The appointment strengthens platform-wide communications as Stewards advances in private credit, real assets and digital financeFORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Dec. 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stewards Inc. (OTC: SWRD), a diversified financial company operating across private credit, real assets and digital finance, today announced the appointment of Scott McGowan as chief marketing officer. In this role, McGowan will lead the company’s integrated marketing and communications strategy, overseeing corporate messagin ...

Core Viewpoint - Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan is holding his first investor day since 2011, highlighting a long-standing communication gap with investors [1][4][10] Company Performance - Bank of America (BofA) is the second-largest bank in the U.S. by assets, trailing JPMorgan Chase, but consistently lags in stock performance and major banking assignments [4][9] - The bank's cautious approach has led to missed opportunities in trading volatility, resulting in underperformance compared to peers like JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs [6][11] Leadership and Strategy - Moynihan, who has been CEO since 2010, has faced criticism for his risk-averse management style, which has not evolved significantly since the 2008 financial crisis [5][6] - Recently, Moynihan laid out a succession plan and has become more visible, responding to shareholder demands for a clearer strategy to enhance stock performance [2][10] - The new strategy, termed "responsible growth," emphasizes avoiding balance sheet risk, which has led to consistent growth in sales and trading but has also resulted in financial losses due to misreading interest rates in 2021 [11][12] Board Dynamics - BofA's board is perceived as overly supportive of Moynihan, which has delayed the establishment of a succession timetable until recently [8][10] - There are indications that the board may have influenced Moynihan to hold the investor day and announce succession plans, although a spokesperson denied this claim [8][13] Future Outlook - The investor day will feature multiple executives, including potential successors, indicating a shift towards a more proactive leadership approach [18][19] - Analysts are beginning to show optimism about BofA's future growth plans, with as many as 25 analysts currently recommending a buy on BofA stock [8][10]

Core Viewpoint - Bank of America is focusing on "responsible growth" and aims to improve its performance metrics, particularly in net interest income and return on tangible common equity, despite facing challenges compared to its peers [6][7][8]. Group 1: Financial Performance - Net interest income is projected to increase by 6% to 7% by the end of 2025, which is higher than the 3% expected at JPMorgan Chase [3]. - The bank's stock has returned over 40% since the Federal Reserve began raising interest rates in March 2022, but its main competitors have achieved annual returns exceeding 19% during the same period [13]. - Non-interest income at Bank of America has risen by 7.8%, while its largest rival has seen an 85.6% increase in the same timeframe [11]. Group 2: Strategic Shifts - The bank has shifted its focus from consumer credit cards and home-equity loans to commercial lending, with a significant increase in its commercial loan book, which has more than doubled since 2009 [15]. - Bank of America has reduced its credit-card loans from $161 billion in 2009 to $100 billion, with only 12% of that debt linked to borrowers with FICO scores of 660 or lower [16]. - The bank's investment decisions made in 2021, which involved long-dated Treasuries and mortgage bonds at low interest rates, are still impacting its performance negatively [4]. Group 3: Management and Future Outlook - CEO Brian Moynihan is under pressure to demonstrate growth and has called an investor day for the first time in nearly 15 years to address shareholder concerns [5][6]. - Analysts are looking for ambitious new targets for key metrics, particularly return on tangible common equity, which may be set in the high-teens percentage range [8]. - Executives are emphasizing the importance of managing expenses, which have increased by 4.5% in the first nine months of the year, compared to a 7% rise in revenue [10].

Core Viewpoint - FAVO Capital Inc. is transitioning to operate under the name Stewards Inc., reflecting its evolution into a multi-segment financial platform [1][2]. Company Overview - Stewards Inc. (formerly FAVO Capital Inc.) is a diversified financial company focused on private credit and real asset investments, aiming for responsible growth through disciplined underwriting and technology-driven analytics [5][6]. - The company provides scalable revenue-based financing and structured credit solutions to small and mid-sized businesses in the U.S. and is building a portfolio of income-producing real estate assets [5][8]. Brand Transition - The name change to Stewards Inc. aligns the company's business units, governance framework, and investor communications under a unified global brand, without merging with another entity [2][4]. - The effective date for the name and ticker symbol change is expected to be November 10, 2025, pending FINRA's confirmation [3][4]. Leadership Support - The transition has the full support of the company's leadership, emphasizing the significance of the Stewards name, which embodies values of stewardship, integrity, and discipline [3][4]. Operational Focus - Stewards Inc. will continue to expand its platform across three pillars: private credit, real assets, and digital infrastructure, enhancing operational efficiency and transparency [8].

Core Insights - Pineapple Financial reported reduced losses and improved cash flow for Q3 Fiscal 2025, indicating sustainable growth in a shifting market [1][2] - The company emphasized fiscal discipline, innovation, and responsible growth amidst market uncertainties [2] Financial Performance - Gross Billings reached $14.23 million, a 15.23% increase from $12.35 million in the same period last year [7] - Revenue rose 11.78% to $2.26 million, compared to $1.97 million in 2024 [7] - Operating Expenses declined 3.48% to $4.25 million, down from $4.42 million last year [7] - Operating Loss narrowed by 16.76% to $1.99 million, compared to $2.45 million in the prior year [7] - Net Cash Used in Operations improved significantly to $439,198, from $1.44 million in the same period last year [7] - Cash on Hand stood at $1.13 million as of May 31, 2025, compared to $580,356 at August 31, 2024 [7] Strategic Developments - On June 26, 2025, the Board approved a 1-for-20 reverse stock split to support NYSE American relisting requirements [8] - The company maintains access to a $15 million Equity Line of Credit, supporting future liquidity needs [8] - Pineapple enhanced its proprietary PineappleONE platform, now powering over 700 brokers across Canada [9] Market Context - The Canadian mortgage market remains resilient, with over $2 trillion in outstanding residential mortgage credit as of Q2 2025 [11] - Over $400 billion in Canadian mortgages are set to renew by 2026, creating significant opportunities for tech-enabled providers [10]