DENVER, Feb. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SHF Holdings, Inc., d/b/a Safe Harbor Financial ("Safe Harbor" or "the Company") (NASDAQ: SHFS), a leading fintech platform serving the banking, lending, and financial services requirements of the regulated cannabis and hemp industries, today announced a transformational amendment to its Commercial Alliance Agreement with Partner Colorado Credit Union ("PCCU") that fundamentally improves the Company’s economics and positions it for accelerated, profitable growth. Th ...

New partnerships with Lüt and GreenCard expand access to reliable, compliant payment options, strengthening flexibility, redundancy, and business continuity for operators.DENVER, Jan. 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SHF Holdings, Inc., d/b/a Safe Harbor (the “Company” or “Safe Harbor”) (NASDAQ: SHFS), a leading fintech platform serving the banking, lending, and financial services needs of the regulated cannabis and hemp industries, announced a strategic expansion of its payments solutions portfolio through par ...

Core Insights - Safe Harbor Holdings, Inc. is expanding its service offerings to include cannabis-specific insurance solutions through partnerships with Frontier Risk and AlphaRoot, enhancing its financial services platform for the cannabis industry [1][2][3] Group 1: New Service Offerings - The introduction of tailored insurance products, including property, workers compensation, general liability, and product liability, aims to support compliant cannabis businesses [2] - This expansion represents a new revenue stream for Safe Harbor while improving client retention by providing a more comprehensive suite of services [2][3] Group 2: Strategic Partnerships - The partnerships with Frontier Risk and AlphaRoot are designed to strengthen Safe Harbor's ability to deliver industry-specific solutions that align with regulatory expectations [3][4] - These collaborations are part of Safe Harbor's strategy to create an end-to-end financial services platform that facilitates banking, borrowing, and operational growth for cannabis clients [3] Group 3: Company Background - Safe Harbor is a fintech leader focused on providing banking, lending, and financial services tailored to the cannabis and hemp industries, having facilitated over $26 billion in cannabis-related transactions across 41 states [5] - The company aims to build a scalable, fintech-driven ecosystem specifically designed for the cannabis industry, moving beyond traditional banking services [4][5]

Core Insights - Safe Harbor has appointed two key executives, Stephen La Rosa and Cassandra Douglass, to enhance its capabilities in serving regulated cannabis businesses throughout their financial lifecycle [1][2][3] Leadership Appointments - Stephen La Rosa joins as Senior Vice President of Lending Strategy and Partner Development, focusing on expanding the company's lending platform to meet evolving capital needs [2][3] - Cassandra Douglass takes on the role of Senior Manager Client Experience and Onboarding, bringing a decade of cannabis banking leadership to improve onboarding and compliance processes [3][4] Strategic Goals - The company aims to redefine capital access for cannabis operators by expanding beyond traditional banking channels, utilizing private equity and institutional partners [3] - Safe Harbor is committed to scaling client experience and capital solutions with precision and care, aligning its growth with the success of its clients [2] Company Background - Safe Harbor has facilitated over $26 billion in cannabis-related transactions across 41 states and territories, positioning itself as a leader in compliant cannabis banking [5] - The company operates as a fintech platform, providing tailored banking, lending, and financial services specifically for the cannabis industry [5]

Core Insights - Safe Harbor Financial has strategically hired the founders of 420 IT Solutions to enhance its consulting and managed services division, aiming to leverage their expertise and existing client contracts [1][2][4] Group 1: Strategic Expansion - The acquisition of 420 IT Solutions adds an established operating business with proven leadership and immediate revenue, enhancing Safe Harbor's financial platform [2][4] - The transaction includes the acquisition of operating assets, client contracts, and proprietary advisory frameworks, with performance-based consideration tied to revenue milestones of $5 million in 2026 or $6 million in 2027 [3][4] Group 2: Leadership and Expertise - Frank A. Salluce and David Smokler, co-founders of 420 IT Solutions, bring over 60 years of combined experience in audit, advisory, and compliance consulting from leading firms like PwC and EY, which will strengthen Safe Harbor's operational capabilities [4][5] - Their integration into Safe Harbor is expected to deepen existing client relationships and introduce new financial institutions, supporting a more diversified financial services model [5] Group 3: Industry Positioning - Safe Harbor is positioned as a cannabis-exclusive financial platform, having facilitated over $26 billion in cannabis-related transactions across 41 states, providing tailored banking and financial services to the cannabis industry [6]

Core Insights - The federal rescheduling of cannabis is a significant policy shift that is expected to enhance the financial strength of cannabis operators and increase participation from financial institutions, leading to more stable deposits and a larger market for Safe Harbor's services [1][2][3] Industry Implications - The reclassification of cannabis is anticipated to reduce industry attrition and improve operator economics, which will strengthen balance sheets and lower loan default risks, thereby supporting Safe Harbor's lending strategy [5][9] - The elimination of Section 280E is projected to materially enhance operator cash flow and profitability, further driving stronger banking fundamentals [5] Regulatory Environment - Despite the positive implications of rescheduling, the cannabis industry still faces complex regulatory challenges that require specialized compliance infrastructure, which Safe Harbor provides through its fully managed platform [6][7] - The need for clear and durable banking protections remains critical, and substantive reform is necessary beyond mere rescheduling, with the SAFER Banking Act being a key legislative focus [4] Company Strategy - Safe Harbor's fully managed banking platform is designed to support compliant growth and is positioned to capitalize on the increasing interest from financial institutions in the cannabis sector [8][9] - The company aims to grow core deposits, deepen platform engagement, and support scalable, compliant expansion as the regulatory landscape evolves [9][10] Market Position - Safe Harbor has facilitated over $26 billion in cannabis-related transactions across 41 states, establishing itself as a pioneer in compliant cannabis banking in the U.S. [12]

Core Viewpoint - The potential federal rescheduling of cannabis to Schedule III and the passage of the SAFER Banking Act are expected to positively impact Safe Harbor Financial's business and its clients [2]. Company Overview - Safe Harbor Financial is a fintech leader providing financial services and credit facilities specifically to the regulated cannabis industry, having facilitated over $26 billion in cannabis-related transactions across 41 states and territories [3]. - The company operates a proprietary Cannabis Banking Solutions™ Platform and partners with regulated financial institutions to support cannabis operators in managing their financial operations [3]. Impact of Rescheduling and SAFER Banking Act - Rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III is anticipated to benefit Safe Harbor by allowing financial institutions to service the cannabis industry more effectively, thus increasing the income based on managed assets [2][5]. - The SAFER Banking Act could expand the total addressable market for Safe Harbor, encouraging over 4,700 state-chartered banks and credit unions to reconsider banking cannabis-related businesses [5]. - Under Schedule III, the 280E taxes currently paid by Safe Harbor's clients would be replaced by a normal tax regime, potentially improving clients' retained cash flows [5]. Financial Implications - The rescheduling and potential legislation could enhance Safe Harbor's investment income and loan capacity, driven by increased client balances from cannabis-related businesses [5]. - Interest expenses for cannabis-related businesses would become tax-deductible, reducing their after-tax cost of debt and enabling them to borrow more from lenders like Safe Harbor [5].

Core Insights - The potential federal rescheduling of cannabis to Schedule III and the encouragement for the passage of the SAFER Banking Act are expected to positively impact Safe Harbor Financial's business and its clients [2][5] Company Overview - Safe Harbor Financial is a fintech leader providing financial services and credit facilities specifically to the regulated cannabis industry, having facilitated over $26 billion in cannabis-related transactions across 41 states and territories [3] - The company operates a proprietary Cannabis Banking Solutions™ Platform and partners with regulated financial institutions to support cannabis operators in managing their financial operations [3] Market Impact - Rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III could replace the 280E taxes currently paid by cannabis-related businesses (CRBs) with a normal tax regime, potentially improving clients' cash flows [5] - The SAFER Banking Act could encourage over 4,700 state-chartered banks and credit unions to reconsider banking CRBs, thereby expanding Safe Harbor's total addressable market [5] - Enhanced compliance services provided by Safe Harbor are essential for CRBs, even if the SAFER Banking Act is passed, as these businesses require specialized expertise and infrastructure [5]

Core Insights - Safe Harbor Financial has secured a significant banking relationship with Canopy HR, a major payroll-service provider in the cannabis sector, which is expected to enhance deposits, payment activity, and long-term revenue growth for the company [1][3]. Group 1: New Solutions and Features - Safe Harbor is launching a new cashflow solution called Payroll Boost, allowing cannabis operators to retain payroll-related funds in their accounts for up to two additional days each payroll cycle, thereby improving liquidity without altering existing payroll workflows [2][4]. - The Payroll Boost solution is designed to address cashflow pressures faced by cannabis businesses, leveraging Safe Harbor's expertise in the sector [2][5]. Group 2: Growth Opportunities - The partnership with Canopy HR will facilitate the introduction of Payroll Boost to both new and existing clients, creating two main growth avenues: conversions from existing Canopy HR clients and direct marketing to cannabis operators seeking better liquidity [3][4]. - Each conversion from Canopy HR clients to Safe Harbor is expected to establish new banking relationships, increase deposit balances, and enhance the adoption of Safe Harbor's lending and financial services [3][4]. Group 3: Competitive Positioning - The Payroll Boost solution strengthens Safe Harbor's competitive position in the cannabis financial services market, expanding long-term revenue opportunities and advancing the company's goal of becoming the most comprehensive financial platform for the cannabis industry [5][6]. - Safe Harbor has facilitated over $25 billion in cannabis-related transactions across 41 states, showcasing its established presence and expertise in the cannabis banking sector [7].

Core Insights - Safe Harbor has launched the cannabis industry's first comprehensive financial solutions platform aimed at improving access to capital, operational efficiency, and long-term stability for cannabis operators [1][2] Group 1: Financial Solutions Overview - The platform integrates banking, borrowing, operational support, and growth services tailored for the cannabis industry [1][2] - Safe Harbor continues to provide compliant financial access, including secure accounts, digital tools, payment support, and detailed reporting for audit and regulatory needs [3] - The lending program has been expanded to offer more flexible options for established cannabis operators, facilitating greater capital flow into the sector [4] Group 2: Operational and Advisory Services - Safe Harbor now provides operational support services such as bookkeeping, payroll, cash management, and HR, among others [5] - The platform includes strategic finance and advisory services, including fractional CFO support, budgeting, valuations, and M&A support [5][6] - These solutions allow cannabis businesses to strengthen their finance teams or utilize a fully outsourced financial solution for better clarity and control [6] Group 3: Company Evolution and Market Position - Under CEO Terry Mendez, Safe Harbor has transformed from a single-service provider to a multi-service financial platform, aiming to become the "SoFi of cannabis" [7] - The company has achieved significant milestones in 2025, including the launch of the first Fully Managed Cannabis Banking Program for financial institutions [7] - Safe Harbor has facilitated over $26 billion in cannabis-related transactions across 41 states and territories, reinforcing its position as a leading financial partner in the cannabis industry [10]