Finance, Banking & Insurance

Los Angeles – – September 28, 2026 -- An independent fairness assessment by FairPlay found no statistically significant disparities between protected class and non-protected class consumers evaluated using Prism Data's CashScore, a cash flow underwriting score built on real-time deposit transaction data.

CashScore shows no proxy risk for protected status

FairPlay's data study tested whether CashScore correlates with protected status in ways that could function as a proxy for discrimination. The assessment found no such correlation.

Underwriting outcomes match across consumer groups on a risk-adjusted basis

Protected class and non-protected class consumers evaluated using CashScore showed no statistically significant differences in underwriting outcomes once adjusted for risk. Protected class consumers were also equally likely as non-protected class consumers to have sufficient transaction data to generate a CashScore.

New York – – September 28, 2026 -- Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC has increased monthly distributions across four exchange-traded funds, with its newest fund, the Nasdaq Option Income ETF (QVOL), raising its payout by $0.05 to $1.09 per share.

QVOL lifts monthly distribution to $1.09 per share, an annualized $13.08

The increase moves QVOL's per-share payout from $1.04 to $1.09, translating to $13.08 on an annualized basis. The fund targets an annualized distribution rate of between 12% and 15%, generated through call-option premiums and dividends from its equity holdings tied to the Nasdaq. Infrastructure Capital cautioned that the target range does not equate to a guaranteed yield or total return, and that distributions may include a portion classified as return of capital.

Dubai – September 28, 2026 -- Aurra Markets was named 'Best Emerging Broker' at Forex Expo Dubai 2026, capping a two-day exhibition at the Dubai World Trade Centre held September 22-23.

Broker Cites Sub-12ms Execution and Zero-Pip Spreads as Award Basis

The company attributes the recognition to its trading infrastructure, which includes sub-12ms execution speeds, raw spreads starting from 0.0 pips, and fully segregated client funds. A company spokesperson said the award reflects the firm's mission to combine Tier-1 liquidity with technical stability for a multi-asset trading ecosystem.

Diamond Sponsor Booth 21 Draws Investors and Media Buyers

Aurra Markets held Diamond Sponsor status at Booth 21, which the company positioned as a focal point for investors, media buyers, and financial professionals evaluating trading technology throughout the expo.

Irvine, Calif. – September 26, 2026 -- Sunwest Bank has acquired Nano Banc of Irvine, California, in an FDIC-assisted transaction that transfers approximately $605 million in deposits and $227 million in loans to the Sandy, Utah-based lender.

Regulators shut Nano Banc on September 25 before handing control to Sunwest

California's Department of Financial Protection and Innovation closed Nano Banc on Friday, September 25, placing it into FDIC receivership. The FDIC then entered an agreement with Sunwest Bank to acquire substantially all of Nano Banc's deposits and a portion of its assets, including the $605 million deposit book and $227 million loan portfolio.

Southlake, Texas – September 26, 2026 -- Sabre Corporation (Nasdaq: SABR) disclosed that its indirect subsidiary, Sabre Financial Borrower, LLC, has secured tenders exceeding 90% of the aggregate principal amount outstanding on its targeted securities as of the September 26, 2026 early tender deadline, clearing the threshold required to force redemption of the remaining debt.

Over 90% acceptance triggers mandatory redemption of holdout bonds

Because more than 90% of the outstanding principal was validly tendered under the terms of the Indenture, Sabre Financial intends to issue a notice of redemption covering any securities that remain outstanding after the early settlement. The redemption price will match the Total Consideration offered in the tender, plus accrued and unpaid interest, with the redemption date expected on September 26, 2026.

Philadelphia – September 26, 2026 -- The abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund (NYSE: ASGI) will pay its next shareholder distribution on September 26, 2026, to investors of record as of September 26, 2026, with the ex-dividend date also set for September 26, 2026.

Fund confirms managed distribution policy tied to SEC exemptive order

ASGI operates under a distribution policy designed to deliver stable payouts sourced from current income, supplemented as needed by realized capital gains and return of capital, under an exemptive order granted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The structure allows the closed-end fund to distribute long-term capital gains more frequently than standard limits set under Section 19(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Rule 19b-1.

Cary, N.C. – September 26, 2026 -- Small financial institutions rank ahead of similarly sized insurers, government bodies, health care providers and life sciences firms on AI adoption, with 64% of small banks and credit unions using AI in IT operations, according to a new SAS and IDC study.

The report, "AI for SMBs: Closing the Readiness-Reality Gap," surveyed 1,600 small and midsized business leaders across 28 countries in five regions. SMBs were defined as organizations with 100 to 999 employees in the U.S. and 100 to 499 employees elsewhere.

AI adoption in small banks concentrates heavily in IT functions

Among small financial institutions, 64% report AI use in IT, compared with 47% in finance and risk, 44% in marketing, 42% in customer service and 39% in product development.

Hong Kong – September 26, 2026 -- Trading Technologies International, Inc. (TT) was named Multi-Asset Trading System of the Year at the FOW Asia Pacific Awards 2026, marking the platform's fourth consecutive year of recognition in the region and its first win in the multi-asset category.

TT platform processed more than 3 billion derivatives transactions in 2025

The award, presented at a ceremony in Hong Kong, was decided by a panel of independent industry experts assessing performance and innovation across Asia's derivatives sector. TT's platform remains the most widely used globally for futures and options on futures while expanding into fixed income, foreign exchange and cryptocurrency trading.

San Antonio – September 25, 2026 -- Alta Home Lending has been selected by DRB Group, one of the nation's largest homebuilders, as its mortgage joint venture partner for the West, following a competitive search and extensive due diligence. The new venture, DRB Home Loans, will serve DRB homebuyers in Texas, Colorado and Arizona. DRB Group announced the partnership on September 23, 2026.

DRB Group ran Alta through builder-community reference checks before committing

Matt Wolf, VP of Financial Services at DRB Group, said the company vetted Alta through a rigorous process, including calls to references across the builder community. He said Alta's performance history held up and that the firm structured the venture around how DRB actually runs its business rather than applying a standard model.

Hong Kong – September 25, 2026 -- Eventus won Market Surveillance Solution of the Year for its Validus platform at the FOW Asia Pacific Awards in Hong Kong, marking one of 17 honors the firm has collected in the APAC region alone.

Validus platform secures back-to-back industry recognition across markets

The APAC win follows Eventus' fourth consecutive win in the same category at the FOW International Awards earlier this year. It also comes after the firm was named Best Trade Surveillance Solution in the July 2026 Capital Markets Technology Awards APAC and Trade Surveillance Product of the Year in the global Risk Technology Awards.