Featured Stories
Seven Thompson Hine Lawyers Receive Best Lawyers 2027 "Lawyer of the Year" Award
CLEVELAND, Ohio, Aug. 20 [Category: BizLaw/Legal] -- Thompson Hine, a law firm, posted the following news release:
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Seven Thompson Hine Lawyers Receive Best Lawyers 2027 "Lawyer of the Year" Award
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Among the 161 lawyers from Thompson Hine LLP named in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America(r) are seven who are recognized as "Lawyers of the Year," an award given annually to only one lawyer per practice area from each region with extremely high overall feedback from their peers, making it an exceptional distinction.
The Thompson Hine partners honored as 2027 "Lawyers of the Year"
... Show Full Article
CLEVELAND, Ohio, Aug. 20 [Category: BizLaw/Legal] -- Thompson Hine, a law firm, posted the following news release:
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Seven Thompson Hine Lawyers Receive Best Lawyers 2027 "Lawyer of the Year" Award
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Among the 161 lawyers from Thompson Hine LLP named in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America(r) are seven who are recognized as "Lawyers of the Year," an award given annually to only one lawyer per practice area from each region with extremely high overall feedback from their peers, making it an exceptional distinction.
The Thompson Hine partners honored as 2027 "Lawyers of the Year"are:
Cincinnati
* Andrew L. Kolesar: Environmental Law
* Ted R. Remaklus: Copyright Law
* Carrie A. Shufflebarger: Trademark Law
* J. Shane Starkey: Litigation and Controversy - Tax
Cleveland
* Brian J. Lamb: Litigation - Banking and Finance; Litigation - Securities
* Deborah Z. Read: Nonprofit/Charities Law
Columbus
* Amie L. Vanover: Nonprofit/Charities Law
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Original text here: https://www.thompsonhine.com/insights/seven-thompson-hine-lawyers-receive-best-lawyers-2027-lawyer-of-the-year-award/
Marcus & Millichap Arranges $2.16M Sale of Denver Medical Office Property
ENCINO, California, Aug. 20 -- Marcus and Millichap issued the following news release on Aug. 18, 2026:
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DENVER -- Marcus & Millichap (NYSE: MMI), a leading commercial real estate brokerage firm specializing in investment sales, financing, research and advisory services, announced today the sale of 820 Clermont St., a 14,560-square-foot medical office property in Denver, Colorado, for $2.16 million.
"Denver's 10,000- to 20,000-square-foot medical office segment remains tight and supply-constrained, with low vacancy and continued rent growth," said Erik Enstad, associate director investments.
... Show Full Article
ENCINO, California, Aug. 20 -- Marcus and Millichap issued the following news release on Aug. 18, 2026:
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DENVER -- Marcus & Millichap (NYSE: MMI), a leading commercial real estate brokerage firm specializing in investment sales, financing, research and advisory services, announced today the sale of 820 Clermont St., a 14,560-square-foot medical office property in Denver, Colorado, for $2.16 million.
"Denver's 10,000- to 20,000-square-foot medical office segment remains tight and supply-constrained, with low vacancy and continued rent growth," said Erik Enstad, associate director investments."Demand from expanding outpatient and specialty providers remains strong, particularly for properties near major healthcare campuses like this one."
Enstad, Brandon Kramer and Chadd Nelson, investment specialists in Marcus & Millichap's Denver office, exclusively marketed the property on behalf of the seller, an owner-user, and procured the buyer, a group of private investors. The transaction closed all cash.
The property is located at 820 Clermont St. in Denver's Hale neighborhood, one block south of the Rose Medical Campus.
Built in 1971, the medical office property sits on 0.25 acres and features recent capital improvements. The property is zoned G-MX-3, allowing for a mix of office, medical and commercial uses. The new ownership plans to lease the property's available space.
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About Marcus & Millichap, Inc. (NYSE: MMI)
Marcus & Millichap, Inc. is a leading brokerage firm specializing in commercial real estate investment sales, financing, research and advisory services with offices throughout the United States and Canada. As of December 31, 2025, the company had 1,808 investment sales and financing professionals in over 80 offices who provide investment brokerage and financing services to sellers and buyers of commercial real estate. The company also offers market research, consulting and advisory services to clients. Marcus & Millichap closed 8,818 transactions in 2025, with a sales volume of approximately $50.9 billion. For additional information, please visit www.MarcusMillichap.com.
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Original text here: https://www.marcusmillichap.com/news-events/press/2026/08/8-18-26-clermont-st-medical
[Category: BizRealEstate]
How 'My Brilliant Career' Wrote a New Chapter for Adelaide - And Honoured Its Past
LOS GATOS, California, Aug. 20 -- Netflix, a content provider, issued the following news:
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How 'My Brilliant Career' Wrote a New Chapter for Adelaide -- and Honoured Its Past
Sybylla Melvyn spends My Brilliant Career refusing to settle -- for a marriage she doesn't want, a farm she didn't choose, or a life smaller than the one she's imagining for herself. As it turns out, the production chasing her story took a similarly ambitious approach, betting big on South Australia, on sustainability, on the people behind the camera and on First Nations storytelling long before a single scene was
... Show Full Article
LOS GATOS, California, Aug. 20 -- Netflix, a content provider, issued the following news:
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How 'My Brilliant Career' Wrote a New Chapter for Adelaide -- and Honoured Its Past
Sybylla Melvyn spends My Brilliant Career refusing to settle -- for a marriage she doesn't want, a farm she didn't choose, or a life smaller than the one she's imagining for herself. As it turns out, the production chasing her story took a similarly ambitious approach, betting big on South Australia, on sustainability, on the people behind the camera and on First Nations storytelling long before a single scene wasshot.
"Miles Franklin's 1901 novel is an extraordinary piece of Australia's storytelling legacy, and honouring its spirit meant getting the world of the story right, not just the story itself. South Australia gave us that: sprawling outback landscapes 20 minutes from the city, vineyards and century-old homesteads. It gave us the cinematic range to build Sybylla's world authentically," said Amanda Duthie, Content Director, Netflix Australia and New Zealand.
Brilliant returns
My Brilliant Career, which debuted at #4 on the Global Top 10 English TV list with 3.1M views, delivered an AU$19 million economic boost to South Australia. Along the way, the production put 600 South Australian cast, crew and extras to work, and partnered with 410 local businesses.
Part of that spend went toward preserving history, not just filming it. Shot entirely in and around Adelaide, the production contributed to the preservation of South Australian heritage buildings, including the Para Para historic house at Gawler, and brought Yallum Park Homestead at Penola -- one of the Southern Hemisphere's most intact historic homes and mature gardens, never previously seen on screen -- to audiences everywhere.
Sustainable steps
My Brilliant Career went even further to preserve and protect Australia by reducing carbon emissions, waste and resource consumption behind the scenes. Studios and offices operated on renewable energy during daylight hours, with post-production powered entirely by renewable electricity. Production also integrated a large battery system, reducing diesel generator use and providing for a quieter and cleaner set.
Eighty-five percent of the vehicles used on set were hybrid, drastically lowering fuel use. On set, reusable cups were handed out, reducing single-use cups. Leftover meals were given to crew members to reduce catering waste, and props, costumes, and fabric scraps were donated to local schools and childcare centers. (Not to mention a donation of 300L of paint to Habitat for Humanity.)
More voices, more brilliant careers
Sybylla spends the series fighting for a shot she wasn't handed -- a fight the production backed behind the camera too. My Brilliant Career employed First Nations people across a wide variety of positions spanning development through to post-production, and six First Nations writers helped shape the show's characters and storylines from the earliest scripts. Three creatives earned step-up credits during the shoot: Shari Sebbens -- an alumna of the Netflix-backed Bunya Talent Indigenous Hub -- landed her first Associate Producer credit, Hannah Belanszky her first broadcast TV Additional Writer credit, and Skye Leon her first Contributing Writer role.
"We have such a number of First Nations creatives on set... so the culture on set has changed. It just feels different," Belanszky said. "This is the first production that took on my cultural insights and used them," Miles Clothier, Assistant Set Decorator, added.
On screen, a collaboration between contemporary artist Thelma Plum and legendary band Coloured Stone gave the series a culturally resonant musical moment, connecting generations of First Nations artistry, while Welcome to Country ceremonies and creative consultation with First Nations creatives ran from pre-production through to the final cut.
My Brilliant Career is now streaming, only on Netflix.
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For more stories about the impact our films and series have on economies, industries and culture, check out The Netflix Effect (http://www.thenetflixeffect.com/).
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Original text here: https://about.netflix.com/en/news/how-my-brilliant-career-wrote-a-new-chapter-for-adelaide-and-honoured-its-past
[Category: Media]
Fisher Phillips Issues Insight: Shipping Hazardous Materials Just Got Easier - What Employers Need to Know About PHMSA's Sweeping New Rules
ATLANTA, Georgia, Aug. 20 -- Fisher Phillips, a law firm, issued the following insight on Aug. 19, 2026:
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Shipping Hazardous Materials Just Got Easier: What Employers Need to Know About PHMSA's Sweeping New Rules
If your business ships products like hair spray, nail polish, or cleaning supplies - or if your crews rely on battery-powered tools and equipment in the field - federal regulators just made your life a little easier. Between August 4 and 7, the US Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published 17 Final Rules as part of a
... Show Full Article
ATLANTA, Georgia, Aug. 20 -- Fisher Phillips, a law firm, issued the following insight on Aug. 19, 2026:
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Shipping Hazardous Materials Just Got Easier: What Employers Need to Know About PHMSA's Sweeping New Rules
If your business ships products like hair spray, nail polish, or cleaning supplies - or if your crews rely on battery-powered tools and equipment in the field - federal regulators just made your life a little easier. Between August 4 and 7, the US Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published 17 Final Rules as part of abroader deregulatory push to modernize supply chains and reduce administrative burdens for domestic shippers and carriers. The changes range from smaller warning labels on consumer products to higher weight limits for lithium batteries carried in work vehicles to the option of ditching the bulky paper emergency response guidebook in favor of a digital version. Three of these rules stand out for their practical impact on everyday operations, and all three take effect September 3, giving you a narrow window to prepare. What do you need to know and what should you do?
HM-268B: Reducing Costs to Domestic Shippers and Carriers of Limited Quantities.
Perhaps the most significant change for shippers of Limited Quantity hazardous materials packages (which include common consumer commodity products like hair spray, personal fragrances, nail polish and household cleaning products) is PHMSA's Final Rule allowing a smaller limited quantity marking to be used when transporting such packages by highway, rail and vessel.
The current version of the rule allows shippers to utilize a Limited Quantity marking on a consumer commodity package which is no smaller than 50 mm on each side, with the width of the border forming the square-on-point being reduced to a minimum of 1 mm, as long as the size of the packaging will not accommodate a larger marking. The new provision will allow shippers to use an even smaller marking measuring a minimum of 25 mm on each side, with the width of the border forming the square-on-point being "readily visible," on shipping labels and regardless of the size of the packaging.
This change is notable for two reasons.
* First, it will allow shippers of small consumer commodity hazardous materials packages to incorporate the Limited Quantity marking onto the shipping label itself, a solution that should now be more feasible given the reduced size. Previously, shippers needed to use either larger shipping labels to incorporate the 50 mm by 50 mm marking, or they needed to label or emboss the marking onto the packaging itself.
* Second, shippers will no longer need to resort to embossing the Limited Quantity marking onto their larger consumer hazardous materials packages. This will allow shippers of larger packages to either maintain a generic inventory of packages without the embossed marking, or simply eliminate the practice of embossing the marking onto the packaging altogether in favor of adding the marking to the shipping label when required by the package contents.
While the change is likely to result in cost savings, it will also promote regulatory compliance by allowing the marking to be incorporated into an automated shipping platform whenever certain criteria are met, reducing the likelihood of the marking being omitted from the packaging. Likewise, the change will reduce the chances of the marking inadvertently remaining visible on reused packaging when it is not otherwise authorized based on the package contents. Indeed, omitting the Limited Quantity marking where a package contains consumer commodity hazardous materials, as well as allowing a Limited Quantity marking to remain visible on a package that does not contain a consumer commodity hazardous material, can both result in significant fines and penalties regardless of the mode of travel.
Note, however, that this new smaller marking is not authorized for transportation of Limited Quantities by aircraft, is not authorized for shipments of radioactive materials, and may not be used on the outside of an overpack.
HM-268C: Reducing Burdens on Domestic Companies Using Battery-Powered Equipment in Trades
Another notable change is an update to an existing rule that will increase the amount of lithium batteries allowed under the Materials of Trade (MOTs) exception. This would help companies using battery-powered equipment, like construction, landscaping, mowing, tree service, food service, and entertainment companies to transport needed tools without subjecting those batteries to the full Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR).
PHMSA's MOT exception allows certain hazardous materials to be transported by motor vehicle in small quantities as part of the transporter's business or trade, as long as that trade itself is not the transportation of hazardous materials in commerce.
* The MOT exception currently limits the aggregate gross weight of materials of trade in a motor vehicle to 200 kg (440 pounds).
* This revision increases this allowance for lithium batteries by authorizing up to 30 kg (66 pounds) per battery, a 500 kg (1102 pounds) gross vehicle limit, and no limit for batteries installed in equipment. It also includes safety provisions to prevent short circuits, shifting damage, and accidental activation.
HM-268D: Hazardous Materials: Reducing Burdens to Domestic Carriers
Finally, in a significant departure from PHMSA's current and longstanding mandate that each vehicle transporting hazardous materials carry the agency's printed 392-page Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) on board, this Final Rule will now allow the required emergency response information to be displayed and maintained within the vehicle electronically.
In a small but meaningful addition to the current rule, the new regulation will allow emergency response information to be "printed legibly in English (either in hard copy printed on paper or in electronic format)."
In addition to cost savings, this change will enhance regulatory compliance for hazardous materials carriers by reducing the chances that a copy of the ERG is incidentally left off of a vehicle. It will also provide emergency responders and drivers alike with the most up-to-date emergency response information rather than relying on a potentially outdated version of the ERG on board in the event of an emergency.
What Should Businesses Transporting Hazardous Materials Do to Prepare?
These Final Rules take effect on September 3. Before that effective date, here's what your business should do to prepare.
* If you are a carrier of small consumer commodity hazardous materials packages, you should begin exploring ways to leverage the new smaller marking allowed by HM-268B into your automated shipping platforms.
* This is particularly important for Indirect Air Carriers who tender packages to aircraft and need to filter out highway Limited Quantity packages from being inadvertently tendered to an aircraft in violation of PHMSA and Federal Aviation Administration regulations.
* If you rely on PHMSA's Materials of Trade exception, you should pay careful attention to HM-268C's caveat that batteries be packaged or secured in a manner to prevent against short circuits, damage caused by shifting or placement within the package, and accidental activation of the equipment. You'll need to ensure that you don't exceed the rule's individual and aggregate battery weight limits.
* Finally, if you are a hazardous materials carrier and wish to leverage the new electronic emergency response information option in HM-268D, you should ensure that an electronic copy of the current ERG is fully downloaded to a device on board the vehicle so it can be accessed in the event of an emergency in an area where cellular data service may not be available.
Conclusion
Fisher Phillips will continue to monitor any new developments and agency guidance issued regarding these Final Rules and will update employers as needed, so make sure you are signed up for Fisher Phillips' Insight System to receive updates straight to your inbox. If you have questions about hazardous materials transportation compliance, contact your Fisher Phillips attorney, the author of this Insight, or any member of our Workplace Safety and Catastrophe Management Practice Group.
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Related People
Jamie J. Spataro
Partner
412.822.6642
jspataro@fisherphillips.com
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Original text here: https://www.fisherphillips.com/en/insights/insights/what-employers-need-to-know-about-phmsas-sweeping-new-rules
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Faegre Drinker Issues Commentary: CFTC Proposes to Reinstate CPO Registration Exemption for SEC-Registered Investment Advisers and Increase Small Pool Exemption Threshold
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, Aug. 20 -- Faegre Drinker Biddle and Reath, a law firm, issued the following commentary on Aug. 19, 2026, by partner Jeffrey R. Blumberg:
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CFTC Proposes to Reinstate CPO Registration Exemption for SEC-Registered Investment Advisers and Increase Small Pool Exemption Threshold
Comments are due 45 days after Federal Register publication
At a Glance
* On August 18, 2026, the CFTC published a notice of proposed rulemaking proposing amendments to its Part 4 regulations governing CPOs and CTAs.
* The proposal would create a new CPO registration exemption for SEC-registered
... Show Full Article
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, Aug. 20 -- Faegre Drinker Biddle and Reath, a law firm, issued the following commentary on Aug. 19, 2026, by partner Jeffrey R. Blumberg:
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CFTC Proposes to Reinstate CPO Registration Exemption for SEC-Registered Investment Advisers and Increase Small Pool Exemption Threshold
Comments are due 45 days after Federal Register publication
At a Glance
* On August 18, 2026, the CFTC published a notice of proposed rulemaking proposing amendments to its Part 4 regulations governing CPOs and CTAs.
* The proposal would create a new CPO registration exemption for SEC-registeredinvestment advisers and restore a related CTA registration exemption.
* The proposal would also double the small pool exemption's gross capital contributions threshold to $800,000.
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On August 18, 2026, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) published a notice of proposed rulemaking proposing amendments to its Part 4 regulations governing commodity pool operators (CPOs) and commodity trading advisors (CTAs). The proposal would create a new CPO registration exemption for SEC-registered investment advisers (RIAs) operating commodity pools limited to sophisticated investors (Proposed Regulation 4.13(a)(4)); restore a related CTA registration exemption; and double the small pool exemption's gross capital contributions threshold from $400,000 to $800,000. Comments are due 45 days after Federal Register publication.
Background
The CFTC adopted a qualified eligible persons (QEP)-based CPO registration exemption -- former Regulation 4.13(a)(4) -- in 2003 and rescinded it in 2012. In December 2025, the Market Participants Division (MPD) issued Staff Letter 25-50, providing a no-action position effectively reinstating the exemption for qualifying RIA-CPOs. The proposal would codify that no-action position as a formal regulation, providing greater durability and legal certainty.
Proposed Regulation 4.13(a)(4): The RIA-QEP Exemption
Who Is Eligible?
Only CPOs that are SEC-registered investment advisers are eligible. State-registered and exempt reporting advisers do not qualify.
Pool Eligibility Conditions
A commodity pool qualifies as an eligible pool under the following conditions.
Private Offering
Pool interests must be exempt from Securities Act registration. Marketing to the public in the US is prohibited, except under Rule 506(c) (general solicitation is permitted if all purchasers are verified accredited investors) -- a JOBS Act-aligned modernization from the 2003 exemption.
Participant Limitations
Participants must be eligible participants:
* Natural persons must be QEPs under 17 CFR 4.7(a)(6)(i) -- those not required to satisfy the portfolio requirement (e.g., registered intermediary principals, qualified purchasers, knowledgeable employees, non-US persons).
* Nonnatural persons must be either QEPs or accredited investors under Rule 501(a)(1)-(3), (a)(7), or (a)(8).
This is a slight tweak from Letter 25-50, which only required all participants to be QEPs without distinguishing natural from nonnatural persons. The proposal restores the original 2003 participant standard.
Form PF Reporting
The RIA-CPO must file Form PF for each eligible pool, if required to do so. A pending joint CFTC/SEC proposal would raise Form PF thresholds, potentially reducing the number of fund managers required to file.
Exemption Mechanics
Claimants must:
* File an electronic exemption notice with the National Futures Association (NFA) for each qualifying pool through the NFA website.
* Affirm the exemption annually on the NFA website.
* Comply with limited recordkeeping under Rule 4.13(c).
* Notify prospective participants of the pool's exempt status (this is usually done with a disclaimer on the cover page of the pool's offering documents).
* Where transitioning a pool from registered to exempt status (and not previously relying on Letter 25-50 for that pool), offer existing investors a right of redemption.
Letter 25-50 Transition
The final rule, if adopted, would supersede Letter 25-50. However, RIA-CPOs currently relying on Letter 25-50 generally would not need to offer a redemption right for pools already relying on the letter. The commission is considering a later effective date for the Regulation 4.13(e)(2) conforming amendment to ease this transition.
Pool-by-Pool Basis
An RIA-CPO may claim the exemption for some pools while remaining registered (or claiming a different exemption) for others.
CTA Registration Exemption (Proposed Regulation 4.14(a)(8))
The proposal would also amend 17 CFR 4.14(a)(8)(i)(D) to restore a cross-reference to Rule 4.13(a)(4), exempting from CTA registration investment advisers whose commodity trading advice is directed solely to CPOs claiming the new exemption. This restores the integrated CPO/CTA exemption framework as it existed before 2012.
Small Pool Exemption: Threshold Increase (Proposed Regulation 4.13(a)(2))
The gross capital contributions threshold would double from $400,000 to $800,000, reflecting cumulative inflation since the last adjustment in 2003. The 15-participant limit and existing exclusions (contributions from the CPO, CTA, their principals, and certain family members) remain unchanged.
Practical Implications for Fund Managers
1. Reduced Dual Registration Burden
RIAs with futures or swaps in fund portfolios may deregister as CPOs (and often as CTAs), eliminating Form CPO-PQR reporting, disclosure document requirements, and NFA membership dues -- while remaining fully SEC-regulated.
2. Participant Eligibility Assessment
Managers should evaluate whether their investor bases meet the eligible participant standard, particularly for natural person investors who must satisfy the higher QEP threshold (without the portfolio requirement), not merely accredited investor status. Practically speaking, investment funds that rely on Section 3(c)(7) to be exempt from investment company registration would meet this requirement.
3. Letter 25-50 Transition Planning
Managers relying on Letter 25-50 should monitor the rulemaking timeline and assess whether the proposed participant standard (which differentiates natural from nonnatural persons) requires changes to subscription processes.
4. Small Pool Operators
The $800,000 threshold provides additional headroom for investment clubs, family-related pools, and emerging managers to operate without CPO registration.
5. CPO Delegation Arrangements
Managers using delegation structures under Staff Letter 14-126 should note that both delegating and designated CPOs could claim the new exemption directly, potentially eliminating the need for a separate delegation no-action position.
Comment Period
Comments are due 45 days after publication in the Federal Register, which is pending.
Conclusion
The proposal represents a significant step toward reducing overlapping CFTC and SEC regulation of RIA-CPOs, consistent with the commission's "minimum effective dose" philosophy. Fund managers operating commodity pools for sophisticated investors should evaluate the benefits of claiming the new exemption and plan for the transition from Letter 25-50.
For More Information
For further information, you may contact the authors. Faegre Drinker's team will continue to monitor the rulemaking and its potential impact.
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The material contained in this communication is informational, general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. The material contained in this communication should not be relied upon or used without consulting a lawyer to consider your specific circumstances. This communication was published on the date specified and may not include any changes in the topics, laws, rules or regulations covered. Receipt of this communication does not establish an attorney-client relationship. In some jurisdictions, this communication may be considered attorney advertising.
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Meet the Authors
Jeffrey R. Blumberg
Partner
Chicago
+1 312 356 5119
jeff.blumberg@faegredrinker.com
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Original text here: https://www.faegredrinker.com/en/insights/publications/2026/8/cftc-proposes-to-reinstate-cpo-registration-exemption-for-sec-registered-investment-advisers-and-increase-small-pool-exemption-threshold
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Experian Report Reveals AI Trust Gap as Consumers Embrace AI But Resist High-Stakes Decisions
COSTA MESA, California, Aug. 20 (TNSrep) -- Experian, an information services company, posted the following news release on Aug. 19, 2026:
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New Experian report reveals AI trust gap as consumers embrace AI but resist high-stakes decisions
Nearly 1 in 5 people experienced online fraud losses, while 80% of businesses are using AI to combat emerging threats
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Experian(R), a global data and technology company, today released its 11th annual Identity and Fraud Report, highlighting how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the digital economy while simultaneously creating new opportunities
... Show Full Article
COSTA MESA, California, Aug. 20 (TNSrep) -- Experian, an information services company, posted the following news release on Aug. 19, 2026:
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New Experian report reveals AI trust gap as consumers embrace AI but resist high-stakes decisions
Nearly 1 in 5 people experienced online fraud losses, while 80% of businesses are using AI to combat emerging threats
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Experian(R), a global data and technology company, today released its 11th annual Identity and Fraud Report, highlighting how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the digital economy while simultaneously creating new opportunitiesfor fraud. The findings point to a growing challenge for businesses: building trust in an economy where both people and AI agents are increasingly participating in digital transactions.
The report found 31% of consumers have already used AI tools to shop and transact online, and another 23% would consider doing so. However, confidence drops sharply for higher-stakes decisions with just 21% comfortable relying on AI for completing travel-related purchases and only 17% for financial services decisions. Meanwhile, more than half of people say they're concerned about AI-enabled scams, underscoring the trust challenges that could shape the next phase of AI adoption.
"AI is transforming digital interactions in ways that are creating both exciting opportunities and new risks," said Kathleen Peters, Chief Innovation Officer at Experian. "As we move toward a human-not-present era where consumers increasingly rely on AI to help make decisions on their behalf, the organizations that will succeed will be the ones that make trust visible. Establishing identity and trust, whether for a person or an AI agent, is essential to every digital interaction."
Fraud losses continue to climb
Consumers reported $15.9 billion in fraud losses in 2025, up 27% from the previous year, according to the FTC. The actual losses are likely much higher as many fraud cases go unreported. Experian's research found that nearly 1 in 5 people suffered personal financial losses from online fraud in the past year, and another 15% say fraud was attempted but prevented. Seventy-two percent of victims say the experience left them feeling more vulnerable online. Phishing scams were the most common consumer fraud incident reported (26%), followed by fake advertising (19%), package delivery scams (16%), credit card theft (16%), unauthorized charges (15%) and fraudulent bank transactions (15%).
Businesses are feeling the impact as well, with 60% reporting fraud losses are somewhat or significantly higher than previous years, and 77% expect fraud management budgets to increase.
AI creates both opportunity and risk
Companies identify AI-generated phishing attacks as their leading AI-related fraud concern (53%), followed by AI-assisted first-party fraud (51%), document forgery (45%), automated bot attacks (40%) and deepfake voice scams (37%).
To combat these threats, businesses are rapidly adopting AI to strengthen defenses. Eighty percent of organizations report using machine learning or generative AI within fraud management environments to help identify suspicious activity, improve identity verification and enhance fraud detection capabilities.
Identity and security remain critical to trust
As digital interactions become more automated, consumers expect both security and convenience. Seventy-one percent say it's important for businesses to accurately recognize them online, while nearly 50% report greater trust in organizations that can do so without requiring repeated authentication. In addition, 84% say they're willing to complete additional security steps when needed to prevent fraud.
The findings suggest trust is becoming a competitive differentiator in an AI-driven marketplace. As AI agents play a larger role in digital transactions, companies need trusted ways to verify both the consumer and the digital agent acting on their behalf. To address this challenge, Experian recently launched Experian Agent Trust(TM), extending its expertise in identity and fraud prevention to help verify not only the person, but also the AI agent acting on their behalf.
Experian's identity verification and fraud prevention solutions helped clients avoid an estimated $19 billion in fraud losses globally in 2025. To learn more, watch Experian's 2026 Fraud Trends: Navigating AI and the Future of Digital Trust webinar here (https://us-go.experian.com/2026-fraud-trends-navigating-ai-and-the-future-of-digital-trust-odw).
Methodology: Experian's Identity and Fraud Report is based on two major surveys conducted in the U.S. with HarrisX in April 2026. The first asked more than 2,000 U.S. consumers about their online interactions and expectations regarding security and customer experience. The second survey asked more than 200 businesses in the U.S. about their strategies for effective fraud management, customer identification and authentication, including investments related to security and customer experience. Companies ranged in size from $10 million to above $1 billion in revenue.
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About Experian
Experian is a global data and technology company, powering opportunities for people and businesses around the world. We help to redefine lending practices, uncover and prevent fraud, simplify healthcare, deliver digital marketing solutions, and gain deeper insights into the automotive market, all using our unique combination of data, analytics and platforms. We also assist millions of people to realize their financial goals and help them to save time and money.
We operate across a range of markets, from financial services to healthcare, automotive, agrifinance, insurance, and many more industry segments.
We invest in talented people and new advanced technologies to unlock the power of data and to innovate. A FTSE 100 Index company listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN), we have a team of 25,200 people across 33 countries. Our corporate headquarters are in Dublin, Ireland. Learn more at experianplc.com.
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View report here: https://www.experian.com/thought-leadership/business/2026-identity-and-fraud-report?intcmp=insightsblog-080526-2026-id-fraud-report
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Original text here: https://www.experianplc.com/newsroom/press-releases/2026/new-experian-report-reveals-ai-trust-gap-as-consumers-embrace-ai
[Category: BizFinancial Services]
Ameresco Announces Departure of Chief Financial Officer
FRAMINGHAM, Massachusetts, Aug. 20 [Category: BizEnergy] -- Ameresco, a cleantech integrator specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy, posted the following news release on Aug. 19, 2026:
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Ameresco Announces Departure of Chief Financial Officer
Ameresco, Inc., (NYSE: AMRC), a leading energy infrastructure company, today announced that, effective September 25, 2026, Mark Chiplock has resigned as Chief Financial Officer to accept a CFO position at a private equity-owned company in a different industry.
Ameresco Logo
"We appreciate the significant contributions Mark has made
... Show Full Article
FRAMINGHAM, Massachusetts, Aug. 20 [Category: BizEnergy] -- Ameresco, a cleantech integrator specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy, posted the following news release on Aug. 19, 2026:
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Ameresco Announces Departure of Chief Financial Officer
Ameresco, Inc., (NYSE: AMRC), a leading energy infrastructure company, today announced that, effective September 25, 2026, Mark Chiplock has resigned as Chief Financial Officer to accept a CFO position at a private equity-owned company in a different industry.
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"We appreciate the significant contributions Mark has madeto our company during his tenure with us, and the strong financial team that he has built and mentored. Mark has been a valuable member of our executive leadership, and we are grateful for his leadership and wish him continued success in his new opportunity," said George Sakellaris, CEO.
Mark will continue to serve as CFO through September 25, 2026, and will support an orderly transition of his responsibilities.
Ameresco is pleased to reiterate its guidance for full year 2026 revenue of $2.0 billion to $2.2 billion, Adjusted EBITDA of $250 million to $270 million, and Non-GAAP EPS of $1.15 to $1.35.
The company has begun a search to identify its next Chief Financial Officer who will join us in leading the company during this next transformation period of growth.
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About Ameresco, Inc.
Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE: AMRC) is a leading energy infrastructure company delivering integrated solutions to create reliable power and modernize infrastructure. The company's Power Infrastructure business integrates energy resources across behind-the-meter and utility-scale systems. Its Buildings & Public Infrastructure business modernizes the built environment with smart, connected solutions that optimize performance and enhance resilience. Ameresco is a trusted full lifecycle partner, delivering over $15 billion in solutions and contracting over 5 GW of energy resources since its founding in 2000. Headquartered in Massachusetts, Ameresco serves public and private sector customers across North America and Europe. Learn more at www.ameresco.com.
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Safe Harbor Statement
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Exchange Act, and Section 27A of the Securities Act. Statements that do not relate strictly to historical or current facts are forward-looking. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, forward-looking statements contained herein specifically include expectations about market conditions, growth opportunities, financial guidance including estimated future revenues, net income, adjusted EBITDA, Non-GAAP EPS, and other statements containing the words "projects," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "will" and similar expressions .The forward-looking statements included herein involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from projected results. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. The Company has based these forward-looking statements on current expectations and assumptions about future events, taking into account all information currently known by the Company. While the Company considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and beyond the Company's control. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: (i) demand for our energy efficiency and infrastructure solutions and our ability or inability to execute our strategic growth plan, including our ability to invest according to plan, grow our businesses (including through joint ventures or other co-investment vehicles and expand into new lines of business); (ii) the timing of, and ability to, enter into contracts for awarded projects on the terms proposed or at all; (iii) the timing of work we do on projects where we recognize revenue on a percentage of completion basis; (iv) the ability to perform under signed contracts without delay and in accordance with their terms and the potential for liquidated and other damages we may be subject to; (v) the fiscal health of the government and the impact of any government shutdowns; (vi) our ability to complete and operate our projects on a profitable basis and as committed to our customers; (vii) our cash flows from operations and our ability to arrange financing to fund our operations and projects; (viii) our customers' ability to finance their projects and credit risk from our customers; (ix) our ability to comply with covenants in our existing debt agreements; (x) the impact of macroeconomic challenges, weather related events and climate change; (xi) our reliance on third parties for our construction and installation work; (xii) availability and cost of labor and equipment; (xiii) global supply chain challenges, component shortages and inflationary pressures; (xiv) changes in federal, state and local government policies and programs related to our business; (xv) the ability of customers to cancel or defer contracts included in our backlog; (xvi) the output and performance of our energy plants and energy projects; (xvii) cybersecurity incidents and breaches; (xviii) regulatory and other risks inherent to constructing and operating energy assets; (xix) the effects of and ability to close our acquisitions and joint ventures; (xx) seasonality in construction and in demand for our products and services; (xxi) a customer's decision to delay our work on, or other risks involved with, a particular project; (xxii) the addition of new customers or the loss of existing customers; (xxiii) market price of our Class A Common stock prevailing from time to time; (xxiv) the nature of other investment opportunities presented to our Company from time to time; (xxv) risks related to our international operation and international growth strategy; and (xxvi) the other risks described in our periodic reports filed with the SEC, including under the caption "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements appearing in this press release.
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Original text here: https://www.ameresco.com/ameresco-announces-departure-of-chief-financial-officer/
