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Sands China, in Partnership with Alipay and Macau Pass, Successfully Introduced the Innovative Alipay Tap! in Macao

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Simplifying payments for both domestic and international tourists

MACAO, Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On Jan. 14, 2025, Sands China Ltd., Alipay and Macau Pass jointly introduced the Alipay Tap! service at Sands Resorts® Macao. Utilizing innovative payment interaction technology, the service will further enhance the payment experience of visitors in Macao and enable new digital business and marketing opportunities. It will also contribute to the city’s smart city development while supporting digital upgrades and connectivity within the Greater Bay Area.

Alipay Tap! is an innovative payment service introduced by Alipay in July 2024 in the Chinese mainland. Users can simply unlock their phones and tap the merchant’s payment device to complete the transaction, without opening the Alipay app. This solution has quickly become popular with both users and merchants and is currently available in over 100 cities and more than 1,000 shopping malls and commercial districts in the Chinese mainland. In addition to payments, Alipay has also collaborated with partners to create over 50 Alipay Tap! digital industry solutions, such as “Tap to Order” and “Tap to Open Self-service Vending Machine.”

In this first phase, Sands China has rolled out Alipay Tap! across 300 merchants in its integrated resorts, including The Venetian® Macao, The Parisian Macao, The Londoner® Macao, and Sands® Macao. It can be used for a variety of payments, such as hotel accommodation, dining, shopping, and ticketing, providing customers with a convenient payment experience. Chinese mainland tourists using Alipay Tap! in Sands Resorts Macao can also enjoy multiple offers during the promotional period, including an exclusive coupon for the first transaction via Alipay Tap! in Macao and other cross-border travel promotions released.

Merchants can use one terminal to meet the payment needs of both tourists and local residents using mainstream e-wallets. A representative from a Sands Resorts Macao merchant shared, “As Chinese mainland tourists are generally familiar with Alipay Tap!, combined with various recent promotional offers, the number of Alipay Tap! transactions has significantly increased since its launch, greatly enhancing operational efficiency.”

Jiajia Li, Vice President of Alipay, Ant Group, said, “Macao has unique geographic advantages, providing an ideal environment for the introduction of innovative technologies. Alipay and Alipay+’s cross-border services have already covered nearly 90% of merchants in Macao. The successful introduction of Alipay Tap! in Macao will further enhance the convenience of payments for Chinese mainland visitors, accelerate the digital transformation of businesses, unlock more commercial potential, and promote the digital connectivity of digital everyday services within the Greater Bay Area.”

The introduction of Alipay Tap! in Macao is not just a simple replication of the payment model but also creates a local digital business model benchmark. The collaboration between the three companies integrates Alipay’s user experience and membership preferences, Sands China’s unique services and benefits, and Macau Pass’s regional coverage and operational expertise. Together, they have created a new digital business model.

Allan Chung, Vice President of E-Commerce and Digital Marketing of Sands China Ltd., said, “Sands China is proud to be the first in Macao to offer this innovative payment technology. By deeply integrating it across various business operations within Sands Resorts Macao, we have significantly enhanced the payment experience, making it smoother and more convenient for both domestic and international visitors. This initiative also helps foster an environment for the digital economy and technological innovation in Macao. Sands China will continue to collaborate with innovative technology partners, while actively supporting the Macao SAR Government’s smart city development agenda. We are committed to ensuring that convenience and the latest digital services are easily accessible, and contributing to the quality growth of Macao’s tourism industry.”

Gavin Zhao, Chief Technical Officer of Macau Pass, said, “As a leader in digital solutions in Macao, Macau Pass will integrate its own digital capabilities with the Alipay Tap! technology, connecting with local ecosystem scenarios to create a new model of digital commerce with local characteristics. In the future, we will further integrate one-stop terminals, benefits, and membership capabilities, helping merchants upgrade digitally and promoting the high-quality development of Macao’s digital economy, providing strong support for the moderate diversification of the economy.”

With the application of new technologies, the interaction between digital finance, innovative business models, and new forms of productivity will become increasingly close. The introduction of Alipay Tap! will not only further enhance the convenience of mobile payments in Macao but also integrate the physical and digital economies, injecting momentum into the development of smart tourism and smart city initiatives. At the same time, leveraging Macao’s unique geographic advantage, it will promote deeper integration with the Greater Bay Area’s digital economy. This will improve the visitor experience and create an innovative digital ecosystem, while showcasing Macao’s appeal as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure.

To download the relevant high-definition images, please use the following link:

https://we.tl/t-PNaIkeQVgT (Link valid until Jan.17, 2025)

About Sands China Ltd.

Sands China Ltd. (Sands China or the Company) is incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability and is listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. Sands China is the largest operator of integrated resorts in Macao. The Company’s integrated resorts on the Cotai Strip comprise The Venetian® Macao, The Plaza® Macao, The Parisian Macao and The Londoner® Macao. The Company also owns and operates Sands® Macao on the Macao peninsula. The Company’s portfolio features a diversified mix of leisure and business attractions and transportation operations, including large meeting and convention facilities; a wide range of restaurants; shopping malls; world-class entertainment at The Venetian Arena, The Londoner Arena, The Venetian Theatre, The Parisian Theatre, the Londoner Theatre and the Sands Theatre; and a high-speed Cotai Water Jet ferry service between Hong Kong and Macao. The Company’s Cotai Strip portfolio has the goal of contributing to Macao’s transformation into a world centre of tourism and leisure. Sands China is a subsidiary of global resort developer Las Vegas Sands Corp.

For more information, please visit www.sandschina.com.

About Alipay

As the world becomes increasingly digital, Alipay has evolved from a trusted e-wallet into an all-in-one digital platform for daily services, connecting more than one billion consumers to over 80 million merchants across China. Alipay offers users a secure, seamless mobile payment experience and integrates over 10,000 services across sectors like travel, healthcare, tourism, and entertainment. With digital tools like Alipay Tap!, mini-programs, lifestyle accounts, Alipay enables merchants, institutions, and independent software vendors (ISVs) to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness. In addition, Alipay is developing a new AI-driven open platform by integrating AI agents to deliver smarter, more personalized services to its users as well as facilitating the digital transformation of the service sector.

About Macau Pass S.A.

Macau Pass, a leading financial technology and payment services company in Macao, contributes to the popularization of mobile payments and the construction of a smart city in Macao by providing contactless smart cards, e-wallets, and versatile electronic payment systems. In 2007, Macau Pass introduced the first contactless smart card mCard in Macao, which is now one of the largest contactless smart card and electronic payment system in Macao. In 2015, Macau Pass introduced mobile payment to Macao and created the MPay app in 2018. Today, it is not only one of the most widely used payment applications in Macao but has also developed into a super app that covers financial payments, lifestyle services, and leisure and entertainment scenarios, providing comprehensive digital services for local merchants, residents, and tourists in Macao.

Rooted in Macao and with a vision for global connectivity, Macau Pass is committed to advancing financial technology and smart city initiatives. The company continues to expand its digital service offerings and enhance payment solutions to meet the evolving demands of users in the Greater Bay Area and beyond. Through these efforts, Macau Pass strives to strengthen Macao’s connections with the global community and foster economic and cultural prosperity across the region.

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SOURCE Macau Pass S.A.

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Great Place To Work names Invisors on the 2026 Best Workplaces for Women List, Ranking no.65

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Invisors named a UK’s Best Workplaces for Women™!

GLASGOW, Scotland, July 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Invisors, a Workday Services Partner has officially been recognized as one of UK’s Best Workplaces for Women 2026™, in 65th place out of the 350 ranked organisations.

Invisors’ values and culture are among the reasons women at our organisation say it is a great place to work. Discover how the team brings this philosophy to life at invisors.com/company-overview.

The 2026 UK’s Best Workplaces for Women list is made up of employers whose people have told Great Place To Work® UK they work for a place that is inclusive and equitable for all. The 350 companies on the list are committed to ensuring a reasonable balance of women and men across the organisation; removing barriers to women’s career advancement; and creating workplaces where all employees, regardless of gender, can flourish.

“I’m incredibly proud to see Invisors recognized as a Top Place for Women to Work. This award reflects the culture we’ve built together—one that values inclusivity, flexibility and empowerment. It’s a place where people are supported to bring their whole selves to work, grow their careers and strive for excellence every day.” Jennifer Donnelly-Corbett, EMEA Manager, HCM and Absence at Invisors.

Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place To Work UK says:

“This year’s UK’s Best Workplaces for Women list celebrates businesses making a genuine difference day to day, not just in what they say, but in how people experience work. What matters most is that this recognition comes directly from women working in these organisations, who tell us they feel supported, valued, and able to grow.

Our research demonstrates that these organisations creating high-trust environments deliver stronger results, whether in financial outcomes, impact, or service delivery, alongside greater agility and resilience in the face of change.

Congratulations to Invisors for creating an environment where inclusion is clearly felt in practice.” 

Matt Smith, Managing Director, Global HR Operations, Invisors “Being named as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces for Women list is an achievement because it reflects what our people actually experience, not just what we aspire to. We’ve worked to build an environment where career growth and success aren’t something women have to fight for — it’s built into how we operate. This recognition is a great step in the journey, not the finish line, and we’re committed to keeping that bar high as Invisors grows within the UK.”

About Invisors

As a certified Workday Services Partner, Invisors helps clients leverage their organisational data to make better-informed business decisions through the deployment of Workday. Invisors’ success is measured by their clients’ ability to achieve their big-picture vision. From initial deployments to ongoing projects, Invisors is dedicated to elevating perspectives and transforming results. To learn more, visit invisors.com

About Great Place To Work®

Great Place To Work® is the global authority on workplace culture, helping organisations to create exceptional, high-performing workplaces where employees feel trusted and valued. The UK’s Best Workplaces for Women™ enables these outstanding organisations to celebrate their achievements, build their employer brand, and inspire others to take action. For more information, visit www.greatplacetowork.co.uk.

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SOURCE Invisors

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Auction Direct USA in Raleigh, NC, Makes It Easy to Shop for Used Vehicles Online

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RALEIGH, N.C., July 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Auction Direct USA in Raleigh, NC, helps shoppers browse used-vehicle inventory, compare options, and complete key steps of the buying process online for a faster, more convenient shopping experience.

Auction Direct USA in Raleigh, NC, is simplifying the used vehicle shopping experience by offering convenient online tools that help drivers browse inventory, compare options, and begin the purchasing process from the comfort of home.

With a user-friendly website, shoppers can explore an extensive selection of used cars, trucks, and SUVs that fit a variety of budgets and lifestyles. Detailed vehicle listings provide important information, including photos, key features, specifications, pricing, and availability, allowing customers to make informed decisions before visiting the dealership.

The online platform also makes it easy to narrow vehicle choices using search filters for make, model, body style, price range, mileage, model year, and other preferences. These features help shoppers quickly find vehicles that meet their individual needs while saving valuable time.

In addition to browsing inventory, customers can use several digital shopping tools to streamline the buying process. Visitors can estimate monthly payments, value a trade-in, complete a finance application, and schedule a test drive online. These resources allow shoppers to prepare for their dealership visit with greater confidence and convenience.

Auction Direct USA in Raleigh, NC, regularly updates its online inventory, giving customers access to fresh vehicle selections as they become available. Whether someone is searching for a dependable commuter car, a family-friendly SUV, or a capable pickup truck, the website provides an efficient way to explore available options before stepping into the showroom.

The dealership remains committed to delivering a straightforward, customer-focused buying experience by combining a wide range of high-quality used vehicles with digital tools that simplify every stage of the shopping journey.

Drivers looking to begin their search can visit Auction Direct USA in Raleigh, NC, or browse the current inventory online to compare vehicles and take advantage of convenient shopping resources before visiting the dealership in person.

About Auction Direct USA in Raleigh, NC

Auction Direct USA in Raleigh, NC, offers a diverse inventory of quality used cars, trucks, and SUVs to meet a wide range of driving needs and budgets. By combining a customer-focused approach with convenient online shopping tools, the dealership helps make finding and purchasing a used vehicle simple, efficient, and enjoyable.

Media Contact: Tony Kicinski, 844-678-8048, tonyk@auctiondirectusa.com

 

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SOURCE Auction Direct USA

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FLAGSTAR BANK, N.A. ANNOUNCES $250 MILLION SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM

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Board of Directors Authorizes Repurchase of Up to $250 Million of Outstanding Common Stock, Reflecting the Bank’s Strong Capital Position and Commitment to Long-Term Shareholder Value

HICKSVILLE, N.Y., July 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Flagstar Bank, N.A. (NYSE: FLG) (the “Bank”) today announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a common stock repurchase program under which the Bank may repurchase up to $250 million of its outstanding common stock over the next 12-month period.

Commenting on the repurchase program, Joseph M. Otting, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer stated, “We are pleased to announce our stock buyback program, which reflects the meaningful progress we have made in executing our strategic plan, the strength of the balance sheet, and Flagstar’s long-term growth prospects. We have consistently maintained capital levels well above regulatory requirements, and we believe that returning capital to our shareholders through a share repurchase program represents a compelling and disciplined use of our excess capital at this time.

“We remain deeply committed to serving our customers and communities and we are confident that this program — alongside our continued investment in our people, products, systems, and technology — will deliver sustainable, long-term value for our shareholders.”

Repurchases may be conducted through open-market purchases, which may include purchases under a trading plan adopted pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 10b5-1, or through privately negotiated transactions. The timing and exact amount of any share repurchases will be subject to a variety of factors, including the availability of stock for repurchases, the Bank’s capital position and financial performance, regulatory considerations, and general market conditions. The share repurchase program does not obligate the Bank to acquire any specific number of shares and may be modified, suspended, or discontinued at any time without prior notice. Any future stock repurchase programs would be subject to the approval of the Board of Directors and other various factors, including the Bank’s liquidity, capital position and financial performance, accounting and regulatory considerations, and general market conditions.

Flagstar Bank, N.A.

Flagstar Bank, N.A. is one of the largest regional banks in the country and is headquartered in Hicksville, New York. At June 30, 2026, the Bank had $87.7 billion of assets, $61.2 billion of loans, deposits of $67.5 billion, and total stockholders’ equity of $8.1 billion. Flagstar Bank, N.A. operates approximately 340 locations across nine states, with strong footholds in the greater New York/New Jersey metropolitan region and in the upper Midwest, along with a significant presence in fast-growing markets in Florida and the West Coast.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Language

This press release may include forward‐looking statements by us and our authorized officers pertaining to such matters as our goals, beliefs, intentions, and expectations regarding, among other things: (a) revenues, earnings, loan production, asset quality, liquidity position, capital levels, risk analysis, divestitures, acquisitions, and other material transactions, among other matters; (b) the future costs and benefits of the actions we may take; (c) our assessments of credit risk and probable losses on loans and associated allowances and reserves; (d) our assessments of interest rate and other market risks; (e) our ability to achieve profitability goals within projected timeframes and to execute on our strategic plan, including the sufficiency of our internal resources, procedures and systems; (f) our ability to execute our capital management strategies, including our ability to complete our current stock repurchase program and to implement future stock repurchase programs; (g) our ability to attract, incentivize, and retain key personnel and the roles of key personnel; (h) our ability to achieve our financial and other strategic goals, including those related to our recent holding company reorganization, which was completed in October 2025 (the “Reorganization”), our merger with Flagstar Bancorp, Inc., which was completed in December 2022, our acquisition of substantial portions of the former Signature Bank through an FDIC-assisted transaction, which was completed in March 2023, and our ability to comply with the heightened regulatory standards with respect to governance and risk management programs to which we are subject as a national bank with assets of $50 billion or more; (i) the impact of the $1.05 billion capital raise we completed in March 2024; (j) the conversion or exchange of shares of our preferred stock; (k) the payment of dividends on shares of our capital stock, including adjustments to the amount of dividends payable on shares of our preferred stock; (l) the dilution of existing equity holders associated with future equity awards and stock issuances; (m) the effects of the reverse stock split we effected in July 2024; and (n) the impact of the 2024 sale of our mortgage servicing operations, third party mortgage loan origination business, and mortgage warehouse business.

Forward‐looking statements are typically identified by such words as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “outlook,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “should,” “confident,” and other similar words and expressions, and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, which change over time. Additionally, forward‐looking statements speak only as of the date they are made; we do not assume any duty, and do not undertake, to update our forward‐looking statements. Furthermore, because forward‐looking statements are subject to assumptions and uncertainties, actual results or future events could differ, possibly materially, from those anticipated in our statements, and our future performance could differ materially from our historical results.

Our forward‐looking statements are subject to, among others, the following principal risks and uncertainties: general economic conditions and trends, either nationally or locally; conditions in the securities, credit and financial markets; changes in interest rates; changes in deposit flows, and in the demand for deposit, loan, and investment products and other financial services; changes in real estate values; changes in the quality or composition of our loan or investment portfolios, including associated allowances and reserves; changes in future allowance for credit losses, including changes required under relevant accounting and regulatory requirements; the ability to pay future dividends; the ability to implement future stock repurchase programs, which are subject to the approval of the Board of Directors and other various factors, including the Bank’s liquidity, capital position, and financial performance, accounting and regulatory considerations, as well as general market conditions; changes in our capital management and balance sheet strategies and our ability to successfully implement such strategies; our ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of the Reorganization; changes in our Board of Directors and our executive management team; changes in our strategic plan, including changes in our internal resources, procedures and systems, and our ability to successfully implement such plan; changes in competitive pressures among financial institutions or from non‐financial institutions; changes in legislation, regulations, and policies; changes relating to rent regulation and housing, including recent legislative action in New York City to freeze rents on certain rent-regulated properties; the impacts of tariffs, sanctions and other trade policies of the United States and its global trading counterparts; the outcome of federal, state, and local elections and the resulting economic and other impact on the areas in which we conduct business; the impact of changing political conditions or federal government shutdowns; the imposition of restrictions on our operations by bank regulators; the outcome of pending or threatened litigation, or of investigations or any other matters before regulatory agencies, whether currently existing or commencing in the future; our ability to comply with heightened regulatory standards with respect to governance and risk management programs to which we are subject as a national bank with assets of $50 billion or more; the restructuring of our mortgage business; our ability to achieve anticipated cost savings and enhanced efficiencies with respect to our balance sheet and expense reduction strategies; the impact of failures or disruptions in or breaches of our operational or security systems, data or infrastructure, or those of third parties, including as a result of cyberattacks or campaigns; the impact of natural disasters, extreme weather events, civil unrest, international military conflict, terrorism or other geopolitical events; and a variety of other matters which, by their nature, are subject to significant uncertainties and/or are beyond our control. Our forward-looking statements are also subject to the following principal risks and uncertainties with respect to our merger with Flagstar Bancorp, which was completed in December 2022, and our acquisition of substantial portions of the former Signature Bank through an FDIC-assisted transaction, which was completed in March 2023: the possibility that the anticipated benefits of the transactions will not be realized when expected or at all; the possibility of increased legal and compliance costs, including with respect to any litigation or regulatory actions related to the business practices of acquired companies or the combined business; diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; the possibility that we may be unable to achieve expected synergies and operating efficiencies in or as a result of the transactions within the expected timeframes or at all; and revenues following the transactions may be lower than expected.

More information regarding some of these factors is provided in the Risk Factors section of our Annual Report on Form 10‐K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and in other reports we file with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”) and voluntarily file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and which are also available on our Investor Relations website. Our forward‐looking statements may also be subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those we may discuss in this news release, on our conference call, during investor presentations, or in our securities disclosure filings. All such files are accessible on our website at ir.flagstar.com, on the OCC’s website at www.occ.gov, and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Investor Contact:
Salvatore J. DiMartino
(516) 683-4286

Media Contact:
Jessica Torchia
(248) 312-6451

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SOURCE Flagstar Bank, N.A.

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