Middle market firms (about 200,000 companies with $10 million to $1 billion in annual revenue) employ roughly 48 million people, account for one-third of U.S. GDP, and help set the pace for the U.S. economy. When they lean into growth, the effects are broad. KeyBank’s latest Middle Market Sentiment Survey polled 750 owners and senior executives in November and December 2025. The results point to a middle market entering 2026 on the front foot. Company outlooks are strong, driven by tighter...

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Patent practitioners have been curious as to whether any of the economic efficiencies announced and enacted by the federal government also have been implemented at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). For instance, when the Department of Government Efficiency was actively trying to find ways to cut government waste, how many, if any, changes were earmarked for the USPTO? It should be stated up front that the USPTO is funded by user fees and is considered one of the...

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As the June 2026 deadline for transposing the EU Pay Transparency Directive (Directive (EU) 2023/970) draws closer, employers across the European Union are preparing for a significant shift in pay equity practices. The directive aims to strengthen the principle of equal pay for equal work or work of equal value, and it introduces a harmonised set of transparency and reporting obligations that will apply to organisations across all EU member states. Quick Hits Employers across the EU are preparing for the June...

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EIB Group President Nadia Calviño offcially opens the 2026 edition of the EIB Group Forum. Your Royal Highness, Monseigneur, ladies and gentlemen, dear colleagues, Welcome to this year’s EIB Group Forum! It is such a pleasure to be in the company of so many friends, committed policymakers, business leaders, innovators, and civil society champions in this annual gathering in Luxembourg. Let me start by thanking the EIB Group’s teams that organised this great event. Like every year, they put a lot of effort and put their hearts into bringing such an impressive lineup of speakers – of thinkers...

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Welcome to the latest edition of the Stephenson Harwood Data and Cyber Update, covering the key developments in data protection and cyber security law in February 2026. In data regulation news, the European Data Protection Board (“EDPB”) and the European Data Protection Supervisor (“EDPS”) issue a joint Opinion on the Digital Omnibus Regulation proposal; and the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (“ICO”) publishes its data protection complaints guidance. In cybersecurity news, Ofcom fast-tracks its decision on online safety proposals, as UK regulators...

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With USCIS having now announced the FY 2027 H‑1B cap lottery registration dates, this is an opportune time to revisit the H‑1B registration process and highlight key considerations for employers as the registration period opens next month. As discussed in our January 2026 article on major policy changes affecting the FY 2027 H‑1B cap, this year’s registration cycle introduces significant new complexities, making early and strategic preparation more critical than ever for employers seeking to sponsor foreign national talent. FY 2027...

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On 10 February 2026, the European Parliament, Commission and Council of the European Union (“Council”) have published a Proposal for a Regulation on the screening of foreign investments in the European Union (“Proposal”) which follows the provisional political agreement reached in December 2025. The Proposal is expected to be formally approved in spring 2026 by the European Parliament and the Council and is intended to replace the existing EU screening regulation. Nevertheless, it is important to note that the Proposal is...

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KeyBank (NYSE: KEY) is being recognized for its support of small and middle market business clients with nine 2026 Best Bank Awards from Crisil Coalition Greenwich in small business and middle market banking. These national and regional awards honor Key’s collaborative approach that empowers small business owner-operators in addressing their complex financial needs and depth of expertise that helps middle market companies optimize business performance. KeyBank received the following national Coalition Greenwich 2026 Awards: Best Bank: Trust for Middle Market Banking in...

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