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Moneris announces acquisition by Francisco Partners

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New investment from Francisco Partners and long‑term referral agreements with BMO and RBC further the company’s commitment to advancing Canadian commerce

TORONTO, and SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Aug. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Moneris Solutions Corporation (“Moneris”), a leader in Canadian commerce solutions, and Francisco Partners (“FP”), a leading global investment firm that specializes in partnering with technology companies, today announced that FP has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Moneris from Bank of Montreal (BMO) and Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions.

Under the terms of the agreement, FP will acquire Moneris for cash consideration of approximately C$2.0 billion, with BMO and RBC each receiving a 50 percent share. Further, long-term referral agreements have been established with both BMO and RBC, under which they will exclusively refer customers, reflecting Moneris’ position as Canada’s trusted payments and commerce partner and reinforcing the innovation, continuity and stability that Moneris is known for.

FP combines deep expertise in payments and fintech with extensive experience growing technology-enabled businesses globally. The firm has a strong track record of long-term investment and supporting operational excellence, innovation and growth, as evidenced by its investments in Hypercom, Paymetric, PayLease, NMI and Verifone, among others. Its investment in Moneris reflects confidence in the company’s mission, performance and future potential, while providing additional expertise, resources and strategic support to help accelerate the company’s next phase of growth and innovation.

As part of the transaction, Jeff Sloan, former President and CEO of Global Payments Inc., and a highly regarded payments industry leader, will join Moneris as Chairman. Sloan brings decades of global experience and a proven track record, complementing the strength of Moneris’ experienced leadership team.

As ownership transitions to FP, Moneris’ commitment to serving Canadian businesses will remain unchanged, as reflected in its leadership, people, presence and platforms, including nearly 2,000 team members across the country, a head office and technology infrastructure fully resident in Canada and a continued dedication to local communities from coast to coast to coast.

“This announcement marks an exciting next step in Moneris’ continued evolution as the company that powers Canadian commerce,” said James Hicks, President and CEO at Moneris. “With Francisco Partners’ deep global expertise in technology and payments, we are well-positioned to further accelerate our ambitious strategy and continue to broaden the wide choice of solutions, support and experiences we deliver to businesses to help them achieve their aspirations. Importantly, our commitment to our customers, partners and people remains unchanged, and we will continue to operate with the same focus, values and leadership that have defined Moneris for more than two decades. The deep relationships we have built with BMO and RBC extend well beyond ownership. Their decision to establish long-term referral agreements and maintain ongoing commercial relationships with Moneris reflects the confidence both organizations have in Moneris and provides a strong foundation for continuity, collaboration and long-term growth. I am also pleased to be working again with Jeff Sloan, whose industry experience and perspective will complement the strong momentum our team has built.”

“For 25 years, Moneris has earned the trust of Canadian businesses by delivering secure, reliable and innovative payment solutions,” said Sharon Haward-Laird, Group Head, Canadian Commercial Banking & North American Integrated Solutions, and Co-Head Canadian Personal & Commercial Banking, BMO. “This next chapter will enable Moneris to build on that strong foundation while accelerating its strategy in a rapidly evolving payments landscape. Through our ongoing referral arrangements, clients will continue to benefit from the trusted support and solutions they rely on today.”

“Moneris has played a central role in enabling Canadian businesses to modernize and scale by connecting them with more consumers more often through innovative payments solutions across the commerce ecosystem,” said Sean Amato-Gauci, Group Head, Commercial Banking, RBC. “The trusted team, leading platforms and unwavering commitment to clients that Moneris is known for will be leveraged and amplified by Francisco Partners in this next stage of growth. We’re eager to see the accelerated investment in innovation and modernized solutions Moneris can bring to our valued business clients and the Canadian market.”

“Moneris is one of the strongest payments solution providers in North America, with a trusted brand, leading technology and a proven team that has helped shape the way Canadian businesses operate,” said Peter Christodoulo, Partner at Francisco Partners. “We see a significant opportunity to build on that foundation through continued investment in innovation, platform expansion and long-term growth, while preserving the deeply Canadian identity that has made Moneris a market leader, including its long-standing relationships with leading Canadian financial institutions, BMO and RBC.”

“Together with Jeff Sloan’s deep industry expertise and strategic counsel as Chairman, we are excited to support the Moneris team as they continue to deliver the technology, scale and reliability Canadian businesses need to thrive in an increasingly digital and AI-driven economy,” added Nate Zupan, Principal at Francisco Partners.

“Moneris has established itself as a leader, with a strong market position, a clear strategic vision and a talented team that is deeply committed to its customers and partners,” said Jeff Sloan. “The company has built significant momentum under James’ leadership and, having worked together in the past, I have tremendous confidence in his leadership team, the strategy they are executing and the opportunities ahead. With the investment and support of Francisco Partners, Moneris is well-positioned to accelerate that strategy and continue building on its strong foundation. I look forward to supporting Moneris and its leadership team as they continue creating value for customers, partners and stakeholders.”

Closing and approvals

The transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, including under the Retail Payment Activities Act (Canada) and clearance under the Competition Act (Canada). The transaction is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of BMO and RBC’s fiscal year 2027.

PJT Partners served as exclusive financial advisor and Torys as exclusive legal advisor to Moneris. PJT Partners also advised Moneris’ shareholders. RBC Capital Markets and BMO Capital Markets served as financial advisors, and Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP and Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP served as legal advisors, to Moneris’ shareholders. Barclays, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and Wells Fargo served as financial advisors, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Stikeman Elliott LLP served as legal advisors to Francisco Partners.

About Moneris

Moneris is Canada’s leading commerce solutions provider, helping businesses of all sizes sell more, serve customers better and operate more efficiently. Moneris has powered Canadian commerce for more than 25 years. Today, Moneris helps businesses accept and manage payments at over 325,000 points of commerce, representing one in three transactions across the country.

Moneris offers ecommerce and omnichannel solutions, point-of-sale hardware and software, integrated business tools and data and insights, all backed by secure payment acceptance across in-store, online and mobile environments. As the only major provider in Canada with an in-house national Field Services team, Moneris ensures businesses are supported when and where they need it, through on-site installation and maintenance coast-to-coast-to-coast, and 24/7/365 support.

Headquartered in Toronto, with offices in Sackville, Montreal, Quebec City, Calgary and Burnaby, Moneris serves businesses of all sizes across industries and regions nationwide.

For more information, visit moneris.com.

About Francisco Partners

Francisco Partners is a leading global investment firm that specializes in partnering with technology and technology-enabled businesses. Since its launch over 25 years ago, Francisco Partners has invested in over 500 technology companies, making it one of the most active and longstanding investors in the technology industry. With over $75 billion in capital raised to date, the firm invests in opportunities where its deep sectoral knowledge and operational expertise can help companies realize their full potential. For more information on Francisco Partners, please visit www.franciscopartners.com.

Forward-looking statements

This release contains forward-looking statements regarding the proposed transaction and potential future developments. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties, including market, technology and regulatory requirements. Actual results may differ from those expressed or implied. Moneris undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law. 

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Beyond Seoul: Wego and Korea Tourism Organization Bring More of Korea Within Reach of MENA Travellers

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DUBAI, UAE, Nov. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Wego, the number one travel app and the largest online travel marketplace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), is joining forces with the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) on a new phase of their collaboration, inviting travellers across the region to look beyond Korea’s best-known attractions and discover the different experiences that make the country worth exploring.

From the neighbourhoods that have become familiar through Korean dramas to the food markets, coastal cities and historic towns that offer a different perspective on the country, Korea has many sides to discover. The campaign will connect these interests with practical travel inspiration, helping MENA travellers explore destinations and experiences that suit their preferences.

At the heart of the collaboration is a simple idea: a trip to Korea does not have to follow a single itinerary. Visitors drawn by Korean entertainment and contemporary culture can explore Seoul’s creative districts, cafés and shopping streets, while those interested in history can discover the palaces of the capital or travel to Gyeongju, known for its remarkable Silla-era heritage. Busan offers a different pace through its coastal neighbourhoods, beaches and seafood markets, while Jeju Island provides opportunities to explore volcanic landscapes and scenic walking trails.

Mamoun Hmidan, Chief Business Officer at Wego, said: “Korea has become an increasingly appealing destination for travellers, thanks to its diverse tourism experiences and the global popularity of its culture. Through our partnership with the Korea Tourism Organization, we aim to introduce travellers across the Middle East and North Africa to new sides of the country, encouraging them to explore destinations and experiences beyond the traditional tourist attractions. Working with KTO allows us to combine destination knowledge with the travel choices available on Wego and make more of Korea visible to travellers across MENA.”

Rather than focusing on individual attractions alone, Wego and KTO will bring these experiences together through destination-focused digital campaigns, editorial storytelling and travel planning content tailored to audiences across MENA. Wego will also help travellers explore flight and accommodation options, making it easier to compare possibilities as they plan their journeys.

Sae-hyeong Son, Regional Director, Korea Tourism Organization Dubai Office, commented: “For many travellers, their first connection with Korea comes through its food, music, television or beauty culture. We want to build on that familiarity by introducing the places, traditions and everyday experiences that give Korea its character. Through our continued collaboration with Wego, we can present a wider picture of the country to audiences across the Middle East and North Africa, encouraging them to explore different regions and discover experiences that feel personal to them.”

Korea’s changing seasons offer further opportunities to experience the country in different ways. Autumn brings colourful landscapes and opportunities for outdoor exploration, while winter introduces mountain retreats, snow activities and seasonal city experiences. The Korea Grand Sale, scheduled from 23 December 2026 to 13 February 2027, will also offer international visitors shopping, cultural and travel-related benefits across participating businesses.

Spring brings another side of Korea, with cherry blossoms transforming parks and historic settings, while warmer months offer opportunities to explore coastal destinations and the country’s islands. This seasonal variety gives travellers flexibility to plan around the experiences they value most.

The campaign will bring together KTO’s destination expertise and Wego’s regional reach, creating more opportunities for travellers to discover Korea’s diversity and plan journeys that extend beyond its most familiar landmarks.

 About Wego 

Wego is the number one travel app and the largest online travel marketplace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Combining a dynamic travel marketplace with on-platform bookings, Wego enables travelers to easily search, compare, and book flights and hotels across hundreds of airlines, hotels, and online travel agencies. Beyond its B2C marketplace, Wego also operates WegoPro, a next-generation business travel platform, and WegoBeds, a MENA-focused bedbank. The company is dual headquartered in Singapore and Dubai with offices in Bangalore and Mumbai.

For more information, visit www.wego.com.

 

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Futu Celebrates Its 14th Anniversary with “FUTU NEXT” Initiative Launch

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Commits HK$300 Million to Support Hong Kong’s Youth and Initiates the “FUTU NEXT” Foundation

HONG KONG, Nov. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Futu Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: FUTU) (“Futu” or the “Company”), a leading tech-driven digital broker and wealth management platform, today announced the official launch of “FUTU NEXT” Initiative, a comprehensive, future-oriented social impact strategy, on the occasion of the Company’s 14th anniversary. Over the next five years, Futu will commit HK$300 million in cash, alongside dedicated training and employment resources, to support scientific research innovation and talent development across Hong Kong universities, creating expanded internship and career opportunities for young people.

The name “FUTU NEXT” encapsulates the Company’s strategic roadmap for the future and its long-term commitment to Hong Kong’s next generation: Nurture talent; Empower growth with resources and opportunities; eXplore new frontiers; and Transform innovative concepts into tangible societal value. The Chinese name Kai Yuen(”啟源”), reflects a simple wish: to inspire young minds and bring talented people together. It marks the opening of an exciting new chapter for Futu while reinforcing the belief that talent is the driving force behind continuous innovation in the fintech industry.

Aligning with HKSAR’s Core Focus on Youth Development, Phase One of “FUTU NEXT” Reaches Collaboration Intent with HKU

The “FUTU NEXT” initiative actively aligns with the HKSAR Government’s First Five-Year Plan and the strategic priorities set forth in the latest Policy Address, which place youth development at the core of Hong Kong’s ambition to reinforce its status as an international financial and innovation and technology hub. Deeply rooted in Hong Kong, Futu recognizes that our future is closely intertwined with the city’s prosperity. By adopting a youth-centric approach, Futu aims to empower academic research, support student aspirations, and contribute corporate strength to building Hong Kong into a global magnet for top-tier talent.

As the first milestone under “FUTU NEXT”, Futu has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Intended Collaboration with The University of Hong Kong (HKU) to establish a strategic partnership spanning three key pillars: Industry-University-Research integration, education and talent development, and employment support. Under the partnership, Futu and HKU will advance research in cutting-edge, interdisciplinary fields, including quantum computing, AI and trusted AI agents, and FinTech, while donating to establish scholarships to recognize outstanding students. Furthermore, Futu will foster student innovation and entrepreneurship by providing expanded internship and career opportunities, empowering young talent to validate their ideas and gain hands-on experience in real-world business scenarios.

Futu plans to expand this collaborative framework to more top-tier universities and leading institutions in Hong Kong over the next five years.

Establishing the “FUTU NEXT Foundation”, Extending its Giving from Campus to Community

To extend its impact into the broader community, Futu has marked its 14th anniversary by making a long-term civic commitment: the Company has officially initiated preparations to establish an independent FUTU NEXT Foundation. Looking beyond university campuses, the Foundation will serve as an independent, professional platform dedicated to the wider social ecosystem. Its mandate will encompass supporting youth innovation, cross-disciplinary tech R&D, aiding underprivileged groups, and advancing sustainable, inclusive social development—representing Futu’s enduring blueprint for giving back to Hong Kong.

Mr. Leaf Hua Li, Futu’s Founder, Chairman, CEO & Chairman of the Technology Committee, said: “Futu has been fortunate to be part of Hong Kong’s fintech development. We started in Hong Kong 14 years ago with a small team, a modest office and lines of code. Today, we serve tens of millions of users around the world. This city gave us room to grow and opened up opportunities for us. The HKSAR Government published Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan. The 2026 Policy Address also set out an integrated approach to education, science and technology, and talent development, alongside support for young people’s growth and employment. This long-term vision strengthens my belief that Hong Kong’s future depends on the creativity of each new generation.”

He added: “Attracting talented people matters. Helping them develop matters just as much. Starting with our university campuses, we want to turn our confidence in Hong Kong’s future into practical support for research, talent development and opportunities to learn through experience. Meanwhile, a Company’s growth depends on the society around it. As we continue to improve our technology and products, we also want to put the resources and capabilities we have built to broader use for the benefit of society. This is a commitment we intend to honour over the long term.”

About Futu Holdings Limited

Futu Holdings Limited (“Futu”) (Nasdaq: FUTU) is an advanced fintech company transforming the investing experience by offering fully digital financial services in multiple markets. Futu was listed on Nasdaq on March 8, 2019. Futu offers market data, financial news, interactive social features, and investor education on its proprietary one-stop digital platforms Futubull and Moomoo. Its subsidiaries provide clients with investing services including trading and clearing services for United States, Hong Kong SAR, China Connect, Singaporean, Australian, Japanese, Canadian, Malaysian and Korean stocks, margin financing and securities lending, crypto trading, and wealth management.

By creating an ecosystem centered around its users, Futu provides connectivity to users, investors, analysts, media, companies, and institutions. Futu also provides Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) solutions, initial public offering (IPO) distribution, and investor relations (IR) and public relations (PR) services through its institutional and corporate services brand, becoming the go-to partner of many well-known companies. Since its launch in 2019, Futu Money Plus has been working to build an all-in-one global asset allocation platform. Through cooperation with top fund houses worldwide, it provides clients with a wide range of best-performing funds to enable global asset allocations. Futu Trustee provides one-stop wealth management solutions for corporate clients and high-net-worth individuals and families, and revolutionizes service delivery for ESOP Trust Administration, Family Trust, and Family Office through technology.  For more information about Futu, please visit its official website www.futuholdings.com.

For media enquiries, please contact
media@futuhk.com

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TuyaOpen Adds Support for Silicon Labs SiWx917 Low-Power Wi-Fi SoC

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SDK integration and AI-assisted development tools provide a starting point for connected product innovation

AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Silicon Labs (NASDAQ: SLAB) and Tuya Smart (NYSE: TUYA, HKSE: 2391) today announced support for Silicon Labs’ SiWx917 wireless system-on-chip (SoC) in TuyaOpen, Tuya’s open-source development framework. The integration gives developers using TuyaOpen a low-power Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE hardware option for connected devices.

The SiWx917 platform integration is available through Tuya’s open-source repositories. Alongside the TuyaOpen IDE, it provides developers with a path to evaluate connected product concepts, including connected toys and devices that use cloud-based AI services. The IDE offers AI-assisted coding capabilities that can help developers create and refine application code within the TuyaOpen framework.

“SiWx917 combines low-power multi-protocol wireless connectivity, application processing and hardware-based security in a single chip,” said Irvind Ghai, Vice President of Wi-Fi at Silicon Labs. “Support in TuyaOpen makes those capabilities available to developers building products for the Tuya ecosystem.”

News at a Glance

The TuyaOpen SDK support for Silicon Labs’ SiWx917 low-power Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE SoC.Developers gain another low-power hardware option and access to TuyaOpen’s cross-platform framework and AI-assisted development workflow.Platform code and support for the Silicon Labs BRD2605A and Sekorm SiWx917 AI development kits provide a starting point for evaluation.

Hardware and Development Support
SiWx917 combines Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE connectivity with an Arm Cortex-M4 application processor, hardware-based security and power management. Its integrated architecture can help developers reduce the number of components needed for wireless connectivity and application processing.

The TuyaOpen integration includes support for the Silicon Labs BRD2605A SiWx917 Development Kit and the Sekorm SiWx917 AI Development Kit. These boards provide hardware for prototyping and evaluating applications using the SDK.

AI-Assisted Development in the TuyaOpen Ecosystem
TuyaOpen provides a C/C++ software framework and a hardware abstraction layer designed to separate application code from chip-specific functions. Its associated TuyaOpen IDE brings project setup, compilation, device programming and serial log debugging into one development environment.

The TuyaOpen IDE also offers AI-assisted development capabilities, including natural-language assistance for generating and adapting application code. TuyaOpen’s broader ecosystem connects device development with cloud-based services and multimodal AI offerings. These ecosystem capabilities can help developers explore AI-enabled connected products while using SiWx917 as a supported hardware target. Availability of individual IDE and AI functions may depend on the selected workflow and platform configuration.

“Adding SiWx917 support gives TuyaOpen developers another hardware option for connected product development,” said Hsuan Han Lai, Head of TuyaOpen at Tuya Smart. “The SDK integration and supported development boards provide a starting point for evaluating designs that use low-power Wi-Fi connectivity and AI-assisted development tools.”

Availability
The TuyaOpen SDK and SiWx917 platform integration are available through the following open-source repositories. Documentation and development resources are available at the links below.

TuyaOpen SDK: https://github.com/tuya/TuyaOpen SiWx917 platform integration: https://github.com/tuya/TuyaOpen-SiliconLabs TuyaOpen IDE: https://tuyaopen.ai/tuyaopen-ide Silicon Labs BRD2605A Development Kit: https://www.silabs.com/development-tools/wireless/wi-fi/siwx917-dk2605a-wifi-6-bluetooth-le-soc-dev-kit 

Availability and ordering information for the Sekorm SiWx917 AI Development Kit will be provided by Sekorm.

About Tuya Smart
Tuya Inc. (NYSE: TUYA; HKEX: 2391) is a leading global AI cloud platform service provider dedicated to bringing AI into everyday life. Through its TuyaOpen open-source development framework and universal AI Agent engines, including the AI Agent development platform, Tuya integrates multimodal AI capabilities to lower barriers for AI development, efficiently advancing the realization of AI-driven lifestyles and accelerating AI integration with the physical world. Tuya offers innovative physical AI solutions for smart devices, commercial applications, and industry developers through its cloud computing and spatial intelligence capabilities. It also provides a complete, open, and neutral global AIoT ecosystem.

As of June 30, 2026, the Tuya AI Developer Platform had over 2,092,000 registered AI developers from more than 200 countries and regions.

About Silicon Labs
Silicon Labs (NASDAQ: SLAB) is the leading innovator in low-power connectivity, building embedded technology that connects devices and improves lives. Merging cutting-edge technology into the world’s most highly integrated SoCs, Silicon Labs provides device makers with the solutions, support, and ecosystems needed to create advanced edge connectivity applications. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Silicon Labs has operations in over sixteen countries and is the trusted partner for innovative solutions in smart home, industrial IoT, and smart cities markets. Learn more at https://www.silabs.com. 

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