HFA

Freddie Mac Expands Assistance for Very Low-Income Purchase Borrowers

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 5, 2024

“Our commitment to supporting these families runs deep, as we have provided assistance to this population through various programs since 2018.

Key Points: 
  • “Our commitment to supporting these families runs deep, as we have provided assistance to this population through various programs since 2018.
  • The announcement comes after a strong 2023 for Freddie Mac, with the company financing approximately 800,000 home purchases.
  • The initiative is part of Freddie Mac’s longstanding efforts to make homeownership more accessible for low-income families.
  • Recently, Freddie Mac announced DPA One ®, a free, innovative tool that aggregates and showcases down payment assistance programs on a single, insights-rich platform.

Carl Zeiss Meditec AG Reaches Favorable Legal Settlement with Topcon

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 1, 2024

DUBLIN, Calif., Feb. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Carl Zeiss Meditec AG announced today that it has reached a favorable resolution with Topcon to settle its lawsuit against the Japanese company's U.S.-based subsidiaries that had been pending in U.S. federal court for the Northern District of California. The settlement reinforces the protection of ZEISS's trade secrets and restores a level playing field for fair competition. The lawsuit asserted that Topcon had illicitly obtained stolen ZEISS files that included highly confidential information. Previously, the court had issued a preliminary injunction against Topcon, and more recently denied Topcon's motion for summary judgment on ZEISS's claims of trade secret misappropriation. Jury trial had been set to begin in February 2024.

Key Points: 
  • Landmark legal settlement protects customers, patients and the company's extensive digital innovation in ophthalmology
    DUBLIN, Calif., Feb. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Carl Zeiss Meditec AG announced today that it has reached a favorable resolution with Topcon to settle its lawsuit against the Japanese company's U.S.-based subsidiaries that had been pending in U.S. federal court for the Northern District of California.
  • The lawsuit asserted that Topcon had illicitly obtained stolen ZEISS files that included highly confidential information.
  • According to the lawsuit filed by Carl Zeiss Meditec AG's U.S. subsidiary, beginning in 2018 Topcon illegally obtained stolen ZEISS files.
  • The case is Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc. v. Topcon Medical Systems, Inc., Topcon Healthcare Solutions, Inc., et al., United States District Court, Northern District of California, Oakland Division (case no.

AI innovation fuels record quarter for Bynder

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Recent AI innovations have highlighted Bynder’s market leadership, and its host of AI and automation capabilities have led to continued growth in new business, customer adoption and platform usage.

Key Points: 
  • Recent AI innovations have highlighted Bynder’s market leadership, and its host of AI and automation capabilities have led to continued growth in new business, customer adoption and platform usage.
  • Over the holiday season Bynder saw an exponential uplift in assets created, stored and distributed as brands looked to deliver exceptional digital shopping experiences.
  • Bynder CEO Bob Hickey said, “As digital commerce continues to accelerate, brands need to provide a seamless content experience to their customers.
  • “We’re pleased to see that our ongoing innovation and market leadership in AI has further driven our growth in Q4, highlighting that AI has become a strategic tool for marketers looking to streamline content operations and improve customer experience.”
    For more information on Bynder and its AI capabilities, please visit https://www.bynder.com/en/solutions/initiatives/ai-automation/ .

Hedge Fund Association Welcomes Formidium to Global Thought Leadership Council

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 22, 2024

NEW YORK, Jan. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hedge Fund Association ("HFA"), a leading international nonprofit trade and nonpartisan lobbying organization, is pleased to announce the addition of Formidium as a new Global Thought Leader sponsor, and the annual renewals of Citrin Cooperman and FORVIS. 

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, Jan. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hedge Fund Association (" HFA "), a leading international nonprofit trade and nonpartisan lobbying organization, is pleased to announce the addition of Formidium as a new Global Thought Leader sponsor, and the annual renewals of Citrin Cooperman and FORVIS .
  • "The HFA is grateful to for the many benefits Formidium will bring to our members around the world.
  • I seek to expand HFA's footprint in the Digital Assets community, where Formidium stands as the leader in third-party fund administration, digital investor onboarding, crypto taxes, and fund accounting software solutions," said Shalin Madan, Co-Founder of Formidium.
  • "We are also delighted to welcome Formidium to HFA's Thought Leadership Council."

Upcoming HFA Webinar Explores How Infusing Hospitality Can Enhance Retail Destinations

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 11, 2024

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Jan. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A January 18th webinar by HFA Architecture + Engineering will explore how AEC firms can integrate key architectural, engineering, and design principles to infuse hospitality into retail spaces, both big and small.

Key Points: 
  • Webinar topics will include:
    Bo is a Vice President leading a team focused on retail projects.
  • Nicole proudly leads the Hospitality + Entertainment team at HFA as Vice President, while also leading our innovative approach to concept design, Matchstick by HFA.
  • Other projects that her Retail + Hospitality group has in the works include WorldSprings, Happy Dave's, and many more to come!
  • It's a great opportunity to explore innovative design strategies that are changing retail by creating more dynamic and engaging spaces."

Freddie Mac Announces Action to Make Down Payment Assistance Programs More Accessible for Individuals and Families Across the Nation

Retrieved on: 
Monday, December 4, 2023

MCLEAN, Va., Dec. 04, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) today announced new, standardized mortgage documents that increase clarity, consistency and accessibility of down payment assistance (DPA) programs nationwide.

Key Points: 
  • MCLEAN, Va., Dec. 04, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) today announced new, standardized mortgage documents that increase clarity, consistency and accessibility of down payment assistance (DPA) programs nationwide.
  • Through standardization, Freddie Mac is helping to bring efficiency to the loan manufacturing process, creating time and cost saving opportunities across the industry.
  • To construct the standardized subordinate lien documents, Freddie Mac partnered with Fannie Mae and state HFAs as co-creators and early adopters.
  • Current versions of the state standardized lien documents are available on Freddie Mac’s website for the following states:

Grocers Can Slash Carbon Emissions with Natural Refrigerants

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 15, 2023

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Nov. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Grocers can advance their sustainability goals by rolling out CO2-based cold-storage systems, but the shift to natural refrigerants requires careful planning and coordination, advises a veteran engineer from HFA Architecture + Engineering.

Key Points: 
  • "What makes carbon dioxide a better choice for fighting climate change?"
  • "While it is, of course, a greenhouse gas, it is far less heat-trapping than the refrigerants traditionally used in conventional, direct-expansion refrigeration and HVAC systems."
  • But grocers should be aware of the engineering challenges and upfront costs associated with these systems, Schluterman advises.
  • "Combined with their internal decarbonization targets," he concludes, "this external pressure is just one more reason for grocers to explore climate-friendly approaches to keeping things cool."

Retailers Should ID Their 'Core Shoplifters,' Advises HFA Architect

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 14, 2023

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Nov. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In addition to imagining how shoppers might use a space, it is time to think harder about how guests or employees could steal from it, too, advises a veteran store designer from HFA Architecture + Engineering.

Key Points: 
  • "Good store designers know to put themselves in their customer's shoes," writes James Owens (AIA, NCARB) in a column for RetailTouchPoints .
  • But today's growing problem of shrink "calls for a sharper focus on the 'journey' of another group entirely—retail criminals."
  • What are the most customer-friendly ways to protect high-value items from smash-and-grabs?
  • How can we better integrate the latest anti-theft technologies and loss-prevention research into our store designs from the outset?

Steven Warlick to Lead New Healthcare Team at HFA Architecture + Engineering

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 1, 2023

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Nov. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Steven Warlick (AIA, NCARB, LEED AP) has joined HFA Architecture + Engineering as a Vice President and leader of the firm's new healthcare team. 

Key Points: 
  • BENTONVILLE, Ark., Nov. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Steven Warlick (AIA, NCARB, LEED AP) has joined HFA Architecture + Engineering as a Vice President and leader of the firm's new healthcare team.
  • With more than 24 years of industry experience, the Bentonville-based architect aims to grow and diversify HFA's healthcare portfolio, with a focus on reimagining industry norms.
  • He joins Don Ness (AIA, NCARB), who has served for the past year as HFA's Healthcare Project Director / Senior Architect.
  • "I envision my impact to simply be an accelerator of something special at HFA that's already in place."

C-Stores Need to Ask Tough Questions of EV Charging Vendors

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 24, 2023

FORT WORTH, Texas, Oct. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- C-stores evaluating EV charging vendors need to ask tough questions to avoid headaches caused by equipment failure, supply-chain delays and subpar software, advises Scott West (P.E.) of HFA Architects and Engineers.

Key Points: 
  • Due diligence can help owners avoid risks such as faulty equipment and long project delays, advises Scott West of HFA Architects + Engineers
    FORT WORTH, Texas, Oct. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- C-stores evaluating EV charging vendors need to ask tough questions to avoid headaches caused by equipment failure, supply-chain delays and subpar software, advises Scott West (P.E.)
  • In the Sept. 28 piece (" What to Explore in an EV Charging Pilot Program "), West offers three key questions for finding the right fit.
  • "EV charging is in high gear, but it doesn't have to be a blur," he concludes.
  • "By asking the right questions, an objectively administered pilot program can provide a clear picture of the path ahead."