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Franklin Street Properties Corp. Appoints Bruce J. Schanzer to Board of Directors and Enters into Cooperation Agreement with Converium Capital Inc. and Erez Asset Management LLC

WAKEFIELD, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Franklin Street Properties Corp. (the “Company” or “FSP”) (NYSE American: FSP), a real estate investment trust (REIT), announced today that Bruce J. Schanzer will join the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), effective November 27, 2024. In addition, effective November 27, 2024, the Board will appoint Mr. Schanzer to serve as a member of the Audit Committee. With the addition of Mr. Schanzer to the Board, effective November 27, 2024, the Board will be comprised of eight directors, seven of whom are independent.

George J. Carter, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We welcome Bruce to the Board and appreciate the collaborative engagement we have had with Converium Capital and Erez Asset Management, both of which are significant FSP shareholders. Bruce has a long REIT and investment banking pedigree. This appointment is another step in refreshing our Board to ensure that we have diverse perspectives and skills to guide FSP’s future success for the benefit of all stakeholders.”

“We appreciate our constructive engagement with the FSP Board and its management team,” said Michael Rapps, Managing Partner, Converium Capital. “With the addition of Bruce, we believe that the Board is well positioned to help FSP maximize value for all stakeholders.”

In connection with these changes to the Board, the Company has entered into a Cooperation Agreement with Converium Capital and Erez Asset Management, pursuant to which Converium Capital and Erez Asset Management will vote their shares in favor of all of the Board’s director nominees at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Under the Cooperation Agreement, Converium Capital and Erez Asset Management have agreed to customary standstill, voting and other provisions. The full agreement among FSP, Converium Capital and Erez Asset Management will be filed on Form 8-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

About Bruce J. Schanzer

Mr. Schanzer is Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of Erez Asset Management, a fund manager focused on investment opportunities in small market cap REITs. Prior to forming Erez Asset Management in August 2022, Mr. Schanzer was President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Cedar Realty Trust (NYSE: CDR), a real estate investment trust focused on the ownership, operation and redevelopment of shopping centers in the Washington, D.C. to Boston corridor, from June 2011 to August 2022. Before joining Cedar in 2011, he was a managing director in the real estate investment banking group at Goldman Sachs & Co and prior thereto a vice president at Merrill Lynch. Before working on Wall Street, Bruce worked as a real estate attorney in New York. He received an M.B.A. in finance and accounting from the University of Chicago (now known as the Booth School of Business); a J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, where he served as a member of the Law Review; and a B.A. from Yeshiva College, where he is currently a member of the board of trustees of Sym Schools of Business. He is also presently a member of the board of trustees of SAR Academy in Riverdale, NY and the board of advisors of New York Medical College. Mr. Schanzer previously served as a member of the board of governors of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts.

This press release, along with other news about FSP, is available on the Internet at www.fspreit.com. We routinely post information that may be important to investors in the Investor Relations section of our website. We encourage investors to consult that section of our website regularly for important information about us and, if they are interested in automatically receiving news and information as soon as it is posted, to sign up for E-mail Alerts.

About Franklin Street Properties Corp.

Franklin Street Properties Corp., based in Wakefield, Massachusetts, is focused on infill and central business district (CBD) office properties in the U.S. Sunbelt and Mountain West, as well as select opportunistic markets. FSP seeks value-oriented investments with an eye towards long-term growth and appreciation, as well as current income. FSP is a Maryland corporation that operates in a manner intended to qualify as a real estate investment trust (REIT) for federal income tax purposes. To learn more about FSP please visit our website at www.fspreit.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Statements made in this press release that state FSP’s or management’s intentions, beliefs, expectations, or predictions for the future may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This press release may also contain forward-looking statements, such as those relating to the potential or intended benefits of FSP’s board structure and related contributions by its directors and FSP’s future success, which are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that our forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainty, including without limitation, adverse changes in general economic or local market conditions, including as a result of the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, wars, terrorist attacks or other acts of violence, which may negatively affect the markets in which we and our tenants operate, inflation rates, interest rates, disruptions in the debt markets, economic conditions in the markets in which we own properties, risks of a lessening of demand for the types of real estate owned by us, adverse changes in energy prices, which if sustained, could negatively impact occupancy and rental rates in the markets in which we own properties, including energy-influenced markets such as Dallas, Denver and Houston, changes in government regulations and regulatory uncertainty, uncertainty about governmental fiscal policy, geopolitical events and expenditures that cannot be anticipated, such as utility rate and usage increases, delays in construction schedules, unanticipated increases in construction costs, increases in the level of general and administrative costs as a percentage of revenues as revenues decrease as a result of property dispositions, unanticipated repairs, additional staffing, insurance increases and real estate tax valuation reassessments. See the “Risk Factors” set forth in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, which may be updated from time to time in subsequent filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Although we believe the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, acquisitions, dispositions, performance or achievements. We will not update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release to conform them to actual results or to changes in our expectations that occur after such date, other than as required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241127366308/en/

For Franklin Street Properties Corp.

Georgia Touma, 877-686-9496

KEYWORDS: United States North America Massachusetts

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: REIT Finance Professional Services Commercial Building & Real Estate Construction & Property

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BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Closed-End Funds Declare Distributions

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. announced today that BNY Mellon Municipal Income, Inc., BNY Mellon Strategic Municipal Bond Fund, Inc. and BNY Mellon Strategic Municipals, Inc. (each, a “Fund”) have declared a monthly distribution for each Fund’s common shares as summarized below. The distributions are payable December 31, 2024 to shareholders of record on December 13, 2024, with an ex-dividend date of December 13, 2024.

Important Information

BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc., the investment adviser for each Fund, is part of BNY Investments. BNY Investments is one of the world’s largest asset managers, with $2.1 trillion in assets under management as of September 30, 2024. Through a client-first approach, BNY Investments brings investors specialist expertise through its seven investment firms offering solutions across every major asset class and backed by the breadth and scale of BNY. Additional information on BNY Investments is available on www.bny.com/investments. Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest company news and activity.

BNY Investments is a division of BNY, which has $52.1 trillion in assets under custody and/or administration as of September 30, 2024. Established in 1784, BNY is America’s oldest bank. Today, BNY powers capital markets around the world through comprehensive solutions that help clients manage and service their financial assets throughout the investment life cycle. BNY is the corporate brand of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE: BK). Additional information is available on www.bny.com. Follow us on LinkedIn or visit our newsroom for the latest company news.

Closed-end funds are traded on the secondary market through one of the stock exchanges. Each Fund’s investment returns and principal values will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares may be worth more or less than the original cost. Shares of closed-end funds may trade above (a premium) or below (a discount) the net asset value of each fund’s portfolio. There is no assurance that each Fund will achieve its investment objective.

This release is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241127087758/en/

For Press Inquiries:

BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc.

Jessica Greaney

[email protected]

Taylor Ventrice

[email protected]

For Other Inquiries:

BNY Mellon Securities Corporation

The National Marketing Desk

240 Greenwich Street

New York, New York 10286

1-800-334-6899

KEYWORDS: New York United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Banking Professional Services Finance

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Trane Technologies Honored by TIME as a Global Leader in Sustainable Growth

SWORDS, Ireland–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Trane Technologies (NYSE:TT), a global climate innovator, has been recognized in TIME’s inaugural ranking of the World’s Best Companies for Sustainable Growth. Developed in collaboration with market research company Statista, the list highlights companies that excel in sustainable growth and financial stability while minimizing their environmental footprint.

“Being named to the inaugural list of the World’s Best Companies for Sustainable Growth is a tremendous honor,” said Dave Regnery, Chair and CEO of Trane Technologies. “We are proud to foster a culture that prioritizes innovation for customers, value for shareholders, and the well-being of our employees and the environment. This recognition from TIME underscores our unwavering commitment to carrying out our purpose of boldly challenging what’s possible for a sustainable world.”

Trane Technologies has a proven track record of leading financial performance while delivering on its bold sustainability commitments. Through leading innovation, strong customer focus and a talented team, Trane Technologies consistently delivers strong performance over time, with 2023 marking the third year of adjusted earnings per share (EPS) growth of 20% or more and continued strong growth to date in 2024. In the company’s most recent quarterly earnings report, Trane Technologies raised full-year revenue and adjusted EPS guidance for 2024.

In September, Trane Technologies became the first in its industry to commit to reducing embodied carbon by 40%. This commitment involves partnering with suppliers of materials such as steel, aluminum, copper, and refrigerants, while incorporating circular design criteria into product development. Buildings account for 40% of global carbon emissions, making the reduction of embodied carbon—greenhouse gas emissions associated with a product’s lifecycle—crucial for lowering their overall carbon footprint.

This commitment builds on the company’s 2030 Sustainability Commitments, which includes the Gigaton Challenge, a pledge to reduce customer greenhouse gas emissions by 1 billion metric tons (one gigaton) and a pledge to achieve carbon neutral operations. Trane Technologies has also pledged to be net-zero by 2050, and its near and long-term emissions reduction targets have been externally validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).

About Trane Technologies

Trane Technologies is a global climate innovator. Through our strategic brands Trane® and Thermo King®, and our portfolio of environmentally responsible products and services, we bring efficient and sustainable climate solutions to buildings, homes and transportation. Visit tranetechnologies.com.

This news release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of securities laws, which are statements that are not historical facts, including statements that relate to our financial and operating performance, sustainability commitments and the impact of these commitments. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from our current expectations. Factors that could cause such differences can be found in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as well as our subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and other SEC filings. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect the Company. We assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241127553597/en/

Media Contact:

Travis Bullard

+1-919-802-2593

[email protected]

Investors Contact:

Zachary Nagle

+1-704-990-3913

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: North Carolina Europe Ireland United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Other Consumer Green Technology Home Goods Manufacturing Environment Retail Sustainability Building Systems Environmental Health Consumer Construction & Property Utilities Energy Other Retail Other Manufacturing HVAC Machinery Specialty

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Regional Management Corp. Completes $250 Million Asset-Backed Securitization

GREENVILLE, S.C.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Regional Management Corp. (NYSE: RM), a diversified consumer finance company, announced today that it has completed a $250 million asset-backed securitization, marking its 11^th successful securitization.

The Regional Management Issuance Trust 2024-2 (RMIT 2024-2) notes were issued at a weighted-average coupon of 5.34% (an 85 bps improvement over the prior RMIT 2024-1 issued notes), secured by $284 million of receivables, with a 2-year revolving period. The Class A notes of the securitization received a top rating of “AAA” from Standard & Poor’s and Morningstar DBRS. The company used a portion of the proceeds from the RMIT 2024-2 securitization to fully pay off notes from its RMIT 2022-2B securitization having an original weighted-average coupon of 7.51%.

“This transaction clearly demonstrates the ongoing strength of our company and securitization platform,” said Robert W. Beck, President and Chief Executive Officer of Regional Management Corp. “We experienced significant demand across all classes of notes, including from new investors. The deal was 5.4 times oversubscribed, allowing us to achieve strong results from tight credit spreads. The securitization further enhances our balance sheet and continues to moderate our exposure to interest rate risk. As of the transaction’s closing, our fixed-rate debt as a percentage of total debt was approximately 83%, with a weighted-average coupon of 4.1% and a weighted-average revolving duration of 1.4 years. We remain well-positioned to successfully execute on our long-term growth strategy and drive sustainable returns and value for our shareholders.”

The transaction was a private offering of securities, not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, or any state securities law. All of such securities having been sold, this announcement of their sale appears as a matter of record only.

About Regional Management Corp.

Regional Management Corp. (NYSE: RM) is a diversified consumer finance company that provides attractive, easy-to-understand installment loan products primarily to customers with limited access to consumer credit from banks, thrifts, credit card companies, and other lenders. Regional Management operates under the name “Regional Finance” online and in branch locations in 19 states across the United States. Most of its loan products are secured, and each is structured on a fixed-rate, fixed-term basis with fully amortizing equal monthly installment payments, repayable at any time without penalty. Regional Management sources loans through its multiple channel platform, which includes branches, centrally managed direct mail campaigns, digital partners, and its consumer website. For more information, please visit www.RegionalManagement.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain various “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact but instead represent Regional Management Corp.’s expectations or beliefs concerning future events. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements concerning financial outlooks or future plans, objectives, goals, projections, strategies, events, or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements related thereto. Words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “likely,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “believes,” “estimates,” “outlook,” and similar expressions may be used to identify these forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they were made and are about matters that are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of the control of Regional Management. As a result, actual performance and results may differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements. Therefore, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Factors that could cause actual results or performance to differ from the expectations expressed or implied in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: managing growth effectively, implementing Regional Management’s growth strategy, and opening new branches as planned; Regional Management’s convenience check strategy; Regional Management’s policies and procedures for underwriting, processing, and servicing loans; Regional Management’s ability to collect on its loan portfolio; Regional Management’s insurance operations; exposure to credit risk and repayment risk, which risks may increase in light of adverse or recessionary economic conditions; the implementation of evolving underwriting models and processes, including as to the effectiveness of Regional Management’s custom scorecards; changes in the competitive environment in which Regional Management operates or a decrease in the demand for its products; the geographic concentration of Regional Management’s loan portfolio; the failure of third-party service providers, including those providing information technology products; changes in economic conditions in the markets Regional Management serves, including levels of unemployment and bankruptcies; the ability to achieve successful acquisitions and strategic alliances; the ability to make technological improvements as quickly as competitors; security breaches, cyber-attacks, failures in information systems, or fraudulent activity; the ability to originate loans; reliance on information technology resources and providers, including the risk of prolonged system outages; changes in current revenue and expense trends, including trends affecting delinquencies and credit losses; any future public health crises, including the impact of such crisis on our operations and financial condition; changes in operating and administrative expenses; the departure, transition, or replacement of key personnel; the ability to timely and effectively implement, transition to, and maintain the necessary information technology systems, infrastructure, processes, and controls to support Regional Management’s operations and initiatives; changes in interest rates; existing sources of liquidity may become insufficient or access to these sources may become unexpectedly restricted; exposure to financial risk due to asset-backed securitization transactions; risks related to regulation and legal proceedings, including changes in laws or regulations or in the interpretation or enforcement of laws or regulations; changes in accounting standards, rules, and interpretations and the failure of related assumptions and estimates; the impact of changes in tax laws and guidance, including the timing and amount of revenues that may be recognized; risks related to the ownership of Regional Management’s common stock, including volatility in the market price of shares of Regional Management’s common stock; the timing and amount of future cash dividend payments; and anti-takeover provisions in Regional Management’s charter documents and applicable state law.

The foregoing factors and others are discussed in greater detail in Regional Management’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Regional Management will not update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or the non-occurrence of anticipated events, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise, except as required by law. Regional Management is not responsible for changes made to this document by wire services or Internet services.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241126982313/en/

Investor Relations

Garrett Edson, (203) 682-8331

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: South Carolina United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Asset Management Professional Services Finance

MEDIA:

Scott Zuehlke
SVP, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer
713-877-5327
[email protected] 

Certain Tax Matters

ARMOUR has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for U.S. Federal income tax purposes. In order to maintain this tax status, ARMOUR is required to timely distribute substantially all of its ordinary REIT taxable income. Dividends paid in excess of current tax earnings and profits for the year will generally not be taxable to common stockholders. Actual dividends are determined at the discretion of the Company’s board of directors, which may consider additional factors including the Company’s results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and capital requirements as well as current market conditions, expected opportunities and other relevant factors.

About ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc.

ARMOUR invests primarily in fixed rate residential, adjustable rate and hybrid adjustable rate residential mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises or guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association. ARMOUR is externally managed and advised by ARMOUR Capital Management LP, an investment advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Safe Harbor

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ from expectations, estimates and projections and, consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. The Company disclaims any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

Investors, security holders and other interested persons may find additional information regarding the Company at the SEC’s internet site at www.sec.gov, or the Company website at www.armourreit.com, or by directing requests to: ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc., 3001 Ocean Drive, Suite 201, Vero Beach, Florida 32963, Attention: Investor Relations.

Investor Contact:

Gordon M. Harper
Chief Financial Officer
ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc.
(772) 617-4340