Technology

Became one of the world’s highest ESG leader groups LOTTE rental earned the highest ‘AAA’ rating in the MSCI ESG evaluation

Published

2 years ago

July 9, 2024

▶ Acquired the highest rating, AAA, for the first time in the world in the same industry in Europe, the US, and Asia

▶ Scores rise evenly through various activities in all areas of environment, society, and governance

▶ Among domestic listed companies, only 6 companies, including SK Corporation, KB Financial Group, and Woori Financial Group, received AAA

SEOUL, South Korea, July 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — LOTTE rental(https://www.lotterental.com/) was awarded the highest AAA rating in the 2024 ESG evaluation announced by Morgan Stanley Capital International(MSCI), a global investment information provider. LOTTE rental is the first and only company in the world to receive an AAA rating in the passenger ground transportation industry.

MSCI ESG Evaluation is a global appraisal that evaluates the sustainability of companies and provides useful information to investors. Every year, the ESG management status of about 8,500 listed companies around the world is evaluated and classified into 7 levels (AAA-AA-A-BBB-BB-B-CCC). It is one of the most authoritative global rating agencies recognized by investors around the world.

LOTTE rental was listed on the stock market in August 2021 and has been receiving MSCI ESG evaluation since 2022. It obtained AA grade, the highest level in the industry, for two consecutive years in 2022 and 2023, and rose to AAA grade, the highest grade in this year’s evaluation. This is a result of an even increase in scores across the environmental, social, and governance evaluation areas. It is interpreted that the sustainable management activities that have been continuously pursued despite uncertain internal and external business environments have been recognized.

In the 2024 MSCI ESG evaluation, AAA rating was given to only 15% of companies worldwide. Along with LOTTE rental, there are only six domestic listed companies that received an AAA rating, including SK Corporation, KB Financial Group, and Woori Financial Group.

MSCI said in a report, “LOTTE rental aims to achieve carbon neutrality (Net-Zero), which reduces net greenhouse gas emissions to ‘0’ by 2040. It highly evaluated the environment area, saying, “We have eco-friendly vehicles such as electric and hybrid vehicles, and our greenhouse gas emissions are lower than those in the same industry.”

The area where scores increased the most was the social area. LOTTE rental is carrying out various activities to create an organizational culture that is good to work in and to fulfill its social responsibilities. LOTTE rental implements a work-from-home and sabbatical leave system for child care, as well as a voluntary dress code and voluntary work commute system. In addition, it has created a corporate culture where executives and employees communicate and share opinions, such as anonymous/named online chat rooms where management issues are resolved through collective intelligence, and the CEO operates a direct communication channel. In addition, LOTTE rental conducted a human rights impact assessment to identify potential factors affecting human rights through corporate activities and achieved an excellent overall achievement rate of 96.7%. It also made efforts to protect customer information, such as obtaining Information Security Management System(ISMS) certification.

Governance, which had the highest evaluation weight, saw scores for all items increase. LOTTE rental introduced an electronic voting system to encourage shareholder voting and appointed outside director system to strengthen the independence of the board of directors. It also acquired ISO37001 certification, an international standard for anti-corruption management systems.

It is expected that this MSCI ESG rating increase will have a positive effect on credit rating evaluation. This is because not only domestic institutional investors, but also domestic and foreign credit rating agencies heavily reflect ESG ratings, especially governance factors, in their credit rating methodologies, and view them as important evaluation factors when investing in bonds and stocks.

Choi Jin-hwan, CEO of LOTTE rental, stated, “We will continue to lead the industry’s ESG management across the environment, society, and governance, and in particular, continue efforts to enhance shareholder value under a transparent and sound governance structure.”

Since LOTTE group declared ESG management in July 2021, it has been working to build a global-level ESG management environment. As a result, in addition to LOTTE rental, LOTTE CHEMICAL’s rating went up by one level from BBB to A, and LOTTE Fine Chemical’s rating went up by one level from BB to BBB.

About LOTTE rental

LOTTE rental, the only comprehensive rental company in Korea, provides better value with various business portfolios, including auto mobility services that encompass car life, business solution services that support more efficient businesses.

LOTTE rent-a-car is creating an innovative car life as the No.1 car rental brand. Greencar, Korea’s –first car-sharing brand, is drawing a better mobility service.

LOTTE rental is moving forward as a mobility leader that connects customers’ precious lives.

For more information about LOTTE rental, please visit: https://www.lotterental.com/

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SOURCE LOTTE rent-a-car

Technology

BMO Named Best Bank in North America, Western U.S. and Transaction Banking in North America by Global Finance

Published

2 minutes ago

June 18, 2026

Recognition highlights BMO’s investment in artificial intelligence, digital innovation and client experience

TORONTO and CHICAGO and SAN FRANCISCO, June 18, 2026 /CNW/ – BMO today announced it has been recognized by Global Finance with three top honours: Best Bank in North America, Best Bank in the Western United States, and Best Bank for Transaction Banking in North America, spanning the publication’s World’s Best Banks and Treasury & Cash Management Awards programmes.

The recognition reflects BMO’s strength across its North American platform and continued momentum in key markets, as well as its leadership in treasury management, digital payments, artificial intelligence and liquidity solutions.

Together, the awards underscore BMO’s progress in scaling digital capabilities, advancing AI across its operations, and deepening client relationships to deliver more connected, innovative and client-focused banking experiences.

“Team BMO is focused on helping our clients make real financial progress with expert advice, innovative products and services, and world-class experiences,” said Darryl White, CEO, BMO Financial Group. “By integrating AI across our business, we’re personalizing client experiences, augmenting our teams with deeper insights, and automating how we deliver simpler, more proactive support – this recognition reflects our client commitment, the strength of our North American platform, and disciplined execution of our strategy.”

The Global Finance World’s Best Banks awards recognize financial institutions that demonstrate strong financial performance, strategic growth, and innovation in products and services.

“Being named Best Bank in the Western U.S. speaks to the momentum we’re building in key markets and the way our teams are showing up for clients every day,” said Darrel Hackett, U.S. CEO, BMO. “We’re focused on making banking more simple, connected and personal by combining strong local relationships with the scale and capabilities of a leading U.S. bank.”

Across North America, BMO continues to invest in technology and innovation to enhance the client experience – expanding digital capabilities and embedding AI across client engagement, risk management and operations. These investments are driving faster decisions, deeper insights and more connected financial services.

“We’re proud to be recognized for our leadership in transaction banking across North America. Our focus is clear – deliver smarter, faster and more connected treasury and payment solutions for clients,” said Sharon Haward-Laird, Group Head, Canadian Commercial Banking & North American Integrated Solutions, BMO. “By combining innovation, data and AI, we’re helping clients manage liquidity and drive their businesses forward.”

BMO has earned global recognition for AI talent development, reflecting its enterprise-wide approach to building and scaling advanced capabilities. With AI adoption exceeding 96% across employees and intelligent agents supporting frontline and operational teams, AI is embedded across the bank’s businesses. Guided by strong Responsible AI governance, BMO continues to advance AI and quantum innovation through the BMO Institute for Applied AI and Quantum – personalizing client experiences, augmenting teams and automating operations at scale.

To learn more about BMO’s AI and digital-first strategy, please visit: https://www.bmo.com/en-ca/main/about-bmo/our-impact/clients/technology-innovation/.

About BMO Financial Group
BMO Financial Group is the eighth largest bank in North America by assets, with total assets of $1.5 trillion as of April 30, 2026. Serving clients for more than 200 years, BMO provides a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management, global markets and investment banking products and services across Canada, the United States, and select markets globally. BMO is innovating for business value, by deploying and integrating human, digital and artificial intelligence to personalize client experiences, augment teams, and automate its business responsibly. Driven by its purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, BMO is committed to driving positive change in the world, and making progress for a thriving economy, sustainable future, and stronger communities.

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SOURCE BMO Financial Group – Communications

Technology

HawkEye 360 Announces New Leadership for Innovative Signal Analysis

Published

2 minutes ago

June 18, 2026

HERNDON, Va., June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — HawkEye 360, Inc. (NYSE: HAWK), the global leader in signals intelligence data and analytics, today announced leadership changes within Innovative Signal Analysis (ISA), now part of HawkEye 360, appointing Cory Peichel as Senior Vice President and General Manager of HawkEye–ISA and Mark Volpi as Vice President and Deputy General Manager.

Cory will serve as the executive leader, responsible for end‑to‑end business performance. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer of HawkEye 360, he will guide mission delivery excellence and serve as the senior customer‑facing executive for HawkEye–ISA. He will also lead the business sectors and functional disciplines responsible for delivering solutions and capabilities to address customer requirements and ensure disciplined execution across all portfolios.

Mark will serve as the deputy, supporting all aspects of strategic execution, operational performance, and customer engagement. His role will reinforce leadership continuity and strengthen alignment across the organization.

Both leaders bring significant technical expertise, deep knowledge of ISA’s mission, and a strong track record across the defense and intelligence community. They played key roles in integrating ISA with HawkEye 360 and have helped guide the organization through its transition to becoming a new public company with HawkEye 360’s IPO in May. Their practical leadership and customer‑focused approach continue to support how our teams adapt and work together in this new phase of growth.

“This leadership transition strengthens our commitment to delivering sophisticated, timely, and high‑confidence analytics to our defense, intelligence, and national security partners,” said Todd Probert, Chief Operating Officer of HawkEye 360. “Cory and Mark’s technical insight, operational discipline, and long‑standing mission focus position HawkEye–ISA for continued growth. Their leadership will help accelerate innovation and expand the value we deliver through advanced analytics and RF data solutions.”

The enhanced leadership structure reinforces HawkEye 360’s dedication to supporting critical national security missions, expanding advanced analytic capabilities, and delivering faster, more accurate insights that empower customers with the information advantage needed to address emerging threats.

We extend our sincere appreciation to ISA’s Founders, Stacy Kniffen and David Stevens, for their leadership and dedication to the defense and intelligence mission. We are grateful that they will continue to support the organization and the commitments we have made to provide world-class solutions to our customers.

About HawkEye 360
HawkEye 360 is equipping defense, intelligence, and national security leaders with mission-critical electronic warfare to enable faster, better decision-making. By detecting, geolocating, and characterizing radio-frequency emissions worldwide, HawkEye 360 delivers trusted domain awareness and early-warning indicators to the US Government and allied partners. Our space-based collection, proprietary signal processing, and AI-powered analytics transform knowledge of RF spectrum into a strategic advantage. Proven by operational mission success, HawkEye 360 is redefining how signals intelligence strengthens national and global security.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and represent the Company’s views as of the date of this press release. The words “will,” “expects,” “plans,” “could,” “would,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “may,” “continue,” “estimate,” or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The Company has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of assumptions and risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond the Company’s control that could affect its financial results. These risks and uncertainties are detailed in the sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s final prospectus related to its initial public offering, dated May 6, 2026, and other filings that the Company makes from time to time with the SEC, which are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Moreover, the Company operates in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for management to predict all risks, nor can the Company assess the impact of all factors on its business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements the Company may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the future events and trends discussed in this press release may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in any forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company is under no obligation to update these forward-looking statements subsequent to the date of this press release, or to update the reasons if actual results differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements.

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SOURCE HawkEye 360 Inc.

Technology

The Andersons, Inc. Declares Cash Dividend for Third Quarter 2026

Published

2 minutes ago

June 18, 2026

MAUMEE, Ohio, June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Andersons, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANDE) announces a third quarter 2026 cash dividend of 20 cents ($0.20) per share payable on July 22, 2026, to shareholders of record as of July 01, 2026.

This is The Andersons 119th consecutive quarterly cash dividend since listing on the Nasdaq in February 1996.

About The Andersons, Inc.

The Andersons, Inc., is a North American agriculture and renewable fuels company. Guided by its Statement of Principles, The Andersons is committed to providing extraordinary service to its customers, helping its employees improve, supporting its communities, and increasing the value of the company. For more information, please visit www.andersonsinc.com.

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SOURCE The Andersons, Inc.