Member News, News

Delinquency Rate Slows Improvement, Inches Down by Single-Digit in July

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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Member News, News

Global Visa Delays Follow Technical Difficulties with State Department System

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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Chapter News, News

Greener EU airports thanks to EU-funded tech

Every summer millions of Europeans descend upon the continent’s airports on their way to sunshine and adventure. As airport users explode in number, so does the cost and environmental footprint of running an airport. Did you know that as airports get bigger and bigger they each consume as much energy as small cities? Think only about the lighting, heating and air conditioning systems in these huge transport hubs. That is why European researchers have used Commission funding to develop...

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Chapter News, News

Lithuania to adopt the euro on 1 January 2015

The General Affairs Council meeting of 23 July celebrated Lithuania's entry into the euro area. Ministers also discussed the Italian presidency work programme and the mid-term review of the Europe 2020 strategy. On 1 January 2015, Lithuania will become the 19th member state to adopt the euro. "Lithuania's consistent efforts have paid off: today the eurozone has opened the door for us," said Algirdas Butkevičius, Prime Minister of Lithuania, at the meeting of EU ministers. The entry of Lithuania into the euro...

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Member News, News

Culture: The Unspoken Key to “Cross Border” Business and Transactions

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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Chapter News, News

Spring 2014 Standard Eurobarometer: The European elections made a difference

The latest Standard Eurobarometer survey results are published - the first EU-wide opinion poll conducted since the European Parliament elections in May which were organised under the slogan "This time it's different". The latest Eurobarometer survey shows that this time it was different with positive developments in several areas. 1. A 10 year record high in the number of citizens who feel their voice counts After the European Elections, the number of citizens who feel their voice counts in the EU...

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Chapter News, News

European Commission proposes a higher and achievable energy savings target for 2030

New opportunities for European businesses, affordable energy bills for consumers, increased energy security through a significant reduction of natural gas imports and a positive impact on the environment: these are some of the expected benefits of the energy efficiency target for 2030 put forward today by the European Commission in a Communication. The proposed target of 30 % builds on the achievements already reached: new buildings use half the energy they did in the 1980s and industry is about...

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Member News, News

Stylewhile Launches New Online Marketplace For Emerging and Independent Designers

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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Member News, News

Capita Financial Managers (Ireland) granted AIFM licence

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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Chapter News, News

Nomination Procedure for top EU Positions

At their June meeting, EU leaders adopted the decision proposing to the European Parliament Jean-Claude Juncker as candidate for President of the European Commission. The Parliament elected the proposed candidate on 15 July. Leaders also asked Herman Van Rompuy to conduct consultations on the nominations for the other top positions. During the course of 2014 there will not only be a new College of Commissioners, but also a new President of the European Council, and a new High Representative of...

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