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Ascent Named a Top Private Student Loan Lender by NerdWallet, Yahoo Finance, Forbes, and U.S. News

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Industry recognition highlights Ascent’s flexible repayment options, no-fee student loans, borrower benefits, and commitment to helping students successfully finance their education. 

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ascent Funding, LLC (“Ascent”), a student financing company focused on helping students and families confidently plan, pay, and succeed throughout higher education, announced it has been named NerdWallet’s 2026 Best Student Loan Overall. The honor also comes alongside additional recognition from Yahoo Finance, Forbes, and U.S. News, reinforcing Ascent’s position as a standout student loan provider for today’s learners. 

NerdWallet’s Best Student Loan Overall award recognizes lenders that stand out across the factors students and families weigh most when comparing private student loans, including accessibility, repayment flexibility, fees, borrower support, and overall value. Ascent was recognized for bringing those priorities together through private student loan options for borrowers with or without a co-signer, flexible repayment plans, no fees on student loans, career support, and graduation rewards. 

This award complements a strong year of 2026 recognition for Ascent, including: 

Forbes: Best for Flexible Payment Terms  

Forbes awarded Ascent a perfect 5-star rating for flexible payment terms, recognizing the company’s broad range of repayment options, commitment to serving diverse student populations, and innovative outcomes-based loan program designed to expand access to education financing for students who may not qualify through traditional credit-based underwriting. 

Yahoo Finance: Best Overall Private Student Loan 

Yahoo Finance named Ascent its Best Overall Private Student Loan, recognizing the company for its undergraduate and graduate student loan options, longer-than-usual grace period after graduation, and Progressive Repayment option, which allows borrowers to begin with smaller payments after graduation that increase over time while remaining within the original loan term. 

U.S. News: Highest Listed Private Student Loan Lender Rating 

U.S. News rated Ascent 4.8/5 in its Best Private Student Loans comparison, the highest listed rating among private student loan lenders. The rating reflects Ascent’s no-fee structure, accessibility for noncitizens, broad range of eligible schools and programs, and flexible repayment options. 

“Paying for college can feel complicated, and students deserve options that make the process feel clearer and more manageable,” said Allie Danziger, Chief Marketing Officer at Ascent. “We’re honored to be recognized by respected financial publications because these awards reflect the work our team does every day to support borrowers with options designed to meet them where they are.” 

Recognition That Reflects Real Student Impact 

Together, these awards reflect what Ascent is building: a student loan experience with more pathways to financing, support beyond the loan, stronger borrower benefits, and repayment options designed for the realities of modern learners. According to the 2025 Impact Report, in 2025 alone, Ascent helped more than 27,000 learners finance their education across more than 1,300 colleges and universities and 80 career schools, disbursing more than $357 million to support students in traditional degree programs, career training programs, certificates, bootcamps, and workforce pathways. Ascent also broadened access through more than $32 million in Zero Percent Loans and more than $8 million in loans to DACA students, while more than 9,200 learners engaged in professional skills and financial wellness training. 

That same focus on access and support shows up in the way Ascent structures its student loan options: competitive rates starting at 2.19% Annual Percentage Rate (APR)¹, no fees on college and graduate student loans, automatic payment discounts, flexible repayment options, and access to AscentUP student success resources². The result is a student financing experience built to meet more learners where they are, helping them pay for school with options that are clearer, more flexible, and better aligned with the path ahead. 

About Ascent

Ascent is a leading provider of innovative financial products and wrap-around student support services that has helped more than 220,000 borrowers* pay for school while enabling more students to access education and achieve academic and economic success. 

 Everything Ascent offers is designed by leading industry professionals and with advanced technology and innovation to increase every student’s ability to plan, pay, and succeed. Ascent’s Outcomes-Based Loan ™ provides funding to credit-invisible borrowers who generally do not benefit from traditional credit. Ascent products also include: Cosigned Loans, Solo Loans, Career Loans, Parent Loans, Graduate Loans, Access Loans, Enterprise Loans and Impact Loans.  

For more information, visit AscentFunding.com. 

Ascent Funding, LLC products are made available through Bank of Lake Mills or DR Bank, each Member FDIC. Subject to credit approval. 

1Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) displayed above are effective as of 08/01/2026 and reflect an Automatic Payment Discount of 0.5% on credit-based college student loans, and a 1.00% discount on outcomes-based college student loans when you enroll in automatic payments. Loans subject to individual approval, restrictions and conditions apply. Loan features and information advertised are intended for college student loans and are subject to change at any time. For more information, see repayment examples or review the Ascent Student Loans Terms and Conditions. The final amount approved depends on the borrower’s credit history, verifiable cost of attendance as certified by an eligible school and is subject to credit approval and verification of application information. Lowest interest rates require full principal and interest (Immediate) payments, the shortest loan term, a cosigner, and are only available for our most creditworthy applicants and cosigners with the highest average credit scores. Actual APR offered may be higher or lower than the examples above, based on the amount of time you spend in school and any grace period you have before repayment begins. Variable rates may increase after consummation.

2 For more information, including eligibility requirements, terms, and conditions, please visit www.ascentfunding.com/ascentbenefitsterms

* Over 220,000 borrowers took out an Ascent loan for college or career training tuition or expenses between January 2018 and March 2026. 

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SOURCE Ascent

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Anthropic Finds Enterprise Delivery Partner in Zaelab

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WESTPORT, Conn., Aug. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Zaelab today announced a strategic partnership with Anthropic to help enterprises turn AI pilots into production-ready solutions deployed across the business.

Every enterprise has access to powerful AI models; competitive advantage comes from the ability to deploy them. Successfully deploying AI across the enterprise requires expertise in architecture, industry, integration, governance, and organizational change, not just the technology itself. By combining Anthropic’s Claude models with more than a decade of enterprise delivery experience, Zaelab helps organizations move AI from proof of concept to production, embedding it into the systems, workflows, and teams that drive the business.

The conversation around AI has largely centered on models. Zaelab believes the real differentiator is enterprise execution. AI becomes transformational only when it’s integrated into existing systems and embedded within business processes.

“Five years from now, we won’t be asking which companies adopted AI,” said Evan Klein, CEO of Zaelab. “We’ll be asking which companies fundamentally reinvented how they operate because of it. That transformation won’t come from a chatbot or a proof of concept. It’ll come from integrating AI into the core systems, workflows, and decisions that run the business. That’s the opportunity we’re unlocking with Anthropic.”

Zaelab delivers enterprise AI through its Forward Deployed Pods, small cross-functional teams of senior AI engineers, enterprise architects, and delivery leaders who embed directly with customer teams. The Pods rapidly design, build, and deploy production-ready AI solutions in weeks, not months. Through this delivery model, Zaelab helps organizations put enterprise AI to work in three ways:

Agentic Workflows: Zaelab embeds AI agents into business processes to automate repetitive work and increase productivity.Application Consolidation: Zaelab simplifies fragmented technology environments by embedding AI into unified enterprise platforms, reducing operational complexity.Enterprise AI Enablement: Zaelab helps organizations establish governance measures and improve organizational readiness to scale AI confidently across the enterprise.

Anthropic’s commitment to building trusted AI makes it a natural fit for Zaelab’s enterprise delivery model. The partnership also extends Zaelab’s position in the ServiceNow ecosystem: following ServiceNow Ecosystem Ventures’ strategic investment in Zaelab and ServiceNow’s multi-year partnership with Anthropic, Zaelab is positioned to bring AI-native CPQ and CRM solutions to market on the ServiceNow AI Platform. Together, these relationships expand the portfolio of AI technologies and expertise Zaelab brings to customers, enabling organizations to choose the right approach for their business.ips.

The Anthropic partnership adds another industry-leading capability to Zaelab’s enterprise AI portfolio giving customers greater access to the technology, expertise, and delivery experience needed to accelerate AI transformation. It also reinforces Zaelab’s commitment to building a best-in-class enterprise AI ecosystem, bringing together leading technologies and enterprise delivery to solve increasingly complex business challenges.

About Zaelab 
Zaelab is a digital consultancy for complex enterprises modernizing customer experience and revenue operations. As a leading ServiceNow partner connecting customer experience to revenue, Zaelab aligns commerce, sales, service, and operations around how customers buy, engage, and expand.

Zaelab replaces fragmented tools with a unified revenue engine on ServiceNow, where every touchpoint works as one connected experience. The result is faster value, stronger lifecycle performance, simpler operations, better customer experiences, and more revenue across the business.

For more information, visit www.zaelab.com
Media inquiries: hello@zaelab.com

About Anthropic 
Anthropic is an AI safety company that builds reliable, interpretable, and steerable AI systems. Founded as a public benefit corporation, Anthropic develops the Claude family of AI models and products, including Claude Code, Claude Cowork, and Claude Enterprise, used by organizations around the world.

For more information, visit anthropic.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/anthropic-finds-enterprise-delivery-partner-in-zaelab-302846546.html

SOURCE Zaelab

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SwitchBot Launches kata AI Assistant, a Smart Home Expert Built Into the SwitchBot App

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TOKYO, Aug. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SwitchBot, a leading provider of AI-enabled embodied home robotics systems, today announced the launch of SwitchBot kata AI Assistant, an LLM-powered smart home assistant built into the SwitchBot App. Designed as a smart home expert for the SwitchBot ecosystem, kata helps users control devices, create automations, set up products, and troubleshoot issues simply by typing or speaking what they need. Instead of switching between device pages, searching through manuals, or learning automation logic, users can open the SwitchBot App and tell kata what they want to do.

Leave Your Smart Home to kata

From first-time setup to everyday control and troubleshooting, kata supports users across the smart home lifecycle.  Whether users are installing a new SwitchBot product, adjusting multiple devices, or trying to understand why a device is not working properly, kata provides conversational guidance inside the SwitchBot App.

Connected to the SwitchBot ecosystem, kata can understand device names, device status, and user instructions to generate answers and carry out compatible smart home actions. This helps make smart home automation more approachable for users who want convenience without navigating every menu, trigger, or setting.

Just Tell kata What You Want to Do

With kata, everyday control becomes as simple as saying what should happen. Users can control multiple compatible devices with one command, such as turning off lights and curtains while adjusting an air conditioner.

kata can also help create automations through natural language. Instead of manually selecting triggers, schedules, and actions, users can describe a routine, such as opening bedroom curtains on weekday mornings, and kata can help turn that request into an automation.

For more natural requests, kata is designed to understand intent, not just fixed commands. If a user says the room feels dark or too hot, kata can interpret the need and suggest relevant actions. When a request is incomplete or unclear, kata can ask follow-up questions and confirm missing details before carrying out an action.

From Setup to Troubleshooting

For new users, kata can help identify a SwitchBot product via Optical Character Recognition and provide the right setup instructions, guiding users through the correct installation path step by step.

When something goes wrong, kata can also help users find the next step without searching through manuals or FAQ pages. If a device cannot connect, does not respond, or a feature is difficult to use, users can tell kata what happened, and kata can reference product manuals, FAQs, videos, and other support resources to provide troubleshooting guidance.

For issues that cannot be resolved immediately, kata is designed to help preserve context, making it easier for users to move toward further support without repeatedly explaining the same problem.

Built for Everyday Smart Home Confidence

Supporting text and voice input, kata maintains context within an active session, and can ask users to confirm when multiple similar devices or missing parameters are detected. It can also handle certain dependent settings, such as enabling a required setting before carrying out a requested action where supported. For more complex settings or actions beyond its current scope, kata can guide users to the appropriate page in the SwitchBot App.

Availability

SwitchBot kata AI Assistant is available in the SwitchBot App version 9.29 or later. To get started, users can open the SwitchBot App, tap kata on the Home screen, and type a message or talk to kata.

For more information, please visit SwitchBot’s official website and follow SwitchBot on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Media Kit: SwitchBot kata AI Assistant

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Southwire to Expand Operations in Starkville, Miss.

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STARKVILLE, Miss., Aug. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Southwire is pleased to announce that it is expanding its Starkville, Miss. operations, a move that will add approximately 380,000 square feet to the location’s footprint.

This project, representing a corporate investment of more than $256 million, is expected to create 128 new jobs and reinforces the company’s commitment to its team members, customers and communities. The expansion is part of Southwire’s companywide commitment of more than two billion dollars in modernization efforts across its footprint.

As one of the wire and cable solutions providers in North America, Southwire continues to enhance its proven legacy and trusted reputation by building upon its strengths to attain sustainable, strategic growth.

Southwire’s Starkville Plant was originally opened by Phelps-Dodge in 1979 and acquired by Southwire in 1989. This project marks the second expansion on the campus, following the initial 2010 expansion, which underscored Southwire’s commitment to customer service through the addition of an onsite distribution center.

The expansion and upgrades at the Starkville Plant will enhance the experience for Southwire’s team members by supporting a safer, more efficient work environment, strengthening its focus on quality and better positioning the company to serve its customers, communities and stakeholders for years to come.

Construction is expected to begin in late 2026 with full capacity anticipated to come online in 2028.

QUOTES:

“This expansion represents another meaningful step in Southwire’s long-term strategy to modernize our operations, strengthen our manufacturing footprint and continue delivering exceptional service to our customers. Starkville has been an important part of Southwire’s story for decades, and this investment reflects our confidence in the team, the community and the opportunities ahead as we continue building for the future.”
– Ganesh Ramaswamy, Southwire’s President and CEO

“Southwire’s quarter-of-a-billion-dollar investment and the nearly 130 jobs it will create are another example of the incredible momentum we’re seeing across Mississippi. This project is more proof that Mississippi gets the job done. And the fact is that Southwire wouldn’t be expanding here if our state couldn’t deliver results. This is another big win for Starkville and Mississippi.”
– Governor Tate Reeves, State of Mississippi

“Across Southwire, we are making significant investments to modernize our footprint and position our company for long-term growth. This expansion in Starkville is an important part of that effort, connecting to our more than two-billion-dollar investment in modernization and helping us build the capacity needed to meet the growing demand driven by electrification, market growth and the rapid expansion of data centers. It is an exciting time for our industry, for Southwire and for our team in Starkville as we continue strengthening our ability to support growth across North America and best serve our customers.”
– Rohan Kelkar, Southwire’s Executive Vice President, Power and Industrial

“This is an exciting moment for our team in Starkville and for the community we are proud to call home. Southwire’s continued investment in this location reflects the company’s confidence in our people, our operations and the important role Starkville plays in supporting our customers. As we look ahead, this expansion will help us build on our strong foundation, create new opportunities and continue making a positive impact in the community.”
– Erik Adams, Plant Manager, Southwire Starkville Plant

“Companies don’t make investments of this size unless the conditions are right. And Southwire’s expansion in Starkville is another prime example of the advantages Mississippi continues to deliver to manufacturers, including speed to market, reliable infrastructure, a skilled workforce and a competitive cost of doing business. Those are the qualities that drive reinvestment from existing employers and keep Mississippi competitive for future projects.”
– Bill Cork, Mississippi Development Authority Executive Director 

“Southwire’s decision to continue investing in Starkville is the result of collaboration and a shared commitment to creating an environment where manufacturers can succeed. By bringing the right partners to the table, ensuring the workforce and infrastructure are prepared to support growth and helping position this community for long-term investment, we know that is always a winning combination. We’re grateful for Southwire’s continued confidence in Starkville, Oktibbeha County and the entire GTR Region. We look forward to the opportunities this expansion will create for Starkville and Oktibbeha County and the region.”
– Meryl Fisackerly, Golden Triangle Development LINK CEO 

“The city of Starkville is gratified and excited to have the tremendous financial commitment of one of our most important industries. Southwire’s growth here in Starkville shows their faith in the value of continuing to be part of our community. Their expansion will be the largest single economic development project that the city has seen, and it furthers the narrative that Starkville is a great place for business investment. Southwire brings over 100 high-paying jobs and increased value to our city, serving as the bellwether to other industries that we are open for business. We look forward to their success and will work to make certain that the faith of their investment is well placed.”
– Mayor Lynn Spruill, City of Starkville

“It’s always exciting to see an existing industry choose to grow right here at home. Southwire has been a valued member of our community for decades, and this investment says a lot about the confidence they have in Oktibbeha County. We’re grateful for their continued commitment and look forward to seeing the positive impact these new jobs will have on our community for years to come.” 
– Marvell Howard, President, Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors

Southwire Company, LLC is one of North America’s leading wire and cable companies. The $9.7B organization is made up of more than 9,000 team members across the globe who unite as ONE Southwire each and every day to serve each other, their customers and their communities. Southwire and its subsidiaries provide solutions including building wire and cable, metal-clad cable, utility products, portable and electronic cord products and OEM wire products. In addition, Southwire offers electrical products, engineered solutions and a variety of field support services. For more on Southwire’s products and solutions, its community involvement and its vision of sustainability, visit www.southwire.com.

Contact: Ashley Bush
Senior Director, Communications
Phone: (678) 684-7634
ashley.bush@southwire.com

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SOURCE Southwire

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