MIAMI, FL / ACCESS Newswire / December 18, 2025 / Luminar Media Group, Inc. (OTCID:LRGR) ("Luminar" or the "Company"), a diversified financial technology holding company focused on revenue-based financing through its Fortun platform, today announced that it has reached a comprehensive settlement with holders of its outstanding legacy convertible notes originating from the Luminar acquisition. The legacy notes carried an aggregate principal balance of $391,590.85, which under their original terms were conver ...

Core Insights - Gen Z consumers are facing an affordability crisis, leading to record-high credit card balances [1][2] - Despite a strong job market, Gen Z's credit scores are at an all-time low, with credit card balances increasing by 36-37% [2] - Inflation continues to impact purchasing power, with Gen Z earning less than previous generations when adjusted for inflation [2][3] Economic Context - Headline inflation rose to 3% in September, exceeding the Federal Reserve's target of 2% [3] - A significant portion of Gen Z earns less than $50,000, which is below the median household income in 91% of surveyed cities [3] - Millennials and Gen Z collectively hold only 10.7% of America's wealth, indicating a disparity in wealth distribution [4] K-Shaped Economy - The economy is exhibiting a K-shaped recovery, where wealthier individuals are benefiting from asset ownership while lower-income earners face rising costs [5] - Essential costs, such as groceries and energy, are increasing, further straining the financial situation of Gen Z and other low-income groups [5][6] - Consumers across all demographics are becoming more cautious about their spending habits due to rising prices [6]

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 Viewpoint - Fiserv, Inc. (NASDAQ:FISV) is considered one of the best FinTech stocks to buy in 2026, with a Hold consensus rating and an average 12-month price target of $121, indicating a potential upside of approximately 76% from recent trading levels [1]. Group 1: Market Outlook - The outlook for Fiserv is mixed, with analyst targets ranging from the low $60s to the $250s, reflecting varying levels of confidence regarding the company's near-term execution and long-term potential [1]. - Investor focus heading into 2026 is likely to center on Fiserv's ability to maintain operational execution while managing legal and reputational risks in a competitive payments landscape [3]. Group 2: Legal Challenges - Fiserv is currently facing legal scrutiny related to its technology and security practices, with a lawsuit filed by Self-Help Credit Union alleging misrepresentation of security protocols, including two-factor authentication [2]. - The lawsuit is in its early stages, and the outcome remains uncertain, which could impact the company's reputation and operational stability [2]. Group 3: Company Overview - Fiserv, Inc. is a global payments and financial technology company that offers a wide range of solutions, including account processing, digital banking, card issuer processing, network services, payments, e-commerce, merchant acquiring, and the Clover point-of-sale platform [3].

Core Insights - Fiserv has completed the acquisition of StoneCastle Cash Management, integrating its institutional deposit network into the Fiserv ecosystem [1][2] - This acquisition enhances Fiserv's ability to provide insured deposit funding solutions and expands its ecosystem capabilities, which include core account processing, digital banking, and payments platforms [2] Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition allows Fiserv to offer a stable deposit source for banks and a high-yielding alternative for merchant clients, enhancing cash management [3] - StoneCastle's liquidity benefits will support Fiserv's FIUSD stablecoin solution, aiming to unlock new revenue opportunities and deepen client relationships [4][5] Group 2: Strategic Implications - The integration of StoneCastle is expected to accelerate innovation and expand Fiserv's reach to financial institutions and depositors [6] - Fiserv's recent acquisitions, including CardFree and the remaining stake in AIB Merchant Services, indicate a strategic focus on enhancing its merchant services and payment solutions across Europe [6][7]

Company Overview - Launchpad Cadenza Acquisition Corp I is a blank check company formed to effect a merger, amalgamation, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization, or similar business combination with one or more businesses [2] - The primary focus of the company will be on technology and software infrastructure companies operating within the blockchain, financial technology, and digital assets ecosystems [2] Initial Public Offering (IPO) Details - The company announced the pricing of its initial public offering of 20,000,000 units at a price of $10.00 per unit, with trading expected to begin on December 18, 2025, under the ticker symbol "LPCVU" [1] - Each unit consists of one Class A ordinary share and one-third of one redeemable warrant, with the whole warrant allowing the holder to purchase one Class A ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share [1] - An amount equal to $10.00 per unit will be deposited into a trust account upon the closing of the offering, which is expected to close on December 19, 2025 [1] - The underwriters have been granted a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 3,000,000 units at the initial public offering price to cover over-allotments [1] Management Team - The management team is led by Max Shapiro (CEO), Jurgen van de Vyver (CFO), and Kumar Dandapani (Chairman of the Board), with additional board members Sean O'Malley and Jonathan Bier [3]

Chime will match the US government’s contributions to investment accounts for children of the financial-technology company’s eligible employees https://t.co/RejphBBoDP ...

MILWAUKEE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fiserv, Inc. (NASDAQ: FISV), a global leader in payments and financial technology, has completed its acquisition of StoneCastle Cash Management, expanding its ability to deliver innovative insured deposit funding solutions. By integrating StoneCastle's institutional deposit network with the Fiserv ecosystem, including core account processing, digital banking, and payments platforms, Fiserv is creating a differentiated offering that helps financial institutions optimi. ...

Board Appoints Independent Director Carl A. Guarino as Chairman as Part of Planned Transition ® OAKS, Pa., Dec. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SEI (NASDAQ: SEIC) today celebrates the extraordinary career of Alfred P. West, Jr., the company's founder and Executive Chairman of the Board, who resigned from his role as a director and board chair as part of a planned transition effective Jan. 1, 2026. The Board has appointed Carl A. Guarino, an independent director of SEI's Board, as Chairman effective Jan. 1, 2026. W ...

Securitize will offer what it calls the first fully compliant onchain trading platform for real public stocks in early 2026, blurring the lines between traditional markets and Web3 infrastructure. The company’s system allows investors to directly own tokenized shares of public companies, issued and recorded onchain, and tradable through a blockchain-based interface, according to an announcement on Tuesday. Unlike synthetic token models that track stock prices via offshore entities or derivatives, Securi ...