Audrey Elsberry

Wilmington

Bank Deals Reporter at S&P Global Market Intelligence

Bank Deals Reporter for S&P Global Market Intelligence

Articles

In golden parachute vote, HomeStreet shareholders can only voice discontent

Jun 28, 2024 | spglobal.com | Audrey Elsberry

A shareholder vote against executive change-in-control payments related to FirstSun Capital Bancorp's planned acquisition of HomeStreet Inc. is a sign of broader discontent with HomeStreet's management and financial performance, major investors said. Shareholders voted against the payments by a margin of more than 700,000 votes, and Blue Lion Capital, owner of 1.3% of HomeStreet's stock, sent a scathing letter to HomeStreet's board June 27.
Startups weigh local support

Jun 21, 2024 | wilmingtonbiz.com | Audrey Elsberry

As Wilmington’s population continues to swell, some entrepreneurs moving to the area are bringing their startups with them, and other new residents are starting up their businesses upon arrival. But what do these Wilmington newcomers moving for quality of life and proximity to the beach think of the area through a technological and entrepreneurial lens? Christy Owens moved from Chicago to Wilmington in May 2023.
Testing the waters: New regulations are flowing to make water safer | WilmingtonBiz

Jun 20, 2024 | wilmingtonbiz.com | Audrey Elsberry

The Wilmington area has been thrust into the national spotlight as the Cape Fear River Basin has provided the backdrop this year for federal regulations on drinking water. Seven years ago, the area came to know per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and GenX after the StarNews published a story about its presence in the region’s drinking water. In the following years, the same chemicals were discovered in drinking water across the country.
Taking a shot: Vaccine research gets new funding source

Jun 20, 2024 | wilmingtonbiz.com | Audrey Elsberry |Vicky Janowski |Beth A. Khlare

A vaccine research project out of the University of North Carolina Wilmington was approved for grant funding in NCInnovation’s inaugural cycle in May. The award was part of $5.2 million that NCInnovation (NCI) approved for eight research projects at seven of the state’s public universities in the UNC System. The round came four months after the General Assembly included $500 million to create the funding organization in the state budget.
Health tech firm boosts fight against sepsis

Jun 20, 2024 | wilmingtonbiz.com | Audrey Elsberry

Wilmington-based health technology company Predicate Healthcare Performance Group (HPG) has been drawing attention in recent months. Predicate uses its AI software platform, OpenDX, to help health care providers diagnose sepsis. The technology will likely expand to help treat a host of illnesses in the future.
Canapi Venture’s fund raises stakes

Jun 7, 2024 | wilmingtonbiz.com | Audrey Elsberry

Canapi Ventures, a financial technology-focused venture capital fund based on Live Oak Bank’s campus in Wilmington, has invested about 20% of its latest $750 million Fund II. This fund, as Canapi President Neil Underwood told the Greater Wilmington Business Journal after its launch, is focused on supporting companies that further AI governance, cybersecurity and climate technology.
UNC Wilmington Blue Economy index's performance in May | WilmingtonBiz

Jun 7, 2024 | wilmingtonbiz.com | Audrey Elsberry

The UNC Wilmington Blue Economy Index is showing signs of the industry’s resilience after it outperformed many prominent indices in May. An announcement on June 5 displayed the index’s monthly percent change compared to comparable indices dealing in industrial, large international companies. UNCW’s index rose 10.1%, while the S&P500 rose 3.9%, the S&P Industrials rose 1.7% and MSCI All World Index rose 4.1%, according to the release.
Port of Wilmington tech updates aim to increase efficiency | WilmingtonBiz

Jun 6, 2024 | wilmingtonbiz.com | Audrey Elsberry

The Port of Wilmington is completing technology updates in its warehouses and strengthening its crane software network following concerns from the federal government about Chinese crane manufacturers, port officials said last month during a North Carolina State Ports Authority board of directors meeting. At the meeting, Doug Vogt, the port's chief operating officer detailed an IT update involving a warehouse automation project in Wilmington.
Live Oak Bank grows with first embedded banking partnership

Jun 5, 2024 | wilmingtonbiz.com | Audrey Elsberry

In a new partnership announced Monday, Live Oak Bank checking and saving accounts are being embedded in a health care finance application to help medical small business owners, said Live Oak’s Head of Embedded Banking Jake Tupa. Anatomy Financial is an AI financial solution company based in San Francisco.
International cyber defense conference comes to Wilmington this week

Jun 3, 2024 | wilmingtonbiz.com | Audrey Elsberry

After a successful run last year, Wilmington will be the backdrop for a three-day international cybersecurity conference at the Wilmington Convention Center beginning Tuesday. The Techno Security & Digital Forensics Conference is a comprehensive gathering of cybersecurity professionals from the public and private sectors. This year marks the conference’s 25th year of putting on the event and its second year in Wilmington.