Latest news with #MB
Forbes
14 hours ago
- Automotive
- Forbes
Bremont MB Meteor Revives The Titanium Orange
MB Meteor Orange Bremont has introduced the MB Meteor, the latest evolution of its long-standing partnership with Martin-Baker, the British ejection seat manufacturer. For 16 years, the MB series has been an important collection for the brand, known for its rugged durability and aviation pedigree, with each model undergoing the same extreme testing used on ejection seats. Orange barrel The MB Meteor features a slimmer Trip-Tick case construction crafted from lightweight Grade 2 titanium, improving its wearability. It is available with either a black or silver dial, both designed for improved legibility. A key visual element makes a welcome return: the vivid orange central barrel, developed through extensive R&D to match the original MB tone. This colour is applied using a Cerakote ceramic coating over titanium, chosen for its strong adhesion, thermal stability and resistance to wear. As with all MB models, the Meteor undergoes testing protocols created in partnership with Martin-Baker. These include live ejection tests, high-impact vibration testing, and exposure to extreme temperature cycles, assuring its credibility as a true aviation-grade tool watch. MB Dial Inside, the MB Meteor is powered by a chronometer-rated automatic movement with a 38-hour power reserve. The 43 mm titanium case offers 100 meters of water resistance and is fitted with a screw-down crown for additional security. Anti-reflective sapphire crystal protects the dial, while a solid titanium case back completes the lightweight yet robust construction. The MB Meteor represents a refined balance of Bremont's British engineering approach and practical tool-watch execution. Two dial options, both framed by the distinctive orange barrel, link the new model back to the earliest MB designs and the bold aesthetics of the original collaboration.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Salim Mehajer's ex pulls off a masterclass in revenge that will leave him FUMING... As he left prison with a gut and a bad haircut, the girlfriend he abused has had the last word
The savage violence Salim Mehajer inflicted on his ex-girlfriend says all you need to know about the man. That is, he's a criminal thug who views women as nothing but possessions. So it was particularly satisfying to see the former partner he once brutalised have the final word earlier this month - the same week he was released from prison. On July 18, Mehajer was released on parole having served almost five years behind bars for fraud and domestic violence offences. True to form, the bankrupt former deputy mayor of Auburn - sporting a slimy man bun and bulging out of his ill-fitting suit - made himself the centre of attention by going straight from jail to a dental appointment to fix his 'prison teeth'. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. On July 18, Salim Mehajer was released on parole having served almost five years behind bars for fraud and domestic violence offences But just days earlier, his victim - known legally as MB - shared a post on Instagram, seemingly timed to coincide with the narcissistic property developer's release. In it, she revealed to her followers she had a new boyfriend and couldn't be happier. It was a stark contrast indeed to her ex's life of irredeemable disgrace. She put on a loved-up display with her new man in a pair of selfies. Many of the comments on the post were from followers saying it was good to see her happy again. 'The love you deserve,' commented a friend. Daily Mail cannot republish the photos, identify MB or her boyfriend due to legal protections under Australian law that apply to domestic violence victims. Her new beau is certainly in better shape than Mehajer, who wobbled out of the clink 11 days ago looking dishevelled, with a greasy man bun and a noticeably fuller frame. The fraudster appeared to have added a few centimetres to his waistline while serving his sentence, with his blue suit straining at the seams. Mehajer was notorious for his love of cosmetic work before his downfall, including facial fillers and a blinding set of 'Turkey teeth' Mehajer also shared this bizarre message with his supporters as he returned to social media The jacket was rather unflattering, perhaps having been tailored to suit his pre-prison frame. Mehajer was notorious for his love of cosmetic work before his downfall, including facial fillers and a blinding set of 'Turkey teeth'. True to form, he headed straight to a cosmetic dentist to get his teeth fixed after being granted parole. Mehajer also shared a message with his supporters as he returned to social media. Posting a photo of the words 'I am forever grateful' in black cursive letters, he added in the caption: 'I am fully committed to fulfilling the expectations placed before me. 'Additionally, I express my sincere appreciation for the unwavering support of my family and friends, as well as the dedication of my legal representative, who has consistently stood by me throughout this journey.' Meanwhile, MB lashed the parole board's decision to allow his release. 'Despite the commissioner of corrective services opposing his release, citing his risk of reoffending, the parole board granted it anyway,' she told Nine News. 'It is so unfair, so grossly unfair, that the freedoms of the offender are put above the freedoms of the victims. We must demand better from our justice system. 'We are left to rebuild our lives while they are handed back theirs. This isn't justice. 'Every day in Australia, too many survivors watch their perpetrators walk free, often with little to no rehabilitation, no true accountability, and no regard for the long-term trauma they've caused.' Mehajer was sentenced to seven years and nine months behind bars for a range of offences including domestic violence against his ex-partner. He was convicted of assaulting the victim by punching her in the head in his car, suffocating her with his hand over her nose and mouth until she passed out, crushing her hand as she held her phone, and threatening to kill her mother. His non-parole period of three years and nine months expired this month, and the NSW Parole Board decided in June to grant his release. Mehajer rose to fame after his 2015 wedding to ex-wife Aysha, which cost him $1million Mehajer's release comes with conditions, including that he undergo drug and alcohol testing and participate in domestic violence programs if directed. He can't contact his domestic violence victim or communicate with any outlaw motorcycle gang members or associates, nor can he go to the Central Coast. His parole conditions also include being of good behaviour and seeking ongoing treatment from a private psychologist. Mehajer's appeal against his DV convictions will be heard in the Court of Criminal Appeal on August 4. Taboo rumour about Salim Mehajer's life behind bars that all the crims are talking about By Jonica Bray for Daily Mail Australia We've seen plenty of dodgy businessmen and corrupt politicians end up in the slammer for their dastardly deeds. But few have captured the imagination of the public like Salim Mehajer, the crooked property developer and disgraced former deputy mayor of Auburn. His million-dollar wedding to wife Aysha cemented him as a tabloid fixture. Then a little-known western Sydney pollie, he hired four helicopters, a fighter jet, a fleet of luxury cars and a camera crew, before closing off an entire street for his big day. But his remorseless displays of wealth only brought more focus on his shady criminal behaviour that would eventually be his downfall. Having recently walked free from prison after nearly five years behind bars, Salim made quite the name for himself during his time in the clink. And not in a good way. The prison were he was incarcerated, which houses more than 400 inmates, was a far cry from his former luxury home, with his sports cars and designer suits. Despite being declared bankrupt in 2018, Salim Mehajer was still flashing his cash behind bars The prison were he was incarcerated, which houses more than 400 inmates, was a far cry from his former luxury home, with his sports cars and designer suits But it seems old habits die hard and Salim, despite being declared bankrupt in 2018, was still flashing his cash - even as a prisoner. While inside, he spent big on 'buy-ups', a prison term that refers to an inmate's approved purchase of products like toiletries, snacks and drinks. Inmates in maximum, medium and minimum-security correctional centres can spend up to $100 each week on their grocery 'buy-up'. But the black-market jail economy often means prisoners can get access to more, including contraband items. Salim, like any banged-up crim, was perfectly within his rights to max out his weekly spending. But the fact he's loaded and always had plenty of 'buy-up' riled up other prisoners who were unable to scrape together $100 a week for a big haul. And it wasn't just because they were jealous of his chips and soda. It's because within the walls of prison, 'buy-up' is used as currency that can be exchanged for favours. Salim would buy anything he wanted to on the prison black market which, combined with his legit purchases, meant he could trade it for protection, perks - even friends. 'He is buying everything in there and he has got a lot of vultures because he can pay top dollar for things,' former cellmate Nathan Paddison told Daily Mail Australia in February, five months before Salim's release. Another jail insider added: 'You can get a tiny mobile phone, alcohol [on the black market]... and while some prisoners don't actually want any of those items, they can be handy to pay others should you need to.' Popularity has clearly always been important to Salim, as evidenced by his obsession with flaunting his wealth online. He is pictured with his wife Aysha on their $1million wedding day After the media firestorm that followed his $1million wedding, Mehajer became a household name - and soon caught the attention of police. He has faced a series of serious criminal charges, including a bizarre plot to stage a car crash. Popularity has clearly always been important to Salim, as evidenced by his obsession with flaunting his opulent wealth on social media. His barrister, Ian McLachlan, previously told a court that Mehajer's 2018 bipolar diagnosis was a causal factor in his offending, suggesting he was suffering 'grandiose thinking' at the time of his crimes. According to psychologists, grandiose thinking is an unrealistic sense of self-importance that can range from inflated self-esteem, to a feeling of superiority. During a brief prison release in 2019, Mehajer made a point of telling journalists how highly popular he was behind bars. He told a reporter how 'all the other inmates hadn't initially warmed to him, only for him to become the most popular prisoner in the place - even amongst the guards'.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Private credit's growing role in asset finance: a conversation with FIS
Private credit is rapidly reshaping the asset, motor, and equipment finance landscape. Once dominated by banks and public markets, these sectors are now seeing a shift as regulatory pressure limits traditional lending — and private credit steps in as a flexible, scalable source of capital. Unlike syndicated loans or public debt, private credit offers bespoke structures, faster execution, and funding aligned with real-world collateral like fleets, equipment, or receivables. As PwC notes, it's not just mimicking traditional finance, it's building a more tailored, efficient system for connecting borrowers and investors. This is no longer a marginal trend. As of September 2024, combined unrealised value and dry powder in private debt reached $1.05 trillion, a 94% increase since 2019, according to Preqin and S&P Capital IQ data Asset finance providers are tapping into this trend through co-lending, forward flow deals, and structured facilities that blend traditional and alternative capital. To explore how technology is supporting this evolution, Alejandro Gonzalez (AG), editor of Leasing Life, spoke with Murad Baig (MB), Global Equipment and Auto Finance Strategy Lead, Capital Markets at FIS, about how private credit is changing the rules, and how the right platforms are helping lenders adapt. MB: How is your technology helping private credit funds streamline the origination and underwriting process specifically for asset finance transactions? AG: Private credit funds are under pressure to deploy capital quickly while maintaining underwriting discipline, especially in asset-heavy sectors like equipment leasing, auto finance, and energy transition infrastructure. FIS helps address this through a unified origination platform that streamlines onboarding, credit memo creation, and real-time stipulation checks using AI. Our tools automate financial spreading, risk scoring (PD, LGD, EL), and scenario analysis, significantly reducing underwriting time while ensuring consistency and control. We also support structural flexibility, allowing lenders to incorporate ESG-linked KPIs, PIK interest, and covenant tracking into deals. This adaptability is crucial for private credit's bespoke lending models. Beyond origination, our Loan Services Suite offers middle-office support, handling loan onboarding, daily cash tracking, trade settlement, waterfall calculations, and portfolio reporting. It's a full-service solution for managing private credit portfolios. A strong example is Apollo, which uses our Commercial Lending Suite to scale its asset-backed finance strategy across equipment leasing, auto loans, and even royalties, relying on our systems for structured cash flow management, covenant logic, and collateral waterfall support. FIS delivers the tools private credit funds need to move fast, manage risk, and scale in today's evolving asset finance markets. MB: What kinds of data integrations or analytics capabilities do you provide to help credit investors assess asset-backed risk and performance over time? AG: In today's environment, especially when lending into emerging or volatile sectors, investors need more than just basic reporting, they want real-time, asset-level insight. That means full visibility into loan performance, covenant compliance, and increasingly, ESG alignment. At FIS, we make that possible by integrating loan, contract, and asset data across our asset finance and supply chain finance platforms. This gives investors and fund managers a clear, consolidated view of their portfolios, right down to individual assets. Our investor reporting tools, including PCS, VPM, and ISS, provide LP-grade transparency. That covers everything from IRR and waterfall modelling to covenant tracking and performance metrics. For hedge funds managing private credit loans, VPM can be paired with our middle-office outsourcing to ensure seamless reporting and operations. Additionally, our analytics layer provides users with access to self-service dashboards and predictive tools, enabling them to identify early warning signals and manage risk proactively across their portfolio. A great example is MetLife Investment Management. They're using private credit to support energy transition projects, things like solar leasing and EV infrastructure. Their strategy relies on tracking ESG performance, borrower alignment with net-zero goals, and impact reporting. Our platform gives them the tools to do just that, with ESG metrics fully integrated into origination and ongoing reporting. In short, we help private credit managers turn data into clarity, so they can deliver accountability to investors and make smarter, faster decisions in a fast-changing market. MB: How do your solutions accommodate the structuring flexibility often required in private credit deals — such as PIK interest, covenants, or tailored repayment schedules? AG: Private credit deals rarely follow a one-size-fits-all structure. Whether it's PIK toggles, covenant waterfalls, or hybrid amortisation schedules, flexibility is the name of the game, and that's where FIS adds real value. Our platforms are built to handle this complexity. We support fully customisable repayment structures, whether it's bullet, straight-line amortisation, or a hybrid of the two. Need to embed a PIK toggle or margin ratchet? Our systems can do that too, with logic built right into the origination and servicing workflows. We also make covenant tracking easier and more transparent. From covenant thresholds to multi-layered waterfalls, our tools give you the flexibility to model bespoke terms — and the automation to monitor them without manual workarounds. For deals involving multiple borrowers or SPVs, our credit assessment tools can consolidate financials and performance data across entities, so you're getting a true picture of risk and exposure at every level of the structure. Firms like Paul Weiss have noted the growing demand for structures with PIK interest, covenant-light documentation, and drop-down protections. Our platform supports those exact needs through configurable facility templates and robust monitoring engines—making it easier for funds to design and manage these increasingly sophisticated deals. Simply put, we help private credit managers build the deal they want, track it seamlessly, and scale without friction—no matter how bespoke the terms. MB: In what ways does your platform support collaboration between private credit funds and traditional finance providers, such as co-lending or tranche-based structures? AG: As banks face increasing capital constraints, many are shifting long-duration, capital-intensive assets off their balance sheets. That's opening up new opportunities for private credit funds to step in—through co-lending arrangements, forward flow agreements, and even synthetic risk transfers. At FIS, we're helping bridge that gap between traditional lenders and private credit capital. Our tools like FIS SyndTrak and FIS LendAmend digitise key parts of the syndication process, from managing data rooms and investor communication to amendment voting and bookrunning. This makes it easier for private credit funds to collaborate with banks on shared transactions, with clear visibility into each step of the deal lifecycle. We also offer tranche-level tracking, so funds and banks can manage their positions with clarity, monitoring exposure, waterfall distributions, and investor allocations across senior and mezzanine tranches in real time. On top of that, our platforms support forward flow and synthetic risk transfer (SRT) structures, which are increasingly popular for risk-sharing between banks, insurers, and credit funds. These tools enable efficient capital deployment without burdening balance sheets, while still delivering the long-duration returns investors want. A great example is how FIS Supply Chain Finance (formerly Demica, recently acquired by FIS) is supporting TreviPay's global expansion. The deal used a hybrid structure combining securitisation and invoice discounting, all executed through our Supply Chain Finance platform. That setup allowed both banks and private credit funds to participate in funding, each taking on a role that matched their risk profile and capital strategy. In short, we're not just supporting private credit, we're helping build the infrastructure that connects it to the broader financial system, creating more ways to fund growth collaboratively. MB: How are you helping private credit participants meet operational and regulatory requirements — particularly around transparency, compliance, and reporting? AG: As private credit becomes more mainstream, the regulatory spotlight is getting brighter — especially in the US and Europe. Funds are facing growing expectations around AML, KYC, ESG transparency, and investor disclosures. It's no longer just about deploying capital efficiently; it's also about proving you're doing it responsibly, with full compliance and transparency. That's where FIS comes in. Our Investor Services Suite automates much of the heavy lifting around onboarding, AML/KYC checks, and tax compliance, covering FATCA, CRS, and more. This reduces operational burden while ensuring every step is audit-ready. We've also embedded ESG metrics directly into the origination workflow, so funds can track KPIs tied to environmental or social outcomes from the very start of a deal. That makes it easier to report against frameworks like SFDR or TCFD without scrambling for data later. When it comes to investor and regulatory reporting, our platform can generate NAV packs, investor statements, and disclosure-ready documents on demand, whether it's for periodic reviews, audits, or ad hoc investor requests. Take MetLife Investment Management (MIM) as an example. Their transition finance strategy focuses on ESG-aligned lending, with impact reporting built in. Their framework, recognised by Environmental Finance, relies on the kind of borrower-level ESG tracking and regulatory reporting our solutions are designed to support. In today's environment, demonstrating compliance, transparency, and impact isn't optional. FIS gives private credit funds the infrastructure to do it all—efficiently, accurately, and at scale. MB: As private credit continues to scale in asset finance, what future innovations or capabilities are you building to support next-generation lending models? AG: Private credit is evolving fast. As the market shifts toward digital origination, deeper ecosystem partnerships, and financing the global energy transition, private credit funds need platforms that can keep pace — and that's exactly where our roadmap is focused. At FIS, we're building a unified, API-first asset-based lending platform that brings together asset finance, supply chain finance, and fund administration into a single, modular stack. That means funds can originate, structure, and manage deals more efficiently, no matter how complex or cross-border the transaction may be. We're also developing digital loan passports, essentially tokenised loan identities that make it easier to track ownership, enable secondary trading, and give LPs greater transparency into individual exposures. This is a game-changer for funds looking to scale or bring more liquidity into their portfolios. On the energy front, we're supporting financing for electrified transport, solar infrastructure, and ESG-aligned asset-backed lending. As BloombergNEF has highlighted, the world needs $4.8 trillion annually in energy transition investment by 2030, and private credit will be a big part of that. Our platforms are already being used to support EV fleet financing, solar leasing, and grid upgrades, helping funds underwrite real assets with long-term impact. We've also digitised the processing of Loan Agent notices using AI , which is especially valuable in private credit, where formats vary and reporting can be unstructured. This reduces operational friction and improves accuracy across syndicated and bilateral deals. In short, we're not just reacting to where private credit is going, we're helping to shape its future. Whether it's through digital origination, ESG-aligned lending, or next-gen reporting tools, FIS is committed to equipping private credit funds with the infrastructure they need to grow and lead in a changing world. "Private credit's growing role in asset finance: a conversation with FIS" was originally created and published by Leasing Life, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Daily Mail
18-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Salim Mehajer's domestic violence victim slams his release from prison saying it's 'grossly unfair' that his freedoms are put above hers
A domestic violence victim and ex-partner of a disgraced former politician has spoken out against his release, claiming it was 'grossly unfair'. Bankrupt property developer and former Auburn deputy mayor Salim Mehajer, 39, walked free from jail on Friday after nearly five years behind bars. In 2023, while serving time for unrelated offences, Mehajer was convicted of a range of domestic violence offences against his ex-partner. On Friday, his victim lashed the parole board's decision to allow his release. 'It is so unfair, so grossly unfair that the freedoms of the offender are put above the freedoms of the victims,' she told Nine News in a statement. 'We are left to rebuild our lives while they are handed back theirs. This isn't justice.' Mehajer was sentenced to seven years and nine months behind bars for a range of offences including domestic violence against his ex-partner. He was convicted of assaulting the victim by punching her in the head in his car, suffocating her with his hand over her nose and mouth until she passed out, crushing her hand as she held her phone and threatening to kill her mother. His non-parole period of three years and nine months expired on Friday and the NSW Parole Board decided last month to grant his release. Mehajer's victim, referred to legally as MB, said the consequences for domestic violence survivors 'far outweigh' the consequences of offending. 'For some victims it is years and years of trauma, a lifetime of hiding. For others it is rebuilding themselves financially and emotionally after being defrauded or dragged through civil court,' she said. 'Many abusers use the legal system as an extension of abuse. The system is set up to facilitate this. 'This is not a personal grievance. It is a systemic failure. One that must change.' Mehajer's release comes with conditions, including that he undergo drug and alcohol testing and participate in domestic violence programs if directed. He can't contact his domestic violence victim, communicate with any outlaw motorcycle gang bikies or associates and he can't go to the Central Coast. His parole conditions also include being of good behaviour, and ongoing treatment from a private psychologist. The corrective services commissioner had opposed his release, citing a risk of reoffending, an 'absence of insight' and a lack of change in attitude. Despite concerns relating to the environment he may find himself in once freed, the State Parole Authority calculated his risk of reoffending as 'medium'. Mehajer had been behind bars since November 2020, when he was jailed for lying to a court and has served back-to-back sentences for multiple offences. He has previously claimed he was not given a fair trial while defending himself against the domestic violence charges. He is due to appear in the Court of Criminal Appeal in August as part of his appeal against his domestic violence convictions. He rose to prominence following his elaborate western Sydney wedding in 2015 which closed down a street and reportedly cost $1million. The former politician, who harboured aspirations of one day becoming Prime Minister, was declared bankrupt during a previous prison stint in 2018. He wasted no time on the day of his release by stopping off at a Service NSW in Westfield Parramatta to collect a new driver's licence before making a visit to a cosmetic dentist. Flanked by reporters, he dismissed questions about his future while walking through the western Sydney shopping centre.
Business Wire
14-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Electronics Manufacturing Service Companies Scanfil and MB Elettronica to Join Forces
SIEVI, Finland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Finnish Scanfil, the largest European stock exchange listed Electronic Manufacturing Service company in terms of turnover, and Italian MB Elettronica ('MB') from Cortona Arezzo have agreed to join forces. The combined company will be a significant European player in the EMS market with a global footprint of 16 factories on four continents. MB Elettronica operates four factories in Italy and employs around 500 people. Share The combined company will be a significant European player in the EMS market with a global footprint of 16 factories on four continents. MB operates four factories in Italy and employs around 500 people. The combination increases Scanfil's number of employees to over 4,500 and current MB employees will continue in their current roles as part of Scanfil Group. MB and Scanfil have complementary offerings and customers, creating customer value through cross-selling. On customer side, MB brings new remarkable industrial customers to the new Group. Especially, it has significant competence and customer relations in Aerospace & Defense, Healthcare & Medtech, and Transportation. Due to that strength, MB's headquarters in Cortona will become the competence center for Aerospace & Defense of Scanfil. Together Scanfil and MB will be able to serve their customers even better than before, offering manufacturing services in ten countries. 'I want to welcome all new employees and customers to the growing Scanfil family. By joining forces, we create a European EMS powerhouse with a strong presence in Italy and Aerospace & Defense. For MB employees, a large company creates new career and personal development opportunities. For MB customers, a larger company means improved service offering with global manufacturing and delivery capabilities,' says Scanfil's CEO Christophe Sut. 'Scanfil has a family-owned background and MB is a family company. There is a similar dynamic in the operating cultures and entrepreneurship is highly valued in our corporate values. Our employees are highly skilled and motivated, which is and will be the key success factor for EMS,' commented Roberto Banelli, CEO of MB. 'With the financial strength and global reach of Scanfil, MB will start a new growth journey. The combination of the two companies will create value for our customers and employees. I am excited that MB is becoming part of the Scanfil family, and I look forward to seeing MB grow stronger under the new ownership.' 'I started in 1961, and I am happy that together with my children we managed to bring the company to this level and employ more than 500 people. And today, with pride, we were able to reach an agreement with Scanfil to make the company grow even more. I wish everyone a good job,' summarizes Francesco Banelli, the founder of MB Elettronica. The closing of the deal is expected to take place in the fourth quarter of 2025. Scanfil in brief Scanfil plc is Europe's largest listed provider of electronics manufacturing services (EMS), with a turnover of EUR 780 million in 2024. The company serves global sector leaders in the customer segments of Industrial, Energy & Cleantech, and Medtech & Life Science. Scanfil's services include design services, prototype manufacture, design for manufacturability (DFM) services, test development, supply chain and logistics services, circuit board assembly, manufacture of subsystems and components, and complex systems integration services. Scanfil's objective is to grow customer value by improving their competitiveness and by being their primary supply chain partner and long-term manufacturing partner internationally. Scanfil's longest-standing customer account has continued for more than 40 years. The company has global supply capabilities and eleven production facilities across four continents.
