• Secures a 5,000-square-foot facility with potential for 250 pounds output per month
• Seeing month-over-month growth with BudCars across all metrics
• Submitted application to expand BudCars into cannabis cultivation

Sugarmade (OTCQB: SGMD), a product and branding marketing company investing in operations and technologies with disruptive potential, recently secured a 5,000-square-foot indoor premium cannabis cultivation facility. Located near its Sacramento Budcars Cannabis Delivery Service hub, this new facility has production potential for as much as 250 pounds of premium dried cannabis flower per month. Based on current local averages the facility has the potential of producing as much a $1.6 million in new BudCars sales per month. As a vertical farm-to-door operation the company would also experience significant savings in cost.

BudCars is a top-shelf cannabis retail business that offers same-day delivery of top-quality product. Customers can choose from edibles, flower, pre-rolls, vapes, tinctures and concentrate from dozens of premium brands. Once the selection is made and the purchase completed online. BudCars delivers to a customer’s front door, same day.

SGMD acquired the Sacramento-based BudCars in February 2020. Since that time, the company has expanded the service geographically; it currently reaches into the communities of Granite Bay, Folsom, Arden Arcade, Carmichael, Citrus Heights, Orangevale and Roseville/Rocklin (http://ibn.fm/vWrTl). Sugarmade has seen dramatic growth and is working on expanding even further into Southern California.

“The growth has been so dramatic that we have had to drastically revise our expectations to the upside, which demands expansion, both in terms of staff and fleet in Sacramento, and in terms of regional expansion into Southern California,” said Sugarmade CEO Jimmy Chan. “As a result, we are acquiring two distribution hub locations in the LA area with cannabis licenses included so we can hit the ground running” (http://ibn.fm/jnoOO).

That growth hasn’t slowed down as the company continues to experience record growth in every metric. In June BudCars achieved total sales of $502,903, representing a 30% month-over-month growth for three consecutive months. The company is seeing an average daily sales increase of 41% month over month along with an average customer order increase of 2% per order (http://ibn.fm/pgxrC).

“Our pricing improved. Our average order improved. We did more business with more people and booked a significant jump in gross profits while holding our 47% gross margin level as volume increased,” Chan reported (http://ibn.fm/ooCeN). “We look forward to continued breakout growth in July.”

SGMD has submitted an application to expand into cannabis cultivation. The company is looking to strategically grow BudCars through verticalization. Through the expansion into cultivation, once approved by the California Bureau of Cannabis Control, the move would connect the dots and form a solid product and supply line from farm to delivery that would further cut costs and increase the profit margins (http://ibn.fm/lTl4R).

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.Sugarmade.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to SGMD are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/SUGAR

• Gold prices continue to climb
• Bullfrog explores area that has produced 2.3 million ounces of gold
• BFGC recently completed 25-hole drill program covering 12,520 feet (3,816 meters), including a 360-foot interval (110 meters) averaging 0.41 g gold/t

With the price of gold climbing and now exceeding $1,800 an ounce, Bullfrog Gold (OTCQB: BFGC) (CSE: BFG) (FSE: 11B) is starting to glitter in investors’ eyes even more. The company recently completed a drill program at its Nevada Project in the Bullfrog Gold District with encouraging results. Most of the drilling was in the Mystery Hill area where thick intervals of gold mineralization were intercepted. As assay results continue to come in, Bullfrog is hoping that the property, which produced 2.3 million ounces from 1989 to 1999, has more to offer. The company’s management team, with well over a century of combined industry experience, may be just the one to unearth any hidden treasure. The  company currently has a NI 43-101 measured and indicated resource of 525,000 ounces of gold averaging 1.02 g gold/t within pit plans  based on a gold price of $1,200/ounce and a 72%  heap leach recovery from a conventionally crushed size of minus 3/8-ich. Recent column leach tests on four bulk samples sized at minus 1/16-inch achieved an averaged gold recovery of 85%.

The Bullfrog project comprises 2,125 hectares (5,250 acres) of land with significant infrastructure about four miles west of Beatty, Nevada (around 125 northwest of Las Vegas). Important pit expansion and exploration targets  include  Mystery Hill, which is adjacent to the Bullfrog pit, Montgomery-Shoshone and Paradise Ridge. Bullfrog also obtained a large database from previous owner Barrick Bullfrog Inc. , which includes detailed information on 250,000 meters (155 miles) of drilling in 1,262 holes in the area.

In June, Bullfrog completed a 25-hole drill program that covered a total of 12,520 feet (3,816 meters), an expansion of its earlier plan to drill 9,000 feet in 17 holes. To date, results from the project’s Mystery Hill deposit include several thick mineral intervals above the applied cutoff grade of 0.2 g/t and summarized below with assays in grams of gold per tonne.

• BH-20-6: 110 meters averaging 0.41 g/t, including 26 meters of 0.91 g/t
• BH-20-9: 91 meters averaging 0.33 g/tand an upper interval of 6 meters averaging 0.53 g/t at 23 meters
• BH-20-7 intersected 8 meters of 3.22 g/t starting at 46 meters
• BH-20-9 had three significant intercepts plus 91 meters of 0.33 g/t starting at 104 meters
• BH-20-4: 110 feet averaging 0.274 g/t
• BH-20-5: 110 feet averaging 0.58 g/t

It is very important to note that the leach test recovery on the Mystery Hill bulk sample sized at -1/16-inch was 91% compared to an 83% gold recovery from a -3/8-inch size.

Results from five holes in Mystery Hill were released on July 7, 2020.  Assays from three holes in the Montgomery-Shoshone (“MS”) deposit, two holes in the new Paradise Ridge target and one hole in the Mystery Hill are expected before mid-July.

Bullfrog is fielding a management team — Alan Lindsay, David Beling and Kjeld Thygesen — that knows how to make the best of these grade and intercept-length metrics. Lindsay, developer and founder of several public companies, is chairman and brings over 42 years of business experience, including 26 years in the mining industry. Beling is president and CEO. He has more than 55 years corporate and project experience with major and junior companies, and has engineered or managed 12 open pit mines, 9 underground mines and 14 process plants. Since 1981, he has sat on the boards of 14 U.S. and Canadian mining companies. A BFGC director, Thygesen has experience stretching over 48 years, including stints in mining research and investment management for James Capel & Co. and N M Rothschild, two prominent financial entities.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.BullFrogGold.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to BFGC are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/BFGC

• Uplists to NASDAQ
• Added as component of Russell MicroCap Index
• Grew revenues 94% in 2019
• Added 3,200 pharmacies in 2019
• Total pharmacies on marketplace now number 11,400

Investors in Trxade Group (NASDAQ: MEDS) have received significant positive news regarding revenues and expansion. Revenues are up, and so too are earnings, as the company’s pharmaceutical platform gains in popularity. On average, every day in 2019, some eight or nine new pharmacies signed up to use Trxade’s services. All this and more came out in a recent online presentation featuring CEO Suren Ajjarapu. The presentation covered various aspects of the company’s operations, starting with a recap of major milestones (http://ibn.fm/jYpNI).

Founded in 2010 by Ajjarapu along with MEDS COO and president Prashant Patel, the Trxade Group spent its first three years working on the technology that would underlie its innovative pharmaceutical platform. Dedicated and passionate, Ajjarapu and Patel bootstrapped early development with some $5.5M of their own funds. Their efforts began to bear fruit in 2013, when the first client came aboard. Not resting on its laurels, the company launched a second service that year — a highly structured single platform — for pharmaceutical distributors to make sourcing supplies easier.

In 2014, the company’s progress continued with two major achievements. First, Trxade went public and began trading under the ticker symbol TRXD. And it also brought a new product — RxGuru — to market. RxGuru is a search tool for pharmaceutical prices. By 2017, the company’s more extensive product line and increased visibility attained by listing publicly began to pay off. The company also had its first quarter of profitability that year. Growth continued in 2018, during which Trxade acquired Community Specialty Pharmacy, an accredited independent retail pharmacy with a focus on specialty medications, and launched Delivmeds.com, a consumer-based app to facilitate delivery of pharmaceutical products.

In 2019, Trxade expanded the services offered by its drug-procurement marketplace when it acquired the telemedicine and telehealth platform operated by Bonum Health. In February 2020, it uplisted to NASDAQ and began trading under the stock symbol MEDS (http://ibn.fm/hmT54). And in June, the company received word its stock had been added to the Russell MicroCap Index, a signal honor likely to increase investor interest (http://ibn.fm/BcQY5).

The U.S. pharmaceutical market is an extensive network of pharmacies, drug companies and intermediate operators. Every year these entities create, distribute and sell $330 billion worth of supplies to the public. Historically diverse and heterogeneous, the industry presently includes around 65,000 pharmacies plus hundreds of suppliers licensed by various states. Just over one-third of these — about 24,000 — are independently run (not a branch of some large chain), but together they amass formidable buying power, representing approximately approximately $90 billion, or 20% of all drug purchases.

This vast sprawling behemoth is riddled with inefficiencies, however, with two major market frictions standing out. Middlemen, such as large pharmacy benefit managers, wholesalers and retail chains, operate in a way that stifles competition. Consequently, they capture significant excess margins, for which consumers ultimately pay. Moreover, pricing in the market is unpredictable. Suppliers, especially the largest three wholesalers — AmerisourceBergen Corporation, Cardinal Health and McKesson Corporation — often reprice and restock inventory on a daily basis, resulting in one price today and another tomorrow.

The Trxade platform can smooth these frictions out. Its trading tools allow independent pharmacies to analyze up-to-the-minute supply and pricing on a cost-effective basis. In addition, with all participants having access to the latest prices, transparency increases. Independent pharmacists no longer have to spend time trying to get the best deals for their businesses. It all represents a strong incentive for participation, and a reason for the company’s continued growth.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.TrxadeGroup.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to MEDS are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/MEDS

• SRAX’s investor intelligence platform Sequire announces that Q2 2020 sales exceeded $2.5 million
• The platform has seen customer numbers swell to over 75 publicly listed companies, rising from 59 at start of year
• SRAX also announced its raise of $13 million through the sale of convertible debentures, equity warrants
• While also settling an outstanding secured term loan, proceeds from raise will be used to fuel Sequire’s rapid expansion plans

SRAX (NASDAQ: SRAX), a digital marketing pioneer focused on providing consumer data management services, announced that its investor intelligence platform, Sequire, has shown significant growth in the second quarter with sales exceeding $2.5 million (http://ibn.fm/IqJdp). Launched in its rebranded format during SRAX’s first quarter earnings announcement, Sequire has witnessed a sharp increase in customer interest in recent months, growing its client base to over 75 publicly traded companies in the US and Canada, with an aggregate of over 500,000 unique shareholders. The platform, which assists its clients in tracking and interacting with their shareholders, has rapidly become an essential digital tool for equity issuers seeking to broaden their shareholders’ registers during a largely unprecedented time in global markets.

SRAX also seized the opportunity to announce that it had raised $13 million through the sale of convertible debentures and equity warrants (http://ibn.fm/5MTOc), with the proceeds of the capital-raising exercise to be used to fund Sequire’s rapid growth. With client numbers growing by a remarkable 27% over the first six months of the year, the investor intelligence platform has seen its ability to better understand which types of investors are willing to buy different stocks become increasingly defined, thereby enabling Sequire to better serve its clients.

“On Thursday, we announced a capital raise of $13M, which we will use in part to fund the rapid expansion of Sequire,” said SRAX CEO and founder Christopher Miglino. “Our clients have seen notable results from the platform and its related services. We’ve also seen a significant increase in the number of clients on the platform with Q2 sales hitting over $2.5M and an additional $3M in the pipeline, with a very high probability of closing in Q3.”

Sequire has launched a number of new initiatives over the past few weeks so as to broaden its overall service offering to its corporate customers. In addition to its revolutionary ‘Stocks for Ads’ initiative (http://ibn.fm/dbdrH), which enables companies to subscribe for Sequire’s services and pay for media campaigns in exchange for stock, thus allowing them to conserve their cash reserves at an economically tumultuous time – the company has also recently introduced its Virtual Roadshow feature (http://ibn.fm/rF1WP).

With companies unable to carry out their traditional investor relations agendas, digital exchanges with investors have increasingly become a priority for corporate management teams. The Virtual Roadshow feature allows companies to host video and audio meetings with both new investors and existing shareholders, while also allowing them to track their meeting attendees’ investments following the event. With investors progressively resorting to digital means to research and interact with new investment opportunities, Sequire and its diverse portfolio of services appear to be in greater demand than ever before.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.SRAX.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to SRAX are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/SRAX

• Direct-selling industry needs to be constantly innovating, reflecting on how it attracts, manages, inspires its people
• Retention, recruiting are top priorities for SHRG, one of industry’s top performers
• Sharing Services has created an entire division focused completely on serving its Elepreneurs

The importance of people can’t be overestimated in the world of direct sales, a business model built on the power of people connecting with people. A recent article pointed out the importance of retention and recruiting in the space, both of which are top priorities for one of the industry’s shining stars: Sharing Services Global Corporation (OTCQB: SHRG).

“Our industry needs to be constantly innovating and reflecting on how it attracts, manages and inspires its people,” noted the article, titled “We Are People Who Need Talented People” (http://ibn.fm/rFDWD). “The Coronavirus is sending our global economy on a detour that will likely be longer than most of us would have predicted six months ago.

“The effects on production, revenue and employment are already significant,” the article continued. “And we may not know the extent of the pandemic’s damage for a while. The market will eventually recover. It always does. And companies will need quality employees to ensure that the recovery is strong. While quarantines and closures drastically changed our daily routines, they didn’t alter the fundamentals of finding and keeping those quality people.”

Noting that retaining people will almost always bring the best financial and organizational return, the article cited studies that show the significant costs of bringing new people aboard an organization. In addition, the article stated that “you’re directly recruiting only a small percentage of the people who keep your company vital. Distributors—most of whom you’ll never meet—are the driving force in our industry. Attracting and keeping them when they basically hire themselves means we have to be as transparent and specific as possible about the type of person who succeeds in direct selling.”

Sharing Services has created an entire division — Elepreneurs U.S. Holdings LLC — focused completely on its people working out in the field, a group of individuals the company calls Elepreneurs, or elevated entrepreneurs. The Elepreneurs subsidiary is a shining example of exactly what a company can when it makes innovation and inspiration the focus as it targets recruiting and retaining the most talented people in direct sales.

Through Elepreneurs, Sharing Services offers its independent sales force complete virtual business choices that include a phone app, web system, automated free sampling program and much more. Interested individuals can choose from two different systems, each designed to help Elepreneurs launch their businesses and experience success.

In a space where people should matter most, Sharing Services appears to have recognized that as it focuses on the areas of recruiting and retaining the most talented people in the industry.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.SHRGInc.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to SHRG are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/SHRG

• MVES CEO highlights growth of VOD and company’s new disruptive strategies
• Industry experiencing massive shifts as result of theatre closings, productions being released straight to VOD/DVD
• MVES’s unique MovieSodes interactive app increases engagement by allowing users to view content in episodes, send audition clips to producers

With nearly every sector experiencing negative impacts as a result of events related to COVID-19, Video on Demand (“VOD”) is one space that has benefited from the unprecedented state of the economy. One rising industry player, The Movie Studio Inc. (OTC: MVES), a vertically integrated motion picture production and distribution company, recently revealed its progressive strategy that aims to disrupt the industry in stride with major players like Disney and Viacom. With a combination of proven strategies and innovative ideas, MVES is positioned to make impressive gains as it continues to engage in the acquisition, development, production and distribution of independent motion picture content for worldwide consumption.

With world events altering consumer habits and preferences, the industry has experienced massive shifts as a result of theatre closings as well as changes in the distribution model, such as Universal’s recent release of its “Trolls” film straight to VOD.  “We’re very fortunate that when the pandemic came around people were sheltered in place and they were digesting content more frequently and more robustly even in genres that they generally didn’t visit,” stated MVES founder, president and CEO Gordon Scott Venters In a recent interview (http://ibn.fm/xd9qJ). Disclosing his thoughts on the changing landscape of the VOD industry, Venters noted, “Right in the midst of the pandemic on March 17, 2020, Tubi was bought by Fox/Disney for $440 million. On the coattails the same day, you had Pluto Television bought by Viacom for $330 million.

“Those giant media companies wouldn’t have spent that capital unless they felt that the consumer ingestion of content was going to accelerate at a super-fast rate.”

Along with time-tested and proven growth strategies such as strategic acquisitions, MVES is also integrating social media and consumer approaches in the promotion and distribution of its upcoming films. MVES’s MovieSodes feature, available on its widely-distributed app, features partial distribution of films over an extended time period through the release of separate episodes. In addition to creating an extended buzz around the film, the feature also allows users to upload a video clip to be sent to producers for consideration in upcoming productions.

“This is part of our business model that has never entered the VOD space where people want to be in the motion picture industry and, of course, that has been held captive for a long time by the studio configuration,” Venters explained. “You can click on what’s called our “Audition Submission” button when the model is completed, upload a video clip of yourself and send it to our producers for consideration in our upcoming feature films. We’re going to fracture motion picture manufacturing and just shoot on the weekends where we can be inventive by capturing short clips of content.

“Over 10 weeks, we smash that content together and end up with a feature film for global distribution. It also allows the individual that would want to participate in a feature film the ability to actually capture and get involved with the feature film while it’s being manufactured,” he concluded.

MVES is a first-mover digital disrupter leveraging the expanding VOD sector with a unique business model that could command significant market share. With the consumption of VOD content increasing coupled with the closure of movie theater destinations and other forms of on-site entertainment, the company anticipates that the upward trend will continue in the long term.

With a unique business model capitalizing on the increasing global demand for streaming entertainment content, MVES has the potential to emerge as a unique brand in the industry, realizing high returns on investment as it continues to leverage the changing landscape of video-based entertainment.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.TheMovieStudio.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to MVES are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/MVES

• As price of crypto climbs, crypto mining equipment soon to be in high demand
• People turning to crypto as governments expand money supply to keep economy moving
• ISWH implementing innovative services, products to meet demand of changing world

International Spirits & Wellness Holdings (OTC: ISWH) (“ISW Holdings”) is focused on growing businesses in multiple sectors; one of the most promising is crypto mining. In a rapidly changing industry, ISWH works to meet consumer demand with turnkey solutions. With change as the new norm for 2020, crypto mining equipment appears to be making its way back into high demand.

As evidence of the company’s commitment to the space, ISWH has entered into a joint venture with Bit5ive LLC, a global leader in cryptocurrency mining. Since mid-March, Bitcoin has appreciated 125% and Ethereum as much as 400% (http://ibn.fm/iWW6x). As the price of crypto climbs, the need for crypto mining equipment should follow suit. When the prices of crypto bottomed out in 2017, the production of machines stopped, and existing machines were repurposed or destroyed. With the current need for crypto mining, ISWH and Bit5ive are positioned to benefit from that demand.

As governments and central banks expand money supply in order to keep the economy moving and fund stimulus efforts to battle the economic impact of COVID-19, people are turning to crypto. The industry is seeing the beginning of a familiar cycle that leads to a higher demand of mining equipment.

Bit5ive is making a strong name for itself as one of the largest U.S.-based companies in the crypto-mining industry. The company produces and distributes POD5 and Power Skid 2.5, infrastructure for crypto-mining hardware. The majority of crypto-mining data centers are not located in the United States, which gives the company an added advantage.

“This new joint-venture agreement enables us to collaborate with the experienced team at Bit5ive to innovate the infrastructure needed to run profitable, efficient crypto mining projects, and to take advantage of the incredible growth projected for the crypto market,” said ISWH president and chairman Alonzo Pierce stated (http://ibn.fm/emz1m).

ISWH’s mission is to implement innovative services and products that meet the demand of a changing world. The joint venture with Bit5ive appears to be falling right in line with this mission. Together Bit5ive and ISWH are standing at the starting line ready to take off with the next boom.

At the same time, ISWH has also partnered with Proceso LLC. Proceso is building secure crypto-mining data centers in the U.S. that use renewable energy solutions. This aligns the company with Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”), which also provides essential access to capital support (http://ibn.fm/WrJMk).

ISWH is working to create companies and partnerships in disruptive industries. This includes crypto, health care, wellness, supply chain management, adult beverages and more. The use of innovative products and services is key to anticipating the future needs of the market in which the company serves.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.ISWHoldings.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to ISWH are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/ISWH

• CARco will promote PowerBand’s cloud-based auto trading platform to its network of insurance entities, with reach into thousands of car dealerships across the U.S.
• Users will also be able to access CARco and D&P vehicle protection products directly on PowerBand’s platform
• PowerBand is working on integrating credit financing agreements from U.S. financial institutions into its platform to allow users access to financing and leasing solutions

PowerBand Solutions (TSX.V: PBX) (OTCQB: PWWBF) (FRA: 1ZVA), a provider of auction and finance portal software tools that deliver increased sales, efficiencies and profitability to customers, announced that Comprehensive Auto Resources Company, Inc. (CARco) will promote PowerBand’s virtual transaction platform to auto dealerships throughout the United States (http://ibn.fm/hCkJA).

CARco, a leading administrator of automotive protection products, joins Texas-based D&P Holdings, Inc., which has already partnered with PowerBand, to offer consumers a wide range of vehicle protection products and warranties via PowerBand’s platform. The innovative cloud-based platform makes buying, selling, leasing and trading cars and trucks as easy as purchasing a product on Amazon. PowerBand’s platform benefits key stakeholders in the automotive retail sector, including funders, OEMs and rental companies, by removing unnecessary third parties and their fees from sales transactions.

Following the latest deals, consumers using the PowerBand platform to buy, lease, sell and trade vehicles on from their smart phones and other digital devices, will also have access to CARco and D&P vehicle protection products.

“We believe PowerBand is offering a ground-breaking way for consumers and dealers to buy, sell, lease and trade vehicles,” said CARco President and CEO Charlie Caronia. “Obtaining vehicle protection products through PowerBand’s cloud-based platform is also an important innovation, particularly during this pandemic, and I believe both dealers and insurance agents will see this as a powerful, consumer-friendly tool.”

Based in Exton, Pennsylvania, CARco was founded in 2004 to offer automotive dealers and consumers a wide array of vehicle protection and warranty products. As a managing general insurance agency, CARco works with six national insurance companies and more than 1,000 agents, to provide service to thousands of auto dealerships nationwide. CARco administers more than 100,000 new vehicle protection products on a monthly basis in the United States.

“Charlie Caronia and CARco are respected leaders in the automotive warranty business and we are delighted they are joining D&P on the PowerBand platform,” said PowerBand CEO Kelly Jennings. “Together, we will be able to offer consumers and dealers a wide array of automotive vehicle protection and insurance products, simply by using a smart phone or tablet.”

D&P is one of the United States’ largest administrators of automotive warranty and insurance products, directly working with more than 850 dealerships in all 50 states. It is the managing general agency for The Hanover Insurance Group, which has a $3.8-billlion market valuation.

The latest announcements came as PowerBand is preparing to launch its first lease originations, via MUSA Auto Finance, LLC, the company’s leasing subsidiary that provides consumers and auto dealers with access to extensive funding opportunities from national financial institutions and the most advanced digital leasing solutions in the market. The technology can take an application, calculate the lease, auto-decision the application, provide approvals to dealer partners and accurately prefill lease contracts. The entire process happens in just a few seconds, making it significantly easier for users of of PowerBand’s platform and integrated Driveway app to get approvals for financing and leasing.

The automotive industry has been in a state of flux, with every aspect experiencing disruption, from driverless vehicles to artificial intelligence. Customer expectations for the market have been raised as technological innovations progress. As more customers begin to expect the same seamless digital service they receive in other retail markets, the automotive industry must adapt to remain competitive and protect profits as well as finance and insurance margins. To do so, retailers must find opportunities to leverage the digital-oriented nature of buyers and their desire for advanced technology.

Additionally, social distancing rules imposed by the ongoing pandemic have increased this already significant demand for online alternatives. According to the ‘Digital Commerce 360 Online Vehicle Shopper 2019’ survey, conducted among 1,089 buyers, 49% are willing to purchase a new vehicle entirely online (http://ibn.fm/j6RyW). According to Frost & Sullivan, consumers may purchase as many as 1.3 million vehicles annually online as soon as 2035 (http://ibn.fm/jhJpk). And nearly 90% of Americans report they dislike the car dealership experience, noting they feel anxious or uncomfortable in dealership settings.

PowerBand is positioned to capitalize on these trends by disrupting the antiquated business model of the automotive industry, replacing distrust and confusion with transparency, access to information and ease of use.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.PowerBandSolutions.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to PWWBF are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/PWWBF

• Deltec Bank & Trust is a key player within the financial services community in The Bahamas, where financial services revenues account for over 17% of GDP.
• The Bahamas has recently taken strides to promote its financial services industry on a global stage, with the European Union reaffirming the nation’s compliance with its strict criteria in early 2020. Today, there are approximately 700 funds licensed in the Bahamas, with assets under management totaling over $200 billion.
• Deltec Bank has witnessed a dramatic increase in growth, with assets under management growing nearly 12-fold between 2003 and 2019. In 2016, Deltec purchased the Bahamas-based private banking operations of French megabank Société Generale.
• In addition to traditional financial services, Deltec Bank has focused itself on partaking in the ongoing fintech revolution – hosting annual conferences for its clients showcasing emerging companies across a wide variety of industries, publishing research into the newest trends within finance and introducing its customers to unique investment opportunities within both public equity and private markets.
• Deltec Bank was recently named the ‘Best Private Bank in the Caribbean 2020’ by Global Banking and Finance Review, an award which it also won in 2015.

Deltec Bank & Trust is a leading financial hub for global investors, financiers and entrepreneurs. The private and corporate bank offers its clients a unique suite of bespoke financial solutions, institutional expertise and highly attentive service with an aim toward creating a network of opportunities to enhance client wealth. Deltec Bank & Trust Ltd. is the flagship company of the Deltec International Group, a diversified independent financial services group providing a range of financial services including fund administration, corporate advisory, merchant banking, global insurance and digital asset solutions.

Founded in 1959, Deltec draws upon the collective experience of more than 150 professionals. These specialists come from a wide array of backgrounds, including private bankers and investment advisors, trust officers, lawyers and certified public accountants, many of whom have previously worked at some of the world’s largest and most prestigious financial institutions. Deltec specializes in providing its clients with private banking and fiduciary expertise, fund administration, investment management solutions, digital asset financial services, insurance, and corporate and merchant banking capabilities.

Following the purchase of Société Generale’s private banking business in The Bahamas in 2016, Deltec has seen its group-wide assets under management, administration and custody rise to over $12 billion, as of late 2019 (http://ibn.fm/R4dyc).

Deltec Bank has received a number of accolades throughout its lengthy history, most recently being named the ‘Best Private Bank in the Caribbean 2020’ by Global Banking and Finance Review (http://ibn.fm/Bba66), an award which it also won in 2015. The company was recognized for its outstanding performance and achievements, scoring particularly highly in the following categories:

• Strong client relations with personal and client-focused services;
• Highly personalized and innovative products and services; and
• Continued commitment to providing clients with the best possible financial solutions.

Opportunity within Fintech

Remarkably for a private bank, Deltec Bank & Trust has historically been at the forefront of the digital banking and fintech revolution within the financial services industry. Deltec has also gained renown for its annual conference, with the latest iteration focusing on disruption with financial services (http://ibn.fm/QCwEV). Hosting over 300 delegates, including the Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Finance of The Bahamas, the conference featured ‘The Innovator’s Marketplace’, a forum providing an opportunity for emerging companies in biotech/life sciences, virtual reality, blockchain, fintech, quantum computing and other cutting-edge industries to pitch their ideas to investors and attendees in 45-minute presentations.

Engagement with the Community

Deltec Bank has long held strong ties within the local community in The Bahamas through its Deltec Initiatives Foundation, which was designed to foster an environment that empowers young Bahamians to drive positive social impact through the power of arts, entrepreneurship and education.

Since 2013, the foundation has discovered, launched and mentored many talented, motivated and driven Bahamian artists, artisans and entrepreneurs. The Deltec Initiatives Foundation comprises three pillars: The Initiative for the Arts, The Initiative for Young Entrepreneurs and The Initiative for Scholarship & Education.

Expert Team of Professionals

Jean Chalopin, chairman of Deltec International Group, is a global business leader with a remarkably diverse background encompassing several industries, including banking, wealth management, biotechnologies and entertainment.

Odetta Morton, CEO of Deltec Bank & Trust, is a seasoned banker and CPA with over 20 years of experience in the financial services sector, including financial management, shareholder relations, business leadership and corporate strategy.

Gregory Pepin, Deputy CEO of Deltec Bank & Trust, is an expert financial strategist with vast experience in blockchain technology, investments, wealth management and insurance.

Fabio Gama, Chief Operating Office of Deltec Bank & Trust, has 15 years’ experience in the financial services industry, Fabio has been directly responsible for operations, IT, facilities and procurement. He is an expert in developing teams and has a proven track record for supporting business needs.

Tanya Carey, Chief Financial Officer of Deltec Bank & Trust, is a resourceful finance professional and licensed CPA with over 20 years of experience in financial services and solid industry and regulatory knowledge.

Terry Girling, Chief Administrative Officer of Deltec Bank & Trust, is a senior executive, chartered accountant and banking professional with over 40 years of experience in the finance and banking sectors. Girling is experienced in all facets of banking, including accounting, compliance, operations, technology, fund administration, trust administration and human resources.

Hugo Rogers, Chief Investment Officer of Deltec Bank & Trust, is a multi-asset investment and award-winning global equity and hedge fund manager. He has actively managed investments for over 15 years. He is also a CFA Charterholder with a master’s degree from Oxford University.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.DeltecBank.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Deltec are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/Deltec

• Functional mushrooms seeing rise in popularity due to health benefits, alternative medicine options
• Predictions show global medicinal mushroom market growing annually by $13.88 billion
• Pure Extracts is ideally positioned to enter the space as experienced producer

Used for centuries for their impressive medicinal properties and health benefits, functional mushrooms are enjoying a rise in popularity, due at least in part to increased research and study of the natural fungi as well as trends toward alternative natural health options. Pure Extract Technologies, a private, plant-based extraction company with a new vertical in functional mushrooms, is focused on becoming the dominant extraction company in the industry and a leader in the rapid development and commercialization of functional mushroom products.

In an article titled “Here’s What You Need to Know About Functional Mushroom,” Stephanie Ferrari, a Massachusetts-based registered dietitian, says that there is deep scientific literature that points to the healing properties of mushrooms, specifically their immune system and cancer-prevention benefits (http://ibn.fm/3EczB). “Research suggests that mushrooms not only strengthen our immune systems but may also be useful in treating certain diseases like asthma, allergies and arthritis due to their anti-inflammatory properties,” she says.

Beyond that, the article notes that “mushrooms are low in calories, high in protein, and good sources of B vitamins, minerals and fiber. . . . Several are considered adaptogens, which means they help us to cope with stress.”

In addition, research published in “Integrative Medicine: A Clinician’s Journal,” notes that, for certain types of mushrooms, “an abundance of in vitro evidence exists that elucidates the anticancer immunological mechanisms. Preliminary research in humans is also available and is promising for treatment” (http://ibn.fm/SGEgE).

The functional mushroom industry is among the fastest growing in North America, with forecasts predicting the global medicinal mushroom market will grow annually by $13.88 billion (http://ibn.fm/mwcrf). As the industry transitions from dry biomass to extracts, many companies are unprepared for this new opportunity.

Pure Extracts, on the other hand, is ideally positioned to enter the space as an experienced producer. With a team of qualified experts and cutting-edge extraction technology, the company is set up for long-term strategic distribution and product innovation. Located in Pemberton, British Columbia, the company’s facility is built for EU-GMP certification, which allows for international sales and ensures the production of high-quality, high-purity formulations on a commercial scale.

Further establishing its power in the market, Pure Extracts has signed nondisclosure agreements to explore joint-development endeavors for product launches slated for potential Q4 delivery. The company also inked an advisory agreement with Dr. Alexander MacGregor, founder of Transpharm Canada Inc., the parent company of Toronto Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, whose facility is a fully compliant Health Canada-licensed, Good Manufacturing Practice manufacturing and testing facility and is a full-service, clinical-development business that provides clinical trial services to biotechnology companies.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.PureExtractsCorp.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Pure Extracts are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/Pure