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Ascensus to Acquire AmericanTCS, Expanding Client Solutions and Delivering Enhanced Value to the Marketplace

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Expanded retirement, trust & custody, and technology services broaden Ascensus’ position as the industry’s leading platform for savers and those who serve them

DRESHER, Pa. and PITTSBURGH, May 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ascensus, the engine at the center of America’s savings ecosystem, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire AmericanTCS, a leading provider of innovative retirement, trust & custody, and technology automation solutions. The transaction brings together two highly complementary organizations and further advances Ascensus’ reach as a scaled, integrated tech-enabled platform operating across the retirement services value chain.

“This transaction fundamentally accelerates our ability to deliver technology and service solutions to clients, partners, and savers,” said Nick Good, CEO of Ascensus. “At the heart of this transaction is a simple purpose: to help more savers save more. Our complementary strengths, combined with the exceptional talent and expertise of the AmericanTCS team, enhance our ability to support client success and partner growth.”

Paul Schneider, CEO of AmericanTCS Holdings, added, “Ascensus shares our commitment to clients, operational excellence, and building durable, technology‑driven businesses. This alignment positions us to deliver significant benefits for both our clients and employees. I am very excited about the opportunities ahead for AmericanTCS as part of the Ascensus team.”

Strategic Benefits

Strengthens Ascensus’ platform within retirement with greater scale and expanded services: Extends reach of our best-in-class capabilities to a broader set of plan sponsors and institutional partnersSignificantly expands Ascensus’ market-leading pooled employer plan (PEP) solutionsBrings additive fiduciary services that further strengthen relationships with plan sponsors, advisors, TPAs, and asset and wealth management partnersHelps us better power the workplace savings-to-wealth management connection for the partners, advisors, and savers we serveDifferentiated trust & custody capabilities deliver greater value to current and future clients, partners and savers: Provides a broader set of trust & custody capabilities to a highly valued client base of recordkeepers, TPAs, bank trust companies, insurance firms, and asset managers, reinforcing our long-term strategic commitment to this market Further enables more innovative solutions for our asset and wealth management partners who are increasingly focused on secular growth opportunities, including embedding model portfolios, in-plan managed accounts, and utilizing Collective Investment Trusts (CITs)Expands technology and service offerings to support clients and partners with highly regarded capabilities across administrative workflow, securities trading, and ERISA data & analytics, including PensionPro, Hub+®, and ERISApedia® – helping form the connective fabric of the retirement ecosystem

The transaction is expected to close in Q3 2026, subject to customary closing conditions.

Lazard Frères & Co. LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC served as financial advisors and DLA Piper LLP (US), Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP and Ropes & Gray LLP served as legal counsel to Ascensus. Raymond James served as financial advisor and Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal counsel to AmericanTCS.

About Ascensus
Ascensus is the engine at the center of America’s savings ecosystem. The company makes saving easier by bringing together intuitive technology, AI, and high-touch service to support better financial outcomes for savers, small- to mid-sized businesses, state governments, and leading corporations and financial institutions. Ascensus offers comprehensive qualified and nonqualified retirement plan solutions, third-party retirement plan administration, 529 education and ABLE savings program administration, corporate- and bank-owned life insurance solutions, as well as fiduciary and total rewards services. The company supports over 16 million savers, representing over $930 billion in assets under administration. For more information, visit ascensus.com.

About AmericanTCS
AmericanTCS and its family of businesses bring more than 50 years of experience delivering industry-leading financial services to the American workforce. Through a comprehensive suite of custody and trust services, retirement solutions, wealth management and technology software automation, AmericanTCS serves a diverse client base across the country. United by a shared mission, our businesses are dedicated to helping all Americans achieve greater financial security. 

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SOURCE Ascensus

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LEAP Group Relaunches HumanView, a Growth Intelligence System Built to Explain Why Customers Behave the Way They Do

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Reimagined from the ground up, HumanView pairs statistical modeling with expert analysts to turn millions of real-world customer signals into business decisions

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LEAP Group today announced the relaunch of HumanView, its growth intelligence service. The new version has been rebuilt from the ground up and now has a dedicated home at leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

HumanView analyzes what customers say and do across social platforms, e-commerce sites, review platforms, search behavior and user-generated content, including signals from Reddit, TikTok, YouTube, Meta, Amazon and Walmart+ that general AI tools cannot always access. Because the data reflects unprompted, real-world behavior, it avoids the response bias built into surveys and focus groups.

The service works in three layers. HumanView captures signals at scale, decodes millions of records through validated statistical models such as regression, correlation and clustering, and then relies on experienced analysts to interpret the patterns. Clients receive clear, human-validated insights instead of another dashboard.

“Machines find the patterns. Humans find the point,” said Alan Gilleo, CEO at LEAP Group. “The first version of HumanView showed us how much customers reveal when nobody is asking them questions. This version is built to explain why they act the way they do, and to put those answers in front of everyone making decisions, from product to service to marketing.”

HumanView focuses on three areas:

Growth Intelligence: customer motivations and how people perceive a brand and its competitors

Market and Category Intelligence: product pain points, service friction, unmet needs and competitive gaps

Audience Intelligence: new segments, positioning opportunities and gaps in the market

Every model is designed and validated by data scientists and benchmarked before it informs a recommendation.

To learn more about HumanView, visit leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

About LEAP Group
LEAP Group is a boutique marketing agency holding company with offices in Louisville, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Chicago. Guided by the belief that brands should “Market Less. Matter More.,” LEAP gives clients access to specialized experts across its entire network. Learn more at leapgroupnetwork.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leap-group-relaunches-humanview-a-growth-intelligence-system-built-to-explain-why-customers-behave-the-way-they-do-302918557.html

SOURCE LEAP Group

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STEPHEN A. SMITH ADDRESSES WHITE HOUSE DINNER ATTENDANCE, REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO HBCUs AND PROTECTING CORPORATE INVESTMENT IN BLACK EDUCATION

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NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Stephen A. Smith, media mogul, New York Times bestselling author, and proud 1991 graduate of Winston-Salem State University, is addressing the public discussion surrounding his decision to attend a White House dinner with President Donald Trump, emphasizing his commitment to the long-term financial stability of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

For Smith, the decision was rooted in a commitment to institutions that have educated generations of Black leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and public servants.

“I will always advocate for HBCUs and the students whose futures depend on them,” Smith said. “My reason for attending the White House dinner was to discuss the challenges these institutions face in securing long-term funding and to make the case that corporate America must continue to invest in them.”

Smith acknowledged federal support through the FUTURE Act while expressing concern that political tensions surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) could discourage private companies from supporting HBCUs. He maintains that these institutions deserve sustained corporate partnerships, philanthropic contributions, and public investment.

“If we truly believe in free-market capitalism, businesses should be able to support educational institutions and charitable causes without fear of criticism or repercussions,” Smith said. “HBCUs have made extraordinary contributions to this country. They deserve sustained public and private investment.”

Ashley Christopher, Esq., Founder and CEO of the HBCU Week Foundation, recognized Smith’s advocacy and decision to engage with the administration.

“Stephen A. Smith has been a powerful advocate for HBCUs, using his platform and influence to shine a national spotlight on our institutions,” expressed Christopher, “His continued support of HBCU Week helps advance our mission of connecting students with life-changing educational opportunities, and we are proud to have him as our ambassador.”

Since Smith became an HBCU Week Ambassador in 2019, the initiative has facilitated more than 15,000 on-the-spot college acceptances and raised and awarded more than $150 million in scholarships, according to the HBCU Week Foundation.

As public discussion continues, Smith is emphasizing the importance of ensuring HBCUs have the resources and partnerships needed to educate future generations and expand opportunities for students.

CLICK HERE to watch Smith’s full response to his White House visit.

MEDIA CONTACT:

media@mrsasinc.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stephen-a-smith-addresses-white-house-dinner-attendance-reaffirms-commitment-to-hbcus-and-protecting-corporate-investment-in-black-education-302918547.html

SOURCE Straight Shooter Media

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Advantex Announces Completion of Financing and Extension of Maturity Date of Previously Issued Debentures

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TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2026 /CNW/ — Advantex Marketing International Inc. (CSE: ADX) (“Advantex”), a leader in the merchant cash advance and loyalty marketing products for merchants, today announced the completion of a $250,000 secured debt financing. Advantex issued a $250,000 non-convertible debenture which bears an interest rate at 12% per annum and matures December 15, 2027. The proceeds raised from this issuance of the Debenture will be used for working capital purposes.

Advantex has also extended the maturity of its existing $700,000 in 12% secured debentures from October 10, 2026 to December 15, 2027.

About Advantex Marketing International Inc.

Advantex provides working capital to merchants. Advantex also provides specialized marketing programs that enable members of Aeroplan to earn Aeroplan points at participating merchants.

Advantex shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol ADX. For more information go to Advantex’s profile on www.sedar.com

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the future business and operations of Advantex. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The business and operations of Advantex described herein is dependent on a number of factors and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ material include, but are not limited to, changes in Advantex’s economic and competitive conditions including but not limited to the industry sectors in which Advantex operates.

The statements in this news release are made of the date of this release. Forward-looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date the statements are made and Advantex undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Advantex Marketing International Inc.

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