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Registration is Now Open for the 2025 Externship: The Premier Virtual Financial Planning Training Program

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Now in its sixth year, The Externship offers an 8-week virtual experience designed to help college students, new advisors, and career changers succeed in the financial planning profession.

DALLAS, April 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Amplified Planning is proud to announce that registration is open for the 2025 Externship program. Now in its sixth year, The Externship has grown into the premier online training program for those looking to enter or advance in the financial planning profession. With over 2,000 people already on the waitlist, this summer’s program is expected to be the largest yet. The program will build on the success of 4,500+ alumni who have already benefited from its innovative approach to financial planning training.

Led by Hannah Moore, CFP®, an award-winning financial planner and leader in financial education, The Externship provides a robust, eight-week virtual learning experience designed for students, new professionals, and career changers. Participants will gain hands-on experience, learn from more than 50 industry experts, explore real financial planning scenarios with real clients — and they can earn 500 CFP Board standard pathway experience hours upon completion. Registration opens April 1 and closes May 23, with special bonuses for those who register before April 15.

This year’s program runs from June 2 to August 1. Those interested can register at www.TheExternship.com

Meeting the Industry’s Growing Demand for Talent

With the financial planning profession facing a talent shortage, programs like The Externship are more critical than ever. According to research from both Cerulli and McKinsey & Company, the profession must expand its talent pipeline to meet the growing demand for financial planners — and our new professionals’ demand for training. The Externship offers a clear pathway for aspiring professionals, including a significant percentage of career changers, who made up over 40% of last year’s Externship participants.

“We often hear about a shortage of financial advisors, but the real challenge is providing the proper training to set them up for success, which ultimately leads to much higher retention,” said Hannah Moore, CFP®, Founder of Amplified Planning and President of Guiding Wealth. “The Externship removes barriers to entry, provides meaningful hands-on experience, and creates structured pathways into the profession. It’s about equipping the next generation of financial planners with the knowledge and confidence they need to succeed.”

A Program Designed for Real-World Success

Participants in The Externship receive 500 CFP Board standard pathway experience hours and 180 hours from the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education® (AFCPE) upon completion. The program covers the core foundations of financial planning while also offering a unique behind-the-scenes look at how experienced professionals have built their careers. Externs will see real client meetings, hear from experts on key topics, use industry-leading financial planning software, and engage in interactive learning experiences that mirror the realities of the profession.

“The Externship provides those aspiring to become financial planners with hands-on experience to bridge the gap between academics and real-world practice,” said Jason Gudenius, Managing Director of Workforce at CFP Board. “With a projected advisor shortage, programs like this are essential to preparing the next generation. CFP Board is proud to support this initiative and invest in the profession’s future.”

Industry Support Continues to Grow

In addition to CFP Board’s support, The Externship continues to receive significant backing from some of the most respected organizations in financial planning, including Charles Schwab, eMoney, XYPN, Kaplan, Orion/ Redtail, Asset Map, EncorEstate, DFA, Morningstar, AFCPE, NAPFA, and FPA.

“Talent is the differentiator, and it continues to be a top priority for RIA firms,” said Leslie Tabor, Director, Advisor Services, Charles Schwab. “Experiential programs like The Externship help new and incoming financial planners put theory into practice by getting the opportunity to see how it’s done in the real world. Schwab and The Externship have a shared mission to strengthen awareness of the RIA industry with prospective talent – and to arm them with a full scope of understanding and skills needed to thrive as emerging professionals,” she continued.

An Inclusive and Affordable Pathway Into Financial Planning

Designed to make financial planning education accessible, The Externship is priced at $397, with early bird perks available for those who register before April 15. Firms looking to enhance their internship programs can also participate in the Internship/Externship hybrid program, which supplements summer intern learning with structured guidance through the eight-week curriculum.

There are also various scholarship opportunities. To review application requirements, visit TheExternship.com

“The Externship is a game-changer for the financial planning profession,” said Moore. “Whether you are a student, a career changer, returning to the workforce, or an early-career professional, this program provides the exposure, education, and experience needed to thrive in financial planning.”

Learn More and Register

Registration for The Externship is now open and will close on May 23, 2025. To learn more about the program and secure a spot, visit TheExternship.com.

About Amplified Planning

Amplified Planning is dedicated to transforming the financial planning profession by redefining how planners are educated and trained. Founded by Hannah Moore, CFP®, Amplified Planning provides innovative training programs designed to equip financial professionals with the real-world skills needed to succeed. The Externship is its flagship initiative, providing thousands of aspiring financial planners with an accessible, hands-on learning experience. Learn more at amplifiedplanning.com.

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SOURCE Amplified Planning

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JinkoSolar Unveils Tiger Neo 5.0 All-Black Residential Solar Module with 25.52% Efficiency

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October 17, 2026

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SHANGRAO, China, Oct. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. (“JinkoSolar” or the “Company”) (NYSE: JKS), today unveiled Tiger Neo 5.0, an all-black residential solar module built on its all-new TAC technology. The first version to reach the market, an all-black 48-cell module, delivers a maximum power output of 510 W with a module efficiency of 25.52%. It was designed to redefine the upper limits of what a scenario-specific module can deliver in both appearance and efficiency for premium homes and other architecturally refined residences.

The module showcases a deeper, more uniform and more refined black appearance than conventional back-contact (BC) modules. Semiconductor-grade low- and high-temperature processes bring the power temperature coefficient down to -0.24%/℃, meaning stronger energy yield in high-temperature environments.

TAC technology combines the excellent carrier transport of TOPCon with the low-temperature processing and positive electrode passivation of HJT, pushing peak cell efficiency to 28%, approaching the theoretical limit of monocrystalline silicon cells. Together with a zero-gap cell layout and hidden-ribbon technology at module level, the module achieves an efficiency of 25.52%. Compared with conventional BC products, it delivers approximately 30 W more power, and a lower temperature coefficient. Its deeper, more premium black appearance blends seamlessly into residential rooftops— especially dark-colored ones — making it a standout in the residential module category for both power and aesthetics.

“Our vision for Tiger Neo 5.0 was to develop a panel tailored to premium residential rooftops. It pushes the boundaries of both performance and aesthetics with innovations in cell technology, passivation processes, structural design, module format and interconnections. With this launch, we aim to help move the industry toward solutions tailored to specific applications,” said Charlie Cao, CEO of Jinko Solar Co., Ltd.

About JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd.

JinkoSolar (NYSE: JKS) is a holding company combining clean energy industrial operations and strategic investment in emerging technologies. Its industrial foundation is a controlling interest in Jinko Solar Co., Ltd. (SSE: 688223), a global leader in clean energy technology. The Company makes disciplined strategic investments in renewable energy, advanced materials, artificial intelligence, commercial space and other frontier technologies, drawing on its industrial experience and its ability to identify emerging technologies and bring them to commercial scale.

Through Jinko Solar Co., Ltd., the Company distributes its solar products and sells its solutions and services to a diversified international utility, commercial and residential customer base in China, the United States, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, Chile, South Africa, India, Mexico, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Poland, Austria, Switzerland, Greece and other countries and regions.

JinkoSolar has over 10 production facilities globally, over 20 overseas subsidiaries in Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, India, Turkey, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, the United States, Mexico, and other countries, and a global sales network with sales teams in China, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Spain, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, Vietnam and India, as of June 30, 2026.

To find out more, please see: www.jinkosolar.com 

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar statements. Among other things, the quotations from management in this press release and the Company’s operations and business outlook, contain forward-looking statements. Such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in JinkoSolar’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 20-F. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

Ms. Stella Wang
JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd.
Tel: +86 21-5180-8777 ext.7806
Email: pr@jinkosolar.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jinkosolar-unveils-tiger-neo-5-0-all-black-residential-solar-module-with-25-52-efficiency-302911814.html

SOURCE JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd.

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AGFUND wins international award for excellence in inclusive banking and social impact

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October 17, 2026

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 Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal credits the founders of AGFUND’s microfinance banks for laying the foundations of its development impact

BANGKOK, Oct. 17, 2026 /CNW/ — The Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND) won the “Excellence in Inclusive Banking and Social Impact” award at the 2026 Sustainable Development Goals Awards, organized by the World Savings and Retail Banking Institute (WSBI) in cooperation with the European Savings and Retail Banking Group (ESBG).

AGFUND CEO Hammam bin Nasser bin Juraid accepted the award in Bangkok, Thailand, alongside the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group.

HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, President of AGFUND, said the recognition acknowledges AGFUND’s experience using financial services to empower underserved communities, strengthen livelihoods and promote economic independence.

He credited the founders of AGFUND’s microfinance banks, particularly the late Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz, for establishing institutions centered on empowering people.

He added that the award reflects over two decades of commitment, the dedication of financial inclusion banks and partners, and clients who transformed financing into businesses and family income. He emphasized expanding opportunities and measuring success through lasting improvements in people’s lives.

Prince Abdulaziz stressed that the recognition reflects the value of institutions reaching excluded populations and encourages broader access and economic opportunities for families.

AGFUND’s financial inclusion banking network has served more than 1.3 million clients and disbursed over US$1.37 billion in financing since inception. Women represent 59 per cent of borrowers, demonstrating its contribution to economic empowerment.

Presented by WSBI, established in 1924, together with ESBG, the award recognizes an approach linking financial services, social impact and sustainable development.

Following its first bank in Jordan in 2004, AGFUND expanded across nine countries: Jordan, Yemen, Bahrain, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Sudan, Mauritania and Sierra Leone, focusing on communities underserved by conventional financial institutions.

The network has issued more than 1.5 million loans, opened over 927,000 savings accounts, established 112 branches and employed more than 1,500 people. Its services finance micro and small enterprises and income-generating activities, improving livelihoods and economic independence.

AGFUND plans to strengthen development partnerships, advance digital solutions and innovative financial products, and integrate financing with training, capacity development, market access and risk protection.

It is also exploring geographic expansion, particularly in Africa, through institutional partnerships that adapt successful approaches to local needs and extend sustainable financial inclusion to more communities.

Website – https://agfund.org/

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SOURCE The Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND)

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GAC Showcases Multiple Models at Canton Fair: Systemic Global Expansion as a Response to High‑Level Opening‑Up

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October 17, 2026

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GUANGZHOU, China, Oct. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On 15 October, the 140th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) kicked off in Guangzhou. Dubbed “China’s No.1 Exhibition” with a 70‑year history, it serves as a vital window for global merchants to understand China, and one of GAC’s stages to connect with the world. For international buyers, GAC serves not only as a sourcing platform but as a trusted channel for experiencing Chinese automotive innovation and building long-term local partnerships. Having made its debut in 2012, GAC has participated in the fair 30 times to date. Together with the Canton Fair, it has witnessed the transformation of Made‑in‑China products into Chinese global brands.

This transformation is reflected in GAC’s global expansion journey through a string of continuously refreshed sales figures. Overseas sales stood at 90,000 units in 2024, hit 130,000 units in 2025, and exceeded 197,000 units in January‑September 2026, representing a year‑on‑year surge of 138.9%. GAC is sprinting full steam ahead toward its annual target of 300,000 overseas units. GAC has accomplished a shift from “product export” to “system‑level global expansion”.

At the GAC booth, XT80, AION i60 and AISTALAND GX7 showcased intelligent driving, three-electric systems and premium cabins. The energy-ecology zone featured DC ultra-fast charging piles, 7 kW smart home chargers, multi-in-one electric drive units and PV-Storage-Charging-Swapping Technology, addressing range anxiety. Opening day drew buyers from Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Latin America and Africa. At the Music & Cuisine Festival, GAC built three immersive spaces blending smart mobility, Cantonese cuisine, camping and sports. The XT80, AION N60, GAC S7 and AISTALAND GT7 served as lifestyle carriers, letting guests enjoy morning tea, global cuisines and intangible cultural heritage.

GAC will advance its ONE GAC 2.0 strategy, deepening localized operations and expanding its systematic global layout. As a tribute to the Canton Fair’s 70th anniversary and a new business card for China’s auto industry, GAC will help drive Chinese intelligent manufacturing onto the global stage.

For further information about GAC, please visit https://www.gacgroup.com/en or follow us on social media.

 

SOURCE GAC

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