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[1/2] 3D printed clouds and figurines are seen in front of the Oracle cloud service logo in this illustration taken February 8, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTORONTO, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Oracle (ORCL.N) is ready to cater to Canadian banks for their open banking needs and provide tools as needed when the country make its available, a financial services executive with the cloud computing giant said. "We are open banking ready," Sonny Singh, executive vice president of Oracle Financial Services said in an interview. Oracle's suite of financial products - used in 140 countries, billing and managing $500 billion in revenue - includes purpose-built products for financial services from financial crime, compliance applications and risk management. Oracle already counts some Canadian banks as clients for one or many of its services, that includes cloud to enterprise applications.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Sonny Singh, Singh, Nivedita Balu, Marguerita Choy Organizations: Oracle, REUTERS, Rights, Oracle Financial Services, SIBOS, Amazon Web Services, Google, Thomson Locations: Canada, Toronto, Australia, Britain

[1/2] 3D printed clouds and figurines are seen in front of the Oracle cloud service logo in this illustration taken February 8, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Oracle Corp FollowTORONTO, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Oracle (ORCL.N) is ready to cater to Canadian banks for their open banking needs and provide tools as needed when the country make its available, a financial services executive with the cloud computing giant said. "We are open banking ready," Sonny Singh, executive vice president of Oracle Financial Services said in an interview. Oracle's suite of financial products - used in 140 countries, billing and managing $500 billion in revenue - includes purpose-built products for financial services from financial crime, compliance applications and risk management. Oracle already counts some Canadian banks as clients for one or many of its services, that includes cloud to enterprise applications.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Sonny Singh, Singh, Nivedita Balu, Marguerita Choy Organizations: Oracle, REUTERS, Oracle Corp, Oracle Financial Services, SIBOS, Thomson Locations: Canada, Toronto, Australia, Britain

REUTERS/Chris Wattie/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTORONTO, Sept 17 (Reuters) - Bank of Montreal (BMO) (BMO.TO) is winding down its indirect retail auto finance business and shifting focus to other areas in a move that will result in an unspecified number of job losses, Canada's third-largest bank said. The bank, which announced the move on Saturday, has conducted this business in Canada and the United States. Under the indirect retail auto finance business, the bank works with car dealerships to arrange financing for buyers, who make monthly payments to the lender. "By winding down the indirect retail auto finance business, we have the ability to focus our resources on areas where we believe our competitive positioning is strongest," BMO said in a statement to Reuters. The remaining loans in this portfolio are primarily auto loans, but also include other loans, including loans for boats, recreational vehicles and motorcycles, Edward Jones analyst James Shanahan said.

Persons: Chris Wattie, Paul Hunsley, Edward Jones, James Shanahan, Nivedita Balu, Denny Thomas, Jane Merriman, Susan Fenton, Will Dunham, Diane Craft Organizations: of Montreal, BMO, REUTERS, Rights, Bank of Montreal, Reuters, The, Bank, Thomson Locations: Ottawa , Ontario, Canada, United States, California, Toronto

A Bank of Montreal (BMO) logo is seen outside of a branch in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, February 14, 2019. REUTERS/Chris Wattie/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTORONTO, Sept 17 (Reuters) - Bank of Montreal (BMO) (BMO.TO) is winding down its retail auto finance business and shifting focus to other areas in a move that will result in an unspecified number of job losses, Canada's third largest bank said on Saturday. "By winding down the indirect retail auto finance business, we have the ability to focus our resources on areas where we believe our competitive positioning is strongest," BMO said in a statement to Reuters. Under the indirect retail auto finance business, the bank provides financing to the vehicle seller instead of directly to the buyer, who makes monthly payments to the lender. The United States now accounts for more than two-thirds of BMO's overall profits.

Persons: Chris Wattie, Paul Hunsley, Gross, Nivedita Balu, Denny Thomas, Jane Merriman, Susan Fenton Organizations: of Montreal, BMO, REUTERS, Rights, Bank of Montreal, Reuters, Bank, Thomson Locations: Ottawa , Ontario, Canada, United States, California, Toronto

[1/3] Director Craig Gillespie poses during the gala presentation of "Dumb Money" at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada September 8, 2023. Dumb Money captures the behind-the-scenes of one of the biggest Wall Street stories of COVID that hooked retail investors and created a mutiny by grabbing the attention of professional investors on social media. It chronicles the battle between institutional and retail investors when Reddit-inspired small traders rose up against Wall Street by buying shares of GameStop (GME.N) en masse, creating large losses for short sellers. With the tagline "Dear Wall Street ...," the movie is "very front and center" and is timely in discussing the topic of wealth disparity in America, Gillespie said. Teddy Schwarzman declined to comment on how his familial ties to Wall Street affected the production of "Dumb Money."

Persons: Craig Gillespie, Carlos Osorio, Craig Gillespie's, Gillespie, Paul Dano, Pete Davidson, America Ferrera, Vincent D'Onofrio, Nick Offerman, Shailene Woodley, Seth Rogen, Kenneth Griffin, Steven Cohen, Aaron Ryder, Teddy Schwarzman, Stephen Schwarzman, Jenna Zucker, Nivedita Balu, Sandra Maler Organizations: Toronto, Film, REUTERS, Rights, GameStop, America, Wall, Blackstone Group, Thomson Locations: Toronto , Ontario, Canada, America

Honoree Japanese film director and animator Hayao Miyazaki poses during the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Governors Awards in Los Angeles, California November 8, 2014. "There is nothing concrete on the table yet, but he shows the willingness to create something new," Nishioka said, adding that Miyazaki, is at the studio everyday. In Toronto, film buffs and movie fans lined up for the movie, the first time an animated Japanese film opened the festival. The movie is also inspired by how Miyazaki himself felt after the war and coped with the loss of his mother. "This is a personal film, showing how he (Miyazaki) lived, how he should have lived and throwing out the question to the audience, 'So how do you live?

Persons: Hayao Miyazaki, Kevork, Miyazaki, Nishioka, Toshio Suzuki's, Gabriel Mas, Genzaburo Yoshino, Mahito Maki, Nivedita Balu, Sandra Maler Organizations: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, REUTERS, Rights, Toronto, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles , California, Miyazaki, Japan, Toronto

That has led to a rare situation in Canada where banks are seeing mortgage amortizations getting extended beyond 30 years, sparking calls from regulators to take immediate action to mitigate risks. For the other four banks, mortgages amortizing under 25 years account for a half to nearly three quarters. Scotiabank's Canada head Dan Rees said the bank was now being more "disciplined with regards to customer selection" for new mortgages. Still, the risks remain elevated as consumers are struggling to make monthly payments due to the rising cost of living. TD Bank's Canada personal banking head Michael Rhodes told analysts this week that "a meaningful number of customers" are making the changes.

Persons: Mark Blinch, Hratch Panossian, Dan Rees, Brian Madden, Michael Rhodes, Dave McKay, Nivedita Balu, Denny Thomas, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Canada's, Reuters, CIBC, Bank of Nova, Investment, Thomson Locations: Toronto, Milton , Ontario, Canada, Bank of Nova Scotia

Summary U.S. regulators are ready to review and license the next generation of nuclear reactors while staying committed to safety, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) says. The NRC is under pressure to show it can move fast on a new generation of nuclear technology, including small modular reactors (SMRs) and other previously untested designs, as many in the industry call for deep reforms at the regulator. NuScale’s VOYGR 50-MW SMR power plant became the first SMR design certified by the NRC in January. Earlier this month, the NRC accepted NuScale's uprated VOYGR-6 plant design for a Standard Design Approval (SDA) application. “We are yielding timelier and more cost-effective reviews without compromising on safety,” Taylor says.

Persons: ”, Judi Greenwald, “, Steven Arndt, NRC Robert Taylor, NuScale’s VOYGR, ” Taylor, “ We're, Taylor, Kairos, they're, it's, –, bro, Allison Macfarlane, Macfarlane skewered, ” Macfarlane Organizations: Nuclear Regulatory Commission, NRC, Nuclear Innovation Alliance, Department of Energy, DOE, American Nuclear Society, New Reactors, ” Tech bros, Institute of Art, Thomson Locations: United States

CIBC blamed soft U.S. real estate and construction sectors and high interest rates for its three-fold jump in bad loan provisions to C$736 million ($544 million). "Where we are seeing the issues is in commercial real estate and in particular, in the institutional office space," said Shawn Beber, the bank's head of U.S. operations. And as that transition continues, you'll see (commercial real estate) wind up being a smaller percentage of the overall U.S. portfolio as our commercial and industrial and our wealth businesses continue to grow," Beber told analysts. The U.S. office portfolio represents less than 1% of CIBC's overall loan book and 20% of overall U.S. commercial real estate. "It appears that higher interest rates for longer may be the primary culprit," RBC analyst Darko Mihelic said.

Persons: Carlos Osorio, Shawn Beber, Beber, Brian Madden, Darko Mihelic, Nivedita Balu, Pritam Biswas, David Holmes, Mark Potter Organizations: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, CIBC, REUTERS, Bank, Bank of Montreal, Bank of Nova, National Bank, Royal Bank of Canada, Investment, RBC, Thomson Locations: Toronto , Ontario, Canada, U.S, Bank of Nova Scotia, Canadian, Toronto, Bengaluru

BMO, which bought U.S. regional lender Bank of the West earlier this year, said provision for credit losses rose to C$492 million ($361.42 million), compared with C$136 million a year ago. The bank's earnings were also affected by severance costs of C$162 million and C$83 million in legal provisions at its capital markets unit. At Bank of Montreal, net interest income for the quarter rose to C$4.91 billion, compared with C$4.20 billion last year. At Scotiabank net interest income fell to C$4.58 billion, from $4.68 billion a year ago, largely hurt by lower corporate lending and lower loan fees. At Scotiabank, net income came in at C$2.23 billion, compared with C$2.61 billion.

Persons: Carlos Osorio, Tayfun Tuzun, BMO's, Scott Thomson, Thomson, John Aiken, BMO's Tuzun, Nivedita Balu, Pritam Biswas, Sri Hari, Shweta Agarwal, Bernadette Baum, Mike Harrison, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Bank of Montreal, REUTERS, Bank of Nova, Bank of Canada's, BMO, Bank, Scotiabank, Barclays, Bank of, Analysts, Thomson Locations: Toronto , Ontario, Canada, Bank of Nova Scotia, Toronto, U.S, Mexico, Bank of Montreal, Bengaluru

☆ Your next apartment could be someone's old cubicle as developers rush to convert empty offices
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( Eliza Relman | Juliana Kaplan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

The mayor of New York City aims to turn old office buildings into 20,000 new apartments. The Manhattan-based architect John Cetra, who has worked on office conversions since the 1980s, calls it "the amenity war." His firm, CetraRuddy, recently announced it's leading the conversion of a 30-story office building, formerly home to Goldman Sachs, in Manhattan's financial district. Adams' goal is to create up to 20,000 new homes for 40,000 New Yorkers in converted office buildings over the next decade. AdvertisementAdvertisementNew York City has already had some success in converting office buildings to homes.

Persons: you'll, they've, everyone's, Steven Paynter, we've, John Cetra, it's, Goldman Sachs, Cetra, Eric Adams, Paynter, He's, who's, Adams, We've, Dan Garodnick, Mark Hogan, Hogan, Charles Bloszies, I've, that's, Bloszies, Garodnick, Arpit Gupta Organizations: Service, CetraRuddy, York, US Department of Housing, Urban Development, Yorkers, New York City's Department of City Planning, San Francisco, Supervisors, New York Stock Exchange, NYU Stern School of Business, Research Locations: New York City, Wall, Silicon, York, San Francisco, Manhattan, Toronto, Calgary , Alberta, York City, Francisco, New York

"We are seeing evidence of slowing labor markets as evidenced by slowing wage growth, lower job postings and an increase in Canadian unemployment. The country's second-largest bank Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD.TO), however, missed analysts' estimates for quarterly profit, which was hurt by higher expenses, rainy day funds to cover for unpaid loans and weakness in its U.S. business. RBC reported adjusted earnings of C$2.84 per share, beating analysts' estimates of C$2.71 per share, according to Refinitiv data. The bank's earnings were also impacted by a C$306 million payment related to the termination of its First Horizon acquisition. RBC and TD together account for half of the market share among the big six Canadian banks with a market capitalization of C$168 billion and C$151 billion respectively.

Persons: Dave McKay, McKay, May, John Aiken, Kelvin Tran, TD, Nivedita Balu, Manya Saini, Sri Hari, Pritam Biswas, Shilpi Majumdar, Mark Potter, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Royal Bank of Canada, RBC, Barclays, Dominion Bank, Bank of Canada, Thomson Locations: China, Toronto, Canada, Bengaluru

The country's second-largest bank Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD.TO), however, missed Bay Street estimates for quarterly profit hurt by higher expenses and rainy day funds to cover for unpaid loans. The bank's earnings were also impacted by a C$306 million charge related to the termination of its First Horizon acquisition. "The higher interest rate would put pressure on the consumer. The banks set aside more money for bad loans compared to the prior quarter as consumers struggle to make payments amid high costs of living. RBC set aside C$616 million for credit losses, up from C$340 million a year ago, and TD set aside C$766 million, a jump from C$351 million.

Persons: Mark Blinch, Dave McKay, John Aiken, Kelvin Tran, Nivedita Balu, Sri Hari, Pritam Biswas, Shilpi Majumdar, Mark Potter Organizations: Royal Bank of Canada, REUTERS, RBC, Barclays, Dominion Bank, The Bank of Canada, Thomson Locations: Toronto, Canada, Sri, Bengaluru

As of January 2023, residential mortgage debt stood at C$2.08 trillion ($1.53 trillion), according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). Mortgage rates tend to track moves in the bond market with a lag. At 6.79%, the five-year mortgage rate posted by major Canadian banks has climbed to its highest since November 2008, data from the Bank of Canada shows. When it is time for renewal, options for homeowners hoping to shop for better interest rates might be limited as they would have to re-qualify for the stress test at the latest interest rates with their new lender. "It certainly is going to be problematic for the Canadian economy if rates stay at this level."

Persons: that's, James Laird, Laird, Daniel Foch, Foch, Stephen Brown, Nivedita Balu, Fergal Smith, Denny Thomas, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: TORONTO, Bank of Canada, Canada Mortgage, Housing Corporation, Ratehub.ca, Bank of, Toronto Regional Real Estate Board, Greater Toronto Area, Reuters, North, Capital Economics, Thomson Locations: United States, Toronto, Greater Toronto, Canada, North America

A Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) logo is seen on Bay Street in the heart of the financial district in Toronto, January 22, 2015. The shares of the top five banks - Royal Bank of Canada , TD Bank (TD.TO), Bank of Montreal (BMO.TO), Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS.TO) and CIBC (CM.TO) - have lost between 2% and 8% so far this year. Reuters GraphicsRoyal Bank of Canada and TD Bank will kick off third-quarter results on Thursday. RBC analyst Darko Mihelic forecast a 9% third-quarter revenue decline from a year ago for the capital-market business of the large Canadian banks. Investors will also watch for any updates on Bank of Nova Scotia's (BNS.TO) turnaround plan for its international business.

Persons: Mark Blinch, Mike Rizvanovic, Darko Mihelic, Cowen, RBC's Mihelic, Nivedita Balu, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Royal Bank of Canada, REUTERS, RBC, TD Bank, Bank of Montreal, Bank of Nova, CIBC, National Bank, Toronto Stock, Bank of Canada, Reuters Graphics Royal Bank of Canada, HSBC Canada, Laurentian Bank, Thomson Locations: Toronto, dealmaking, TORONTO, Bank of Nova Scotia

The National Bank of Canada logo is seen outside of a branch in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, February 14, 2019. National Bank said in a statement it will acquire the C$1 billion ($752 million) loan portfolio made up of technology, life science and global fund banking sectors. National Bank already has made a number of bets in the tech space in Canada investing in fintech firms such as KOHO, Synctera and Flinks over the years. Veritas Investment Research analyst Nigel D'Souza said the deal does not restrict National Bank from acquiring Laurentian Bank (LB.TO), but that deal was now less likely. "We continue to view National Bank as the best fit among the Big Six banks for Laurentian," D'Souza said.

Persons: Chris Wattie, Michael Denham, Denham, Tuyen Vo, Nigel D'Souza, D'Souza, Jaiveer Singh, Will Dunham, Krishna Chandra Eluri, Shilpi Majumdar Organizations: National Bank of Canada, REUTERS, National Bank, National Bank's Technology, Innovation Banking, Bank, Veritas Investment Research, Laurentian Bank, Big, Thomson Locations: Ottawa , Ontario, Canada, U.S, Silicon, Bengaluru

Unlike the U.S., where home buyers can snag a 30-year mortgage, Canadian borrowers must renew their mortgages every five years at the prevailing interest rates. MORTGAGE DELINQUENCIES LOWLatest data released during the quarterly earnings showed mortgage delinquencies for all banks were low. Of the big six banks in Canada, Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS.TO) and National Bank of Canada (NA.TO) do not offer mortgage extensions, meaning the payment owed by the consumer goes up for each hike the BoC announces. Bank of Montreal (BMO.TO), CIBC (CM.TO) and TD Bank (TD.TO) each allow for negative amortization as rates rise. So it is working counter to what the Bank of Canada is trying to accomplish," Briggs added.

Persons: Greg Taylor, Desjardins, Mike Rizvanovic, Rizvanovic, Darcy Briggs, Briggs, Nivedita Balu, Josie Kao, David Gregorio Our Organizations: TORONTO, Bank, Purpose Investments, Bank of Nova, National Bank of Canada, BoC, RBC, Scotiabank, National Bank, Bank of Montreal, CIBC, TD Bank, Desjardins . Royal Bank of Canada, BMO, Franklin Templeton, Bank of Canada, Thomson Locations: U.S, Canada, Bank of Nova Scotia, Franklin Templeton Canada, Toronto

☆ Employee says ChatGPT carries out 80% of his work duties, which allowed him to take on a 2nd job, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Several workers told Vice they were using ChatGPT to work multiple jobs. One worker, referred to as Ben, said he used the chatbot to apply for a second job. He told Vice ChatGPT had helped him do his job faster and more efficiently, leaving him with more time. Earlier this year, Ben told Vice he landed a second job after using the chatbot to write his cover letters. "That's the only reason I got my job this year," Ben told Vice.

☆ Magic Johnson and Josh Harris group officially place bid on Washington Commanders
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-28 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —A group led by billionaire Josh Harris and NBA legend Magic Johnson has officially placed a bid to buy the NFL’s Washington Commanders from embattled owner Daniel Snyder, a source told CNN on Tuesday. CNN confirmed last week that Johnson joined the Harris group. ESPN, which first reported news of the bid, reports that the Harris and Johnson-led group is offering to pay Snyder’s $6 billion asking price. A representative for Johnson, the Los Angeles Lakers hall of famer, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Magic Johnson and Josh Harris have bid on the Washington Commanders.

March 12 (Reuters) - A Canadian banking regulator on Sunday said it was taking temporary control of Silicon Valley Bank's (SIVB.O) unit in the country, as the fallout from the collapsed U.S. startup-focused lender reverberated around the world. "By taking temporary control of the Canadian branch of Silicon Valley Bank, we are acting to protect the rights and interests of the branch's creditors," Peter Routledge, the superintendent of financial institutions, said in a statement. OFSI said the U.S.-headquartered bank has operated in Canada since 2019 as a foreign bank branch based in Toronto. Its business in Canada is primarily lending to corporate clients, and the branch does not hold any commercial or individual deposits in Canada. The Canadian unit had C$435 million ($315.33 million) in secured loans at the end of last year, more than double the amount at the end of 2021, according to regulatory filings.

☆ As a kid, I died my hair blonde to fit in. As an adult, I've made it my mission to help Asian women boost their confidence.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Marielle Descalsota | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Sheena Yap Chan is an author and podcast host who helps Asian women improve their confidence. She shares three steps Asian women should take to break these stereotypes. I made it a mission to learn about my culture deeply and formed a community of Asian women who could look out for one another. Now, 34 years later, I'm on a mission to help Asian women gain the courage to embrace our identities. My first book, "Women Who Boss Up", profiles over a dozen Asian women who excel in industries like STEM and finance, despite the many challenges they faced.

☆ My husband and I met in a Facebook group for singles and married less than a year after meeting. We just celebrated our 4th anniversary.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( Micca Watkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Micca Watkins met her husband in a Facebook group for singles who love to travel. But a year later, in December 2017, I met my new husband in the unlikeliest of places: a Facebook group. My friends recommended I join a Facebook group for singles who love to travel. 8 months later we tied the knotWe started living together; he moved to Canada five months after we met in person. We are in awe of our life sometimes, and it all happened because we connected over our shared visions of life via a Facebook group.

☆ '9-1-1: Lone Star' actors preview the journey 'Tarlos' must take to the wedding altar
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Max Gao | Max Gao Is A Freelance Entertainment | Sports Journalist Based In Toronto. He Has Written For Nbc News | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

This article contains spoilers for “The New Hotness,” Tuesday’s season premiere of “9-1-1: Lone Star.”After getting engaged to police officer Carlos Reyes (Rafael L. Silva), paramedic T.K. Strand (Ronen Rubinstein) was hit with a shocking secret in the season four premiere of “9-1-1: Lone Star”: Carlos was already legally married to a woman. are on their path to becoming a legally unified couple.”From left, Ronen Rubinstein, Rafael L. Silva, and Lyndsy Fonseca in '9-1-1: Lone Star'. and Carlos in recent months has centered around their impending nuptials, Silva cautioned that their journey to the wedding altar will be anything but straightforward. “There’s a lot of 'Tarlos' in the first half of the season.”“9-1-1: Lone Star” airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Fox.

☆ Make the yuletide gay: Inside the making of this year's LGBTQ holiday movies
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-10 | by ( Max Gao | Max Gao Is A Freelance Entertainment | Sports Journalist Based In Toronto. He Has Written For Nbc News | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

Premiering Sunday on Hallmark, “The Holiday Sitter” follows Sam (Jonathan Bennett), a workaholic bachelor who reluctantly agrees to babysit his niece and nephew before his solo vacation. Jonathan Bennett, left, George Krissa and Mila Morgan in "The Holiday Sitter." Bennett, as an executive producer, originally came up with the idea of a “gay ‘Uncle Buck’ for Hallmark” on the set of another holiday movie three years ago. “We both love the Christmas holiday. After watching “The Holiday Sitter," people are “going to feel that the Hallmark holiday table is bigger than ever,” Bennett added, "and that no matter who you are, there is a seat for you."

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