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NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)---- $BBN--Certain BlackRock closed-end funds (the “Funds”) announced distributions today as detailed below. Municipal Funds: National Funds Ticker Distribution   Declaration- 4/1/2025 Ex-Date- 4/15/2025 Record- 4/15/2025 Payable- 5/1/2025   Ticker Distribution Change From Prior Distribution   BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trust*  BYM $0.055500 - BlackRock Long-Term Municipal Advantage Trust* BTA $0.049500 - BlackRock MuniAssets Fund, Inc.* MUA $0.055500 - BlackRock Municip

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust Declares April 2025 Distribution

OLD GREENWICH, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ellington Credit Company (NYSE: EARN) announced today that it will ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on April 2, 2025 to celebrate its conversion to a closed-end fund focused on corporate collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) investments. The ringing of the closing bell will also commemorate the 30-year anniversary of Ellington Management Group, the parent company of EARN’s investment adviser. About Ellington Credit Company Ellington Cr

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Vixul is excited to announce the return of its annual flagship event, VixulCon, taking place in Austin, Texas, on April 15-16, 2025. Debuting in 2023, VixulCon has established itself as a premier gathering for the technology services community, drawing industry leaders, innovators, and investors from across the globe. The event provides an opportunity to learn from veteran entrepreneurs and founders with a combined exit value exceeding $1 billion, high-growth Vix

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- #creditratingagency--Hooters of America, LLC (Hooters, or the Company), who was the manager of and operates company-owned restaurants for HOA Funding LLC Series 2021-1, a whole business securitization (WBS), filed for bankruptcy protection on March 31, 2025. The filing affects 153 company-operated stores of the system’s 313 total locations (as reported at the end of Q4 2024), the majority of which are franchised. According to the Company’s claims agent, HOA Funding, LLC is among the debto

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Barclays today announces the appointment of Jason Short as a Managing Director in the Financial Sponsors Group (FSG), based in San Francisco and covering West Coast accounts. Expanding the capabilities with financial sponsor clients is key to the growth of Barclays’ Investment Banking business. In his new role, Jason will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with financial sponsor clients based on the West Coast and their portfolio company managem

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In accordance with the RiverNorth closed-end funds (the “Funds”) level distribution policies, the Funds have established the distribution dates for April, May and June 2025. The payment of the distributions are subject to Board approval. Ex Date Record Date Payable Date 4/15/2025 4/15/2025 4/30/2025 5/15/2025 5/15/2025 5/30/2025 6/13/2025 6/13/2025 6/30/2025 Tax-Exempt Distributions1 Fund Name Ticker Distribution Per Share Net Asset Value (NAV) as of 3/31

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- #creditratingagency--KBRA assigns a long-term rating of A+ with a Stable Outlook to the Allegheny County Airport Authority, PA (Pittsburgh International Airport) Airport Revenue Bonds, Series 2025A (AMT) and Airport Revenue Bonds, Series 2025B (Federally Taxable), and affirms the A+ rating and Stable Outlook on outstanding Airport Revenue Bonds. Key Credit Considerations The rating was assigned because of the following key credit considerations: Credit Positives ACAA’s proactive leadershi

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ex-EU Ambassador Sondland has settled with the U.S. government over legal fees from 2019 Trump impeachment testimony. Case dismissed with prejudice.

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--LPRO Investors Have Opportunity to Join Open Lending Corporation Securities Fraud Investigation with the Schall Law Firm

When everyone first started talking about AI for business and there were endless possibilities seen also requiring endless tools to learn. The initial forays into AI often resulted in disappointing, inconsistent, or just not worth the time invested.
Fast forward to today, and while AI has become more powerful, many business owners are still struggling with tool fatigue and information overload.

Most approaches to integrating AI into business fall short—not because the technology is not capable, but because people either spread themselves too thin across dozens of tools (plus their everyday responsibilities) or do not know how to effectively use the right ones.  An analogy of using the wrong work tool for a job is using a saw to pound a nail – the result is less than optimal: you may cut yourself; it may take a long time; may not be pounded in straight or all the way; or fail completely.

Nevertheless there are many benefits to using AI, which include but are not limited to:

• Ideation, Innovation, New Possibilities
• Summation of Results
• Broader and More Detailed Research
• Enhanced Decision-Making
• Increased Productivity and Efficiency
• Improved Customer Service
• Enhanced Accuracy and Reduced Errors
• Provide Specific Applications (improved diagnostics, personalization, etc.)

How to proceed

When selecting AI tools think about what you are trying to accomplish.  Select the best tool for the job.  Be specific with how it is used.  Then carefully and fully verify results.

At this time, pairing AI with a human is the best approach for your business to increase productivity plus save time and money.  Businesses using AI are outperforming those who do not use AI.  If your business is not using AI start using it today.

Attribution of above 3 images: Craiyon

In my many readings, I came across The Ultimate AI Tools Guide for Entrepreneurs that was put together by techunited new jersey (see below). It may help you and your business select some tools to start with and perhaps become aware of tools and functional areas you have yet to apply AI.

The Ultimate AI Tools Guide for Entrepreneurs Keeping up with AI can feel like a full-time job.   New tools pop up daily, but which ones are actually worth your time (and budget)?   We’ve sorted through the noise to bring you the best AI tools across seven key business functions — ones that are practical, easy to use, and deliver real results. Transcription & Summarization Tools Financial Forecasting Tools Market Research Tools Copywriting Tools  Social Video Editing Tools Proofreading Tools  Presentation Tools

ELMER, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ELMER BANCORP, INC. (“Elmer Bancorp” or the “Company”) (OTC Pink: ELMA), parent company of The First National Bank of Elmer (the “Bank”), announced that the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend on April 1, 2025 in the amount of $0.20 per common share, payable on May 1, 2025 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 15, 2025. Brian W. Jones, President and CEO of the Company stated, “I am pleased to report that the Board of Directors of El

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Phillips 66 announced today the completion of its previously announced acquisition of EPIC Y-Grade GP, LLC and EPIC Y-Grade, LP.

ROSEMEAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Edison International and Southern California Edison are pleased to launch the application period for the 2025 Lineworker Scholarship Program. In partnership with IBEW Local 47, the scholarship program is now in its fifth year of creating career pathways to transform the skilled trade workforce. “Lineworkers are critical to rebuilding communities affected by wildfires and delivering safe and reliable power to our customers throughout Southern California,” said

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Circle Internet Group, Inc. a global financial technology company and stablecoin market leader, today announced that it has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) relating to a proposed initial public offering of shares of its Class A common stock. The number of shares to be offered and the price range for the proposed offering have not yet been determined. Circle has applied to list its Class A common s

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IBTA Investors Have Opportunity to Join Ibotta, Inc. Securities Fraud Investigation with the Schall Law Firm

NEWTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Industrial Logistics Properties Trust (Nasdaq: ILPT) today announced that it will issue a press release containing its first quarter 2025 financial results after the Nasdaq closes on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. On Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, President and Chief Operating Officer Yael Duffy, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Tiffany Sy and Vice President Marc Krohn will host a conference call to discuss these results. The conference call

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MFS Announces Monthly Closed End Fund Distributions for April 2025

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Equity Commonwealth (NYSE: EQC) (the “Company”) announced today that its Board of Trustees has authorized the Company’s final cash liquidating distribution of $1.60 per common share (the “Final Cash Liquidating Distribution”) which will be paid on April 22, 2025 to shareholders of record on April 11, 2025. This brings the aggregate cash liquidating distributions to $20.60 per common share, inclusive of the $19.00 per share paid in December. The Company also intends to

FITZGERALD, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Colony Bankcorp, Inc. (NYSE: CBAN) (“Colony” or the “Company”) today announced it has acquired The Ellerbee Agency, an Allstate appointed consumer property and casualty insurance agency. The agency will become part of Colony Insurance, the Company’s wholly-owned insurance subsidiary. This acquisition expands Colony Insurance’s footprint and customer base with two new office locations in Monroe, Georgia (120 W Highland Avenue) and Greensboro, Georgia (1061 Parks