Finance & Investment

Quantiphi Named Leader in NelsonHall Wealth Management AI Report

Marlborough, Mass. – September 22, 2026 -- Quantiphi has been named a Leader in the NelsonHall 2026 NEAT Evaluation Report for Wealth and Asset Management Services within the AI and Analytics Services category, outranking several established global technology and services providers.

Quantiphi outperforms established rivals in AI and analytics services for wealth management

The AI-native services company was positioned ahead of multiple large-scale technology and services providers in the AI and Analytics Services category of the report, a segment that evaluates vendor capability in AI advisory, data and application modernization, and business process reimagination for wealth and asset management institutions.

Grafine Partners Names Suzanne Flannery Managing Director

New York – September 22, 2026 -- Grafine Partners has hired Suzanne Flannery as Managing Director and Head of Strategic Initiatives, a newly created role at the principal investment firm focused on the lower middle and middle market.

Flannery joins from Neuberger Berman to lead cross-firm strategic execution

Ms. Flannery will work across Grafine's investment, capital formation and operations teams as the firm seeks to institutionalize its platform and expand direct investment activity. She joins from Neuberger Berman, where she served as Managing Director and Head of Product Marketing Platform, leading a global team supporting the firm's investment offerings.

Noah Holdings Unveils AI-Driven Wealth Platform at Hong Kong Investor Summit

Hong Kong – September 21, 2026 -- Noah Holdings Limited (NYSE: NOAH; HKEX: 6686) hosted its 2026 Global Investor Summit in Hong Kong, gathering investment professionals from Global Infrastructure Partners (a part of BlackRock), Macquarie Asset Management, Bridgepoint, HarbourVest Partners and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management to discuss AI-driven shifts in global asset allocation for Chinese high-net-worth families.

Noah pairs global manager network with AI to systematize investment judgment

The summit, themed "The Year of Realization: A New Chapter in Global Allocation," was organized jointly with Noah's global asset allocation platform, Olive Asset Management. Noah said its ongoing investments in funds worldwide have built long-term relationships with managers and accumulated underlying research data, which the company now combines with AI tools to validate investment judgments for client portfolios.

TMGM Extends Chelsea FC Partnership Into Fourth Year, Adds Middle East Rights

Sydney – September 21, 2026 -- TMGM Group has extended its sponsorship of Chelsea Football Club into a fourth year, expanding its regional rights to include the Middle East alongside its existing Asia-Pacific footprint.

TMGM branding appeared on Chelsea's FA Cup shirts for the first time in club history in 2026

The milestone marked the highest-profile moment yet in the three-year partnership. TMGM also joined Chelsea's 2026 Asia-Pacific Pre-Season Tour as an Official Partner, securing open training access, pitch-side presence and post-match tunnel experiences for clients.

Global M&A Value Up 15% as Megadeals Hit Record 37 in 2026

Boston – September 21, 2026 -- Global M&A value climbed 15% year over year in the first eight months of 2026, exceeding the ten-year average by 11%, according to a new report from Boston Consulting Group (BCG). The number of megadeals worth $10 billion or more rose to 37 from 24 a year earlier, surpassing 2021's record of 32.

Megadeal surge masks a narrower recovery below the top of the market

Transactions valued at $1 billion or more are running above longer-term norms, but deal volume for small-cap and midcap transactions remains below historical levels even before inflation adjustments. BCG's M&A Sentiment Index rose to 83 from 79 at the start of the year, still well below its long-term average of 100.

Africa Pushes for UN Security Council Seat, $300M Energy Fund Closes

New York – September 21, 2026 -- Africa's push for greater control over its resources and a stronger voice in global governance took center stage as business leaders, heads of state, and investors gathered for the fifth edition of Unstoppable Africa, held alongside the 81st UN General Assembly session at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square.

Guterres calls for Africa's permanent UN Security Council seat

UN Secretary-General António Guterres told delegates that Africa needs a permanent presence on the UN Security Council to contribute to global dialogue and action. He urged reforms so the continent's critical minerals generate local value and jobs rather than being exported raw.

Haymaker Acquisition Corp V Closes $287.5M SPAC IPO on NYSE

New York – September 20, 2026 -- Haymaker Acquisition Corp V raised $287.5 million in gross proceeds after closing its initial public offering of 28,750,000 units, including the full exercise of a 3,750,000-unit over-allotment option by underwriters.

Units Begin Trading on NYSE Under Ticker HYACU

The blank-check company priced its offering at $10.00 per unit, with shares beginning trading on the New York Stock Exchange on September 17, 2026. Each unit comprises one Class A ordinary share and one-third of a redeemable warrant, exercisable at $11.50 per share. Once separated, the Class A shares and warrants are expected to list under the symbols HYAC and HYACW.

Merit Financial Adds $888M Chicago Practice in 11th 2026 Deal

Atlanta – September 19, 2026 -- Merit Financial Advisors has acquired the practice of veteran advisor Tim Brennan, adding approximately $888 million in client assets and more than 1,000 households to the Georgia-based wealth manager's book. The deal, effective September 10, 2026, marks Merit's eleventh acquisition of the year and its 62nd since inception, pushing firm-wide assets to more than $32.92 billion across over 70 offices nationwide.

Brennan exits nearly 27-year Commonwealth affiliation for Merit platform

Brennan, who spent 37 years in financial services, previously operated through a firm affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network for close to 27 years before joining Merit. His Deerfield, Illinois-based practice focuses on business owners and high-net-worth families, built almost entirely through referrals.

2factor Launches Cheaper Leverage Alternative for Coinbase's Tokenized Stocks on Base

San Francisco – September 19, 2026 -- 2factor.finance has launched on Base to offer leverage for Coinbase's tokenized stocks at roughly 75 percent lower cost than comparable leveraged ETFs, targeting the $112 trillion pool of buy-and-hold capital that has historically been shut out of leveraged positions.

Leveraged ETFs cost investors an estimated $10 billion a year in financing charges

Across roughly $250 billion held in leveraged ETFs, investors pay an estimated $10 billion annually in financing costs above the risk-free rate, according to the company. Only about a third of single-stock leveraged ETFs have outperformed simply holding the underlying stock, and no crypto leveraged ETF has ever beaten spot over its own lifetime.

China Investor Sentiment Cools in Q3 Despite Corporate Profit Rebound

Beijing – September 19, 2026 -- Investors in China's A-share market turned more cautious in the third quarter of 2026 even as corporate earnings began to recover, according to the latest CKGSB Investor Sentiment Survey covering the May-to-September 2026 period.

Investors cut return expectations and stock allocation plans

Only 58.6% of respondents expected A-share prices to rise, down 5.2 percentage points from April 2026. The expected rate of return fell 1.8 percentage points to negative 0.7%. Appetite for direct stock investment weakened sharply, with the net proportion of investors planning to increase stock holdings falling 7.3 percentage points to 10.7%; the equivalent figure for equity funds dropped 1.2 percentage points to 13.4%.

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