Market Newsdesk

CLEARWATER, Fla., Nov. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nicholas Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: NICK) – an industry leading branch-based subprime auto lender focused on servicing the needs of the local independent dealer – announced today a grand opening celebration for our latest expansion branch office in Las Vegas, NV at 7985 W. Sunset Road, Suite 106 on November 18, 2020. The official ribbon cutting ceremony will commerce at 3:30 pm and the celebration will continue until 7:30 pm. Please contact the local office at 702-879-4815 for more information regarding the event.

“We are excited to celebrate our renewed focus on expansion with our first branch office in Las Vegas, Nevada. We are even more excited about our talented local management team,” said Doug Marohn, president and CEO of Nicholas Financial. “Expanding our branch network is a key initiative for us and an integral part of our growth strategy for Fiscal Year 2021 and beyond.

In addition to the new Las Vegas, NV office the Company has expansion efforts underway in Salt Lake City, UT, Milwaukee, WI and Columbia, SC. The company is also now licensed in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas and has recently begun initial expansion efforts in each of those states.

For more information on Nicholas, visit www.nicholasfinancial.com.

About Nicholas Financial

Nicholas Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ:NICK) is a specialized consumer finance company, operating branch-based model with offices across the United States. The Company engages primarily in acquiring and servicing automobile finance installment contracts (“Contracts”) for purchases of used and new automobiles and light trucks. Additionally, Nicholas Financial originates direct consumer loans (“Direct Loans”) and sells consumer-finance related products. For an index of Nicholas Financial, Inc’s new releases or to obtain a specific release, please visit our website at www.nicholasfinancial.

ALTAVISTA, Va., Nov. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Pinnacle Bankshares Corporation (“Pinnacle” or the “Company”) (OTCQX: PPBN), the one-bank holding company for First National Bank (the “Bank”), announced today that its Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.14 per share on November 10, 2020, payable December 4, 2020, to shareholders of record as of November 20, 2020.

The $0.14 per share cash dividend is equal to the $0.14 dividend paid last quarter and marks the thirty-third consecutive quarter a dividend has been declared. Pinnacle previously released its third quarter 2020 earnings on November 6, 2020.

“Pinnacle is pleased to be able to provide a consistent quarterly cash dividend of $0.14 per share to its shareholders for 2020,” stated Aubrey H. Hall, III, President and Chief Executive Officer for both the Company and the Bank.   Mr. Hall further commented, “While net income through nine months of 2020 has declined as compared to the same time period of 2019, it is primarily due to higher noninterest expense associated with strategic growth initiatives including our recently completed merger with Virginia Bank Bankshares, Inc. Our current operating environment presents many challenges and uncertainties due to the negative impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic, however, we remain pleased with Pinnacle’s overall performance and how the Company is positioned for the future.”

Pinnacle Bankshares Corporation is a locally managed community banking organization based in Central Virginia. The one-bank holding company of First National Bank serves an area consisting primarily of all or portions of the Counties of Campbell, Pittsylvania, Bedford, Amherst, and the Cities of Lynchburg, Danville and Charlottesville. The Company has a total of seventeen branches with two located in the Town of Altavista in Campbell County, where the Bank was founded. Other branch locations include three additional branches in Campbell County, one branch in the Town of Amherst in Amherst County, three branches in the City of Lynchburg and one branch in Bedford County. Seven additional branches were acquired through the Company’s merger with Virginia Bank Bankshares, Inc., including four in the City of Danville and three in Pittsylvania County. The Company also operates a loan production office located in Charlottesville. The Company plans to open another branch at the Graves Mill Plaza in Forest during 2021. First National Bank is in its 112th year of operation.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of federal securities laws that involve significant risks and uncertainties. Any statements contained herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking and are based on current assumptions and analysis by the Company. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the credit quality of our asset portfolio in future periods, the expected losses of nonperforming loans in future periods, returns and capital accretion during future periods, our cost of funds, the maintenance of our net interest margin, future operating results and business performance, results of the Company’s pending merger with
Virginia Bank Bankshares, Inc. (“Virginia Bank”)
, and the potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related impacts on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Although we believe our plans and expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, our ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain, and we can give no assurance that these plans or expectations will be achieved. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from management’s expectations include, but are not limited to, the effectiveness of management’s efforts to improve asset quality, returns, net interest margin and collections and control operating expenses, management’s efforts to minimize losses related to nonperforming loans, management’s efforts to lower our cost of funds, the Company’s branch expansions, cyber threats, attacks or similar events, the potential adverse effects of the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic on local and national economies and markets and any governmental or societal responses thereto, the effect of steps taken by the Company in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the severity and duration of the pandemic, the impact of loosening of governmental restrictions, the ability of the Company and the Bank to realize the anticipated benefits of the merger with Virginia Bank, changes in: interest rates, general economic and business conditions, including unemployment levels and slowdowns in economic growth, declining collateral values, especially real estate, the real estate market, the legislative/regulatory climate, including laws and regulations concerning taxes, banking, securities, insurance, and healthcare with which the Company and its subsidiaries must comply, including recent and potential legislative and regulatory changes in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic such as the
Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”)
t and the rules and regulations that may be promulgated thereunder, monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and any policies or programs implemented pursuant to the CARES Act, the quality or composition of the loan or investment portfolios, demand for loan products, deposit flows and funding costs, competition, demand for financial services in our market area and accounting principles, policies and guidelines. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating the forward-looking statements contained herein, and you should not place undue reliance on such statements, which reflect our views as of the date of this release.

CONTACT: Pinnacle Bankshares Corporation, Bryan M. Lemley, 434-477-5882 or [email protected]

SHOUGUANG, China, Nov. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gulf Resources, Inc. (Nasdaq:GURE) (“Gulf Resources” or the “Company”), a leading manufacturer of bromine, crude salt and specialty chemical products in China, today announced that the Company will host a conference call on, November 16, 2020 at 20:00 Eastern Time to discuss its financial results for the third quarter 2020 results ended September 30, 2020.

Mr. Xiaobin Liu, CEO of Gulf Resources, will be hosting the call. The Company’s management team will be available for investor questions following the prepared remarks.

To participate in this live conference call, please dial +1 (877) 407-8031 five to ten minutes prior to the scheduled conference call time. International callers should dial +1 (201) 689-8031.

The webcasting is also available then, just simply click on the link below:
http://www.gulfresourcesinc.com/events.html

A replay of the conference call will be available two hours after the call’s completion during 11/16/2020 23:00 ET – 11/30/2020 23:00 ET. To access the replay, call +1 (877) 481-4010. International callers should call +1 (919) 882-2331. The Replay Passcode is 38847.

About Gulf Resources, Inc.
Gulf Resources, Inc. operates through three wholly-owned subsidiaries, Shouguang City Haoyuan Chemical Company Limited (“SCHC”), Shouguang Yuxin Chemical Industry Co., Limited (“SYCI”), and Daying County Haoyuan Chemical Company Limited (“DCHC”). The company believes that it is one of the largest producers of bromine in China. Elemental Bromine is used to manufacture a wide variety of compounds utilized in industry and agriculture. Through SYCI, the company manufactures chemical products utilized in a variety of applications, including oil and gas field explorations and papermaking chemical agents, and materials for human and animal antibiotics. DCHC was established to further explore and develop natural gas and brine resources (including bromine and crude salt) in China. For more information, visit www.gulfresourcesinc.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this news release contain forward-looking information about Gulf Resources and its subsidiaries business and products within the meaning of Rule 175 under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 3b-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are subject to the safe harbor created by those rules. The actual results may differ materially depending on a number of risk factors including, but not limited to, the general economic and business conditions in the PRC, future product development and production capabilities, shipments to end customers, market acceptance of new and existing products, additional competition from existing and new competitors for bromine and other oilfield and power production chemicals, changes in technology, the ability to make future bromine asset purchases, and various other factors beyond its control. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this Cautionary Statement and the risks factors detailed in the company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Gulf Resources undertakes no duty to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.

– Results from analysis of three
P
hase 3 clinical studies showed statistically significant improvement in spasticity in people with multiple sclerosis

– Treatment with nabiximols seen in this analysis was
not associated with increased muscle weakness or a notable change in preferred walking speed

CARLSBAD, Calif., Nov. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Greenwich Biosciences, U.S. subsidiary of GW Pharmaceuticals plc (NASDAQ: GWPH, GW, the Company or the Group), a world leader in the science, development, and commercialization of cannabinoid prescription medicines, will present data from an analysis of three Phase 3 clinical trials of nabiximols in spasticity among persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) at the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) Virtual Annual Assembly. The research will be presented live during the November 14 Research Spotlight session on Neurological Rehabilitation. The analysis showed that the statistically significant improvement in spasticity observed with nabiximols in all three trials was not accompanied by an increase in muscle weakness or decrease in preferred walking speed.

“Between 60 and 90 percent of people with multiple sclerosis report experiencing spasticity; and muscle weakness can be a serious side effect with current anti-spasticity medications,” said Francois Bethoux, MD, Director of Rehabilitation Services, The Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, and a consultant to GW Pharmaceuticals. “Muscle weakness in MS is more than feeling weak; it represents genuine difficulty in moving and can make even daily activities like walking and dressing challenging. We are encouraged that the data from these trials showed that nabiximols not only improved patient-reported spasticity but also did not appear to increase muscle weakness or negatively affect preferred walking speed.”

Data from three randomized, placebo-controlled trials of nabiximols (GWMS0106, GWSP0604, and SAVANT) conducted in Europe were analyzed to assess the relationship between measures of spasticity and muscle strength in lower extremities or walking speed. Spasticity was evaluated using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) in all three trials, muscle strength using Motricity Index (MI) in GWMS0106 and GWSP0604, and mobility using timed 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT) in GWSP0604 and SAVANT. All three trials enrolled persons with MS-related spasticity inadequately managed by current medications.

• GWMS0106: Nabiximols significantly improved mean NRS spasticity score vs. placebo (-0.52 points; p=0.048), without significantly affecting the MI for legs (3.86, p=0.054).
• GWSP0604: Nabiximols significantly improved mean NRS spasticity score from baseline vs. placebo (-0.84, p=0.0002), without significantly affecting the MI for legs (0.97, p=0.439) or the 10MWT results (-3.34, p=0.069).
• SAVANT: Nabiximols significantly improved mean NRS spasticity vs. placebo (-1.9, p<0.0001), without significantly affecting the 10MWT results (-1.71, p=0.11).

The analysis included data from 184 participants in GWMS0106, 241 participants in GWSP0604, and 106 participants in SAVANT.

Nabiximols is approved by regulatory bodies in 28 countries outside the United States to treat MS spasticity. GW recently initiated the first global Phase 3 clinical trial studying nabiximols for MS spasticity that will engage patients and investigators in the United States. The first trial is one of five new pivotal studies planned for nabiximols in MS spasticity globally, with the remaining studies on track to commence later in 2020 or in 2021.

“These studies, which served as the basis for nabiximols regulatory approvals outside the U.S., provide important insights into the potential of nabiximols for people with MS-related spasticity,” said Justin Gover, GW’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are now recruiting participants for the first nabiximols Phase 3 clinical trial in the U.S. in pursuit of our goal of bringing to market the first FDA-approved medicine derived from the whole cannabis plant for the treatment of spasticity in MS.”

About Nabiximols

Nabiximols is in pivotal Phase 3 development in the United States for the treatment of MS spasticity. The U.S. commercial rights are owned by GW. In addition to MS spasticity, GW expects to develop nabiximols in Spinal Cord Injury spasticity.

Nabiximols is a complex botanical medicine formulated from extracts of the cannabis plant that contains the principal cannabinoids THC and CBD and also contains minor constituents, including other cannabinoid and non-cannabinoid plant components, such as terpenes, sterols, and triglycerides. The product is administered as an oral spray.

Nabiximols is known as Sativex® outside of the U.S. and is indicated in numerous countries as a treatment for symptom improvement in adult patients with moderate to severe spasticity due to multiple sclerosis (MS) who have not responded adequately to other anti-spasticity medication and who demonstrate clinically significant improvement in spasticity related symptoms during an initial trial of therapy.¹ These approvals were based on multiple pivotal trials conducted in Europe.² Nabiximols is currently not approved for any indication in the U.S.

About GW Pharmaceuticals plc and Greenwich Biosciences, Inc.

Founded in 1998, GW is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing novel therapeutics from its proprietary cannabinoid product platform in a broad range of disease areas. The Company’s lead product, EPIDIOLEX® (cannabidiol) oral solution, is commercialized in the U.S. by its U.S. subsidiary Greenwich Biosciences for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), Dravet syndrome, or tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) in patients one year of age and older. This product has received approval in the European Union under the tradename EPIDYOLEX® for the adjunctive treatment of seizures associated with LGS or Dravet syndrome in conjunction with clobazam in patients two years and older and is under EMA review for the treatment of TSC. The Company has a deep pipeline of additional cannabinoid product candidates, in particular nabiximols, for which the Company is advancing multiple late-stage clinical programs in order to seek FDA approval in the treatment of spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury. The Company has additional cannabinoid product candidates in clinical trials for autism and schizophrenia. For further information, please visit www.gwpharm.com, and clinicaltrials.gov for updated trial site information and locations.

Forward-looking statement

This news release contains forward-looking statements that reflect GW’s current expectations regarding future events, including statements regarding the timing of clinical trials, the timing of regulatory filings and approvals, the timing and outcomes of regulatory or intellectual property decisions, and the clinical benefits and commercial potential of nabiximols (marketed as Sativex^® outside the US).Actual events could differ materially from those projected herein and depend on a number of factors, including (inter alia), the risks and uncertainties which can be found in GW’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. GW undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.

¹ Sativex Oralmucosal Spray, SmPC, https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/602 
² Markova et al, International Journal of Neuroscience 2019; Novotna et al, European Journal of Neurology 2011; Collin et al, European Journal of Neurology 2007

Toronto, Ontario, Nov. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — via NewMediaWire — Amfil Technologies Inc. (OTC: FUNN) is pleased to announce a follow up sale from the GRO3 JV.  Virdi, LLC has purchased its third and largest GRO3 EcoPrO3 Antimicrobial system.  Virdi sells the proprietary Vessl closure, beverage manufacturing equipment, and other packaging materials primarily to beverage manufacturers in the cannabis industry. 

As announced last year when the initial two antimicrobial systems were purchased by Virdi, LLC., an LOI and an exclusive supply agreement was entered into which would provide for up to eight (8) additional EcoPrO3 Antimicrobial Systems to be purchased and supplied to Virdi, LLC.

The first two EcoPrO3-10SS Ozone Side Stream Systems were integrated into customers’ facilities for the purposes of providing an all-natural sanitization and anti-microbial solution throughout the production process. The EcoPrO3-10SS exclusively utilizes aqueous functionality compared to the EcoPrO3 GRO3 60 system which utilizes an aqueous and gaseous combination. The EcoPrO3-20SS processes all liquids in the formulations prior to their products being prepared and packaged for consumption. 

GRO3 is pleased to announce that the units were successfully installed and integrated into the production process and the results exceeded expectations. Furthermore, a follow up order has now been received from Virdi, LLC. for the largest unit to date and incorporates GRO3’s new proprietary ozone system manufactured completely in-house.  The EcoPrO3 system provides complete process water pre-filtration and antimicrobial treatment to ensure the final product meets and exceeds the highest food safety standards while maintaining quality, flavor, and potency.

“Amfil Technologies shares our same dedication to providing equipment to enable the manufacture of fresh, healthy and innovative beverage products,” said Aaron Harris, COO for Virdi. The Vessl^TM closure is a key piece of advanced technology in the most innovative beverages. The technology consists of a nitrogen-pressurized, patented bottle closure system that protects contents without the need of artificial preservatives. The Vessl^TM system pressurizes the mix inside, keeping the beverage shelf-stable until ready to consume. As a result, the liquid has high bioavailability, which leads to a faster high – usually within only 15 minutes.

“We are excited to be working yet again with Virdi and that the ECO-PRO3 systems are exceeding their stringent quality-assurance standards. The successful integration of the third unit at their facility provides further confirmation of the system’s efficacy in delivering natural antimicrobial treatment for use in the cannabis industry while exceeding the highest food standards. We look forward to a continued and expanded working relationship with Virdi and will continue our objective of delivering solutions which exceed the quality standards of their world-class facilities,” stated Roger Mortimer, CEO and President of Amfil Technologies Inc.

About Virdi, LLC

Virdi, LLC. is a privately-owned company based in Tempe, Arizona and is the exclusive supplier of the patented Vessl™ closure (www.vesslinc.com) for consumable liquid cannabis beverage applications in the US and Canada.  The Vessl™ closure is a dosing and dispensing device that allows the delivery of fresh ingredients without the need for artificial preservatives.  Virdi sells the patented Vessl^TM closures, trademarked packaging materials, proprietary formulas, beverage manufacturing equipment, packaging machines, and clean room infrastructure to distributors that produce and distribute trademarked and private or white label brands for cannabis and other beverage applications.

About Amfil Technologies

Amfil Technologies Inc. is the parent company to three wholly owned subsidiaries.

1). Snakes & Lagers Inc. holds the trade name and is the owner of Snakes & Lattes Inc. which currently operates 3 tabletop gaming bars and cafes located in Toronto, Ontario and 1 in Tempe, Arizona. The company is in the process of expanding throughout North America. Snakes & Lattes Inc. was the first board game bar and cafe in North America, is believed to be the largest in the world and has the largest circulating public library of board games in North America for customers to choose from. Snakes & Lattes Inc. currently has a 100+ member staff and recently acquired the exclusive distribution rights throughout Canada for some of the most popular board games in the world. The company also operates a lucrative fulfillment and distribution division and has recently entered into the board game publishing business through the acquisition of Morning which is expected to add significant revenues to the bottom line. For more information on Snakes & Lattes Inc. feel free to visit the website at www.snakesandlattes.com

2). The EcoPr03 GRO3 Antimicrobial System was jointly developed between Amfil Tech and A.C.T.S. Inc. which recently rebranded its technology under Advanced Ozone Integration as an extension of the existing ozone technology being utilized in the food and beverage industry and integrated by A.C.T.S. into companies such as Pepsi, Nestle, Sysco, Sun Pacific and many others. The system is a triple-function sanitization unit capable of naturally eliminating 99.9% of water and airborne pathogens and the typically problematic pests that wreak havoc for cultivators (like aphids, whiteflies and spider mites), as well as bacteria, fungus, microbes and mold on surfaces, all without chemicals. The unit can also constantly regulate a given facility’s water supply, oxygenating the water and maintaining a consistent PPM infusion of ozone that prevents the formation of algae, bacteria or mold (allowing for comprehensive water recycling), simultaneously removing the need to use pesticides and/or dangerous, often carcinogenic products to treat production problems, as is common throughout the industry today. This environmentally-friendly solution also eliminates odors, while slightly reducing the air temperature, lowering energy consumption by the HEPA filtration and HVAC systems and could potentially allow for a facilities process to be labeled certified organic in the U.S.A. when the crop is no longer considered illegal on the federal level, otherwise “Clean Green” or “Certified Kind” in the meantime. The EcoPr03 GRO3 Antimicrobial System recently passed product review by a registered USDA certifying agent for use in California as well as Pennsylvania and surrounding states. The subsidiary has developed a strategic partnership with Roto Gro, the creator of proprietary rotary hydroponic technology. More information on this product line can be found on the www.gro3systems.com website or on twitter @GRO3Systems.

3). Interloc-Kings Inc. is a hardscape construction company servicing the Greater Toronto Area. This subsidiary is an authorized Unilock installer. Unilock is North America’s premier manufacturer of concrete interlocking paving stones and segmental wall products. Interloc-Kings Inc. has an A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and a 10/10 rating on homestars.com. Specializing in stone and wood installations between $5,000 and $150,000 per project, Interloc-Kings Inc. has quickly become a top, high quality installation company of outdoor living areas in the GTA. More information on this subsidiary can be found at the website www.interloc-kings.com

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains statements that involve expectations, plans or intentions (such as those relating to future business or financial results, new features or services, or management strategies) and other factors discussed from time to time in the Company’s OTC Market or Securities and Exchange Commission filings. These statements are forward-looking and are subject to risks and uncertainties, so actual results may vary materially. You can identify these forward-looking statements by words such as “may,” “should,”, “will”, “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “confident,” “intend,” “plan” and other similar expressions. Our actual results, such as the Company’s ability to finance, complete and consolidate acquisition of IP, assets and operating companies, could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors not within the control of the company such as a result of various factors, including future economic, competitive, regulatory, and market conditions. The company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The company disclaims any obligation subsequently to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

Contact:

Roger Mortimer

Amfil Technologies Inc.

Telephone: (647) 880-5887

Email: [email protected]

Or

Ben Castanie

Snakes & Lattes Inc.

Telephone: (416) 500 2911

Email: [email protected]

AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ideal Power Inc. (Nasdaq: IPWR), pioneering the development and commercialization of highly efficient and broadly patented B-TRAN™ bi-directional power switches, today announced that it will virtually meet with investors at the following Fall 2020 investor conferences:

• Tuesday, November 17, 2020 – The 11^th Annual Craig-Hallum Alpha Select Conference
• Wednesday, November 18, 2020 – The Benchmark Company 9^th Annual Discovery One-on-One Conference

A copy of Ideal Power’s latest investor presentation is available on the company’s website. To schedule a one-on-one, please contact your Craig-Hallum or Benchmark representative.

About Ideal Power Inc.

Ideal Power (NASDAQ: IPWR) is pioneering the development of its broadly patented bi-directional power switches, creating highly efficient and ecofriendly energy control solutions for industrial, alternative energy, military and automotive applications. The Company is focused on its patented Bi-directional, Bi-polar Junction Transistor (B-TRAN™) semiconductor technology. B-TRAN™ is a unique double-sided bi-directional AC switch able to deliver substantial performance improvements over today’s conventional power semiconductors. Ideal Power believes B-TRAN™ modules will reduce conduction and switching losses, complexity of thermal management and operating cost in medium voltage AC power switching and control circuitry. For more information, visit www.IdealPower.com.

Ideal Power Investor Relations Contact: 
LHA Investor Relations
Carolyn Capaccio, CFA; Keith Fetter
T: 212-838-3777
[email protected]