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UnionPay International Partners with HFC Bank for First Local ATM Acceptance in Fiji Driving Financial Inclusion

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SUVA, Fiji, April 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Recently, UnionPay International announced that its card is now accepted at ATMs operated by HFC Bank, Fiji’s only 100% locally owned commercial bank. HFC Bank has officially launched UnionPay card acceptance at its ATMs, becoming the first domestic financial institution in the country to partner with UnionPay International.

This milestone collaboration expands UnionPay card ATM coverage in Fiji to an impressive 96%, signaling a significant leap forward in the localization of UnionPay International ‘s services in the South Pacific and injecting fresh momentum into the development of inclusive financial services in the region.

HFC Bank was established as a fully-fledged commercial bank in 2014, the bank is dedicated to becoming Fiji’s bank of choice by providing innovative, competitively priced financial solutions designed to improve customer wellbeing, create wealth for future generations, and contribute to the nation’s economic development.

The partnership between HFC Bank and UnionPay International is not only a technical upgrade—it is a strategic step toward empowering local institutions and advancing financial inclusivity in Fiji.

UnionPay International first entered the Fijian market in September 2010, making Fiji the first South Pacific nation to accept UnionPay cards. Today, 99% of POS terminals and 96 % of ATMs in the country accept UnionPay, with broad acceptance across hotels, supermarkets, duty-free shops, restaurants, and the tourism sector. Mobile payments via UnionPay App are also widely supported.

Prior to this new collaboration, UnionPay International’s local partnerships were primarily with international banks.

The new alliance with HFC Bank highlights UnionPay International’s commitment to deepening localization by working closely with local institutions to build a more inclusive and resilient payment ecosystem.

As UnionPay International’s footprint continues to grow, its focus remains clear: building accessible, inclusive, and innovative financial solutions that benefit local communities and global travelers alike.

About HFC Bank
HFC Bank is Fiji’s only locally owned commercial bank, committed to delivering personalized and innovative financial services that exceed customer expectations. With a strong foundation in governance and ethical practices, the bank offers a full range of competitively priced financial products that aim to improve customer wellbeing, create long-term value, and support national economic development. HFC Bank upholds values of humility, excellence, accountability, respect, and trust, and is dedicated to serving individuals, families, and businesses across Fiji with integrity and care.

About UnionPay International
With more than 260 million UnionPay cards issued in 83 countries and regions outside the Chinese Mainland, UnionPay International is committed to enhancing the online payment experience for its global cardholders. Accepted in 183 countries and regions, UnionPay International offers high-quality, cost-effective, and secure cross-border payment services to the world’s largest cardholder base, while delivering convenient local support to a growing network of international users and merchants. For more information, please visit: https://www.unionpayintl.com/

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SOURCE UnionPay International

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1-800Accountant Launches Tax Savings Services Designed for 1099 Workers

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New offering helps independent contractors structure their business to reduce their tax burden from day one

NEW YORK, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — 1-800Accountant, the nation’s leading virtual accounting firm for small businesses, announced the launch of a new service offering built specifically for 1099 workers and independent contractors. The service helps freelancers and self-employed professionals work with an accountant to select the right business setup for their income, with a focus on reducing taxes from the start.

Growth Is Outpacing Tax Readiness

Independent contractor work has grown significantly in recent years. 1-800Accountant’s client data shows sharp year-over-year growth across contractor-heavy industries, with Consulting up 17%, Construction up 10%, and Service-sector clients growing more than 200% compared to 2024. Despite this growth, many contractors continue to overpay their taxes because they operate without a formal business structure in place or the right tax election.

The gap is particularly visible in industries like Healthcare, Engineering, and Legal, where LLC adoption among 1-800Accountant clients sits at 81%, 72%, and 71%, respectively, well below the 90%-plus rates seen in higher-adoption industries like Construction and Real Estate. 1-800Accountant’s new business tax optimization service closes that gap by matching contractors with the right business type while ensuring their business is set up correctly before they file their first return.

“Independent contractors continue to be one of the fastest-growing segments of the American workforce, and they are also among the most underserved when it comes to strategic tax planning,” said Mike Savage, Founder and CEO of 1-800Accountant. “That lack of planning means that most 1099 workers don’t realize how much they’re leaving on the table. This service changes that. We’re giving contractors access to the same strategic advantages that established businesses have, ensuring the right business setup from the beginning.”

Tax Strategy Built In from Day One

These services walk clients through a structured process that includes accountant-recommended business types, registering with the appropriate state agencies, and coordinating with an accountant to ensure alignment between the structure and the client’s specific tax situation. 1-800Accountant integrates business setup for 1099 earners into a broader tax strategy tailored around each contractor’s income level, filing status, and long-term goals.

“What sets us apart is the tax strategy layer,” said Ryan Teeples, Chief of Strategy at 1-800Accountant. “What contractors and gig workers actually need are professionals to help them understand which tax setup makes the most sense for their income, their industry, and where they want their business to go. Then, we do the work to save on both their business and personal taxes. That’s what we’re delivering here.”

The service is available now to new and existing 1-800Accountant clients. Pricing starts at $19 per month (plus any government filing fees) and includes business setup evaluation, tax return preparation and filing, state registration, federal registration, simple-to-use AI bookkeeping software, and a consultation with a tax expert for onboarding and explanation of their individual tax situation.

About 1-800Accountant

1-800Accountant is the nation’s leading virtual accounting firm for small businesses and independent contractors. With a team of credentialed accountants and tax professionals, 1-800Accountant provides bookkeeping, tax preparation, tax planning, and advisory services to clients across all 50 states. The firm is committed to making professional accounting accessible and affordable for business owners at every stage.

Contact: Wyatt Johnson
Content Manager, 1-800Accountant
920-807-9159 | media@1800accountant.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/1-800accountant-launches-tax-savings-services-designed-for-1099-workers-302750910.html

SOURCE 1-800Accountant

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9fin launches in APAC to expand global credit coverage

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With APAC playing a bigger role in increasingly complex global credit markets, 9fin brings the news, data and AI tools professionals need to navigate volatility

HONG KONG, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — 9fin, the AI-native information platform for global debt markets, has formally launched in the Asia Pacific region, giving credit professionals access to cutting-edge news, data and analysis across private and public bonds and loans.

As the 9fin team continues to grow quickly across APAC from its initial base in Hong Kong, it is supporting firms locally by providing proprietary credit intelligence, comprehensive data, and AI-powered workflow tools, all within one unified platform.

The launch comes as the tussle between public and private markets intensifies in APAC, making it more important than ever for banks, asset managers, advisors, and law firms to have visibility across the full credit landscape. While bond issuance has dropped amid geopolitical disruption, private credit activity remains robust as borrowers seek alternative financing options.

By combining deal intelligence from local sources with its extensive global credit database and AI tools, the 9fin platform gives users a comprehensive view across fragmented markets. The APAC platform includes coverage of more than 1,800 issuers and 16,000 instruments, with issuance history dating back to 2003 following 9fin’s acquisition of Bond Radar, in March 2025.

9fin is already used by more than 300 institutions globally, including KKR, Apollo, BNP Paribas, and Kirkland & Ellis. The company’s APAC buildout — supported by its $170 million Series C fundraise in March 2026 — marks the next phase of its global expansion.

Steven Hunter, CEO and co-founder at 9fin, commented: “APAC is a complex region and is becoming even more so as private markets expand and geopolitical volatility increases. The region needs a faster, smarter platform covering the full picture across bonds, loans, private credit and distressed. That’s exactly what 9fin provides. With our full platform now live in APAC, we’re giving our users the clarity to make informed decisions, faster.”

9fin’s APAC launch follows its expansion across the US, Europe, and Latin America, with CEEMEA to follow.

About 9fin

9fin is the AI-native platform for global debt markets. Founded by former J.P. Morgan banker Steven Hunter and Deutsche Bank engineer Hussam EL-Sheikh, the company combines data, analytics, and AI-powered workflows in a single platform, helping clients work smarter and faster to outperform their peers.

The company is headquartered in London, with offices in New York, Hong Kong, and Belfast and with teams across Latin America and Asia. For more information, visit 9fin.com.

Media contacts
Jessica Simpkin
jessica.simpkin@9fin.com
Shree Dhond/Katie Nerantzis
Dukas Linden Public Relations | 9fin@dlpr.com

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1436759/5932218/9fin_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/9fin-launches-in-apac-to-expand-global-credit-coverage-302750649.html

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Trimble First Quarter Earnings Call and Webcast

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WESTMINSTER, Colo., April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Trimble (Nasdaq: TRMB) will hold a conference call on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 8 a.m. ET to review its first quarter 2026 results. The call will be broadcast live on the web at https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/544327873. Analysts who wish to dial into the call may do so by first registering at https://events.q4inc.com/analyst/544327873?pwd=s5ilhwSm. Upon registration, dial-in details will be sent via email to the registrant.

About Trimble

Trimble is a global technology company that connects the physical and digital worlds, transforming the ways work gets done. With relentless innovation in precise positioning, modeling and data analytics, Trimble enables essential industries including construction, geospatial and transportation. Whether it is helping customers build and maintain infrastructure, design and construct buildings, optimize global supply chains or map the world, Trimble is at the forefront, driving productivity and progress. For more information about Trimble (Nasdaq: TRMB), visit: www.trimble.com.

FTRMB

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/trimble-first-quarter-earnings-call-and-webcast-302750889.html

SOURCE Trimble

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