Thursday, April 16, 2026

AM BEST AFFIRMS NEW ZEALAND’S PINNACLE LIFE CREDIT RATINGS

KUALA LUMPUR, April 16 (Bernama) -- Global credit rating agency, AM Best has affirmed the financial strength rating of B+ (Good) and the long-term issuer credit rating of “bbb-” (Good) of New Zealand’s Pinnacle Life Limited (Pinnacle Life), with a stable outlook.

The credit ratings (ratings) reflect Pinnacle Life’s adequate balance sheet strength, operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM), alongside a neutral impact from its parent, Greenstone Holdco Pty Limited (Greenstone).

In a statement, AM Best said Pinnacle Life’s balance sheet strength is supported by strong risk-adjusted capitalisation at fiscal year-end 2025, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio, along with sound regulatory solvency and financial flexibility.

However, reliance on third-party reinsurance and a relatively small capital base increase sensitivity to business growth, interest rate changes and external shocks.

Operating performance is assessed as adequate, driven by stable underwriting results and healthy investment returns, although earnings have shown moderate volatility due to interest rate movements and elevated expenses. The company is expected to maintain adequate performance as it continues its expansion strategy.

AM Best also noted Pinnacle Life’s limited business profile, reflecting its small scale and concentration in the New Zealand market, with a focus on mortality products such as term life and funeral insurance. Growth is largely supported by Greenstone as a key distribution partner, alongside direct online channels.

Pinnacle Life’s ERM is considered appropriate for the company’s size and complexity, with further development expected as the company expands its operations.

-- BERNAMA

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

HIGH AI ADOPTION, BUT DATA READINESS GAP PERSISTS - CLOUDERA SURVEY

KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Bernama) -- Most organisations still lack the data foundation needed for success despite growing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), according to Cloudera’s latest global survey examining enterprise readiness to support AI at scale.

The findings highlight that while 96 per cent of organisations report integrating AI into core business processes and 85 per cent say they have a clear data strategy, nearly four out of five (around 80 per cent) admit their AI and data initiatives are still constrained by limited data access across environments.

This gap highlights an emerging “AI readiness illusion” — the belief that organisations are prepared to scale AI even as critical data challenges remain unresolved, according to Cloudera in a statement.

With AI now embedded across the enterprise, achieving consistent returns on investment remains difficult. Respondents cited data quality (22 per cent), cost overruns (16 per cent), and poor integration into existing workflows (15 per cent) as key challenges, highlighting the complexity of translating AI investments into measurable business outcomes.

Infrastructure limitations further compound the issue, with nearly three-quarters (73 per cent) of respondents reporting that performance constraints have hindered operational initiatives, reflecting the difficulty of scaling AI across fragmented environments.

According to the survey, 84 per cent of respondents expressed confidence in the accuracy, completeness, and alignment of their organisation’s data. However, this optimism often masks deeper issues, including persistent silos, inconsistent data quality, and limited accessibility.

The landscape of data readiness also varies across industries. For instance, 54 per cent of telecommunications respondents reported full visibility into where their data resides, compared to 30 per cent in financial services and 31 per cent in the public sector.

As enterprise AI shifts from experimentation to execution, data readiness is emerging as the defining factor separating leaders from laggards. Organisations that can fully access and govern their data are far better positioned to deliver trusted, scalable AI.

Unlocking AI’s full value will require more than ambition — it demands genuine data readiness. Enterprises that can close this gap will be best positioned to drive lasting impact and lead the next era of intelligent business, according to the survey.

The survey, commissioned by Cloudera and conducted by Researchscape, gathered responses from 1,270 information technology leaders across the Americas (North America and South America), Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia-Pacific regions at companies with more than 1,000 employees between Jan 22 and March 3.

-- BERNAMA

ARLA FOODS INGREDIENTS TO SHOWCASE NUTRITION SOLUTIONS AT VITAFOODS EUROPE 2026

KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Bernama) -- Arla Foods Ingredients has announced it will showcase high-protein, nutrient-dense application concepts for users of GLP-1 anti-obesity medications at Vitafoods Europe, taking place in Barcelona from May 5 to 7.

Originally developed to treat diabetes, GLP-1 receptor agonists have reshaped the weight management market, the company said in a statement.

In 2025, 11 per cent of consumers globally and 18 per cent in the United States (US) who were actively trying to lose weight reported using them, with uptake expected to rise as availability expands, tablet formats emerge and prices fall.

However, GLP-1 use is associated with side effects. Lean muscle loss may account for up to 40 per cent of total weight lost, compared with around 25 per cent for traditional interventions, while up to 76 per cent of users report gastric discomfort and reduced appetite.

To help address these challenges, Arla Foods Ingredients has developed high-protein concepts using Nutrilac and Lacprodan BLG-100, delivering essential amino acids for muscle health in nutrient-dense formats, alongside probiotics and cultures from Novonesis to support digestive well-being.

Arla Foods Ingredients Chief Commercial Officer, Anne Widart said nutrition for GLP-1 users is a growing category, creating opportunities for dairy manufacturers.

“There is increasing demand for nutrient-dense, high-protein products in formats suited to smaller appetites. Our concepts are designed to help manufacturers respond to these evolving needs,” she added.

The company said the range includes formats tailored for reduced appetites, such as a fermented high-protein shot offering 10 grammes (g) of protein per 70 millilitres (ml) serving, which is low fat, lactose-reduced and contains no added sugar.

Other concepts include a fermented high-protein drinking yoghurt providing 20g of protein per 200ml serving, and a high-protein water-based shot for ambient storage delivering 21g of protein per 100ml serving.

Arla Foods Ingredients will also showcase two additional concepts at Vitafoods Europe, namely an aerated protein bar solution and ready-to-stir medical nutrition powder solutions.

-- BERNAMA

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

AI-MEDIA TO LAUNCH NEXT-GENERATION LEXI ENCODERS AT NAB SHOW 2026



KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Bernama) -- AI-Media, a leader in artificial intelligence (AI)-powered language technology and live captioning solutions, has announced the launch of two new next-generation encoders, the LEXI Text Encoder and LEXI Voice Encoder, at NAB Show 2026.

The release marks AI-Media’s first new encoder hardware in over a decade, building on the success of its industry gold-standard Encoder Pro (HD592), which is used by broadcasters and enterprises worldwide.

“For the first time in over a decade, we are introducing entirely new encoder hardware—built not just to support today’s workflows but to power the next generation of AI-driven live production. 

“We are focused on delivering the infrastructure that enables content to be understood in any language, anywhere in the world,” said AI-Media Chief Product Officer, Bill McLaughlin in a statement.

The new solutions deliver performance upgrades, advanced AI-driven capabilities, and a flexible subscription-based model designed to transform live broadcast workflows.

Built for the evolving demands of live production, both encoders combine high-performance hardware with intelligent automation to deliver greater efficiency, scalability, and quality across broadcast environments.

Key next-generation encoder features include upgraded processing power to support increasingly complex AI-driven workflows; LEXI Live Sync, which ensures captions and translations remain perfectly synchronised with video feeds; and 4K broadcast readiness for high-performance live production.

AI-Media is also introducing a Hardware-as-a-Subscription (HaaS) model across its encoder range, including the new releases, eliminating upfront capital expenditure and providing customers with a scalable, cost-effective way to access the latest technology.

At NAB 2026, AI-Media will offer a limited-time promotion, with customers able to secure three months free, enabling immediate access to next-generation technology while reducing upfront costs, alongside a showcase of its full LEXI Suite.

-- BERNAMA

VEYDOOMAX PREVIEWS X6 RIDE SERIES MODEL AHEAD OF JULY LAUNCH

KUALA LUMPUR, April 14 (Bernama) -- VeydooMax, an outdoor lifestyle brand under Shenzhen Weidu Electronics Co Ltd, has previewed the upcoming X6 from its VeydooMax Ride series, following its appearance at the Bangkok International Motor Show, with a launch planned for July.

The X6 will carry forward the brand’s “Smarter Ride, Tougher Build” philosophy while delivering refinements in areas riders prioritise, the company said in a statement.

Within VeydooMax’s broader outdoor positioning, the Ride series focuses on products designed for real riding use, including commuting, weekend rides, group travel, and longer journeys across varying road and weather conditions.

The new model is being developed with enhanced outdoor visibility, improved smart connectivity, practical ride-recording capabilities, and rider-assistance functions tailored for real-world use.

For daily commuters, the X6 is designed to offer a cleaner and more stable cockpit experience. For leisure and group riders, it aims to support better navigation, communication, ride capture, and overall riding confidence.

Compared with the previous generation, the X6 focuses on delivering a more integrated user experience by combining display, connectivity, imaging, alerts, and remote capabilities into a unified interface.

According to VeydooMax, the model is also designed to reduce rider distraction, improve access to key information, and provide added support in scenarios such as parking, remote monitoring, and unexpected situations.

Additional details about the X6 will be released closer to launch.

-- BERNAMA

Monday, April 13, 2026

Dive Into the Beat of Songkran: Where Music, Water, and Global Culture Collide

EBC Financial Group celebrates the spirit of Thailand’s most iconic festival as an official sponsor of the S2O Songkran Music Festival 2026

BANGKOK, April 14 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- There is a moment each April when Bangkok comes alive in a way that nowhere else on earth can match. Streets flood with colour and water. Music thunders through open-air stages. Strangers become friends in seconds. That moment is Songkran and this year, EBC Financial Group (“EBC”) is proud to celebrate it as an official sponsor of the S2O Songkran Music Festival 2026.

The sponsorship reflects EBC’s long-standing commitment to supporting vibrant cultural traditions in the communities where it operates. One of Asia’s most celebrated water-and-music festivals, S2O has grown into a global symbol of Thai cultural identity – a fusion of centuries-old tradition and world-class contemporary entertainment that draws thousands of international and local attendees each year.

A Broker That Shows Up Where Its Community Lives

As the Official Foreign Exchange Partner of FC Barcelona, EBC stands alongside one of the world’s most iconic sporting institutions. It connects with millions of football fans across Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa through a shared belief in teamwork, ambition, and excellence. Through its ongoing collaboration with the University of Oxford’s Department of Economics, this World’s Best Brokerage, according to World Finance in 2023-2025, helps bring world-class economic thinking to a global audience, making financial and economic literacy more accessible and inclusive. And as a partner of the United Nations Foundation’s United to Beat Malaria campaign, now in its second year, EBC invests in the health and equity of the communities it serves – because a broker’s responsibility does not end at the trading screen.

Supporting S2O is the natural next chapter in that story. Where FC Barcelona channels the thrill of competition, Oxford sharpens the mind, and the UN Foundation protects the most vulnerable, S2O celebrates culture, joy, and the spirit of coming together. For a broker that has always believed in showing up meaningfully in the communities it serves, Songkran is the perfect stage.

Celebrating Thai Culture on a Global Stage

Songkran is more than a holiday. It is a living expression of Thai generosity, renewal, and togetherness: values that resonate far beyond Thailand’s borders. The S2O Songkran Music Festival has become a powerful ambassador for that spirit, introducing the world to a celebration that is joyful, inclusive, and unmistakably Thai.

For EBC, the opportunity to be part of that story is significant. Thailand’s cultural richness and creative energy have long made it one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic societies. By supporting a festival that amplifies Thai traditions for a global audience, EBC honours the culture of a country that holds an important place in its regional presence – and reinforces its belief that the communities it operates in deserve to be celebrated, not just served.

Beyond the Screen, Into the Moment

At its core, this sponsorship reflects what kind of broker EBC chooses to be – one that deeply connects with the people in every region it serves, shares their passions, supports what they love, and encourages them to live fully. Songkran, with its energy, its warmth, and its tradition of bringing people together, is the perfect expression of that ambition.

As the countdown to Songkran begins, EBC looks forward to standing alongside the thousands of festival-goers who will gather at S2O Land Bangkok this April, not as a brand on a billboard, but as part of the celebration itself. Some of the best partnerships, after all, are built not in boardrooms but in the moments people remember.

For more analysis from EBC, visit: www.ebc.com.

Disclaimer: This material is for information only and does not constitute a recommendation or advice from EBC Financial Group and all its entities ("EBC"). Trading Forex and Contracts for Difference (CFDs) on margin carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Losses can exceed your deposits. Before trading, you should carefully consider your trading objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and consult an independent financial advisor if necessary. Statistics or past investment performance are not a guarantee of future performance. EBC is not liable for any damages arising from reliance on this information.

About EBC Financial Group

Founded in London, EBC Financial Group (“EBC”) is a global brand known for its expertise in financial brokerage and asset management. Through its regulated entities operating across major financial jurisdictions—including the UK, Australia, the Cayman Islands, Mauritius, South Africa and others—EBC enables retail, professional, and institutional investors to access global markets and trading opportunities, including currencies, commodities, CFDs and more.

Trusted by investors in over 100 countries and honoured with global awards including multiple year recognition from World Finance, EBC is widely regarded as one of the world’s best brokers with titles including Best Trading Platform and Most Trusted Broker. With its strong regulatory standing and commitment to transparency, EBC has also been consistently ranked among the top brokers—trusted for its ability to deliver secure, innovative, and client-first trading solutions across competitive international markets.

EBC’s subsidiaries are licensed and regulated within their respective jurisdictions. EBC Financial Group (UK) Limited is regulated by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA); EBC Financial Group (Cayman) Limited is regulated by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA); EBC Financial Group (Australia) Pty Ltd, and EBC Asset Management Pty Ltd are regulated by Australia's Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC); EBC Financial (MU) Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Commission Mauritius (FSC); EBC Financial Group SA (Pty) Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA).

At the core of EBC are a team of industry veterans with over 40 years of experience in major financial institutions. Having navigated key economic cycles from the Plaza Accord and 2015 Swiss franc crisis to the market upheavals of the COVID-19 pandemic. We foster a culture where integrity, respect, and client asset security are paramount, ensuring that every investor relationship is handled with the utmost seriousness it deserves.

EBC is a proud official foreign exchange partner of FC Barcelona and continues to drive impactful partnerships to empower communities – namely through the UN Foundation’s United to Beat Malaria initiative, Department of Economics at the University of Oxford, and a diverse range of partners to champion initiatives in global health, economics, education, and sustainability.

https://www.ebc.com/

Media Contact:

Ginny Dang
Public Relations Executive
Ginny.dang@ebc.com

Aldric Tinker
Global Public Relations Lead
aldric.tinker@ebc.com

SOURCE: EBC Tech Limited

DISCLAIMER: BERNAMA MREM are not accountable for any causes of website defacement, misuse, or illegal activities connected to cryptocurrency, blockchain, tokenisation, or bitcoin. This material should not be considered as guidance or an opinion, as it does not constitute financial or investment advice. Use this information at your own risk; we are not liable for any losses or damages caused by the republication of this article.

--BERNAMA

Friday, April 10, 2026

ICHAM LAUNCHES OPEN-ENDED VCC FUND FOCUSES ON AUTOCALL STRUCTURED PRODUCTS

KUALA LUMPUR, April 10 (Bernama) -- ICHAM Pte Ltd (ICHAM), a regional multi-family office and asset manager, has launched a new open-ended Singapore Variable Capital Company (VCC) fund focused on autocall structured products, available exclusively to accredited and institutional investors.

In a statement, ICHAM said the fund offers access to a professionally managed portfolio of structured products in a fund format, providing a simplified, institutional approach while complementing diversified equity portfolios with equity-like return characteristics and a focus on lower volatility.

ICHAM Chief Executive Officer, Archan Chamapun said the fund provides accredited and institutional investors with access to a professionally managed portfolio of autocall structured products, which have traditionally been distributed by private banks as individual investments that may involve concentrated exposures and less transparent fee structures.

Meanwhile, lead Portfolio Manager of the fund, Felix Chew said the strategy is designed to complement diversified portfolios by providing access to structured product investments through a professionally managed approach.

The fund adopts an institutional approach with a focus on risk management, ongoing oversight, and a transparent, investor-aligned fee structure, aiming to complement broader investment portfolios through a diversified pool of such investments.

ICHAM is recognised for its expertise in alternative asset classes and structured products, having served accredited and institutional investors with tailored investment solutions since 2019, supported by a team with extensive experience in Asian financial markets.

The firm is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and focuses on delivering institutional-grade investment solutions with transparent fee structures and disciplined risk management.

-- BERNAMA