Two atoms exchange a virtual photon – the empty space around them is not as empty as one might think. Photo: Vienna University of Technology A vacuum is not as empty as one might think. In reality, empty space is a bubbling soup of various virtual particles spontaneously appearing and disappearing, popping in and out of existence. This phenomenon is called “vacuum fluctuations”. Usually, we do not notice such extremely short-lived particles, but in certain cases vacuum forces can have...

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It is not only dreamy tulip fields, windmills and canals that draw many of Vistra's clients to the Netherlands, but also the country's steady rise as an "increasingly attractive destination for doing international business". Maximising on extensive tax treaty networks and diversifying its product portfolio, our ever-expanding Dutch office has kept up the pace with the recent acquisition of a local boutique financial services provider. Proactivity is also no stranger to Singapore with its strong appeal to investors seeking...

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In mid-2013 the Central Bank of Ireland (“Central Bank”) issued a Discussion Paper in relation to loan origination by Irish domiciled regulated alternative investment funds. Context for that Discussion Paper included the evident appetite for launching direct loan origination products on the part of credit managers as well as the apparent need for alternative credit sources for commercial enterprises in an environment where the bank lending had been significantly curtailed. On July 28, 2014 the Central Bank issued a Consultation Paper...

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Download the full report for data on the top five loans taking losses and top five newly delinquent loans in July. The Trepp CMBS delinquency rate barely extended its winning streak to fourteen months in July. The delinquency rate for US commercial real estate loans in CMBS is now 6.04%, one basis point lower month-over-month. July’s reading is 244 basis points lower than the year-ago level. Year-to-date, delinquencies have fallen 139 basis points from 7.43% as of December 31, 2013. Loan resolutions totaled...

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Last week, the U.S. Department of State’s visa processing database, which controls the issuance of visas and passports at the U.S. consulates abroad, experienced system performance issues (including outages) leading to worldwide delays in visa issuances for individuals seeking entry into the United States. The malfunction in the Consular Consolidated Database stalled the processing of U.S. visas for foreign nationals at consulates around the world, and was not limited to one consulate or country. Although the consular database is back...

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There is a hurdle to be acknowledged: most in this world of business and transactions are used to working in a world governed by quantitative data that can be measured and analyzed: EBITDA, interest rates, IRR and ROI,  exchange rate or bond yields.  Assigning a critical value to culture in business and transactions, is asking for an acknowledgment of the importance of a markedly non-quantitative factor in business. This requires a fundamental shift in our overall calculus, away from...

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Shopping App Stylewhile, a member of the European American Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to announce the launch of a new online marketplace for emerging and independent designers. The App gives consumers the tools to easily discover today’s most exciting up-and-coming brands, and to shop in a more interactive way than the traditional online shopping experience allows. Users can virtually ‘try-on’ different items, mix and match pieces from multiple brands, and buy online – all with the swipe of a...

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We are pleased to inform you that Capita Financial Managers (Ireland) Ltd (CFMI) has been authorised as an Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM) by the Central Bank of Ireland. As of 21 July, CFMI holds both a UCITS Management Company and an AIFM licence and is available for investment managers wishing to appoint an independent and experienced funds management company. CFMI is part of a FTSE 100 plc with 70,000 staff and a market capitalisation of £7.3 billion. Having operated in...

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Granito Advisory, a member of the EACCNY, is pleased to be a member of the faculty of the Practicing Law Institute's Securities Arbitration 2014 Seminar to be held on July 31, 2014 in New York City. The Seminar will be broadcast to many major cities in the United States and will also be available for viewing within Europe and Canada. GRANITO's President will appear alongside FINRA Dispute Resolution's President and its Director of Arbitration, along with other noted academics and professionals...

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DS-Concept Factoring, Inc., a global commercial finance company, and a member of the EACC New York, specializing in international non-recourse factoring, has provided a $2.5 million export accounts receivable facility to an apparel distributor in California. The client, who provides licensed products to retailers and wholesalers in Canada, Europe, and South Africa, is rapidly expanding their global presence. “We’re excited to work with a well-established firm which has extensive knowledge in manufacturing and distribution,” states Brandyn Prust, Vice President of Sales. “It’s great to see...

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