New leadership appointments enhance Safe Harbor’s ability to serve regulated cannabis businesses across the full financial lifecycleDENVER, Dec. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SHF Holdings, Inc., d/b/a Safe Harbor (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: SHFS), a fintech leader in providing banking, lending and financial services to the regulated cannabis and hemp industries, announced the addition of two key executives to its leadership team. Stephen La Rosa joins Safe Harbor as Senior Vice President, Lending Strategy and P ...

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]

Improved operator economics and expanding institutional interest position Safe Harbor for scalable, compliant growthDENVER, Dec. 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SHF Holdings, Inc., d/b/a Safe Harbor Financial (NASDAQ: SHFS) (“Safe Harbor” or the “Company”), a provider of banking, lending, and financial services to the legal cannabis industry, announced that the federal rescheduling of cannabis represents a meaningful policy shift with long-term implications for the Company’s platform. The reclassification is e ...

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, a fintech platform for the cannabis industry, is set to present at the Trickle Research Microcap Conference on November 13, 2025, highlighting its achievements and growth strategy under CEO Terry Mendez [1][2][3] Company Achievements - Safe Harbor has resolved near-term liquidity issues by completing a $24 million recapitalization, which eliminated $19 million in debt [6] - As of September 30, 2025, the company reported $6.8 million in cash, sufficient to fund operations for the next 12 months [6] - The average monthly deposit balances increased to $108 million, reflecting a 6% quarter-over-quarter growth and a 3% year-over-year decline [6] - The number of average active accounts rose by 2% quarter-over-quarter and 4% year-over-year, reaching 774 accounts [6] - Safe Harbor generated a net income of $179,508, or $0.06 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2025 [6] Strategic Direction - CEO Terry Mendez will discuss Safe Harbor's new growth strategy and the impact of regulatory changes on the cannabis financial services landscape [3][4] - The company aims to scale its platform and expand services to deliver long-term value across the cannabis finance ecosystem [4]

Core Viewpoint - Safe Harbor Financial has successfully regained compliance with Nasdaq listing requirements and has executed a recapitalization strategy that significantly improves its financial position and operational flexibility [1][2][3][6]. Financial Position - The company raised $6.8 million in new capital and eliminated $18.8 million of debt, resulting in a nearly debt-free status [2][6]. - A $150 million equity line of credit (ELOC) has been established, with potential expansion up to $500 million, aimed at funding lending to cannabis-related businesses (CRBs) and expanding its fintech platform [1][5]. Strategic Initiatives - The appointment of Terry Mendez as CEO in February 2025 has led to a focused strategy on regaining Nasdaq compliance, addressing liquidity challenges, and positioning for long-term success [3][6]. - The company has eliminated over $3 million in annualized costs and restructured its Board of Directors and Executive Management to align with a new strategic vision [3][6]. Operational Flexibility - The recapitalization provides substantial operational flexibility, allowing the company to pursue growth opportunities in cannabis banking and lending markets without immediate capital pressure [7]. - The ELOC will enable the company to make accretive deployments that are expected to generate returns exceeding the cost of capital, further strengthening its capital structure [5][7]. Industry Context - Safe Harbor is a leader in providing financial services tailored to the cannabis industry, having facilitated over $26 billion in cannabis-related transactions across 41 states and territories [8].

Core Insights - Safe Harbor Financial, a fintech leader in the cannabis and hemp industries, is participating in the IgniteIt Cannabis Capital and Policy Summit 2025, highlighting the potential impact of federal reforms on capital movement and M&A in the cannabis sector [1][2]. Company Overview - Safe Harbor is a cannabis-exclusive financial platform that has facilitated over $26 billion in cannabis-related transactions across 41 states and territories [3]. - The company offers tailored banking, lending, payments, and business services specifically designed for the cannabis industry, emphasizing compliance and support for operators [3]. Industry Context - The panel discussion at the summit will focus on how federal reforms, such as rescheduling and expanded banking access, could reshape the fragmented cannabis marketplace and unlock capital for consolidation [2]. - The event will gather key stakeholders, including government officials and industry leaders, to discuss the intersection of federal regulation and access to capital in the evolving legal landscape of cannabis [2].