Banking Leadership: PROVEN Bank named Sonja M. Salmon as President and CEO for its Cayman and St. Lucia operations, effective Sept. 1, signaling a push on risk, governance and growth. Financing & Markets: Chime agreed to buy Stride Bank for $590m in cash, aiming to operate as Chime Bank and expand lending after approvals; deal expected in 1H 2027. UK Sanctions & Finance Links: The UK announced sanctions on extremist West Bank settlers and on Hezbollah’s Al-Qard Al-Hassan bank, alongside a planned import ban on goods from illegal settlements—moves that target settlement financing and real estate supply chains. Public Finance & Compliance: Alaska’s Department of Law flagged possible errors in 91 candidates’ financial disclosure forms, after a ballot dispute over former AG Treg Taylor; enforcement would require further review by the state elections commission. Private Capital for Growth: PXN Ventures and the British Business Bank extended NPIF II – PXN Equity Finance by £80m to £180m total, backing North West firms through 2030 after strong early demand and exits. Infrastructure Cooperation: Qatar’s MoT met the World Bank to discuss infrastructure, public transport, logistics corridors and public-private partnership funding. Corporate Finance Staffing: AdaptHealth appointed Harriss T. Currie as CFO, effective Sept. 9, as it transitions from outgoing CFO Jason Clemens. Nigeria Liquidity Watch: Nigeria’s CBN reported NOFR at N98.08tn in August, down 6.5% month-on-month, pointing to easing overnight funding pressure. Climate Finance Push: Africa’s negotiators urged stronger climate finance and adaptation outcomes ahead of COP31, warning that hosting summits won’t deliver without funding and implementation.