Connect with us

Technology

Cathay United Bank Ho Chi Minh City Branch Hosts ESG Seminar: A “Key” to Unlock Sustainable Development

Published

on

TAIPEI, May 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Cathay United Bank (CUB) marked its 20th anniversary in Vietnam by launching a year-long celebration with a landmark ESG seminar, bringing together over 80 industry leaders to chart a course for sustainable development among businesses in Vietnam.

Focusing on ESG: Global Trends and Local Challenges

In a bold demonstration of its commitment to sustainability and innovation, Cathay United Bank Ho Chi Minh City Branch (CUBHCM) celebrated its 20th anniversary under the theme “Better Together” by hosting the seminar “ESG: Challenges and Practices for Sustainable Development.” As Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria increasingly influence global business strategy, the event provided key industry stakeholders with practical insights and strategic guidance to navigate the evolving sustainability landscape.

As a commercial bank under Cathay Financial Holdings – one of Asia’s leading financial institutions – CUB not only provides financial services but also actively serves as a key partner for businesses transitioning towards sustainability. In 2015, CUB became the first Taiwanese bank to adopt the Equator Principles, ensuring its financed projects align with international environmental and social risk management standards, laying a solid foundation for supporting sustainable development in business.

Mr. Michael Wen, Executive Vice President of Cathay United Bank, emphasized at the seminar, “Cathay United Bank aims to support our clients in navigating the evolving ESG landscape by providing insights into global and local trends, regulatory developments, and practical implementation approaches, empowering businesses. Vietnam’s rapid economic growth presents both opportunities and challenges in sustainability, and collaboration between businesses, financial institutions, and policymakers is key to driving meaningful change.”

During the forum, Mr. Nguyễn Hoàng Nam, ESG Leader at PwC Vietnam, highlighted the challenges many domestic small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face regarding ESG: “Approximately 39% of businesses have never heard of ESG, and over 60% are unaware of relevant regulations. Key barriers include financial constraints, a lack of clear legal guidance, and limited ESG implementation capacity.”

To address these challenges, Mr. Nguyễn Hoàng Nam advised that businesses to invest in internal ESG training, develop reliable reporting data systems, proactively seek green finance partners, and engage with industry associations to learn best practices.

Practical Models and Industry Best Practices

Despite the challenges, ESG implementation in Vietnam has seen encouraging progress. At the policy level, the Vietnamese Government has issued the Green Growth Strategy for 2021–2030. The forum also featured representatives from leading companies in ESG execution and certification, including IDICO Industrial Park, Schneider Electric, Ares International Certification, Dan-D Foods, and Micro Electricity .

For instance, IDICO Industrial Park has introduced greener practices in heavy industry. It has installed rooftop solar systems across pre-built factories and reused wastewater. IDICO also prioritises human capital by developing convenient social housing, attracting quality workers. Meanwhile, Schneider Electric, with a Net Zero target by 2050, is actively developing clean technologies such as clean electricity and grid decarbonization to reduce its carbon footprint.

Cathay United Bank : Partnering with Vietnamese Businesses for Sustainability

By 2024, CUB had earned nearly 90 prestigious awards recognising achievements in asset management, digital innovation, and ESG practices—a testament to its position as a responsible and forward-thinking bank. Most recently, Cathay United Bank ranked in the top 20% of the Financial Supervisory Commission’s sustainable finance ratings.

Guided by its vision, positioning Vietnam as “second home,” CUB has taken significant steps in the recent years to promote ESG development across the country. Notably, the branch partnered with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to finance Vietnam’s largest onshore wind power project in Ninh Thuận province, with a total investment of USD 107 million.

Furthermore, the Cathay United Bank Ho Chi Minh City Branch has launched a green loan programme in the form of CAPEX financing to support Vietnamese companies in developing sustainable, eco-friendly projects. The first phase factories under this initiative were the first in Northern Vietnam to receive the international LEED green building certification.

Mr. VJ Lu, the General Manager of CUB Ho Chi Minh City Branch stated, “Throughout today’s seminar, we’ve looked at real challenges and practical solutions for ESG and sustainable development. Whether it was energy transition, strategy, or real business stories—it all comes down to one thing: working together. Collaboration really is key if we want to drive long-term change.”

As the opening event of CUB’s 20 years anniversary celebration in Vietnam, this seminar underscores the bank’s commitment to connecting people, ideas, and solutions. Embracing the message “Better Together”, CUB affirms that ESG is not a solitary path, but a shared responsibility requiring collaboration across the enterprise–finance–community ecosystem to move further, together.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/cathay-united-bank-ho-chi-minh-city-branch-hosts-esg-seminar-a-key-to-unlock-sustainable-development-302454991.html

SOURCE Cathay United Bank

Continue Reading

Technology

AKEEYO to Showcase 711Air, 750S and H2 Ride Cameras at EICMA 2026

Published

on

By

SHENZHEN, China, Oct. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — AKEEYO, a brand dedicated to dash cams and ride cameras, will exhibit at EICMA 2026, November 3–8 at Fiera Milano Rho, Italy. At Hall 24, Booth B67, the brand will showcase the 710Lite, 730Pro, 750Lite, 750S, 711Air and H2, spanning lightweight recording, 4K image quality and helmet-view capture.

711Air Makes Everyday Recording Simple

Weighing just 80g, the new 711Air adds minimal weight to a helmet, while its 1800mAh battery supports 8–10 hours of recording. One-touch quick recording, with vibration feedback confirming power on/off and recording start/stop, means riders never need to look at the camera. It also offers up to 36 hours of Always On Video (AOV) monitoring, plus 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, app connectivity and over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates.

750S Captures the Road in True 4K HDR

The 750S combines true 4K HDR recording with electronic image stabilization (EIS) for detailed, steadier riding footage. Dual-band Wi-Fi supports stable connections and efficient video transfers, while app access and OTA firmware updates simplify video management and keep the camera up to date. It is designed for touring riders, cyclists and anyone seeking high-quality recordings.

H2 Records from the Rider’s Perspective

Designed for helmet-view recording, the H2 features dual 1080p cameras that capture two perspectives at once, along with 8–10 hours of runtime and a 3-second quick-release mount. Its lightweight, easy-to-use design suits daily rides and longer motorcycle journeys.

Also on display are the AKY-730Pro 4K touchscreen camera, the ultra-compact AKY-710Lite and the endurance-focused 750Lite.

Visit AKEEYO at EICMA 2026

Dates: November 3–8, 2026
Booth: Hall 24 • Booth B67
Venue: Fiera Milano Rho
Address: Strada Statale del Sempione 28, 20017 Rho (MI), Italy

For AKEEYO, EICMA 2026 is the right stage to introduce the 711Air to riders, media and the global two-wheeler industry. Visitors can handle the 80g body and try one-touch recording in person, and dealers and distributors interested in partnering with AKEEYO are welcome to fill out the inquiry form.

About AKEEYO

AKEEYO designs dash cams and ride cameras for cars, motorcycles and bicycles, helping users record the road and relive their journeys.

Website: www.akeeyo.com 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/akeeyo-to-showcase-711air-750s-and-h2-ride-cameras-at-eicma-2026-302917716.html

Continue Reading

Technology

For A Bright Future Foundation Launches NextGen Finance Lab Across Manhattan High School District, New York

Published

on

By

District-wide rollout brings project-based financial literacy and professional mentorship to Manhattan’s 50 public high schools, building on a successful pilot at Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis High School

NEW YORK, Oct. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Louis Hernandez Jr.’s Foundation For A Bright Future (“For A Bright Future,” “FABF”), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding educational opportunity for underserved youth, today announced the district-wide expansion of its NextGen Finance Lab program into the Manhattan High School District. In partnership with the Manhattan High School District Team, under the supervision of Superintendent Gary Beidleman, FABF will launch the program’s first cohort of 8 high schools this fall, with plans to bring the NextGen Finance Lab to additional Manhattan high schools in the semesters that follow as part of a phased, district-wide rollout.

“At Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, we saw firsthand what this program can do. Our students left Pitch Like A Dragon more confident, more articulate, and more prepared to manage their own financial futures than I’ve seen from any other initiative we’ve run. I’m proud that the model our students and teachers helped build is now reaching classrooms across Manhattan,” said Manuel A. Ureña, Principal, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis High School.

The NextGen Finance Lab is a project-based financial literacy program that integrates the Dave Ramsey Financial Literacy curriculum with FABF’s FinTech mentorship ecosystem. Throughout the program, students build core skills in budgeting, saving, debt elimination, investing, and entrepreneurship, while working directly with FinTech industry professionals who share real-world perspective on banking, digital wallets, investing, and career pathways in financial technology. The program culminates in “Pitch Like A Dragon,” a school-level and district-level competition in which student teams pitch original business and FinTech concepts to a panel of industry leaders, venture capitalists, and New York City business professionals, with scholarship awards presented to top teams.

“This expansion is proof of what’s possible when a nonprofit, a school district, and industry partners commit to the same goal. Everything we’re scaling today started as a pilot at Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis High School, where educators and students helped shape the curriculum and the ‘Pitch Like A Dragon’ event structure now being adopted by seven more schools this fall. That’s how one school’s success becomes a lasting pathway for thousands of students across Manhattan,” said Gina Rogoto, SVP, Operations and Programs, For A Bright Future Foundation.”This expansion demonstrates the collective impact achievable through aligned partnerships. The model shaped at  Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (JKO) High School now serves as a lasting foundation for advancing financial literacy for thousands of students across Manhattan,” said Gina Rogoto, SVP, Operations and Programs, FABF. The success at JKO High School, now fueling district‑wide deployment, was strengthened by the guidance of FABF’s Consultant in Academic Affairs and former Senior Deputy Chancellor of the NYC Department of Education, whose deep expertise helped shape a program adaptable to each school’s unique vision and academic priorities.

FABF and the Manhattan High School District Team have confirmed the following schools for the initial launch cohort:

Leadership and Public Service High SchoolJacqueline Kennedy Onassis High SchoolHigh School for Law and Public ServiceMurry Bergtraum High School for Business CareersHigh School of Fashion IndustriesHudson High School of Learning TechnologiesMott Hall High School: Finance Lab ProgramFood and Finance High School

FABF’s long-term goal is to bring the NextGen Finance Lab to all 50 high schools in the Manhattan District, expanding in phased cohorts over the coming semesters.

“As someone who spent a career in financial services, I know how much of a difference it makes when young people are exposed to these concepts early. This program doesn’t just teach students about money; it gives them the confidence to pitch real ideas, take feedback, and think like entrepreneurs,” said Benson Porter, Program Chairman, NextGen Finance Lab, FABF.

About For A Bright Future Foundation

Louis Hernandez Jr’s Foundation For A Bright Future is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that empowers underserved youth with equitable access to education, technology, financial capability, and wellness. We help students develop future‑ready skills that unlock lifelong opportunity and support thriving global communities. Learn more at www.fabff.org. 

FABF operates programs nationwide, including the NextGen Finance Lab, the NextGen Media Creators Lab, the merit- and need-based scholarships, and youth leadership development, working directly with schools, districts, and industry leaders to bridge opportunity gaps for the next generation.

Media Contact
Gina Rogoto, SVP, Operations and Programs
For A Bright Future Foundation
gmr@forabrightfuturefoundation.org

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/for-a-bright-future-foundation-launches-nextgen-finance-lab-across-manhattan-high-school-district-new-york-302917838.html

SOURCE Louis Hernandez Jr.’s Foundation For A Bright Future

Continue Reading

Technology

VOICEBUDS, A QUIETER WAY TO WORK WITH VOICE, NOW AVAILABLE FOR HOLIDAY SHIPPING

Published

on

By

Voicebuds reinvent earbuds for personal voice computing, even below a whisper

SAN MATEO, Calif., Oct. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Subtle announced today that Voicebuds, its award-winning private voice computing device, is available to ship in time for the 2026 holiday season, with customers ordering by December 10th receiving their devices by December 24th.

Since Voicebuds were unveiled in January, AI voice dictation has surged in popularity, but the fundamental problems with voice input remain unsolved. Dictating aloud is awkward in open offices, offers little privacy in public spaces, and remains unreliable when others are speaking nearby.

With Voicebuds, Subtle has reinvented the earbud as a private voice interface that works even at a whisper. The device combines Subtle’s breakthrough voice isolation technology with an AI voice computing app for iPhone and Mac, enabling discreet, reliable voice computing in the places where people actually live and work. Voicebuds serve as both premium everyday earbuds for music and calls, and a personal computing device for voice dictation and AI. They are designed for voice productivity in crowded commutes, quiet libraries, noisy cafes, and shared spaces where traditional voice tools have always failed.

“It’s been inspiring to hear from our beta testers using Voicebuds to prompt AI in shared offices without booking a quiet booth, dictate on planes without bothering their seatmates, and take calls amid the noise and bustle of their daily lives,” said Tyler Chen, cofounder and CEO of Subtle. “We’re incredibly excited to put Voicebuds in the hands of all of our customers just in time for the holidays and hear what new use cases they come up with.”

In Subtle’s internal testing across real-world noise environments, Voicebuds delivered up to 5X fewer transcription errors than AirPods Pro 3 combined with leading AI dictation software.

Voicebuds offer:

Subtle voice dictation: Write with voice in any app on iPhone and Mac, without being overheard.Voice notes: Capture thoughts and ideas instantly, and access them across multiple devices.Contextual AI chat: Brainstorm with an AI assistant, without being overheard.Music and calls: Everyday listening, noise cancellation, multipair connectivity and clear calls.

For holiday shoppers, Voicebuds replace multiple devices and apps as a single product for listening, communication, and voice computing that finally works in the real world.

Voicebuds are available starting today for $249 in either Parchment White or Ink Black. Voicebuds ship with a 1-year membership to the Subtle app for iPhone and Mac, providing a complete voice productivity experience across dictation, contextual AI chat, and cross-device voice notes. After year one, users can continue the full Subtle Pro membership for $17 per month, or switch to the free tier anytime with full earbud functionality and limited AI usage.

Customers can order now at subtle.co.

About Subtle

Subtle is pioneering personal voice computing technology, designed to make voice the most effective, trusted interface anywhere. Its machine learning technology powers consumer hardware for whispered, private, and noise-resilient voice AI that works in real-world environments. Founded by Stanford engineers and based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Subtle is supported by funding from Entrada Ventures, Amplify Partners, Abstract Ventures, and founders of Twitter, Pinterest, and Perplexity. Learn more at subtle.co.

Media Contact

press@subtle.co

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/voicebuds-a-quieter-way-to-work-with-voice-now-available-for-holiday-shipping-302919030.html

SOURCE Subtle Computing

Continue Reading

Trending