As the world grows ever more connected, access to financial tools has expanded dramatically. Today, 79% of adults worldwide have a bank account, an increase from 51% in 2011. This is a remarkable gain.
Sappi North America saw many successes in 2017 despite challenging market headwinds. To our employees, customers and other partners whose dedication contributed to those successes, I thank you.
Our focused strategy and continued investment in our assets and operations set the foundation for our business success, but the nimbleness of our team in responding to changing markets with new products, new services and new ways of doing business really made the difference. That same agility and focus will define our performance in 2018 and beyond, ensuring that we meet our business plan and set new standards of excellence.
Farming, like all investments, carries some degree of risk. How SFP mitigates these risks is unique and key to the opportunity. Market demand for organic food is the fastest growing section in the grocery store isles. Geographically, SFP’s established farm operating network is spread out to minimize the impact of local weather events. Our distributed farm network is focused on areas with the best available soil. Linking our farming network provides the opportunity to negotiate better offtake agreements and to negotiate greater discounts on inputs. And in the event of any crop damage due to a weather event that diminishes our yields, we have crop insurance covering up to 85 percent of our crop loss paid at our higher organic prices.
"For most of our history, in fact ... for 99% of our history, we've chosen not to be in the public eye and we've really wanted our brands to engage consumers. And yet times have changed," Mars chairman Stephen Badger said.
"Consumers do want to know more about not only the brands that they're buying, but the company that is behind them," Badger, who is also the great-grandson of the company's founder, Franklin Mars, said.
Badger is right. A recent study by Label Insight, which surveyed 2,000 consumers, found that 94% of respondents would be more loyal to a brand if it offered complete transparency.
Wells Fargo today announced it is a founding partner of New York’s newest neighborhood and largest private real estate development in U.S. history − Hudson Yards. As a founding partner, Wells Fargo will be the “preferred bank of Hudson Yards.” The company recently opened a bank branch and is expected to move the regional headquarters of its investment banking unit to Hudson Yards.
“Someone said to me a little while ago that once you start immersing yourself and engaging yourself with climate change issues, it’s almost impossible to go back to anything else. You would have to wake up every morning and think: I’m using all my skills and abilities to help support a ‘six degree world’. So, I can’t go back. This is me for the next twenty years.”
CMS Energy and its primary subsidiary, Consumers Energy (collectively “CMS”), announced they have entered the first syndicated sustainability-linked revolving credit facilities for a U.S. borrower. The aggregate $1.4 billion of new credit facilities allow CMS to reduce its interest rate by meeting targets related to environmental sustainability, specifically renewable energy generation.
CSRHub is pleased to announce it has formed a partnership with The National Wildlife Federation (NWF). The NWF is the United States' largest private, nonprofit conservation education and advocacy organization, with over six million supporters, and 51 state and territorial affiliated organizations (including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands).
Every month, Donna Bowen of Mattapan, Massachusetts, communicates with around 45 complete strangers. Some are looking for advice on saving or credit-building, while others want to compare notes on issues like housing or education. They come from all places: not just nearby Boston, but Detroit, Albuquerque and Oakland. Each has a personal goal in mind—like purchasing a home, getting out of debt or starting their own business—and whatever the case, wherever they are, Bowen is there to lend an open ear and a voice of experience. She’s a user of a platform called UpTogether, an online network connecting members of low- and moderate-income communities across the country.
Everyone’s financial journey is different. We make intentional efforts to meet the individual needs of clients and communities through a diverse range...
Highlighting the top news, commentary, and research for the week coming from SHQ. The highlights newsletter also spotlights one profiled organization...
