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Bahrain FinTech Bay Launches MENA Innovation Academy to Nurture MENA Market

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Bahrain FinTech Bay Launches MENA Innovation Academy to Nurture MENA Market

Nurturing local talent and ensuring the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region continues to be a hub for innovation, Bahrain FinTech Bay (BFB), the fintech ecosystem builder, has launched its MENA Innovation Academy (MENA-IA).

The new initiative has been created following a partnership with Reboot Coding Institute (Reboot01), the academic and training institution. This collaboration ensures that the academy will deliver education and training, leveraging the combined expertise of BFB and Reboot01.

Bahrain FinTech Bay Launches MENA Innovation Academy to Nurture MENA MarketBahrain FinTech Bay Launches MENA Innovation Academy to Nurture MENA Market
Bader Sater, CEO Bahrain FinTech Bay

Bader Sater, CEO of Bahrain FinTech Bay said: “Developing fintech talent has always been at the core of Bahrain FinTech Bay’s mission. For years, we have dedicated ourselves to nurturing the next generation of fintech leaders. We are now excited to take this commitment to a new level by scaling our efforts into a full-fledged Academy. The MENA-IA represents a significant milestone in our journey to empower professionals across the region with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the dynamic fintech landscape.”

Partnering with universities across the globe

MENA-IA will also be partnering with various global universities which will enable it to offer a range of courses and programmes. This will ensure that participants gain both broad industry knowledge and deep technical skills. These include:

  • fintech
  • insurtech
  • regtech
  • digital transformation
  • strategy and leadership
  • technical courses

The inaugural programme of the academy will be led by the University of California, Berkeley (UCB) and its Berkeley-AMENA Entrepreneurship and Development (Berkeley-AMENA) to bring expertise to the academy. UCB will deliver and certify the course on artificial intelligence in fintech, set to begin on 18 November.

Dariush Zahedi, director at AMENA Center for Entrepreneurship & Development, University of California, Berkeley MENA innovation academyDariush Zahedi, director at AMENA Center for Entrepreneurship & Development, University of California, Berkeley MENA innovation academy
Dariush Zahedi, director at AMENA Center for Entrepreneurship & Development, University of California, Berkeley

Dariush Zahedi, director at AMENA Center for Entrepreneurship & Development, University of California, Berkeley added: “We are excited to collaborate with the MENA Innovation Academy to deliver this cutting-edge course on AI in FinTech. AI and Generative AI are rapidly transforming the financial services industry, and through this hands-on, project-based workshop, participants will gain the essential skills for addressing real-world financial challenges using advanced AI tools.

“This collaboration reflects our commitment to fostering innovation and equipping professionals with the expertise to navigate the future of fintech.”

Shaping the future of fintech

This eight-week programme is tailored for non-technical professionals to upskill and learn applied uses of generative AI tools for financial institutions. Utilising a hybrid delivery model, spaces are limited to 50 participants, ensuring an engaging and focused learning experience.

This offering is just one of the many programmes planned for the year. The MENA Innovation Academy is committed to delivering a diverse range of courses and workshops, catering to the evolving needs of professionals in the financial and technology sectors. With a robust curriculum and a focus on practical, real-world applications, the academy aims to be a cornerstone of professional development in the region.

Yanal Jallad, managing director of Reboot Coding InstituteYanal Jallad, managing director of Reboot Coding Institute
Yanal Jallad, managing director of Reboot Coding Institute

Yanal Jallad, managing director of Reboot Coding Institute said: “At Reboot, we are proud to be at the forefront of Bahrain’s tech education landscape, developing talent to meet the demands of the rapidly evolving digital economy.

“This partnership with Bahrain FinTech Bay marks a pivotal moment for us as we expand into the fintech space. The MENA Innovation Academy will play a key role in shaping the future of fintech in the Kingdom, aligning with Bahrain’s strategic vision of driving innovation and growth across industries.”

Top 10 Tips For Insurance Agency eMarketing Success

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Top 10 Tips For Insurance Agency eMarketing Success

Top 10 Tips For Insurance Agency eMarketing Success

Insurance Agency eMarketing is commonly delineated as AN art and a science, however, the fundamentals ought to be straightforward enough for any agent to follow. sadly I’ve seen several basic rules are broken by agents causation out emails that use colored fonts, capital letters within the subject line, ANd prolific use of spam words like “free offer” that ar virtually absolute to send an email to a junk folder. The list below represents the highest ten tips to assist guarantee insurance agency eMarketing success. the following tips apply to each tiny scale campaigns mistreatment straightforward eMarketing tools (even Outlook) and huge-scale campaigns that run within the thousands of contacts.

Top 10 Tips For Insurance Agency eMarketing Success

Easy Opt-Out – make certain you have got a straightforward “unsubscribe” link and quickly take away anyone World Health Organization desires be deleted.

NO SHOUTING – See however unhealthy those capital letters look? don’t shout in your subject line or the body of the e-mail.

No colored Font – If you’re trying to promote an expert product or service, don’t use gimmicky colored text.

Minimal daring & Italic Font – daring and italicized fonts aren’t off-limits, however, keep their use to a minimum. solely a phrase or 2.

No Spam Words – keep one’s distance from “Free Offer” or “Satisfaction Guaranteed”.

Be terse – folks are busy, therefore be temporary. a couple of sentences and a transparent decision to action is far higher than an excessive amount of verbiage and loud text. Page long lectures and email diatribes aren’t the thanks to select your Insurance agency promoting.

The simple decision to Action – If you have got someone’s attention, build it fast and straightforward for them to require action.

Offer price – make certain the prospect can receive a true profit by responsive your decision to action.

Subject Line Promise – make certain your subject line fittingly describes the content of your email body. Not solely is that this the skilled thanks to approaching eMarketing, it’s additionally one in all the CAN-SPAM Act rules.

And bear in mind, diagrammatically wealthy hypertext mark-up language emails might look nice on your laptop, however, won’t probably show that means on your target prospect’s laptop, and ar additional probably to be intercepted by the spam filter. straightforward and terse business emails usually work higher than diagrammatically wealthy emails, and appearance way more like business communication and fewer like advertisements. make certain you scan the CAN-SPAM Act rules and closely follow these vital rules.

Earn More, Pay Less — Tax Optimisation Strategies for Dividend Investors

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Earn More, Pay Less — Tax Optimisation Strategies for Dividend Investors

Earn More, Pay Less — Tax Optimisation Strategies for Dividend Investors

Dividend investors who focus on generating steady income need to focus on tax planning to maximize long-term returns. While dividend income is a reliable source of cash flow, taxes levied can significantly impair an investor’s net earnings.

The tax implications vary based on the income of the investor and if the dividends are qualified or non-qualified, with different investors being taxed at different rates.

For instance, an investor holding qualified shares of Apple bought during 2019 at $42/share, with less than $44,625 in annual income, would have received $6,275 in dividend income over five years, or $313/quarter, compared to less than $100/share per quarter for someone who bought the stock before the dividend being announced and at the highest tax bracket (37%).

Over a long enough horizon, investors can save hundreds of thousands of dollars in dividend income by optimizing their taxes. This article will go over the best approaches to minimizing taxes on dividends to maximize long-term returns.

Qualified vs Non-Qualified Dividends

For instance, a dividend from a U.S. corporation held for more than 60 days within 121 days surrounding the ex-dividend date may be considered qualified and is taxed at a range of 0% to 20%.

On the other hand, dividends from certain foreign companies or those not meeting the holding period criteria are classified as non-qualified and are taxed at the individual income tax rate, which can be as high as 37%.

Essentially, this is done to encourage long-term investment, offering a tax-efficient income to committed investors.

Utilizing Retirement Accounts for Tax-Deferred Growth

Investors can use tax-advantaged accounts like Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and 401(k)s for holding dividend-paying investments, which can significantly amplify wealth over time through tax-deferred growth.

Taxable accounts are subject to annual rates, which can impact the overall return, especially if dividends are non-qualified and taxed at the higher ordinary income rates.

Investors focusing on minimizing taxes can use tax-differed accounts, such as Traditional IRAs, which are not taxed until withdrawal, which is typically during retirement when the investor may be in a lower tax bracket.

Roth IRAs offer an even more compelling benefit for dividend investors. Although contributions are made with after-tax dollars, both the investment growth and withdrawals during retirement are tax-free, including the dividends earned, which can be a powerful tool for maximizing retirement income. In 2024, the Roth IRA contribution limit is $7,000 for those under 50 and $8,000 for those 50 and older.

Tax-Loss Harvesting to Offset Capital Gains

Investors can use Tax-loss harvesting as a strategy to minimize the taxes on their dividends. Tax-loss harvesting involves selling investments at a loss to offset taxes on capital gains.

This is particularly useful for investors looking to reduce their taxable income by pairing the sale of underperforming stocks with the gains of successful investments. Investors can realize the capital gains from a dividend-paying stock and sell another investment at a loss to neutralize the tax impact of the gain.

For instance, if an investor held shares of Planet Lab from the date of its SPAC in 2021, which has declined, showing a loss of $8,500 and has a gain of $10,000 on shares of Microsoft bought in 2019. This investor can then sell the shares in PlanetLab realizing the $8,500 loss and apply it against the $10,000 gain in Apple, effectively reducing the taxable capital gains to $1,500.

One thing that investors should consider is the IRS’s wash-sale rule, which prohibits claiming a tax deduction for a security sold in a loss if a substantially identical security is purchased within 30 days before or after the sale. The IRS has introduced the rule to prevent taxpayers from abusing tax-loss harvesting to create artificial losses.

Estate Planning and Tax Implications for Dividend Investors

Estate planning is a crucial part of managing the tax implications of dividend income for investors, thereby ensuring that their investment strategy aligns with their legacy goals.

A critical strategy that can be taken up during estate planning is the step-up in basis rule, which adjusts the value of inherited assets to their market price at the time of the original owner’s death.

This adjustment can significantly reduce capital gains taxes on inherited dividend-paying stocks, as beneficiaries are taxed only on gains that occur after the inheritance rather than from the original purchase price.

Another solution is to incorporate trusts or charitable donations to optimize the tax efficiency of the stock portfolio. By transferring dividend-paying stocks into a trust, investors can potentially lower estate taxes and provide a structured income stream to beneficiaries.

Donating stocks to charity can offer tax deductions while supporting philanthropic causes, allowing investors to manage their taxable estate’s size and leverage dividend income for social impact.

The Best Approach to Save Taxes on Dividends

Dividend investors looking to optimize their portfolios for tax optimization need to understand taxation, leverage retirement accounts, employ tax-loss harvesting techniques and incorporate estate planning strategies.

Investors must stay informed of tax laws and focus on tailoring these strategies to their unique circumstances, ensuring a robust, tax-efficient investment portfolio poised for long-term growth.

No Coffin, No Problem: A True Life Insurance Payout Story Where Death Wasn’t Required

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No Coffin, No Problem: A True Life Insurance Payout Story Where Death Wasn’t Required

No Coffin, No Problem: A True Life Insurance Payout Story Where Death Wasn’t RequiredBy Travis Christy, White Coat Insurance

OK, the title of this post is a bit attention-grabbing, but I had to find a way to pique your interest. Let’s face it, insurance isn’t the most thrilling topic—it usually screams, “Here we go again with another lecture on life or disability insurance!” But bear with me. This is a real-life story about someone close to me who ended up accessing their term life insurance payout without the typical scenario of passing away (and trust me, this person would approve of that headline).

Let me take you back to when things got serious, when (for anonymity purposes I’ll call the person Kate) Kate shared her shocking diagnosis with me in a phone call:

“Hey, what’s up?” I said casually when she called.

Through tears, I heard her say she had some devastating news. “I’ve just been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer!”

“What!” I exclaimed. “How . . . when . . . I don’t understand. How long do you have?”

“There’s still a lot we don’t know, but we hope to figure out more in the coming weeks,” she replied.

I’ve known grief before. I experienced the profound loss of my father at a young age and a baby brother who didn’t make it. While death is something we all face, it’s especially jarring when it strikes unexpectedly early. Kate, just two years younger than me and in her mid-40s, has so much life ahead of her. She’s a mother to four children, most of whom are still in school.

Life has a way of throwing curveballs, and this situation has certainly disrupted her family’s path.

When I asked about her insurance coverage, she mentioned having a small disability policy through work. That would provide more than $1,000 a month for three months. I encouraged her to file the claim right away. Additionally, she had been paying premiums on two term life insurance policies for several years, totaling nearly a half million dollars in death benefits. I asked her to send me the details so I could review the contracts and explore any potential benefits they might offer.

Upon reviewing the policies, I discovered that both included what’s called an Accelerated Death Benefit (ADB). This meant she could potentially access a portion of her life insurance payout while still alive, provided her prognosis indicated a shortened life expectancy—typically 12 months.

Broaching this topic with her was heart-wrenching. I struggled with the idea of discussing the possibility of her passing or filing a claim on her life insurance. It was a tough conversation to entertain, but I knew the financial support could make a significant difference for her family. These funds could cover bills and other expenses, easing the financial strain as they navigated the emotional toll of her illness.

I called her to share the news. I explained that her policies allowed her to access funds early without the need for her passing away. If approved for the benefit, she could choose to receive up to 75% of the death benefit face amount on one policy and up to 50% on the other one. This substantial support could sustain her family for an extended period, with the remaining death benefit still available as long as premiums were paid.

I encouraged her to pursue the benefit and, above all, to fight fiercely to overcome this cancerous monster. I stressed that this could be a blessing for her family—especially considering one of her children has autism, and her youngest child had just turned 12. Qualifying for the accelerated benefit would alleviate a significant worry for Kate and her husband.

This wasn’t just about navigating a difficult conversation; it was about ensuring her family could find stability and support. After much consideration and wrestling with the decision, she and her husband ultimately decided it was wise to proceed with the claims process.

 

How the Accelerated Death Benefit Works (and Why You Should Make Sure Your Term Life Insurance Policy Has It)

The Accelerated Death Benefit (ADB) is a built-in feature on most life insurance policies at no additional cost. Some policies, however, may have the feature as an inexpensive rider. The ADB allows policyholders to access a portion of their death benefit while still alive under specific conditions. This provision is designed to offer quick cash during critical times, particularly when the policyholder is facing severe health challenges, such as terminal, chronic, or critical illnesses.

For example, a terminal illness can qualify a policyholder for the ADB if a physician certifies that the illness is expected to result in death within a certain period, typically 12 months. In such cases, the policyholder can receive a lump sum payout to help cover medical bills, household expenses, or other financial needs. However, if the illness does not meet these criteria—if, for example, the life expectancy is projected to extend beyond 12 months—the ADB claim may be denied.

The flexibility of the ADB is one of its key advantages. Policyholders can choose to accelerate a portion of the allowed amount of the death benefit or the entire amount. It’s up to them. This ensures that the remaining death benefit can still be available to beneficiaries after the policyholder’s death. For chronic illnesses, policyholders could reapply for benefits annually, allowing for ongoing financial support as needed. This flexibility makes the ADB a good solution for managing the financial strain associated with serious health conditions.

While many ADB riders are marketed as having “no additional cost” or a “minimal cost,” it’s important to understand that if the benefit is paid out, it is deducted from the total life insurance death benefit. When a claim is made, insurance companies use a formula to determine the payout, factoring in things like interest rates; mortality rates; and, for permanent life insurance policies, the policy’s cash value.

The positive news is that if the insured—let’s say Kate in this case—outlives her life expectancy after receiving the ADB payout, there’s no need to worry about the insurance company asking for the benefit to be returned. Once the ADB is triggered and paid out, the benefit is yours to keep, even if you defy the odds and live longer than expected after a diagnosis of terminal or critical illness.

As for taxes, this is what the IRS has to say about exercising an ADB:

“Amounts paid as accelerated death benefits are fully excludable from your income if the insured has been certified by a physician as terminally ill. Accelerated death benefits paid on behalf of individuals who are certified as chronically ill are excludable from income to the same extent they would be if paid under a qualified long-term care insurance contract.”

More information here:

A Pain in the Butt – My Dental Disability Story

Why I Dumped My Disability Insurance Policy at 43 Years Old

 

Questions About Kate’s Cancer Journey and ADB Claim

To gain deeper insight into her journey, both emotionally and practically, I asked her a series of questions about her experience with cancer and the process of filing the insurance claim.

Kate: I went to the emergency room because I thought I had appendicitis. The pain was intense and localized, and I was convinced that my appendix was the issue. However, when the doctors reviewed my CT scan, they discovered not only my ruptured appendix but also over 20 lesions on my liver.

This unexpected finding led to further investigation, including a liver biopsy. The results were devastating: I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer that had metastasized to my liver. The news was a complete shock, especially since I had none of the common symptoms typically associated with colon cancer. I had been feeling generally well, with no significant changes in my bowel habits or persistent abdominal discomfort.

The diagnosis turned my world upside down, and I had to come to terms with the severity of my condition.

Travis: What has been the hardest part of treatment, and how are you coping?

Kate: I believe I’m coping much better now than when I was first diagnosed. Initially, the news was overwhelming, and it took time for me to come to terms with the reality of living with a chronic and life-threatening illness. My doctor was very upfront about the nature and duration of the treatment, explaining that it would most likely continue for the rest of my life. This has helped me manage my expectations and the likelihood of never being cancer-free.

Physically, the hardest part has been pain management. I accessed palliative care earlier this year and realized that I should have taken advantage of this resource from the beginning. It has been a game changer to help me cope with side effects and stay positive.

Travis: Who or what has been your biggest support during this time?

Kate: My family and friends have been my biggest cheerleaders and supporters. My husband has been great about coming with me to appointments and chauffeuring me to scans, etc. He and our kids have been great to step up around the house when I haven’t been physically able to do much. Our friends supplied us with meals and visits, especially in the beginning when I was very sick and when I have had other setbacks during my treatments. God has also been instrumental in helping me along this journey. I know many prayers have been offered on our behalf, and they have been felt immensely.

Travis: How is your family handling the situation?

Kate: My family has been very supportive. I know it has been difficult on our kids, especially when I have been very sick. My husband always says he’s not going to panic until there is something to panic about. He has been a steady rock through all of this even though I know it has been hard on him.

More information here:

Financial Lessons Learned from a Doctor-Turned Patient

How My Recent Brain Tumor Diagnosis Made Me Reevaluate My Finances

 

Questions About the Life Insurance Claim

Travis: What were your thoughts when you found out about the Accelerated Death Benefit?

Kate: I was right in the beginning of my diagnosis when I first learned about the Accelerated Death Benefit. Honestly, I was the last one on board. It felt like a price was being put on my life, and that is very hard to face.

Travis: How did you decide to go ahead and file the claim?

Kate: Travis advised us to apply for everything we could right away. In addition to the ADB, I also applied for my short-term disability through my employer and Social Security disability, which can take time to be accepted and received. We really did need the financial stability so I could focus on my treatment.

I discussed it with my husband and had a better understanding of how the Accelerated Death Benefit works. We were grateful for how it could provide much-needed financial support during my treatment, helping us so we didn’t have to constantly worry about bills and expenses. It really is designed to ease the financial burden on families facing illnesses like this. I can focus more on my care and less on the monetary side of things.

Filing the claim was a step toward taking control of our situation and planning for the future with a sense of security and peace of mind.

Travis: How was the process of filing the claim? Any unexpected challenges?

Kate: The process of filing the claim was initially quite frustrating. One of the main difficulties was obtaining the correct paperwork. Neither of the insurance companies had the necessary claim forms readily available on their websites, which meant that I had to make several phone calls back and forth to request the forms.

Once we finally received the correct forms, the next hurdle was ensuring we had all the required medical information to support the claim. This is where the support of my oncologist and his nurse was so valuable. They were incredibly helpful and understanding, helping us gather all the necessary medical documents. They made a significant difference, providing the detailed medical records and information required to complete the claim.

After completing the paperwork, the process became much smoother. With the right forms in hand and all the medical information organized, we were able to submit the claim more efficiently. The support from my healthcare team was so important in this journey, and their promptness helped alleviate some of the stress.

Travis: How did the insurance company handle your claim?

Kate: The insurance company took a few weeks to review my claim. I was able to follow up with both companies to get an idea of the timeline for decisions. I received approval for both accelerated benefits, and the transfer of funds happened quickly. It was a huge relief, as it eased our financial worries and allowed us to shift our focus more fully onto my treatment and well-being.

Travis: How has receiving the benefit helped your family financially?

Kate: Receiving the benefit has been extremely valuable, especially when I became unable to work earlier this year and am unsure when I will be able to return to the workforce. The financial support provided by the benefit has allowed us to bridge the gap left by my lost income. We have been able to set aside enough from the benefit to cover my earnings for the next few years. This has allowed us to prioritize my cancer fight by eliminating the stress of finances.

We have used the benefits to pay for medical bills not covered by insurance and to meet our out-of-pocket maximum as well as added costs for the extra transportation we have had.

Travis: What advice would you give to others considering buying life insurance and looking at the Accelerated Death Benefit?

Kate: The Accelerated Death Benefit has been a blessing to our family. I think any couple looking into the financial future should consider term life insurance with this rider, even for the partner who isn’t the primary earner.

 

As of this writing, Kate is doing well, and she has the opportunity to participate in experimental treatments. She’s still battling her cancer, and she recently received news her tumors aren’t getting any bigger, which is great news. I’d like to thank her for the opportunity to interview her and participate in this post.

 

Obtaining quality disability insurance is a must for any physician, so you can be sure to protect your hard-earned income. Get a quote from one of our recommended insurance agents and cross this task off your to-do list today!

 

Do you know anyone who’s used the ADB rider for their term life insurance? Was it helpful? Did they get pushback from the insurance company? Comment below!

PNB Employees Protest Against Zonal Manager’s Misbehavior In Muzaffarnagar » Finance & Banking

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PNB Employees Protest Against Zonal Manager’s Misbehavior In Muzaffarnagar » Finance & Banking

Muzaffarnagar: Punjab National Bank (PNB) ke employees ne Zonal Manager Mr. Balbir Singh ke khilaaf protest shuru kiya hai, jisme unhone Chief Manager Jimmy Tirkey ke saath huye misbehavior ko lekar apna gussa jahir kiya. Protest ke karan lagbhag 85 branches bandh rahi. Chief Manager ne Zonal Manager ke khilaaf police mein complaint bhi file ki hai.

PNB Employees Protest Against Zonal Manager’s Misbehavior In Muzaffarnagar » Finance & Banking

PNB ke officers aur employees ne Zonal Head ko hataane ki demand ki hai aur bola hai ki jab tak sahi action nahi liya jata, tab tak unka protest continue rahega.

Ye protest All India Punjab National Bank Officers Association (AIPNBOA) aur Punjab National Bank SC/ST Welfare Association ke under organize kiya gaya hai. Protesters PNB ke Divisional Office, Circular Road, Muzaffarnagar mein ikattha hue aur Zonal Manager Balbir Singh ke khilaf apna gussa show kiya. Unhone bataya ki Zonal Manager senior officers ke saath continous harassment aur unki insult karte aaye hain.

Tuesday ko Chief Manager Jimmy Tirkey aur Branch Manager Indrajit Singh ko Meerut office bulaaya gaya, jaha meeting ke time Zonal Manager ne unhe “bekaar” kehkar unki insult ki. Yeh bhi kaha gaya ki Chief Manager ko 6-7 ghante tak office ke bahar stool par bithaya gaya, jahan unhe mental harassment aur abusive language ka saamna karna pada. Chief Manager ne apne letter mein yeh bhi mention kiya ki unke khilaaf jaati-suchi (caste based) bhasha ko use kiya gaya.

PNB ke officers aur employees ne iska virodh karte hue pura divisional office bandh kar diya. Association ne kaha hai ki PNB ke higher authorities ko Zonal Manager ke behavior ke baare mein inform kiya gaya hai aur action lene ka assurance bhi diya gaya hai. Agar jaldi action nahi liya gaya, toh protests aur zyada badh sakte hain. Association ka kehna hai ki tab tak kaam shuru nahi hoga jab tak officers ki respect wapas nahi ki jaati.

Future mein bhi yeh protest employees ke saath milkar plan kiya jayega, agar Zonal Manager ke khilaf sahi action nahi liya gaya. Is case ki sari updates ke liye aap humare whatsapp channel ko join kar sakte hain.

Jimmy Tirkey ka letter

श्रीमान वरिष्ठ पुलिस अधीक्षक महोदय,
जनपद – मेरठ।

विषय – प्रार्थी के साथ हुई उत्पीड़क कार्यवाही के सम्बन्ध में।

महोदय,

निवेदन है कि प्रार्थी जिमी तिर्की पुत्र श्री मधियास तिर्की हाल निवासी प्लॉट न० 202, पंजाब नेशनल बैंक मण्डल कार्यालय परिसर मुजफ्फरनगर का निवासी हूँ। प्रार्थी दिनांक 08.10.2024 को मैं ज़ोनल मैनेजर के आदेशानुसार अपने सहायक शाखा प्रबन्धक श्री इन्द्रजीत सिंह के साथ मण्डल कार्यालय मेरठ में प्रातः 10:00 बजे पहुँच गया जहाँ ज़ोनल मैनेजर श्री बलवीर सिंह ने मुझे बुलाया और मेरे साथ श्री इन्द्रजीत सिंह वरिष्ठ प्रबन्धक को भी बुलाया। श्री इन्द्रजीत सिंह को 10:30 बजे अंदर बुलाकर उन्हें मीटिंग में ले लिया और प्रार्थी को बाहर 125 नम्बर स्टूल पर बैठने को कह दिया गया। मैं दोपहर 3:30 बजे तक बाहर बैठा रहा। श्री बलवीर सिंह के द्वारा मुझे अंदर बुलाने के लिये कोई प्रयास नहीं किया गया। जब मेरी स्थिति और भी दयनीय हो गयी, तब मैंने अनुरोध किया कि मुझे भी अंदर बुलाया जाये। ज़ोनल मैनेजर बलवीर सिंह के द्वारा मुझे अंदर बुलाया गया और बिना कोई चर्चा किये मुझे पद की गरिमा की अनदेखी करते हुए तुच्छ बातें कही गयीं।

श्री बलवीर सिंह के द्वारा मेरे कार्य को पूर्णतया अनदेखा किया गया। जो कि पूरी तरह से अनैतिक है। मुझे मानसिक रूप से अपमानित करने के उद्देश्य से श्री बलवीर सिंह ने गुस्से से कहा कि तुम्हें बहुत हंसी हो रही होगी। चार-चार घण्टे से तुम्हें बाहर बैठा रखा हूँ, मैं तुम्हारी चमड़ी उतार दूँगा। यहाँ तक कि तुम जैसे लोगो को मैं चबाकर गटक जाऊँगा। तुम्हें मैं नौकरी से बर्खास्त कर दूँगा।

श्री बलवीर सिंह के इस अमानवीय व अभद्र व्यवहार से मुझे पूरी तरह मानसिक आघात पहुँचा है। जिससे मैं मानसिक व आत्मिक रूप से पूरी तरह टूट गया हूँ। मुझे अपने आपको सँभालना मुश्किल हो गया है।

अतः श्रीमान जी से प्रार्थना है कि प्रार्थी की पीड़ा को संज्ञान में लेते हुए ज़ोनल मैनेजर बलवीर सिंह के ख़िलाफ़ उचित व सख्त कार्यवाही करने की कृपा करें। ताकि भविष्य में मेरे व मेरे अन्य पदेन सहयोगियों के साथ श्री बलवीर सिंह द्वारा इस प्रकार का अमानवीय व्यवहार न किया जा सके।

दिनांक : 9/10/2024

प्रार्थी : जिमी तिर्की पुत्र श्री मधियास तिर्की
निवासी प्लॉट न० 202, पंजाब नेशनल
बैंक मण्डल कार्यालय परिसर मुजफ्फरनगर

Recent Update

Muzaffarnagar mein Punjab National Bank ke employees ka dharna abhi bhi jaari hai. Aaj raat 9:30 baje, Meerut ke Zonal Manager ne Muzaffarnagar visit kiya tha taaki issues ko solve kiya ja sake. Lekin dono parties ke bich baatcheet ka koi positive result nhi rahi, kyunki Zonal Manager ne employees ke demands ko accept karne se inkaar kar diya.

Is baatcheet ke fail hone ke baad, protest abhi bhi jaari rahega. Assistant General Secretary of AIPNBOA, Gauraw Kishore ne bataya ki kal subah se Bijnore, Moradabad, Meerut, aur Saharanpur se officers bhi iss protest mein shamil honge.

Gauraw Kishore ne yeh bhi kaha, “Humari ekta amar rahegi. AIPNBOA zindabad!”

SERHANT. Expands Into Hudson Valley, Adds New Teams

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SERHANT. Expands Into Hudson Valley, Adds New Teams

The firm has brought on four new high-earning teams in New York, New Jersey and South Carolina in recent weeks as it continues to expand along the East Coast.

Whether it’s refining your business model, mastering new technologies, or discovering strategies to capitalize on the next market surge, Inman Connect New York will prepare you to take bold steps forward. The Next Chapter is about to begin. Be part of it. Join us and thousands of real estate leaders Jan. 22-24, 2025.

Ryan Serhant’s eponymous brokerage has expanded its presence into the Hudson Valley and added four top-producing teams across New York, New Jersey and South Carolina, the firm announced.

SERHANT. Expands Into Hudson Valley, Adds New Teams

Jake Garay | SERHANT.

The Garay-Michaud Team has joined SERHANT. from Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hudson Valley Properties. The eight-person team, which is led by Jake Garay and Blake Michaud, has closed more than $80 million in sales within the last year.

Garay said that the team’s move reflects its desire to be affiliated with a modern, forward-looking brokerage.

“We chose SERHANT. because it embodies the future of real estate,” Garay said in a statement. “Our team thrives on disruption and innovation, and we believe the real estate industry is ready for a change.

“Ryan and his team have built a platform that aligns perfectly with our client-first, forward-thinking culture and the way we do business. At SERHANT., we have the tools and vision to deliver an elevated experience for our clients and stay ahead of the curve. Together, we’re excited to push boundaries and redefine what’s possible in real estate.”

Kevin Bergin | SERHANT.

The firm has also expanded into Long Beach Island, New Jersey, with the addition of Beach House Group. For the past 10 years, the team has been known as Beach House Realty. The team of 13 agents is led by Kevin Bergin, who is also president of the Long Beach Island Chamber of Commerce. In the last 12 months, the team closed about $50 million in sales.

Bergin said Beach House Group joined the firm to level up its service through “the network and marketing approach that SERHANT. offers.”

RPM Elite has also joined SERHANT. in Morris County, New Jersey. The seven-agent team is led by brothers-in-law, friends and business partners Ryan Palianto and Michael Reddin who run the popular Instagram account @Property_Brothers_in_law. In 2023, the team closed on sales volume of nearly $40 million.

Michael Reddin | SERHANT.

“SERHANT. feels like the perfect company for my partner Ryan Palianto and I to work with,” Reddin said in a statement. “We all understand the power of social media and networking and love to hustle and grind. I personally feel for the first time in my life that I am on the right track and exactly where I want to be.”

The firm also recently brought on the Key Avenue Group to its growing presence in Charleston, South Carolina. Key Avenue Group is led by Christopher Smith and Patrick Ryan, formerly of Keller Williams, and brought in more than $90 million in sales volume from 2023 alone.

Christopher Smith | SERHANT.

“We chose SERHANT. because we feel the real estate industry is in need of change,” Smith said in a statement. “In many ways, the industry has become stagnant, and we refuse to accept that. We want to disrupt the market for the better by aligning ourselves with a forward-thinking company that empowers our team and clients with the best marketing and technology available.”

Get Inman’s Luxury Lens Newsletter delivered right to your inbox. A weekly deep dive into the biggest news in the world of high-end real estate delivered every Friday. Click here to subscribe.

Email Lillian Dickerson

Is My Passion a Business or Hobby?

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Is My Passion a Business or Hobby?

If you’re making money from something you love, that’s fantastic! But have you considered whether your passion is classified as a business or just a hobby by the IRS? Understanding this distinction is crucial for managing your taxes effectively and avoiding unexpected surprises.

In our latest video, we break down how to determine if your activity qualifies as a business. Here’s a brief overview of the key steps:

  1. Understand IRS Guidelines: This step is crucial because it affects how you report income and claim deductions. The IRS looks at whether you’re making a profit, how much time you spend on the activity, and whether you rely on the income. Knowing these rules helps you stay compliant with the IRS.
  2. Keep Detailed Records: This is where many people go wrong. They don’t track income and expenses properly. Document everything—keep receipts, track your hours, and note your efforts. Proper records are essential if you need to prove to the IRS that your activity is a business, not just a hobby.
  3. Evaluate Your Profit Motive: Treating your activity like a business increases the likelihood that the IRS will see it as one. Set clear goals, make plans, and concentrate on profitability. This approach ensures that your activity is classified as a business, enabling you to benefit from tax deductions and grow your income.

By following these steps, you can confidently classify your passion as a business, allowing you to take advantage of tax deductions and grow your income. For more insights, watch the full video and don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for ongoing tips!

Is My Passion a Business or Hobby?

Joy Lutz, CPA, CTP

As the founder of Aligned CPA, Joy has built a firm that is your strategic financial partner.  With a growth centric approach, we build meaningful relationships with our clients because we value their success as much as our own.

Positioning ourselves as the tax and financial strategists for your business, we help you make empowered, financial-based business decisions that lead to long term success.

FinTech in Southeast Asia: Understanding the Changing Landscape

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FinTech in Southeast Asia: Understanding the Changing Landscape

FinTech in Southeast Asia: Understanding the Changing Landscape

The FinTech scene in Southeast Asia is drastically changing. In the first half of 2024, investments in early-stage ventures increased by 17 percent despite a 25 percent decline in overall funding. Startups in the area face both possibilities and challenges
as a result of this contradiction.

As the fintech industry develops, momentum alone is no longer sufficient for success. Startups have to proactively adjust to growing competition and changing needs. However, turning obstacles into opportunities calls for maintaining a laser-like focus on
key strengths, giving customer-centric innovation priority, and upholding a firm vision that directs resource allocation, decision-making, and long-term growth.

Trends Shaping the FinTech Ecosystem in Southeast Asia

1. Regulatory Factor

Southeast Asian governments have often viewed FinTech with pragmatism and forgiveness. Indeed, a friendly regulatory framework has been essential to the rapid expansion of regional
FinTech consulting firms. 

The strategy has frequently resulted in creating “sandboxes,” which are legal frameworks intended to improve the financial ecosystem across several industry verticals, such as P2P lending, payments, and virtual assets, as in Vietnam’s case.

2. Rise of Digital Payments

Roughly 90% of clients use digital banking in the region’s developed and developing economies. According to McKinsey’s Personal Financial Services Survey, most consumers are inclined to receive extra services via digital channels.

 

Source: McKinsey

A fresh wave of regulatory intervention in the field, the ongoing adoption of 5G and the Internet, and the COVID-19 epidemic have all contributed to the sector’s maturation. As markets move toward a cashless, contactless world, Statista estimates that 2.15
billion individuals in Asia used e-commerce in 2020, and by 2025, that number is expected to rise to over 3 billion.

Challenges Faced by FinTechs in Southeast Asia

1. Open banking and the fragmentation of data sources

Given the diversity and regulation of banking and financial industries in Southeast Asia, fragmenting data sources and implementing open banking might be difficult. The official authorities’ data sources, commercial local services platforms, and utility
networks’ APIs are inferior to those in the US and European markets. Additionally, the Google Play Store has tightened its approval process for Android applications, which limits access to sensitive mobile device data used primarily for fraud signal detection
and alternative credit underwriting for the underbanked population. 

This is in response to growing concerns about data privacy and the implementation of the Pay with Protected Provider Act (PDPA) in many countries.

2. Lack of Tech Talent

The lack of technological resources may present challenges for firms in Southeast Asia. The region’s IT industry is expanding quickly, even though some places may not have adequate infrastructure or highly qualified tech workers as others. Furthermore, there
can be a fierce rivalry for IT resources, which drives up expenses and lengthens the hiring process. 

Companies may need to be resourceful in their recruitment and allocation tactics to overcome these obstacles, such as outsourcing or developing internal talent. Alternatively, use low-code and no-code tools to piece together the platform with particular
software as a service (SaaS) that fulfills different application requirements.

3. Privacy Issues

When it comes to sharing private information, there is less trust. For some reasons, including a lack of knowledge about the data’s intended purpose, concerns about data security and privacy, and prior instances of data breaches or inappropriate use of personal
information. 

To give users peace of mind that they are in control of their information and are aware of the boundaries they are giving out, OCR technology is more frequently used in conjunction with APIs to read information from official documents like ID cards, passports,
and utility bills.

What does the Future Hold?

Despite these obstacles, finance innovation is nevertheless flourishing in Southeast Asia. FinTech solutions can find plenty of opportunities in the region’s numerous economies, each at a different stage of digital and financial development. Innovative financial
services are still in great demand because of the large number of people without access to banking and the rising use of smartphones and the Internet.

Simultaneously, the FinTech ecosystem in Southeast Asia is strong due to its emphasis on inclusive and regional solutions. Startups that tackle particular regional issues like digital payments, microloans, and remittances are well-positioned for expansion.
FinTech has a big chance to promote financial inclusion in the area and give marginalized groups access to financial services.

Southeast Asia has regulatory backing for FinTech. Local governments recognize FinTech’s promise to advance financial inclusion and economic development. Through the creation of digital infrastructure, regulatory sandboxes, and advantageous regulations,
many actively promote the industry. 

Conclusion

The market’s fundamentals are still solid even though Southeast Asia appears to be experiencing a FinTech bubble. Southeast Asia will remain a hotbed for FinTech innovation thanks to the region’s sustained appetite for digital financial services, encouraging
governmental regulations, and emphasis on localized, inclusive solutions. 

Firms that are flexible and resilient in the face of market consolidation and funding difficulties can prosper and make valuable contributions to the ever-changing financial landscape of the area. 

Mark Boyle presents at National Business Institute: “Florida Construction Law: Advanced Issues and Answers”

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Mark Boyle presents at National Business Institute: “Florida Construction Law: Advanced Issues and Answers”

Announcing our senior partner Mark Boyle at National Business Institute (NBI, Inc) presenting his course, “Florida Construction Law: Advanced Issues and Answers”, Tuesday July 26th, 2022

  • Register today at
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Mark Boyle presents at National Business Institute: “Florida Construction Law: Advanced Issues and Answers”

Value Portfolio Update February 2024

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Value Portfolio Update February 2024

Value Portfolio Update February 2024 + deep dive into MercadoLibreValue Portfolio Update February 2024

It has been almost one month since I created my Value Portfolio. This post is my first Value Portfolio Update on a long journey of monthly updates. Since it is only one month old, I do not expect a lot of movement.

Every month, I will take some time to talk about the portfolio and the companies in it. This month, I would like to talk about MercadoLibre. You’ve come to the right place to learn why MercadoLibre is also called the Amazon of Latin America.

FinChat – AI-Powered Research Platform

I created the charts in this post using FinChat, a new research platform supercharged with AI. If you want to try it out on your own, sign up on finchat.io for a 25% discount.

Portfolio Recap

  • Inception: Feb. 6th, 2024
  • Duration: 1 month
  • Portfolio: V, SNPS, LRCX, MELI, NDVA, ASML, INTU, ISRG, COST
  • Dividends: always reinvested

In the first month, my portfolio produced a gain of 4.74%. At the same time, the S&P 500 achieved a gain of 2.85%.
Of course, 1 month is not a lot of time, so don’t give too much meaning to any of that.

Value Portfolio vs. S&P 500 chartValue Portfolio vs. S&P 500 chart

The individual performance of the 9 companies can be seen here:

Value Portfolio individual companies vs. S&P 500 chartValue Portfolio individual companies vs. S&P 500 chart

Since I haven’t yet given that insight, here is my portfolio’s Sector/Industry breakdown.

Value Portfolio Sector and Industry allocationValue Portfolio Sector and Industry allocation
Source: finchat.io

A Closer Look At MercadoLibre

I would like to use the monthly update posts to discuss the different companies in this basket. In this month’s Value Portfolio Update, we are talking about MercadoLibre.

MercadoLibre is an e-commerce and fintech company operating in Latin America. Both segments are growing rapidly and have a lot of growth potential in the years to come. MercadoLibre has a proven track record of operating successfully and navigating in countries with a high inflationary environment.

In the e-commerce sector, it has demonstrated a strong performance with significant growth. Its Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) showed substantial growth, reflecting its dominant position in the market. In Q4 2023, MercadoLibre reported a GMV of $13.5 billion, up 39.9% year-over-year (adjusted for currency exchange effects).

The second sector that MercadoLibre operates in is the fintech sector. MercadoLibre offers a product called Mercado Pago. It offers various financial services, including digital payments, credit card issuance, and other financial products. Mercado Pago is integral to MercadoLibre’s ecosystem, providing a seamless payment solution for both online purchases and broader financial transactions. In Q4 2023, MercadoLibre reported a total payment volume of $56.5 billion, up 57.2% year-over-year (adjusted for currency exchange effects).

To put those numbers into perspective, let’s look at the quarterly GMV and TPV numbers:

Source: finchat.io

Additionally, take a look at the annual revenue composition of MercadoLibre. You can see that both of their segments are really growing in a big way.

Source: finchat.io

MELI comes out of a multi-year margin expansion period.

Source: finchat.io

In the last 5 years, its operating margin has improved from -6.7% to 15%, while its profit margin increased from -7.5% to 6.8%. During the same time, the gross profit margin remained relatively stable. While R&D investments remained stable, SG&A expenses declined from 45% to just 15% of revenue during that timeframe. In other words, MercadoLibre used the last 5 years to optimize its operational cost structure while still remaining competitive through innovation.

During that period, it has built a strong cash position compared to its debt. That strong balance sheet has allowed MercadoLibre to hire people at times when almost all companies have fired workers.

Some First-Hand Insights

Unfortunately, I can’t really try out the services of MercadoLibre myself. But I still wanted to get some first-hand experiences for the sake of this post. That’s why I asked 2 of my professional coworkers – I’m really grateful to have the opportunity to ask them about their experiences!
They are currently living in Uruguay and Brazil. One of them even originally comes from Argentina, so I’m getting some good insights on what real people think about MercadoLibre.

Here is what my coworker from Uruguay/Argentina had to say:

Argentina is a very socialist country. But with the recent government change, MercadoLibre seems more aligned to succeed in the long run. But navigating the economy in Argentina is never an easy endeavor. However, being a company that already has dealings around South and Central America, I think it has outgrown all risky Argentina politics.
Their reputation for customer experience is excellent. I use it once or twice a month and even recently bought something.
Mercado Page is pretty much used everywhere in Argentina and Uruguay. I don’t use it much, but I know many others do. However, there are things that one buys from Amazon or AliExpress when they are imported more easily. Keep in mind that I might be a bit biased here. I know more about e-commerce options than your average Joe.

And here is what my other coworker from Brazil had to say:

Well, at the beginning, they were very “suspicious,” but nowadays, I would say people use it every time. They expanded a lot, and the worst part was mailing stuff; our one and only postal system has problems.. but that is a different subject. Mercado livre (as it is called here) has a very nice reputation. Of course, not sure if you know, but there’s always the “Brazilian way,” and someone will try to scam and make money out of it, but we can trust the “Mercado livre warranty” seal and get our products or our money back. How often do we use it? Maybe once in two months, usually on electronics or something I wouldn’t find very easy. And on sales, of course. My sister, for instance, uses it far more than we do. MercadoPago is something we mostly use as insurance to ensure that something is safe to buy when we are not very sure about the seller. We also use it when we sell something on the platform. My mother use the credit card machine from MercadoPago at her hair salon. As for competitors, there’s OLX which is for selling used stuff, but Amazon marketplace is the biggest (MagazineLuiza as well). Those are big websites with a marketplace inside, and they operate the same way as MercadoLibre.

MercadoLibre Is Down After Earnings, Why?

Why did MercadoLibre take a hit after they reported stellar earnings? That is due to two one-off expenses. Here is what they had to say about this in their Shareholder Letter:

The first one-off expense of $320mn relates to ongoing legal proceedings initiated in 2014 that dispute the Brazilian federal tax authority’s ability to charge withholding income tax over payments remitted by our Brazilian subsidiaries to our Argentine subsidiary for the provision of IT support and other services on the grounds that it would violate a convention signed by the two countries to avoid double taxation. Based on recent developments, our legal advisor’s view is the risk of losing the case is now probable. We booked $58mn of the provision in cost of revenue and $261mn in product development expenses. The total operating expense related to this one-off and incurred in 2023 was approximately $70mn.

The second one-off expense of $31mn – booked in cost of revenue – relates to a recent ruling from Brazil’s highest court that the DIFAL sales tax must be paid for the period April to December 2022, while the legality of the tax was being questioned. The tax was legally reinstated in January 2023 and has been booked in our P&L and paid as an ongoing expense since then; the one-off expense booked in Q4’23 relates solely to the 9-month period in 2022 mentioned above.

My Take On What Happened

These expenses aren’t very pleasant, but it is encouraging that only around 1% of the expenses result from this last quarter itself. They are definitely one-off expenses, from what I can see. If you exclude these expenses, it is another stellar quarter in the books. I’m not too worried about them. Actually, I bought more shares of MELI on the news.

The only negative effect highlighted by the management team is the contraction of their credit portfolio in Argentina due to the devaluation of the Argentine Peso. But in totality, the credit portfolio came in at $3.8 billion, up 33% year-over-year. It’s something to watch, but nothing to worry about now.

Mercado Libre Q4 2023 Results – Earnings Call

Valuation Of MercadoLibre

How can we value MercadoLibre the best? I always refer to a great framework I learned from Brian Feroldi to answer that question. It starts by determining in which growth stage MercadoLibre is:

Company lifecycle stagesCompany lifecycle stages

For MercadoLibre, I determined that it is somewhere between stages 3 and 4.

Getting a reasonable valuation for a company does depend on its stage. For each stage, we have a few different tools at our disposal that we can use to get a valuation.

Valuation Methods by company lifecycle stageValuation Methods by company lifecycle stage

We can see that the price-to-earnings power is a good way to get a first valuation for MercadoLibre. I assume that a Profit Margin of 25% is a reasonable value for a fully profit-optimized MercadoLibre.

Price-To-Earnings-Power Model for MercadoLibrePrice-To-Earnings-Power Model for MercadoLibre

This gives us an Earnings Power P/E Ratio between 17.3 and 32.2, which is in the Normal Range.

The second tool we can use is a Reverse Discounted Cash Flow Model. Without going into too much detail about how to do it (you can get more information and a tutorial for it directly from Brian Feroldi here), here is my result:

Discounted Cash Flow Model for MercadoLibreDiscounted Cash Flow Model for MercadoLibre

The question you need to ask for the above DCF is, “Is a growth rate of 5.4% over 10 years for MercadoLibre too high, too low, or about right?“. I certainly think that 5.4% is on the low end of what MercadoLibre can do. This implies that MELI is currently undervalued according to this DCF model.

What Risks Are Associated With MercadoLibre?

Investing in MercadoLibre for the long term comes with certain risks that investors should consider. Some of these risks include intense competition in the e-commerce and Internet space in Latin America.
Potential challenges include:

  • expanding operations and adapting to evolving technologies
  • regulatory impacts on the business
  • credit risks related to lending activities
  • security breaches
  • legal liabilities

Additionally, factors like system interruptions, talent retention, consumer trends, reliance on third-party service providers, and political and economic conditions in Latin America can pose risks to the company’s long-term performance. Moreover, MercadoLibre faces risks related to market volatility, indebtedness, potential impairment of digital assets, and the unpredictability of factors like seasonal fluctuations.

The company’s ability to achieve its long-term sustainability goals may also be influenced by various external factors beyond its control. It’s essential for investors to carefully assess these risks alongside the company’s growth prospects, financial performance, and strategic initiatives when considering MercadoLibre as a long-term investment.

Final Thoughts On This Value Portfolio Update

It has only been one single month since the inception of my portfolio. That, of course, doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things. But I can use the Value Portfolio Update post to share some of my thoughts on the portfolio itself.

In this update, I’ve provided many details on MercadoLibre as the first company in the portfolio. In the next few updates, I will do the same for every other company contained. So stay tuned for more updates on this portfolio.

MercadoLibre is a stellar company with multiple growth opportunities. However, it is not without competition in the market. No other than Amazon itself is competing with MercadoLibre in the region. The economic uncertainty of the market in Latin America is something that has kept competitors at bay for the most part, but this competition is something to watch. I think MercadoLibre is a brilliant, well-run company with a lot of growth ahead of it.

Do you have any questions about the portfolio, MercadoLibre, or any other company? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Disclaimer: The information in this blog post should not be considered investment advice or a replacement thereof. They are solely provided for informational purposes. Please consult with a financial advisor for any specific questions on your financial situation. Remember that past performance is not a good indicator of future returns. Also, none of the mentioned stocks are to be understood as recommendations. Don’t buy yourself something solely based on what you read here.