Barclays Deploys Microsoft Teams Globally To Enable Better Connectivity For Its Employees Worldwide

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Barclays Deploys Microsoft Teams Globally To Enable Better Connectivity For Its Employees Worldwide

Barclays Bank PLC (Barclays) and Microsoft Corp. announced Barclays has deployed Microsoft Teams as its preferred collaboration platform, powering collaboration for more than 120,000 colleagues and service partners in key locations around the globe.

Under the agreement, Barclays is streamlining its existing communications and collaboration solutions, with Teams replacing several point solutions previously in use across the company.

As part of its efforts to better connect employees across its business units and functions, Barclays and Microsoft jointly executed a deployment plan for the use of Teams across the company. This plan included enhancing the data retention, search and retrieval capabilities available within Microsoft Purview to meet Barclays’ needs.

“Modern technology is essential to enabling our employees to deliver the highest level of service to our customers in a way that is resilient and sustainable,” said Craig Bright, global chief information officer, Barclays. “Microsoft Teams gives us an end-to-end collaboration platform that helps us connect our colleagues and enhance our business capabilities.”

Seeking to provide its employees with a comprehensive collaboration platform enables teams to interact and work together in a dynamic, modern way, Barclays was intent on delivering a robust Teams experience. Barclays was able to deliver on this strategy.

Barclays deployed Teams globally within months and the impact was instant. It enabled greater collaboration and better communication between teams, while reducing email traffic to get things done more efficiently.

“Over the past two years, digital collaboration has become central to how work gets done. Barclays is leading the way for the financial services industry globally, by giving its employees modern communication and collaboration tools that enable them to connect without friction,” said Rajesh Jha, executive vice president, Experiences & Devices, Microsoft.

Nigerian Bourse Hits New Low As NGX ASI Dips By 226bps

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Nigerian Bourse Hits New Low As NGX ASI Dips By 226bps

At the end of yesterday’s trading session, the Nigerian All Share Index closed in the negative territory, extending its decline by 2.26% to close at 49,350.71 points.

The performance was due to selling pressures in bellwether stocks such as DANGCEM (-9.06%) and MTNN (-4.29%). Consequently, the YTD return decreased to 15.53% as market capitalisation declined by ₦614.35 billion to close at ₦26.62 trillion.

The sectoral performance marginally weakened as three of the five indices under coverage declined. The Industrial index, the biggest loser, declined by 4.83% on DANGCEM (-9.06%). The Consumer goods and Oil & Gas indices followed suit, falling by 0.29% and 0.27% on INTBREW (-4.76%) and OANDO (-1.80%) respectively. Conversely, the Banking and Insurance indices, the gainers, improved by 0.60% and 0.24% on ETI (+7.07%) and NEM (+10.00%) respectively.

Investors’ sentiment strengthened but negative as the market breadth increased to 0.75x from 0.67x. This was illustrated by the decline of 16 stocks, led by CORNERST (-9.33%) and DANGCEM (-9.06%) and the advance of 12 stocks, led by PRESTIGE (+10.00%) and NEM (+10.00%). Activity level weakened as the total volume and value declined by 32.14% and 24.50% respectively, as investors exchanged about 140.61mn units of shares worth over ₦1.60bn.

We expect positive sentiment to return in the next trading session as the equities market still presents decent opportunities for investors chasing positive real returns on investments.

Fixed Income
There was relatively quiet activity across the bond yield curve as three of the four bond yields under coverage closed flat while the yield on the FGN-APR-2023 increased by 2bps. The yields on the FGN-MAR-2024, FGN-JAN-2026 and FGN-JUL-2030 bonds closed flat at 11.00%, 12.35% and 12.49% respectively.

The Treasury bill yields for the 91 and 182-day papers closed flat at 6.08% and 7.77% respectively while the 364-day paper compressed by 1bp to close at 6.81%

We expect market activity to be influenced by the liquidity levels in the financial system.

MARKET SNAPSHOT

European Union Provides €70,000 To Strengthen Preparation For Floods In Nigeria

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European Union Provides €70,000 To Strengthen Preparation For Floods In Nigeria

In anticipation of the beginning of the high flooding period in Nigeria, the European Union is providing €70,000 on emergency preparedness to reduce the impact of floods in the country.

This EU funding supports the Nigerian Red Cross Society to increase capacity and preparedness to reduce the impact of likely floods in the states of Ondo, Kogi, Kebbi, Anambra, and Cross River. This will be done through increased community awareness, prepositioning of stocks, mapping of evacuation centres and hygiene promotion.

It is expected that this support directly benefits 10,000 people and, indirectly, around 25,000 more. The funding is part of the EU’s overall contribution to the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

In the past decade, especially during the last three years, there has been an observed pattern of flooding in Nigeria, with floods becoming the second most recurrent hazard affecting the country, after the epidemics.

The high flooding period generally recorded from August to October is usually characterised by the collapse of major dams, overflow of riverbanks and heavy occupation of residential areas or the environment by large masses of water due to heavy flow of run-off rainwater, uprooting and washing away of residential buildings, and blowing away roofs of buildings. The rainy season also brings with it landslides in which hills and high lands collapse, burying people’s buildings and farmlands. The menace of erosion also comes in to contribute to further deterioration of the condition of the people and environment.

These trends are showing the necessity to anticipate the forecasted hazard and contribute much earlier to the preparedness in the areas at risk. As such, the Nigeria Red Cross Society will take preventive measures to prepare for the anticipated impact that these events could have on the humanitarian situation before the flood season hits the country.

Background

The European Union and its Member States are the world’s leading donor of humanitarian aid. Relief assistance is an expression of European solidarity with people in need all around the world. It aims to save lives, prevent and alleviate human suffering, and safeguard the integrity and human dignity of populations affected by natural disasters and man-made crises.

Through the European Commission’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department, the European Union helps millions of victims of conflict and disasters every year. With headquarters in Brussels and a global network of field offices, the European Union provides assistance to the most vulnerable people on the basis of humanitarian needs.

The European Union is signatory to a €3 million humanitarian delegation agreement with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to support the Federation’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF). Funds from the DREF are mainly allocated to “small-scale” disasters – those that do not give rise to a formal international appeal.

The Disaster Relief Emergency Fund was established in 1985 and is supported by contributions from donors. Each time a National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society needs immediate financial support to respond to a disaster, it can request funds from the DREF.  For small-scale disasters, the IFRC allocates grants from the Fund, which can then be replenished by the donors. The delegation agreement between the IFRC and ECHO enables the latter to replenish the DREF for agreed operations (that fit in with its humanitarian mandate) up to a total of €3 million.

Prudential plc Half Year 2022 Results

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Prudential Continues To Deliver Resilient Operational Performance Amidst Market Volatility

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 10 August 2022 –

Performance highlights for the continuing business1 on a constant (and actual) exchange rate basis2

  • APE sales3 up 9 per cent (6 per cent) to $2,213 million reflecting diversified geographic footprint, product mix and distribution channels
  • New business profit4 fell by (5) per cent ((7) per cent) to $1,098 million following the impact of higher interest rates and differences in geographical and channel mix
  • Adjusted operating profit5 up 8 per cent (6 per cent) to $1,661 million
  • Shareholder GWS capital surplus over GMCR, following Hong Kong and China regulatory changes, remains strong and resilient with a coverage ratio of 548 per cent6. Shareholder GWS capital surplus over GPCR was $16.2 billion7, equivalent to a coverage ratio of 317 per cent8

2022 iSee Gastronomy Forum Brings Global Gastronomic Stars to the Journey of Terroir

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TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach – 10 August 2022 – The 2022 iSee Gastronomy Forum, organized by the iSee Taiwan Foundation that commits itself to acquainting the world with Taiwan’s beauty and value, unveils today at Kaohsiung Exhibition Center. At the invitation of the Ministry of Culture, the Foundation is building on the previous year’s great success and once again hosting a summit dialogue, leveraging the expertise of gastronomic masters from around the world to explore the sustainability of terroir and cultural strength. The Forum brings to life an exquisite experience that highlights the extraordinary value of Taiwan’s culture and cuisine.

www.iseetaiwan.org/en/

Southco Introduces Stylish New Corrosion-Resistant Stainless Steel Positioning Hinge

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 10 August 2022 – Southco Asia Ltd., a subsidiary of Southco Inc., a leading global provider of engineered access solutions such as locks, latches, captive fasteners, electronic access solutions and hinges/ positioning technology has recently expanded its successful E6 Constant Torque Position Control Hinge series to include a corrosion-resistant cast stainless steel version that provides superior durability in harsh outdoor environments. With its stylish, highly polished finish and powerful holding torque, the E6 Constant Torque Position Control Hinge features a refined look and provides long lasting, maintenance-free performance.

Okta Study Reveals High Degree of Customer Identity & Access Management (CIAM) Adoption, Low CIAM Maturity Among APAC Organisations

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Study further examines the challenges organisations face in managing CIAM solutions, and the benefits of adopting digital-first strategies

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 10 August 2022 – Okta, Inc. (NASDAQ: OKTA), the leading independent identity provider, today announced the results of IDC’s Asia/Pacific Customer Identity and Access Management 2022 Survey commissioned by Okta. The study explores the dynamics of managing customer identity and access in a digital world, including the challenges that these organisations face, and how digital-first organisations fare against their peers. IDC surveyed senior and mid-level management personnel in IT and lines of business across 750 organisations in Asia Pacific (APAC) in April 2022 for this study.

The study revealed that the pandemic has either accelerated or highlighted the need for digital-first strategies, with 72% of APAC organisations realizing the need for digital-first strategies, and another 21% having already anticipated the need for such strategies prior to the pandemic. This awareness has led to widespread adoption of customer identity & access management (CIAM) solutions, with 56% of digital-first leaders having already deployed CIAM, and another 32% planning deployment in the next 12-24 months.

However, the study also revealed a low level of CIAM maturity among organisations, where only 34% of digital-first leaders and 14% of digital-first followers have adopted an advanced approach towards CIAM. An advanced CIAM approach is defined in the study as an approach where customer identities are managed via a CIAM platform with full integration to enable 360-degree customer overviews in order to deliver a highly personalized experience. Digital-first leaders with a high level of CIAM maturity show better business outcomes such as customer acquisition, customer loyalty, digital talent attraction and retention, and time to market for new products and services.

“Enterprises are leaning more into digital-first strategies as evidenced by this study, and one of the most important strategies that CEOs in this region have identified is to leverage pent up demand from customers and consumers by improving on digital product and services experiences. CIAM is fundamental to delivering a seamless experience whilst keeping customers’ service experiences around assurance intact.” said Linus Lai, Vice President, Software and Services APEJ at IDC.

“Organisations today need to embrace digital-first strategies to succeed in the hyper-competitive digital economy. A well-integrated, secure and seamless CIAM solution is the key to ensuring the most optimal digital user experience for customers and end-users,” said Philip Goldie, Vice President and Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand at Okta.

“Organisations need to level up their CIAM deployments in order to reap the full benefits that it brings, such as better customer satisfaction, business agility and resilience against an ever-evolving cyber threat landscape.” said Ben Goodman, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Asia Pacific Japan at Okta.

From digital transformation (DX) to digital-first

IDC predicts in a separate report that by 2022, more than half the global economy will be based on or influenced by digital technologies[1]. To compete and succeed in this increasingly digital world, enterprises must adopt a digital-first strategy. The study revealed that digital-first leaders are more likely to prioritise customer satisfaction, business agility, and innovation beyond traditional metrics such as revenues. Such priorities naturally put customer experience (CX) at the forefront of a digital-first strategy.

Digital-first leaders are more likely to report an improvement versus their peers in customer satisfaction and retention, beyond traffic and support volume. According to the IDC study, digital-first organisations reported 8-12% higher performance across all customer metrics, compared to their peers.

Challenges of managing identity and access

Digital-first organisations are re-imagining ways to improve productivity and digital experiences across the whole ecosystem involving vendors, partners, customers and suppliers. However, these transformations brought up a number of challenges, especially around customer identity verification and access security. The top three challenges highlighted in the study include difficulty defending against malicious attacks (9%), combining customer access through multiple channels (9%), and managing customer privacy content (9%).

Securing the digital identities of customers as well as the larger ecosystem participants is considered table stakes in ensuring the success of a digital-first strategy. Hence, investments in CIAM technologies have become a necessity to enable a secure and personalised digital experience. CIAM solutions provide organisations with better visibility to ward off cyber threats across systems, allowing for better defence from malicious cyberattacks.

Digitally mature countries are more focused on security and CIAM investments

Countries across the Asia/Pacific region fare differently in terms of digital maturity. Australia (67%), Singapore (66%) and New Zealand (60%) were the top three regions with a strong digital-first strategy in place. In addition, regions with higher percentages of digital-first organisations are also more likely to consider CIAM as a top priority investment for their organisation. New Zealand (90%), Australia (87%) and Singapore (72%) were among the top regions that considered CIAM as a top priority.

CIAM solutions often result in a range of tangible benefits for organisations that choose to invest in them. According to the survey, the top three business benefits that these organisations have achieved by investing in CIAM solutions are operational efficiency (22%), improved security posture (19%), and enhanced customer experience (17%).

  • Okta’s The Role of Customer Identity Management in a Digital-First World white paper can be downloaded at this link.

Hashtag: #Okta

About Okta

Okta is the leading independent identity provider. The Okta Identity Cloud enables organisations to securely connect the right people to the right technologies at the right time. With more than 7,000 pre-built integrations to applications and infrastructure providers, Okta provides simple and secure access to people and organisations everywhere, giving them the confidence to reach their full potential. More than 15,800 organizations, including JetBlue, Nordstrom, Siemens, Slack, Takeda, Teach for America, and Twilio, trust Okta to help protect the identities of their workforces and customers.

TUMI Launches Fall 2022 Collection

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 10 August 2022 – For Fall 2022, TUMI explores the concept of “Future Earth.” Looking towards the new world, TUMI reexamined its innovations to help better every journey – and the planet. Technical and material innovations are only the beginning. TUMI’s goal is to reduce the ecological footprint it leaves behind while increasing the impact it has on its clients’ lives. TUMI achieves this through timeless designs that run parallel to its mission of creating built-to-last products that remain in the world for generations to come.

Tegra-Lite Collection in Sky Blue

Travel is a key focus for the brand as it knows the world is ready to travel again. The new Tegra-Lite travel collection is sleeker than ever and will be available in carry-on, short trip and extended trip sizes. Each will have the option of an included front pocket to streamline travel even more. What truly sets this collection apart, while also tying it into TUMI’s commitment to sustainability, is the introduction of components made from recycled materials with enhanced durability, and TUMI+ accessory compatibility.

TUMI+ is an ecosystem of add-ons that enhance the carrying capacity and function of select styles. It grows this season with even more additions that will help uncomplicate any journey.

Voyageur Carson Backpack in Beetroot/Emboss

19 Degree International Expandable Carry-On in Beetroot

Voyageur shows off its sophisticated side with three new leather bags. The Liv Backpack can either be worn as a backpack or carried as a tote, making it the quintessential everyday bag. The spacious Adrian Carryall brings a stylish new attitude to Voyageur Leather. The Helena Crossbody comes with a delicate gold chain strap that is removable, so the bag can also be worn as a clutch or a wristlet.

With a focus on wellness and adaptability, TUMI brings another innovative yoga bag to their lineup. The Yoga Sling Tote effortlessly converts from a crossbody sling that’s sized to hold a yoga mat, into a modern, oversized tote.

Collection is available now via TUMI.com

Keep up with TUMI on and

Full Media Kit is here

About TUMI

Since 1975, TUMI has been creating world-class business, travel lifestyle, and performance luxury essentials designed to upgrade, uncomplicate and beautify all aspects of life on the move. Blending flawless functionality with a spirit of ingenuity, we’re committed to empowering journeys as a lifelong partner to movers and makers in pursuit of their passions. The brand is sold globally in over 75 countries with upwards of 2,000 points of sale.

For more about TUMI, visit .

Latest Exchange Rate: Naira Gains Against Dollar By 0.52%

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Latest Exchange Rate: Naira Gains Against Dollar By 0.52%

The Naira on Tuesday appreciated against the dollar at the Investors and Exporters window, exchanging at N428.75.

The figure represented an increase of 0.52 per cent compared with the N431 it exchanged for the dollar on Monday.

The open indicative rate closed at N429.58 to the dollar on Tuesday.

An exchange rate of N444.00 to the dollar was the highest rate recorded within the day’s trading before it settled at N428.75.

The Naira sold for as low as N417 to the dollar within the day’s trading.

A total of 113. 64 million was traded in foreign exchange at the official investors and exporters window on Tuesday.

Why Women Should Invest In The Stock Market And The Endless Opportunities Available To Them

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Why Women Should Invest In The Stock Market And The Endless Opportunities Available To Them

Studies show women investors earn higher returns than men when given the same opportunities. During these uncertain times of high inflation and falling stock prices, there is an opportunity for all women in our society to start their journey to achieve financial security.

 

The Russia – Ukraine war has disrupted the global supply of agricultural products like wheat and oilseeds, ingredients for staple foods like bread, and cooking oil. Food, gas, and oil trade restrictions by the European Union and the United States have exacerbated the situation. In Kenya, food prices were already rising due to the ongoing drought.
Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics shows the annual inflation rate in Kenya accelerated to 7.1% in May, from 6.5% in the previous month. It was the highest reading since February 2020, as food costs rose sharply (12.4% vs 12.2% in April).

 

 

Stock markets fall as investors shift to safer assets after Central Banks increased their interest rates to reduce inflation. Investors are used to a certain amount of volatility and risk. However, unpredicted events and uncertainty about their economic impact cause them to shift funds to more predictable assets such as low-interest fixed-income bank deposits, government-issued treasury bills, and bonds, whose payments are more or less guaranteed.

 

 

The problem arises when you do not have an investment strategy to ensure invested funds are generating above-inflation returns to meet higher living costs for one, five, ten, and twenty years in the future.
Women need to be able to achieve a sense of financial equality in their lives, and having the right investment skills is key to becoming independent.

 

 

Historically, cultural bias across the globe has placed men as the primary breadwinners for their families. It has meant that the financial services sector has prioritized promoting financial literacy amongst men. Instead of being provided with all the investment options, women are presented with the safest option. Despite this, there is growing evidence that women make better investors than their male counterparts. According to a Forbes article entitled “Why Women Make Better Investors” by Emily Guy Birken and Benjamin Curry, studies show that women spend more time researching their investment choices. And while they do take on less risk than men when it comes to investing, that doesn’t mean they are risk-averse. They are more likely to take appropriate risks with their investments than men. Both of these findings make for better investing outcomes.

 

 

Women are more likely to set the goals they wish to accomplish with their investment funds and think longer term. They ask more questions and plan what they want to do with their investment funds. However, the Fidelity Investments’ 2021 Women and Investing Study showed that women still hold too much cash and may miss out on future growth.

 

 

At EFG Hermes Kenya, we believe that a financially empowered woman will impact herself and future generations. Recently, we hosted an event for women investors called She Makes Money Moves. We found that more and more Kenyan women are taking control of their finances. They are becoming more confident in taking informed risks and want financial products and advice tailored to their life circumstances.

 

Investing consistently over long periods means your principal and what it earns (capital gains, dividends, and interest) combine to generate more value. Regularly investing as little as Ksh.100 ($1) in our stock market, you can activate the power of compounding by reinvesting the dividends you receive from your shares into the stock market. For those investors with a medium to long-term view, investing in the heavily discounted shares of well-run companies trading on the NSE presents an opportunity to accelerate your journey to financial freedom.

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