Multifamily Fund II (“SB2”), launched in 2021 and between February 2021 and January 2023 acquired nine properties totaling $101,408,000, with 1,039 apartment units. In April of 2023 Ballast Rock launched Ballast Rock Capital, its broker-dealer. Ballast Rock Capital is a member of the Financial Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) and is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). About Ballast Rock Group Ballast Rock Group is an integrated investment management company specializing in delivering risk-adjusted returns, accurate, and timely advice, high quality frequent reporting, and direct access to management. Ballast Rock Group operates Ballast Rock Asset Management, Ballast Rock Private Wealth, and Ballast Rock Capital. Ballast Rock Asset Management comprises Ballast Rock Real Estate, which includes the firm’s Sunbelt multifamily real estate funds, and Ballast Rock Ventures, comprising venture capital and private equity teams. Ballast Rock Private Wealth is a registered investment advisor, with a focus on alternative strategies. Ballast Rock Capital is awaiting approval to become a FINRA-registered broker-dealer. Ballast Rock is committed to being a driver of positive change. The diversity of our team members brings valuable new perspectives to our industry for the benefit of our stakeholders and the broader community. Investment Disclosure The information contained in this press release has been prepared by Ballast Rock Holdings LLC (“Ballast Rock”) without reference to any particular reader’s investment requirements or financial situation. Potential investors are encouraged to consult with professional tax, legal, and financial advisors before making any investment into a private offering of securities. An investment in private securities would be speculative and would involve a high degree of risk. Investors must be prepared to bear the economic risk of such an investment for an indefinite period of time and be able to withstand a total loss of their investment. Please carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, transaction costs, and other expenses related to an investment prior to deciding to invest. Ballast Rock Capital LLC (“BRC”), MEMBER: FINRA / SIPC. BRC’s registered head office is 460 King Street, Suite 200, Charleston, SC, 29403. Tel: 800-204-2513. To check background information about BRC and its representatives, visit FINRA’s BrokerCheck. Please see important disclosure information in our Form CRS. Contact Details For Ballast Rock press@ballastrock.com Company Website https://www.ballastrock.com/

May 07, 2024 12:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

5thScape to list its first game “MMA Cage Conquest” on Meta Store: Ultimate Virtual MMA Experience

Spark Metro PR

Mixed Martial Arts fans and enthusiasts, your virtual fighting dreams have arrived! 5th Scape delivers a transformative experience with "MMA Cage Conquest," stepping far beyond traditional fighting games into true sensory immersion. Step into the iconic MMA cage, feel the roar of the crowd and become the champion you always envisioned. The 5thScape Project is an ambitious venture that aims to create a comprehensive Virtual Reality ecosystem. In this VR ecosystem many developers, gamers and experts from various industries can collaborate. This is a VR gaming studio startup in which they focus on developing games, movies, animations etc. Apart from this, they are also planning to launch a special VR headset and a VR Chair which is an ergonomically perfect chair for long gaming sessions. Now, coming back to the game, - "MMA Cage Conquest" redefines virtual combat. Its skill-based system demands true martial arts strategy along with honed reflexes. Learn and master strikes like a real-life wrestling professional. It includes (not limited to) powerful grappling throws and the intricacies of ground control to secure your victories. Feel the impact of every blow, the thrill of a perfectly executed submission, and the tension of a match fought on the razor's edge. Training lies at the heart of "MMA Cage Conquest." This journey transcends button-mashing and enters the realm of personal development. Start as an eager underdog, mastering the fundamentals through rigorous simulations. Refine your striking, defense, and ground game, tracking your progression and building unshakeable confidence. With each session, you don't just play the game – you live the fight. MMA Cage Conquest is all set to make gaming experiences more vigorous and a powerhouse for the senses. Feel the rush in your bones as you climb the leaderboards, and establish yourself as the ultimate MMA cage conqueror. Ready to unleash your inner champion? " MMA Cage Conquest " will be available on the Meta platform. Submitted for listing on May 2, 2024, the developers await approval from Meta. Visit 5thscape.com for trailers, release updates, and the latest news on your journey to become the undisputed MMA Cage Conqueror. Contact Details 5th Scape 5thScape Team +1 302-597-6768 Team@5thscape.com Company Website https://5thscape.com

May 03, 2024 06:51 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Flash Wins California Energy Commission $5.8M Grant for EV Charger ‘Innovation Lab’ in Oakland

Flash Parking

The California Energy Commission (CEC) and Flash, a pioneer in parking + charging solutions, today announced Flash secured a $5.8 million grant from CEC for a large-scale electric vehicle (EV) charger demonstration project in Oakland, California. The first-of-its-kind project will deploy at least 446 low-cost Level 2 EV chargers over a two-year period in convenient, high-density, high-visibility installations in a 1.5-mile area around downtown Oakland. With $24 million in funding from California’s Clean Transportation Program, the CEC grant to Flash and other awardees aims to demonstrate replicable and scalable business and technology models to deploy Level 2 charging infrastructure and improve public awareness of and confidence in Level 2 charging access. The project will also include installation of two Battery Energy Storage Systems that will help safeguard EV charger affordability during periods of peak energy demand. “Bay Area residents’ early commitment to the EV transition uniquely positions this community to serve as an ‘Innovation Lab’ for electrification projects in California and nationwide,” said Matt McCaffree, Vice President of Utility Market Development for Flash. “This collaboration with CEC will not only show what’s possible in high-density smart cities like Oakland but also keep the charging gap for early adopters from becoming a confidence gap for the next wave.” Bay Area EV adoption continues to outpace the national average by a factor of three. By installing reliable, affordable, and convenient public chargers, Flash and the CEC aim to close the charging gap and encourage further EV adoption—particularly among downtown residents, for whom dependable public charging is a prerequisite for ownership in lieu of at-home chargers. The success of the project would establish quality public charging as a standard among the practical, convenient, and environmentally-friendly “smart cities” of the future. “For residents living in downtown areas where at-home charging isn't an option, reliable and convenient public charging is key for continued EV adoption,” said CEC’s Lead Commissioner for Transportation Patty Monahan. “The CEC is looking forward to Flash's deployment of hundreds of Level 2 chargers throughout downtown Oakland to be a model of successful public charging.” The project will also generate invaluable data regarding battery capacities, operating costs, replicable price points, and emergency procedures, as well as insights toward stimulating demand and increasing return on investment. This information can then be used to expand and improve upon the Oakland deployment and inform electrification efforts throughout California and beyond. About Flash Flash is a pioneering technology company bringing seamless parking and EV charging experiences to drivers through a first-of-its-kind digital ecosystem. Flash’s platform connects reservable parking and charging in the apps drivers use every day with garage, surface lot, event, and valet parking locations — connected and controlled via a cloud-based operating system with unrivaled intelligence. Customer-obsessed brands partner with Flash to deliver digital, easy-to-use, reliable, and increasingly frictionless experiences to drivers eager to pay for a solution that eliminates wasted time, excess emissions, and stress from driving. The solution has arrived. Visit www.flashparking.com to learn more. Contact Details Flash Ray Young +1 512-694-6097 ray@razorsharppr.com Company Website https://www.flashparking.com/

May 02, 2024 08:30 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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HRE Advisors Expands Partnership and Portfolio in Western Kentucky

HRE Advisors

HRE Advisors is a full-service real estate advisory firm that offers brokerage, appraisal, and consulting for their client’s commercial and residential needs. HRE is thrilled to announce an expansion that will deepen the firm’s professional expertise in the area. HRE has recently partnered with Darren Hack, Angela Turner, and Davin Ramage, all of whom carry a depth of experience in commercial and residential real estate, along with other additions to the team. Dustin Hawkins, MAI, CCIM, the Principal of HRE Advisors, looks forward to continuing the firm’s commitment to its advisory services through the vast amount of education and experience HRE offers. As such, Dustin is thrilled to bring additional experience and knowledge to the team to enhance that expertise and level of service. Darren Hack joins HRE Advisors from Hack Building, a real estate and construction company specializing in appraisal, multi-tenant commercial buildings, tenant build-outs, repurposing, and home building. Accompanying Darren to the team are Kelly Hack, Stan Hack, and MaryAnn Cain, who provide a combined 65 years of expertise in commercial and residential real estate, buyer and seller representation, land planning, commercial development, investment properties, and more. Sarah Riley, West Kentucky Star’s People’s Choice Realtor of the Year in 2023 and 2024, will further strengthen HRE’s ability to service the WKY region. Sarah’s experiences include a strong residential sales portfolio as well as residential property management. Sarah is among the top performing agents in the area with a strong grasp on the residential sales and investment market. “Sarah and Kelly will strengthen HRE’s residential brokerage, ensuring strong, transparent value for our clients. Darren’s construction and development experience will add a level of service and professionalism to the firm that will give our clients an even higher level of confidence,” says Dustin. Angela Turner is another addition to the HRE team. Since 2008, Angela has worked in and around all things real estate, starting her career in leasing and property management and obtaining her real estate license in 2013. Angela has drawn an exceptional amount of experience through her leadership role at Falconite Development. Angela’s 15 years of experience in commercial leasing, project management, and business development puts her in the top echelon of this industry. Davin Ramage has also joined HRE to bring stability to the firm’s growing appraisal department. Davin has been immersed in residential real estate appraisal since 2016. His strong work ethic, analytical mind, and reliability quickly gave him a reputation that all of Western Kentucky has come to trust. He will also bolster HRE’s agricultural appraisal services, offering poultry, swine, and row crop advisory and valuations. Stacey Treece is an associate appraiser with HRE. Stacey began her appraisal career in 2022 after 15 years in education. She started strong, learning from Darren at Hack Building, who says she “is one of the most gifted analytical and appraisal minds I’ve seen.” HRE Advisors strives to continue providing clients with a broad spectrum of services that cover all aspects of commercial, agricultural, and residential real estate brokerage across the most coveted areas of Western Kentucky. They offer superior risk-adjusted real estate returns and capital preservation through quantitative analytics and a strategic planning framework. These additions to the team represent virtually every aspect of the real estate landscape, from end-to-end business planning to implementation solutions at an entity, portfolio, or project level. HRE Advisors is a premier manager of investment quality commercial real estate portfolios focused on providing superior risk-adjusted returns for our clients and investors, consistent with the objectives defined by their investment guidelines. Served by a strong group of senior professionals who understand the importance of aligning manager-client interests, HRE Advisors designs solutions to deliver value while bringing a clear understanding of market dynamics, research, and experience to real estate investment management. With expertise in acquisitions, dispositions, tenant or landlord representation, and appraisal, HRE Advisors is uniquely equipped to advise clients, drawing on a depth of knowledge spanning capital markets, geographical markets, industry trends, and property fundamentals. With its recent expansion, HRE now also adds residential real estate and agricultural appraisals to its expansive service offerings. Backed by access to best-in-class tools and a proprietary platform, the HRE Advisors team strives to identify opportunities that exceed client expectations and deliver superior results. Contact Details R Public Relations Madison Baber +1 210-213-2426 madison@rprfirm.com Company Website https://hawkinsrea.net/

April 23, 2024 11:18 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Adobe's New Acrobat AI Assistant

News Media Group, Inc.

Contact Details News Media Group, Inc. Karl Wayne +1 334-440-6397 karl@newsmg.com Company Website https://newsmg.com/

April 18, 2024 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Select Sector SPDR ETFs: A Strategic Approach to Precision Investing and Customized Portfolios

Select Sector SPDR

In the dynamic world of investing, Exchange-Traded Funds ( ETFs ) have proved to be a powerful tool for investors seeking diversification, flexibility, and potentially a more sector-driven approach. Select Sector SPDR ETFs offer a focused approach to sector investing, enabling investors to specifically target sectors within the broader market. This method of investment strategy is designed to arm investors with greater control and flexibility over their portfolios. Select Sector SPDR ETFs segment the S&P 500 into 11 investable sectors, covering all broad market segments. They provide access to various industries, allowing investors to craft a diversified portfolio that aligns with their unique investment goals. This approach presents an excellent opportunity for both individual and institutional investors to effectively navigate the financial markets. Each ETF comprises well-known, large-cap companies from the S&P 500, ensuring broad exposure and diversification. The transparent nature of ETFs allows for daily disclosure of portfolio holdings and weightings, providing investors with visibility into their investments. The full lineup of Select Sector SPDR ETFs includes: Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC) Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLY) Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) Financials Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) Industrials Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLB) Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK) Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU) These ETFs provide flexible, transparent, and low-cost investment options to both retail and institutional investors. The flexibility offered by these ETFs empowers investors to make strategic adjustments in their portfolios as market conditions change. This flexibility, combined with the transparency of daily disclosure of portfolio holdings, allows investors to always be aware of where their money is invested. Select Sector SPDR ETFs offer a unique opportunity to invest in various sectors with precision and flexibility. They provide a simplified approach to sector investing, allowing investors to customize their portfolios to meet their specific investment objectives. DISCLAIMER: This is a work of research and should not be taken as investment or financial advice. Therefore, Select Sector SPDRs or the publisher is not liable for any decision made based on the publication. About the Company: Select Sector SPDR ETFs offer flexibility and customization opportunities. Many investors have similar outlooks, but no two are exactly alike. Select Sector SPDR ETFs let investors select the sectors that best meet their investment goals. DISCLOSURES The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of 500 common stocks that is generally considered representative of the U.S. stock market. The index is heavily weighted toward stocks with large market capitalizations and represents approximately two-thirds of the total market value of all domestic common stocks. The S&P 500 Index figures do not reflect any fees, expenses or taxes. An investor should consider investment objectives, risks, fees and expenses before investing. One may not invest directly in an index. Transparent ETFs provide daily disclosure of portfolio holdings and weightings All ETFs are subject to risk, including loss of principal. Sector ETF products are also subject to sector risk and nondiversification risk, which generally will result in greater price fluctuations than the overall market. Diversification does not eliminate risk. An investor should consider investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. To obtain a prospectus, which contains this and other information, call 1-866-SECTOR-ETF (732-8673) or visit www.sectorspdrs.com. Read the prospectus carefully before investing. ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a registered broker-dealer, is distributor for the Select Sector SPDR Trust. Media Contact: Company: Select Sector SPDRs Contact: Dan Dolan* Address: 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, CO 80203 Country: United States Email: dan.dolan@sectorspdrs.com Website: https://www.sectorspdrs.com/ *Dan Dolan is a Registered Representative of ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a registered broker-dealer, is the distributor for the Select Sector SPDR Trust. SEL007439 EXP 5/31/24 Contact Details Dan Dolan +1 203-935-8103 dan.dolan@sectorspdrs.com Company Website https://www.sectorspdrs.com/

April 12, 2024 05:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Benefits and Strategies for Maintaining Healthy, Sustainable Greenspaces

YourUpdateTV

Homeowners are once again embracing the outdoors and taking steps to make sure their lawns are in top shape for the summer season. Recently, an expert from ScottsMiracle-Gro, Dr. Lakshmy Gopinath, and Professor at Utah State University, Dr. Kelly Kopp, participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to provide tips for establishing and maintaining a healthy lawn. A video accompanying this announcement is available HERE. There are several things homeowners can do when it comes to sustainably establishing and maintaining their lawns this year. First, it’s important to embrace turfgrass specific to your region, as grass types can vary widely depending on your particular climate. For example, cool season grasses like bluegrasses and fescues are suited best for the Northeast, while warm-season grasses like bermudagrass or buffalo grass are best for Southern regions. For another interesting option, you can opt for native turfgrass varieties that typically require less water and maintenance. Second, be proactive about lawn care. Spring is when your lawn is waking up from dormant winter conditions, and is an essential time to seed and feed your lawn to ensure lush conditions later in the season. Seed with Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed, then feed your lawn with Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food. When considering the first watering for your lawn, try to delay as long as possible. This will put stress on your turf and drive deeper roots, ultimately encouraging a stronger and more resilient lawn. Finally, mow at the right height. Grass mowed at the proper height develops a deeper root system to better find water and nutrients in the soil. Taller grass also shades the soil keeping it cooler - so try to set your mower to one of the highest settings to get a 3-4 inch cut. There are many benefits to having sustainable green space, including: ● Improved ecosystems: Natural turfgrass has many benefits for the environment. Turfgrass absorbs carbon dioxide, releases oxygen, traps dust and dirt, reduces erosion by absorbing stormwater runoff, and can help protect nearby bodies of water. Greenspaces also have a cooling effect on the surrounding environment, which can offset urban heat. ● Improved quality of life: Natural green spaces provide immense health and wellness benefits for humans through physical and social activities, stress reduction, play, and reduced noise levels. ● Reduce water use with water-efficient turfgrasses: Choose turfgrass varieties specifically bred for water efficiency, such as fine fescues or buffalo grass, to save on your water bill. These grasses have evolved to thrive with minimal irrigation, helping conserve water resources while maintaining a lush, green lawn. ● Replenishing groundwater reserves: Natural turfgrass has the ability to absorb rainwater through a process called infiltration and help restore groundwater reserves, which is frequently tapped into by municipalities. For more information, visit Scotts.com Dr. Lakshmy Gopinath Hailing from southern India, Dr. Lakshmy Gopinath holds a Ph.D. in Crop Science from Oklahoma State University. Her research during her Ph.D. focused on turfgrass stress physiology and management. Currently serving as the Grass Seed Scientist at Scotts, she dedicates her expertise to developing innovative seeding products and options for sustainable and eco-friendly lawns. Outside of work, Lakshmy enjoys exploring nature trails with her beloved beagle, Newton. About Kelly Kopp Dr. Kelly Kopp is a Professor and Extension Specialist in the Plants, Soils & Climate department at Utah State University (USU), where her research efforts are focused on plant water use efficiency, sustainable turfgrass management, landscape water conservation, and irrigation technologies. She is the Director of USU's Center for Water Efficient Landscaping and is board member and past president of the Utah Water Conservation Forum. From 2007-2016, she served on the Board of Directors of the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE), an international organization promoting all aspects of water efficiency, serving as Chair from 2014-2016. Her service with AWE gave her the opportunity to work with numerous members of the water and irrigation industries, USEPA’s WaterSense team, non-profit organizations in the water sector, and other governmental agencies. She continues to work with these groups in pursuit of water use efficiency in the state of Utah, the Intermountain West, and beyond. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

April 08, 2024 01:40 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Springtime Home Renovation: Bathroom Edition

YourUpdateTV

As we gear up for spring, it's time to give our bathrooms a much-needed makeover. HGTV star and renovation expert Scott McGillivray teamed up with Bath Fitter on a satellite media tour to share tips on how bath fitter can help you achieve a beautiful, mess-free renovation in no time. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/1nbWq_lewI4 Bath Fitter provides a fast, simple way to achieve a beautiful, mess-free bathroom renovation in as little as 24 hours. Offering a variety of designs that suit every style, Bath Fitter provides a long-lasting, cost-effective alternative to traditional bathroom remodels without ever sacrificing quality, durability, or functionality. Bath Fitter custom-made, high-gloss acrylic tubs and showers are made from the same premium acrylic found in high-end spas. This superior material requires minimal maintenance and wipes clean with ease. The seamless no-grout wall system from Bath Fitter provides a watertight seal built to last a lifetime. Unlike traditional bathroom remodels, which often involve lengthy delays, messy demolition, stress, and unexpected fees, Bath Fitter eliminates renovation pain points. High-gloss acrylic tubs and showers from Bath Fitter are custom made to fit precisely over existing units, creating a sleek, permanent solution for an instant bathroom upgrade. Tub-over-tub solutions from Bath Fitter offer a sleek, cost-effective alternative to a demolition renovation, while maintaining exceptional quality and eliminating unforeseen pain points that can often come with remodeling. Whether you’re embracing Scandinavian minimalism or want to bring some contemporary English Country to your bathroom, Bath Fitter offers a range of timeless custom designs for homeowners and renters to seamlessly complement their style and aesthetic. Committed to bathrooms that will stand the test of time, Bath Fitter backs its products with a lifetime transferable warranty. Your perfect bath is out there, and Bath Fitter is here to help you every step of the way. Visit www.bathfitter.com to learn more, schedule a one-on-one consultation, and find a showroom near you. About Scott McGillivray For more than a decade, homeowners and aspiring investors have enjoyed the warmth and humor of Scott’s easygoing approach to real estate investing. As the host and executive producer of HGTV’s award-winning series Income Property, Scott made making money in real estate a reality for hundreds of hardworking homeowners across North America. Since then, through endeavors in education, public speaking and linear and digital television production, Scott has empowered countless others to take control of their finances by making smart renovation and real estate choices. Scott’s interest in diversifying his brand experience has led him to expand into a number of areas, including business. He’s CEO of McGillivray Group and McGillivray Entertainment, co-founder of real estate investing education company, Keyspire, and an accomplished real estate investor with hundreds of properties across North America. Recently, he has expanded his business real estate reach into the areas of multi-use and multi-residential development projects. Scott is also a respected influencer who engages daily with his 1M+ followers. People from across the globe have been drawn to his approachable personality, and they trust him to provide useful and financially sensible advice. He is a proud ambassador for Habitat for Humanity Canada, and enjoys teaching people from all walks of life about how they can become homeowners and use real estate to improve their lives. When he’s not on a build site, speaking in front of a sold-out audience or filming one of his many shows, you can find Scott at home in Toronto, ON spending time with his wife Sabrina and daughters, Myah and Layla. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

April 01, 2024 10:29 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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NAVEX 2024 Global Incident Management Benchmark Study Reveals Significant Third-Party Reporting to Companies

NAVEX Global

NAVEX, the global leader in integrated risk and compliance management software, has released its 2024 Whistleblowing & Incident Management Benchmark Report. The annual benchmark report offers valuable insights into workplace culture, analyzing trends from 1.86 million global reports spanning thousands of organizations that together employ more than 50 million employees. Amid a record number of tips to the SEC and a burgeoning DOJ whistleblowing program, NAVEX’s comprehensive analysis sheds a critical light on the state of workplace environments worldwide, guiding organizations toward program improvement. "NAVEX remains the gold standard in risk and compliance data analytics, continually innovating our benchmarks to enhance corporate compliance programs and offer business leaders insights into the trending risk areas for their organizations," says NAVEX Chief Risk and Compliance Officer Carrie Penman. "This year's report introduces crucial third-party reporting insights, highlighting an organization’s need to adopt internal and external reporting avenues to bolster integrity, foster accountability and equip the organization to tackle emerging challenges effectively.” This year’s analysis of the data revealed several key themes and notable findings, including: Report volume and case substantiation reach milestones. Internal reporting programs saw a record level of use as measured by NAVEX’s Reports per 100 Employees metric. In addition, the Substantiation Rate metric reached an all-time high, meaning more reports were received and more were found to be true. Report volume, and the substantiation rates of the reports received, are two of the most highly watched metrics in the annual NAVEX publication. To see both reach the highest levels ever is good news. For those with trusted and effective internal reporting programs, this added up to greater visibility into the trends of risk, ethics and culture playing out in their organizations’ operations – real-time intelligence to inform business decision-making. In 2023, organizations received a median 1.57 Reports per 100 Employees across their internal reporting systems, exceeding the previous record of 1.47 set in 2022. More organizations (23%) received five or more Reports per 100 Employees, making this population the largest in the NAVEX data set. And while year-over-year values fluctuated, every size of organization – from the smallest companies to enterprises with over 100,000 employees – has seen report volumes rise comparing 2021 and 2023. At 45%, the overall median share of substantiated or founded reports in 2023 reached an 11-year high. Third parties more likely to report business integrity and financial misconduct issues. In a first for this report, NAVEX analyzed its database by both employees and third-party reporters. Its analysis shows these two groups are distinct across several metrics, highlighting the insight organizations see by promoting their reporting programs internally and externally. Third parties as a group delivered a far greater median share of reports related to Business Integrity matters than employees in 2023 (50% versus 17%). Encompassing topics like conflicts of interest, vendor issues, fraud, global trade and human rights, this category of issues can manifest in various elements of a supply chain. Third-party reporters also showed twice the median share of Accounting, Auditing & Financial Reporting reports as employees in 2023 (10% versus 4.5%). Story emerging on accounting-related reporting – internally and externally. Accounting-related reports -- while lower in overall percentage of reports received internally by organizations at a median of 4.3.% in 2023 -- often receive an outsized share of attention due to potential for regulatory action and the well-publicized bounty program offered by the SEC and its Office of the Whistleblower. The SEC's program is witnessing unprecedented growth in tips and generously rewarding valuable information. Now, the U.S. Department of Justice is launching a similar initiative. Specifically, reports related to Accounting, Auditing, and Financial reporting: Showed the longest time between when an incident was observed and when it was reported to the organization By a large margin, were least likely to be reported anonymously Comprised an outsized share of cases for organizations that receive very few Reports per 100 Employees – meaning while these organizations received well below the benchmark number of reports, they had a much more significant percentage of accounting-related reports Experienced the longest time to investigate and close the case Had among the highest median Substantiation Rates, at 50% Were most likely to cause an employment separation event as a result of a substantiated case Accounted for twice as many of the reports submitted by third parties than those submitted by employees Small increase in report volume shows big payoff in healthy report mix. A diverse array of topics, inquiries, and allegations in internal reporting indicates a robust program. NAVEX’s findings reveal that even minor efforts to promote internal reporting significantly improve the mix of report types received. For instance, in organizations with the lowest report volume, only 8.7% of reports pertain to HR, Diversity, and Workplace Respect. However, in the next tier, this proportion jumps to 36.3%. This trend persists across different report volumes, emphasizing the importance of fostering a reporting culture. A varied mix of report types signifies trust in internal reporting to address a broad spectrum of issues. Even a slight increase from minimal reporting yields a more comprehensive and insightful flow of reports. "With NAVEX's integrated data platform, companies gain unparalleled risk signal data that empowers them to foster healthier workplace cultures, helping them achieve outcomes that matter most,” explains NAVEX Chief Product Officer A.G. Lambert. "Data isn't just numbers; it's the compass guiding organizations toward success and ensuring they stay ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of risk and compliance." Additional notable findings include: Workplace behaviors and discord were clearly visible in the data as more organizations return to office environments. As is always the case in these reports, workplace behaviors and other human resources related matters are by far the highest percentage of reports received by organizations. Workplace Civility matters continued to increase in prominence in 2023, representing a median of 18% of reports and the highest median reporting rate in 2023. This was followed by Discrimination, at a median 12%, Harassment, at a median 7.1%, then Retaliation at a median of 2.0%. The HR, Diversity and Workplace Respect category overall has seen a multi-year increase in its median share of all reports (from 50% in 2021 to 55% in 2023). These figures underscore the growing importance of fostering a respectful and inclusive work environment. Highlighting the seriousness with which organizations are taking reports received, more substantiated reports (18%) resulted in separation from employment in 2023, up significantly from 14% in 2022 and 12% in 2021. The share of reports resulting in no action – effectively the opposite end of the outcome spectrum – fell from 17% in 2022 to 14% in 2023. Nearly nine out of 10 reports of Imminent Threat to a Person, Animals or Property were substantiated in 2023 highlighting the importance that reporters possess the training, knowledge, tools and trust that promote rapid reporting of dangerous issues. This need is made even greater by a new California workplace violence prevention law expected to take effect this year that includes requirements for reporting, incident management and training around this issue. For more insights on the 2024 Whistleblowing & Incident Management Benchmark Report, join Jane Norberg, Arnold & Porter partner and former chief of the SEC Office of the Whistleblower, Keith Thomas, FedEx corporate integrity & compliance lead counsel, Carrie Penman, NAVEX chief risk & compliance officer, and Anders Olsen, NAVEX senior data scientist, for an informative webinar where they will discuss the results of this year’s analysis in detail. Watch the webinar here. NAVEX is trusted by thousands of customers worldwide to help them achieve the business outcomes that matter most. As the global leader in integrated risk and compliance management software and services, we deliver solutions through the NAVEX One platform, the industry’s most comprehensive governance, risk and compliance (GRC) information system. For more information, visit NAVEX.com and our blog. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Contact Details Navex Global scott.levesque@navex.com Company Website https://navex.com

March 26, 2024 06:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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